With 2020 coming to an end, it’s time to look forward to next year and think of new ways to continue to grow your business. 2020 was a year unlike any other due to the coronavirus pandemic shutting the economy down, which forced companies to close their doors and consumers to isolate at home. However, many businesses, both big and small, have adapted, and new trends are on the rise to adhere to these changing consumer behaviors.

To ensure your company flourishes this upcoming year, it’s time to take a look at different trends and tactics to keep your customers coming back for more. One way to reach a broader audience is through marketing. Take a look at our top four marketing tactics on the rise for 2021.

1. SEO

Search engine optimization (SEO) has been a popular marketing tactic for the past several years but continues to grow in importance as time goes on. Search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo are constantly rolling out new algorithms that determine what sites and pages rank well for specific queries, meaning companies with websites need to always be on top of new SEO trends in order to rank #1 or win the featured snippet/answer box.

To ensure your SEO is up to snuff, consider these SEO tactics:

• Publish well written and informative content

• Use numbered or bulleted lists throughout the content

• Improve page speed

• Incorporate tables and charts

• Use original photos, graphics, and videos in content

• Use targeted keywords

These are just some of the ways you can ensure the content that you’re publishing on your blog is rank worthy. With these tactics in mind, you can watch your rankings climb up the leaderboard on search engine results pages. For more information on SEO, take advantage of sites and tools like Moz, SEMRush, and Wordstream.

2. User Experience

Another area of SEO that businesses often overlook is user experience (UX). When users come to visit your site, you want to take them on a journey that leads them down the sales funnel and encourages them to make a purchase. Companies with websites that have poor UX often experience high bounce rates, which means users quickly hit the back button and search for another more functional site. High bounce rates aren’t taken lightly by search engines like Google, which means your rankings can suffer if you have poor UX.

To improve the relationship with your customers, some UX tactics to consider include:

• Improving page speed: We’ve all landed on pages that took forever to load. In an age of instant gratification, consumers want information fast. To improve your page speed, use Google’s Page Speed Insights tool, which can tell you whether CSS and Javascript need to be optimized, images and videos need to be condensed, or large files need to be compressed.

• Enhancing functionality: No one wants to get lost on your website. To enhance functionality, make sure page navigation is clear to follow by incorporating drop-down menus, search bars, and calls to action (CTAs). Take our example below. On Shareable for Hire’s site, you’ll notice a menu on the top where users can easily find out how the product works, information on background checks, how much it costs, and where to get help.

• Increase accessibility across devices: Today, consumers are conducting web searches from a host of devices, such as laptops, desktop computers, smartphones, and tablets. However, each device loads and displays web pages differently, which is why you want to ensure your website is accessible across all devices. To do this, take advantage of web tools like BrowserStack to ensure your website is compatible with multiple devices and bug-free.

As a business owner, one of your top priorities should be ensuring your customers are happy, both in-store and online. With a user-friendly website, you can ensure your customers and leads know where to find what they’re looking for and have a pleasant experience that encourages them to make a purchase.

3. Chatbots

One area of business the COVID-19 pandemic has changed was how customers interact with companies. Prior to nationwide lockdowns and stay-at-home orders, customers could easily shop in-store, ask floor representatives questions, and see and test out products in-person. However, consumers are now doing most of their shopping online, which means access to help can be fairly sparse.

Having 24/7 customer service is essential to keep your customers satisfied, and chatbots can help make this happen. Many businesses can have a team of customer service representatives working remotely to answer any customer questions, complaints, or other inquiries. However, employing a staff that can work around the clock is often unrealistic. Fortunately, artificial intelligence (AI) is making it easier for businesses to help customers when they need it by having the ability to respond to frequently asked questions.

When using a chatbox on your website, make sure it’s easy to find and use. In our example below, you’ll see consumers can access a live chatbot where there are numerous topics a user can choose from to answer a question. It’s also accessible right on the homepage by scrolling to the bottom and clicking “Start a Live Chat.” With easy on-demand access, consumers can easily get help and answers the moment they need it.

4. Shoppable social media posts

Social media is one of the easiest ways to market your business. Not only is it free, but it’s an excellent way to reach a broader audience by posting unique content, interact with users, and compete with your competitors. 

One thing you may have noticed is that social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram are allowing businesses to create shoppable social media posts where users can buy the products they see right in an image or video. With shoppable posts, you now can tag products or services you sell on an image or video you post, which allows users to connect to your marketplace to purchase.

Wrapping up

2020 might not have been the year anyone has been expecting. However, there are plenty of teachable moments that can help you go into 2021 with a solid plan for your business. With these four marketing tactics, you can bring in more leads and customers to your site in an authentic way. From improving your site’s SEO to harnessing the power of social media, these are just some of the ways you can connect with your audience, improve sales, and grow your business.

Samantha Rupp

Samantha Rupp holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She is the managing editor for 365 Business Tips as well as runs a personal blog, Mixed Bits Media. She lives in San Diego, California and enjoys spending time on the beach, reading up on current industry trends, and traveling.