As we move further into 2025, the world of marketing continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace. Technology, consumer behaviour and cultural shifts are constantly reshaping the strategies that brands use to engage their audiences. Marketers who can adapt to these trends will be well-positioned to stay ahead of the competition.

So, what marketing trends are set to define the year? Let’s take a look at some of the most exciting developments in the marketing landscape in 2025.

Images are a crucial element of any website: without them, your website simply wouldn’t be able to do its job effectively.

And yet as crucial as they are, it’s unfortunately not just a case of choosing an image and loading it onto your site: there’s a bit of work that needs to be done in the backend of the process to ensure the imagery you use is web-ready. Unoptimised images can harm your site’s performance, leading to slower load times and frustrated users…

So you’ve got your Reel edited and ready to go, now all you need to do is find the perfect audio for it. There are literally millions of options on TikTok and Insta, so how do you know what to use? Audio plays a crucial role in capturing attention and conveying your message effectively and yet more effort is put into getting the visuals right. Here’s a guide to choosing the right audio that not only fits your content and brand, but also engages your audience.

Gone are the days of posting a single image to Instagram and getting a heap of engagement and likes. Carousels (i.e. Instagram posts with more than 1 image in the stack) have overtaken single image posts as a far more effective content type. While single image posts have their place, carousel posts offer a range of benefits that can enhance storytelling, engagement, and overall reach. It’s for this very reason that we suggest making carousels a permanent part of your social media strategy.

Instagram has long been synonymous with the square image format, a style that defined its early years and contributed to its rapid rise as a visual-centric social media platform. However, in a move that reflects changing user preferences and the evolution of visual storytelling, Instagram has shifted its primary feed format from the traditional square (1:1) to a taller 4:5 aspect ratio. This change marks a significant departure from its roots and presents both opportunities and challenges for users and brands alike.

Creating a new website (or updating an existing one) can be an exciting (albeit daunting) task. And to celebrate the refresh of Shout + Co.’s own website, we thought we’d share with you the technical fundamentals that need to be in place in order for your website to be as effective and responsive as possible.