Consumers are now more than ever using online services. This gives digital marketing the power to be quite effective when executed well. Launching online advertising campaigns and keeping up to date on current Internet trends can propel your business ahead of the competition. Not sure how to do it? Here are the top Internet trends to be prepared for:

Chatbots - What are Chatbots? Chatbots are computer programming created to connect with Internet users through chat windows or occasional verbal interactions. Chatbots are already being used by many and have the ability to provide ranges of information to consumers such as weather reports and other customer support automated responses. In 2018, Chatbots have shown a large increase in use and are likely to keep growing this year.

Video - It's all about video now, with 73% of Americans engaging with YouTube. Video content is not just effective on YouTube, it's effective on other social platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. You can achieve remarkable exposure by utilizing video as a marketing tool. This type of digital marketing offers the ability to communicate a large amount of information while including your brand's personality and 'voice'.

Live Video - Live video content is similar to video content, but has some key differences. You can interact with consumers during live video, responding to comments and questions as soon as they appear. Live video has another advantage as well when combined with an influencer. In the new world of social media, influencer's such as musicians, athletes, and celebrities can attract quite an audience on the Internet. Therefore, when using one in a live video, it can get a lot of attention very quickly. This kind if content is a high profile form of digital marketing and has proven to be very effective.

Quality Content - Providing quality content is still an integral part of marketing. Now, however, content is getting more and more in-depth into who the target audience is. When you have a better understanding of your audience, marketing to that audience can be more precise. Specific industries need specific material to connect with availability to analytics, moving forward we can adjust and narrow in on what works.

Personalized Emails - Email has been around for a while and won't be going anywhere. In fact, now email is evolving to be more personalized. Generic emails are not as compelling, but emails that use a combination of automation and personalization are becoming very effective. For example, when a consumer is viewing a product and a follow up with a discounted price or demonstration video is emailed, the consumer is much more likely to purchase the item.

Voice Interaction - Do you use Alexa, Siri, or Bixby? Then you are aware that verbal communication through devices is on a steady rise. Technology now has the capability to track what people search and shop and can help consumers discover new things in their areas of interest. With this type of verbal communication, it's important to optimize meta-descriptions for speech to give it a natural flow when spoken out loud.

Marketing as a Service - If you research companies with the best branding strategies, you'll notice they have earned that success through one similarity...they treat marketing as a service. Instead of utilizing traditional advertising, they establish worth for consumers involved with a good cause are examples of this type of marketing. Audiences have been shifting their focus from news feeds to stories and with the inflation of media over time, marketing as a service is the perfect remedy.

In order to stay ahead, it's important to know what the current trends are and what direction they are moving towards. Being active online is a must, but it's important to know where your target audience is online and how to connect with them. Keep these Internet trends in mind when you're deciding on your marketing approach this year and be on the lookout for what will come next!