Digital Trends for 2019

15 Nov 2018

It’s hard to think that 2018 is nearly done and dusted. 2018 brought new ways of doing digital.

Google moved their suite of analytics, ads and data tools over to the Google Marketing Platform. Facebook had to deal with the fallout from the Cambridge Analytica scandal. And Instagram launched their new video platform, IGTV.

What will the world of digital bring in 2019? We have a look at some of the digital trends to hit our screens and smartphones next year!

The rise of Alexa, Google Home and Apple HomePod

Home Assistant or Smart Speaker sales rocketed 161% in 2018 with nearly 10% of the homes in the UK owning a device. What does this mean for the digital landscape? Well if you look at the players in the game, Amazon and Google especially, there is an opportunity to advertise or at least monetise their content, meaning a new digital advertising platform will be available for businesses. Think of a Google Ad but instead of being at the top of Google’s rankings, your ad is the first thing your Home Assistant pipes up with when you ask it for a restaurant recommendation.

Internet vs Television: Winner, The Internet!

Recent figures suggest that in 2019 the internet will catch up to the television in terms of hours watched. What does that mean for digital? It means that companies should be looking at investing their advertising budget online instead of the in the ad breaks of Corrie. Online advertising also comes with the added bonus of traceability, meaning you can really see your ROI in 2019

Live video to grow

In 2016 more than 80% of internet users watched more live video than ever. The reason behind this? Simply put, technology finally caught up. Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook all developed live video in quick succession with 45% of users saying that they would now pay to see a live stream from their favourite celeb, athlete or singer. The technology is there and ready to use in 2019.

Increase in video ads

Research suggests that a massive 85% of total internet traffic in 2019 will be accounted for by video content. If video content accounts for a huge proportion of internet traffic, 2019 will be the year to use the popularity to advertise from.

ChatBots take over

In 2019 ChatBots will become a regular thing. Whether booking a table at the restaurant you just asked Alexa about or buying a pair of jeans from your favourite retailer. Whilst they might start out a novelty, similar to augmented reality, ChatBots will enable users to complete actions or purchases via your business without even having to download a native app. ChatBots could mean the difference between a hassle-free, quick sale or not.

Want to boost your digital presence in 2019? Get in touch!

At Hush, we offer a variety of digital marketing services to help you drive more traffic to your website! Speak to our digital marketing team about how we can help you create a digital strategy. Give us a shout on 01325 361 729, or drop us a line at [email protected]