What’s in store for us in 2014?
1.SEO and Social Signals Will Become Even More Intertwined
Social signals don’t carry the same weight as traditional inbound links, but they are one of the 3 pillars of SEO! The Goal of Google and other search engines is to provide users with the most relevant and highest quality content possible, SO it makes sense why they would factor in the number of social shares that a blog post, article or product page receive. Not only does Google like this, but if people see that it has hundreds or thousands of shares, it’s more than likely that this is something of value.
- Social share plugins – work as a stamp of approval
While it’s difficult to predict algorithms will evolve in the future, there’s a reasonable chance that social shares will match or even outweigh traditional inbound links by the end of 2014.
2. Mobile-Friendly Content Will Be Necessary
“87% of connected devices sales by 2017 will be tablets and smartphones.” Forbes
Whether it’s creating an alternate mobile version of a website or utilizing responsive web design – a positive mobile experience is essential for the customer. As the shift from traditional PCs and laptops to mobile devices continues, businesses that aren’t onboard are likely to suffer.
Check out some of our responsive builds…
http://www.goodmanrestaurants.com/
3. Less will be more
Consumers prefer simplistic marketing messages instead of in-depth messages
Think Apple and Google and Pinterest….
Many consumers feeling overwhelmed out by a constant barrage of information and advertisements that scream “look at me”. Some of the most innovative marketers are steering the opposite direction and are now making efforts to tone-down their campaign messages and not overwhelm consumers with hype.
“there is a sense that from the hyper-connectivity of our highly-digitized lives to the bright, flashy, complicated sensory input we’re fed everyday, there is no way to continue at this pace. As a result, 2013 is likely to be a year where the most successful marketing strategies will be ones that are not only simple in nature, but promote goods and services that serve to simplify the consumer’s life, or even just their customer experience.” Forbes
4. Social Media Marketing Will Require More Diversity
Just a few years ago, businesses were limited with regard to the social media networks they could implement into their marketing campaigns Eg. Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. And while the big guys are still reining, new social media networks are appearing all the time.
Some thrive, others fail. Pinterest, Google+, Tumblr and Instagram have surged in popularity and have provided businesses with a plethora of new options that allow them to produce engaging content in a variety of media forms and build their audiences across more channels than ever before.
As a result of this, businesses are branching out and experimenting with multiple networks with the aim of reaching the maximum amount of consumers.
BRAND IDENTITY This diversification seems to prove fruitful for many companies because it often builds brand equity by making it easier for consumers to recognize a particular brand.
What will be the next? And how will it work with existing social networks? Facebook’s younger demographic is declining and pictures are becoming the focus (the surprising rise of snapchat…)