

Lynn.C
Digital Onion In-house Content Writer
Whether you’ve been in business for decades or just a day, the hardest part of predicting your business is figuring out the most effective ways to reach and engage your target audience. Even the best product development and most efficient logistics in the world may prove futile if you can’t get your message to the right people at the right time.
You know commercials, billboards, magazine ads, and other traditional forms of advertising, but how much do you know about digital marketing?
Many business leaders may think of pop-up and banner ads on their website. Some realize that maintaining a proper social media presence is also an important aspect of digital marketing. But while you may know some of the tactics used in digital marketing, do you know why digital marketing is so effective, especially when compared to traditional forms of advertising?
Cost-effectiveness
Owners and executives often think marketing is an expense, and they’re not wrong. Advertising costs money, regardless of what medium you use. However, traditional marketing has a particularly high barrier to entry. Off-the-beaten-path billboards and targeted commercials don’t come cheap.
Big budgets are desirable and give room for more involvement, but platforms like Google and Facebook have no minimum barriers to entry. You can even run a $5 campaign if you want. And these platforms often offer ad spend credits to new advertisers as well.
For example, when an 18-year-old and a 55-year-old go shopping, how differently would they respond to the same ad? At no additional cost, digital marketing channels allow you the flexibility and versatility to target individuals based on age, gender, income level, location, job title, interests, and more.
And if you’re not sure which demographic breakdown applies to your business, free analytics tools offered by platforms like Google and Facebook can help you understand more about your users.
Brand Awareness
When you use traditional advertising to promote your brand or new products and services, the expectation remains that your target audience will be physically aware of your efforts. Whether you’re driving to work on the right highway or checking a brochure at a stand, you need to rely on someone in the right place at the right time.
However, most consumers are connected to the internet for at least part of his day. Through digital marketing media, you have the potential to reach your target audience whenever they are looking at their smartphone or desktop. And if you want certain product or brand aspects to reach well-defined segments of your audience, you also have the option to do so.
Lead generation
One of the biggest problems in traditional marketing is tracking performance. Media buyers may tell you exactly how many people saw your ad, but how do you prove that the ad led to a sale?
Digital advertising allows you to attach a contact information form to the ads you run. This has three functions.
First, you can see how many people interacted with the ad the way they wanted it. Then you can add it to your email and phone list. And third, there’s an immediate opportunity to qualify as a lead. And that immediate response is critical to converting leads into sales.
Customer Engagement And Retention
For local bars or restaurants, it’s easy to stay engaged with local customers — that’s one of their primary business functions. But how does a small shop stay in touch with international customers and guests?
Technology enables business owners endless and seamless opportunities to engage with their customers, whether it’s through review management, social media posts or email newsletters. Through digital mediums, you can respond to a customer’s negative feedback in a public forum, which not only means you can quell their concerns, but everyone who reads the review will see your response as well. And by engaging with customers who have had a positive experience with your company, you can build a loyal community around your organization online.
Stay connected with your customers
Traditional marketing is still effective at getting your message across to people. But if you really want to engage with your customers and see what messages they’re responding to, digital marketing is your best bet.
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