The internet has transformed numerous industries, including marketing. As a result, almost every industry is seeking to use the powerful medium to boost consumer engagement and, ultimately, sales.
Traditional marketing is, for the most part, still focussed on TV, radio and magazine ads. However, in today’s world, consumers are more likely to encounter marketing messages through their smartphones, tablets and laptops. This is where SEO, content strategising and social media marketing come in.
Here, we will explore how the evolution of online marketing in India can help businesses of all sizes achieve greater brand engagement and, ultimately, sales.
The Importance of SEO
According to Google, 89% of American adults use the internet, with over 72 million searching for products and services online every month. In 2016, the percentage of American adults using the internet more than doubled to 18% compared to 8% in 2014.
In parallel, the amount of time spent on the internet has also increased by 30 minutes per day between 2013 and 2017. This is likely due to the increase in the number of people using smartphones and tablets. Forrester Research forecasted in 2018 that by next year, 94% of American adults will use the internet. The implications of this are significant.
As a result of this, SEO has become a vital part of any business’ digital marketing strategy. SEO helps businesses to appear prominently in the organic search results of a search engine, such as Google. For example, if you’re searching for an iPad in India, the results you’ll see will mostly consist of phones, tablets and laptops. However, if you search for an SEO company in India, you’ll quickly see that you’re not just getting phone numbers and email addresses, but you’re also getting websites that appear to be offering the service.
SEO is also responsible for driving traffic to a website. To create a digital marketing strategy, you should include SEO as part of the mix. It’s also essential to take into consideration the language and location of your target audience.
Why Content Is King
Since the inception of the internet, content has remained at the heart of any digital marketing strategy. In 2019, according to HubSpot Blogs research, consumers want to engage with businesses via content that is both informative and entertaining.
This content strategy can be implemented through a number of channels, including blogs, videos, podcasts and infographics. Consumers increasingly prefer content that is quick, easy to understand and informative. According to HubSpot Blogs research, 83% of consumers get distracted by flashy ads or useless information.
While videos may currently be the most popular form of content on social media sites such as YouTube, blogs are still the preferred way to deliver straight news. In 2019, 96% of consumers prefer to get information from posts rather than videos.
Blogs can also be more interactive than videos, allowing business owners to engage with their target audience through comments and questions. In addition, 48% of consumers prefer to get information through infographics, while 22% prefer to read an explainer blog post.
By combining various content types, marketers can provide consumers with a consistent message and offer. This way, businesses can maximize the impact of their content without becoming too much of a salesperson.
The Rise Of Social Media Marketing
Since the inception of the internet, social media has enabled people to connect with one another and share content. In the coming years, social media marketing will continue to grow as a form of marketing.
According to Statista, there were 147.8 million American adults using social media in 2018, a number that is expected to grow to 228.1 million by next year. In 2021, there were an estimated 285.3 million American adults using social media.
In addition to being a place for consumers to learn about products and services, social media is also becoming a preferred place for businesses to advertise and engage with potential customers. One of the major reasons behind this is the growing use of social media channels by younger people. In 2019, 29% of American adults used TikTok, a popular social media app designed for entertainment and informal communication. In the next year, that number is expected to rise to 39%.
The Future of Online Marketing in India
In 2022, the world of online marketing will continue to evolve in relation to the Indian consumer. The country is currently home to over 1.3 billion people who use the internet, with most individuals primarily accessing the web through their mobile phones. In addition, e-commerce in India is thriving, with the country now being the third-largest market for online shopping in the world. This presents unique opportunities and challenges for marketers.
As more people gain access to the internet through mobile phones, the amount of information available online will increase. This will make it more challenging for businesses to attract and retain customers through traditional outreach methods.
The future of online marketing in India will see businesses increasing their use of internet-based platforms to promote their products and services. In addition, since the bulk of search engine users in India are on mobile phones, SEO will become even more important for businesses.
However, the opportunities for businesses in India are enormous, with just over 30 million people currently using TikTok alone. This is more than the entire population of the United Kingdom. As a result, marketers in the country should be able to use this platform to engage with potential customers.
In 2022, new forms of media such as VR and AR will also emerge, adding further complexity to digital marketing.