Marketing trends are as fluid as the technology that powers them. Marketing has definitely undergone drastic change in the last few years, and it is time to look beyond the usual channels to stay ahead in the game. Things are already in the state of flux and 2026 appears to be a game-changer in the world of marketing, shifting the focus towards well-integrated planning of digital and traditional activities, with online dispositions captivating the feral lead. Let us reflect on some marketing trends to adopt in 2026 to be a winner.
Customer Relationship Management
Building meaningful relationships between buyers and sellers by gathering and analysing useful customer data leveraging market research and IT tools has become common- place, and in future this trend is likely to grow further. This helps in building trust and creating transparency, hence resulting in customer loyalty and repeat purchase. According to Harvard Business Review, sales increases due to advanced CRM technology have ranged from10% to more than 30%. Yet another significant but related trend is Marketing Automation.
Effective Marketing Automation
Heidi Melin, CMO, Eloqua says, “The CRM focus is just on what is within the pipeline and what moves through the pipeline. That front end of the process from inbound marketing all the way through direct hand off to the sales team is a really critical part of the process and is where marketing automation focuses.” Effective marketing automation collects data from multiple channels, and use these channels to send the messages too. It helps a company to be transparent and remain lean and focused and better serve the customer. 78% of high performing marketers say that marketing automation software is responsible for improving revenue contribution (Position2). Next comes the virtual reality.
Virtual Reality
Various virtual reality devices are expected to fill the market in coming years, and this is one of the marketing trends to adopt and embrace, for Oculus Rift, the most hyped VR device was released almost 10 years ago in 2016. Immersive marketing campaigns and augmented reality scenarios are going to have a huge impact on the way marketers will engage consumers in the year 2026. So be prepared to check out this new tool to take the leader advantage. Additionally, location-based technologies are gaining popularity.
Location based Technologies
Apple’s launch of iBeacon Technology has lead brick and mortar stores to take on location sensitive devices for sending out push notifications to shoppers. iBeacon connects with visitors through Facebook and LinkedIn to send messages. RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) also helps in creating an interactive experience with customers. Moreover, companies are also linking location with past behaviour for sending out relevant messages. With these technologies in place, let us also focus on some transitory marketing techniques that may take on bigger stage in 2016.
Temporary Social Media
Snapchat was developed in 2011, and is a messaging app that allows users to record and send snaps viewable for 1 to 10 seconds, and then they are deleted. The app is moving towards becoming a standard marketing platform. It is a short and to the point communication media, and brands like BMW, Taco Bell, ESPN and Comedy Central are already using it. Snapchat has 100m active users with 400m snaps sent every day (Mashable). However, only 1% of advertisers are using Snapchat currently(Mashable), but with given customer base and huge potential, it is a viable marketing trend to adopt in 2016.
All in one social platforms
Search capabilities are likely to go beyond Bing, Google and Yahoo as Facebook is working on its own search engine which will provide a new unique search. These enhanced search competences within social media will help brands gain more visibility. With Pinterest buyable Pins, and Instagram’s shop now button, more ‘buy now’ buttons and payment messages are expected to appear on social platforms in 2016 changing the marketing landscape, and changing the way customers buy and chat about their purchases, and post the proofs. It is likely to evolve into all-in-one buy and share social media search and it would be a great idea to invest in these marketing efforts as they bring commerce right to social pages. Let’s move to the last but very significant marketing trend to adopt, which is Internet of things.
Internet of Things
According to Centre for Data and Innovation, it is concept that Internet is no longer just a global network for people to communicate with one another using computers, but it is also a platform for devices to communicate electronically with the world around them. IoT is going to become a bigger tool in future for marketers to engage their customers. Some good applications are Smart home, wearables, and smart supply chain. Wearable technology is gaining a good market with an estimate of its worth to be 12.6 billion U.S. dollars by 2018 (Statista). Google Glass, iWatch and other medical technology are worthy examples. Overall, IoT will be able to detect and provide what people want right at their footsteps, so keep up with this trend.
To recapitulate, we have focused on a few marketing trends to adopt in 2026. CRM has always acquired a special place in building customer trust, and automated marketing and virtual reality are the need of the hour. With location –based technologies, ephemeral marketing, IoT and all-in-one buy and share social media platform, marketing is taking an altogether new dimension in the years to come. Just take care of these marketing trends, and you should be fine in 2026.
