Curious about which small business trend predictions are turning out to be true in 2022? Read on!
Although the greater societal challenges such as supply chain issues and The Great Resignation had a significant impact on the entire business environment, there are other predictions that we are seeing prove true for small businesses this year:
Rise of data analytics in digital marketing
More organizations are using data analytics in their digital marketing to drive business outcomes this year. This trend is especially true for small businesses, which increasingly use digital tools to increase their visibility and reach.
These tools allow small businesses to effectively target their advertising and marketing efforts, saving time and money. Additionally, data analytics can help small businesses learn about their customers in a more detailed way. Small businesses can use this information to improve customer relationships and create new products or services.
Growing e-commerce
Many small businesses now sell their products online instead of through traditional brick-and-mortar stores. This trend is helping to drive down prices and increase convenience for customers. There are several reasons why this trend is becoming so popular:
- E-commerce is fast and easy.
Customers can order products online and have them delivered to their homes or offices quickly and easily.
- E-commerce is affordable.
It’s often cheaper to purchase items online than in traditional stores.
- E-commerce has a wider reach.
It allows small businesses to reach a wider audience than they would be able to if they only sold their products in traditional stores.
- E-commerce is helping to drive down customer acquisition costs for small businesses.
This means it’s becoming increasingly affordable for businesses of all sizes to get their products in front of potential customers.
Especially since the start of the pandemic, E-commerce has become one of the most popular small business trends.
Greater Attention Paid to Sustainability
We began to see this trend with Millennial buying preferences, but it is being solidified with Gen-Z. More and more people care about the social impact and sustainability of brands they buy from..
These generations are acutely aware of the fact that the Earth’s resources are quickly running out, so businesses must find new ways to be eco-friendly.
But aside from that, sustainability is simply good for business. Sustainability policies can improve a company’s image and lead to increased profits.
Work from Home Will Continue
Small businesses are increasingly choosing to have their employees work from home. This allows businesses to save on the overhead of office space and often enjoy greater efficiencies and a happier workforce.
In addition, working from home allows employees to be more productive. They can work comfortably and still have access to the same resources as their colleagues in the office.
The pandemic quickly changed mobile workforces from an emerging trend to a crucial organizational strategy that allowed companies to keep their employees employed and the income coming in.
Employees have long indicated a desire to work remotely, and studies have shown that when given the option, they are happier and more productive. This has been adopted by many business owners, and many are likely to continue providing long-term remote employment opportunities.
Other companies who prefer employees to come into the office at least some of the time, are choosing a hybrid model. This model aims to combine the best of both worlds. Business owners still stand to gain significantly from implementing remote work solutions. It is essential to their future ability to retain talent and compete for top talent.
Small business owners will need to make future investments in new technology and software solutions as the best ways to integrate and manage a remote workforce continue to evolve.
Conclusion
Whether it’s embracing social media marketing or working to develop digital products and services, these trends are definitely having an impact on small businesses across the board. So if you’re thinking about making any changes in 2022, be sure to keep these small business trend predictions in mind!