Category: Marketing Automation

Last Updated on September 16, 2022 by Rakesh Gupta In today’s world, customer engagement stands at the forefront of business innovation. The world’s top companies are leveraging scheduling automation and the power of data and analytics to maximize client interactions; having a strong data engine that empowers connections between business
The post 5 Ways to Turbocharge Your Customer Interactions with an Appointment Scheduling Application appeared first on Automation Champion.

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Remote Integrator Academy is a Masterclass and training course by Ravi Abuvala that teaches you how to make a career change to that of a “remote integrator”. A remote integrator is a job role that means you are able a business to scale their operations by outsourcing work for them to virtual assistants. The remote integrator is a digital marketing agency role where you manage all the outsourced workers on behalf of your client, helping them to scale more efficiently. Remote Integrator Academy Review on Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9NL8jGWDH0 Full Remote Integrator Academy Review and My No1 System Recommended System: https://blog.webtraffictoolkit.com/remote-integrator-academy-review/ Remote Integrator Academy is an online education platform that offers courses in a variety of subject areas. The courses are designed to help students learn about the latest technologies and how to apply them in a real-world setting. The Academy also provides exclusive access to a community of like-minded individuals who can offer support and advice. Remote Integrator Academy Content If you’re looking to get started in the world of remote integrations, the Remote Integrator Academy is a great place to start. The Academy offers a variety of courses and resources that will teach you everything you need to know about integrating systems remotely. The Academy’s courses cover a wide range of topics, from the basics of remote integration to more advanced concepts like security and scalability. And because the Academy is online, you can access it from anywhere in the world. Whether you’re just getting started in remote integration or you’re a seasoned pro, the Academy has something for everyone. So check it out today and see how you can take your remote integration skills to the next level. Remote Integrator Academy Advantages If you’re looking for a comprehensive and affordable online education in integration, look no further than the Remote Integrator Academy. Here are just a few of the advantages that make this academy stand out from the rest: Self-Paced Learning – Unlike many online academies, the Remote Integrator Academy offers self-paced learning, so you can study at your own pace and complete the coursework on your own schedule. Affordable Pricing – The Remote Integrator Academy is one of the most affordable online academies out there, making it a great option for those on a budget. Comprehensive Coursework – The coursework at the Remote Integrator Academy is comprehensive and covers everything you need to know to become a successful integrator. Experienced Instructors – The instructors at the Remote Integrator Academy are experienced professionals who are passionate about helping students succeed. Personalized Attention – Because the academy is remote, you’ll receive personalized attention from your instructors and fellow students. This makes for a more intimate and supportive learning environment. Remote Integrator Academy Disadvantages The Remote Integrator Academy has several disadvantages that students should be aware of before enrolling. First, the academy is not accredited by the accreditation bodies that recognize most online schools. This means that the credits you earn at the academy may not be transferable to other schools. It is also an expensive product costing thousands of dollars, which is not for everyone. Remote Integrator Academy Review If you’re looking for a comprehensive, all-in-one guide to remote work, the Remote Integrator Academy is a great place to start. The Academy offers everything from tips on how to get started with remote work, to advice on how to be productive and stay sane while working from home. The Academy’s blog is a great resource for anyone interested in learning more about working remotely. The blog covers topics like how to get started with remote work, staying productive while working from home, and dealing with common challenges that come with working remotely. Whether you’re new to the world of remote work or you’re a seasoned pro, the Remote Integrator Academy’s blog is definitely worth checking out. For the full Remote Integrator Academy Review and My No1 System Recommendation go here: https://blog.webtraffictoolkit.com/remote-integrator-academy-review/ submitted by /u/webtraffictoolkit [link] [comments]

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In today’s digital world, having a business website isn’t an option. It’s a must.
An online presence is the digital equivalent of a calling card or listing on a phone book’s yellow pages. It increases brand awareness and allows you to display products and services online.
Unfortunately, not all businesses see the benefit of having a website. A survey commissioned by Top Design Firms found that 27% of small businesses don’t have one — and the top reasons holding them back from getting one are cost and lack of technical know-how.

But here’s the good news: there are plenty of high-quality options for free website builders, many of which require little to no coding knowledge. 
If you don’t know where to look, don’t worry. We’ve compiled 14 of the best free website builders. They offer robust functionality like SEO benefits, embedded analytics systems, mobile optimization, and professional-looking templates. 
These builders are the next best thing if you’re on a tight budget. Better yet? Most of the free website builders we’ll show you have paid options if you need additional features as your business grows.
1. HubSpot Drag-and-Drop Website Builder
Designing a beautifully branded website doesn’t have to be complicated. If you’re taking the DIY-route to create your own website and don’t have coding experience, consider trying HubSpot’s drag-and-drop website builder.
It comes with everything you need to build a website, including content management system (CMS) tools, themes and templates, security features, and a built-in content delivery network (CDN) to ensure pages load quickly.
It also connects easily with HubSpot CRM. That lets you integrate contact forms, live chat requests, and more, making it ideal for businesses already using HubSpot’s CRM tool.
Features:

CMS tools
Themes and templates
Built-in security features
Free SSL certificate
Ability to connect to a custom domain

Advantages:  

Personalization (thanks to HubSpot CRM)
Security
Responsive themes and templates

Disadvantages:

Multi-language blog functionality is still being implemented
No built-in e-commerce functionality
You’ll need to learn HuBL (HubSpot’s templating language) to build custom modules and coded templates.

Pricing: Limited free plan available. The premium CMS plans with additional features start at $23/month when billed annually.
Brands using HubSpot:

Botkeeper
ProArch
Eternal Works

2. Wix

With over 200 million users, Wix is one of the most popular free website builders. The easy-to-use, fully-hosted platform offers an easy drag-and-drop editor, an extensive collection of apps, and professional-looking templates. Wix can even propose a design for your site using its Artificial Design Intelligence (ADI) software, Editor X.
Features:

Drag-and-drop editor
Large collection of apps and templates
Analytics and reporting

Advantages:

Easy to use
Large collection of apps and templates
Optimized for mobile

Disadvantages:

The free version displays ads.
The premium plans are pricey when compared to others on this list.
Unable to switch templates when the site goes live. The only way to change templates is by creating a new site and transferring your premium plan to it. 

Pricing: Limited free plan available. Premium plans start at $16/month when billed annually.
Brands using Wix:

Cotton’s Restaurant
Cau Steakhouse
P.S. & Co.

3. WordPress.com

WordPress is the world’s most popular free website builder, with a 43% market share in the content management space. When building websites with WordPress, you have two options: WordPress.org and WordPress.com. 
WordPress.org lets you download WordPress’s open-source software so you can build and customize a website to fit your needs. However, there are a few caveats. Not only will you need a domain name and hosting before you get the website going (which comes at a cost), but you’ll also need to learn how to maintain and keep the website secure on your own.
In contrast, WordPress.com is much more beginner-friendly. It’s a fully-hosted free website building service offered by Automattic that uses the WordPress framework to provide a smooth website creation experience.
The only downside is that the free version is far less customizable than WordPress.org. For instance, you can’t customize plugins, and domain names are limited to [yourname].wordpress.com.
Still, WordPress.com’s free version empowers you to create visually stunning websites, blogs, and landing pages using the Classic Editor or the powerful new Gutenberg block-based editor. Below is an example of one of its pre-designed block-based templates:
Besides that, you can add assets like contact forms, videos, and embedded content to WordPress pages using plugins, an add-on feature compatible with WordPress but usually managed by another company. 
For example, HubSpot offers a WordPress marketing plugin that lets you capture contacts through WordPress and track them in HubSpot’s free CRM.
Features:

Large collection of themes and plugins
Mobile-friendly and optimized for SEO
Managed website hosting and security

Advantages:

Customizable
Flexible
Mobile and desktop apps available

Disadvantages:

The free version displays ads.
More limitations compared to WordPress.org
Although intuitive, it’s more difficult to learn than other drag-and-drop builders.

Pricing: Limited free plan available. Premium plans start at $16/month when billed annually.
Brands using WordPress.com:

Anytime Fitness Australia
Activity Hero Blog
Outsource School

4. Elementor Website Builder

While WordPress makes site building beginner-friendly, WordPress page builders make refining your website and achieving your dream design easier.
Trusted by over 5,000,000 users, Elementor is a no-code drag-and-drop page builder that’s a great option for getting a customized WordPress site off the ground quickly. Choose from hundreds of mobile-optimized page templates without worrying about the underlying code.
Features:

Drag-and-drop builder
Live editing
Large library of mobile-responsive templates
Multiple partners building templates and add-ons for Elementor (e.g., Astra)

Advantages: 

Beginner-friendly
Live editing
Third-party integrations

Disadvantages:

Limited functionality on the free plan
Compatibility issues with some plugins and themes

Pricing: Limited free plan available. Premium plans start at $49/year (without hosting).
Brands using Elementor:

Itho Digital
Australian Cosmetic Institute
Children and War Foundation

5. Webnode

With over 40 million users, Webnode is one of the more popular website builder tools for a good reason. It’s affordable, easy to use, and supports multilingual websites — up to 20 different languages.
Webnode is perfect for personal, professional, and small business websites, as it supports e-commerce stores.
Features:

Pre-designed templates
Ecommerce support
Mobile-ready

Advantages: 

Multilingual support
Mobile-responsive pages
Backup and restore features

Disadvantages:

Webnode doesn’t come with a built-in app store, making it more complicated to add extra functionality to the website
Limited customization options
Limited blog and e-commerce functionality

Pricing:Limited free plan available. Premium plans start at $3.90/month when billed annually.
Brands using Webnode:

We-Eatse
20 Something Lessons
Craffox

6. Jimdo
Founded in 2007, Jimdo is a German-based company that provides AI-powered website builder tools for independent small businesses. The builder, Dolphin, asks users questions and suggests designs based on their answers. If you’re curious about what these AI-powered designs look like, Jimdo showcases a few examples on its page.
With 500 MB of space, you’ll likely have more than enough space to build your site, and it even provides HTTPS/SSL encryption, meaning your visitor’s information will be kept safe. Plus, you can integrate your site seamlessly with social media accounts. 
Jimdo is also an excellent option for international companies because it lets you create mobile-optimized websites in over nine languages. 
Features:

AI-powered website builder
SSL encryption
GDPR-compliant
Mobile app available

Advantages:

Easy to use
Mobile-responsive
Fast load speeds

Disadvantages:

Limited range of available features
Few design options

Pricing: Limited free plan available. Premium plans start at $9/month when billed annually.
Brands using Jimdo:

Curio Styles
Living Ginger Designs
Zaven Store

7. Mozello

Mozello has all the basic features you need to build a website: a drag-and-drop editor, template library, and even supports ecommerce functionality. One of the biggest selling points for Mozello is that the builder allows you to create a multilingual site for free.
You can check samples of websites built on Mozello on its portfolio page.
Features:

Drag-and-drop website builder
Template library

Advantages: 

Easy to use
Support for multilingual websites
Ecommerce functionality

Disadvantages:

The drag-and-drop builder isn’t as intuitive as some others on this list.
Limited design customization
The free version displays ads

Pricing: Limited free plan available. Premium plans start at $8/month when billed annually.
Brands using Mozello:

Catalyst
Grandeg Design

8. Yola

Founded in 2007, Yola is a free website builder built to eliminate the hassle of creating a website. 
It comes with a drag-and-drop builder, hundreds of customizable and mobile-optimized templates, and pre-designed blocks that allow you to create all kinds of websites — even online shops. 
Features:

Drag-and-drop website builder
Free customizable templates
Support for multilingual websites

Advantages: 

Ecommerce features available
Social selling features
Mobile-optimized

Disadvantages:

No blogging feature
The free version displays ads
Navigation and design limitations

Pricing: Limited free plan available. Premium plans start at $4/month when billed annually.
Brands using Yola:

Cali Tacos and More

9. Weebly

Weebly is an open-source software-as-a-service (SaaS) that offers web hosting, domain registration, web design, and e-commerce functions, making it suitable for businesses and startups. For a free website builder, Weebly’s particularly flexible — it’s compatible with every device and platform and easy to use.
Like Wix, Weebly has drag-and-drop functionality, an integrated CMS solution, and hand-coded HTML files. The in-house editor comes with SEO tools and Google Analytics. 
Features:

Drag-and-drop editor
Integrated CMS solution
Free SSL certificate
SEO tools
Analytics and reporting

Advantages: 

Helpful SEO resource tools
Good selection of paid and free apps in the app center
The free plan has e-commerce functionality

Disadvantages:

Limited choice of themes
The free and basic paid plans display ads.
Limited SEO functionality

Pricing: Limited free plan available. Premium plans start at $6/month when billed annually.
Brands using Weebly:

Caribeans Coffee and Chocolate
Kerlin BBQ
Argyle Yarn Shop

10. Webflow

While most of the other builders in this list are for people without a ton of coding knowledge, Webflow specifically targets advanced users, designers, and agencies that require a solution that gives them more design freedom than traditional website builder tools.
Although it’s a complex tool, Webflow tries to make it as easy as possible to get your business online. Webflow has a robust set of resources to help you — blog posts, forums, FAQ sections, and a library of websites built on Webflow that you can check for reference.
Features:

Drag-and-drop website builder
Widgets to add features like maps and media
Third-party integrations

Advantages:

Offers complete control over your site’s design
Drag-and-drop what-you-see-is-what-you-get (WYSIWYG) builder
Responsive interface

Disadvantages:

Purely a website builder. After building a website on Webflow, you need to transfer it to a content management system.
Requires some knowledge of HTML and CSS to access full features
It has a complex free and paid plan structure. You need to sign up for both a Site and Workspace plan.

Pricing: Limited free plan available. Premium plans start at $12/month when billed annually.
Brands using Webflow:

Michael Kors
Craft.do
Hologram.io 

11. Ucraft

Ucraft is one of the more advanced and generous website builders on the list. Like the others, it’s got a drag-and-drop editor, a good selection of templates, and supports e-commerce functionality. 
However, Ucraft stands out because it lets you connect an existing custom domain name with its free plan. It also comes with an SSL certificate and unlimited storage. Ucraft’s portfolio page shows sample websites built by its clients.
Features:

Drag-and-drop editor
Free hosting
Ecommerce functionality

Advantages: 

Allows you to connect an existing domain name for free
Decent selection of free templates
Includes SSL and unlimited storage on free plans

Disadvantages:

Sporadic loading issues and bugs. 
It has a steeper learning curve than most website builders on this list. 

Pricing: Limited free plan available. Premium plans start at $10/month when billed annually.
Brands using Ucraft:

Yohji Yamamoto
TES Models
Kaffa

12. SITE123

True to its name, SITE123 lets you build a website in as easy as one, two, and three steps. After setting it up with a one-click installation wizard, you can customize your SITE123 website with a free library of images, graphics, and templates.
Moreover, SITE123 offers web hosting, domain registration, and 250 MB of storage space, so you won’t feel pressured to switch to a paid plan.
Features:

Free hosting and domain
Mobile-responsive design
Free image and icons library

Advantages: 

Easy to use
Multilingual support
24/7 tech support

Disadvantages:

No drag-and-drop function
Limited storage on the free plan
Lacks advanced customization features

Pricing: Limited free plan available. Premium plans start at $5.80/month when billed annually.
Brands using SITE123:

Chocolate Bunnie Events
Better Living Nutrition

13. Strikingly

Launched in 2012, Strikingly is one of the newer website builder tools on the list. It helps users build websites with no programming skills required and sets itself apart from competitors by specializing in single-page websites such as portfolios, event pages, or landing pages.
The free plan includes unlimited free sites, a modest 5 GB monthly bandwidth, 500MB storage, and a branded domain.
Features:

Library of mobile-optimized templates
Ecommerce tools
Analytics

Advantages: 

An affordable option for those who want to create multiple sites
Best for creating single-page websites
Responsive support team

Disadvantages:

No drag-and-drop function
Limited SEO functionality

Pricing: Limited free plan available. Premium plans start at $8/month when billed annually. 
Brands using Strikingly:

PackPoint
Tile

14. GoDaddy

While GoDaddy is a brand synonymous with affordable web hosting and domains, it’s expanded its offerings to include an all-in-one website builder tool for beginners and small business owners that have purchased hosting and domains. 
The website builder is basic, but it has everything you need to build a functional website, including a drag-and-drop editor, simple and clean templates, an SSL certificate, and social media tools.
Features:

Drag-and-drop website builder
Marketing and analytics dashboard
24/7 customer support

Advantages: 

All-in-one solution
Easy to use
Mobile-optimized
Fast page load speeds

Disadvantages: 

Limited SEO features
Limited app store features
Having your own web hosting and domain carries an initial cost

Pricing: Limited free plan — upgrade features at your own pace. Premium plans start at $9.99/month when billed annually.
Brands using GoDaddy:

Coco River Organics
Women Working in Technology
San Gabriel Valley Humane Society

Website Builder Features You Need
Choosing a website builder tool is easier when you know what you’re looking for. Here are 14 features to look out for:
1. Themes and Templates
Having an assortment of fully customizable website themes and templates on the website builder’s theme marketplaces makes it easier for users to change their site’s look.
In that sense, website builders should have theme options that cater to specific niches so users don’t waste time creating new templates from scratch. For example, the website builders on our list have options for blogs, portfolio websites, e-commerce websites, and more. 
Templates should be pre-structured and pre-populated with images, text, and other elements commonly found on pages like the Homepage, About page, or Contact page. All you need to do is pick one and replace the sample content with your own.
Themes and templates should be easy to customize — with multiple options for backgrounds, layouts, fonts, and colors.
2. WYSIWYG Editor
Besides an assortment of themes and templates, the best website builder tools make it easy for users to customize their websites with drag-and-drop tools and what you see is what you get (WYSIWYG) editors.
There’s no need to learn how to code when you can update your site in a few clicks. Simply drag-and-drop elements to the page and see the changes implemented to your website immediately.
3. Malware Scanning
Security is a top consideration when choosing a website builder.
Security features vary depending on the website builder tool you select, but consider it a keeper if it offers malware scanning. Automated malware scanning allows you to address threats before it progresses into something catastrophic proactively.
4. Web Application Firewall (WAF)
A web application firewall (WAF) is another must-have security feature.
It often sits between your web server and the internet to protect your website from common attacks like SQL injections and cross-site scripting (XSS) by filtering, monitoring, and blocking malicious traffic from entering the network. 
WAFs can come in the form of software-as-a-service (SaaS), and you can customize them to meet your website’s unique needs. 
5. Content Delivery Network (CDN)
Besides site security, you should also consider optimizing for page speed. After all, it affects everything from customer experience to conversions and revenue.
According to Portent, a site that loads in one second has a conversion rate 5x higher than a site that loads in 10 seconds.
There are many ways to improve page speed, and a content delivery network (CDN) is one way to do it. CDNs store heavy and static content on distributed servers located worldwide and load the cached content from a location nearest to the user to speed up its delivery.
6. Web Hosting
What good are website builders when they can’t get your website online?
Some solutions only offer website builder tools to build your site — you have to pay separately for web hosting services to get your site online.
The best website builders make it convenient to start websites by offering web hosting. Free website builders offer limited bandwidth and storage — just for personal use. You can upgrade to shared, dedicated, or managed hosting for an additional fee.
7. Storage
Web hosting works by providing two services: bandwidth and disk space (or storage).
Most free website builders offer ample (limited) storage for a beginner site but require you to purchase additional storage should you need it.
8. Blogs
People often confuse websites and blogs with each other — they’re similar but not the same. 
A blog is a type of website that contains information about different topics. They’re often updated with new articles or posts, while websites only receive updates when needed. In a nutshell, all blogs are websites, but not all websites are or have blogs.
Organizations build websites for different reasons: to sell, showcase a portfolio, or inform — and for those reasons, a blog can be helpful.
Blogs can help your website by:

Increasing visibility through SEO
Generating new leads
Building trust and loyalty
Creating brand awareness

Most free website builders come with basic blogging tools and post creation and comment management features.
9. SEO Capabilities
According to BrightEdge, 53% of traffic comes from organic search.
If you want to bring in more traffic and views, your website needs to be search engine-optimized.
Most website builders help with technical SEO by offering free SSL certificates and supporting schema markup and XML sitemaps. They also support on-page SEO by allowing you to enter and modify URLs, meta tags, and image alt attributes. 
10. Customer Support
While using website builder tools, you’ll likely run into a problem you can’t troubleshoot. That is where customer support comes in.
Customer support assists you with anything you need help with — technical, sales, billing, payments, or experiences. Depending on the website builder, assistance can come in any (or a mix) of the following channels:
The best website builders keep a mix of channels and answer inquiries promptly.
11. E-commerce Capabilities
Are you planning on selling physical or digital products in the future? Consider choosing a website builder tool with e-commerce capabilities.
There are dedicated e-commerce website builders, but these are often paid solutions with robust functionality such as apps for payment and shipping. 
Free website builders often integrate with a third-party e-commerce application or support a simple built-in store.
12. Third-party Integrations
There’s nothing worse than realizing your existing tech stack doesn’t work with the website builder you chose. Thus, it’s crucial to consider whether a website builder allows third-party integrations.
Your website builder should integrate with external tools, such as email marketing, e-commerce, and social software.
13. Media (Video, Photo, Audio, Graphics)
Solely having text on your website can be monotonous, so including different forms of media helps break up text and can help information stick because not everyone learns the same way.
Some website builders offer more robust media capabilities, with multiple gallery layouts, customization options, and editing features.
14. Analytics and Reporting
Your website builder should also have an analytics and reporting function to measure important metrics like the site’s popular pages, bounce rate, average duration per visit, and more.
Picking Your Website Builder
There you have it! Since most of these website builders are free, try out a couple if you’re unsure of the best fit. In particular, take note of what you really want to get out of your site to ensure your needs will be met by one of these builders.
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in November 2018 but was updated in October 2019 for comprehensiveness.

With social media moving at an incredible pace, it always feels like there’s something new around the corner.

Wondering where social media is headed in the next few years? Here are our guesses based on recent Gen-Z data and new features from the most popular social media platforms.
Search on Social Media Instead of Engines
Nowadays, when I want to search for something – whether it’s a product, a recommendation, or a review, I go right to TikTok. And data shows Gen-Z is doing the same.
According to a TechCrunch article, a Google exec recently suggested that apps like TikTok and Instagram are threatening two staple Google discovery apps: Google Maps and Google Search.
“In our studies, something like almost 40% of young people, when they’re looking for a place for lunch, they don’t go to Google Maps or Search,” said Senior Vice President Prabhakar Raghavan, who runs Google’s Knowledge & Information sector. “They go to TikTok or Instagram.”
Why is this happening? Raghavan believes it’s because young adults prefer visual-forward content when it comes to discovery.

using tiktok as a search engine for things to do & restaurants in other cities > — stunna . 🎠 (@zipporah_zaki)
August 23, 2022

In the meantime, TikTok is adding new search features to keep users engaged, recently probing users to use when watching a video.
In August 2022, they tested a feature in which keywords from video comments are highlighted and linked to search results. This serves as an additional way for users to discover new content as they’re scrolling on the platform.

tiktok is testing a new feature identifying key words in comments and linking to search results for them pic.twitter.com/7dRQMoV4Pk — Olivia Deng 🍌🧢 (@olivia_deng_)
August 5, 2022

In the future, TikTok and other social platforms may take the lead in product and content discovery as they prioritize visual content if traditional search engines fail to keep up with consumer needs.
More Reliance on Influencers
In 2022, we surveyed over 1,000 U.S. consumers and found that influencers’ opinions can often weigh more than friends and family.
When asking about the most important factors in their purchasing decisions, 30% of consumers responded with influencer recommendations, compared to 27% for friends and/or family recs.
This is likely because, with influencers who specialize in an area, their opinion is more valuable than a family member’s. Say I’m looking for hiking gear, a hiking influencer who hikes all year long and has a history of reviewing hiking products will probably offer more insight than a friend who went hiking once.
As a result, influencers – although strangers – can be deemed more valuable than loved ones. In the future, that trend will likely continue, as content creators are popping up every day.
In fact, our survey revealed that 30% of 18-24-year-olds and 40% of 25-34-year-olds call themselves content creators. While not every creator is an influencer, those worlds often intersect.
Seamless Shopping Experience on Most Socials
Instagram was one of the first social platforms to offer a seamless shopping experience and integration. However, they likely won’t be the last.
Let’s set the scene: In a couple of years, Gen Z will have fully joined the working class and will have tremendous spending power. Our consumer trends report found that most Gen-Zers prefer to discover new products on social media — specifically short-form videos
This means that to remain competitive, social platforms will have to offer integrated shopping experiences to keep consumers on the platform.
Instagram has already seen great success in this arena, it’s only a matter of time until other platforms follow suit.
Higher VR/AR Adoption
With the metaverse, NFTs, and web3 trending this past year, virtual reality will likely play a larger role in how we socialize online.
Snapchat led the social AR movement with its fun filters and later expanded into virtual try-on features to create an immersive shopping experience (another sign that shopping and social media will become synonymous).

Image Source
According to an Insider Intelligence report, 39% of consumers are interested in AR shopping. However, this adoption doesn’t have to be limited to shopping.
It can extend to virtual meetups for social connection, gaming, and more.
For instance, in late 2021, Meta announced the opening of Horizon, a social VR platform in the metaverse. This is a natural step for Meta following their acquisition of Oculus, the VR headset maker, in 2014.
Social media moves incredibly quickly, so we can’t say with certainty what the future will look like. But given recent data, we can say it’s likely headed in this direction.

A 2022 study by Spotify found that 80% of Gen Z consumers enjoy audio content because it allows them to express their individuality and “explore different sides of their personalities.” Though Spotify didn’t clarify what it meant by audio content, such as podcasts or audio chats, it’s no secret that audio chatrooms have become increasingly popular over the years.
Audio chatrooms like Twitter Spaces and Clubhouse saw a surge in popularity at the start of the pandemic, when most people were stuck at home and looking for ways to connect with others. While outdoor events have resumed and many people are back in the office, I still can’t log into Twitter without seeing a Twitter space of at least 200 people at the top of my feed. With that said, are content like audio chat rooms worth it for marketers?
If you’re trying to capture the attention of Gen Z, here’s what you need to know:

The Pros and Cons of Audio Chatrooms like Clubhouse and Twitter Spaces
Audio chatrooms have become popular in recent years, however, there are still pros and cons to consider before deciding to leverage platforms like Twitter Spaces and Clubhouse in your marketing campaign.
Pros of Audio Chatrooms
In our 2022 survey, we spoke to Gen Z consumers about their social media habits. During the survey we found that 43% of Gen Zers discover new products most often via platforms like Clubhouse and Twitter Spaces. Though that’s less than half of the respondents, 43% is still a sizeable chunk — meaning there are opportunities for brands to reach a Gen Z audience.
Here are some of the positives of using audio chatrooms in your marketing campaign:
Audio chatrooms allow brands to communicate directly with their audience.
Audio chatrooms like Clubhouse and Twitter Spaces can facilitate a closer relationship between brands and consumers. For example, celebrities like Kevin Hart and Ashton Kutcher have used Clubhouse to have live discussions with fans covering everything from upcoming projects to politics. Mark Zuckerberg has used Clubhouse to speak to followers about advancements in technology and virtual reality.
Entertainment and media companies like Complex and Genius often use Twitter Spaces to host live interviews with musicians and give fans opportunities to ask questions directly. For example, in December 2021, Genius co-hosted a space with Alicia Keys where the singer answered questions about her upcoming album. She was later joined by Jay-Z, who made a surprise appearance, and the two shared an intimate discussion about music with fans who tuned in.
Interviews, panel discussions, and Q&As are all ways to leverage audio chatrooms and form meaningful connections with your target audience.
Audio content is easily re-usable.
Content from audio chatrooms can also be repurposed and redistributed through other platforms. For example, many Twitter Space hosts will take the audio from their space and upload it to platforms like Spotify as a podcast. If an image is added, the audio can also be uploaded to YouTube, TikTok, or Instagram Reels where it can get a second life online and a chance to reach new audiences.

Cons of Audio Chatrooms
There are a few drawbacks to using audio chatrooms to market to Gen Z, including:
Consumers want to talk to people — not brands.
Opportunities for discussion are what draw most people to Clubhouse and Spaces, however, most consumers prefer to speak with people — not companies looking to push their latest products. In fact, our survey found that only 7% of Gen Z consumers prefer audio chatrooms for discovering new products.
However, our survey also found that a quarter of Gen Zers prefer finding products on social media via the influencers they follow. If brands still choose to use audio chatrooms in their marketing, leveraging influencer marketing could provide an advantage.
Twitter Spaces and Clubhouse are not very popular among Gen Z.
36% of the Gen Z consumers we surveyed listed Discord among the live audio chats they’ve used in the last three months. Only 14% mentioned Twitter and 13% said Clubhouse. And while Twitter has hundreds of millions of users, only 5% of the Gen Zers we surveyed said Twitter is their favorite app.

Audio Chats vs Podcasts: Which are Better for Marketing?
In terms of which are better for marketing — audio chats or podcasts — the data can be a bit confusing. Our survey found that 43% of Gen Z consumers most often discover new products via audio chats, while 36% said the same about podcast ads. However, 13% of Gen Zers said they discovered new products via podcast ads in the last three months while only 7% said the same about audio chats.
It’s also important to note that only 5% said they prefer podcast ads for discovering new products — and only 7% said the same about audio chatrooms.
Ultimately, it seems like both tactics can yield similar results depending on how they’re used. If you’re set on leveraging audio chatrooms in your marketing strategy to attract Gen Z, consider collaborating with influencers to host Twitter Spaces and Clubhouse events.
Since Discord seems to be the most popular audio chatroom among Gen Z, you should also create a Discord that allows your followers to connect with each other, give feedback, and ask questions regarding your brand or product.
Influencer marketing can also apply to podcasts. Consider buying ad space on an influencer’s podcast or sponsoring one in exchange for promotion. For example, pop-culture podcast The Read is sponsored by Talk Space, an online therapy app. At the beginning, middle, and end of each episode the podcast’s hosts make a point to mention the sponsorship and explain to their listeners how they can use the app at a discounted price.
So, are audio chats worth marketers investing in? If you’re trying to market to Gen Z, platforms like Twitch and TiKTok are likely more worth your time. Those platforms have a large Gen Z audience and can be leveraged with the help of tactics like influencer marketing or event marketing. If you’re still interested in giving audio chatrooms a try, look into partnering with influencers to host special events, panels, or interviews.

Last Updated on September 16, 2022 by Rakesh Gupta With immense pleasure, I would like to share that I passed by Platform App Builder certification Exam one month Back. It took me 50 minutes to review all the questions before I hit the submit button. After one more click of the
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