There’s no question that Radar Online is one of the world’s most popular news websites, boasting over 500 million monthly active users across desktop, mobile and tablet. Launched in UK back in 2007, the website has gone on to become a leading source of popular news and viral content, from celebrity scandals to trending topics and breaking news.
Since its inception, Radar Online has always done its utmost to stay ahead of the digital curve and offer its users the best possible experience in terms of content, engaging with them through various forms of media and incorporating emerging technologies to transform how we consume media and conduct business.
Despite its popularity, it’s not just a case of copying and pasting a bunch of articles from a wire service and calling it a day. Radar Online has built a considerable brand reputation and unique digital identity through a variety of strategic moves, including but not limited to:
#LetsTalkRumors
One of the earliest and most well-executed moves by Radar Online was to use social media to engage with its audience. With over 100 million monthly active users across its various platforms (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter), Radar provides its users with a steady flow of engaging content, regularly sharing articles on trending topics, offering informative guides to popular culture and providing exclusive interviews with leading figures in entertainment, music, news, and more.
It’s not everyday that a news website gets to be the place that people come back to over and over again for breaking news, celebrity/politician scandals, and popular entertainment coverage. But thanks to Radar Online’s efforts in this area, we’re now accustomed to turning to the website whenever a breaking news story breaks, whether it’s about the government, entertainment or sports world.
Cross-Platform Content
One of the things that makes Radar stand out from the crowd is the versatility of its content. Arguably, the success of the site is derived from the fact that it publishes content across all mainstream social platforms (and many other niche ones), effectively acting as a hub for all of its users’ interests:
- Twitter: the go-to place for breaking news and amusing tweets (@RT_com);
- Instagram: the place to follow celebrity and influencer news and photos (@instagram);
- YouTube: the second most popular search term after “Sci-Fi” on yottie, with trending videos covering everything from gaming to cooking to beauty and fashion (youtube.com/tv);
- Snapchat: the place to stay in touch with the people you follow on other platforms (snapchat.com).
These are just some of the most popular platforms that Radar offers content on. Not only does this allow the website to have a finger in many different pies, but it also ensures that it will always be relevant and engaging with its audience. It would be difficult for any news website to cover all of these topics regularly and remain fresh and relevant.
Video Content Is The Future Of Online Marketing
With the rise of TikTok – and the many imitators that have followed – video content is now more important to the average person than traditional text-based content. According to HubSpot Blogs research, videos are now viewed over 22 million times on TikTok per day, compared to 3 million times per day on Instagram and 2 million on Snapchat.
And it’s not just about watching videos. In the near future, we’ll be seeing more and more people using social media to engage with content via short-form videos, such as TikTok’s popular “Peanut Butter Jelly Time” and Instagram’s “Reactions” feature.
This is a dramatic shift in user behavior that can’t be ignored by marketers. If your product or service is relevant to viewers of video content, you’ll have a much better chance of gaining their interest and making them care about your product or service.
Focusing On Mobile First, Then Web
The most important thing for any marketing or sales manager to note about Radar Online is that the vast majority of its traffic comes from mobile devices. According to SimilarWeb, 79.41% of visits to the website are coming from mobile phones, tablets and laptops – not desktops as one might assume.
The vast majority of its audience is spending their time on mobile devices in bed, on public transit, or at work. So if you’re struggling to get your message across on traditional webpages, you might want to consider trying some of the more interactive features on a mobile phone or tablet. Some of these features, such as the swipe-based interface, are simpler to use than those found on a regular computer and can be accessed via a few short clicks or swipes. Other features, such as virtual buttons that allow you to engage with content without having to leave the app you’re already using, require slightly more technical know-how.
In addition to appealing to mobile users, Radar Online also offers plenty of engaging content for users who access the site from a desktop computer. It also continues to innovate, launching new features that make surfing the site easier and more enjoyable. For example, the company recently launched an iPad app that allows users to access all of their content without having to navigate through several webpages.
More Than Meets The Eye
Radar Online is more than just a website. The company was originally founded as a radio station back in 2001, and much of its content – from breaking news alerts to entertainment coverage to political and civic commentary – was originally disseminated through its radio stations. But the company’s growth didn’t stop there. In 2018 alone, it opened 13 offices around the world, including London, Singapore, and Sydney. It also doubled its headcount – from 500 to 1,000 employees – and launched a new, more centralized editorial structure.
While much of the media industry is focused on the fate of traditional print journalism and the “death” of the author, it’s clear that traditional media like radio and TV are still extremely important to this day’s marketers and communicators. In 2022 alone, global ad spend on traditional media – radio, TV, and print – is expected to reach £10.97 billion, relatively unchanged from 2021’s figure of £10.99 billion.
What’s more, according to the latest figures from the American Advertising Federation (AAF), TV advertising remains the most popular method of advertising, with 66% of global ad spend in 2021 going to TV. While it’s undeniable that the internet has disrupted many industries, the fact remains that traditional media still offers a wealth of data that can be converted into valuable market insights.
The Takeaway
It’s well-established that online marketing and social media play a large role in shaping our society today. From viral trends to popular topics and breaking news, these digital spaces have transformed the public image of cultural icons, influenced the outcomes of elections and sparked the creation of new businesses.
But despite their significance, it’s still incredibly difficult for businesses to operate within these spaces and stand out from the crowd. As these spaces continue to evolve and grow, marketers must continue to innovate and develop new strategies to effectively engage with their audience and grow their business.