The digital marketing landscape evolves continuously, and it can be quite challenging to keep up with the latest trends and best practices. One major truth you must realize as a business owner, or entrepreneur is marketing your product or service to the right audience
Doing this consistently helps you stay ahead of the game, remain competitive, reach your marketing goals in little or no time as well as reach your target audience effectively
However, the challenge is most individuals do not what to do (as regards digital marketing best/proven practices in 2024 & beyond). In this article, we will discuss the essential things you must know about digital marketing and the top 13 digital marketing best practices that will help you stay ahead of the game in 2024 and beyond.
Essential Things You Must Know About Digital Marketing
We have always heard about digital marketing, but what does digital marketing entail? Here are 6 essential things you must know
- It is an aspect of marketing that leverages the use of the Internet and online-based digital technology to create, promote and distribute brand quality across digital channels to an end user
- It is the advertisement of goods and services via digital technologies such as cellphones, smartphones, desktop computers, visual advertising media (digitised billboards), and other electronic media and platforms
- It enforces the efficiency and effectiveness of marketing goals by ensuring that businesses reach their target audience excellently
- Digital marketing includes several forms of marketing such as search engine optimization (SEO), search engine marketing (SEM), content marketing, influencer marketing, campaign marketing, data-driven marketing, social media marketing & optimization, e-mail marketing etc.
- Digital Marketing revolutionalised communication channels, thus becoming an integral component of communication due to the advancement of science and technology in the development of the Internet and the distribution of electronic gadgets such as smartphones, laptops etc
- Digital marketing applies to offline platforms in areas such as cellphone SMS/MMS, visual media etc
Today, there is no direction you move towards that there is no iota of digital marketing today. It has completely changed the perception of modern-day marketing as a result of the vast distribution of phones, and laptops which has infused greatly into our everyday activities (people use digital devices rather than watching television or going to physical stores)
History of Digital Marketing
Digital Marketing started as a simple text ad displayed on computer screens, and they were mainly used by business-to-business (B2B) to advertise their products and services.
The goal was to invent new strategies of marketing other than traditional fliers, posters, billboards, television & radio. In the 1990s, the rise of the internet paved the way for more sophisticated forms of digital marketing.
The first online banner ads appeared in 1994, and companies soon began to experiment with email marketing and search engine optimization (SEO). These early digital marketing methods were still relatively primitive, but they laid the foundation for the more advanced techniques that would emerge in the years to come.
The early 2000s saw the emergence of social media, which quickly became a popular platform for digital marketing. Companies began to create social media profiles and use them to connect with customers and build brand awareness. This was also the era of pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, which allowed companies to bid on keywords and display ads to users who were searching for specific products or services.
In the years that followed, digital marketing continued to evolve at a rapid pace. The rise of mobile devices and the increasing popularity of video content gave rise to new forms of digital marketing, such as mobile advertising and video marketing. Social media platforms also became more sophisticated, with features like targeted advertising and influencer partnerships.
Various Key Moments in the History of Digital Marketing
- 1971: Ray Tomlinson sends the first email, marking the beginning of digital communication.
- 1989: Tim Berners-Lee invents the World Wide Web, making it possible to share information on the Internet.
- 1998: Google is founded, revolutionizing the way people search for information online.
- 2004: Facebook is launched, becoming the world’s largest social media platform.
- 2007: The iPhone is released, ushering in the era of mobile marketing.
- 2010: Instagram is launched, becoming a popular platform for sharing photos and videos.
- 2012: Pinterest is launched, becoming a popular platform for sharing visual content.
- 2013: Snapchat is launched, becoming a popular platform for sharing short videos and photos.
- 2016: TikTok is launched, becoming a popular platform for sharing short videos.
The Future of Digital Marketing
Digital marketing is constantly evolving, and new technologies are emerging all the time. Some of the trends that are expected to shape the future of digital marketing include:
- Artificial intelligence (AI): AI will be used to automate tasks, personalize customer experiences, and create more effective marketing campaigns.
- Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR): VR and AR will be used to create immersive experiences for customers and to allow them to interact with products and services in new ways.
- Blockchain: Blockchain will be used to create secure and transparent transactions, and to track the movement of goods and services.
- The Internet of Things (IoT): The IoT will connect devices to the Internet, allowing businesses to collect data and insights about customer behaviour
Top 13 Digital Marketing Best Practices for Guaranteed Success in 2024 & Beyond
1. Understanding the Importance of SEO
Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of optimizing your website and content to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs) with various keywords used in the search query. It is a crucial aspect of digital marketing as it helps businesses increase their online visibility and drive organic traffic to their website (when visitors search for a keyword in which a particular website has written an article or optimized a particular page, the page/website is giving credence in this search)
However, some other factors such as keyword type (be it long or short tail), keyword search volume etc. Nowadays various social media platforms such as Instagram, tiktok employ the use of SEO in optimizing various handles, searches. In 2024, SEO will continue to be a vital component of digital marketing, and businesses must stay updated with the latest trends and techniques to stay ahead of the competition.
2. Mobile Optimization is Key
As a result of the vast distribution and ease if carrying a smartphone, coupled with the fact that quite a large chunk of the human population spends around 8-10 hours long on their phones. It is now very much essential to ensure that your website is optimized for mobile devices.
In 2024, mobile optimization will become even more critical as Google has announced that it will be switching to mobile-first indexing, meaning that the mobile version of your website will be the primary version used for indexing and ranking. To stay ahead of the game, make sure your website is responsive and provides a seamless user experience on all devices.
3. Voice Search Optimization
With the increasing popularity of voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant, voice search optimization will become a crucial aspect of SEO in 2024.
Businesses must optimize their content for voice search by using long-tail keywords and natural language to match the way people speak.
4. User Experience Optimization
User experience (UX) plays a significant role in the success of a website. In 2024, Google will continue to prioritize websites that provide a positive user experience. This means that businesses must focus on optimizing their website’s speed, navigation, and overall design to provide a seamless and enjoyable experience for their visitors.
In 2024, website optimization will continue to be a crucial aspect of digital marketing. A well-optimized website can improve user experience, increase conversions, and boost search engine rankings.
5. The Power of Video Marketing/Live Streaming
Video marketing has been on the rise in recent years, and it will continue to be a dominant force in 2024. Videos are engaging, and shareable, and can convey a message more effectively than text or images. Businesses must incorporate video marketing into their digital marketing strategy to stay ahead of the game.
Live streaming has become increasingly popular in recent years, and it will continue to be a significant trend in 2024. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube have made it easier for businesses to connect with their audience in real-time through live-streaming videos. It is an excellent way to engage with your audience and build a more personal connection with them.
6. Interactive Content
Interactive content, such as quizzes, polls, and surveys, has proven to be highly engaging and effective in capturing the attention of the audience. In 2024, businesses must incorporate interactive content into their digital marketing strategy to stand out and provide a unique experience for their audience.
7. The Rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Artificial intelligence (AI) has been making waves in the digital marketing world, and it will continue to do so in 2024. AI technology can analyze vast amounts of data and provide valuable insights that can help businesses make data-driven decisions. It can also automate tasks, such as email marketing and customer service, to improve efficiency and save time.
8. Personalization
AI technology can also help businesses personalize their marketing efforts by analyzing customer data and providing personalized recommendations and content. In 2024, personalization will become even more critical as customers expect a more personalized experience from businesses.
9. Website Security
With the rise of cyber threats, website security will become even more critical in 2024. Customers are becoming more aware of the importance of website security, and they expect businesses to take the necessary measures to protect their data. Implementing SSL certificates, using secure payment gateways, and regularly updating software are some ways to ensure website security.
10. The Power of Social Media
Social media has become an integral part of digital marketing, and it will continue to be a dominant force in 2024. Businesses must have a strong presence on social media platforms to reach their target audience and engage with them effectively.
11. Influencer Marketing
Influencer marketing has proven to be an effective way for businesses to reach their target audience and build trust with their customers. In 2024, influencer marketing will continue to be a significant trend, and businesses must incorporate it into their digital marketing strategy to stay ahead of the game.
12. Data Privacy & Analytics
Data privacy and analytics have become crucial for businesses to make informed decisions and measure the success of their digital marketing efforts. In 2024, businesses must continue to focus on collecting, and storing customer data ethically and securely to maintain their trust and analyzing data to gain valuable insights and improve their marketing strategies.
13. The Role of Automation
Marketing automation has become a game-changer for businesses, and it will continue to be a significant trend in 2024. Automation can help businesses streamline their marketing efforts, save time, and improve efficiency. It can also provide a more personalized experience for customers, leading to increased conversions and customer satisfaction.
Staying ahead of the game in the ever-changing digital marketing landscape can be challenging, but businesses must remain competitive and reach their target audience effectively. By incorporating these 13 digital marketing best practices into your strategy, you can stay ahead of the competition and achieve your marketing goals in 2024 and beyond.
