What is Digital Marketing? | A Complete Digital Marketing guidance for beginners
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In recent times, “digital marketing” has emerged as a frequently used term. While it is casually inserted into conversations, its precise definition is often elusive. Some individuals consider it synonymous with “Internet Marketing,” while others perceive it as the practice of promoting products or services through electronic devices.
What is Digital Marketing ?
Digital Marketing is a term coined to describe the strategy of achieving your business objectives and goals by utilizing online channels. These channels encompass, but are not restricted to, search engines, social media platforms, content creation, and advertising. The ultimate aim is to inform, engage, and promote your product or service to potential customers.
Just a decade ago, businesses primarily relied on traditional marketing methods like TV, radio, and print to connect with their target audience. This choice was dictated by the fact that these were the mediums where potential customers spent most of their time. However, as human society evolved, so did our technology, leading to the digital revolution. In simple terms, people began dedicating more of their time to online platforms such as Google, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and others to stay informed about news, entertainment, and commerce. Consequently, our lives now revolve around the digital sphere.
But does this mean that TV, print, and radio are no longer effective? Absolutely not! Traditional marketing efforts still have a substantial impact. In fact, they complement digital marketing efforts, and the distribution of marketing strategies has become more balanced.
Digital has seamlessly integrated into our daily lives. Whether it’s shopping for clothing, groceries, furniture, or even arranging for laundry delivery, everything has found a place online. Recognizing this paradigm shift, marketers swiftly adapted by harnessing the power of social media and other digital tools to both attract and engage consumers. This adaptation gave birth to the phenomenon we now know as Digital Marketing.
But how can you leverage Digital/Internet channels to attain your business or personal objectives?
Regardless of your business’s size, digital marketing stands out as the most efficient method to expand and accomplish a wide range of goals, including but not limited to:
- Boosting revenue
- Establishing brand recognition
- Promoting your product or service
- Reducing costs
- Enhancing efficiency
- Elevating productivity
- Achieving a high return on investment
- Identifying loyal customers
In addition to these business-oriented objectives, digital channels can be effectively utilized for:
- Educating and engaging with potential users
- Amplifying website traffic
- Delivering valuable information
- Cultivating trust
- Encouraging customer reviews
- Expanding your online community
Now, let's explore various Digital Marketing Tools:
In this digital age, having a website is not just recommended; it’s imperative. If you’re a business owner without a website, you’re missing out on a significant market opportunity. A website serves as a vital tool for conveying information about your products and enhancing your overall business credibility. Consider this: virtually every customer conducts basic research before making a purchase. Therefore, having a user-friendly and informative website is the crucial first step in demonstrating your authenticity.
Through digital marketing, you can gain insights into designing a cost-effective website, driving traffic to it, and ensuring it’s listed on directories and search engines. The fundamental principle is to create a website that is user-friendly, mobile-responsive, and loads quickly. To assess whether your website is mobile-friendly, you can follow this link: www.ampstart.com
SEO
Internet users turn to the web for a wide range of inquiries, and the search results they receive can vary depending on the keywords they use. Search engines like Google employ diverse methods and formats to display these results. As business owners, it is incumbent upon us to harness the tools offered by search engines and optimize our content to achieve the most favorable outcomes.
But what's the process behind these results? What occurs behind the scenes? To grasp this, we must delve into the world of SEO—Search Engine Optimization.
SEO is a method for driving traffic to your website via organic search results. It involves optimizing the back end of a website using relevant keywords to enable search engines to present the most relevant results to users. The key point to remember about SEO is that it’s “organic” or “free.” When a user performs a query on Google, the results displayed on the page encompass a variety of content types, including websites, blogs, videos, images, and news, depending on the keywords used.
5 main types of SEO that we need to know:
On-Page SEO: As the name suggests, On-Page SEO is all about optimizing your own website’s pages. When you create a website, you have full control over the content and technical aspects. For example, you can optimize your blogs and personal website pages by adhering to guidelines that create a user-friendly website with rich, relevant content. All of these efforts contribute to ranking your website at the top of search results.
Off-Page SEO: Off-Page or Off-Site SEO involves external links. In essence, your website’s ranking improves in search results when traffic comes from sources other than your own website. This can include social media links and features, mentions, or links from high-traffic websites. For instance, if a prominent site like Times of India links to your website, it can significantly boost your search ranking.
Universal SEO: Data on search engine results pages (SERP) isn’t limited to text alone; it includes video, images, text, and audio (VITA). Universal or blended SEO focuses on optimizing VITA content to gain maximum weightage and achieve higher rankings. This involves practices such as creating keyword-rich content, crafting high-quality titles and descriptions, and maintaining concise URLs.
Local SEO/Google My Business: Local SEO is employed to promote your business within a specific geographic area. Whether your business has multiple branches or is a small local service provider, it’s crucial to provide essential information such as your address, phone number, operating hours, and more. The goal is to facilitate easy and effective connections between users and your business.
Technical SEO: Technical SEO is arguably the most critical facet of SEO. While the previous practices are focused on generating content that ranks well on SERPs, technical SEO delves into the intricacies. It revolves around ensuring that the data on your website can be easily interpreted by search engine crawlers. The ultimate aim is to enhance your site’s framework to improve its ranking on SERPs.
In 2018, search extended beyond traditional web pages, introducing new features such as voice search and visual search, which simplified information retrieval.
In 2018, search extended beyond traditional web pages, introducing new features such as voice search and visual search, which simplified information retrieval.
Voice Search: You can now access information with a simple voice command. Common digital voice assistants like Siri, Google Voice, and Cortana have made this possible.
Action: Try searching for your business using voice search and observe the results.
Visual Search:
As mentioned previously, optimizing images is crucial because search engines are not inherently capable of understanding images. Therefore, renaming an image, providing a description, and adding alt text are essential steps. Search engine crawlers rely on text-based information embedded within images to present visual results to users. With tools like Google Lens and Google Pixel, you can now conduct image-based searches. Try opening your Google Assistant, point it at a logo, and see if your company details appear in the results.
Maps: The significance of maps has grown tremendously. It’s imperative to list your business on Google Maps due to its cost-effectiveness and its ability to attract local traffic to your website. Features such as directions, reviews, phone numbers, and images have become integral to our daily lives, rendering traditional resources like Yellow Pages obsolete. Among map services, Google Maps stands as one of the most dominant.
Answer Box: “Ask, and you shall receive!” That’s right – when you pose a question with appropriate keywords, the Search Engine Results Page (SERP) instantly displays the answer right on the page itself. There’s no need to click and visit a website. Whether you’re seeking weather updates or require a calculator, the answer box is readily available to address your queries.
Knowledge Graph: Have you ever noticed the prominent block on the right-hand side of the SERP when searching for specific information related to locations, celebrities, brands, and more? This format for displaying information is known as the knowledge graph. It offers a concise and visually appealing way to present relevant information, including facts, images, and social media content.
Carousel: If you search for movies or books, the results are presented in a carousel format, making it easy to scroll through and explore various options.
Local Business Listings: Local business listings essentially serve as your digital business directory. In the past, businesses would rely on Yellow Pages, but the digital age has transformed this landscape. Platforms like JustDial, Sulekha, and Yelp now offer streamlined business listings. With just a click, searchers can find your address, contact number, and email ID. In the long run, this enhances your online ranking and reputation.
Action—Do it now:
1. Get started with with this free SEO Starter Kit by Google:
https://static.googleusercontent.com/media/www.google.com/en//webmasters/docs/searchengine-optimization-starter-guide.pdf
2. Get your local business listed for fee with Google My Business GMB:
https://www.google.com/business/
3. Optimize your videos, images, social media channels:
https://searchengineland.com/video-optimization-not-underestimate-power-youtube-234618
Search Advertisement: In the past, businesses seeking a broader audience typically resorted to placing advertisements in newspapers, broadcasting on TV and radio, employing direct mail campaigns, or utilizing telemarketing. These conventional advertising methods came with substantial costs, making them challenging for startups and small business owners to leverage effectively. However, in today’s digital age, advertising has undergone a rapid transformation, becoming more cost-efficient and accessible even to smaller enterprises.
Online marketing comprises two primary types of advertising:
Search Engine Advertising/Marketing (Pay Per Click – PPC): Search advertising, also known as PPC, involves text ads displayed on search engine pages. These ads appear based on the keywords used by the searcher. Therefore, it’s crucial to include a minimum of 12-15 relevant keywords in your ad. To advertise on search engines, you’ll need an AdWords account, a user-friendly tool provided by Google.
Display Advertising: You’ve likely encountered display ads while browsing the web. These ads can take the form of videos or images and are primarily driven by user behavior. For instance, imagine you were planning a holiday and visited Make My Trip’s website to book tickets but didn’t complete the purchase. The next time you visit websites like Facebook or YouTube, you’ll see the same product or service displayed on your screen as a targeted advertisement.
Take Action Now: You can kickstart your journey with Google AdWords with as little as Rs 500. Visit this link to get started:
Advantages of Digital Marketing:
It’s no surprise that an increasing number of people are dedicating their online time to transactions and research. According to Forbes, approximately 82% of consumers conduct online research. Marketers are embracing digital marketing strategies to connect with these consumers, and here are compelling reasons why you should consider digital marketing for your business:
Cost-Effective: Digital marketing is a budget-friendly and highly efficient method of promoting your business compared to traditional marketing. You can create content and initiate campaigns even with a limited budget. You have full control over your budget, which can start as low as Rs. 50, depending on your business.
Real-Time Results: The moment your ad goes live, you can monitor its performance in real time. You can make necessary edits promptly, enabling you to respond to the situation effectively.
PPC (Pay Per Click): PPC is a model in which advertisers pay publishers each time their ad is clicked. Google Ads is a top-notch and user-friendly platform for PPC advertising.
Targeting: Unlike traditional marketing, digital marketing allows precise audience targeting based on interests, location, behavior, and more. You can create audience segments aligned with your business model and deliver ads to the right consumers.
Measurable Results: Digital marketing provides robust analytics and reporting tools. You’ll receive accurate and realistic data that aids in achieving your goals and forecasting future sales.
Conversion Rates: Online conversions are more straightforward as customers can view an ad and take immediate action.
Easy Interface: Setting up ad accounts, building websites, and managing social media have become streamlined and user-friendly with intuitive interfaces.
Advantages of Social Media:
Social Media:
Social media represents a pivotal component of the digital marketing landscape. Most of us maintain a presence on various social media platforms, enabling us to connect with like-minded individuals and groups, share ideas, and expand our professional networks. From a business perspective, platforms like Facebook and Instagram facilitate real-time customer engagement, the dissemination of valuable information, and access to extensive audiences at minimal costs.
Advantages of Social Media:
Free Business Page/Channel: Establishing a business presence on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter is not only straightforward but also completely free.
Paid Ads: To reach a targeted audience effectively, social media channels offer paid advertising options.
Social Media Advertisement (SEA): Social media advertising provides a simple and efficient means to reach a broad audience, boost profitability, and attain business objectives.
Influencer Endorsements: Influencer marketing has gained tremendous traction in the digital realm. Many individuals have built careers through endorsements and product reviews.
Email Marketing: Email marketing plays a crucial role in staying connected and informed about the latest market trends, updates from your favorite brands, transaction deals, and more.
Content Marketing: Unique and high-quality content is paramount in the realm of social media. To stand out and make a lasting impression in the digital sphere, your content must be exceptional and versatile. Provide valuable information and educate consumers through various formats, including videos, images, text, audio, e-books, and slide shares.
Content Marketing: Content marketing involves delivering valuable information in a variety of formats, including videos, audio, images, PDFs, ebooks, PowerPoint presentations, reports, and research downloads.
Action Steps—Take Action Now:
Create compelling visual content using www.canva.com.
Produce easy-to-create videos with the free Quik app.
Dynamic Nature: Digital marketing is dynamic and ever-evolving. It undergoes continuous changes, with new apps and updates introduced daily. As users and marketers, we must adapt to these changes. It’s essential to recognize that digital marketing is not a one-size-fits-all practice. While you may excel on one platform, like Instagram, you should also explore other platforms such as Twitter or Snapchat to expand your business. Avoid limiting your business to a single platform.
Brand Building: Building a brand or establishing brand reputation is a long-term endeavor. While digital marketing can accelerate brand awareness, it’s crucial to understand that enduring success in brand building requires sustained effort and commitment. Going viral in a day is one thing, but effectively harnessing technology and maintaining brand consistency over time is the true key to success.
Content Marketing: Content marketing involves delivering valuable information in a variety of formats, including videos, audio, images, PDFs, ebooks, PowerPoint presentations, reports, and research downloads.
Action Steps—Take Action Now:
Create compelling visual content using www.canva.com.
Produce easy-to-create videos with the free Quik app.
Dynamic: Digital marketing is dynamic and ever-evolving. It undergoes continuous changes, with new apps and updates introduced daily. As users and marketers, we must adapt to these changes. It’s essential to recognize that digital marketing is not a one-size-fits-all practice. While you may excel on one platform, like Instagram, you should also explore other platforms such as Twitter or Snapchat to expand your business. Avoid limiting your business to a single platform.
Brand Building: Building a brand or establishing brand reputation is a long-term endeavor. While digital marketing can accelerate brand awareness, it’s crucial to understand that enduring success in brand building requires sustained effort and commitment. Going viral in a day is one thing, but effectively harnessing technology and maintaining brand consistency over time is the true key to success.
Conclusion
In conclusion, digital marketing is the transformative force driving modern business in the digital age. It encompasses a wide array of strategies and tactics aimed at promoting products, services, and brands in the vast and ever-evolving online landscape.
Digital marketing offers numerous advantages over traditional marketing, including cost-effectiveness, precise audience targeting, real-time analytics, and the ability to adapt swiftly to changing trends. From content marketing and social media engagement to search engine optimization and paid advertising, digital marketing provides a multifaceted approach to reaching and engaging with consumers.
Moreover, the dynamic nature of digital marketing necessitates continuous learning and adaptation. Staying up-to-date with emerging technologies, platforms, and consumer behaviors is essential for achieving sustained success in this ever-changing field.
As businesses and marketers navigate the digital marketing landscape, it’s crucial to remember that at its core, digital marketing is about building relationships, delivering value, and fostering trust with the digitally-connected audience. By embracing innovation, understanding the unique strengths of each digital channel, and remaining committed to a long-term brand-building strategy, businesses can harness the full potential of digital marketing to thrive in today’s competitive marketplace.
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