What Is Digital Marketing In Simple Words?

Digital marketing is all about spreading the word and selling products and services by using online marketing strategies like social media marketing, search marketing, and email marketing.

It’s how today’s businesses reach their target audience and customers.

In marketing, the first rule is to offer the right thing at the right time and in the right place. Well, guess what? Your customers are online! They hang out on social media, read news on websites and blogs, and search for things they need on the internet.

Digital marketing puts you in those same online channels, so your potential customers can find you, learn more about you, and even ask questions about your products or services.

If you’re new to digital marketing, it might seem overwhelming to learn and master all the different tactics. But don’t worry, each tactic works together to build a strong foundation for your business. It helps you attract potential customers, build relationships with them, and make offers that they’ll love and respond to.

Now, let’s dive deeper into how digital marketing works.

How Does Digital Marketing Work?

Digital marketing has replaced many traditional marketing methods because it’s designed to reach today’s consumers.

Let’s take a real-life example:

Think about the last important purchase you made. It could be buying a car, hiring someone to fix your washing machine, etc.

Chances are, you started your search online. You wanted to find out about different solutions, who provides them, and what options you have. You probably based your final decision on reviews, recommendations from friends and family, and the information, features, and prices you found.

This is true for most purchasing decisions today — they start online.

That’s why having a strong online presence is crucial, no matter what you’re selling.

The key is to develop a digital marketing strategy that puts you where your potential customers already are. You need to use various digital channels to connect with them in different ways:

• Create valuable content that keeps them informed about industry news and addresses their problems, while showcasing how you can solve those problems;
• Use social media platforms to share your content and engage with your followers like you would with friends;
• Optimize your content for search engines (SEO) so that it shows up when people search for topics related to what you offer;
• Run online advertisements to drive paid traffic to your website, where people can learn more about your offers;
• Utilize email marketing to follow up with your audience and make sure they continue to find the solutions they’re looking for.

When you put all these pieces together, you’ll have an effective digital marketing machine.

What is a Digital Marketing Strategy?

When it comes to digital marketing strategies, you’ll find a long list of techniques and technologies. While some may claim that certain strategies are better than others, there are twelve essential areas you should focus on to compete in the highly competitive digital landscape:

1. Get Your SEO Groove On

SEO is like the cool kid on the digital marketing block. It stands for Search Engine Optimization, and it’s all about making sure your website shows up when people search for stuff on Google. It can be a little confusing, but once you wrap your head around it, it’s a game-changer. Make sure your site is secure with that fancy «HTTPS» thing, or Google might give you the stink eye.

2. Make Search Engines Your Besties with SEM

SEM, short for Search Engine Marketing, is all about using paid advertising to boost your search engine rankings. Google Ads is the place to be for this. They’ve got all sorts of ad options to choose from, like display ads, video ads, search ads, and mobile ads. Take your pick and reach those customers who are just waiting to discover your awesomeness.

3. Go Local or Go Home

Local search marketing is where it’s at. People love supporting local businesses, and you want to be front and center when they’re looking for you. Google My Business is your new best friend. Get yourself listed there, and you’ll show up when people search for things in your area. Don’t forget to charm them with positive online reviews and killer social media game.

4. Content: The King of the Digital Jungle

Content marketing is your secret weapon for attracting your dream audience. But not just any content will do. It has to be valuable, relevant, and consistent. Solve their problems, keep it evergreen, and make it mobile-friendly. Oh, and don’t forget about influencers and marketing automation. They’ll help spread the word and keep your content game on point.

5. Give ‘Em Another Shot with Remarketing

Sometimes people need a little nudge to take action. That’s where remarketing comes in. If someone visits your site but doesn’t bite the first time, you can follow them around the web with targeted ads. It’s like saying, «Hey, remember us? We’ve got what you need!» It helps build brand awareness, keeps you in their minds, and can even steal customers from your competitors.

6. Get Mobile-Friendly or Get Left Behind

Mobile is the name of the game. Everyone’s glued to their smartphones, so your website better look good on those tiny screens. Responsive web design is your savior here. It automatically adjusts your site to fit any device, whether it’s a phone, tablet, or even a smartwatch. Don’t miss out on all that mobile traffic.

7. Master the Art of Email

Email marketing may be old school, but it’s still kicking butt. It’s a cost-effective way to generate leads, boost sales, and connect with your audience. Combine it with social media, add some personalization, and watch those sales cycles shrink. Just remember to keep it targeted, engaging, and not too spammy.

8. Rock the Social Media Scene

Social media is where it’s at for capturing today’s audience. Use tools like Hootsuite to schedule your posts for maximum impact. Curate some content to show off your expertise and collaborate with influencers to spread the word. And don’t forget to be social and engage with your followers. It’s all about building relationships and keeping that conversation flowing.

9. Embrace the Power of Automation

Marketing automation is the key to keeping your digital marketing efforts running smoothly. It’s all about streamlining your processes and making your life easier. Find a CRM platform that includes automation features and watch your marketing magic happen. Just remember to keep your content consistent across all channels, so your brand stays strong.

10. Harness the Influence

Influencer marketing doesn’t have to break the bank. You don’t need A-list celebrities to promote your brand. Look for social media rock stars who have a lot of followers and a knack for promoting products. Do some hashtag research, reach out to them, and strike a deal. Keep an eye on the results, because even smaller influencers can have a big impact.

11. Lights, Camera, Action: It’s Video Time

Video is the star of the show in today’s visual culture. People love watching videos, so give them what they want. Whether it’s YouTube or other platforms, create compelling content that tells a story and addresses your audience’s pain points. Keep it short and sweet, and hook them from the get-go. Lights, camera, action!

12. Don’t Forget Your Landing Pages

Your landing pages are the VIPs of your digital marketing campaign. They need to be irresistible and convince prospects to stick around. Revamp your web design, place your Call to Action strategically, and consider PPC advertising to drive traffic. Get creative with sponsorships and email marketing to entice visitors to come back for more. And remember, placement matters, so put that CTA in all the right places.

Conclusion

So there you have it, folks. Follow these twelve steps, and you’ll be rocking the digital marketing world like a true American pro. These strategies are here to stay, so buckle up and get ready for a wild ride in the ever-evolving world of digital marketing.