What excites those of us in the advertising/marketing arena is the integration of AI in web development. Used by experts in the industry, AI has the potential to bring more personalized experiences, better processes, more robust security, and unique, stylish designs. As the need for AI keeps growing, custom website development at its highest levels will change the internet into a more user-friendly and exciting place.
The scope of which web development is used in AI in different ways. Professional web development companies can:
- Use AI-based algorithms to get real-time design/layout suggestions
- Enhance customer engagement by using AI-powered chatbots and other communication tools
According to LAMDATEST, an AI-powered testing cloud platform provider, “Among various web development trends, the most likely that will continue in 2024 is using Progressive Web Apps. PWAs are web apps that use modern web technologies to give users an app-like experience, including push notifications, offline accessibility, and the ability to add an icon to their device’s home screen,”.
Web developers are also part of the marketing world’s creative team because while they logically use their minds to formulate code, they also have to utilize their creative minds within development and programming, as it is not always straightforward. Thinking outside the box and creatively, developers can overcome many little glitches that arise out of the technical process.
Let’s see what else in marketing requires creative as well as technical thinking.
Top skills for marketing professionals
Predominately a writer, some skills that I have learned along the way are both creative and analytical. For example, I produce content for SEO and digital marketing purposes. While I am the “human component” of our strategies, when I am writing, I still have to think about where it is going to be published, as well as understand what the KGR percentage is and keyword analytics. KGR (Keyword Golden Ratio) is a method predicated on a data-driven approach to finding long-tail keywords that are under-utilized in Google’s search result pages.
Here are some top skills for marketing professionals in today’s market:
- Creativity
- Social media
- Communication
- Content marketing
- Leadership
- Communication skills
- Writing
- Advertising
- Collaboration
- Research
- Advertising skills
- Project management
- Design
- Data analysis
- Analytical skills
- Digital marketing
- Email marketing
- SEO
- Adaptability
- Marketing strategy
- SEO and SEM
- Analysis
As you can see, as marketing professionals in the digital age, we need to have skills that are both creative and technical. Note that “project management” and “design” are bolded and italicized since they can fit into either category.
In addition to the skills mentioned above, marketing professionals today must also possess a strong understanding of data analytics and its application to marketing strategies. Data analysis skills are crucial for interpreting and making decisions based on the vast amounts of data generated by digital marketing campaigns. Being able to extract meaningful insights from data can inform marketing strategies and optimize campaigns for better results.
Another essential skill for marketing professionals is adaptability, as the digital marketing landscape is constantly evolving with new technologies, platforms, and trends emerging regularly. We must be adaptable and willing to learn and implement new strategies to stay ahead in the competitive market.
Most important for my role today is to have a solid grasp of SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and SEM (Search Engine Marketing) techniques. Knowing how to optimize website content for search engines, conduct keyword research, and implement paid advertising strategies are vital for increasing online visibility and driving traffic to our clients’ websites.
Additionally, collaboration is a crucial skill for marketing professionals. Working effectively with cross-functional teams, agencies, and external partners is crucial for executing marketing campaigns seamlessly. Strong collaboration skills enable marketers to leverage various expertise and resources to achieve shared goals and deliver impactful results.
Furthermore, creativity plays a vital role in developing innovative and engaging marketing campaigns that capture the audience’s attention. Creative thinking allows marketers to differentiate their brands, communicate effectively, and stand out in a crowded digital space. From creating compelling visuals to crafting engaging copy, creativity is essential in every aspect of marketing.
Difference between analytical thinking and creative thinking
One definition from the University of Pennsylvania is that “Creative thinking includes the process of innovative problem-solving — from analyzing the facts to brainstorming to working with others. Examples of these skills include analytical skills, innovation, and collaboration.
Analytical skills are problem-solving skills that help you sort through facts, data, and information to develop rational solutions. These skills aid you in the first part of the creative thinking process as you brainstorm and start to generate ideas,”.
Contrary to popular belief, analytical and creative thinking are not mutually exclusive. Like in the example I shared earlier in the article about my writing, sometimes you may need to use both approaches in different stages of problem-solving.
In the process of problem-solving, both analytical and creative thinking play crucial roles. While analytical thinking helps in structuring the problem and understanding its intricacies, creative thinking enables the exploration of innovative solutions. It’s like having a toolbox with different tools, with each approach serving a unique purpose, being used interchangeably based on the challenge at hand.
Moreover, both types of thinking require a certain level of flexibility and open-mindedness.
Jobs for analytical and creative thinkers
In addition to the possible positions we have already mentioned, here are some more jobs for analytical and creative thinkers:
- Developers
- Editors
- Engineers
- Lawyers
- Market Researchers
- Data Scientists
- UX Designers
- Product Managers
- Psychologists
- Architects
- Financial Analysts
- Advertising Executives
What excites you about the future of web development?
In conclusion, what excites us about the future of web development are the professionals across various fields who merge analytical research with creative thinking to drive innovation and problem-solving. This combination fuels growth and fosters unique solutions in their respective industries.