Digital Marketing Trends for 2025 | Key Strategies to Know, Follow & Drive Success
As we move in to 2025, digital marketing is evolving at an unprecedented rate. With advancements in technology, shifting consumer behaviours, and global economic changes, businesses must adapt to stay ahead of the curve.
From the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to the rise of voice marketing, virtual reality (VR), user-generated content (UGC), and sustainability, the next wave of marketing strategies will shape the future of how brands engage with their audiences and derive marketing success.
In this guide by QC Digital, we’ll explore the key marketing trends for 2025 that are expected to dominate the landscape. Whether you’re a seasoned marketer or just starting to navigate the digital marketing world, this post will help you understand the opportunities and challenges ahead.
Let’s get started to revolutionise marketing processes with us.
12 Must Know Marketing Trends for 2025 | Key Strategies for Business Growth
1. AI Will Revolutionise Marketing: Personalisation and Efficiency Take Center Stage
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is set to dominate marketing strategies in 2025. It will revolutionise how brands connect with consumers. With the global AI market projected to reach $190.61 billion by 2025, it’s clear that AI will become a cornerstone for modern marketing.
But how can businesses leverage this technology while staying ethical and effective?
Here’s how AI will transform marketing:
AI isn’t just about automating tasks. It’s about reimagining marketing altogether. Let’s see how it will shape the future:
AI Application | How It Impacts Marketing |
Voice Search Optimisation | Helps create content tailored to natural, conversational queries for voice assistants. |
Predictive Analytics | Anticipates customer behaviour by analyzing patterns in purchases and interactions. |
Speeds up the creation of blogs, ads, and social posts, saving time and valuable resources. |
Moreover, generative AI, known for creating text, images, and videos, is becoming increasingly popular. But marketers need to address its challenges, such as:
- Understanding data provenance to ensure training data is reliable.
- Balancing transparency as consumers remain doubtful of AI-generated ads (43% show distrust).
AI Ethics: Building Trust in Automation
The rise of AI brings responsibility. Here are some ethical AI practices that businesses must adopt to foster trust among their customers:
- Security: Safeguard customer data through secure AI models.
- Transparency: Clearly inform users when interacting with AI systems.
- Fairness: Ensure algorithms promote inclusivity and avoid biases.
- Accountability: Take ownership of AI-driven marketing decisions and their outcomes.
With these ethical practices, marketers can utilise AI’s power while maintaining trust and delivering meaningful experiences.
2. Customer-Centric Marketing Strategies Will Lead the Way
In 2025, customer-centric marketing will redefine success. Shifting from product-focused strategies, businesses will place customer needs, emotions, and experiences at the core of their efforts. Today’s consumers expect brands to understand and meet their preferences. Much like their favourite local restaurant remembers their go-to dinner order.
Here’s how you can achieve this:
- Know Your Audience: Use segmentation and psychographics to understand customer pain points.
- Map the Journey: Identify touchpoints where you can create personalised, meaningful interactions.
- Build Empathy: Focus on genuine connections rather than just selling products.
Key Practices for Customer-Centric Marketing | Benefits |
Gather and analyse customer feedback | Insights to tailor campaigns effectively. |
Personalise interactions across channels | Builds loyalty and enhances user experience. |
Foster brand communities | Encourages engagement and long-term connections. |
Customer-centric marketing isn’t just about offering deals. It’s about creating a story that customers feel part of. By placing your audience at the center, you’ll build a loyal community that resonates with your brand.
3. Social Media Super Apps Will Dominate the Scene
Social media users spend an average of 2 hours 19 minutes daily across 6.8 multiple platforms. This figure makes social media vital for marketers to adapt. In 2025, super apps like Threads and BlueSky are set to redefine the social landscape.
As X (formerly Twitter) declines in popularity due to low engagement and poor moderation, new players are stepping up:
- BlueSky: Created by X’s co-founder, Jack Dorsey, this ad-free platform fosters niche communities and empowers creators.
- Threads: Meta’s response to X, boasting 275 million users and thriving as a space for organic, humorous, and educational content.
How Brands Can Leverage Super Apps
To stand out, brands should focus on:
- Prioritising text-based, engaging posts over video-heavy content.
- Building a presence on platforms aligned with their target audience.
- Exploring future paid advertising opportunities on these apps.
Reach out to us for the best social media marketing solutions.
4. Employee-Generated Content Will Dominate Workplace Advocacy
In 2025, employee-generated content (EGC) will rise as a cornerstone of brand marketing by blending authenticity with strategic impact. Companies will increasingly leverage the voices of their employees to humanise their brands, connect with audiences, and address social issues. Particularly on platforms like LinkedIn. This B2B network is set to exceed 800 million users in 2025.
Here’s why EGC is gaining momentum:
- Transparency Builds Trust: Consumers value openness. 94% are more likely to remain loyal to brands they find transparent. EGC allows brands to share genuine, behind-the-scenes stories of their workforce.
- Strengthened Employee Advocacy: By showcasing the real faces behind the brand, companies build a more relatable image, turning employees into brand ambassadors.
- LinkedIn’s Role: As the leading professional networking site, LinkedIn provides the ideal platform for employees to share authentic content, driving engagement and credibility.
Expert Tips for Effective EGC
- Keep It Real: Authenticity is key. Avoid overly scripted content. Instead, encourage employees to share their personal experiences and insights.
- Highlight Company Culture: Use behind-the-scenes videos or candid photos to showcase workplace dynamics, values, and achievements.
- Encourage Voluntary Participation: Rather than mandating contributions, inspire employees with incentives or recognition for sharing their stories.
Pro Example:
IKEA excels in EGC by sharing genuine, unscripted content that highlights the daily experiences of its employees, fostering trust and relatability.
5. User-Generated Content (UGC) Will Shape Consumer Trust
By 2025, user-generated content (UGC) will redefine how brands engage with their audiences. Consumers increasingly trust peer recommendations over traditional advertising. And brands will capitalise on this trend by creating more opportunities for customer involvement.
Why UGC matters more than ever:
- Authenticity at Its Best: UGC allows brands to share genuine testimonials and experiences, fostering credibility.
- Power of Peer Influence: Word-of-mouth on social media will remain one of the most effective ways to drive sales and engagement.
- AI-Driven Curation: Advanced AI tools will help marketers identify impactful UGC. This will make it easier to curate and amplify the best content.
UGC Advantages | Impact |
Increased Engagement | Authentic content resonates better with users. |
Enhanced Credibility | Peer reviews and testimonials build trust. |
Cost-Effective Marketing | Minimal cost compared to creating branded content. |
Here’s how you can future-proof your UGC strategy:
- Incentivise Content Creation: Encourage users to create and share content with contests, rewards, or features.
- Turn Customers into Advocates: Foster long-term relationships by recognising and rewarding loyal customers who create UGC.
- Focus on Collaboration: Treat UGC as a two-way conversation, actively engaging with the creators to build a sense of community.
6. Building Brand Communities Will Become a Marketing Priority
In the era of customer-first marketing, brand communities will be essential to grow meaningful relationships. By 2025, companies will go beyond selling products to creating spaces where customers can connect, share, and grow together.
What Makes a Brand Community Successful?
Component | Why It Matters |
Authenticity | Transparent interactions build trust and prove a commitment to customers. |
Engagement | Two-way communication keeps the community vibrant and ensures members feel valued. |
Value | Exclusive perks like early product access or educational materials make membership worthwhile. |
Key Strategies for Community Building
- Leverage Social Media: Platforms like Slack or dedicated Facebook groups can serve as community hubs where customers interact directly with your brand.
- Encourage Discussions: Actively participate in conversations, answer questions, and acknowledge feedback to foster engagement.
- Provide Exclusive Benefits: Offer unique opportunities such as sneak peeks, tutorials, or community-only discounts.
7. Voice Marketing Will Dominate: Optimizing for Voice Search and Conversational Content
With the growing popularity of smart speakers like Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Apple’s Siri, voice search is becoming a game-changer for marketers. By 2025, brands will need to rethink their SEO strategies to align with how people talk, not type.
Did you know that at least 35% of U.S. households already own a smart speaker?
This shift has set the stage for a rise in voice commerce and conversational marketing.
How voice search differs from traditional SEO?
Unlike typed searches, voice queries are more conversational and natural. For instance:
Traditional Search | Voice Search |
“Best coffee shops Seattle” | “What are the best coffee shops near me?” |
“Buy red shoes online” | “Where can I buy red shoes?” |
To capitalise on this trend:
- Focus on long-tail keywords: These capture conversational queries more effectively.
- Use natural language: Create content that answers specific, question-based queries directly.
- Leverage FAQ pages: Optimise them with conversational phrases to address common customer inquiries.
8. Video Content Will Continue Its Reign
Video content isn’t just a trend. It’s a dominant force in digital marketing. Platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram Reels are revolutionising how brands share stories, educate audiences, and drive engagement. Thus, video remains the top choice for quick and creative communication as consumer preferences lean towards snackable and interactive content.
Here’s why video will thrive in 2025:
- Attention-grabbing: Short-form content aligns with the declining attention spans of users.
- Cost-effective reach: Organic growth through Reels and Shorts is unmatched.
- Engagement-focused: Features like polls and Q&A keep audiences involved.
Tips for Creating Winning Video Content
Trend | Why It Works |
Short-form videos | Platforms like TikTok and YouTube Shorts grab attention quickly. |
Live streaming | Real-time interaction during launches or Q&A sessions boosts trust. |
Interactive features | Tools like polls and live chats enhance engagement and build loyalty. |
Pro Tip: Tools like InShot and Canva make video creation accessible and professional-looking, even for small businesses.
9. Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) Will Revolutionise Customer Experiences
AR and VR are no longer just for gaming. They’re transforming how we shop, explore, and engage with brands. In retail, industries like fashion, beauty, and real estate are leading the way with immersive experiences that make shopping fun and interactive.
Examples of AR/VR in Action:
Brand | AR/VR Application |
IKEA | AR app to preview furniture in your space before buying. |
Sephora | Virtual makeup try-ons for personalised beauty shopping. |
Here’s how brands can embrace AR/VR in 2025:
- Invest in AR experience platforms: Tailor them to your industry.
- Fashion/Beauty – Virtual try-ons.
- Real Estate – Virtual property tours.
- Focus on immersive storytelling: Use AR/VR to create memorable experiences that resonate emotionally with customers.
10. Data Privacy Will Redefine Marketing Strategies in 2025
As we look to the future, data privacy will emerge as a key force in shaping marketing practices. It’s no longer just a legal necessity. It’s the cornerstone of trust and loyalty between businesses and their customers. The landscape of data privacy is evolving rapidly. And marketers must tread carefully to balance personalisation with customer trust.
Data Privacy Will Be Non-Negotiable
In 2025, regulations like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and other regional privacy laws will continue to tighten, requiring brands to prioritise transparency, compliance, and security. This shift means marketers must integrate data protection into every facet of their strategies, starting from the ground up.
Key steps for ensuring data privacy in marketing:
Action | Why It Matters |
Stay Updated on Regulations | Understand the latest compliance laws in your target markets to avoid legal pitfalls. |
Adopt Transparent Policies | Clearly communicate how customer data is collected, used, and stored to build trust. |
Enable Opt-in/Opt-out Options | Give customers full control over their data preferences, ensuring they feel respected and secure. |
Educate Your Team | Train your marketing team on ethical data use to prevent accidental breaches and foster accountability. |
Embed Security by Design | Build marketing processes with data security at the forefront to safeguard customer information from the start. |
11. Sustainability Will Lead Marketing Efforts in 2025
Did you know 93% of customers express desire to lead more sustainable lifestyle?
From now on, businesses will have no choice but to integrate sustainability into their core marketing strategies. Sustainability; driven by stricter environmental legislation and a growing consumer demand for eco-friendly practices.
Sustainability is no longer a buzzword. It’s a business imperative. Companies that fail to align with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) values risk losing relevance in a market increasingly dominated by conscious consumers.
Yet, many marketers have struggled to deliver meaningful sustainability propositions that resonate.
How to Merge Sustainability and Marketing:
Tactic | Impact |
Highlight Eco-Friendly Products | Showcase sustainable products and practices to align with consumer values. |
Tell Authentic Stories | Share genuine brand initiatives and their impact, building trust and credibility. |
Partner with Sustainable Creators | Collaborate with influencers and creators who advocate for eco-conscious living. |
Incorporate Green Innovations | Use technology to reduce carbon footprints and optimise supply chains. |
Engage in Transparent Reporting | Publish reports on sustainability efforts to demonstrate accountability and progress. |
12. Other Marketing Trends in 2025
As the marketing landscape continues to evolve, businesses will need to adapt to new challenges and opportunities.
Here’s a snapshot of trends that will shape strategies in 2025:
- Omnichannel Synchronisation
Seamless integration of on-site and online experiences will be central. Customers will expect brands to merge their physical and digital worlds effortlessly, providing cohesive journeys across platforms.
- Privacy-Focused Browsers
With more users adopting privacy-conscious browsers that block third-party tracking, marketers will need to explore innovative ways to engage and target audiences.
- Decentralised Influencer Marketing
The influencer landscape will fragment further, with brands collaborating with diverse, niche creators to reach more specific audience segments effectively.
Adapt the Great Marketing Plan or Be Left Behind
Marketing in 2025 will be dynamic. It will require businesses to remain agile and innovative. From managing UTM (Urchin Tracking Module) tracking challenges to embracing Google’s generative experiences,
Those who stay ahead of the curve will thrive!
Remember, the digital marketing landscape is constantly shifting. But with the best marketing plan and a focus on innovative customer-centric marketing strategies, you can stay at the forefront and revolutionise marketing processes for your business.
Need help implementing these marketing strategies?
Lead the Market with QC Digital’s Innovative Marketing Strategies
We are a prominent innovative and creative digital marketing agency in Perth, Australia.
Contact QC Digital today for tailored marketing strategies, expert insights, and measurable results to elevate your brand and drive success.
Explore more about: Latest SEO trends in 2025
SEO Trends in 2025 | Top 12 Predictions to Boost Your Rankings
SEO is evolving faster than ever. And 2025 in shaping up to be a year of transformation. Digital marketing experts are predicting lots of exciting updates. fueled by advances in AI, shifts in consumer behaviour, and changes to search engine structures. Thus, businesses and marketers must adapt to remain competitive in this increasingly complex search environment.
In 2025, SEO is moving toward more honest, user-focused, and human-centered content.
AI-powered tools like Google’s SGE (Search Generative Experience) are setting new standards, disrupting traditional SEO best practices. With the rise of generative AI, algorithm updates, and Google’s continued focus on quality, the stakes for creating rank-worthy content are higher than ever.
So, what does this all mean for your business’s online success? What are the biggest challenges ahead, and how can you prepare? Most importantly, what does SEO in 2025 look like?
In this blog by QC Digital, we’ll discover the latest SEO trends and predictions that will shape the future of digital marketing. From the growing role of AI in SEO to the rise of visual and voice search, understanding these trends will help you to stay ahead of the curve.
Let’s explore how to do SEO in 2025 and refine your strategies for success.
12 Key SEO Trends for 2025 | Pro Tips to Prepare for the Challenges
SEO is changing in 2025. The impact of AI on SEO has been notable. And there’s so much happening in this evolving landscape. While we can’t mention every development, we’ve highlighted 12 key SEO trends that businesses should consider in 2025 and provided actionable tips to help you stay ahead.
1. Google’s Focus on High-Quality, User-Centric Content
As we move through 2025, Google is increasingly emphasising to deliver high-quality content that’s genuinely helpful to users. In 2023, AI began to influence content creation, which triggered changes in search algorithms. Now, Google’s primary goal is clear:
‘Serve up content that not only engages but truly answers search intent, establishing trust and offering value’
With the rise of AI-generated content, the web has become flooded with generic, low-quality material. As a result, Google is tightening its standards for what qualifies as ranking-worthy content. The focus is shifting to ensuring content is both relevant and answers the specific questions of your target audience.
This shift doesn’t just impact Google.
Research shows that 57% of B2B marketers believe much of their content is seen as generic and ineffective.
So, what does this mean for B2B content creators in 2025?
- Quality over Quantity: Prioritize depth over volume. Ensure your content is informative, well-researched, and meets your audience’s needs.
- Understand Audience Intent: Use keyword research and surveys to understand what your audience is searching for, and tailor content to their expectations.
- AI as a Tool, not a Creator: Use AI for ideas and optimization, but keep the human touch in your content to connect with readers.
2. AI Tools Revolutionizing SEO Strategies for 2025 – With Caution
AI is transforming SEO strategies. But it’s important to use it wisely. While AI tools are no longer just for content creation. They’ve expanded to help with everything from technical SEO to on-page optimisations. They can quickly pinpoint issues and suggest solutions, making SEO more proactive rather than reactive.
For small businesses or teams with limited resources, this is a game-changer, offering easy fixes for title tags, meta descriptions, and other key SEO elements.
But here’s the catch:
With so many AI tools out there, it’s easy to fall into the trap of relying on them too much. When everyone uses the same tools with the same data, the outcome can end up feeling bland and generic; hardly a way to stand out in Google’s competitive search landscape.
AI also functions as a ‘black box’ in many cases.
You input data, but you don’t always know how it’s processed, which can make you doubt the results. Additionally, leaning too much on AI can hold back creativity and critical thinking, essential qualities that set great SEO experts apart.
To avoid these pitfalls, consider customising your AI to suit your brand’s unique needs.
Tools like Google’s Gems or ChatGPT’s GPTs can be fine-tuned to reflect your business, integrating your CRM data, Google Analytics, and customer reviews. This way, you can use AI as a personalised assistant rather than a generic tool.
Google’s latest algorithm changes are favouring human-like content over AI-generated pieces. So, while AI is great for editing, let human creativity lead the writing.
Use AI to:
- Create outlines for SEO blogs
- Integrate keywords
- Summarise information in bullet points
- Suggest synonyms
- Shorten sentences
- Fix grammar and spelling
- Transcribe interviews
Don’t use to:
- Create entire pieces of content with minimal human involvement
The key is balancing AI’s efficiency with the personal touch that humans bring. Use AI to enhance, not replace, your content, ensuring it aligns with Google’s focus on originality and E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness).
3. E-E-A-T and the Growing Importance of Original Content
In 2025, E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) will be more important than ever for SEO. Google rewards websites that showcase these qualities and make them more likely to rank higher.
So, how can you ensure your site checks these boxes? It starts with prioritising original content.
Brands and content creators must lean on their own data and real-world experiences to stand out. The key is to create content that’s both fresh and genuinely reflective of your brand’s voice. Let’s explore some strategies to boost originality:
- Customer Reviews are gold mines for insights into what matters most to your audience.
- Original research provides unique data and your content becomes more valuable.
- Unique insights share your brand’s exclusive experiences or lessons learned.
To further strengthen your content, analyse customer behaviour. Look at internal search queries, usage patterns, and even sales call transcripts to discover content gaps and topics that resonate with users. This helps you craft fresh content or update existing pieces.
Google’s push for verifiable authorship also emphasises the importance of showing your content is created by real experts. Make sure your authors’ bios are updated and clearly showcase their credentials and experiences.
4. Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE) Will Transform Search Results
Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE) is increasingly changing the way users interact with search results. With AI-generated responses now appearing at the top of search engine results pages (SERPs), this new approach aims to improve user experience by providing clear, concise answers to queries.
Think of it like a friendly AI assistant that not only answers your question but also offers visuals and suggestions for further exploration.
While SGE isn’t exactly a chatbot. It functions more like a conversational assistant than a traditional search engine. But, as revolutionary as it sounds, SGE is still evolving. And its full impact on search results can take some time to play out.
Tips to Prepare for the Google’s Search Generative Experience:
Here’s how you can optimise your content for this new experience:
- Answer user queries directly as SGE thrives on clear, direct answers.
- Use bullet lists to help SGE digest your content quickly and makes it more digestible for users too.
- Incorporate relevant images as SGE will pull in visuals and infographics related to the query.
5. Technical SEO Will Be Highly Important
Technical SEO is becoming more crucial than ever. In 2025, optimising your site to ensure it’s easy for search engines to crawl and understand will be crucial for maintaining visibility in search results.
To help search engines better understand your website, ensure you have:
- Organise your content with schema markup to provide search engines with extra context.
- A well-organised sitemap and internal linking can make it easier for bots to navigate your site.
- Ensure your site is free from unnecessary code that can slow down crawlers.
Search engines also prioritise accessibility and user-friendly experiences. This includes making sure your website is easy to use for everyone, regardless of ability. Google’s algorithms are factoring in clicks and post-click behaviour. So, a seamless user journey can directly impact your rankings.
Moreover, page speed and Core Web Vitals are now crucial ranking signals, especially for mobile users. Slow-loading websites or those with a poor mobile experience risk ranking lower, which could hurt traffic and conversions.
For sites built on JavaScript-heavy platforms, technical SEO will be even more important.
Rendering issues could prevent search engines from indexing content. So, resolving JavaScript-related problems and ensuring server-side rendering will help maintain visibility.
Both Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools offer useful checklists to guide you through technical SEO improvements. So, be sure to stay updated on their latest recommendations.
6. Multi-Modal Search is on the Rise: Voice, Visuals, and Text Combined
With the rise of smart devices, voice search is rapidly changing the SEO landscape.
More users relying on voice commands. So, businesses must optimise for conversational keywords and natural language. Focus on how people speak, not just how they type.
Multi-modal search is on the rise, as users now combine text, visuals, and voice to search. To stay ahead, SEO experts must audit and optimize content for these new search trends and repurpose it for various media formats.
Tips to boost your brand visibility:
- Audit your content; identify where you can improve content for voice and visual search. And which pieces can be repurposed for various platforms.
- Add structured data to your content to help search engines and answer engines understand your content better. This improves visibility across multiple search platforms.
7. Video Content Will Become a Dominant Force in Organic SEO
Video content is becoming a future of SEO. And 2025 will see it playing an even larger role. Content now goes beyond just written words, incorporating videos, images, and more.
Video, in particular, has emerged as an incredibly engaging and attention-grabbing format, it offers businesses the chance to showcase their brand and values in ways that resonate with users.
Google has also recognised the power of video content, prominently featuring YouTube videos and even TikTok videos in its search results.
Tips to boost your online presence:
- Prioritise producing video content that aligns with your brand’s message and can be shared across various platforms.
- Include captions and auto-generated transcripts to reach a broader audience and improve SEO.
- Host videos on YouTube or use structured data to increase the likelihood of your videos appearing in Google search results.
8. Bing SEO Gains Relevance in the Age of ChatGPT and AI Search Tools
For years, Google has been the dominant focus of most organic search strategies. Businesses have prioritised ranking high in Google’s search results by adapting to algorithm updates, and analysing what users are searching for within the Google ecosystem.
But as AI-powered search tools like ChatGPT become more prominent, it’s time to rethink your SEO approach.
ChatGPT uses Bing for its search results, not Google, which is changing how people find information. As AI-powered tools grow, it’s important to make sure your brand is visible on Bing. With Microsoft investing heavily in AI and new search tech, Bing’s role in SEO is set to increase.
While Google will stay dominant, Bing’s influence is growing, so don’t overlook it.
To stay ahead in 2025:
- Prioritise expanding your SEO strategy to include Bing.
- Review your content’s visibility and keyword rankings on Bing. Identify opportunities to optimise your content to boost rankings.
- Use Bing Webmaster Tools as they offer valuable insights into how your website is performing on Bing, helping you refine your strategy and improve results.
9. Optimising for User Intent, Not Just Keywords, Will Define SEO Success
SEO success will no longer be just about ranking for the right keywords in 2025. Instead, the focus will shift to optimising for user intent; understanding and addressing what users are truly searching for.
While keywords are still important, simply targeting them won’t cut it anymore.
Many popular search terms are misleading; they may have high search volumes but unclear intent or fierce competition, often dominated by user-generated content (like Reddit or Quora) or listicles and review websites.
The way we search has changed, too.
We’re no longer typing in short, vague phrases. Now, we ask complete questions or use long-tail keywords that express specific needs. As a result, SEO strategies need to be more customer-centric.
Instead of focusing solely on keywords, create content that addresses your audience’s pain points and challenges. By doing this, you’ll not only answer their questions more effectively but also avoid wasting resources on keywords with mismatched or overly competitive intent.
10. Topical Authority Becoming Important to Boost Your SEO Rankings
In 2025, topical authority is crucial for improving your SEO rankings. It’s all about becoming the go-to source for a specific topic; something many B2B companies aim to achieve.
But building authority isn’t just great for thought leadership; it’s also an important ranking factor.
Content clusters paired with well-structured internal linking make it easier for both users and search engines like Google to find related information. This not only enhances your visibility but also aligns with Google’s E-E-A-T principles (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness).
To build topical authority, focus on:
- Target Audience: Research your audience’s needs and pain points. Create content that resonates with them.
- Consistency: Regularly publish fresh, relevant content. Consistency is key to showing your commitment and expertise on the topic.
- SEO Best Practices: Optimise your website, use relevant keywords, and earn high-quality backlinks to ensure your content ranks well.
11. Regularly Updating Content is more important than Creating New Material
In 2025, updating your content regularly is just as important—if not more so—than creating new material. Google rewards relevant, fresh content with higher rankings, meaning staying on top of content updates is essential for maintaining visibility on SERPs.
With competition growing every day, your content can quickly become outdated, causing you to lose rankings. As facts and trends evolve, staying updated is key to being seen as the go-to source for reliable information.
Tips for keeping your content fresh and relevant:
- Monitor Trends: Follow industry news, newsletters, and social media for updates.
- Keyword Research: Regularly check keywords for new opportunities and trends.
- Content Audits: Review and update outdated content.
- Engage Your Audience: Respond to feedback and comments for improvement.
- Refresh Content: Turn old content into videos, infographics, or social posts.
12. The Rise of Zero-Click Searches and How It Affects Traffic Generation
Zero-click searches are on the rise, where users get the information, they need directly from the search results page (SERP) without needing to click on any links.
This trend is largely driven by Google providing more answers right on the SERP. This makes it less likely for users to visit websites. This is challenging for businesses trying to generate traffic.
Steps you can take to lessen its impact:
- Build Thought Leadership: Become a trusted authority in your industry to encourage clicks when your link appears in search results.
- Optimise for Featured Snippets: Structure your content to directly answer popular questions, increasing your chances of appearing in featured snippets.
- Diversify Marketing Channels: Expand beyond SEO by using social media, forums, email, and industry news sites to drive traffic.
- Create a Dedicated Following: Focus on building a loyal audience that seeks your expertise directly, reducing reliance on Google for traffic.
Final Thoughts
SEO in 2025 will be all about being active, embracing the latest technologies, and focusing on delivering value, relevance, and exceptional experiences to your audience.
Staying ahead in the fast-evolving digital world requires constant adaptability and a commitment to SEO best practices. These latest SEO trends of 2025 are shaping up to be more dynamic and exciting than ever, offering plenty of opportunities for businesses ready to embrace change. By adapting early, you’ll position your brand for long-term success, ensuring that you’re ready to tackle whatever the future of SEO holds.
Want to boost your website’s SEO in 2025?
Contact QC Digital to Future-Proof Your Digital Presence | Make 2025 Your Year of SEO Success
If you’re ready to optimise your digital presence, let’s chat. QC Digital specialise in creating customised SEO strategies that help businesses grow.
Most Popular Social Media Platforms for Your Brand in 2024
Social media has become the backbone of the brand communication. It provides businesses with the great opportunity to connect with their audience.
So far, simply having a social media account isn’t enough.
To truly reach and engage customers, you need to have a powerful online presence. For which using the right platforms is key.
But with so many options, choosing the right social medium for your brand can be overwhelming.
That’s where QC Digital comes in.
We, as the best digital marketing agency in Perth, specialise in helping your business maximise the online presence through effective social media marketing strategies. Whether you want to boost your brand visibility, engage with the customers, or drive traffic to your website, we are here to guide you every step of the way.
So, in this blog post, we’ll provide you with the top 12 social media platforms to consider in 2024. Additionally, we’ll explore how you can effectively use them to grow your business.
So, let’s get started.
12 Top Social Media Platforms You Can’t Ignore in 2024 | A Comparative Overview
To begin, let’s clarify, what is social media?
“Social media refers to a set of tools and platforms that enable people to share ideas, information and content online among the users.”
When it comes to choosing the right social media platforms for your brand, several factors come into play. We evaluated these platforms based on their monthly user base, organic traffic, and unique features that make each one stands out.
Let’s see what we’ve found out.
Social Media Platform | Active Users (Monthly) | Organic Traffic (Monthly) | Best For |
3 billion | 13.1 billion | B2B & B2C marketing, community building, ecommerce, multimedia content, targeted ads | |
YouTube | 2.7 billion | 73 billion | Video content, B2C marketing, influencer marketing, live streaming |
350 million | 1.9 billion | B2B marketing, professional networking, targeted ads | |
2.35 billion | 6.7 billion | Visual content, influencer marketing, short-form video, ecommerce | |
518 million | 974.5 million | Visual content, B2C marketing, ecommerce, inspiration | |
Quora | 305 million | 1.1 billion | Industry expertise, community engagement, targeted ads |
430 million | 5.5 billion | Niche communities, discussions, B2C marketing, targeted ads | |
Snapchat | 800 million | 189.3 million | Short-form video, influencer marketing, visual content |
TikTok | 1.67 billion | 2.7 billion | Short-form video, B2C marketing, influencer marketing, live streaming |
X (Twitter) | 600 million | 4.4 billion | Real-time updates, B2B & B2C marketing, customer service, multimedia content |
2.4 billion | 3.9 billion | Messaging, customer service, B2C marketing, privacy-focused communication | |
Telegram | 900 million | 615.1 million | Messaging, privacy-focused communication, community building, customer service |
Let’s get into the details.
1. Facebook
Monthly Active Users: 3 billion
Monthly Organic Traffic (Globally): 13,100,000,000
Launched: 2004
Founders: Mark Zuckerberg, Eduardo Saverin, Andrew McCollum, Dustin Moskovitz, Chris Hughes.
Headquarters: Menlo Park, CA.
Best for:
- B2B marketing
- B2C marketing
- community building
- customer service
- ecommerce
- live streaming
- multimedia content
- older demographics
- targeted advertising
Facebook has evolved from a simple college networking site into the world’s largest social media platform. It’s now a global hub where people from all backgrounds connect and share.
On Facebook, you can make a business page to share posts, images, videos, events, and more. It’s a versatile platform for promoting your brand and engaging with your audience.
Who’s on Facebook?
Facebook is used by people of all ages, but it’s especially popular among men aged 25-34, who make up 17.6% of global users.
Overall, 70.8% of Facebook users are between 18 and 44 years old.
What to Post on Facebook?
Facebook users watch an incredible 100 million hours of video daily. Whether it’s a funny clip, a tutorial, or an inspiring story, videos are great for capturing attention. But don’t forget to mix things up with carousels, stories, polls, and other formats.
To get the most out of Facebook, use the scheduling tool to plan your posts and keep an eye on Insights to track engagement and reach. Facebook ads are also a powerful way to expand your audience and boost your content.
2. YouTube
Monthly Active Users: 2.7 billion
Monthly Organic Traffic (Global): 73,000,000,000
Launched: 2005.
Founders: Jawed Karim, Steve Chen, Chad Hurley.
Headquarters: San Bruno, California.
Best for:
- B2C marketing
- community building
- influencer marketing
- live streaming
- targeted advertising
- video content
- younger demographics
YouTube, owned by Google, is a popular platform where people share and watch videos. You can search for any type of content and even subscribe to your favorite channels.
Who Uses YouTube?
YouTube is used by people of all ages, but it’s especially popular with younger viewers. Over half of the users are between 18-44 years old.
What to Post on YouTube?
There’s a lot you can do on YouTube. Educational or how-to videos are great because they help people and show off your expertise. Entertaining videos get more engagement, but you can also share vlogs or personal stories to connect with your audience. Working with other creators can also help you grow your channel and produce quality content.
3. LinkedIn
Monthly Active Users: 350 million
Monthly Organic Traffic (Global): 1,900,000,000
Launched: 2003
Founders: Reid Hoffman, Konstantin Guericke, Allen Blue, Jean-Luc Vaillant, Eric Ly.
Headquarters: Sunnyvale, CA.
Best for:
- B2B marketing
- community building
- customer service
- older demographics
- targeted advertising
LinkedIn is the go-to platform for businesses and professionals which makes it perfect for B2B marketing. You can set up a company page to share a variety of content like images and videos, job opportunities, articles and documents etc.
You can also share content through your personal profile which allows you to engage with your audience on a more personal level.
Who’s on LinkedIn?
LinkedIn is mostly used by professionals and job seekers with a large chunk of users aged 25 to 35.
What to Share on LinkedIn?
LinkedIn flourishes on professional and career-focused content. Posts that educate, inform, and relate to your industry do best. Visuals like infographics and videos are especially effective if they provide valuable insights.
Tips for Success on LinkedIn
- Join relevant groups to participate in various discussions and share your expertise.
- Post articles or insights related to your field.
- Connect with others in your industry to grow your network and keep up with the latest trends.
- Celebrate milestones like promotions or completed projects to highlight your achievements.
4. Instagram
Monthly Active Users: 2.35 billion
Monthly Organic Traffic (Global): 6,700,000,000
Launched: 2010
Founders: Kevin Systrom, Mike Krieger
Headquarters: Menlo Park, CA.
Best for:
- B2C marketing
- community building
- ecommerce
- influencer marketing
- short-form video
- targeted advertising
- visual content
- younger demographics
Instagram is one of the most used social media apps where you can share photos, multi-image posts (called carousels), and short videos (known as reels).
Who uses Instagram?
Most Instagram users are between 25-34 years old, with a close second group being 18-24. It’s not as popular among older adults – only about 5.8% of users are over 55.
What to Post on Instagram?
Instagram is all about eye-catching visuals. It’s perfect for industries that thrive on visuals, like fashion, beauty, travel, food, and lifestyle, especially if you’re aiming to connect with a younger crowd.
If you want to grow your presence on Instagram, consider setting up a Creator or Professional account. There are plenty of options for paid ads to help boost your reach.
5. Pinterest
Monthly Active Users: 518 million
Monthly Organic Traffic (Global): 974,500,000
Launched: 2010
Founders: Ben Silbermann, Paul Sciarra, Evan Sharp.
Headquarters: San Francisco, CA.
Best for:
- B2C marketing
- community building
- ecommerce
- targeted advertising
- visual content
Pinterest is a platform where you discover and save visual content. Users create and organise images on virtual boards, making it a great tool for inspiration and ideas.
Who Uses Pinterest?
A large percentage of users are women, especially millennial women, who look up Pinterest as a search engine. In fact, 77% of all Pinterest users are women.
What to Post on Pinterest?
Pinterest is perfect for content that people search for, like DIY projects, tutorials, infographics, inspirational quotes, and wallpapers.
6. Reddit
Monthly Active Users: 430 million
Monthly Organic Traffic (Global): 5,500,000,000
Launched: 2005
Founders: Steve Huffman, Alexis Ohanian, Aaron Swartz.
Headquarters: San Francisco, CA.
Best for:
- B2C marketing
- community building
- customer service
- niche communities
- targeted advertising
Reddit is a platform where people join groups called subreddits to talk about specific topics, like wedding planning or sustainable fashion. This setup lets you target your marketing and connect with communities interested in what you offer.
Who Uses Reddit?
In the U.S., about 23% of adult men are on Reddit. Most users are between 18 and 49, making it a great platform to reach a younger audience.
What Should You Post on Reddit?
Reddit thrives on user-generated content and discussions. You can post, comment, and vote on the content, which helps build a community feel. For businesses, join relevant subreddits and interact with users without being overly promotional. Focus on sharing valuable information and joining conversations.
Moreover, participating in AMA (Ask Me Anything) sessions can also boost your credibility and position your business as an industry leader.
Learn more about: Big News: Google Teams Up with Reddit and Pinterest
7. Quora
Monthly Active Users: 305 million
Monthly Organic Traffic (Global): 1,100,000,000
Launched: 2009
Founders: Charlie Cheever, Adam D’Angelo
Headquarters: 650 Castro Street, Mountain View, California US
Best for:
- B2B marketing
- community building
- customer service
- niche communities
- targeted advertising
Quora is a place where people ask questions, give answers, and join discussions on various topics. It’s great for industry experts and leaders who want to build credibility and connect with specific audiences.
Who Uses Quora?
Most Quora users are men, making up about 61% of the platform. It’s popular among younger users, with nearly 78% between the ages of 18 and 44.
What Should I Post on Quora?
On Quora, focus on sharing informative content and asking good questions that spark meaningful discussions. People on Quora value detailed, well-researched answers that give a complete view of the topic.
You can share useful resources, insights, or step-by-step guides. Personal stories can also make your brand feel more relatable – just keep them relevant to the topic.
8. Snapchat
Monthly Active Users: 800 million
Monthly Organic Traffic (Global): 189,300,000
Launched: 2011.
Founders: Evan Spiegel, Bobby Murphy, Daniel Smith, David Kravitz, Leo Noah Katz.
Headquarters: Los Angeles, CA.
Best for:
- B2C marketing
- community building
- influencer marketing
- short-form video
- visual content
- younger demographics
Snapchat is a messaging app where people send photos and videos that can disappear after a short time. It’s especially popular with younger people, like Gen Z and millennials.
Who Uses Snapchat?
Snapchat is most popular with younger users, especially teens and young adults aged 15 to 25. About 48% of Snapchat’s users are in this age group.
What to Post on Snapchat?
Post Snaps that disappear quickly to create a sense of urgency. This is great for sharing time-limited deals and promotions. It helps encouraging your followers to create and share their own Snaps using your branded filters or hashtags.
Don’t forget to experiment with Snapchat Ads to boost your reach and engagement.
9. TikTok
Monthly Active Users: 1.67 billion
Monthly Traffic (Global): 2,700,000,000
Launched: 2016.
Founders: ByteDance Ltd, Zhang Yiming, Toutiao.
Headquarters: Culver City, California.
Best for:
- B2C marketing
- community building
- ecommerce
- influencer marketing
- live streaming
- short-form video
- targeted advertising
- younger demographics
TikTok is a fun app where you create and share short videos. It uses smart algorithms to show users content they like, which helps you reach a big audience even if you’re just starting out.
Who Uses TikTok?
TikTok is especially popular with people aged 13 to 34. It’s a great platform for ads too, with low costs like $0.50 per thousand views and $0.02 per click.
What to Post on TikTok?
On TikTok, creative and entertaining videos work best. You can join trending dance challenges, make lip-sync videos, or share educational content like cooking tips or DIY projects. Additionally, collaborating with others on TikTok can also boost your reach.
10. X / Twitter
Monthly Active Users: 600 million
Monthly Organic Traffic (Global): 4,400,000,000
Launched: 2006
Founders: Jack Dorsey, Evan Williams, Biz Stone, Noah Glass.
Headquarters: San Francisco, CA.
Best for:
- audio content
- B2B marketing
- B2C marketing
- community building
- customer service
- multimedia content
- targeted advertising
Twitter, now known as ‘X’, is a popular platform where major brands and influential people connect with their audience. You can share updates, photos, and polls in messages up to 280 characters long. For more personal interaction, customer service teams use direct messages to engage with users.
Who’s on X?
X has a diverse global user base, mostly ranging from 18 to 49 years old, with many users between 25 and 34.
What to Post on X?
X is great for real-time updates and news. Share timely insights and news to boost your presence. While text is key, adding eye-catching images and videos can make your posts pop. Use relevant hashtags to get noticed and engage with others by responding to their tweets and joining conversations. Additionally, avoid posting explicit content to stay in good standing.
11. WhatsApp
Monthly Active Users: 2.4 billion
Monthly Organic Traffic (Global): 3,900,000,000
Launched: 2009
Founders: Jan Koum, Brian Acton
Headquarters: Menlo Park, 1601 Willow Rd, United States
Best for:
- B2C marketing
- community building
- customer service
- messaging
- privacy focus
WhatsApp is the best messaging app used around the globe. It offers a personal and direct way to chat with customers and potential clients.
Who Uses WhatsApp?
People of all ages and backgrounds use WhatsApp to stay in touch. It’s especially popular with younger users, with about 26% of people aged 26-35 and 20% of those aged 36-45 regularly using the app.
What to Share on WhatsApp?
WhatsApp is all about personal communication, so keep your content friendly and direct. Use WhatsApp for Business to send personalized messages like birthday wishes, holiday greetings, or just a quick check-in.
You can also create groups to stay connected with different audience segments or use the broadcast feature to send updates to multiple contacts at once.
12. Telegram
Monthly Active Users: 900 million
Monthly Traffic (Global): 615,100,000
Launched: 2013
Founders: Pavel Durov
Headquarters: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Best for:
- B2C marketing
- community building
- customer service
- messaging
- privacy focus
Telegram is a messaging app which keeps your conversations private with end-to-end encryption. It even offers self-destructing messages for extra security.
For businesses, Telegram is great for reaching a big audience through channels and groups. It’s also handy for customer support and gathering feedback.
Who Uses Telegram?
Telegram is popular in places like Iran and Russia, where people value its strong privacy and security features.
What to Post on Telegram?
Channels and groups are key on Telegram. You can have up to 200,000 members in a single group. Join or create groups that match your industry to connect with an extensive audience and share relevant content.
Recap…
Choosing the right social media platforms is important for your brand’s identity and success. By understanding each platform’s strengths and aligning them with your marketing objectives, you can optimise your social media strategy for maximum results. Whether you’re looking to engage a younger audience or build professional connections, QC Digital is here to help you every step of the way.
Contact us today to learn how our social media management can lift your brand to new heights.
Partner with QC Digital for Expert Social Media Marketing Services
Our expert team works efficiently with you to create a personalised social media service, increase brand awareness, engage with customers, or generate leads.
Whether you need help with content creation, brand advertising, web development, and expert marketing strategies that derive results, our team is here to help you manage the digital site.
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The Ultimate Guide to eCommerce Marketplaces
Are you looking to make money selling your product or service? Hiring an expert agency like QC Digital might mean that the solution to getting more sales. Online marketplaces are expanding at breakneck speeds. And with everything globalizing, supply chains getting more easy to crack, regional and international expansion is now easier than ever before. At least on the operational side of business.
For most brands, the challenge is how to market their businesses. How businesses can optimize their listings, get visibility and traction, and then to really scale their digital business on these marketplaces.
In this post, let us look at some of the largest eCommerce marketplaces and go over some tips to follow.
What is an eCommerce marketplace?
An eCommerce marketplace is basically an eCommerce website that brings together buyers and digital retailers of physical goods. It could be an electronic marketplace that offers consumer electronics, alternatively a marketplace for subscription boxes. It’s a place where you can find different brands of products coming from lots of different vendors, shops, or individual sellers.
Leading ecommerce platforms
Google, Alibaba, Facebook Market and Shopify are among the leading platforms.
What is so great about an online marketplace?
There are several great reasons to sell on an internet marketplace. In Australia a lot of businesses have great products or services and are looking to grow. However, they struggle to manage their online presence. At QC Digital we offer top notch SEO services helping businesses to get more traffic and establish their online presence.
Grow your sales
First and foremost the best reason to sell on any internet marketplace is to increase eCommerce revenue. There are several platforms available on the internet and each one comes with its unique audience and opportunities for eCommerce growth. At QC Digital we make it a point to come up with solutions which drive convertible leads to your website helping you to sell more.
Better brand awareness
Every time your products are shown on a new online marketplace you get better chances for online users to come across your brand and find your own site. For some marketplaces, such as Facebook Marketplace it is better to handle a professional digital services company such as QC Digital to better promote the marketing side of things allowing you to focus on what you do best.
Create a loyal customer base.
Over time as your brand becomes more established and grows across several marketplace platforms, you will see an increase in branded searches and more shoppers looking for exactly your product. If your product is top quality and if you have great customer service then you will be able to come up with an engaged audience that you later retarget on social media and try email marketing.
Now that you know about why you need to sell on these marketplaces, let’s talk about each one and some of the marketing strategies needed for your success.
Google Marketplace
Google is the King of the internet and the first one to make such an impact. It has millions of sellers, and many people are making over a million. In fact, research shows that almost a quarter of online shoppers go on Google first for ideas.
There have been some truly great stories of entrepreneurs totally crushing it on Google, and many businesses thrive when they start business on the platform.
Ok, that kind of success is rare.
However, if you are an eCommerce business or marketing manager, you have to be on Google, regardless of your niche or industry.
Here are some of the top Google marketing tactics that will get you there.
Top Google Marketing Strategies
Google is a big marketplace with several different areas you could optimize.
Spend in Google Ads
We can spend forever talking about Google ads.
Google’s advertising platform is the most developed out of any online marketplace and competes with Google Ads in its customization and complexity. This is super competitive and you need a professional agency like QC Digital to come up with ad campaigns that bring in a lot of money for your business.
Hire an expert agency
You should hire a highly experienced ads professional or agency such as QC Digital for Google ads specifically, an agency which knows the ins and outs of Google in your particular country like Australia.
You should also consider hiring a person that is knowledgeable and experienced in your particular niche.
Optimize the listings
Take care that all of your listings have a lot of keywords, high-definition images, and all the points that a user might be looking for.
Look at the top competitors in any space and get some keyword ideas.
Always show people your product.
Mix in a few influencer shots on the product listings to make the listings more personable. Buyers love to see products in action or in someone’s home.
This makes your brand more warm and inviting.
Get more reviews
Reviews are absolutely crucial on Google.
Many people just double check Google reviews even if they are ordering directly.
Google has become the place to check out product reviews, and you must get some if you wish to be successful on Google.
Word of caution: never go for paid reviews. That being said, here are some ideas to get more reviews:
- Provide excellent customer service. Be more flexible on your refund policy when you just start a new product and make sure you address every single customer concern.
- Send follow-up emails A follow up email to the customer for feedback is a great idea.
- Solicit Google’s top reviewers. You can find them on many top reviewers lists that Google compiles.
- Include an insert in every package with the warranties and request them politely for a review.
Conclusion
Nobody can be a master of all trades. At QC Digital, we believe that great businesses are focused on their core strength rather than trying to do everything on their own. There is such a wide array of businesses on the web.
Brand Identity: Why It’s Important To Define Your Voice
Your brand voice is more than just a collection of words; it’s an expression of your brand’s unique personality. At QC Digital, we understand the intricacies of creating and promoting a brand. Think of it as the beating heart of your brand. By consistently sending messages that align with the essence of your brand values and promises, you can establish trust. Also, foster deeper relationships and inspire greater loyalty in your audience. It not only attracts new customers but also cultivates lifetime value with your existing ones.
Remember, you need time and effort to build your brand identity. As brand expert David Aaker apparently once said:
Great brands are not built by a single advertisement or transaction but rather by thousands of small gestures that build trust and cultivate relationships.
— David Aaker
What exactly is a brand voice?
One of the things that brands often struggle with is their brand voice. This is where we come in and help guide customers with a long term strategy for promoting their brands. At its core, a brand voice is a distinct personality and style that a brand communicates via its written and verbal language. It’s how a brand expresses itself and interacts with its audience on a human level.
When a brand voice is aligned with the brand’s values, vision, and target audience, it can create a strong foundation for maintaining brand-building trust and deeper relationships with the audience. Sounding consistent with all aspects of your branding is critical.
Nevertheless, a brand voice can and should adapt to different environments and platforms. Just as a person matches their tone of voice to their environment, so can a brand.
For example, the tone of voice used in advertising copy might be more daring and attention-grabbing than in customer interactions.
And while on TikTok, a brand may adopt a more casual tone to resonate with a younger audience, on LinkedIn, it may sound more professional and formal. Likewise, blog post readers don’t mind reading a longer piece, but Instagram users are looking for short-form captions.
But now, let’s explore six steps on how you can create a great and authentic brand voice that truly resonates with your audience.
Identify the Target Audience
Study your ideal and existing customers. Targeting your target audience allows you to customize your brand voice to their expectations, preferences and language. This step is critical to engage with them at a human level.
But how? Conduct market research and get information about their demographics, behaviours, needs, goals and problems.
You can also run surveys, convene focus groups and go through existing customer data. Do you notice patterns in the conduct and characteristics of your present customers? Which other brands do they interact with, and what do those brands feel like?
Ultimately, the secret is to sound uniquely you. As Morgan Brown, Shopify’s VP of Marketing points out:
Customers are looking for different brand voices, experiences and visions from each brand they invest in.
— Morgan Brown
To sum your research up, you may find it helpful to make personas. Personas are profiles of the ideal customers that you can later rely on as stakeholders in taking decisions.
Study the Competition
Scroll through your competitor’s websites and sign up for their newsletters. Which tone of voice do they use? Do you see patterns in the way they talk? Any keywords or other frequently used phrases?
Studying your competitor’s brand voice can help you find space in the market that your business can fill. For example, Alto stands out amongst ordinary pharmacies.
You can also pull influence from brands you are not competing with. Imagine how a brand voice might sound that blends Lululemon with Apple. Maybe like this: “Your workouts just got more intuitive thanks to our innovative Luxtreme™ fabric.”
Define the Brand’s Vision & Values
One of the most important things any business can do to build trust and value is to ensure that your brand voice works well with your company’s vision and values. Customers can skillfully spot when a brand is not genuine, so staying true to your values is a must.
A vision statement can help you summarise the future your brand is striving towards. But it doesn’t necessarily have to be 100% achievable. By proposing a compelling and meaningful vision, you can attract an audience that believes in what you’re doing.
Marc Pollard from Sweathead once pointed out a great way to craft compelling vision statements: Try to imagine how your company will change the world:
“A world in which … (something is different).”
For example, “A world in which there is no poverty.” You can also rephrase the statement later, such as: “Imagine a world without poverty.”
To define brand values, I typically look for what values the company shares with its target audience. This approach will help create a brand that fosters a sense of community and shared values.
Brand tone vs brand voice
Brand voice is what is you say and your tone is how this message is sent out and conveyed. Consider what qualities you want your brand to express. Should it be formal or casual? Funny or serious?
By compiling a good mix of characteristics, you’ll make sure to keep your brand voice fresh and interesting. A good rule of thumb is to pick no more than five characteristics relevant to your brand.
Consider the following characteristics:
- Formal vs Casual
- Confident vs Modest
- Enthusiastic vs Calming
- Humorous vs Serious
- Inspiring vs Informative
- Playful vs Professional
- Courageous vs Reserved
To further define your brand’s personality, imagine the brand as a person. A person’s unique identity shows through in how the people dress, behave, and speak — the topics they talk about and their tone.
Ask yourself:
- What would my brand wear?
- Who would they hangout with?
- What would they eat?
- What social platforms would they use?
- What music do they listen to?
By answering the right questions, you can create a more detailed and clear picture of the brand personality and tone of voice.
Write a brand style guide.
Words are gold when building a greater connection with your target audience and maintaining the right kind of brand identity. And just like with your visual brand materials, consistency is the key here, too.
So, how can you make sure that your branding efforts remain consistent across all platforms and communication channels. This, even when multiple copywriters are involved? The easiest way is to make a brand style guide and stick to it religiously.
These guidelines could cover a range of aspects, such as:
- The tone of voice (whether you want to sound informed, warm, or conversational)
- Personality (e. g. a supportive friend)
- Vision and values (e. g. a zero-carbon world)
- Examples (including dos and don’ts)
- Customization (how to sound on LinkedIn, Instagram, newsletters, etc.)
- Grammar and syntax (e. g., simple sentence structures, no abbreviations)
- Typographical guidelines (such as how to write phone numbers or certain terminology)
Are you looking for some inspiration? Mailchimp shares its Mailchimp guidelines publically.
Review your brand style guide.
Don’t forget to review your brand voice guidelines often to make sure they remain consistent and relevant to the evolving brand identity and target audience.
It’s a lot to think about. However, all of this work will pay off in time. With an authentic and easy to remember brand voice, customers will listen to and trust your brand.
Let’s look at some examples.
Brand voice examples
To wrap things up, let’s look at how others use their brand voice across various channels.
Oatly
Oatly is a plant-based food and beverage business known for its bold, unapologetic, and unique brand voice. See for yourself.
Dropbox
The Dropbox brand voice shows the company’s focus on simplicity and easy to use by being straightforward, easy going, and confident.
Allbirds
The brand voice of the sustainable shoe brand Allbirds is environmentally conscious, fun, and approachable. Allbirds always goes a great job in bringing in elements of surprise.
As these examples show, making and maintaining your brand identity is a big step towards building trust and recognition with your target audience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, brand voice is an essential component of a strong brand identity. By consistently delivering messages that work well with your brand’s values and promises, you can build trust, deeper relationships, and greater loyalty among your audience.
You can create a one of a kind and authentic brand voice by first understanding your customers and studying the competition. Then define the brand vision and values and set the tone of voice for your brand. Finally, write up some brand voice guidelines.
Keep in mind that building a great brand takes time and effort. Brands are not built through a single advertisement but through thousands of minor gestures that cultivate trust and relationships over time.
Digital Agency vs. Freelancer: Choose the Right Marketing Partner
Building a strong marketing strategy is important for success. But Business owners can’t manage marketing alongside everything else. And you need the right players for it.
Freelancers bring agility, while agencies pack a punch with their all-star lineup. But who should you choose for your business? It’s a tough call, right?
This comprehensive guide by QC Digital will help you weigh the pros and cons of both options. So you can choose the ideal marketing partner for your business goals.
Here at QC Digital. We’ve worked with start-ups, established brands, and everyone in between. Making marketing magic happen. From SEO and web design to branding that’ll wow your audience. We can turn your vision into results.
Let’s get started.
Digital Agency vs. Freelancer: What’s the Difference?
What Is a Freelancer?
A marketing freelancer is an independent consultant with experience working for companies and businesses. They manage the workload on their own. Finding clients, delivering projects, and securing repeat business. Freelancers can be virtual assistants, writers, marketing consultants, strategists, or email marketers.
What Is a Digital Agency?
A team of marketing professionals, full-time employees or independent contractors. Who work together on client projects. Digital agencies offer all-inclusive services. E.g. social media and email marketing, website development, content writing, funnel building, graphic design, etc.
Digital Marketing Agency vs Freelancer: Pros & Cons
Factor | Agency | Freelancer |
Expertise | Diverse team with varied skill set | Skills in specific areas |
Management | Better management system | Requires more oversight and direction |
Scalability | Scales with your growth | Only for specific projects |
Accountability | High focus on results and retention | Varies depending on the freelancer |
Price | Higher fees due to overhead costs | Per-project or hourly affordable rates |
Service | Personalized & dedicated attention | Structured approach & regular meetings |
1. Skills and Expertise
Freelancer
Pro
Freelancers usually have skills in a specific field or technique. You can find freelancers with exact skills that match your needs. E.g. (website building, SEO, social media) and experience in your niche.
Con
A single freelancer cannot have all the skills. For example, a great content writer might not be skilled in graphic design. This means you have to hire multiple freelancers for different skill sets. Which can be expensive and time-consuming.
Digital Agency
Pro
The digital agency offers a team of experienced marketers with diverse skill sets. So, you can get all-inclusive marketing services in one place. And they’ll collaborate to create the best strategy for your business.
Con
You don’t get to pick the expert who works on your project. The agency will assign someone based on your business needs. So, you have less control.
2. Service Quality
Freelancer
Pro
Freelancers prioritize excellent service to maintain their reputation and attract future clients. They’re often good communicators. Accustomed to explaining marketing concepts to non-experts.
Con
In the long run, the services of freelancers are not unreliable. Since they work independently and can cancel their deal anytime. Mostly, the contracts are also not involved. Leading to potential legal issues if they don’t complete the project.
Digital Agency
Pro
Digital agency has a proven system to deliver high-quality service. And keep you in loop of regular meetings to track progress. Their reputation also depends on consistent performance across all clients.
Con
While the agency as a whole aim to deliver good service. The personal touch can sometimes be lacking.
3. Project Scope & Timeline
Freelancer
Pro
Freelancers handle fewer projects, allowing them to prioritize yours. For smaller projects, a freelancer can be fully dedicated to your needs.
Con
Due to less manpower, deadlines are more likely to be caused. Subcontracts are involved in complex tasks, causing additional delays.
Digital Agency
Pro
Agencies have more resources at their disposal, which can speed up project completion. They have alternative options and more manpower. So, they can ensure better efficiency.
Con
Agencies handle many clients at once. They may focus more on bigger clients. And smaller clients might not receive the deserved attention.
4. Work-Hours Flexibility & Availability
Freelancer
Pro
Freelancers are more flexible with their working hours. They do not follow the traditional 9-to-5 schedule. This is ideal for handling urgent situations outside of regular business hours.
Con
Digital marketing freelancers charge extra for working evenings and weekends.
Digital Agency
Pro
Digital agency has a traditional 9-5 schedule. You’ll know exactly when agency staff will be available. Making it easier to plan your business activities around their schedule.
Con
Traditional business hours will not be ideal if your business operates outside those times. Urgent demands arising after hours will not be immediately addressed.
5. Communication Style & Channels
Freelancer:
Pro
Communication with freelancers is more informal and you can discuss project timelines and milestones directly. Which can make collaboration smoother.
Con
Time zone differences can complicate communication. Especially if your freelancer is based in a different country. There is no proper communication channel.
Digital Agency
Pro
Agencies have established communication channels. They usually assign a project manager for regular calls. And provide additional points of contact for larger projects.
Con
Additional calls and reports might incur extra costs. Some agencies have a hands-off approach, requiring you to request regular updates.
6. Cost & Budget
Freelancer
Pro
Freelancers have lower overhead costs, which can translate to more affordable rates. They charge per project or hour, which is more suitable for smaller tasks.
Con
Payment schedules with freelancers can be tighter. Requiring you to pay multiple times and manage payments more frequently.
Digital Agency
Pro
Agencies offer consistent pricing structure, flexible payment schedules. And offer custom service packages. So, they come with ease of payment.
Con
Agencies have higher upfront costs and are expensive. They also employ multiple specialists. Each adds to the overall cost of the project.
Bottom Line: Finding the Right Partner
So, who wins the battle between digital agencies and freelancers?
The truth is there’s no clear winner. The best choice depends on the complexity of your task. Your specific business needs. And the level of involvement or control you desire.
Here’s a handy checklist to help you decide:
- Project Scope: Complex projects requiring a multi-faceted approach are better suited for agencies. Simpler projects can be managed by a freelancer.
- Budget: Agencies typically have higher fees. Pick freelancers if budget is a major constraint.
- Management Style: Do you prefer a hands-on approach or a more hands-off experience with clear progress reports?
- Expertise: Consider the specific skills and experience you require. Agencies offer a broader range, while freelancers excel in specialized areas.
Cost vs. Care: Why “Cheap” Isn’t Always the Best Option
Sure, it’s cheaper to hire marketing freelancers at first, but there’s more to consider. But agencies can provide more worth to your money. And return it by adding more revenue to your business. Here’s why:
- Agencies Offer a Team, Not Just One Person: You get a dedicated team of strategists, copywriters, funnel builders, email list managers, and media buyers. All in one price.
So, you don’t have to manage many different freelancers. Building your in-house team with similar skills costs 2-3 times than hiring an agency.
- Quality Comes at a Price: Don’t be fooled by super-low rates and high claims.
Skills always demand good pay and give you good quality work in return. Super cheap freelancers will hurt your marketing goals in the long run.
- The Myth of Control: Freelancers subcontract the parts of their projects to further specialists. That is not directly in contact with you.
So, the process is not as transparent as it seems.
The important thing is to find the right partners who provide high-quality work. Not just the cheapest option. Always prioritize expertise and quality over short-term savings.
Looking for a Reliable Digital Marketing Agency?
Choose QC Digital | Your Partner for Growth and Marketing
At QC Digital, we understand the importance of choosing the right marketing partner.
We offer a comprehensive approach. Combining strategic thinking with creative execution and data-driven analysis. And bring passion, creativity, and expertise to every project.
Whether you need SEO and social media marketing. Or designing and developing a website that stands out. We do it all.
Ready to win at marketing? Let’s make it happen.
A Beginner’s Guide to Keyword Mapping for SEO
Managing a website involves attracting new visitors through search engines and keeping your existing audience engaged. That’s where keyword mapping comes in.
Keyword mapping simply is a strategic SEO practice that involves carefully assigning specific target keywords to relevant pages on your website. This helps you create a map that guides people straight to your website.
As Sun Tzu famously said, “Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory.” Keyword mapping is the tactic that puts your SEO strategy into action.
This guide by QC Digital will explain what keyword mapping is, why it’s important, and how to do it effectively. You’ll also learn about helpful SEO tools and how to avoid common pitfalls.
Understanding Keyword Mapping for SEO
What is Keyword Mapping?
Keyword mapping is an SEO strategy that involves strategically assigning relevant keywords to specific web pages on your site.
It creates a blueprint for your content by matching search terms (keywords) with the content that best answers them. This helps search engines understand your content and rank your website.
Keyword mapping offers a clear roadmap for SEO success. By targeting relevant keywords and implementing best SEO practices like On-Page SEO, you can attract more qualified traffic to your website.
Why is Keyword Mapping Important?
Search engines rely on keywords to understand what your website is about. Proper keyword mapping ensures your content gets noticed and ranked higher in search results.
- Clear Website Structure: Keyword mapping helps you organize your website logically, making it user-friendly for both visitors and search engines.
- Improved Internal Linking: By linking relevant pages together, you enhance user experience and make it easier for search engines to crawl and index your site.
- Powerful Content Marketing: Keyword clusters can inspire the creation of fresh, targeted content that resonates with your audience.
- Easier Tracking & Reporting: Monitoring the performance of specific keywords and their corresponding pages becomes more manageable with a well-organized keyword map. It also makes taking action based on insights much simpler.
- Avoids Keyword Cannibalization: It also avoids keyword cannibalization, where multiple pages compete for the same keyword, hurting your search engine authority. We’ll discuss how to avoid this later in the guide.
Further Reading: 11 Reasons Why Your Business Needs SEO Strategy in 2024
How to Do Keyword Mapping
1. Identify Target Keywords
Keywords Research: Start with in-depth research to understand the keywords your target audience uses to find products, services, or information related to your industry. SEO keyword research tools like SEMrush and Ahrefs can be helpful.
Focus & Specificity: Instead of chasing high-competition keywords with a million searches a month, target long-tail keywords that are specific to your niche. They have lower search volumes but indicate a stronger user intent (clear buying intention).
Example: Someone searching for “best hiking boots for women” is much closer to buying than someone searching for just “boots.” Focus on these specific keywords to attract users who are ready to convert.
2. Create Keyword Clusters
Group Keywords: Organize related keywords with similar meanings into clusters based on how they are related. These clusters represent different topics within your industry.
Content Themes: Think of keyword clusters as content themes. Each cluster should be broad enough to include various related keywords but still focused on a specific topic.
Example: For a travel blog, you can create a keyword cluster around “European vacation.” Within this cluster, you can have keywords like “best places to visit in Europe,” “affordable European travel tips,” “planning a European backpacking trip,” and “luxury European getaways.”
3. Assign Pages to Clusters
Content Alignment: Now, assign each keyword group to the most suitable page on your website. This helps keep your content organized and makes it easier for search engines to understand what each page is about.
Focus on Value: Avoid adding keywords to pages where they don’t naturally fit. Focus on providing useful content for users rather than trying to trick search engines.
Example: For a website with healthy recipes, assign the keyword cluster “vegetarian meal prep” to a page with vegetarian breakfast, lunch, and dinner recipes. Similarly, assign the cluster “gluten-free baking” keywords to a page with gluten-free cookies, cakes, and bread recipes.
Further Reading: Your Content Strategy Matters: Content Writing vs Copywriting in Marketing
Best Keyword Mapping Tools
Several SEO tools can simplify keyword mapping. Here are a few popular options:
- Moz: Provides insights into keyword rankings and backlinks.
- SEMrush: Covers keyword research, competitor analysis, and site auditing.
- Ahrefs: Offers keyword research, competitor analysis, and site audit features.
- SE Ranking: Offers keyword tracking, backlink analysis, and on-page SEO suggestions.
How to Use Your Keyword Map Effectively
Now that you have your keyword map in place, it’s time to use it for solid SEO results.
1) Optimize Content Pages for Target Keywords
Create high-quality, engaging content around your target keywords. Make sure your content meets user needs and offers valuable, original information.
- Aim to be the Best Answer: Focus on providing the best possible answer to the user’s query. Informative content is more likely to earn backlinks and social shares, which boosts your SEO efforts. This approach also increases your chances of getting the popular featured snippet, enhancing your website’s performance on both desktop and mobile devices.
Example: A camping equipment seller targeting the keyword “camping trips near Perth” can create a guide detailing top campsites within driving distance of Perth, covering accessibility, facilities, family-friendliness, and pet-friendliness. Include popular hikes and nearby attractions, and highlight essential gear for Australian conditions (e.g., mossie nets, sun protection). Promote the guide on social media with stunning visuals.
Further Reading: Content Marketing Is Key to Business Growth in 2024
2) Fill Content Gaps
Review your keyword map to find where your content is missing. Create new, relevant content to fill these gaps and improve your site’s presence.
Beyond Landing Pages: You may have enough landing pages to attract visitors. But you need more content to keep them engaged and guide them through the buying process. Consider adding eBooks, guides, videos, or case studies.
Keep Up with Trends: Stay updated on new trends and topics in your industry. Creating content on these subjects early can establish your authority.
Example: An e-commerce site selling fitness equipment might identify content gap for the long-tail keyword “best adjustable dumbbells for home gyms.” They could create a well-researched buying guide comparing different adjustable dumbbells, focusing on features, weight range, space needs, and noise levels.
Further Reading: How To Perform a Comprehensive Content Audit?
3) Use Keyword-Rich Anchor Text
When linking pages on your website, use anchor text with your target keywords. This helps search engines connect the keyword to the linked page.
Natural Variation: Avoid using the same anchor text over and over. Use different variations to make your internal links look natural.
Example: An e-commerce website selling athletic wear might have a category page for “women’s yoga pants.” Create links to this page using different versions of the keyword, like “find high-waisted yoga pants,” “shop our most comfortable yoga leggings,” or “browse our selection of yoga apparel for women.” This helps show search engines that the page is important for those keyword searches.
4) Keep Your Keyword Map Updated
SEO is a dynamic process. Keep checking and updating your keyword map to match your business, what people search for, and what’s popular.
- Stay Current: Review your keyword map regularly. Search volumes, user intent, and industry trends change, so staying up-to-date is vital.
- Seasonal Optimization: If you have a tech-focused blog. Every year, new gadgets and software are released. To stay relevant, update your keyword map to include new terms alongside evergreen topics. For instance, you can add keywords like “8 Best Wallpaper Apps for iPhone and Android” “best VR headsets 2024” or “new features in iOS 17.”
Avoid Keyword Cannibalization
Keyword cannibalization happens when multiple pages on your website target the same keyword. search engines get confused and lower your overall rankings. Here’s how to avoid this:
1. Identify Cannibalization
To identify competition among your own pages, routinely check your website for keyword cannibalization.
- Keyword Tracking System: Create a spreadsheet to track your target keywords. Include the pages assigned to each keyword and their current ranking. This allows you to easily identify any overlap and take corrective action.
2. Content Consolidation
If your website has multiple pages competing for the same keyword. Consider combining them into a single, powerful resource.
- Redirect URLs: To avoid broken links and maintain SEO value, redirect the URLs of the merged pages to the new, consolidated page. This ensures a smooth user experience and preserves backlinks authority.
Example: An e-commerce website selling shoes can have separate pages for “Best Running Shoes for Men” and “Top-Rated Sneakers for Women.” These could be combined into a single guide covering different types of running shoes and features to consider for men and women. This would provide a more valuable resource for users and improve SEO strength.
3. Optimize Existing Content
When multiple pages rank for the same keyword. This confuses search engines. To fix this, optimize each page for slightly different variations of the same keyword to avoid competition.
- Keyword Variations & Synonyms: Use variations, synonyms, and related terms to keep your pages relevant while focusing on specific aspects of the main keyword. This ensures each page targets a unique search intent.
Example: If you have two blog posts targeting the keyword “running shoes,” one could focus on “Best Running Shoes for Beginners” targeting those new to running, while the other emphasizes “Top Cushioned Running Shoes” targeting runners seeking extra comfort.”
Take Control of Your SEO with Keyword Mapping
Keyword mapping is a powerful SEO strategy that can significantly improve your website’s search engine ranking and visibility. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can create a well-structured keyword map that will help you achieve your SEO goals.
Remember, SEO is dynamic, so stay updated on trends and keep your keyword map relevant to stay ahead of the competition. An SEO agency can guide you through the concept of keyword mapping, which offers a strategic approach to ranking your website higher.
Let QC Digital’s experienced professionals handle everything for you.
We offer a complete suite of digital marketing services, including SEO strategy, keyword research, and content creation.
Schedule a free consultation to discuss your goals and see how QC Digital can help your business.
Big News: Google Teams Up with Reddit and Pinterest
The online world is constantly changing. New platforms pop up, user habits shift, and keeping your brand relevant and visible can be a never-ending struggle.
Recently, Google shook things up by announcing partnerships with two internet giants: Reddit and Pinterest.
This news sent waves through the digital marketing world, and with good reason.
In this blog post, QC Digital will explore how these partnerships impact your business and how you can use them to connect with new audiences and increase your online presence.
Let’s break down these partnerships and what they mean for you.
Google + Reddit + Pinterest: What You Need to Know & How to Win
Pinterest Gets a Powerful Ad Partner
Pinterest is a visual wonderland. With over 498 million monthly active users (that’s more than the entire population of Australia!), it’s a goldmine for businesses looking to target a specific audience.
That’s a massive audience you can now tap into with Google Ads.
The Google-Pinterest partnership essentially allows you to advertise on Pinterest through Google Ads Manager, the platform you already know and love.
This translates to a wider reach, potentially better conversions (meaning more people seeing your ad actually buy your product), and a potentially higher return on investment (ROI) – basically, more bang for your buck.
Reddit: Community-Driven Marketing
Reddit, the forum-based social network with over 850 million monthly users, is also joining the party. But this partnership is about more than just ads.
The Google-Reddit collaboration is all about improving search for real-world, relevant user-generated content.
Google gains access to Reddit’s massive pool of user-generated discussions and experiences through their Data API. This means Google can tap into real conversations and experiences to improve the quality and relevance of search results – especially when it comes to finding information from everyday people.
On the flip side, Reddit benefits from Google’s powerful Vertex AI technology. This will help Reddit improve its own internal search function, making it easier for users to find exactly what they’re looking for on the platform.
For Australian businesses that excel at building organic communities and providing helpful content on Reddit, this could be a massive SEO win. This means two things:
- Better Google Search Results with Reddit Insights
Google search results are getting better. By using insights from Reddit discussions, Google can now provide more accurate and relevant information, especially from real-world experiences and user opinions.
- Reddit as a Marketing Tool
Businesses should take note. Reddit is becoming a strong marketing platform. With Google’s help, Reddit’s search function is improving, making it easier for users to find content. This means more visibility and potential traffic for brands mentioned positively on Reddit.
Future of Digital Marketing: Use Multi-Platform Approach
“Don’t put all your eggs in one basket” and “Don’t limit yourself to just one platform.”
The future of digital marketing in Australia is clear: go multi-platform! Here’s why:
- Google Ads: Cast a wide net and reach a massive audience across the web.
- Reddit: Go deeper and connect with potential customers on a personal level. Answer questions, build trust, and become an industry expert.
- Pinterest: Showcase your amazing products and turn browsers into buyers. It’s a powerful sales tool.
By using a variety of platforms like this, you’ll build a strong online presence and establish yourself as a trusted brand in Australia.
How can You leverage these New Platforms?
This multi-platform approach helps you build a strong online presence and become a trusted brand in the Australian market. Here’s how you can stay ahead of the curve:
- Join the Conversation on Reddit: Reddit lets you chat directly with potential customers, build brand loyalty, and show off your expertise. Answer questions thoughtfully on relevant discussions (called subreddits) and become a trusted voice in your industry.
- Keep an Eye on SEO: Google’s search algorithms are constantly evolving. By staying updated on these changes, you can ensure your content remains discoverable.
- Use high-quality photos and videos. This is important for both Pinterest and Reddit.
- Create informative content that people want to see.
- Target local Australian audiences.
- Use Pinterest Ads to reach people who are looking to buy.
Overall, these Google partnerships open up new opportunities for businesses to grow. By following these tips, you can stay ahead of the curve and stay relevant in the digital world.
Is TikTok Next?
Google-TikTok might be next. The juicy rumours are swirling that Google will have another big partnership with TikTok, the hugely popular video app.
Google-TikTok partnership makes perfect sense. Google’s on the move to reach younger audiences. Younger generations are increasingly ditching traditional search engines and turning to TikTok for answers.
This shift in search behaviour makes Google-TikTok partnership a strategic move for both parties.
A Google-TikTok team-up could be a win-win:
- Google helps TikTok users search better: Google smart search helps TikTok users find stuff easier, making it more attractive for younger folks.
- Google finds new users: With Google on board, curious TikTokers might start using Google search more often, expanding their reach to younger demographics.
While it’s not official yet, both companies have tested the waters, hinting at a possible future collaboration.
2024 Marketing Shift: You NEED a Multi-Channel Marketing Plan
Ignoring Reddit & Pinterest is MARKETING SUICIDE!
9 out of 10 Customers Use Pinterest & Reddit. 850 million people talk on Reddit EVERY DAY (Are You Missing Out?)
The #1 mistake Aussie businesses can make is clinging to outdated marketing strategies. Millions of potential customers are searching for brands like yours on Pinterest and Reddit. Don’t get left behind.
QC Digital can be your bridge to new audiences. Partner with QC Digital and reach millions on Google’s new platforms.
QC Digital is here to help Australian businesses like yours navigate this exciting (and sometimes tricky) world of search and social media.
We’ll partner with you to create a winning strategy that includes:
- High-Quality Content: Get found by more customers with expert SEO and content marketing on platforms like Pinterest and Reddit.
- Authentic Community Building: We’ll help you connect with real customers on Pinterest and Reddit, build trust, and become a trusted voice in your industry.
- Local Search Optimization to Reach Aussie Audiences: We’ll ensure your business shows up in Google searches for local customers.
Confused About Google’s New Partnerships? QC Digital Has the Answers!
Google Search Ads vs Google Display Ads | Which Works Best for Your Business?
Virtually everyone is hooked to their screens and online shopping has become the norm. Businesses are realizing the power of online ads as an essential tool to connect with their target audience. They’re getting creative with their ad strategies.
When it comes to promoting your business, there are two primary types of ads: Google Display Ads and Google Search Ads. Each serves a unique purpose. Selecting the right type is necessary for achieving your marketing goals.
So, the question arises: Which type of ad is the best choice for you – search ads or display ads?
Deciding between these two types of ads is a big decision. But don’t worry – QC Digital is here to help you figure it out.
By understanding the differences between Search and Display ads, you can choose the one that works best for your business and budget.
Let’s explore their differences to help you make an informed decision for your digital marketing strategy.
Google Search Ads ─ Explained
What Are Search Ads?
Search ads are text-based advertisements that appear at the top of search engine results pages (SERPs) when users search for specific keywords or phrases.
They are designed to match the user’s search intent and provide relevant information or solutions.
Search ads are all about targeting people who are actively searching for something. Brands pay to appear on top search engines like Google, Yahoo, and Bing, or social platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn.
How Do Search Ads Work: A Simple Guide
Search ads run on a pay-per-click (PPC) model, meaning advertisers only pay when a visitor clicks on their ads.
Advertisers bid on keywords relevant to their business to appear at the top of search engine results pages (SERPs). But the ad placement is determined by factors such as bid amount, ad relevance, and ad quality.
For example, when someone searches for a “digital marketing agency,” ads related to that keyword may appear. The more relevant and high-quality the ad, the better its placement.
Components of Search Ads
- Headline: The headline is the clickable title of the ad, which should be attention-grabbing and relevant to the user’s search query.
- Description: The description provides additional information about the product or service being advertised, compelling users to click on the ad.
- URL: The URL displayed in the ad directs users to the advertiser’s website when clicked.
- Ad Extensions: These are additional features that enhance the visibility and relevance of the ad, such as site links, callouts, and location extensions.
Search Ad Essentials: Keywords and Bidding
- Limited to Search Engine Results | Pick the Right Words
First, you choose words related to your business, called keywords. Your ads only show up when someone searches for those specific words.
- Bidding Process for Ad Placement | Bidding for Visibility
Now, many businesses want their ads to show up in online searches for the same keywords. So, there’s a bidding process. This means you and other businesses compete by offering to pay a certain amount whenever someone clicks on your ad.
The more you’re willing to pay, the higher your ad appears in search results. But here’s the good part. You only have to pay when someone actually clicks on your ad, not just for it being there.
5 Benefits of Search Ads
Search ads are great for targeting people actively searching for what you offer. They help you reach the right audience and only pay for clicks.
But, picking the right words and bidding well needs good knowledge of your audience and platform. Search ads can boost traffic and sales, are easy-on-budget, and offer the best visibility on search engines.
Here’s why they’re worth considering:
- Budget Control: If you have a smaller budget, search ads give you more control over who sees your ads and when.
- Targeted Keywords: By focusing on specific words, you reach people who are interested in what you offer. Which means less wasted money on uninterested folks.
- Local Targeting: You can aim your ads at people in specific areas, using factors like language and interests to reach the right audience.
- Quick Sales: Search ads are great for catching people who are ready to buy. So, you don’t waste time showing ads to people who have already made a purchase.
- Remarketing Flexibility: While it’s not always necessary, remarketing can help you reach people who’ve previously shown interest in your product or service.
Google Display Ads ─ Explained
Display ads are visual adverts that appear on websites, apps, and across various social media platforms.
Display ads use images, banners, or videos to grab the attention of viewers. Unlike search ads, they’re not triggered by keywords but target specific demographics and interests.
They can be cost-per-impression or per-click.
How Display Ads Work: A Simple Explanation
Display ads reach more websites through the Google Display Network.
Display ads are purchased through advertising networks or directly from website owners. They’re placed smartly on websites that your target audience is likely to visit.
Google Display Network will then be displaying your ads on websites relevant to your target audience, maximizing your reach and engagement.
These ads can be targeted based on
- Interests
- Demographics
- Shopping habits
- Browsing behaviours
5 Types of Display Ads
- Banner Ads: These are rectangular ads displayed at the top, bottom, or sides of a webpage.
- Sidebar Ads: Similar to banner ads, they appear on the side of a webpage.
- Interstitial Ads: Full-screen ads that appear before the desired webpage loads.
- Native Ads: Ads that blend seamlessly with the content of the website or app.
- Video Ads: Short video clips that autoplay or play upon user interaction.
Display Ads: Behind The Scenes
- Targeted Website Placements | Choosing Where Your Ads Go
You can choose where your ads appear on websites. Like banner image ads or interactive formats. You can choose places where your ideal customers visit and decide what type of ad looks best, to match your audience’s interests.
- Bid on Display Ads | How Ads Get Space
Companies bid money to get their ads shown on specific websites. The ones willing to pay the most win the space.
- Flexibility of Display Ads | Different Kinds of Ads
Display ads come in various sizes and images, giving you creative options. You can pick what your ad looks like and try out different designs.
- Possibility of Being Ignored | People Might Not Notice
Even though ads can be cool, website visitors might not pay attention to them as they scroll through a webpage.
- Remarketing with Display Ads | Reaching People Again
Many companies use a technique called “remarketing” to show ads to people who visited their website before. It’s like saying, “Hey, remember us?” to invite them back to complete the purchase.
5 Benefits of Display Ads
Display ads are ideal for building brand awareness and targeting specific demographics.
They’re also cost-effective, help with retargeting, and boost brand recognition across the internet. Display ads are more visual and can help build brand awareness.
Here’s why they’re effective:
- Visual Appeal: They’re perfect for products that look good in pictures, like clothes or cars.
- Niche Targeting: Display ads let you reach specific groups of people who are interested in what you offer.
- Build Brand Awareness: They’re great for getting your name out there and making people aware of your brand.
- Less Visually Appealing Industries: Even if your product isn’t glamorous, you can still make display ads work by keeping your message short and impactful.
- Creative Freedom: With visual formats, you have more room for creativity to showcase your products or services.
How Google Ads Auction Works?
When you search on Google or visit a site in the Google Display Network, there’s a silent auction happening in the background.
1) Your Bid Matters
In this auction, you and other advertisers compete to get your ads shown. You set the maximum amount you’re willing to pay for a click or impression in your Google Ads account.
2) Ad Relevance and Quality | It’s Not Just About Money
But winning the top spot isn’t just about spending the most cash. Google also looks at how relevant and good your ad is.
“Relevance” means how well your ad matches what someone’s looking for. For example, if they’re searching for “running shoes,” an ad for sneakers makes more sense than one for high heels.
Google also checks how good the user’s experience is when they click on your ad. They call this “Quality Score.”
3) Ad Rank Matters
Ad Rank decides where your ad shows up on Google’s results page or in the Display Network. It’s based on your
- Bid
- Competition
- Quality Score
- Where the user is
Think of it like a rating for ads. The higher your Ad Rank, the better your ad’s position and greater the visibility.
So even if you’re not spending as much as others, you can still win a good spot if your ad is top-notch.
These factors decide which Google Ads get shown and where they appear.
4) Factors That Impact Ad Ranking
How often your ad shows, where it ranks, and its cost per click depend on your campaign’s Quality Score in Google Ads.
Search engines consider factors like
- Bid Amount: When you bid higher, your ad will show up at the top of search results.
- Ad Extensions: Adding extra information to your ad, like links or phone numbers, helps users learn more about your business.
- Quality of Ads and Landing Pages: Good ads that match what users are searching for, along with helpful landing pages, make your ad rank higher.
- Keyword Frequency: Using the right keywords in your ad and landing page makes it more likely to show up when people search for those terms.
- Match with Search Terms: Make sure your ad matches what people are searching for so it appears in relevant searches.
- Time of Day: Some ads perform better at certain times of the day, so consider when your target audience is most likely to be searching.
- Location Targeting: Targeting specific areas makes your ad more relevant to users in those locations.
- Competition: Higher competition means you may need to bid more or have better quality ads to outrank others.
5) Ads Comparison Metrics
When comparing the two types of ads, it’s essential to look at conversion rates and cost per click:
- Conversion Rate: SEARCH ADS generally have higher conversion rates because they target people actively searching for products.
- Cost Per Click: While DISPLAY ADS have lower conversion rates, they also have lower costs per click.
Both search ads and display ads have their advantages. The key is understanding your goals and audience to choose the right one for your digital marketing campaign.
Remember, connecting your ads to relevant landing pages is crucial for driving conversions.
Google Search Ads vs Google Display Ads: Pick the Best for Your Business
Ads from both Search and Display campaigns appear alongside organic search results on Google’s search results pages and partner websites within the Google Display Network. But they operate differently.
Search Ads | Display Ads |
These appear when someone searches for specific words. | They show up on websites and include images or text. |
You get charged only when a visitor clicks on your ad. | You bid for space on these sites. |
Google suggests using both Search and Display campaigns for wider reach.
But big audiences may not always bring results. Targeting the right people is key. Focus on those likely to be interested in what you offer.
When to Use Each Ad Type?
Deciding between search ads and display ads depends on your goals and budget. Consider your specific needs to choose between the Search Network and Display Network for your campaign.
- Search Ads: If you want to reach active searchers, go for search ads. Use these when you want QUICK RESULTS or have a specific audience in mind.
- Display Ads: For brand awareness and wider reach, go for display ads. Choose these for products or services with a longer sales cycle or when you want to build BRAND AWARENESS.
But ideally, a mix of both can maximize your reach and results.
Which Ad Types is Right for Your Business Marketing Strategy?
Use Search Ads | Use Display Ads |
Get quality leads | Visual appeal |
Boost organic traffic | Longer sales cycle |
Target local audience | Raise brand awareness |
Good for small budgets | Reach wider niche markets |
Promote urgent services | Retargeting and re-engaging users |
Shorter sales cycle | Target users across various devices |
Follow Best Ads Practices To Maximise Results
Best practices for paid ads include,
- Track and Optimize ROI: Keep track of how much you’re spending on ads and adjust your strategy to get the best results for your money.
- Optimize Your Keywords: Regularly review and update your list of keywords to make sure you’re targeting the most relevant ones for your business.
- Focus on Results: Instead of just getting clicks, focus on what actions users take after clicking your ad, like making a purchase or signing up for a newsletter.
- Calculate Conversion Rates: Figure out how many conversions you need to make your ad campaign profitable.
- Analyse Competitor Ads: Look at what your competitors are doing with their ads to get ideas for improving your campaigns and staying ahead in the market.
- Forecast Your Results on Previous Data: Predict how well your ads will perform based on past data before you launch them.
Get In Touch With Google Ads Specialist
QC Digital makes online advertising easy.
Our Google search and display ad specialists will boost your business, connect you with new customers, and maximize local leads.
At QC Digital, we bring together a team of ad experts, copywriters, and graphic designers to create winning ads for your business.
From researching keywords to crafting compelling ad copy and designing eye-catching visuals, we cover every aspect of ad creation. With a focus on SEO, our team ensures your ads appear in relevant searches, driving more traffic to your site.
Once launched, we track metrics to measure the performance of your ads and make improvements. By analysing competitor’s ads, we stay ahead of the game, constantly refining your ads for the best results.
With QC Digital, your ad campaign is in good hands from conception to success.
Let’s grow your business with the right ads!
Set-Up Remarketing Campaign in Google Ads: Easy 5-Step Tutorial
Are you struggling to turn website visitors into customers?
You’re not alone.
Studies suggest that only a small percentage of site visits result in conversions. But don’t let that discourage you. Instead, let it inspire you to take action and improve your marketing strategy.
One powerful tactic to bring potential customers back to your site is to create a remarketing campaign in Google Ads.
But what exactly is remarketing?
Let QC Digital guide you through the process and help you understand how to implement it effectively.
What is Remarketing in Google Ads?
Have you ever visited a website, browsed around, and left without buying anything?
You’re not the only one doing this!
About 92% of online browsers are just checking things out, not quite ready to make a purchase. Some are gathering information on products. While others add items to their carts but then leave without finishing the purchase. But businesses don’t want to lose these potential customers.
The good news is, they’re not gone forever.
That’s where remarketing comes in handy. With Google Ads remarketing, you can target those past visitors and gently encourage them to come back to your site when they’re ready to buy.
It’s like a friendly reminder to your target audience to come back and take another look.
Remarketing is a smart tool that many businesses overlook. It’s available to everyone who advertises with Google Ads.
This digital market tool helps you reconnect with people who have already checked out your website or used your app. By showing them ads. You can remind them about your brand. And increase the chances of them becoming customers.
Why Remarketing Ads Matters?
Imagine you’re waving at someone you’ve met before in a crowd. They’re more likely to wave back, right?
That’s the technique of Remarketing Ads. It connects you with people already familiar with your brand. Making them more likely to buy.
With the increasing number of digital devices in households. Remarketing is essential to re-engage your audience and bring them back for another look.
It’s not about whether you should do it, but how to do it effectively.
But how do you set up Google Remarketing Ads?
Remarketing vs. Retargeting: What’s the Deal?
Technically Speaking
Remarketing is the big picture. It includes all the ways to reconnect with past visitors. Retargeting is just one of those ways, focusing on online methods.
But Hey, Same Difference!
When we talk online, we often use both terms interchangeably.
How Google Ads Remarketing Gets the Job Done?
Ever seen an ad follow you around online? That’s Google Ads remarketing in action!
Here’s How It Works
- You add a little tag to your website.
- When someone visits, Google keeps track of them with a cookie.
- Later, when they’re browsing other sites. Your ad pops up. Reminding them of your amazing products.
How to Set Up a Remarketing Campaign in Google Ads?
Let’s get started.
Step 1: Decide Your Goals
First things first, figure out what you want to achieve.
- Do you want more people to BUY your products?
- Do you want people to KNOW about your brand? or
- Do you want people to simply VISIT your website?
Defining your goals is important because it helps you tailor your campaign to achieve exactly what you want.
For instance, if you’re focused on increasing sales, you prioritize ads that highlight your best-selling products or offer special promotions.
On the other hand, if brand awareness is your main goal. You need to focus on creating eye-catching ads that showcase your brand’s unique personality.
Once you’ve got your goals sorted, it’s time to choose the right type of campaign.
Step 2: Choose Your Campaign Details
Now, it’s time to set things up.
- Choose how much you want to spend.
- Where do you want your ads to appear?
- Who do you want to see them?
This way, your campaign will reach the right people in the right places.
Decide Your Budget: You need to figure out how much money you want to invest in your remarketing campaign. This helps you make sure you’re not spending too much or too little. Think about factors like the size of your target audience, the duration of your campaign, and your overall advertising goals. A smart budget plan helps you reach the right people without overspending.
Pick Where Your Ads Display: Decide where you want to display targeted ads. You can choose different places like
- Google Search Ads,
- Websites in the Google Display Network,
- YouTube videos, and
- Mobile apps.
Pick the places where your target audience spends most of their time. For example, if they love watching YouTube, put your ads there.
Target Your Audience: Who do you want to see your ads? Define your target audience based on age, interests, and if they’ve visited your website before. Google Ads has tools to help you target specific groups of people. Who is most likely to engage with your ads? Use features like custom audience lists, which let you target users who have previously visited your website or interacted with your app.
By targeting the right audience, you can make sure your ads reach the right people in the right places and get better results for your business.
Step 3: Know Your Audience
Who do you want to see your ads? It’s important to know who you’re trying to reach.
Think about who visited your site before and how they interacted with it. Did they just take a quick look, or did they spend some time browsing around?
Google Ads offers tools to help you group these visitors based on different criteria, like
- People who visited your website
- Those who watched your videos on YouTube.
This helps you target the right people.
For example, if someone checked out your website but didn’t buy anything. You want to show them ads to remind them about your products.
By understanding your audience and how they’ve interacted with your site. By building your remarketing campaign, you are more likely to catch your audience’s interest and bring them back to your site.
Step 4: Create Fantastic Ads
Here’s where the magic happens.
This is the part where you need to grab people’s attention and make them want to click on your ad. Your ads need to catch people’s eyes and make them want to know more.
You can do this by using pictures, videos, or words that:
- Show off your brand and
- What you’re offering.
Make sure your message is clear and convincing. Make people excited about what you’re offering. And don’t forget to tell people what you want them to do next. Use clear instructions like “Buy Now” or “Sign Up” to guide them on what action to take after seeing your ad.
Remember!
The key is to make your ads stand out and make people want to learn more about your brand and products.
Step 5: Test and Improve
Your job isn’t done once your ads are up.
It’s important to keep an eye on how they’re performing and make adjustments as needed. Regularly check how your ads are doing and see if they’re bringing in the results you want.
If not, don’t worry!
You can try out different ads to see which ones work best.
By testing different ads and keeping track of their performance. You can figure out what’s working well and what needs improvement. This way, you can make changes to your ads to make sure your campaign is a success.
Remember, testing and improving your ads is an ongoing process. Keep experimenting and making tweaks until you find the winning formula that brings in the results you’re looking for.
Choose the Right Remarketing Campaign
Choose between the two main types in Google Ads for remarketing campaigns:
- Customer Match List for Google Ads: This allows you to target customers by directly adding their email addresses to Google Ads. However, you can only use emails collected through first-party data, and you must comply with data protection regulations.
- Google Ads remarketing audiences: This option lets you target specific groups of users who have previously interacted with your website or app.
Struggling to Convert Visitors? | Level Up Your Ads with QC Digitals
Don’t let potential customers slip away. Reconnect with your audience.
Setting up a remarketing campaign in Google Ads seems difficult. But you don’t have to do it alone.
Let QC Digitals help you set up and manage your remarketing campaign.
Our team at QC Digitals knows all the ins and outs of digital marketing. We can create customised ads for your brand and business. That will bring in more customers and help your business grow.
Get in touch with us today to find out how we can help.