Key Digital Marketing Industry Statistics: Trends, ROI, and Priorities
Highlights
- “49% of marketers report that improving customer experience and engagement are their top priorities in 2021.”
- “88% of B2B marketers use content marketing as part of their overall digital marketing strategy.”
- “Email marketing has an average ROI of $42 for every $1 spent.”
- “82% of consumers expect an immediate response from brands on marketing or sales questions.”
- “Online video now accounts for 82% of all internet traffic.”
- “70% of marketers actively invest in search engine optimization (SEO).”
- “54% of social browsers use social media to research products.”
- “72% of marketers say content is their most effective SEO tactic.”
- “Online advertising is expected to account for 52% of global advertising expenditure in 2021.”
- “Personalized email subject lines are 22.2% more likely to be opened.”
- “87% of shoppers begin their product searches online.”
- “61% of marketers say improving their SEO and growing their organic presence is their top inbound marketing priority.”
- “The average consumer attention span is 8 seconds.”
- “Mobile marketing is expected to represent 72% of digital ad spend by 2019.”
- “55% of marketers say blog content creation is their top inbound marketing priority.”
Consumer expectations for immediate response
- 82% of consumers expect an immediate response from brands on marketing or sales questions.
- 54% of social browsers use social media to research products.
- 87% of shoppers begin their product searches online.
- The average consumer attention span is 8 seconds.
- 86% of people skip TV commercials.
- Social media usage has increased by 21% in the last 5 years.
- Voice search currently accounts for 10% of all searches.
- 76% of people think marketing has changed more in the past 2 years than in the previous 50.
- 68% of Facebook users are active daily.
- 77% of adults in the US own a smartphone.
- 27% of internet users in the US are using ad blockers.
- By 2025, the number of connected devices worldwide is expected to reach 75 billion.
- 90% of Instagram users follow at least one business account.
- 82% of people trust a company more if the CEO is active on social media.
- Nearly 70% of digital media time is now spent on mobile devices.
- Local searches lead 50% of mobile users to visit stores within one day.
- 90% of searchers haven’t made their mind up about a brand before starting their search.
- The average time spent on social media per day is 144 minutes.
- 64% of B2B buyers reported a dramatic change in vendor expectations.
- Online shopping is expected to make up 22% of all retail sales worldwide by 2023.
- 83% of traffic to marketing blogs comes from desktop computers.
- 74% of people say they’ve used social media to make a purchasing decision.
- 58% of consumers expect the first personal touchpoint to take place physically in the real world, such as a phone call or face-to-face meeting.
- 51% of smartphone users have discovered a new company or product while conducting a search on their smartphone.
Our Interpretation
In the fast-paced world of digital marketing, statistics tell a story of ever-evolving consumer behavior and expectations. From the demand for immediate responses to the rise of social media as a research tool, the numbers paint a picture of a connected world where attention spans are fleeting and mobile devices reign supreme. With the majority of shoppers starting their product searches online and the increasing influence of social media, it's clear that businesses must adapt or risk being left behind. As the digital landscape continues to shift, one thing is certain - those who embrace change and innovation will thrive, while those who cling to outdated methods will struggle to make an impact in a market that is constantly in motion.
Content marketing
- 88% of B2B marketers use content marketing as part of their overall digital marketing strategy.
- 70% of marketers actively invest in search engine optimization (SEO).
- 72% of marketers say content is their most effective SEO tactic.
- 61% of marketers say improving their SEO and growing their organic presence is their top inbound marketing priority.
- Mobile marketing is expected to represent 72% of digital ad spend by 2019.
- 55% of marketers say blog content creation is their top inbound marketing priority.
- 70% of companies are actively investing in content marketing.
- Mobile advertising spending is estimated to represent close to 75% of all digital ad spending by 2022.
- 91% of B2B marketers use LinkedIn to distribute content.
- 74% of people say they use Facebook for professional purposes.
- Video content is 50 times more likely to drive organic search results compared to text-only content.
- 70% of business owners are investing in content marketing.
- 73% of marketers prioritize content marketing as part of their SEO efforts.
- 82% of marketers believe SEO is becoming more effective.
- Approximately 64% of consumers across the world have said that they would engage more meaningfully with brands that offer high-quality content.
- 63% of consumers need to hear a company’s claims 3-5x before they actually believe it.
- The average number of leads generated by content marketing is 3 times higher than traditional marketing.
- Video content is 40 times more likely to get shared on social media than other types of content.
- 77% of B2B marketers use LinkedIn for lead generation.
- 43% of people want to see more video content from marketers.
- 54% of consumers want to see more video content from a brand or business they support.
- Spending for social video advertising is expected to increase by 44% in 2021.
- 46% of marketers plan to add YouTube to their content strategy in the next year.
- Global social media ad spending is expected to reach $96 billion in 2022.
- Visual content is more than 40 times more likely to get shared on social media than other types of content.
Our Interpretation
In the digital marketing arena, where the only constant is change, the numbers paint a clear picture: content is king, and video is its mighty successor. From the rise of mobile advertising to the dominance of SEO, it's evident that marketers are navigating a landscape where engagement is key and authenticity reigns supreme. In a world where consumers demand quality over quantity, where trust is built through repetition, and where visual storytelling takes center stage, savvy marketers understand the need to adapt, evolve, and stay ahead of the curve. As we hurtle towards a future shaped by social media and digital connectivity, one thing is certain: those who master the art of content creation and distribution will command the attention of audiences far and wide. So, buckle up, fellow marketers, it's time to craft compelling narratives, embrace the power of video, and chart a course towards success in this ever-evolving digital realm.
Email marketing ROI
- Email marketing has an average ROI of $42 for every $1 spent.
- Personalized email subject lines are 22.2% more likely to be opened.
- 73% of marketers believe their email efforts are either average or poor.
- 50% of consumers say they are more likely to click on a particular brand’s ad if they see it more than once.
- 78% of brands say that they have seen an increase in email engagement over the last 12 months.
- On average, companies generate $2 in revenue for every $1 spent on Google Ads.
- Email open rates are 18.0%, with a 2.6% conversion rate for the Legal Services industry.
Our Interpretation
In a world where every dollar counts, email marketing emerges as the unsung hero of the digital marketing realm, boasting an ROI that puts even the savviest investors to shame. Yet, despite its undeniable power, it seems that many marketers are still struggling to hit the mark, with a whopping 73% feeling inadequate in their email endeavors. The age-old adage of quality over quantity rings true as personalized subject lines prove to be the golden key to unlocking those coveted open rates. As consumers become increasingly immune to the relentless barrage of ads, repetition emerges as a reliable ally, with 50% admitting that familiarity breeds clicks. The seemingly archaic practice of email remains relevant, as brands report a surge in engagement, signaling that perhaps the classics never go out of style. Meanwhile, Google Ads stand as another formidable contender in the monetization game, proving that sometimes the most straightforward approach yields the greatest rewards. And in the legal services arena, where every word matters, open rates and conversion rates paint a picture of precision and efficacy that other industries could only aspire to. In this fast-paced, ever-evolving digital landscape, these statistics serve as a compass, guiding marketers through the turbulent seas of consumer behavior with wit and wisdom.
Improving customer experience
- 49% of marketers report that improving customer experience and engagement are their top priorities in 2021.
- 90% of consumers expect consistent interactions across all channels.
- 63% of marketers say generating traffic and leads is their top marketing challenge.
- 57% of online traffic, in the US, now comes from smartphones and tablets.
- 46% of all searches on Google are seeking local information.
- 54% of social media browsers use social media to research products.
- 91% of shoppers are more likely to shop with brands that provide offers and recommendations that are relevant to them.
- 46% of all Google searches have local intent.
- 85% of marketers believe that personalized marketing leads to more customer interactions and engagement.
- 73% of businesses are investing more in digital marketing in 2021.
- 78% of location-based mobile searches result in an offline purchase.
- 71% of consumers who have had a positive experience with a brand on social media are likely to recommend the brand to their friends and family.
- 71% of consumers who have had a good social media service experience with a brand are likely to recommend it to others.
- Only 22% of businesses are satisfied with their conversion rates.
- 64% of marketers say increasing social media engagement is a top challenge.
Our Interpretation
In the ever-evolving landscape of digital marketing, it seems the only constant is change – and the quest for engagement. With nearly half of marketers prioritizing customer experience and engagement, it's evident that successful brands are those that focus on building meaningful connections with consumers. As the majority of consumers expect consistency across all channels and turn to social media for product research, marketers are faced with the challenge of not only generating leads but also tailoring offers and recommendations to individual preferences. The shift towards mobile is undeniable, with a significant portion of online traffic coming from smartphones and tablets, emphasizing the importance of optimizing for local searches. Despite the growing investments in digital marketing, conversion rates remain a pain point for most businesses, highlighting the need for strategies that truly resonate with today's savvy consumers. In this fast-paced digital era, where social media plays a pivotal role in shaping brand loyalty and advocacy, it's clear that personalized, engaging interactions are the key to standing out and driving offline conversions.
Online advertising
- Online advertising is expected to account for 52% of global advertising expenditure in 2021.
Our Interpretation
In a world where scrolling is the new strolling and clicks are the currency of attention, it comes as no surprise that online advertising is set to reign supreme, claiming a staggering 52% of the advertising throne in 2021. As we navigate the digital landscape with our fingers as tour guides, marketers must wield their pixels wisely, for in this realm, visibility is sovereignty, and engagement is the holy grail. Let us raise our screens high and toast to the era where pixels speak louder than billboards, and hashtags hold more power than headlines.
Online video consumption
- Online video now accounts for 82% of all internet traffic.
- 85% of internet users in the US watch videos online.
- 74% of people have acted as a result of seeing an advertising video on social media.
- Click-through rates are nearly 7x higher for tweets with video compared to tweets without video.
- By 2022, online videos will make up more than 82% of all consumer internet traffic — 15x higher than in 2017.
Our Interpretation
In the evolving landscape of digital marketing, the rise of online video as the reigning monarch of internet traffic is undeniable. With 82% of all online content now taking the form of videos, it's clear that visual storytelling has become the currency of connection in the digital realm. From influencing consumer behavior to boosting click-through rates, the power of video is shaping the way brands engage with their audiences. So, buckle up and get ready for a pixel-perfect ride because, by 2022, the internet will be practically oozing with more videos than you can shake a selfie stick at.
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