Digital trends for 2025: Boost your Tasmanian business with Dom's handpicked insights

We’ve been doing some thinking in the lead up to 2025, and feel like there’s a lot on the horizon for small businesses in Tasmania - especially so when it comes to getting noticed online.

Staying on top of website design and SEO trends isn’t just something we should do anymore—it’s something that, as business owners, we have to do if we want to keep up and keep growing.

But here’s the exciting part: 2025 brings opportunities that feel tailor-made for businesses like ours.

With all the buzz around AI tools, voice search, and omnichannel marketing (yes, it's a thing), we’re seeing tools that can help us connect with customers in more meaningful ways.

Plus, with Tasmania’s unique culture and community, we’ve got a story to tell that no one else can replicate.

Our top 5 trends to boost you business in 2025 include:

• local SEO strategies
• leveraging the emergence of AI
• optimising for voice and visual search
• omnichannel marketing and
• Tasmania's unique identity
  

Let’s dive into what’s coming and how we can use it to make 2025 our best year yet—starting with local SEO, the foundation of being found by the right people, right here in our backyard.

Local SEO Strategies will boost success in 2025

Local SEO in Hobart or for businesses in Tasmania isn’t new, but in 2025 we feel it'll be more important than ever.

People want to find businesses close to them, and that’s where local SEO can shine, particularly in Hobart and across Tasmania where our connection to our community gives us an edge— if we know how to use it.

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‍Dom's Tip: Keep Google My Business Updated

Google My Business is still a go-to for anyone looking to dominate local searches, yet we feel it's still overlooked.

If you haven’t touched yours in a while, now’s the time to start to set a good foundation.

Add fresh photos of your products or space, make sure your hours are accurate (especially for seasonal businesses), and write a description that really captures what makes your business special. Oh, and those reviews? Respond to them—good or bad. It shows people that you’re paying attention and that you care.

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Looking to automate posting or optimising your business listing? Check out our listings and reviews local SEO Hobart service, where we've partnered with Birdeye to utilise the AI platform.

Go Hyper-Local

Here’s the thing: the more specific you are, the better you’ll rank.

Instead of just targeting “Hobart coffee shop,” aim for “coffee shop in Battery Point with outdoor seating” or “best vegan café near Salamanca Market.”

We’ve started experimenting with these niche keywords, and have already seeing more visitors who are ready to buy.

Community-Driven Content

In Tasmania, our community is our biggest strength.

Creating content that highlights local events, partnerships, or even just the stories behind your products can drive traffic and build trust.

For example, think about blogging not just about your business but about your favourite markets and festivals. This is something that can not only boosted your website traffic but also help you connect with like-minded customers.

By focusing on local SEO, we’re not just trying to get more clicks—we’re making it easier for the people who matter most to find us; and in 2025, that’s the kind of connection that sets small businesses apart.

The continued emergence of AI is one to tap into

As we move into 2025, AI isn’t just a buzzword anymore.

Whether it’s helping to build smarter websites or simplifying SEO tasks, AI tools are levelling the playing field, giving small businesses in Hobart and Tasmania access to resources that were once out of reach.

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Dom’s Tip: Personalise Your Website with AI

While a personal touch and check is always recommended, many AI tools now allow businesses to create personalised experiences for visitors without a team of developers.

Website platforms like Wix and Squarespace have AI-driven features that suggest layouts, optimise images, and even recommend content based on user behaviour.

Imagine a visitor in Hobart landing on your site and being greeted with suggestions tailored to their interests or location - it’s about turning clicks into customers.

AI-Driven SEO Tools for Small Businesses

AI is also making SEO more accessible and less time-consuming.

Tools like SurferSEO and SEMrush now offer AI-powered recommendations for improving your site’s content, keywords, and structure.

They analyse massive amounts of data—so you don’t have to—and provide clear actions to boost rankings.

Whether you’re a café in Salamanca Market or a boutique in Battery Point, these tools can help you find the keywords that matter.

Automation to Save Time

Running a business is already a full-time job, so why not let AI handle some of the heavy lifting?

Chatbots powered by AI, for instance, can manage customer inquiries 24/7, ensuring no question goes unanswered.

Similarly, AI-driven email marketing tools can personalise and schedule your campaigns, keeping your customers engaged without requiring constant manual effort.

Check out our video below on a handy tip to utilise AI to generate elements like video descriptions.

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Dom’s Tip: Don’t Overcomplicate It

While AI can do a lot, it’s important to stay focused.

Use AI where it makes the most sense for your business - whether it’s automating repetitive tasks or refining your SEO, start small and scale up as you see results.

For us here at Wakeford Digital, adding an AI chatbot was a simple step that made a big difference in handling customer inquiries.

With AI becoming more user-friendly and affordable, 2025 is the year to start exploring how it can enhance your website and SEO. It’s not just about keeping up—it’s about staying ahead.

2025 is the time to prepare for the dominance of voice and visual search

2025 is shaping up to be the year voice and visual search really hit their stride.

Customers aren’t just typing questions into Google anymore—they’re asking their smart devices and using images to search for what they want.

For small businesses in Hobart and Tasmania, this shift presents a chance to connect with customers in more intuitive and meaningful ways.

‍Dom’s Tip: Optimise for Voice Search

We've mentioned this in a previous article on 5 Essential Features Every Business Website Should Have, but voice search is growing, especially with the rise of smart home devices like Alexa and Google Home.

But here’s the catch—people talk differently than they type.

Instead of short phrases like “best seafood Hobart,” they might ask, “Where’s the best place for fresh seafood in Hobart?”

To capture this traffic, focus on conversational keywords.

Think about the questions your customers might ask and create content that directly answers them.

Adding an FAQ (aka frequently asked questions) section to your website is a simple way to do this. It’s quick to implement and has helped us rank for several voice search queries already.

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Visual Search: A Game-Changer for Retail and Tourism

For businesses with highly visual products or services—like boutique shops, local art galleries, or tourism operators—visual search is a must.

Platforms like Pinterest and Google Lens let users search using images instead of words. Imagine someone snapping a photo of a Tasmanian-made scarf and being directed straight to your website.

To make the most of visual search:

• Use high-quality, descriptive images on your site
• Add detailed alt text and metadata to help search engines understand what’s in the picture
• Tag your products with relevant details that a potential customer might search for.

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Dom’s Tip: Leverage Local Visuals

In Tasmania, we’re spoiled for choice when it comes to stunning scenery and local charm.

Use this to your advantage by featuring iconic locations or cultural elements in your imagery. This not only boosts engagement but also helps you rank better in location-specific visual searches.

By preparing for the shift to voice and visual search now, small businesses can stay ahead of the curve. These tools make it easier than ever for customers to find what they’re looking for—and make your business their first choice.

Embracing Omnichannel marketing for local impact

You're probably thinking, "what the heck is omnichannel marketing?"

As we head into 2025, being present on multiple platforms isn’t just a bonus—it’s essential (psst, that's what omnichannel marketing is).

Omnichannel marketing ensures your customers have a seamless experience, whether they’re browsing your website, scrolling on social media, or visiting your physical store.

For small businesses in Hobart and Tasmania, this strategy helps build stronger connections and keeps customers coming back.

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Dom’s Tip: Think Consistency Across Platforms

One thing I’ve learned is that consistency matters.

Your brand’s message, tone, and visuals should feel the same whether someone is on your Instagram, reading your emails, or walking into your store.

For example, if you’re promoting a Tasmanian summer festival, make sure your social posts, website banners, and even in-store flyers carry the same theme and call-to-action.

Create a Cohesive User Journey

Omnichannel marketing is all about creating a connected experience.

Picture this: a customer sees your ad for Tasmanian honey on Instagram, clicks through to your website to learn more, and gets a follow-up email offering a discount on their first order. Every step feels natural and encourages them to engage further.

Some tips to start include:

• Use analytics to understand how customers interact with your business across platforms.
• Create campaigns that guide customers through a clear journey—from awareness to purchase.

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Make Use of Local Platforms

Particularly here in Tasmania, many local customers often interact on platforms like Facebook Groups or community boards.

Engage with these spaces by sharing helpful content or promotions. It’s a small effort with a big payoff in building trust and visibility.

Dom’s Tip: Don’t Spread Yourself Too Thin

Omnichannel doesn’t mean being everywhere at once - focus on the platforms where your audience already spends their time.

For many of us here in Tasmania, that might be Facebook, Instagram, and email marketing. Nail these first before expanding to others like TikTok or YouTube.

By adopting an omnichannel approach, you can meet customers where they are and create a seamless experience that keeps your business top of mind. It’s not about doing everything—it’s about doing the right things well.

Leveraging Tasmania’s unique identity online is also an opportunity

We've mentioned tapping into Tasmania's identity a few times in this post and if there’s one thing that sets Tasmanian businesses apart, it’s our story.

From the rugged beauty of our landscapes to the rich culture of our communities, we have a unique identity that customers can’t find anywhere else.

In 2025, using this to your advantage online will be more important than ever.

‍Dom’s Tip: Highlight Local Storie

People connect with stories, especially ones that feel authentic.

Share what makes your business uniquely Tasmanian. For example, talk about the local farmers who supply your ingredients or the artisans behind your handcrafted products.

We’ve found that customers love knowing the “why” behind what we do—it turns a transaction into a relationship.

Use Tasmania’s Stunning Scenery

Our landscapes are our biggest asset, so why not feature them in your online presence? High-quality photos of iconic locations like Wineglass Bay or Cradle Mountain can make your website and social media posts more engaging.

For tourism operators, this is a no-brainer. But even if you’re a café in Hobart, using visuals that connect to Tasmania’s natural beauty can boost your appeal.

Collaborate Locally

Partnering with other Tasmanian businesses can help expand your reach and create meaningful connections.

Whether it’s co-hosting an event or cross-promoting products online, these collaborations show that you’re invested in the local community. For us, working with other small businesses has not only grown our audience but also deepened our ties to Hobart’s network of entrepreneurs.

Dom’s Tip: Stay Authentic

It’s easy to get caught up in trends, but authenticity and particularly relevance always win.

Focus on showcasing what makes your business and Tasmania special—your customers will notice. For instance, when we share behind-the-scenes content from local festivals or talk about the people who make our products, engagement skyrockets.

By weaving Tasmania’s unique identity into your digital strategy, you’re not just marketing a product—you’re inviting customers to be part of a story they’ll want to share.

Conclusion: Make 2025 Your Year

The year 2025 brings incredible opportunities for small businesses in Hobart and across Tasmania.

Whether it’s mastering local SEO, leveraging AI tools, preparing for voice and visual search, adopting omnichannel strategies, or showcasing Tasmania’s unique identity, the key is to start now.

These trends aren’t just about keeping up - they’re about standing out - so by taking the time to implement these strategies, you’ll not only grow your online presence but also build stronger connections with your customers.

So, let’s make 2025 the year your business shines.

Need help with any of these strategies? Discuss your project and let’s make it happen together.