Why Small Businesses Need to Track Digital Marketing Trends
Social media platforms and marketing channels keep changing, and staying ahead means regularly reviewing what is working and what has stopped delivering results.
The trends below highlight some of the shifts that matter most for small and medium businesses, from video content to data privacy rules and the growing use of automation in customer support.
Videos; all the videos
Video content still catches the eye faster than text or static images, and it continues to drive strong engagement across every major platform. You can use 360-degree videos, live streams, or short behind-the-scenes clips – whatever suits your brand. The one non-negotiable is mobile optimisation, since most people now watch video content on their phones rather than a desktop screen.
You can do 360-degree vids, live streams, cryptic and obvious little films; whatever you want. One thing is essential though – make sure you’re mobile-optimised as 90% of Twitter and 60% of YouTube viewings is on mobile devices.
Social media influencers are gaining more power
We all know how well influencer marketing works. It is an influencer’s market, so you need to compete hard to work with the right people for your brand.
Focus on developing long-term relationships with social media influencers, but do not worry if a relationship comes to a natural end. Keep things organic, because audiences can spot forced or unnatural partnerships straight away.…
The EU is watching you
The European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) has been in force since 2018 and continues to shape how businesses handle customer data. It gives EU citizens control over their data, and requires companies to obtain explicit consent and explain clearly how that data is stored and used.
You do not have to be based in the EU for this to apply – if you collect data from an EU citizen, you still need to comply with the rules, and non-compliance can carry fines of up to 4% of annual turnover.
The year of the chatbot
Chatbots have moved well beyond simple scripted replies. Many brands now use them for both customer support and marketing, and modern chatbots can handle a genuine conversation rather than a fixed set of questions.
For many businesses, a chatbot is now the first point of contact on the website, freeing up staff time for the enquiries that need a human.
