Mediaboss Marketing

Digital marketing. Internet marketing. Content marketing. SEO marketing. Figuring out what all these marketing terms mean and how they fit together is baffling. And once you untangle the definitions, you have to decide which marketing methods align with your business goals.

So, what is digital marketing all about? First, lets look at marketing as a whole. Marketing is a set of tactics that distinguish your business from competitors and get people to buy products. This includes the research you use to develop campaigns. The goal is to convey distinct selling points, so customers choose your business.

Traditional marketing can happen just about anywhere. Trade shows, TV ads, and press releases are common ways to promote a business and attract customers. But marketing also happens when you deliver great service and customers spread the word about their experiences.

The marketing methods or platforms you use are known as channels. Digital marketing involves using online channels to promote the benefits of your products. Sending emails, blogging, and connecting on social media all fall into this broad category. Online channels allow remote, but authentic, interactions that build loyalty. Common channels for digital marketing include:

Digital marketing has become one of the most effective ways to reach customers. In a 2015 survey, Pew Research Center reported that 21 percent of Americans go online almost constantly, and 42 percent are online multiple times a day. With so many people using mobile devices, its quite common to be online all the time.

Connecting with people you cant see may seem like a challenge. In reality, the internet creates a lot of new opportunities to learn about customers. As a result, youre able to draw more people to your business through targeted marketing.

Now that you understand digital marketing, it raises a bigger question. Whats the difference between internet marketing and digital marketing? If all these activities happen online, why use so many different words to describe them?

Internet marketing involves building a web presence and turning the resulting traffic into sales. When the internet was younger, the four major marketing activities involved:

Yet, online marketing has grown to include many activities that dont involve internet search engines, paid ads, or websites. People are using a wide range of digital devices to get online and interact with content. By reaching customers through online channels they frequently use, you can influence their buying choices offline.

Think about how often you connect with brands. Customers form positive opinions about products or services from reading blogs. Interactive video ads prompt viewers to make decisions. Customers receive coupons for local stores straight from smartphone apps. Internet marketing is a major subcategory of digital marketing. And digital marketing encompasses diverse online and offline tactics that drive digital engagement.

Internet, SEO, and content marketing are key pillars of digital marketing. Combining these strategies is the best way to launch and grow a proficient business.

SEO, or search engine optimization, is the process of formatting your website and content to improve search rankings. The internet is filled with websites and blogs fighting for attention. However, targeting niche keywords your customers search for can reduce online competition.

Content marketing involves creating assets that offer value to your customers. Online assets, such as blogs, photos, videos, and guides, build awareness of your brand. Creating content encourages customers to trust you and engage with your business. Since content is easy for customers to share, it also drives a lot of traffic to your sites.

Getting great leads is an ongoing challenge for business owners. Customers are less responsive to overt sales pitches, so pushy ads arent the best way to attract them. While passive activities, content and SEO marketing show customers you can answer their questions. These methods support your digital marketing plan by consistently drawing inbound traffic to your site.

You may have noticed online communities and platforms getting more interconnected every day. Digital marketing gives businesses of all sizes access to a bigger customer base. At the same time, digital marketing includes a lot of organic tactics that help brands create an authentic image. Consider these five benefits of digital marketing when growing your business.

The most important thing about digital marketing is its flexibility. You dont have to copy everything your competitors are doing to be successful. Focus on finding out where your customers are online, and connect with them at key touchpoints. Theres no point wasting time on Facebook if all your customers are on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Track your online marketing activities to keep refining your methods. Digital trends evolve quickly. Its essential for businesses to change and serve customers in ways that matter to them. Marketing is also about setting your brand apart. If you can identify unfilled niches, dont hesitate to try online methods your competitors arent using.

The first step in building a digital marketing strategy is to create a professional business website. Learn more about our website solutions here.

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Difference Between Internet Marketing & Digital Marketing