Digital Marketing Course: Discover The 2023 Industry Trends

The future of digital marketing — how it’s grown

A career in digital marketing is an excellent choice since it’s an evergreen industry.

Why?

Because every single business on earth needs clients, regardless of how small or big. They get these clients through marketing. And, since more users are spending their time online, local and international businesses are utilising the power of digital marketing channels now more than ever.

A recent article by BusinessTech found that 84% of local South African businesses use digital marketing, whereas only 35% use print marketing.

Digital marketing is growing worldwide, with the global digital advertising market standing at over $500 billion in 2022. It’s estimated that this market will grow by almost twice the amount — to around $950 billion by 2026.

Thus, getting into the digital marketing industry means you’ll get a job much easier since there’s a high and ever-increasing demand for digital marketers.

Top 5 digital marketing trends to watch in 2023
Here are five of the top digital marketing trends you need to look out for.

1. AI and machine learning

Artificial intelligence (AI) is involved in almost every aspect of digital marketing and more. Over the last few years, it’s been worked into virtually all digital marketing channels, including social media, Google ads, search engines, and more.
For example, AI algorithms determine what social media posts and ads you see and engage with. It collects information about your digital behaviour, such as what you search for online, where you go to the shop (based on your phone’s location), etc.

AI is making marketing smarter to give consumers the exact products and messages they want. Learning about digital marketing will provide you with a better understanding of how these algorithms work.

2. Enhanced customer experience
There are millions of products, services, and offers available online. For businesses to stand out amongst the crowd, they need to provide their prospective customers with top-notch experiences if they want them to convert into paying customers.

Thus, many businesses have started to invest in better websites, search engine optimisation, and even chatbots to enhance their user’s experiences on their websites. Creating these user experiences forms part of the company’s overall digital marketing strategy.

By enrolling in a digital marketing course, you’ll learn how to create better customer experiences that’ll result in more conversions for your company.

3. Video content
Consumers are enjoying video content more than ever. According to the Digital 2022 October Global Statshot Report, 92.7% of global internet users watch online video content weekly.

TikTok videos and Instagram reels are taking over social media feeds and consumers’ interest. This format will only continue to grow. Therefore, it’s a good idea for businesses to be on the platforms where their customers are and to provide short and long-form video content.

As part of your digital marketing studies, you’ll learn about the best content formats and what type of topics customers want to hear about online.

4. Influencer marketing
Influencer marketing has been and continues to be an excellent way for businesses to promote their offers to large segments of their audiences.

It’s essentially a digital marketing strategy where businesses partner with influencers (with enormous followings) to promote their products.

For example, a business might pay an influencer to use its face cream, wear its brand-name jeans, or eat its signature burger on camera in front of their followers. This way, the company’s product gets in front of a large group of its target audience.

As influencers continue to build up larger and larger followings as the years go by, influencer marketing is becoming more popular, and businesses continue to invest in this strategy.

5. Employee advocacy
Employee advocacy is another popular digital marketing strategy that’s getting more popular by the year. This strategy is about getting the business’ employees to promote its offers to their friends and followers.

This strategy is especially beneficial for business-to-business (B2B) marketing since employees can often use their LinkedIn platforms to discuss the product or service.

In return for promoting their products, these businesses often reward their employees with benefits such as paid days off, commissions, etc.

Discover the right digital marketing course for you

Thinking of studying digital marketing? Digital marketing comprises various sub-industries, such as social media marketing, paid advertising, and more. Thus, there are different types of courses you can pursue. These include:

1. Higher Certificate in Digital Marketing
The Higher Certificate in Digital Marketing gives students an overview of the digital marketing world. Inside this programme, students will learn how to use technology for effective marketing, communicate products via social media platforms and get an inside look into branding.

2. Higher Certificate in Social Media and Communication
The Higher Certificate in Social Media and Communication teaches students the fundamental skills and knowledge to effectively promote businesses on social media. Upon completing this course, they’ll work confidently within the social media sector.

3. Bachelor of Commerce in Digital Marketing
The BCom in Digital Marketing will equip students with advanced skills and knowledge of several digital marketing practices. These include social media marketing, web design and analytics, search engines, branding, progressive marketing strategies, and much more.

Study a Digital Marketing Course online with MANCOSA

Are you good at communicating with people? Do you enjoy using various technologies and social media in your everyday life?

Then digital marketing could be ideal for you. Have a look at the Higher Certificate, which is a one-year Digital Marketing short course, to get an overview of what you’ll learn.

You can always choose the more specialised route and take the social media marketing course instead. Or, if you’re really interested in the world of digital marketing and everything it has to offer, consider the BCom degree. All of these programmes will prepare you for an exciting career in digital marketing.