Guest Post by Charles Dearing
This is nothing new; for a long time before online business was invented, companies have had to adapt to new technology and marketing methods in order to stay in business.
A technique that worked well one year suddenly doesn't work well the next, and a strategy that made you money one year might become saturated with competitors within a few years.
What can you expect to happen in 2012 and 2013 as far as online business? Here are a few changes to keep an eye on...
1. Proximity and Smartphone Marketing
Mobile marketing has already taken off. Companies communicate with consumers by getting them to scan coupons on a smartphone. This spells big opportunities for those working with local businesses, if you're flexible and creative. Help them set up promotional campaigns with QR codes, ?text this number to get a coupon? deals, and loyalty applications that track purchases made when they're in stores. You can even get on board with proximity marketing before it becomes hugely popular by helping stores reach out to people who want to receive ads from nearby businesses.
2. Reliance on Outsourcers and Freelancers
Companies who are still struggling from the economic downturn are willing to listen when you offer them services and they don't have to pay your pension plan or provide benefits. Independent business owners can easily clean up in areas like IT outsourcing, marketing and communications, and just about any freelance service.
If you're willing to travel to their office once or twice to get to know them, so much the better, but some companies are starting to rely on video conferencing instead.
3. Social Media Marketing
Any online business that relates to online social marketing and social media will do well this year. Even staid businesses that resist change are recognizing the importance of social media in purchasing decisions, reputation management, and being seen as a thriving business. If you can manage social media, you're set. It's more than just appealing to customers, though; those with a knack for listening to what consumers want and communicating that in business terminology will succeed.
4. Changing Demographics
Keep an eye on population trends and changing social demographics. Social policy changes create hot business opportunities. For example, who would pay a small fee for a service that told them what the implications were for their healthcare and how to opt in or opt out in the face of upcoming US healthcare reforms?
What about services to help same-sex couples get married in a state where it has just been legalized? Baby boomers are starting to retire, and they're looking for active, engaging hobbies - such as working online for a little extra income. Can you provide online teaching catering specifically to them?
5. Gaming and ?Gamification?
People who are bored at work and want to play Facebook games are looking for engaging social games that take full advantage of the platform's versatility. If you can design games, you're all set, but you can even promote others' games or help the game companies with just about any product or service they might need (web hosting, website design, communications, accounting, etc). Online business owners should be aware of this trend and its implications for marketing throughout 2013 and beyond.
These are just five trends that can provide fantastic opportunities for the entrepreneurial online business owner...
Think about your main business activities and focus; if you can take advantage of any of these trends, you might just end up being one of the ?early adopters? who make great profits before the rest of the world figures it out!
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Author Bio:
Guest post contributed by Charles Dearing, for WhoIsHostingThis.com - A review site and webmaster tool that enables you to discover which web hosting company any site is hosted with. See here for information on how to get a?Host Clear Review.
Source: http://www.clicknewz.com/4399/5-ways-online-business-will-change/
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