As a beginner, it is easy to feel that digital marketing is complex. Many people initially see digital marketing as confusing, and it’s perfectly ok to feel that way.
However, after this post, you will understand how straightforward the concept of digital marketing is. I promise to keep things simple so you will understand that you have probably been doing digital marketing without even realizing it.
Now, I want you to forget all the complicated jargon you hear online about digital marketing and stay with me while I make this post interesting for you, so let’s dive in:
What is Digital Marketing All About?
Digital marketing is all about using the internet to promote products, services, or even ideas. Remember that great idea that once came to your mind, and you feel like bringing it online? That’s digital marketing.
Or have you ever sent a link to your coursemate so they could make a purchase through that link? That’s also digital marketing.
Maybe you have even uploaded beautiful photos of a handmade item on your Instagram account for your followers to see; that is also digital marketing.
Think of the word “marketing” that is done on the internet and with the use of electronic devices like smartphones, tablets, or computers. That is digital marketing.
In summary, digital marketing is:
- Promoting your business on TikTok.
- Sending marketing emails.
- Running Google or Meta Ads.
- Writing blog posts that bring organic traffic from Google.
How Does Digital Marketing Differ From Traditional Marketing?
Digital marketing relies on electronic devices, the internet, and online platforms to reach target audiences. It includes the use of search engines, email marketing, mobile apps, pay-per-click advertising, social media marketing, and blogging to connect with customers.
On the other hand, traditional marketing relies on offline channels such as word of mouth, TV, radio, billboards, newspapers, and flyers to promote products or services.
Why Is Digital Marketing Important?
Digital marketing is essential because people now spend a significant portion of their time online. According to Statista, as of Q3 2024, the average daily internet usage globally was 6 hours and 38 minutes.
But people don’t just spend time online; they also buy online. As traditional marketing becomes less effective, the need for businesses to reach more people online through digital channels isn’t just a trend but a necessity for business growth.
Notable benefits of digital marketing include:
- More Reach: Digital marketing helps you reach a global audience. For example, I released a song on digital platforms. Listeners from the US, South Africa, Canada, Australia, the UK, and even China streamed it. That’s the power of digital marketing.
- Instant Results: With digital marketing, you can get real-time feedback, see how people are interacting with your content, track engagement, and measure what’s working.
- Scalability: It’s not difficult to scale a business with digital marketing. Once you discover what works, you can increase your budget, reach, or content production without having to start from scratch.
- Cost-Efficient: Digital marketing is less expensive than traditional marketing. Renting a billboard reaches everyone, including those people who are uninterested in your offer. This is not the case with a digital advertising tool like Meta Ads, which lets you reach people who are interested in your offer.
Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate link, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through my link – at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products and courses I genuinely believe can help you. Thank you for your support!
Components of Digital Marketing
Something is said to be a component when it is part of a bigger system or concept. Digital marketing’s components can also be called its various types or categories. So let’s list the major components of digital marketing and explain each one.
Social Media Marketing
Social media marketing involves using platforms like Facebook and Instagram to promote products or services. It includes strategies such as paid advertising, organic content creation, influencer partnerships, and community building to engage and grow an audience.
Email Marketing
It is a type of digital marketing that involves sending direct email messages to a specific group of people called a target audience.
The goal of this type of marketing is to have recipients subscribe to a newsletter or take other actions like making a purchase, downloading a resource, registering for a free training, or even watching a video.
Affiliate Marketing
This involves selling or promoting other people’s products or services in exchange for a commission.
In affiliate marketing, various digital marketing channels are used to sell products or services. For example, marketers create content such as “How to Use Facebook Ads to Market Products/Services.”
If the content is published in a blog post format, the writer can include and promote a Meta Ads course as an affiliate offer.
Want to learn affiliate marketing and make money? This Affiliate Beginner Course will guide you step-by-step.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
SEO is the practice of increasing the quantity and quality of traffic to your website through organic search engine results (unpaid). It’s an essential part of digital marketing focused on making your content discoverable, relevant, and authoritative so that web search engines, like Google, Bing, or Yahoo, rank it highly on the Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs).
Core SEO Practices Include:
- Technical SEO: Improving website structure and site speed and optimizing for all screen sizes (mobile-friendliness).
- On-Page SEO: Optimizing individual pieces of content using keyword research, relevant titles, headings, meta descriptions, image alternative texts, and focus keyphrases.
- Off-Page SEO: Building the site’s authority, primarily through high-quality internal and external linking (backlinks).
(Note: The principles of discoverability also apply to other platforms like YouTube and social media, which is often referred to as social media optimization.)
Content Marketing
This is another type of digital marketing where valuable, engaging, and relevant content is created and distributed for a specific audience. The idea is to drive a specific action.
Examples of content include social media content, blog posts, videos, infographics, podcasts, guides, etc.
The following includes the goal of content marketing:
- Build trust and authority.
- Educate and inform the audience.
- Increase brand awareness (attract a specific audience).
- Engage the audience consistently.
- Drive conversions (turn audience into customers or leads).
Learn more about content marketing in this article.
Pay-Per-Click Advertising
Pay-per-click, also called PPC, is a type of digital marketing where advertisers can run ads on social platforms or search engines. You only pay when someone clicks on your ad or views your ad (in some cases)
In digital advertising like PPC, you can target a specific group of people based on their interests and demographics (age, gender, location, marital status, occupation, and income level).
How a Local Bakery Can Use Digital Marketing to Grow Its Business
Let’s see how a local bakery can use digital marketing to grow its business in this scenario.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Local SEO (Google Business Profile)
The bakery needs to show up whenever people in the neighborhood search for products and services. The business must claim its Google Business Profile, upload high-quality images featuring fresh goods, indicate the correct business hours, and encourage staff to kindly ask satisfied customers for a 5-star review.
This will help the business rank first in the Google Maps local pack when someone searches for terms like “best doughnuts near me” or “bakery near me” in your neighborhood.
On-Page SEO (Website)
Create dedicated website pages for custom birthday cakes and for gluten-free bread. Use these keywords naturally in the page titles and descriptions.
The business attracts high-intent customers searching for specific items. Custom orders are common because people who search on Google tend to be serious buyers who turn to the platform with clear intent, unlike users on demand-generation platforms like Facebook, where people are not actively searching for products.
Technical SEO
Improve website speed and mobile-friendliness so the site adapts seamlessly to all screen sizes. Some customers check the menu while driving or standing outside. If the site is slow, the business can lose potential sales. A qualified SEO professional can perform this task.
Social Media Marketing
With social media marketing, the business can build a community, showcase products in a visually appealing manner, and drive foot traffic.
Instagram/TikTok (Visuals)
Upload short-form videos (Reels) of the “behind-the-scenes process, such as a time-lapse of doughnuts being prepared or a cake decorator finishing a birthday cake.
Facebook (community)
Share your daily special. For example, “Banana bread is back,” and run targeted ads to reach customers within three miles of the store.
Encourage customers to share their experiences online. They can share their purchases and provide feedback on the quality services received with a branded hashtag like #yummybakerytreat. The bakery then shares the best photo.
User-Generated Content (UGC)
Encourage customers to share their experiences online. They can share their purchases and provide feedback on the quality services received with a branded hashtag like #yummybakerytreat. The bakery then shares the best photo.
Social proof like this builds trust and provides authentic marketing content for the business.
Email Marketing
Use list building. Offer a 10% coupon for specific orders or a complimentary ginger cookie when customers sign up for the email list via the website or in-store.
This bridges the communication gap between customers while keeping them engaged.
Segmentation and Value
Send weekly newsletters to subscribers that feature new menu items or baking tips. Offer a small discount or promotion for email subscribers only. For example, $5 off any smoothies or shawarma.
This strategy can increase profits by encouraging repeat orders, enhancing customer lifetime value through exclusive offers, and building loyalty as subscribers return for special promotions only available to them.
Automation
Use automation strategically to sell to customers. Send them birthday messages offering them special discounts on a cake order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Is digital marketing easy to learn?
A1: Digital marketing is beginner-friendly and can be learned in a step-by-step manner. While it encompasses various components such as SEO, social media, and email marketing, starting with one area and practicing consistently makes it easier to master over time.
Q2: How long does it take to learn digital marketing?
A2: The time frame depends on the study pace and area of focus. Beginners can master the basics in a few weeks. However, it may take several months to gain advanced skills, together with hands-on experience.
Q3: Do digital marketers need coding?
A3: No, coding is not mandatory for most digital marketing roles. However, having basic HTML, CSS, or analytics knowledge can be helpful for tasks like website optimization, tracking, or email customization.
Q4: How much can I earn as a digital marketer?
A4: Earnings vary depending on experience, skills, location, and whether you work in-house, freelance, or run your own agency. Beginners may start with modest salaries, but experienced digital marketers or freelancers can earn a substantial income.
Q5: What skills do I need?
A5: Important digital marketing skills include SEO, content creation, paid advertising, social media management, email marketing, analytics, critical thinking, and strategic planning. It is also essential to stay updated with digital trends and adapt to new tools.