Automotive Digital Marketing Trends to Watch Out In 2017

It is time to look ahead to the New Year with new hopes and fresh ideas. As 2016 is in the rear view mirror, we need to turn our focus towards the marketing trends that are likely to dominate in 2017. Automotive industry is one of the largest industry spenders on digital advertising and 2017 won’t be any exception. If the reports are to be believed, the industry is expecting to spend a whopping amount of $14.14 billion on automotive digital marketing services by the year 2020. As the modern age customers turn more and more internet savvy, both the dealerships and independent automobile shops should shift their focus on boosting digital presence. If you are wondering about the top marketing trends to watch out in 2017, then let us offer you some insights.

Video marketing: Thanks to the ubiquity of video-driven social media platforms and online channels, the popularity of video marketing has been exploding like never before. Considered as the highly sought after marketing method in the recent years, video marketing plays a key role in connecting with the customers, engaging with them and converting them into potential customers. According to the statistics and reports published by the leading automotive marketing agencies, online video Ad spending has increased nearly 30% from 2015 to 2016. Over 60% of the businesses plan to increase their online video spending and 70% of brands plan to invest in social video ad in 2017. High quality video with informative and engaging content can build trust and authority in a brand which further generates sales and revenue streams.

Integration of sales and marketing channels: Gone are the days when potential buyers sought the guidance and tips of car salespeople before making a purchase. With the digital revolution, more and more people are turning towards word of mouth recommendations and online reviews. In short, automotive digital marketing services and sales concepts should be integrated to lure in the customers and generate profits. According to a report by Marketing Profs, companies with tightly aligned sales and marketing functions attained 36% higher customer retention rates and 38% higher sales win rates. Introducing new analytic tools and digital solutions can help in integrating the marketing efforts and sales channels seamlessly.

Social media advertising: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram and many more social networking sites have brought revolutionary change in the way we used to live and interact. Billions of people are registered on these social networking sites and billions are active users. So it is no surprise that business organizations can leverage the potential of social media platforms to get connected with the targeted audience.

Advanced targeting options, reliable conversion tracking and prevalence on mobile devices are some of the main factors that contribute to the exploding popularity of social media advertising. As per the forecasts, advertising spend on social networks will reach $36 billion in 2017. So, if you wish to stand out and gain edge, it is essential to consider social media advertising as a boost to your existing marketing strategies.