Why Digital Marketing is important in 2017

The world is quickly becoming digital. People are consuming electronic content faster every day. Companies and the world in general are starting to recognise the importance of going digital and it is essential that marketing departments adapt quickly to the new circumstances and actively hire professionals in the field of digital marketing.

What is Digital Marketing

It is the promotion of products or brands via one or more forms of electronic media. It is extremely important, not only because of its rapid growth but also because it is essentially the future of marketing. Many people think that traditional promotion will soon be replaced entirely.

The new methods are faster, more practical and versatile than the old traditional ones. These are some of the most common forms of digital marketing:

  • Website (SEO content)
  • Blogs
  • Online Advertising
  • Viral Marketing
  • Online video content
  • PPC (pay-per-click) advertising
  • Email marketing
  • Social media (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr, G+,etc)
  • Mobile marketing (SMS, MMS, etc)

The New Media age has arrived and it’s time for people who have not yet adapted to open themselves up to this method of interaction and understand the various benefits of digital marketing.

1. More Cost Effective

It is more cost-effective than traditional marketing. This is especially important for small businesses as they don’t have many resources or a lot of capital. New media can provide you with a cheaper and more effective advertising channel.

2. Use Content to Connect with Customers

Using digital content either sponsored or free allows you to connect with consumers much more effectively than billboards, direct mail or PR campaigns. The strength of your online presence now directly linked to the success of your business.

3. Cater to the Mobile Consumer

Technology has evolved so much that mobile gadgets are no longer considered mere alternatives to personal computers or laptops. 91% of adults in the US alone always have their mobile devices within reaching distance and regularly use them to browse the internet. The largest group of consumers is using their mobile devices daily, so it’s essential that you use a marketing solution that targets these devices properly.

4. Realise Higher ROI and Revenue

By increasing your digital outreach, you can increase your revenue. The more data that you can extract from your outreach campaigns, the better your predictions and subsequently ROI will be.

5. Track Your Customer’s Journey

Using analytics services like Google analytics, you will be able to monitor all your customer’s actions, preferences and get a better insight into their behaviour. Analytics allow you to build the persona of your customer so that you can offer them the perfect experience.

6. Increased Conversions

If you have an online business and you are marketing products and services online, you can easily measure your success by incoming traffic that gets converted into subscribers, leads or sales and this way you can calculate and improve your conversion rates.

7. Encourage Social Media Engagement

If you want your company to grow, you can acquire new clients using various social media channels. Make sure always to target your customers based on their interests, ages and country. This way, you will be able to better interact with them and encourage engagement through digital media.

8. Get More Likes

Some people underestimate the importance of social media as part of their digital marketing campaign. The more “Facebook likes” or “tweets” you get, the more your company can grow and build trust and credibility with your customers. It can also bring traffic to your website if you use these channels to inform your followers about discounts, new products, blog posts and company news, etc.

9. Get Ahead of Your Competitors

Most business have already given up traditional advertising methods and focus instead on Google Adwords, SEO or Social Media. With so many competitors out there it is very difficult to market your small business and get ahead of the pack. But, you can use Google Alerts to get a better idea of where your competitors stand. You can monitor their marketing strategies or products so you can learn things that could improve your own business.

10. Earn People’s Trust

Digital marketing grows from social proof, social media signals and real testimonials from clients who have previously used, joined, purchased or availed of a service or product marketed by your business. Most clients would trust a service or a product when people they know give positive feedback or information about a particular brand. So good recommendation by an individual with a strong following on Facebook or Twitter could make or break your business.

It is crucial to understand the importance of implementing digital marketing in your business strategy. The use of new media in the 21st century is not just a wise investment decision – it’s essential; it’s one of the most efficient marketing channels with many benefits that can help grow and expand your business.

Are you a digital marketing expert? Share your tips in the comments section below!


Article by Eleana Stylianou