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Where is Belgium today? Behind, unfortunately. Even though Belgians spend more on digital marketplaces every year, our e-commerce still has a long way to go. Specifically, the Belgian businesses that are nowhere to be found online have a long way to go. The country even seems to be missing the boat entirely when it comes to marketplace presence.
It all seems quite contradictory. Belgium’s pavements are overflowing with bol.com packages and every secret shortcut or main road is inundated with parcel delivery drivers on a daily basis. How on earth could Belgium be behind?
Belgium, e-commerce and marketplaces: a delicate affair
Belgian companies have been quite hesitant when it comes to the world of opportunities that e-commerce offers. While our Dutch, French and German neighbours were making big digital moves – nationally and internationally – we kept our e-commerce to the surface. Belgian businesses choose to invest in a webshop or local initiatives. We’re not entirely familiar with selling on marketplaces yet, let alone marketing our national products to our neighbouring countries through the internet — even when the opposite is happening already.
“Let’s make Belgium the first country without e-commerce,” is what the PS chairman and one of the nation’s top politicians said last year. Well…
Okay, so we’re not the biggest marketplace trendsetters in Europe. Is that a bad thing? Well, it is a bit inconvenient when the modern consumer is moving to the digital world. Research shows that 80% of consumers across the globe say their shopping behaviour has changed since the pandemic and 60% feel completely comfortable ordering products online.
Online shoppers don’t start their search on Google anymore and are increasingly turning to digital marketplaces. In Germany, Spain and England, over 50% of consumers start their search on a marketplace.
Amazon’s arrival is the latest wake-up call. The American e-commerce giant is the final call – one that offers a great deal of digital wealth and one that Belgium doesn’t want to miss.
Worst-case scenario: Amazon BE – without BE
Amazon.com.be offers Belgian entrepreneurs a chance to move to a well-known marketplace in large numbers. If they don’t make that move, they could fall behind again – and Belgian companies will merely be extras on the Amazon.com.be filmset.
Rain in Paris, Amsterdam or Berlin = raindrops in Brussels
Right now, Flemish Amazon users rely on the Amazon platform of our northern neighbours, and the Walloon buyers are using its French counterpart. Now that Amazon is taking steps to create Amazon BE, including a fulfilment centre in Belgium and deals with couriers active in the country, companies in our neighbouring countries will be able to deliver to Belgian addresses more quickly and at a lower price. So, you can count on international players to move on Amazon.com.be from day one.
If companies wait too long before they make a move, they may be too far behind already. By the time they act, foreign brands will already be at the top of the Amazon search results with their optimised product pages and will have collected enough positive reviews to secure that first spot and the accompanying Belgian e-commerce. Quel dommage, non?
The era of marketplaces and marketplace marketing?
But making an account on Amazon is only part of the solution. When it comes to marketplace marketing, foreign competitors are a lot more advanced. Amazon offers the opportunity to strengthen your brand’s position. It’s a platform that needs to be considered in brand strategy and should be an extension of your website, considering the ‘new’ customer journey starts on a marketplace these days.
We think SEO is a given – so is marketplace optimisation, you’ll just be doing it for your presence on bol.com, Amazon, etc. There’s a certain parallel: climbing to the top of the search results to be the first choice. And you can bet that other European countries know this all too well.
Belgian companies have their work cut out for them: they need to position their brands on marketplaces such as Amazon and bol.com, or they could risk resellers calling the shots with their products and doing their own thing with brand representation. Marketplaces offer heaps of marketing and advertising possibilities for visibility and engagement.
Want to know more about selling and advertising on Amazon?
What will Amazon be capable of?
The main question: what can we expect the impact of Amazon to be? The American giant doesn’t need to expect the red carpet being rolled out. Belgian brands aren’t exactly itching to sell or advertise on Amazon, as they manage high-quality webshops and bol.com is currently the digital consumer’s best friend.
Amazon, on the other hand, is a strong brand, has international fame and only needed a mere two years in the Netherlands to get to the same level as bol.com. But more importantly, Amazon finds itself at the core of a strong ecosystem that runs on sound marketing. Think of Amazon Prime, Prime Days, Amazon Music and even film studio Amazon Studios.
The (Belgian) e-commerce clock is ticking
Amazon’s arrival in Belgium is a wonderful opportunity for Belgian brands – both B2B and B2C – to build a strong base for Belgian e-commerce. The potential as a platform, the national customer base and the elaborate shipping possibilities appeal to the imagination and are opportunities to be grasped – even if you aren’t selling.
How? By building a professional representation of Belgian brands on Amazon.com.be, backed by clear brand and marketing strategies and sound advertisements. If Belgian companies don’t jump on this opportunity, they can expect worst-case scenarios in which their national brands take on modest roles on the digital stage, while their foreign competitors take the lead.
Fortunately, nobody is on their own. At iO, we have enough marketplace expertise to kickstart any brand on marketplaces such as bol.com and Amazon. That, and our knowledge of marketplace marketing, advertising, brand registration and more, all help us emphasize the BE in Amazon BE.
What are we waiting for?
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At iO we work with Criteo: an advanced platform for digital advertising and targeted, data-driven campaigns. Find out more about what we can do for your organisation.Read moreStack
Tweakwise: smart software for e-commerce
With Tweakwise, your e-commerce approach becomes a success story. We are happy to help you as a Tweakwise Silver Partner.Read moreIndustry
Retail
How does iO bridge the gap between your retail business and e-commerce? By creating personalised, scalable, flexible and innovative hybrid retail solutions that give shoppers the products they seek, when they want them.Read moreWhat we do
Digital marketing - maximise your results on every channel
Rely on the digital marketing knowledge and expertise of our iO experts, backed by strategy and crystal clear data.Read moreWhat we do
Specialist in e-commerce in Belgium and the Netherlands | iO
iO’s experts in e-commerce help you develop a strong B2C or B2B e-commerce approach.Read moreWhat we do
Convince your target group with smart UX/UI design
UX/UI design can make or break the success of your web platform, application or campaign. How do you make it work? Read on and find out.Read moreWhat we do
Online self-service portal development with iO
With a self-service portal, you can focus entirely on stimulating valuable digital interactions with your customers.Read moreWhat we do
Engage your target audience with dynamic online and offline activations
Activate your target audience with dynamic online and offline experiences. At iO, we blend marketing, technology, and strategy to create impactful brand activations.Read morePress
iO bolsters ambition with the arrival of Collin Seyger as new CFO
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AkzoNobel unveils Colour of the Year 2024: Sweet Embrace™ with digital support from iO
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iO appoints Rachel Vermeulen as Managing Director of Campus Eindhoven
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iO focuses on talent: Wouter Dolle becomes HR Director in the Netherlands
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iO appoints Marco Merola as Managing Director on Campus Herentals
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iO launches magical end-of-year campaign for Brussels Airport
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4 out of 10 Belgians are digitally vulnerable
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Manna boosts brand awareness with a wink
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iO welcomes Martine Lemans as Managing Director of Consultancy Division in the Netherlands
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iO helps companies tap into their innovation potential
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Amnesty International Vlaanderen and iO put a human face on hope with ‘the power of the people’
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NMBS picks iO as innovation partner and service design expert
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Strategic boost for iO with two new senior hires
Read morePress
Amnesty International calls attention to human rights violations in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Read moreWebinar
E-inclusion: how to leave no one behind in the digital world
There’s a digital gap between our marketing personas and the real people we service. And that gap is significant: nearly 50% of the population is digitally vulnerable. How do you handle that as an organisation? And how do you make sure your products and services don’t exclude anyone from the digital world? Register for our webinar now and allow David De Block, Public Services Director at iO, to show you the “reason to believe”, so you can take action.Read moreWebinar
Webinar: Boost your online visibility and revenue with local search
Pretty much everyone has a smartphone these days, using navigation systems like Google Maps every day. Leveraging local search has never been this crucial to enhance online visibility and growth. Google reports that nearly half of all search queries on its platform (46%) have a local intent. You need to take advantage of that as a retailer. After all, you want potential customers to be able to find you, especially when you’re nearby. Sign up to join our exclusive webinar on local search to find out how to elevate your local presence.Read moreWebinar
Leveraging customer data in your marketing communications
With the ever-evolving laws and technology, reaching your target audience as a marketer is complex. In this webinar, we'll show you how to make the most of the customer data you already have. During the Dutch webinar on March 19, 2024, Evelyne Berden (Domain Lead Marketing Automation at iO Campus Herentals) explains how you can unlock customer data to take your marketing campaigns to the next level.Read moreWebinar
SEO & TikTok: the dynamic duo for digital success
From libraries to Google to TikTok...in just a few decades, our source of information has shifted to unexpected places. Today, a whopping 40% of young people use TikTok as their primary source of information. Did you know that this platform is increasingly focusing on its own search function? This makes TikTok SEO an essential part of your digital strategy.Read moreWebinar
Corporate Alt Delete - give your organisation an innovation boost
How do you keep your business dynamics fresh and boost the innovation potential and that pioneering mindset in your organisation? Corporate Alt Delete invites you to take a fresh look at your organisation and jointly rewrite your story. Corporate Alt Delete is a book, a workshop, a mindset, and now also a webinar.Read moreWebinar
Webinar | Will your organization be ready on 28th June 2025 for the EU's Digital Accessibility Law?
Will your organization be ready on 28th June 2025 for the EU's Digital Accessibility Law? Today, for your organization or business to thrive, a digital presence is essential. However, this online presence also brings about a growing need for digital accessibility. Moreover, the EU expects your organization to be digitally accessible by mid-2025. Discover why this is important and how to approach it during our webinar on 22nd August.Read moreWebinar
Webinar: Increase your online impact with strategic SEO
Is your website not being properly found by relevant visitors? Is your SEO traffic not generating enough conversions? But do you think you already have an SEO-friendly website? Then it's time to switch from tactical to strategic SEO. Find out how during our webinar on 23 August.Read moreWebinar
Webinar: discover how digitally mature your business really is (and what steps to take next)
As a CEO, managing director or marketing manager, you’re steering your ship towards the digital future. But here’s the challenge: how do you ensure you’re on the right course? Which aspects are thriving, and which ones need a boost? Register for our webinar and discover exactly how your company can move towards complete digital maturity.Read moreWebinar
Inclusivity at the forefront: Embracing digital accessibility
Discover how prioritising accessibility can transform digital presence and drive business success.Read moreWhite paper
Flexible and dynamic e-commerce with Shopware
In a world where customers are finding their products online at an increasing rate, it’s impossible to ignore e-commerce. Moreover, we’ve become so demanding that businesses need to be able to continuously evolve and improve the user experience. But not every system is equipped to grow along with you in a world that moves at warp speed. Shopware 6 is.Read moreWhite paper
No more marketingcookies: calculate the impact on your sales and visitors
Soon, third-party cookies will disappear. Use our calculator and get an estimate of the potential loss of sales and website visitors. You will also get tailored advice on the next steps to take to minimise that loss. Go directly to the calculator via the button below or scroll down for more background information.Read moreWhite paper
A user-friendly self-service portal in 5 steps
Does your organisation spend a lot of time providing customers with support and service? Think about scheduling appointments, contract management, or changing customer data — exactly the kind of things you can digitalise in a self-service portal. Only, how do you go about it?Read moreWhite paper
Why email marketing still works
Whether you’re a small business or a large multinational, it’s worth considering email marketing.Read moreWhite paper
Digital tools: challenges and opportunities for insurers
Naturally, we consider digital to be the future. Do insurance buyers in Belgium and the Netherlands see it that way as well? Together with market research agency BUFFL we asked 1.500 insurance policyholders about their views on digitalisation in the world of insurance. The conclusion? A remarkable one, to say the least. Prepare to read all about in our exclusive 18-page industry paper, including interesting bits of context, nuance, and thorough explanations.Read moreWhite paper
Digitalisation - the key to unlock B2B business growth
The digital revolution has profoundly changed the B2C market, and B2B soon followed. None of it happened overnight, by the way. In fact, the trend was initially slow to take off in the B2B sector. Today, digitalisation reached essential status in B2B for anyone wishing to stay ahead of the competition. Its secret? An omnichannel approach, the new standard for B2B sales.Today, B2B customers expect the same standards as B2C customers do in terms of access and service from self-service platforms and digital portals. They expect to find the right products, services or ecosystems across all stages of the customer journey. How do you manage B2C expectations in a B2B context?Read moreWhite paper
How do you find and motivate talent in Belgium?
The battle for talent – in other words, valuable, talented, and motivated employees – is raging harder than ever before. And that's not surprising. For every organisation, the key to success lies with the right talent. Young and old, highly educated, and self-taught, native and immigrant. How do you get them on board? And how do you stop them from looking elsewhere? Instead of using recruitment as a means to attract talent that’s based on financial promises and incentives, in the long term it’s wise to have a sustainable approach that starts from within your own organisation. In this whitepaper we will analyse the importance of your employer value proposition and take you through the recruitment do's and don'ts. Peppered with facts, figures and statistics that are relevant to the Belgian jobs market, and concrete tips, tricks, and trends.Read moreWhite paper
The Opportunity Report: take advantage of the latest developments in strategy, marketing and technology
How do organisations stay ahead of the pack in a constantly evolving world? With a collection of expert insights in a single guide, to make the most out of new market trends, emerging technologies and upgraded industry standards. This Opportunity Report is created and curated by professionals across marketing, strategy, content, and technology, using their common vision on what will shape the world, the market or their field of expertise.Read moreWhite paper
Get the most out of your social media marketing
Many companies use social media to reach their target audience. Too few companies use social media to engage their target audience. A shame really. Because engaging content is the key to success on social media.Read moreWhite paper
Your channel mix only has value if you manage it effectively
To make your online business run smoothly, there are several aspects you can focus on. One of them is your channel mix. But how do you know if your mix is the right one? And do you stick to your initial choices or is it better to adjust your mix regularly? Channel management provides answers to these questions. Channel management involves monitoring and adjusting the entire channel mix of your business or client based on predetermined goals. You work on all aspects that ensure better results, at every stage of the funnel.Read moreWhite paper
Sales, leads, goals: your guide to Performance Marketing
Performance marketing is a branch of marketing where you focus on results. Which results? How can you measure it and - more importantly - how do you achieve it? This is different for every organisation, but the potential of performance marketing to deliver results? That’s universal. The efficient combination of leads, sales and targets is crucial.Read moreWhite paper
Digitise your trade union services for your sector
Trade unions play a crucial role when new technologies and trends emerge. But how do you ensure that your trade union keeps up with the expectations of your demanding customers, members, and users.Read moreWhite paper
Download the all-in-one social media checklist
For many organisations, social media is still a Pandora's box. Yes, they are useful online channels, and yes, we might need to have a presence there. But how exactly do you tackle that? What do you need to take into account? This helpful social media checklist will take you a long way.Read moreWhite paper
Successful digital transformation: 5 pitfalls you should avoid
Globally, only 30 percent of companies successfully implement digital transformation. This is because digital transformation touches every aspect of a business: from people and processes to infrastructure and customer relationships. The key to a successful transformation is to pay attention to all these aspects - but that doesn't always happen. In this white paper, we take you through five common pitfalls in digital transformation and give advice on how to avoid them.Read moreWhite paper
Employer branding insights - How to recruit talent in 2024?
A tight job market and a short attention span from your target audience, who are also bombarded with content on a daily basis. Does recruiting new talent sometimes feel like a lost battle to you? We believe it doesn't have to be! Break through your target audience's content overload: invest in in-depth content to reach them and strengthen your employer brand. How can you successfully recruit and retain new talent for your brand? Discover it in "From Employer Branding to Recruitment - Insights 2024".Read moreWhite paper
6 best practices for successful business innovation
How will your organisation challenge the status quo? What role do you hold in a market where the lines between different domains are becoming less distinct? How are you going to shape a future-proof business model that ensures that you are still relevant the day after tomorrow? The challenges of innovation aren't so much centered around refining your existing business model, but about responding smartly to a dynamic market where the rules are constantly changing. Therefore, innovation within your company remains essential: it enables you to tap into new markets, address new target groups and develop new propositions. Unfortunately, not every form of innovation actually leads to improvement. Our white paper shares 6 best practices for successful business innovation so that innovation does not remain a buzzword but delivers tangible results.Read moreWhite paper
The key insights from Corporate Klooien – Back to Tomorrow
If you were to start all over again tomorrow, would you end up where you are today? In the 2023 edition of Corporate Klooien, we worked with professionals from influential organisations to explore their ideal future scenarios. We examined how they can deliver value and determine the right priorities in their specific situations. We did this using our own Corporate Alt Delete method.Read moreWhite paper
Corporate Alt Delete – Rewrite your organisation’s founding story
Corporate Alt Delete is a book that bridges the gap between two worlds within an organisation: Team Horizon, thinking in opportunities, and Team Business, focused on current results and business value. This book invites you to breathe new life into the old founding story of the organisation, enriching it with today's market knowledge and business capabilities. Why read Corporate Alt Delete?Read moreWhite paper
Whitepaper: How to unburden your business with ‘first time right’ marketing execution
Ideally, as a (Digital) Marketing Manager, you focus on developing and executing your strategy to achieve your organisation's goals. But what if your strategic focus is constantly disrupted by operational issues?Read moreWhite paper
Whitepaper: Creating exceptional customer journeys with a Digital Experience Platform
In markets that are saturated with options and with customers that are overloaded with choices, it's an exceptional customer experience set will set you apart. A Digital Experience Platform can help you accomplish this - and we'll tell you how.Read moreWhite paper
Make ecommerce more personal and tangible using online configurators
Consumers are increasingly used to communication that is tailored to them. An ad for 30% discount on cat food after you searched for the best kibble is an example. But so is the online purchase process of those kibbles. After all, today we want an online purchase to feel just like its physical counterpart. Online configurators are a great way to replace the eager shop assistant.Read moreWhite paper
Every experience matters: Unravel customer experiences with the Experience Model
Your brand has to compete with an unprecedented number of messages and stimuli for attention. To stand head and shoulders above the rest, it is essential to offer distinctive customer experiences. And that starts with a deep understanding of customer experiences.Read moreWhite paper
AI beyond technology, your AI guide to business value
AI is everywhere. The challenge is how to make it tangible. It is no longer just about the technology, but about the business value and integration into processes. In this white paper we take you through the developments that affect your business and revenue.Read moreWhite paper
7 essential steps to build an effective MarTech stack
An overwhelming array of marketing technology choices often leads to a fragmented and inefficient MarTech stack. Discover how to optimise your stack, strengthen integrations, and build a future-proof MarTech strategy.Read moreBlog
How furniture brand Pode benefits from a headless approach using Storyblok
Ever more organisations have been making the shift towards headless when building their new online platforms. At iO we used the combination of the Storyblok CMS and Next.js to create a total brand experience for furniture brand Pode’s new website. In this article, we will tell you why and how.Read moreBlog
15 Reading, listening, and viewing tips for the holiday season (and Beyond)
The end of December is list time. My colleagues at iO invited me to fill the last square of 24till24 with an inspiring list. December 24 is the last day of work before the Christmas holidays for many. That magical time of the year when the professional merry-go-round comes to a complete standstill. It isn’t just the time for family celebrations, it’s also the perfect moment to curl up on the sofa with a good book, a podcast, or a film. So, get into my personal list of the very best viewing, reading, and listening tips. Slide into the holiday season and keep the boredom at bay. Enjoy!Read moreBlog
E-inclusion: how to leave no one behind digitally
There is a digital divide between the personas we use in marketing and the population. In Belgium, this gap is large: almost 50% of the population are considered to be digitally vulnerable. How do you deal with this as an organisation? And how do you ensure that your products and services do not exclude anyone digitally? This blog contains nine practical tips to help you on your way to digital inclusion.Read moreBlog
4 tips to develop a successful measurement plan
More and more organisations want to measure the return on investment of digital platforms accurately. But how do you develop a successful measurement plan?Read moreBlog
Why Google Consent Mode V2 is crucial to marketing in 2024
The marketing world keeps turning faster, with new updates or guidelines at every turn. It’s a world that forces businesses to change with it. A recent change by this organization includes, among other things, that Google Consent Mode must receive an update by March 2024 to enhance user privacy. Take the Digital Markets Act, for instance. This European legislative body regulates digital platforms by creating laws. A recent legislative change includes that Google Consent Mode is required to carry out an update by March 2024 at the latest to better protect users’ privacy.Read moreBlog
Building trust in a cookieless era
We all know third-party cookies, a marketer's bread and butter, are leaving the building. The cookieless future was irrevocably set into motion when Google decided to remove them completely by 2024. This presents us with the unique challenge of tracking an audience that does not only demand an excellent experience but is increasingly privacy-conscious, too – quite paradoxical, we know. You’ve probably also heard that first-party data is the way to go. So, how can you turn leads into returning customers and, more importantly, how will you procure their data? We suggest a trust-first marketing approach that focuses on excellent content to establish a relationship with customers and users, making them more inclined to share their data with you.Read moreBlog
3 trends in content marketing for 2024
Users are becoming increasingly mobile: they're freely moving from channel to channel, looking for the content they want to consume. So keeping an eye on trends and taking full advantage of them is more important than ever. After all, trends offer a perfect opportunity to be creative. But what can we expect in 2024? In this blog, you'll discover three trends you can address to increase your impact with your target groups.Read moreBlog
Bing: a new search engine gateway to your target audience
Google is the unequivocal search engine market leader (and probably will be for a while). However, when it comes to search queries, there’s a challenger to that monopoly: Bing by Microsoft. In the last few months, Bing made some significant strides, moving from 1 in 20 search queries to almost 1 in 5. That growing influence and Bing’s market share are some aspects you should leverage in your digital strategies. You can ignore 5% of your potential visitors, but ignoring 18% of the queries that lead to your business would probably have a significant impact on your business – and not in a good way.Read moreBlog
The six digital and marketing trends for 2024
The rise of AI, shifts in the social media landscape, and the end of third-party data...2023 was, to say the least, a tumultuous year. But this year, marketers and their organizations are also facing significant challenges. Discover the six digital and marketing trends that will dominate 2024 and, most importantly, how you can successfully tackle them.Read moreBlog
3 valuable SEO insights from Friends of Search 2024
As an SEO specialist I had the opportunity to attend Friends of Search, a well-known SEO and SEA conference in Amsterdam. The event attracts at least 600 visitors annually and guarantees thought-provoking talks, an exciting award show, and a networking moment. I was immediately impressed by the international expertise presented by the other attendees during this eleventh edition, held on 21 March 2024. Discover 3 valuable SEO insights that stuck with me.Read moreBlog
Historical data export - Universal Analytics
Deadline for exporting Universal Analytics: 1st of July 2024 After the 1st of July 2024, it will no longer be possible to access data in Universal Analytics. Therefore, it’s essential to take timely action and export the data before that day. By exporting the data before the access is closed, you can gain valuable insights, store the data securely and take any further actions. It is wise not to do this at the last minute, as there may be obstacles, such as errors in extraction or technical challenges. To avoid potential problems, it is advisable to transfer the data in time to environment where it can be stored securely. That way, you can later use the data for further analysis or transformation purposes. By acting now, you can ensure that you don’t lose the valuable data and are well prepared for the future. So don't wait until the last minute - make sure you export the data from Universal Analytics before 1 July to a secure environment, where you can continue to use it.Read moreBlog
Content marketing has become communication (and that’s bad news)
Does content marketing still serve a purpose in 2024? Patrick Severein (Head of Content and Strategist) raises some questions.Read moreBlog
Why is always-on gaining ground over ad hoc campaigns?
In the marketing optimisation of larger iO clients - such as Brussels Airport and Lidl - we see a shift from ad hoc campaigns to always-on. There are a few logical explanations for this trend. And both the elimination of cookies and the focus on the customer experience (CX) have a lot to do with it.Read moreBlog
Four steps toward a flawless customer experience: the Double Diamond model
Good customer experience – say, the positive feeling that occurs and sticks when people interact with your brand – starts with a strong strategy. It requires lots of guessing, thinking, and doubting. Not to mention: hours of deciding and designing how to make it happen. So, how do you develop a strategy tailored to your organisation and goals? At iO, we use the Double Diamond model. It’s our creative guide to thinking from a problem-solver perspective. From product design to UX and far beyond, the Double Diamond model helps solve complex issues efficiently. In this blog post, we shed some light on the model, its pillars, and its possibilities, so that you can start using it to create flawless customer experiences that stick.Read moreBlog
What is search intent? And why is it important for SEO?
When you look something up on the Internet, you always do so with a specific intention. Whether it's to gather information, compare products or actually make a purchase. Either way, you want to see results that match your intent as closely as possible. This intent - called search intent - is a crucial factor for both Google and marketers.Read moreBlog
Enhance your brand experience with strong content
Do you want to capture your target audience’s hearts? Well, great content is one way to achieve that. After all, positive content experiences are an essential part of the customer experience. They strengthen your brand and increase your growth opportunities. Find out how to build brand loyalty with consistent, quality content.Read moreBlog
iOS 18 and RCS: a gamechanger for brands and marketers
With the recent launch of iOS 18, the messaging service Rich Communication Services, or RCS, is finally widely available. This can have a huge impact on how brands and marketers reach their customers. In this article, we dive deeper into the ins and outs of RCS and why at iO, we believe that it will provide better experiences.Read moreBlog
Marketing budget allocation for 2025: data driven or a roll of the dice?
For many marketers, allocating budgets for the year ahead is a real headache. Will you carry your budget over from last year – even though technology is evolving at lightning speed and the marketing world could look completely different tomorrow? Or will you follow your intuition and take a chance? Fortunately, data modelling exists allowing you to allocate your budget with the certainty that you are spending it in the right place, and at the right time.Read moreBlog
The energy transition is enormous, how do you make it personal?
How do you explain the energy transition? iO and Enexis developed a permanent campaign with smart tech and several storylines.Read moreBlog
AI is changing how we search and it is time for brands to face this head-on
The impact of AI on search engine marketing and business models is huge. So start experimenting now, advises iO CEO Pieter Janssens.Read moreBlog
6 tips for maintaining focus in a fragmented MarTech landscape
Navigating the rapidly expanding MarTech landscape can be overwhelming, but with a clear strategy and focused approach, you can build an effective MarTech stack that drives your marketing success.Read moreBlog
From a brilliant seasonal whodunnit, to cringe-worthy singing oven mitts: here’s the very best (and worst...) Christmas commercials of 2024.
It's the most wonderful time of the year again! Christmas! Or no, better still: it’s time to feast our eyes on the spectacular (British) Christmas commercials. They’ve released a tidal wave of clichés (snow, turkey, tears, Santa Claus/women in all shapes and sizes and gifts, lots of gifts). What’s striking about this year: the brands you expect a lot from are disappointing (spoiler 1: Disney...) (spoiler 2: John Lewis...) and brands that you don't expect much from after years of misery and gloom, excel (spoiler 3: Etsy). Let’s get into the festive spirit with 2024’s Christmas offerings.Read moreDossier
Dossier: SEO strategy
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Dossier: E-commerce
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Dossier: Infinite Opportunities
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Dossier: Cookieless future
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Dossier: Video marketing
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Dossier: Marketplaces
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Dossier: Google Analytics 4
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Dossier: Public Brands
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Dossier: Marketing automation
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Dossier: Holiday marketing: how to score as a brand with Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Christmas
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Dossier: successful innovation
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Infinite opportunities: Thierry Geerts (Google Belgium)
"Digitisation in Belgium is progressing rapidly, but not as fast as it could or I hoped it would," says Thierry Geerts, CEO Google Belgium. He wrote a book, Digitalis, about his vision on digitisation. He talks about how we can — and should — pick up the pace of digitisation.Read moreVideo
Infinite opportunities: Steven Van Belleghem (iO)
Steven Van Belleghem (partner iO) talks about the three main advantages he sees in technology and digital transformation: faster than real-time service, hyper-personalisation, and the ultimate convenience.Read moreVideo
Infinite opportunities: Tim Colman (Proximus)
Creative concepts can elevate a campaign, says Tim Colman (Head of Digital Communication at Proximus). He talks about the importance of creativity at every stage of the customer journey.Read moreVideo
Infinite opportunities: Daan Simonis (Perfetti Van Melle)
Creativity isn't just useful for building a strong campaign — it's essential. Daan Simonis (Global Media & Digital Marketing Director at Perfetti Van Melle) explains why this is the case and how a creative idea has a strong impact, especially on paid media platforms.Read moreVideo
Infinite opportunities: Joaquin Zschuschen (KLM Health Services)
Digital transformation isn't just about technology — it’s also about people. Joaquin Zschuschen, Digital Manager at KLM Health Services, talks about customer satisfaction and personalisation.Read moreVideo
Infinite opportunities: Wies De Graeve (Amnesty International)
Amnesty International shines a light on issues that would otherwise remain in darkness. According to Wies De Graeve (Director Amnesty International) creativity is essential for this. It helps people see that there are solutions to the world's problems —and how they can help.Read moreVideo
Are you fed up with boring marketing too?
Our attention spans are shorter, we skip commercials, and we click from video to video all the time. When consumers are bombarded with an avalanche of content every day, how can your brand stand out? Ruth Nys explains how to do creative content marketing without falling into the same old boring marketing tactics trap. Expert:Ruth Nys, Strategy Director ContentRead moreVideo
Digitising a business: the most common mistakes and how to avoid them
How is it that only 30% of the companies are successful in adopting digital transformation? In large part because it affects every aspect of a business: people, processes, infrastructure, and customers. We walk you through the most common mistakes we see in digital transformation projects so you don’t have to make them yourself. Expert:Tom van Mierlo, Digital StrategistRead moreVideo
How to measure the value of innovations faster and more clearly
In 2024, you will be less likely to make long-term investments. ROI has become a more important factor in innovation compared to recent years. We share ways that will help you validate innovations faster and gain management’s support. Expert: Uilke Duinstra - Service Line Director Strategy at iORead moreVideo
Video: Leaving no one behind digitally (David De Block)
In his talk at the 2023 BAM Marketing Congress, David De Block (Public Services Director at iO) talks about e-inclusion — or what it means to leave no one behind digitally.Read moreCase
How do you bring clicks and bricks together in a headless architecture?
Case: A seamless user experience thanks to a future-proof headless e-commerce platform.Look at this client storyCase
How to create the ultimate online platform for 300+ luxury fashion boutiques?
iO developed a unique B2C Commerce platform and app where more than 300 luxury boutiques sell fashion via one webshop.Look at this client storyCase
How do you sell online efficiently in B2B?
For international distributor SIBO Fluidra, iO developed a B2B Magento Open Source commerce platform and Akeneo PIM system.Look at this client storyCase
How do you centralise orders in a bespoke e-commerce platform?
We developed a custom e-commerce platform for Délidis, a B2B supplier of fresh food, and its end customers. Read more about this project.Look at this client storyCase
How do you spread the sustainable message of a European market leader?
Read more about our collaboration with Havep, the European leader in sustainably produced and environmentally responsible workwear.Look at this client storyCase
How do you make a new law firm brand shine with speed, knowledge, and dedication?
Read more about how we rebranded law firm Argo and discover the various mix of digital solutions we used to do so.Look at this client storyCase
How does innovative technology simplify everyday navigation in real life?
Updating and implementing interactive navigation on HD touchscreens for visitors and shoppers at Wijnegem - Shop Eat Enjoy.Look at this client storyCase
How PLUS motivated teens to apply for jobs using targeted social campaigning?
Understanding and activating youth culture made a PLUS recruitment campaign a great success: 178 potential new PLUSSERS in 6 weeks.Look at this client storyCase
How do you empower SME entrepreneurs to experience the power of smart energy solutions?
The ‘More with Energy’ campaign aims to inspire entrepreneurs and provide them with tangible tools to make their business more sustainable.Look at this client storyCase
How does De Kindertelefoon enhance online reach through clever and creative utilization of TikTok?
For De Kindertelefoon we developed a channel and content strategy to reach kids and young people on TikTok.Look at this client storyCase
how do you enhance the impact of the newsletter for a telecom giant?
Optimizing Content and Presentation: How iO Transformed Proximus' Newsletter Engagement. Read the case here.Look at this client storyCase
How do you bring years of delicious creativity to life?
With creative always-on and ad hoc campaigns, our experts help Manna Sauzen grow into a leading Belgian brand.Look at this client storyCase
How to present a unified brand story for multiple companies within the same group?
How do you tell a clear online story that pulls traffic towards your website if you represent multiple businesses? Read the case and find out.Look at this client storyCase
How has fresh branding contributed to a stronger position in the market?
For Prowise, an interactive display and educational software expert, iO designed a new WordPress website complemented by a new brand voice and copy.Look at this client storyCase
Impacting the traveller and environment through technology
Brussels Airport: a look at the digital platforms iO built for the ultimate passenger experience.Look at this client storyCase
Realising growth through marketing
How iO convinces travelers to choose Brussels Airport for their next trip. Discover the marketing campaigns.Look at this client storyCase
Clear communication & vision for stakeholders
Communication, internal & external, is important for Brussels Airport. Read here how iO supports the airport in this.Look at this client storyCase
How we put Brussels Airport on the map with influencer marketing
iO takes Brussels Airport to new heights with influencer marketing. Read how we did it.Look at this client storyCase
How does a leader in furniture hardware ensure GDPR compliance and cost efficiency for all their banners?
We ensured GDPR-compliant, cost-efficient cookie management for Van Hoecke's platforms using CookieHub. Read our success story.Look at this client storyCase
How do you accelerate getting innovative lighting into the living rooms of 47 countries?
iO experts built a brand new D2C website with an advanced Adobe Experience Manager e-commerce platform for lighting specialists Signify. The result: happy users and satisfied teams. Read the full case here.Look at this client storyPage
WWVD: Download the presentations of Thursday 30 March 2023!
The first day of the Webwinkel Vakdagen (WWVD) is over! Still want to reminisce? Download the presentations of the lightning talks here.Read more