With 2018 in the books, most businesses are looking to their 2019 marketing plans to assess how to better reach consumers. Analyzing statistics regarding how those consumers access the web to make purchases can mean a better understanding of consumers, and a higher rate of converting them into customers. Here, you’ll find the top 6 statistics that will build your understanding of how 2019’s potential clients could be seeking out your business.

Just over 52% of web traffic in 2018 took place via a mobile device.

What this means for your business:

The consumers you’re trying to attract are likely not using desktop computers, making mobile optimization of your website crucial. In addition, Google announced via its official webmaster blog that it will include mobile site speed as a ranking factor. If your mobile website has numerous redirects or other speed issues, now is the time to address them.

Nearly 80% of online shopping visits to ecommerce sites resulted in abandoned shopping carts.

What this means for your business:

You may be attracting consumers to your site, but they may not be making a purchase. Consider potential reasons why – do your forms include an autofill option, or do potential customers feel turned away by overly long, complicated formats? Do you offer common payment methods, such as Google Pay, Apple Pay, PayPal and others, or must customers use credit cards? Don’t forget to consider ways you could reach out to such customers, such as adopting an abandoned cart email reminder system to encourage customers to reconsider purchasing.

Google is the world’s most visited website, followed by YouTube and Facebook, with 40% of consumers preferring to frequent businesses with active social media presences.

What this means for your business:

Your social media presence requires attention in 2019. It is likely that the majority of your clients spend at least some time on a social media site such as YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Snapchat. Since users are 80% more likely to share a video than a photo or static text ad, consider whether you are adequately using videos in your social media marketing strategy.

Eighty-one percent of consumers trust information found in blogs, and 61% of those have made a purchase based on a blog recommendation.

What this means for your business:

Short-form posts on social media are likely not enough to ensure that consumers trust your business. Bloggers posting reviews of your product or service are one of the best ways to increase interest in your product. They hold more authority since they’re the opinion of an actual consumer. In addition, an active blog on your business page shows that your business is active and constantly striving to better know and understand your customers.

Fifty-six percent of all website traffic is on the part of automated hacking tools and bots.

What this means for your business:

A majority of your web traffic isn’t human, meaning you could be at risk for hacking. At the very least, you could be subject to negative interpretations of how successfully you’re reaching real, live consumers and poor decisions as a result. Keep your expectations realistic and make sure your website uses anti-bot technology, so you don’t fall victim to a bot-driven negative customer experience that damages your reputation.

Whether 2018 data has reassured you or convinced you that your business needs a marketing overhaul in 2019, these 6 facts can help you find a starting place. Reflect on how effectively you’ve reached your desired consumer base, how many of them converted into customers, and what techniques you should be considering for use throughout the new year.

Let Master Web Creations take the guesswork out of optimizing your business website for the 2019 trends. Contact us today for a free consultation.