You can scroll through every technology and technique available in digital marketing today to find the best. You’ll probably hear many suggestions about which digital marketing strategies are best. But what are the most important?

You will need to be able to compete in the highly competitive digital landscape of 2021 by focusing on 12 areas.

These are terms you may have heard of, but how much do you know about each to make them effective? These are the standard for the year, and the next decade.

You will be amazed at how much you know about each. Next, identify the elements you need to focus on. They all include SEO and landing pages. You may also learn about local SEO, and the ever-popular video format.

1. SEO

SEO is the most important aspect of digital marketing. However, it can still be confusing because of its complexity. Although Google’s algorithms can be confusing at times, it is easier to understand how they work when you spend more time with the concept.

If you want to succeed, it’s better to hire an SEO expert. Although you can learn the basics, it’s best to have someone who has been in this field for a while to help you understand the best strategies.

One strategy is new HTMLS requirements which has already had an impact on SEO results. Google recommends that you switch to HTTPS if you are used to using HTTP pages. This is because many contact forms that use HTTP pages aren’t considered secure enough.

Google will now label these sites “non-secure” and it is essential that you update your website with the HTTPS status. A “non-secure” stamp could make your website more difficult to rank in search engines.

Our expert B2B SEO services can help you make this transformation.

2. Search Engine Marketing

Search engine marketing is often abbreviated to SEM if you are new to it. This is a type of Internet marketing that allows you to increase your SERPs by using paid advertising.

Expertise in this area is important, particularly if you have experience with Google Ads or search/display advertisements. Google Ads is a complicated process, so it’s important to learn as much as you can about the basics.

You’ll be most impressed by the ease of Google Ads. They are attentive to customization. You can choose to have graphic display ads or YouTube video ads. Text-based search ads are also available. In-app mobile ads are also available. These options will depend on the nature of your business and the customers you want to reach.

Google makes it easier by providing localized advertising capabilities and superior metrics that allow you to monitor how your ads perform.

You should also consider other paid advertising opportunities, such as Facebook Ads. This allows you to tailor to many ad formats.

3. Local Search Marketing

Local search marketing has been receiving a lot of attention in recent years. Local search marketing will continue to be important as local businesses recognize the importance of being found locally by consumers.

You can use more Google gifts to start with local search marketing. You can have your listing appear in Google’s search results the moment someone searches for you using keywords. This includes Google Maps showing your business.

Google makes it simple to update your listing so that nothing is out of date.

Remember how important online reviews and your social reputation are. Customers will be more likely to leave positive reviews on sites like Yelp. You can use inbound market by starting conversations on social media and publishing targeted content. You will attract customers to your inbound marketing techniques, rather than them seeking you.

4. Content Marketing

Content marketing is an important part of reaching a targeted audience. It acts as a connector string to inbound marketing. Content marketing is all about making your content useful, relevant, consistent, and enjoyable to consume.

Today’s content must be able to solve problems and remain relevant. Google’s all-seeing eyes will make it impossible to use shortcuts and black hat SEO techniques to get to the top of search engines.

As many people like to say, content is the king. You need to make content marketing successful. This means must focus on mobile content and native advertising.

Mobile content is important because it already makes up half of all global devices. This will impact digital advertising and the way influencers promote your brand.

Automated tools deliver content to prospects’ mobile devices at the right time.

5. Remarketing

Digital marketing also includes following up with prospects with marketing content if they don’t respond to your banner ads. This is done by creating ads on related websites and tracking these visitors using cookies.

To better target your prospects, you can also create new ads for your website. You can use the information that you receive from site visitors to tailor your ads to meet their needs.

Remarketing can help you remain more connected with prospects and aid in brand awareness and increase conversions. Your competitors can also become customers, which will pay back any advertising investment.

6. Responsive web design

Mobile marketing is becoming more mainstream and will continue to be the norm in the next decade. One of the most important aspects of digital marketing is making your website adaptable to mobile devices. Responsive web design is the only way to make this happen.

Responsive programming allows you to make your website adaptable to all mobile devices. This can be used to refer to more than one format, such as tablets and the increasing use of smartwatches.

You will need to work with a web developer to do this, but an SEO expert is needed for other aspects of RWD. AMP, or Accelerated Mobile Page (or Accelerated Web Pages), is an open-source code that speeds up mobile web pages.

Google grants this preference to websites that use it, so be careful. This is especially helpful if your site has a publishing section or you post content on a regular basis to it.

7. Email Marketing

You’ve probably done some email marketing. But how effective was it at reaching the right targets at the right time? Email marketing can generate more leads than any other marketing tool. Your conversion and sales rates can be increased by email marketing.

Email marketing is a great option if you are already spending too much on digital marketing. It’s sometimes free, except when you use outsourced services.

It can be combined with other media so it is one the most integrated marketing strategies. You can add social share icons, plus referral reward systems. Use compelling content to increase sales and reduce your sales cycle.

8. Social Media Marketing

You’re likely to have already posted content on social media. But what can you do this year to make it even more successful?

Forbes suggests a few things to capture today’s audience. Forbes also recommends automation to post content when your audience is reading. It is a great idea to use tools such as Hootsuite to schedule when you want users to reach them in other time zones.

To show your authority, you might also be interested in curating content. This adds credibility to your brand and expertise. Don’t be ashamed to do it. You’ll get reciprocated when you curate content for others.

Don’t forget to hire influencers who will post content on your social media channels.

9. Marketing Automation

Marketing automation is an integral part of many digital marketing strategies. It should be a priority to learn more as it becomes a standard in all businesses.

You can see the future and present of marketing by looking at 91% success stories.

This will help you to be successful. Both can be integrated since your CRM already contains contact information. Automating marketing content directly from your contact list allows you to integrate all your marketing efforts in one place, rather than using different sources.

To avoid confusion about your brand, it is important to maintain consistency across all channels when using automation.

10. Influencer Marketing

You might be surprised at how affordable it is to launch a digital marketing campaign. You can save money by using inbound and email marketing, but hiring influencers is a great way to do the same.

You might be wrong if you believe that hiring influencers online to promote your brand is about finding celebrities. Influential on social media does not always mean being a celebrity. You can be someone who has a lot of followers or has a track record of successfully promoting products.

Forbes says to find top influencers first. This will require some research. To find out what others are saying about your industry, you can use hashtag searches on sites like Twitter.

Ask these social media influencers if they would be willing to promote your brand. You might be offered free products in return. Most will charge a fee.

To ensure your ROI, track your results. Remember that followers with fewer followers may have a greater influence than those with 10 times more followers.

11. Video

In the past decade, we have become a more visual culture and are attracted to digital imagery. This comes in many forms, but it’s clear that video is the most popular.

Now, more content consumers prefer video over any other visual medium. Recent statistics indicate that 87% online marketers now use some form of video content.

This is largely due to the huge viewership of sites like YouTube. Without compelling content, regardless of where you post videos, it doesn’t matter.

Personalized videos have become the norm recently, or at minimum ones that address specific pain points for targeted viewers. Making your business appear more human is the same.

Video marketing can be as simple as behind-the scenes tours of your company or testimonials that show the human side to your brand. This is why you should pay attention to Storytelling, a major trend in video marketing.

You can make a compelling case for your business and show customers that you can solve their problems. This is a must-have formula.

Also, it’s a smart idea to keep your videos short, even if you have to make a series. Your attention spans are shorter than ever so you will need to convey your story in a concise way with a strong hook.

12. Revisit Your Landing Pages

Are you certain that prospects who have visited your landing page before will return?

This question should be the core of all your digital marketing efforts. Marketing experts agree that landing page traffic is key to successful inbound marketing.

Your landing page may not be very attractive at the moment. This problem can be solved in part by web design.

This goes beyond the content you put on your website. PPC advertising (pay per click) is a great way to advertise your site on other digital channels.

Sponsorships with other companies are another option, as is email marketing . Common strategies include linking to your landing page so that the reader can access additional content.

To avoid any complications, include a CTA on your homepage. A CTA can be added to the end of your blog to provide a link to your content and encourage more visitors.

Pay attention to the debates about “above vs. beneath the fold”. Kissmetrics once stated that CTA placement is dependent on the length and content of your landing page. If your landing page is shorter, you should place the CTA higher than the folder.

At Kobe Digital if you need more information on this you can send us a message.