2020 Marketing Trends
A Year in Review
2020 was the year that put things into perspective for all of us. People realized what’s important to them. Businesses adapted to the Work from Home grind. Everyone was pushed into a new reality, and with that came a wave of 2020 marketing trends that were a direct response to the changes around us.
To be candid with you, 2020 was a disaster of a year. Everything was heavy—the pandemic, natural disasters, shootings, protests, and a turbulent election, among other things. We don’t even have to explain any further because you already know what we’re talking about. So yes, we’re excited to leave this year behind, but we can’t forget about everything that came from the mess either.
Let’s take a look back at some of the most influential trends of the past year.
BRANDING
Minimalist Packaging
In the past, minimalism was reserved for luxe brands that gave off a pretentious vibe. But this year, minimalist designs hit the mass market.
We rarely ventured out to the grocery store in 2020. But when we did, we couldn’t help but notice all of the minimalist packaging designs lining the shelves. Not only do these designs totally fit our aesthetic, but they stand out among the similarly priced options at the store.
Although these brands sell accessible products, they’ve still managed to create a unique experience for the consumer. In the best way possible, these drugstore companies have made minimalism more approachable. They’ve somehow found a middle ground to minimalism—one that doesn’t feel too exclusive or come with a massive price tag, yet still feels modern and special.
WEB DEVELOPMENT
Chatbots
Website chatbots have been around for years, but our clients are asking about chat features now more than ever. We think the pandemic is to blame.
As we went into quarantine, the role of the chatbot got even more important. The early days of the pandemic caused many businesses to shut down temporarily. As a result, everyone went into a panic. Many people were left wondering what that meant for unfulfilled orders, canceled appointments, and everything else left in limbo due to Stay at Home orders.
Nobody knew what was going on, so consumers began contacting businesses to see if they were open, what their precautions were, and how they would continue during the pandemic. Thankfully, many companies quickly accommodated their customers’ growing concerns and added chat features to their websites.
The chatbot gave people a way to contact companies without suffering through the endless hold music of a phone call or waiting for an email response. Consumers could quickly get the information they needed through automated prompts. And business owners and customer service reps could focus on the larger tasks at hand.
SEO
Google My Business Attributes
Of all the 2020 marketing trends, you’ve probably experienced the Google My Business changes firsthand. In May, Google started rolling out new ways for businesses to highlight their health and safety measures. Options like Curbside Pickup, No-contact Delivery, and Masks Required made their way to the growing list of Google My Business attributes.
The changes were unexpected at first, but then again, seemingly everything in 2020 was unpredictable. Now, these attributes are commonplace. Every time you search for a business, you’re immediately shown their COVID-19 details before other basic information like address and phone number.
We have a hunch that Google will keep the bulk of these attributes around, even after we go back to a mask-less life. Many businesses have jumped on board, and there’s been an overwhelmingly positive response from consumers.
@bellapoarch To the 🐝 🐝 🐝 #fyp ♬ M to the B - Millie B
