How COVID-19 has Changed the Future of Digital Marketing

Sarah Parker
Authored by Sarah Parker
Posted: Saturday, September 25, 2021 - 19:06

The COVID 19 pandemic has affected every aspect of our lives and forced us to do things differently.  During the months of lockdown and self-isolation we were forced to make changes to the way we conduct our lives and business. And given the fact that Covid 19 is here to stay so are the changes.

What’s Changed?

One of the prominent changes brought by the pandemic that is shaping the business world is the increase of time we spend online. More we interact with the technologies more enjoyable is the experience, making it a regular part of our lives irrespective of pandemic restrictions. This enhanced online presence is widening the online business opportunity promising a bright future for digital marketing agencies.

The Future of Digital Marketing

We as consumers had to make adjustments to the way we discover brands and the way we shop as a result of our need to social distance. As would be expected, this has caused a great shift in the consumption pattern of information, goods, and services which served as a compelling argument for businesses to go digital and prompted brands to create content that’s relevant.

Reliance on digital marketing was growing before the pandemic began, but when now it has become the solution for necessities and recreation for people staying at home. The imposed restrictions have dramatically increased the size, availability, and profile of the digital audience available to businesses, and for many, digital marketing is not only the solution but also the means to communicate with their customers. So what changes are here to stay?

SEO Couldn’t Be More Important

Search engine optimisation is all about connecting search engine users with the right websites.

In the absence of being able to visit a store, online search was the main way for people to discover content online. Whether it was a local business or more general queries, this was the easiest way to get what you need in seconds. And that is why search engine was such an important tool when the pandemic started and will continue to be one of the main ways people discover content online. This consumer behaviour is forecasted to last, as most consumers still prefer to search for stuff beforehand rather than browsing available options in person and risking exposure. And given the closures in the retail and hospitality industry, people prefer to check online to confirm if the business is still open before venturing out in public.

As the economy is recovering, lots of new businesses will pop up which highlights the necessity of having an online presence. Customers will want to search and discover the ones that are worth checking out in person, hence the crucial importance of SEO and local SEO. According to Smarter Digital Marketing Agency, the demand for services as paid advertising and SEO in Glasgow has been on the rise since the pandemic started as more business started to see the real power of the online world.

Digital Advertising

The covid 19 pandemic has made the home a multifunctional hub, a place where people live, work, learn, shop, and play. And as a growing number of global organizations and employees attempt to sustain some of the advantages of working remotely, it is unlikely that people will give up on their already formed online habits. As with any type of marketing, businesses should focus on following the crowds and they certainly aren’t hanging out at big events anymore, at least not for now. That’s why the promotional efforts need to be focused on digital advertising wherever possible as ads can be placed on websites, social media, apps, email.

Social Media

During the pandemic the use of social media to check for updates and news has seen exponential growth. It is not solely used for entertainment anymore, as now users have the option to make purchases directly from social media apps. That’s why social media marketing should never be an afterthought, especially since it’s here to stay.

Doing More with Less

A combination of working from home and a change in customer needs has resulted in a drastic change in digital marketing. With more consumers online than ever before, digital marketing is becoming increasingly important for businesses to stay relevant and attract the right amount of attention and traffic from search engines. As a result, digital marketing strategies are becoming more competitive and cohesive.

Undoubtedly, the future is bright for digital marketing agencies as there might be a greater demand for digital marketing going forward. The development of technology and the working from home has made the work of digital marketing specialists a seamless process, allowing businesses to outsource highly specialist work without having to maintain full-time employees.