Best Digital Marketing Trends in 2020

by Burke Dorman
3 mins read
2020 Digital marketing trends

Key takeaways

  • Prioritize technical efficiency: compress files, ensure secure connections, improve site speed, simplify navigation and reduce steps to conversion.
  • Keep SEO current: focus on website and blog content quality, keyword saturation, backlinks, user experience and other ranking factors.
  • Shift social media to ‘helping, not selling’: use live streams, uplifting content and spotlight audience quarantine journeys, social use spiked and desktop use rose, so consider more ad spend toward websites.
  • Monitor online reputation: track reviews, answer questions promptly, be transparent about safety and business changes and don’t be afraid to show vulnerability.
  • Use email for longer, personalized updates such as policy changes, business updates and shipping information to keep subscribers in the loop.
  • Do outreach for link building: interact with other sites, provide relevant information and use services and tools to earn links. Authority depends on site age and backlink quality/quantity.

Introduction

Digital marketing trends are constantly changing, making it difficult for businesses to keep track. Although digital marketing has been a growing industry throughout the years, the reliance on it during the outbreak has reached new heights. It’s more important than ever to stay in touch with the latest practices to keep your business thriving amidst the uncertainty. With that being said, here are the best digital marketing trends in 2020: 

Technical Efficiency and SEO

Users appreciate an experience that makes their interactions with your business as easy as possible. It’s therefore vital to ensure your user experience (UX) is top notch for your customers. This means compressing files and ensuring secure connections to improve site speed and making your website as navigable as possible. Look for ways to make access to information incredibly easy and reduce the number of steps customers are required to take to complete a desired action.

In addition to the technical components of your site, you should always ensure it is search engine optimized. As search engine optimization (SEO) best practices are constantly changing with search engine algorithms, it’s important to stay up to date with 2020 SEO trends. Some important things to keep in mind when considering your SEO strategy are website content and blog quality, keyword saturation, backlinks, user experience, and other ranking factors.

2020 Google algorithm ranking factors by FirstPageSage
2020 Google Algorithm Ranking Factors
Source: FirstPageSage

Social Media (Obviously, but use it way differently)

Although social media is an important medium to leverage for your digital marketing strategy, it is even more so now. In 2020, social media usage has spiked with trends showing an extreme increase in social media use on desktop websites. Maybe consider spending more of your ad dollars towards websites than you have been before.

Not only has social media use increased, but the ways people are using social media have also changed in 2020. A big social media advertising trend is changing to a ‘focus helping, not selling’ mindset. Instead of trying to sell, focus on helping your audience through this time. This can be done through leveraging live streams, posting uplifting content, or spotlighting your audience’s quarantine journeys. 

All of these strategies help you stay connected to your community. Remember that people are facing difficult times. By using live streams and posts to promote positivity, you can engage your audience and keep them entertained.

Uber Instagram post

Monitor Your Online Reputation

Maintaining a good reputation, especially during times of crisis, is essential for retaining customers and attracting new ones. It’s important that you keep track of reviews online and see what others think about your business.

In an age of conscious consumerism, people not only look up reviews of your business quality, they also want to ensure your brand is worth consuming. During these times, being transparent with your consumers, and updating them about your business is key. Everyone’s top priority is safety. Keeping your customers informed about the steps your business is taking to ensure their safety is immensely valuable. 

Show that you care about your customers by monitoring questions being asked about your business, and being prompt in providing answers. When responding to questions, don’t be afraid to show vulnerability. Address the obstacles your business may be facing and how you are trying to overcome them. 

Google Alerts online reputation monitoring

Email Marketing

People only want quick updates and pictures on social media, as they are constantly scrolling, email marketing is still super important to provide your customers with information. It’s a great platform for sending longer updates and for sharing personalized content. 

Email marketing is also a great way to inform your audience about policy changes, business updates, and shipping information. This will allow you to keep your email subscribers updated about any important information so that they always remain in the loop. 

Spotify email marketing for COVID-19

 Outreach

Outreach is an important part of any marketing strategy. Search engines not only consider the content on your website, but they also take into consideration the authority of your website. This is partially indicated by the age of your website, but most importantly by the amount (and the quality) of websites linking to your website.

Outreach for link building purposes involves interacting with other businesses and websites and seeking opportunities to provide them with relevant information. Using databases like HARO also gives you opportunities to connect with media sources seeking information about your industry. By helping these journalists and bloggers, they will provide you with a link as their source.

A screenshot of HARO website.

Staying relevant as a business means staying up to date with your marketing strategies. Leverage these top digital marketing trends of 2020 to improve your digital marketing campaigns and help your business succeed during these unusual times.

FAQ

What website technical changes improve user experience and SEO in 2020?

Compress files, ensure secure connections and improve site speed. Make your site highly navigable and reduce the number of steps customers must take to complete an action. Also, keep SEO practices current by focusing on website and blog content quality, keyword saturation, backlinks, user experience and other ranking factors.

How should businesses change their social media approach during the 2020 outbreak?

Shift from selling to helping: use live streams, post uplifting content and spotlight your audience’s quarantine journeys to engage the community. Because social media use increased and desktop use spiked in 2020, consider allocating more ad dollars toward websites/desktop placements.

What are effective ways to monitor and respond to my online reputation during a crisis?

Track online reviews and questions about your business, respond promptly and be transparent about business challenges and the steps you’re taking to ensure customer safety. Showing vulnerability when explaining obstacles and solutions helps maintain trust.

Why is email marketing still important when people are scrolling social media constantly?

Email is better suited for longer updates and personalized content. Use it to inform subscribers about policy changes, business updates and shipping information so they remain fully informed.

How can outreach and link building improve my website’s search authority?

Search engines consider authority based on factors including site age and, importantly, the number and quality of websites linking to you. Outreach for link building means interacting with other businesses and websites to provide relevant information.

Which SEO elements should I prioritize this year?

Prioritize high-quality website and blog content, appropriate keyword usage, building quality backlinks and improving user experience. Combine these with technical optimization (site speed, secure connections, compressing files and navigability) since they are cited as important ranking factors.

What should I communicate to customers about safety and business operations now?

Be transparent and timely: update customers about the steps you’re taking to ensure safety, any policy changes, operational updates and shipping information. Use email and social posts to keep people informed and answer questions promptly to show you care.

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