Internet Marketing Predictions for 2016

Internet marketing keeps changing. But at the same time, it stays the same. Well, the fundamentals do anyway.

All website owners still need traffic, an offer that converts, and the ability to turn one time customers into repeat customers.

And while the online advertising market just keeps on growing, there’s still many ways to generate traffic for free. Usually through creating lots of content, and being very active on social.

So really, marketing is just like it’s always been! You either spend money on advertising, or work hard to generate attention.

So let’s run through some internet marketing predictions for the coming 12 months:

Table of Contents

Email Isn’t Going Anywhere

Delivery rates aren’t as high as we’d like them to be, sadly. And open and click rates are far lower than ideal, and quite a bit lower than they used to be.

But nothing has really come close to replacing email. And everyone’s got an email account right?

So if you’re not collecting email addresses of customers, and visitors to your site. And if you’re not following up on them regularly. And if you’re not providing value in your follow-ups (not just offer after offer).

Well, then you’re throwing away huge piles of money. It really is that simple.

So make sure you’re collecting as many email addresses of visitors as you can. And keep at least in weekly contact with them, providing a mix of value and also promotions.

You might want to read: How to Get More Subscribers for Your Email List

WordPress will Continue to Dominate

WordPress just keeps on going from strength to strength. It currently powers 25% of websites. And with its ease of use and increasing power, it looks as if that figure will just keep on growing.

So how does this affect your marketing? Well, creating a great looking website keeps on getting easier. And with a thriving plugin marketplace, advanced functionality is a cinch.

So the more you know WordPress, you more effectively you can use it to help you reach your business goals.

SEO and Content Marketing is Here to Stay

Image from Flickr

The days of keyword stuffing a page and ranking in the top ten are long gone. But Google is more popular than ever, of course. And still drives millions of visitors to websites every hour of the day.

But now, Google prioritizes quality of content. You have to give real value to your readers, and create the kind of content that naturally gets linked to and shared.

Remember, Google wants you to create content and build links as if Google didn’t exist! So when you create fantastic content just for the reader, and promote it so it reaches a wider audience, you’re doing just that.

And then ideally, Google will then reward you with even more traffic. But this is a complicated area of marketing and SEO Training can be helpful. This can help you make sure you stay on the right side of Google.

Social Networking Can No Longer be Ignored

Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube. And even LinkedIn and Twitter. They’re all driving huge amounts of traffic to websites. If you’re not taking part in conversations in your market. Or even better, becoming a thought leader in your market. Then you’re missing out on significant opportunities.

So consider social an extension of your content marketing. It can help amplify your content, and in time can make others look to you as an expert.

What do you think?

What are your predictions for 2016?

What are your blogging goals?

Please share your views in the comments below, thanks!

Comments

James McAllister says

December 16, 2015 at 9:54 am

Hi Erik!

This list is pretty spot on with what I was thinking as well, although we do have to be careful where allocate our time.

I have really jumped on social networking these past few months, and plan on outsourcing a good chunk of it heading into 2016. I see it not as just a way to drive more traffic to our content, but also as a way to get more involved with our audience’s lives. It’s good for people to see us on websites other than our own, and the more times people see me, the better. That’s the way I look at it anyway.

I also think video will continue to rise this next year as well. Personally, I’m looking to allocate more time to YouTube, and potentially jump on Periscope as well. I’m still undecided on that one, but it’s something to consider.
- Cat says
  
  December 29, 2015 at 3:56 pm
  
  Snap – the first thing I see being a big trend in 2016 is video content. I’ve only just hopped on the Periscope wagon myself and was surprised there aren’t more people taking advantage of it… yet!
Tüp Bebek Doktoru says

December 17, 2015 at 9:46 pm

I agree that WordPress will continue to dominate, for probably at least 3-4 years.
Nadya says

December 18, 2015 at 8:16 am

Good article! I completely agree about WordPress, it does not will deposit position. Now we must use the power of social marketing!

Thanks for the article.
Anjali says

December 18, 2015 at 12:25 pm

Social media is always an important part of SEO and will be the important part and can no longer be ignored.
Justin Allen Hammonds says

December 19, 2015 at 5:00 am

I liked this post. I like how you say things change, but it the fundamentals stay the same. That’s pretty much the truth actually. I’m working on my SEO game. I be wanting to quit SEO because it’s taking so long. I just started my blog this month on the 4th 3 days after my Aunt died. My 1st post was a tribute to her.

I figured I should do something in honor of her.

Anyway. Thanks for the great content, and God Bless You
Rahul Yadav says

December 19, 2015 at 12:48 pm

Nice post.thanks for sharing the information.its useful information for me.
Barry says

December 20, 2015 at 8:50 pm

Hi,

Well seems like everyone is ready for 2016 to boost their online business. These mentioned internet marketing predictions seems quite useful.

Thanks
Kuldeep says

December 21, 2015 at 12:51 pm

Hey Erik,
Nice predictions, I think there will be more strict rules from google in 2016 for SEO but the content will be the king in 2016 too.
Thanks for sharing this post 🙂
Favour says

December 23, 2015 at 8:20 am

“WordPress will Continue to Dominate” ….

Mr Erik, Don’t let me drag you to court…. 🙂

Blogger will dominate not WordPress…

We Blogger users will make sure we get more Disciples …#wink

Thanks for sharing sir.

We hope 2016 will be Much more fruitful than 2015…
Daniel says

January 2, 2016 at 10:29 am

Great post, Erik. Those are some very good predictions there. Yes, I agree that email marketing will still be the topmost marketing technique in 2016, afterall it’s the best way to gain targeted customers. Thanks a lot for sharing this post. And best of luck for 2016 🙂

Regards,
Daniel
Angellina Lear says

January 2, 2016 at 11:42 am

Hey Erik,
Great post Indeed,
One of the best way for internet marketing is content with social networking, if social media profile are good its become success point, I think! Othewise key points for internet marketing, thanks for shared and I really enjoyed to reading this post.