Why Is Digital Marketing Important?
Everything you need to know about Digital Marketing
Imagine living in a world without the Internet, not a pleasant thought is it? The Internet has become an essential part of our lives. We use it for shopping, searching for information, or even banking. One of the major things it is being used for is Digital Marketing to help businesses grow. Digital Marketing allows businesses to connect with their customers in a personalized way. It lets them use the latest technology and platforms. If you want to learn about digital marketing and its importance then you are on the right page. We will explain what digital marketing is, its benefits, and how it can help you grow your business. So whether you are new to the concept or have been using it for years, this article will help you dive deeper into the industry to gain from it.
What is Marketing in the World of Business?
Marketing is a process of attracting clients and customers toward your services/products. It involves intense research, advertising, and selling your goods and/or services. The main game of marketing is to lure a huge amount of audience and create a base clientele for your business. The most basic goal of marketing is to recognize and fulfill the needs of the customers.
Categories of marketing strategies are
- Traditional method;
- Digital marketing and
- Mixed method.
Digital marketing, an Introduction
Earlier implementing marketing strategies meant running ads on TV and radio. Some businesses relied on print ads in newspapers and magazines. Currently, the world of commerce is moving towards a digital marketplace at a fast pace. Digital marketing has helped businesses expand their reach. It allowed brands to connect with their target audiences.
Adopting digital marketing has helped businesses achieve heights. Of course, this does not mean that one has to move away from traditional marketing methods. Using digital marketing methods can optimize your campaigns and yield better results. Traditional marketing methods made communicating with consumers impossible. Using digital marketing creates two-way communication between you and the customer. Digital marketing has helped small as well as multinational businesses reach significant benefits.
Role of Digital Marketing in Small Businesses
When you start a business, your main focus is to get new customers. The more customers a business has the more it benefits as it generates revenue. Earlier businesses of all sizes used traditional marketing methods to connect with consumers. This method was somewhat effective but was unmeasurable. Digital marketing has changed the way advertising is being done now. It has opened new doors through which small businesses are reaching people around the world in lesser time. Digital marketing also helps in leveraging consumer insights. It uses data to develop targeted marketing strategies. Using data to sell online lets companies make smart marketing decisions. It gives marketers the ability to figure out the company’s budget for ROI (Return Of Investment) goals. Digital marketing is not only effective but is the most affordable way to reach out to potential customers.
According to Statista, there are about 688 million active internet users as of January 2020, out of which 400 million are using social media. Also, the number of digital buyers in India is estimated to be around 330 million in 2020. This proves that consumers are now searching for products, and services online. If you think that customers will come to you without a marketing strategy then you’ll have to rethink your approach. Remember, if customers don’t find you online, they may feel that your business is not legitimate.
If you have a small business, you may wonder why you need digital marketing. How can it be beneficial for your business, and how much will you have to invest in it? Digital marketing may feel like a challenge in the beginning. These challenges can be tackled by hiring a professional marketer or an outsourcing company. These professionals will help you create a marketing strategy for your business.
Digital marketing is the best way for your company to create a place for itself in the market, build trust, and get more customers. It also improves ROI and grows your business. Here are a few reasons why digital marketing is important for small businesses:
1. Digital marketing helps you target the right audience
We already know that more than 4 million users are on the internet. The social media platform has tons of potential clients that may be interested in your product. All you have to do is to connect with them through online ads, and the right marketing strategy. You can use targeting tools like Google ads, Facebook, LinkedIn, SEO, etc.
2. Digital marketing provides equal opportunities
Yes, size matters, but not here. Digital marketing is available for everyone no matter what size company you run. It is perfect for businesses that have a limited budget. Digital marketing allows you to use different strategies depending on your budget. A small business can compete with a larger business according to what suits them best.
3. Digital marketing is cost-effective
Using traditional means of marketing like flyers, rented billboards, or banners is expensive. Small-town businessmen use a lot of these methods, although this technique is next to impossible to measure for its effectiveness. Using digital marketing is effective and way cheaper than printing flyers. With digital marketing, you can make changes, and invest in the ads that work for you.
4. Digital marketing helps in building brand recognition
Using digital marketing tools helps small businesses by introducing them to the people. It lets consumers learn about your company, concept, and products. It helps in making your brand and logo visible. Digital marketing lets people connect to your brand.
5. Digital marketing provides exposure
The market is overloaded with competitors. You will have to be present on every platform for the customers to remember you. Digital marketing tools let you build your own exposure space. It allows you to concentrate on your potential clients online. This type of marketing is more cost-efficient and focused.
6. Digital marketing helps in increasing revenue
We understand that digital marketers are expensive. These marketers help in getting more conversions for your business. More conversion means better revenue. Using a combination of strategies recommended by them will help you create a better response and increase your revenue.
7. Digital marketing gives measurable results
Using digital marketing tools will provide you with ways to measure your strategies. It helps you evaluate the effectiveness of the campaign. You can check the results, and stop or change the strategy to get better results.
Role of Digital Marketing in Large Businesses
Digital marketing does not only help small businesses but plays a vital role in the growth of large businesses as well. Having a large company does not always mean success. It needs various strategies to do business and grow. Using digital marketing can help a large business generate revenue and become a successful company. Here are some reasons why large companies should consider using digital marketing for their companies.
1. Cost-effective:
Compared to other ways of marketing, digital marketing is less expensive. Most traditional marketing strategies need traveling, proper spaces, and many experts. This makes it more expensive. It also requires a lot of time. Digital marketing on the other hand is a cost-effective option.
2. Promotes Flexibility:
Email marketing, social media postings, and content marketing are a few examples of digital marketing strategies. Learning how to sell oneself using these can be very useful. It’ll help expand your options for potential public relations tactics in the future.
3. Increases Interactivity:
It is crucial to engage with the consumer. Digital marketing helps you learn about the needs of your customers. You will know what your customers prefer in terms of delivery and payment methods. Website comments, reviews, and social media postings enable you to communicate with consumers on a personal level. Your customers feel like a part of the community you are creating. As a result, they feel you care about what they have to say and think. Interactions will help you learn a lot about the preferences of your clients.
4. Helps in tracking efficiently:
Digital marketing will allow you to keep track of the content consumer’s views before making a buy. This reveals which marketing tactic is the most effective. This information will help you to adjust and enhance your plan.
5. Helps you stay competitive:
Large companies have huge daily marketing budgets but it does not necessarily mean that they do well in marketing. Using Digital marketing can help in the allocation of marketing resources like SEO strategies, regular social media campaigns, and staying visible within the search engine. With the help of digital marketing, Google decides who is worth ranking because of the content, not because of a large budget.
The first web-based banner ad was born in October 1994 through an advertising campaign for AT&T. The ad said, “Have you ever clicked your mouse right HERE? YOU WILL”. 44% of internet users clicked on it in the next four months. This ad is now known as a display ad and is one of the earliest forms of digital marketing. Today, a display ad is part and parcel of the whole digital marketing world. Today Internet-based strategies use tons of digital marketing channels to provide content and offer to consumers.
What is a Digital Marketing Channel?
These are platforms used to reach the target audiences with information about the brand, product, or services. They help you come one step closer to your customers as well as your marketing goals. Different channels are apt for different audiences. They are effective as long as you know which one to use to achieve a particular purpose.
1. Websites
A website is a must-have tool for any business. It gives you a dedicated platform to interact with and educate your audiences. You will need to understand your target audiences to create an effective website as a marketing strategy. It gives your company an online presence regardless of the size of a business, be it B2C or B2B. You can now create excellent websites on WordPress, Wix, etc. to reduce the cost and be visible to the world.
2. Email
Some might not agree to use email is an effective marketing strategy, but it is one of the most versatile methods of marketing. It lets you use the latest trends in content marketing like personalization and automation without using too much of your budget.
3. Social Media
Social Media helps you to create personal connections with people. This form of marketing is getting bigger day by day. It makes it easier to direct your efforts toward organic social media marketing. Although it is most effective when you understand the requirements of your buyers. It can also help you get leads on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook as well. Remember, social selling is not all about selling but about creating a relationship with your buyers.
4. SEO
It is estimated that Google processes around 63,000 search queries every second. This means 5.6 million searches each day, and about 2 trillion global searches each year. Imagine the number of people doing research before shopping and entertainment. Now, imagine where your business stands in this digital world. When you adopt modern SEO practices like keyword research, blog post optimization, and content creation, you will improve your rankings on search engines.
5. Mobile
Turn around your head and try to count the number of people using their mobile phones near you. Not possible right? The number of mobile phone users is increasing day by day and is expected to rise. Reaching out to the users through promotional content on mobile users makes sense. Geo-targeting strategies have made life a lot easier for business owners today. It helps them get customer preferences according to the location and makes it easier to recommend products to them.
How can Digital Marketing help Freshers and Students?
Taking up digital marketing as a career can be very beneficial for freshers and students. The digital marketing industry is booming with opportunities. It is expected to create more than 20 lakh jobs by the end of 2022. This proves that digital marketing is a good career option. One can’t define the scope of digital marketing in words because it does not have any limits. A fresher or a student can choose any area in it and refine their skills to get a good job role in this field.
Here are a few ways digital marketing can help a fresher or a student:
- The inclination of the future is toward digital marketing. Demand for digital marketing is booming, and there is a very limited supply. Thus, the field provides a lot of opportunities for students and freshers.
- Start-ups, small businesses, and big MNCs need digital marketing experts. You can find excellent opportunities in companies like Google, Facebook, and many more.
- The initial pay and position is increasing over the last few years in digital marketing. It also enables an individual to work remotely from the convenience of their homes. This makes digital marketing an even more desirable choice of career.
How can Digital Marketing help Work Professionals?
The jobs landscape has shifted dynamically due to Covid 19. Working professionals need to upgrade themselves due to the increase in layoffs and a shortage of jobs. The good news for them is that they can brush up their skills without having to learn to code and do well in this field. According to LinkedIn, the most in-demand skills in digital marketing in 2022 are:
- Copywriting
- Search Engine Optimization
- Social Media Marketing
- Marketing Automation and Technology
- Audience Building
- Project Management
- Data Analysis
- Conversion Rate Optimization
- Finding a job in the digital marketing field anywhere in the world has become easier due to the high demand for skilled professionals.
Learning high-in-demand skills can get rewarding career opportunities in this field.
Digital Marketing Career is High in Demand because
- A large number of internet users
Businesses of all sizes have realized the importance of digital marketing. The growing number of internet users has changed marketing strategies. There is a need for professionals who can reach out to the target audiences. The demand for such professionals is increasing day by day.
- Increase in mobile services
Every other person owns a mobile today, regardless of age, sex, or location. This has made businesses look for ways to reach out to customers on their mobile phones. A digital marketing professional can help them create strategies for doing this.
- A growing interest in social media
Not much needs to be said about social media. It is a powerful tool that helps people stay connected to each other. It can also be used as an excellent marketing tool. A digital marketing professional helps in developing effective social media marketing campaigns.
- Growing demand for data analysis
A business needs to collect data and analyze it to see which strategy works best for its business. Various analytical tools can be used to collect and analyze data. A person with sound knowledge of numbers is and always will be in demand.
- Growing demand for content marketing
Content plays an important role when it comes to attracting and retaining customers. It helps them engage and convert visitors into buyers. A digital marketing professional helps in developing and executing content marketing strategies. They help in taking a business to heights.
How can Digital Marketing Professionals Up-skill themselves?
Covid 19 has changed people’s buying behavior permanently. It has made life a lot easier and safer for consumers. Due to this businesses have to make themselves visible online. A digital marketing professional needs skill and agility to make it big in this field.
The online marketplace is a battleground. One needs a marketing skillset to create a place in this fast-paced field. AI, Robotics, and Machine learning are coming into being therefore professionals need to shift and start real-time interactions with consumers rather than using traditional tools. Professionals need AdTech or MarTech skills to stay market ready. This helps them in doing their jobs perfectly.
They need to learn content marketing as well as know how to reach out to active influencers to endorse brands for better outreach.
Marketing professionals will have to adopt digital marketing practices as well as keep the changing trends in mind. They will have to be proactive with out-of-the-box strategies. They will also have to offer attractive deals to the consumers. They will have to access pitfalls and correct campaigns that do not yield results. Several online tools help in tracking consumer preferences to help in decision-making. Knowing these tools can be very beneficial for working professionals.
Digital Marketing professionals will have to constantly upskill themselves through different online and offline courses. These available courses can help them develop themselves as successful professionals.
How can Digital Marketing Professionals create a Personal Brand for themselves?
Creating a personal brand can have a great impact on your career. It will be beneficial for the company you work for as well as for you. A marketing professional with a personal brand has a distinctive position in the industry. They can influence a bigger audience and transform them into customers.
They can start by understanding their target audiences. They will have to know their age group and conversational tone. They will also need to know the consumer’s favorite marketing channels/social media channels, and favorite topics. This will help them influence the people that matter to the brand.
They will have to create their website so that visitors can find them and know their expertise. A good website is their online office and they are in control of it. They will also have to have a consistent voice. They can use events, write blogs, or post on social media for the consumers to recognize them.
It is impossible to create a personal brand as a marketer without content. Good content will attract followers and visitors to your website. Content will make you visible on search engines as well.
If you have not yet created a personal brand, this is the right time to do so. It will improve your credibility as an expert and keep you visible among competitors.
Role of a Digital Marketer
The crucial roles of digital marketers are
- Building a brand’s online identity
- cultivating connections with potential consumers.
They assist in the usage of digital media marketing strategies to promote products/ services. They create and carry out marketing initiatives on different platforms. They also research emerging digital trends and cultivate connections with clients online.
Conclusion
Digital marketing is the best way to sell and promote a brand through digital media. When compared to traditional strategies it is more complex and efficient. It provides quick results and is a versatile form of marketing. It offers tons of resources to study the impact of the strategies used. Once learned the trick of the trade, the possibilities are endless.
FAQs
The difference between the two is the method through which an audience gets a marketing message. Traditional marketing uses tools like magazines and newspapers. Digital marketing uses tools like social media or websites.
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
- Content Marketing
- Mobile Considerations
A digital marketer handles making a brand visible in the market. They use a variety of digital tools to generate leads. They use tools like a website, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, etc.
Digital marketing is hard to ignore, and if you follow the trends it will help you in staying competitive, growing and achieving great heights. 2022 is a year for progressions in technology, and marketing tools. If you plan to have new goals for the coming years then digital marketing should be one of the main ones.
