We are now over one month into 2016, and if you have yet to examine your digital marketing strategy for the new year, now is the time to begin. Digital marketing evolves more rapidly than most other industries, and in 2015 many of the predicted changes became reality, with the industry witnessing revolutionary changes in online advertising and website design.

So what are the digital marketing trends for 2016? First and foremost, more and more websites are predicted to become responsive, meaning they will be adjusted to fit the width of the browser, making viewing optimal for any device. This is imperative as every day the number of devices, platforms and browsers that need to work with a website grows. Furthermore, optimizing your website for mobile devices in particular has become essential, especially in regards to Millennials, of which 87% admit to never being without their phone.

Perhaps the most exciting current trend in digital marketing is video, which is predicted to become a much larger content platform this year. Video is capable of engaging website visitors longer than long-form content, with studies showing that users will remain on a website approximately two minutes longer if it includes a video, and that 58% of consumers consider companies that produce video content to be more trustworthy. For a person who owns or works for a small or medium-sized business, video can be an invaluable tool. In order to be most beneficial, your video content must be original and engaging. For example, a Realtor who posts a video of a home for sale on his or her website can attract potential buyers that are not just local, but someone looking to relocate to the area and doesn’t have time to see a house other than from a website video.

In 2016, you will also notice that content will be more interactive, particularly 360-degree video, which will also be important for Realtors having virtual showings online. Interactive content is more engaging and also ensures a visitor will stay on your site longer, while not feeling targeted. Another successful, and fun, interactive tool is a quiz. In fact, the average quiz garners 1,900 social shares, and quizzes have a 78% completion rate and 82% click-to-conversion rate.

Another key component of digital marketing for 2016 is content marketing. Search engine optimization (SEO) in 2016 will continue to shift to content marketing. According to the Content Marketing Institute, content marketing is basically the art of communicating with your customers and prospects without selling, and 80% of business decision-makers prefer to get company information in a series of articles as opposed to an advertisement. The goal of your content marketing campaign should be to provide information that builds trust, develops your brand and ensures you are viewed as an expert on whatever the subject matter you are presenting. The Content Marketing Institute further declares that content is not only the present, but the future of marketing, and that marketing is “impossible” without great content.