In 2021, SMEs will need to catch up with the trends of Digital Marketing so as not to fall behind the market. Today, customers engage with your business more through social media, websites, apps, and many other digital platforms. So, to be able to reach customers greater, optimize customer experience, don’t miss out on the top 10  marketing trends below.

1. The trend of applying AI in marketing

Currently, AI (artificial intelligence) is increasingly present in many fields and stages in the business and marketing process. The main purpose when using AI for businesses or campaigns and strategies is maximizing, enhancing communication, analysing customer data, and tracking sales.
 

In addition, AI helps businesses predict customer behavior patterns, and reduce workloads and other complex tasks for employees. In fact, you’ve been exposed to AI more than you might think. Typically, you can see ads appearing to match your search results on social media.
 

According to statistics, 57% of marketers today have applied AI to their processes and strategies. It is expected to grow by about 53% in the coming year.
 

2. The trend of Voice Search

Voice search is becoming more and more popular. It is done through many different technology platforms such as Alexa, Google Home and Siri on such devices as smart speakers, smartphones, laptops, and tablets.

Many studies show that, by 2021, 70% of searches will be done with voice search. This will have a great impact on the search trend for long keywords and conversations. So, it is imperative that your business listings take this medium of search when positioning your online footprint.

3. The trend of Customer Experience Marketing
 

Research shows that customers are more likely to make a purchase with a sensible shopping experience. So, use app features to sell directly on platforms. This will minimize the trouble and inconvenience and reduce the loss of customers when they have to spend too much time buying on the app or on the website.

As you know, social networks are considered to be the largest platforms you can market directly to consumers. You might be shocked when you find out that 60% of Instagram users said that they would find new products on this social media platform. More than 4000 Pinterest users said they also found many new products on the platform.

Also, make sure your communication strategy is ready for mobile versions. You can refer to a few metrics to see the importance of this such as:

4. The trend of Video Marketing
 

Research shows that customers are more likely to make a purchase with a sensible shopping experience. So, use app features to sell directly on platforms. This will minimize the trouble and inconvenience and reduce the loss of customers when they have to spend too much time buying on the app or on the website.

As you know, social networks are considered to be the largest platforms you can market directly to consumers. You might be shocked when you find out that 60% of Instagram users said that they would find new products on this social media platform. More than 4000 Pinterest users said they also found many new products on the platform.

Also, make sure your communication strategy is ready for mobile versions. You can refer to a few metrics to see the importance of this such as:

60% of customers say that watching a product video before making a purchase will help them have a clearer picture of the product, thereby making them more confident when buying it. When it comes to Digital Marketing trends in 2021, video marketing is the “backbone” of marketers. If the content of the video is great and valuable, it will be more interested to customers, especially for videos with high-end experiences.

DIY videos, founder’s stories, and videos with local cinematographers telling relevant stories will bring you closer to your audience. All of these will help you to better sell indirectly and build your brand.


Take as an example the first thing that comes to your mind when you buy a product, the following written questions will pop into your head. Creating videos of your products can be very beneficial for you to convince customers and give them more peace of mind before making a checkout.

Mobiles account for 51.4% of the media used to browse the web, while laptops make up only 43.4%.

70% of searches as of now are performed by mobile devices.
 

5. The trend of Programmatic Advertising

Programmatic advertising is rapidly changing the way of digital advertising. Essentially, using AI to automate ad purchases allows businesses to target a more specific audience.

Real-time bidding (RTB), for example, is a perfect programmatic purchase. According to eMarketer, 86.2% of programmatic advertisements will have a digital display by 2021 in the US.

6. Content Marketing is becoming more and more crucial

Programmatic advertising is rapidly changing the way of digital advertising. Essentially, using AI to automate ad purchases allows businesses to target a more specific audience.

Real-time bidding (RTB), for example, is a perfect programmatic purchase. According to eMarketer, 86.2% of programmatic advertisements will have a digital display by 2021 in the US.
 

At any stage, content marketing has been and will be very important and tends to grow more diverse. Content is the major reason to keep users staying on your website longer.

This is also one of the ways to help you create leads.

The contents can be listed as blog posts, images, videos, and many others.

7. The trend of Chatbot powered by Ai

The chatbot is increasingly being applied and “humanized” with AI technology. Based on the current trend, over 89% of businesses say they want to serve their customers with a chatbot by 2020.

It suggests that chatbot is being used quite strongly in customer care fields. 45% of users are feeling better when they interact with chatbots instead of real customer care staff.

Enterprises and companies are using chatbots in the customer care department to be capable of supporting customers 24/7 and helping them handle a large number of customer requests.

8. The trend of AR and VR Technology

The trend of AR (Augmented Reality) and VR (Virtual Reality) – is being evaluated as one the breakthroughs in technologies, marketing, and communication strategies.

AR and VR are gradually making communications between you and your customers more realistic when they do not have a great deal of time to visit your sales sites.

The application of AR technology will help them interact with the product more intuitively. Your brand will also be more remembered by users.

These two trends have really exploded in recent years and are fast becoming one of the top marketing trends. While VR has been the more known of the two for quite some time now, AR will outperform it in this year or the next year.

9. Google Apps – smart bidding tool

Current Digital trends show that automation is the decisive factor in marketing, the update of Google Adwords to Google Ads has brought more new features, and many options are done automatically and intelligently.

Google Ads also uses machine learning to optimize your bids, helping you achieve higher conversion rates. Additionally, Google marketing live has given your bids never seen before and the ability to choose conversion activities within the scope of your campaign expression.

10. The trend of Advertising via messaging apps on social networks

Messaging apps are where you and your customers can most easily connect. Conversations better customer's brand experience and help them gain more information.

The trend in 2021 is to advertise through messaging apps such as WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and WeChat. These apps are becoming popular means for businesses to reach their customers.

Take a specific example as Facebook Messenger. This app has more than 15 billion messages between customers and advertisers each month.
 

Above are 10 Digital Marketing trends in 2021 that you should know that will help you gain your competitive advantage and continues prosperity.