If you’re searching for a city in Germany to relocate to, look no further. Frankfurt is widely considered to be the business capital of Europe, and its living standards are on par with some of the most popular cities in the U.S. As the headquarters of two major banking institutions and a trade association, there’s always plenty to do in Frankfurt if you work in business administration.
However, beyond its bustling streets and corporate parks, Frankfurt is actually a digital hub, where businesses large and small alike rely on the web and social media to get the attention of customers.
So, what is the online marketing scene like in Frankfurt? Let’s take a look.
The Rise Of Online Marketing
It would be a missed opportunity if we don’t acknowledge the growing importance of online marketing in today’s market. According to HubSpot Blogs, 83% of American consumers shop online. That’s approximately 72 million people!
If you’re running a business in Germany, you need to take the internet seriously and ensure that your website functions flawlessly and that your social channels are always updated and reflect your brand’s image.
The truth is, a lot has changed since the days when marketing was limited to newspaper advertisements and cold calls from salespeople. Nowadays, consumers have grown accustomed to research-backed product recommendations, interactive content and engaging digital communities. Additionally, many people have shifted to a digital nomad lifestyle, working remotely for a company they love while traveling the world.
Based on these trends, online marketing has evolved into a valuable tool for brands, especially small businesses.
Why Online Marketing Is A Popular Choice
Whether or not you agree with the shift to a digital nomad lifestyle, you have to acknowledge that the internet provides businesses with a wealth of opportunities that weren’t available just a few years ago.
Thanks to platforms like Amazon, which owns a marketplace that spans 162 countries, and eBay, which is available in 190 countries, entrepreneurs can now operate their businesses worldwide, ensuring that their products will reach the largest audience possible. This makes it much easier for potential customers to find your product or service, regardless of where they are in the world.
With the help of digital nomads and freelance contractors, SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) can now maintain a global presence while minimizing overheads. This, in turn, has driven an increase in the number of people choosing to use online marketing as a viable option for growing their business.
The Growth Of E-commerce In Frankfurt
Even though Germany as a whole has a relatively small population, it has a high number of internet users and a lot of e-commerce activity. According to Statista, there were 82.9 million online shoppers in Germany as of December 2019. That’s compared to the United Kingdom (72.9 million), France (67.9 million), and the Netherlands (65.3 million).
If we compare this to figures from 2012, when Statista recorded 54.2 million online shoppers in Germany, we can see how the industry has grown in just a few short years. In that time, e-commerce has grown from 1.2% to 2.4% of the overall retail market. That’s impressive growth!
While there are a variety of reasons why Germany had such high levels of internet usage and e-commerce activity in the first place, it’s clear that the digital nomad lifestyle has something to do with it.
The Attraction Of The Digital Nomad Lifestyle
In 2019 alone, the global freelance economy is projected to hit $150 billion, a number that’s expected to reach $175 billion by the year 2022.
The main reason behind this growth is the increasing preference for remote work. According to Statista, almost half (48%) of American employees work remotely at least some of the time, citing flexibility and ability to work remotely as the main reasons. Even in London, where the cost of living is higher than the national average, 47% of employees work remotely.
With more and more people working remotely, it’s not surprising that businesses have started to embrace the flexibility that the internet provides. If you’re running a business in Germany, it’s essential that you have a strong digital presence and utilize the many resources available to you online.
The Changing Face Of Marketing
One of the main factors driving the increase in the use of online marketing as a business tool is the changing face of marketing. Back in the day, marketers would cold call business owners and pitch them products they didn’t need. Today’s marketers focus more on educating potential customers about the benefits of their products and pitching in-demand products that can be used to solve specific problems.
Marketing has evolved to be more data-driven and user-centered. If you’re running a business in Germany, you need to be confident that your digital marketing strategies are effective and tailored to deliver results.
To learn more, you can read this whitepaper from HubSpot Blogs, which dives into how to build a marketing strategy that will propel your business to the next level.
The Increasing Importance Of Retinoids
Finally, it should be noted that the trends outlined above aren’t fad trends but rather reflect the growing importance of retinoids in everyday life. Retinoids are compounds derived from vitamin A that play a crucial role in the functioning of the human body. For years, retinoids were only known for their anti-cancer properties. However, in recent years, researchers have discovered that retinoids can play an important role in skin and hair care too.
Vitamin A is critical for the immune system, vision, reproduction, and many other bodily functions. The compound can be both natural and synthetic, and it also comes in various forms, including retinol and retinal. While retinoids are most often used in cosmetics, they also have numerous applications in other industries, like pharmaceuticals and diagnostics.
Because retinoids improve the human condition, people with poor skin or hair or who are suffering from cancer or AIDS are among those who would benefit from taking a retinoid supplement.
With all these trends driving the increase in the use of online marketing, it’s clear that businesses in Germany have a wealth of opportunities available to them. Instead of being limited to just marketing in traditional media, like newspapers and magazines, they can now reach millions of potential customers via the internet. In 2020 and beyond, small businesses in Germany can thrive as long as they take advantage of these marketing platforms and keep up with the ever-changing times.