Digital Marketing trends have shifted in the last year, as personalization platforms like Google Shopping play a key role for retailers and consumers alike.

COVID-19 changed how we interact with one another, how we work, and how we shop.

While few can say that they are comfortably out from under the grip of the deadly virus that rocked the world in 2020, there does seem to be a light at the end of the tunnel.

But even with the promise of change on the horizon, many consumers -and retailers- are finding that some of these new habits are just too good to let go of.

Bringing into stark focus the necessity of social media, consumer focused and targeted ad campaigns, as well as comparative pricing and locational data boosted by Google Shopping management services.

6 Digital Marketing Trends in 2021

Google Shopping

Topping these new trends that will surely show continued endurance in the coming years is Google Shopping.

While the application isn’t new, the tool has shown a surprising upswing in interest and use within the last year, particularly as demand for online goods soared, and a wider variety of retailers looked to step up to the mammoth task of going online.

For online businesses that are strongly considering a revamped SEO strategy, or setting renewed reliance on their digital marketing agency, a clear google shopping campaign for 2021 won’t go amiss.

Particularly as the platform functions differently than most other online shopping hubs like Amazon and Etsy- instead, supplying consumers with similar products from a multitude of retailers in order to secure the best price.

Social Media Buying and Reach

Making Google Shopping management services a must for any retailer that wants to sink their teeth into e-commerce without affiliating with larger retail outlets.

Moreover, consumer behavior trends in 2020 saw more shoppers gaining inspiration from social media platforms like Instagram, and then using Google to discover new products.

So while we may have gotten used to the more compartmentalized approach to SEO marketing, 2021 seems to show more crossover trends.

Requiring retailers to consider new types of social media campaigns that can dovetail into comparison platforms like Google Shopping.

Further reinforcing the position of a digital marketing agency that knows how to not only improve ranking, but also focus on social media presence, local listings and geolocation data, as well as more intimate digital forms of customer relations.

Online Communications and Events

Like online events and communications.

Is suspected that 2021 will see a continuance of the work from home trend, as well as an ever increasing reliance on digital communication.

This can include many different aspects of marketing, from online meetings to more personalized content and customer care.

How well your digital platforms perform in these spheres will not only strengthen ratings and improve CTR- as consumers have reported that convenience is one of the most motivating factors to buy- but will also help your business improve ROI by reducing administrative costs.

With fewer profits designated towards keeping an office and associated transportation costs, businesses can instead focus this retained revenue on marketing campaigns and better equipment for work from home employees.

AI in Advertising and SEO Marketing Agency

AI is continuing to play a huge part in digital marketing– let alone the entire e-commerce business sector.

Allowing your SEO services agency to better understand consumer habits while being able to more efficiently filter customer requests and create consumer focused content.

Perhaps the most exciting AI innovation to see improvements this year is “Programmatic Advertising” or an automated bidding system that translates into ad buying.

Essentially creating a real-time, targeted ad purchase point, that will target specific customers that are currently browsing the publishing website.

Making new customer acquisition more effective in both overall costs and time.

Personalized Conversational Marketing

Outside of feeling like customers finally have access to convenient price comparison, and enjoying a higher degree of relevancy in the ads they are shown, consumers also want to feel like they are still capable of reaching a human.

This type of personalization and conversational interaction allows consumers to feel more involved in their purchases, and more confident about making them.

Thanks to the shift into a multitude of channels, as opposed to just website traffic, consumers are looking for a more bespoke and individual shopping experience.

Where the retailer is capable of quickly interacting with buyers in a space that is familiar for them.

What was once mitigated by face-to-face encounters in brick and mortar stores, has now been moved to chat interfaces and comment sections.

Engendering brand loyalty and a personalized feel to an incredibly impersonal platform.

Video Marketing

Few things have become so important in the new normality of digital marketing as the humble video.

Using fun themes and often a more casual approach, video marketing is taking a bit of a diversion from the ad campaigns used historically by marketing agencies.

Away from the feeling of an overproduced and curated advertisement- consumers seem to be continuing to look for that personalized and friendly approach.

Preferring short videos like Facebook Live updates or Instagram’s Reels to learn about new products and services.

Video marketing also translates well to other types of digital marketing, far beyond social media.

Videos can be transcribed, easily shared, or even turned into a podcast.

Not to mention the format is mobile friendly and easy to consume while performing other tasks– something consumers need.

Even short videos on websites have been shown to increase Google rankings as people seem to be compelled to engage with video more than text or even banner ads.