What is Digital Marketing?

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What is Digital Marketing?

This term seems to be thrown around everywhere these days, but let's be honest, it sounds like such an abstract concept it is hard to understand what it means and what it does.


After working in the digital marketing industry for over seven years, I have seen so many definitions--even marketers may have a hard time grasping what it means.


Why is that? Why is it that digital marketing sounds and feels so confusing? Well, that is because it is a fairly new industry; it is growing and evolving so rapidly that new specializations are being created faster than in any other industry.


Digital Marketing as a broad term, refers to online or internet marketing and advertising. It is how businesses, content creators, and other individuals endorse goods, services, and brands. Brand awareness and advertising are delivered through online platforms, such as Search Engines--Google, Safari, Yahoo, and Bing, just to name a few.

It also encompasses social media (virtual platforms that allow users to form communities where people create, share, or exchange information, ideas, or other forms of expression. ie, Instagram, Tiktok), e-mail communications and campaigns, websites, and mobile applications like UberEats and Doordash.





Why is Digital Marketing important for businesses?


Consumers heavily rely on digital means to research products and services; think of it this way--you recently moved to a new city or neighborhood, and you want to find a good restaurant, an accountant, or a caring physician. What do you do? First, you might try asking a few people, but what happens next? You go online to see if they have images, videos, reviews, or any other information that can help you figure out if they feel trustworthy enough before you decide to purchase their products or services.


If a business does not show up anywhere online or its social media profiles look outdated and forgotten, what do you think will happen? Most people will just pass right by it because not many individuals want to go into a place that barely offers any information or insights into what it is. It gives potential customers the sense of a less-than-stellar experience, and that is enough to turn potential customers away.


Digital marketing has created a world in which developing your digital footprint will help you not only find but engage with your existing customers or prospects, and then stay in touch with them through valuable content and continuous interactions until they are ready to buy or invest in your service. 


The World Wide Web better known as the Internet continues growing and gaining momentum every single day. As of April 2022, there were more than five billion users worldwide, which amounts to 63.1% of the global population. Of this total, 4.7 billion, or 59%, are social media users.

Digital Marketing goes hand in hand with word-of-mouth when it comes to business recommendations, brand awareness, and building trust.


Have questions regarding social or digital marketing for small and medium-sized businesses? Leave a comment below.




Updated October 30, 2024




References: Adobe Marketo, Statista


Location: Miami, FL, USA

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