The COVID-19 pandemic that rocked 2021 has definitely and immensely affected how businesses operate. We’ve witnessed more products and services move online and a lot of employees will keep on working remotely or in a hybrid mode for much of next year.

Months of different customers’ responses to COVID-19 have provided us some insights into the marketing trends that are operating in this new normal and what you should expect in 2022.

Below are important digital marketing trends for 2022 that your business needs to consider to interact with and retain current customers and so help generate more traffic, leads and revenue.

1. Automated Bidding in Google Ads

Google Ads marketers frequently adjust and tweak keywords, campaigns, and bids to get the most of your advertising dollars. The thing is, all of the tweaking and adjusting comes with a cost: higher management fees and more hours.

Enter Automated bidding, which lets Google automate previous moves to adjust your bid in real-time.

Automated bidding isn’t new, having come up way back in 2016. But continual developments, particularly in the past year, indicate that it’s due to break out in 2022. Our increased dependence on automated bidding tactics implies that we can dedicate our time to optimize other aspects of PPC performance, which eventually delivers a better result at a lower cost to our clients.

2. The Power of Voice Search

Voice search presently is not a part of Google’s algorithm but is still directing current search results. Voice search queries usually yield varied results than if the user had typed out the search. For SEO, it’s not a bad idea for businesses to be on their toes with voice search components for their customers who are adjusting and changing over to that medium.

Experts in voice search posit that content should be specifically optimized for voice. It has to be more conversational and direct to accurately sync with search queries. This will help improve traffic by staying more visible and relevant to consumers.

3. Improved Retention through Segmentation

Because it takes less money to maintain your existing customers than gain new ones, marketing experts always advise putting in more effort into later stages of the buyer’s journey.

Happy and satisfied customers are always willing to tell their friends and give referrals to help boost revenue. They’re also more inclined to give you honest and direct feedback about issues that will only enhance your brand. Be sure to keep them informed on your company’s changes or processes that would affect your relationship by engaging them on social media or through email marketing.

By receiving data and mapping your customers into segments, you have an opportunity to save costs while providing your services and products. You can also target them more cost-effectively, enabling you to span your marketing dollars even further.

4. More Interactive Content

Adding engaging elements to your website or social media is an incredible way to provide value for visitors, get them to interact with your brand, and know more about them.

Examples of engaging marketing include assessments, games, quizzes, polls, surveys and contests.

5. Google Listings and Local SEO

If you run a small business, the most essential thing you can do is confirm your local listings are verified and kept current on several search platforms. This is because, for B2C businesses that attract customers mainly on a local level, Google My Business listings offer valuable information about your hours, geographical location and services.

It’s one of the key factors in search algorithm and business owners are often blown away to learn how many directories are out there.