The concept of “digital nomadism” is taking the world by storm. Thanks to the rise of the sharing economy, along with the convenience of smartphones, the world is slowly but surely shifting to being mostly online. Thanks to this, more and more companies are turning to online marketing as a means of reaching potential customers.

If you’re reading this, I assume you’re somewhat familiar with the concept of digital nomadism and the impact it’s having on businesses. If you’re not, now might be a good time to learn more. We’re all aware of the many positive trends associated with digital nomadism, such as the rise of the sharing economy and micro-entrepreneurship. However, there’s also a darker side to this trend that isn’t as known. In this article, we’ll discuss the top 10 online marketing trends for Asia, as well as how businesses can prepare for the transition.

1. Influencer marketing.

In case you’re wondering, influencer marketing is when businesses pay influencers to promote their products in a certain way. For example, if you’re an influencer and you’ve partnered with a certain company, you might be commissioned to create an Instagram post that promotes their products. In exchange, the company will provide you with those products. Naturally, this is an incentive for the influencer to promote the product, but it’s also a way for the company to target an audience they’d never reached before, through a platform they probably use everyday.

This trend is being driven by the growing influence of social media, as well as the rise of marketing platforms specifically designed for influencers, such as Influencer.com and FameBit. Since influencer marketing is built on partnerships with influencers, it can be difficult to measure its success. However, businesses that have gone down this route report that it’s helped them gain valuable insight into how consumers engage with products and influences others to buy their goods.

2. Live chat.

According to HubSpot Blogs research, 54% of consumers have engaged with a brand or product through live chat. That’s pretty remarkable, considering that live chat was only available on websites that had been built a certain amount of momentum. Before you could have a live chat with a business representative, you had to have visited that website at least three times.

While live chat isn’t a new phenomenon, it has become a preferred way for consumers to interact with businesses. When done right, having live chat open between a customer and an employee can have many benefits. Not only does it provide an additional way for the customer to reach the company, but it also gives the business the opportunity to provide further information or assistance, in real time.

Most businesses don’t have the manpower to adequately handle customer inquiries through social media or website forms. Having live chat allows them to directly engage with customers, offering better customer satisfaction and increased conversions, as LiveChat.com points out.

3. Video.

Video is still pretty much the equivalent of carrying around a tiny film crew in the palm of your hand. Thanks to phones and the growing ability to stream content online, video is becoming an important part of every marketer’s toolbox. Specifically, marketers should try and incorporate video content into their online marketing mix, in order to better engage with their audience.

Creating a video doesn’t have to be complicated. All you need is a smartphone, good quality headphones, and a significant number of spare minutes. While video isn’t a perfect way to communicate, it’s definitely the most accessible medium, especially when used online.

Having a video doesn’t mean you have to stick to typical commercials, either. In the right situation, a good video can give a business a face, provide useful information, or simply entertain the viewer.

According to HubSpot Blogs research, 43% of consumers have watched an explainer video to better understand or learn about a product or service. In addition, 28% of consumers have watched videos to confirm if they’re interested in a product or service. This is especially significant, considering that consumers were previously relying on marketing materials, such as websites or pamphlets, to learn about products.

Businesses are starting to see the benefits of video. Several studies have shown that video content leads to an increase in conversion rates, as well as brand awareness and loyalty. For example, one report from MarketingCharts found that video content led to an increase in online sales by 41% compared to traditional web content.

4. Virtual try on.

Fancy trying on clothes without having to put them on? Why not, when you can do it virtually? Thanks to websites like VirtualTryOn.com, the ability to try on shirts, dresses, and other clothing items, is becoming a reality. Not only will this help customers find the clothing they want, but it also allows the business to conduct a “virtual try on” with potential customers, without having to worry about the possible negative impact of sending staff to a physical store.

MarketingCharts estimates that 27% of Gen Z-ers currently use online shopping resources, like Pinterest, to find fashion essentials. Having a virtual try on, along with smart phones, has made it much easier for young shoppers to discover new brands and products, while also saving brands money, compared to traditional methods.

5. Email.

E-mail. It’s still the most popular way of communicating with customers, with nearly all businesses having an e-mail address, or at least an opportunity to subscribe via e-mail. While social media has shifted the way we use communications, email is still a vital part of any marketing plan.

According to HubSpot Blogs research, consumers have an average of 4.8 email accounts, meaning businesses have the ability to communicate with a decent chunk of the population. Also, email marketing enables businesses to segment their audience, based on the content they receive. For example, if you run a clothing store, you can use email marketing to reach female consumers, who you know are more likely to be interested in your brand.

One of the major shifts that’s happening, as a result of the pandemic, is that people are spending more time inside the house, which means they have more time to browse the internet, via mobile devices. Previously, during the pandemic, people mostly used their phones to look up local businesses, such as coffee shops and restaurants, but now that the world has adjusted to seeing more often than not, whether through social media or dedicated apps, being online is almost a must.

While email marketing allows businesses to communicate with customers, it also provides them with powerful data, which can be used to better understand their audience, as well as adjust future content, based on what they’ve learned.

6. Website.

Website. We mentioned it before, and we’ll mention it again. If you have a business website, the world is your oyster when it comes to marketing. Why? There’s plenty of content you can pump out, on a regular basis, regarding your products and services. In addition, you have various tools, like social media, that you can use to better engage with customers.

As a business owner, you might see your website as a way to connect with customers, and for the most part, that’s true. However, websites also provide businesses with a way to track customer behavior, across devices, as well as the ability to learn more about their needs, wants, and potential.

Some 74% of consumers, according to HubSpot Blogs research, have used a business’ website to better understand the brand or offering. In addition, 40% of users have googled a business, in order to learn more about it, while 28% have visited a business’ website, to find information about a product or service.

The main takeaway is that websites provide customers with information and a way to engage with businesses. In the right situation, websites can be powerful tools for marketing.

7. Mobile.

Mobile. Biggest change since 2006? Probably. According to HubSpot Blogs research, mobile usage surpassed computer usage, amongst adult internet users. In the coming months, as more and more people become dependent on their phones, for both work and play, it’s likely we’ll see a similar shift, in terms of usage, on social media platforms. That being said, it’s still a way to reach potential customers, if done right.

As a business owner, you might be tempted to ignore mobile, considering how much it has changed over the past few years. However, if done right, mobile can be a powerful tool in every marketer’s toolbox. Why? It has everything to do with being mobile.