As most of us use internet more and more, we often come across this term “digital marketing”. So the question is: what is digital marketing? Let us understand this so that we know it a little better.
For understanding what digital marketing is, we need to know a little about “marketing” itself.
Marketing
As “Google Baba (Google Guru)” tells us here, marketing is a process of exploring, creating and / or delivering value to the needs of a target market, whether in terms of goods (physical) or services (non-physical).
In simple lay man terms, it means to sell a particular item (physical or non-physical) to a section in the “market”, market being applied here means the world at large, for mutual benefit: they get the item or service which they want, you get what you want (money, repute, respect, traffic etc.).
Now, that we have an understanding of what marketing is, let us dive right into understanding “digital marketing”.
Digital Marketing
Digital Marketing, which is also called “online marketing” is the use of internet, social media and other digital communication means for promoting products, services or brands. This can be text based, image or video based and can use any form of digital platform.
Thus, if any sort of marketing involves the use of digital platforms, it is digital marketing.
Now, that we know what digital marketing is, you might be wondering what is other form of marketing, well let’s understand it before we move on.
Traditional Marketing
This is the form of marketing most are familiar with! Seeing billboards, Television ads, newspaper ads; these are all classic examples of traditional marketing which is also known as offline marketing (as other is called online marketing).
This is also called outbound marketing, as with this marketing, we intend reaching out to public without targeting, to promote our products and/or services.
Why not go for Traditional Marketing
Traditional marketing has potential of huge reach! If an ad is placed on a billboard on a famous highway with loads of traffic, it can be seen by Thousands and thousands of people in quick time.
Due to this, most of the people thinks that traditional marketing is the way to go! Thinking that the reach potential will be able to help them.
Well, while traditional marketing has its advantages, but it is a proven fact that no matter how much reach it has, only a fraction of it actually gets persuaded by the marketing to do the intended action.
Thus if we are willing to spend a lot without caring much for what value we get in return, we can definitely go for traditional marketing.
Debunking Myths Surrounding Digital Marketing
Ok, now that we have an understanding of traditional marketing as well as digital marketing, let’s clear out the misconceptions surrounding digital marketing
Digital Marketing is not effective
The first roadblock that people face is that they have a pre-conceived mindset that “Digital marketing is not effective”. Well! Everything has its ups and downs, but for sure, digital marketing is the most effective way in modern times!
According to Wordstream, more than 70% of marketing budget is being utilized in digital marketing! If it was not effective, why people are buying into its philosophy? Because it is effective!
Digital Marketing has less reach
.If someone is clear about effectiveness of digital marketing, he or she thinks that it has less reach as compared to traditional marketing. One cannot be more wrong! While it’s true that with traditional marketing we can target all available audiences, while in digital marketing we have specific segment of audience to target, that does not mean that digital marketing has less reach!
In fact data proves that both in terms of reach and effectiveness, digital marketing trumps traditional marketing hands down! The Oct-2022 report of wearesocial.com confirms that nearly 69% of global population has access to the internet! That is a whopping 5.47 Billion with a capital B!
Digital Marketing is only for rich
If one is convinced about the effectiveness or the reach of digital marketing, the hurdle they faces is that they think digital marketing is only for rich! Those corporate organizations and established companies! They think they can’t do digital marketing believing that it is too expensive!
Well, let’s get it straight! It is you who can control the budget, expenses and the amount of spending you need for digital marketing. While traditional marketing is rigid and a bit fixed in terms of rates and expenses, digital marketing gives you all the flexibility and more!
It has various methods and options to choose and we get to control and monitor the costs on the go! So, in essence digital marketing is very much affordable and all and everyone can utilize it for their good.
Digital Marketing is not suitable for me
If someone doesn’t have any technical niggles surrounding digital marketing, he or she gets afraid about starting out! Doubting him or herself whether it is suitable or not! Whether one can get his or her intended objective full filled via digital marketing route.
I can say with utmost clarity that with proper planning, right strategies and clear mindset, the tools digital marketing offers us are the best out there and can bring in results far greater than one can imagine!
As, we can see on wordstream, the likelihood of getting success via digital marketing is much more no matter what our aim or goal is!
Advantages of Digital Marketing
Well, are you willing to spend a lot on your marketing strategy? And that too without caring for the returns? I am sure you are NOT! So! There comes Digital marketing to save us!
Where Digital marketing triumphs over traditional marketing is that it can help us ‘target’ our marketing in ways where we reach out to masses having high probability of focusing on our efforts and bringing results we so desire! And in way less amount actually!!
And, it is not limited in terms of reach as majority of the people think! If an ad is shown on a billboard, only the passengers passing by will see it, however if an Ad is being run on YouTube or Google, people in US, UK, Asia, Africa where ever they are! They can see that ad!
Another great advantage of digital marketing is its accessibility! We have plethora of options to choose from! Digital marketing brings in the required flexibility and tools which helps us to deploy in whatever way we want.
Conclusion
My friend, if you have reached this far in the article, it means now that you not only know what digital marketing is, its comparison with traditional marketing, have cleared the myths surrounding it and have gotten the knowledge of its advantages, its suffix to say that the future is digital! And in marketing as well the digital is spreading its blessings and enabling millions to reach out to their dreams!
If you also want to start off your digital marketing journey and full fill your dreams with efficient utilization of resources, feel free to contact us here for your digital marketing related queries.
