According to Wikipedia, Generation Alpha (or Gen Alpha for short) is the demographic cohort succeeding Generation Z. Researchers and popular media use the early 2010s as the starting birth years and the mid-2020s as the ending birth years. Named after the first letter in the Greek alphabet, Generation Alpha is the first to be born entirely in the 21st century. Most members of Generation Alpha are the children of Millennials.
Are you ready to market and sell to the next generation? Is your business and your website ready for the change? Move over Millennials and Generation Z - the Alphas are here and they are making an impact on how people shop, and how we need to run a successful business. Now is the time to get ready for the needed updates to stay up with the changing generations!
As of 2015, there were around 2.5 people born every week around the globe. Generation Alpha is expected to reach two billion by 2025. For comparison, the United Nations estimated that the human population was about 7.8 billion in 2020, up from 2.5 billion in 1950. Roughly three-quarters of all people reside in Africa and Asia in 2020. In fact, most human population growth comes from these two continents, as nations in Europe and the Americas tend to have too few children to replace themselves.
Mark McCrindle who is a TEDx speaker, demographer and futurist, coined the term ‘Gen Alpha.’ Going by his estimate, about 2.5 million Alphas are born around the world each week and these are the kids who will grow up with iPads and smartphones in their hands. Artificial Intelligence, technology dependence on social media instead of personal interaction are just a few major characteristics of this up and coming Generation.
Here are a few things to consider as a business owner when it comes to marketing and being appealing to the Gen Alpha-ites:
INSTANT GRATIFICATION. This Generation is desperately reliant on immediate access to information. Online learning modules and instruction will be a huge factor in their approach to education. When they visit a website, they expect everything to be there, with links to links to links to links.
TECH SAVVY. This is the first Generation to have a seamless integration of technology into all aspects of their lives. They are so in tune with technology, that it is estimated by the time they are 8 years old they will surpass their parents in technological skills.
EDUCATED. Thanks to technology and access to instant information, they will be the most educated Generation of all time.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE. This is their new reality and is a natural part of everything in their lives. This will influence the way they live and the way they do business as adults. AI will also cause this generation to tend to shy away from personal interaction. Business owners will find it increasingly important to focus on online sales instead of relying solely on sales inside the brick and mortar stores of days gone by.
SOCIAL MEDIA. This is their dominant mode of interaction with the world in general. This will also influence the way they live and do business as adults.
DON’T LIKE TO SHARE. Being a more isolated Generation, they grow up not knowing how to share as well as previous Generations. This does mean that they want to be their own bosses - which could drive business ownership to levels we’ve not seen before.
FORGET THE RULES. Rules are just boundaries they don’t understand, nor want to abide by. The mass of information makes them want to expand and explore an infinite number of options.
RELIGION? For most, religion - or a belief system built on rules and regulations - is out the window. They are inclined to break free from structure, as they tend to outgrow the status quo.
CONSTANTLY CHANGING. Unlike other Generations, marketing experts are experiencing problems when they try to target Gen Alphas, as their preferences are constantly on the move. This will cause business owners to be constantly creative and innovative as never before. The days of building it and forgetting it are over.
WORK DIFFERENTLY. Their approach to work will align with businesses that embrace diverse work environments. They will choose technology over human connection.
Are you and your business ready for this Generation? Is your website equipped to allow frequent content changes? Are you using social media? If not, you don’t exist to the Alphas. Their identities are created and crafted online. Their spending habits and tastes and trends are also heavily influenced by what is online. It is not good enough to just put in the basic information and call it a day. The Alphas use social media, especially Facebook and Instagram, like they are the Yellow Pages. When they come to your Facebook and Instagram pages, they are looking for basic information and a high level of engagement. If you haven’t posted anything in a month, then it can look like you’re not in business or at the least, not interested in communicating to the public.
Regardless of your current online status, VisionAmp is here for you, ready to meet the challenges with you. At VisionAmp, we aren't just another web design agency. We don't tell you what you need, throw you under the table, and move on to the next client. We are here for you, ready to dive into your brand, address your needs, and provide you with a product that will last. A product that is attractive to the Alpha Generation.
Give us a call today, and let’s explore how you can effectively reach Gen Alpha like none of your competitors are!
-Written by David Jackson, VisionAmp Content Specialist
