Digital Marketing: What is it? History, Statistics, and Advantages

Contents

Introduction

In the digital era, marketing has undergone an astonishing transformation. Traditional marketing has given way to a new way of connecting with audiences through Digital Marketing. The growth of the internet, smartphones, and new technologies makes this growth increasingly significant, and the context of the pandemic has accelerated this phenomenon.

In this article, we will explore what exactly digital marketing is, its history, some staggering statistics, the advantages it offers, possible actions, and why you should incorporate it into your business strategy. Are you ready to dive into the digital world of marketing?

 

What is Digital Marketing?

Digital marketing refers to the set of marketing strategies and tactics executed on digital media to promote brands or companies. Since the emergence of the internet, this approach has revolutionized how businesses connect with their audience, using channels such as social networks, search engines, emails, blogs, and websites.

 

How does Digital Marketing differ from traditional marketing?

Digital marketing differs from traditional marketing in its use of digital channels. Today, it is common to use the internet to gather more information about a product of interest before purchasing it. Watching an unboxing on YouTube, reading comments or reviews, and making comparisons have become commonplace. All of this allows us to make more informed decisions and strive to be closer to the best possible purchase.

For companies, being in this world “is no longer optional, it is mandatory,” as one of the gurus of modern marketing, Philip Kotler, preaches in his book Marketing 4.0: Moving from Traditional to Digital. The advantages of segmentation versus mass media, and above all the possibility of measuring results, put digital marketing one step ahead in the competitive world of business.

 

History of Digital Marketing:

Digital marketing did not emerge overnight. It dates back to the early days of the internet in the 1990s when email and banner ads were the main tools. Over time, it has evolved and diversified, incorporating social networks, SEO, SEM, and a wide range of more sophisticated techniques.

10 Impactful Statistics:

  1. Global Spending on Digital Advertising:

    According to estimates up to January 2022, spending on digital advertising exceeded $389 billion in the previous year. This data underscores the growing importance that companies place on digital marketing in their global strategies.

  2. Social Media Users:

    More than 4.2 billion people connected to social media platforms in 2021. These numbers highlight the crucial role that social networks play as channels for connection and promotion.

  3. Global Internet Penetration:

    With over 60% of the world’s population having internet access in 2021, it is clear that digital connectivity has become a dominant force in everyday life.

  4. Mobile Leading the Way:

    In line with the mobile era, it was projected that over 50% of web traffic would come from mobile devices in 2021. This highlights the importance of mobile optimization in digital strategies.

  5. ROI of Email Marketing:

    Email marketing campaigns continued to prove their worth, with an average return on investment (ROI) of approximately $42 for every dollar invested. These numbers support the lasting effectiveness of email as a marketing tool.

  6. E-commerce Boom:

    Global e-commerce sales reached an impressive figure of around $4.9 trillion in 2021. This underscores the massive shift towards online shopping.

  7. Video Marketing Reign:

    Projecting the supremacy of visual content, it was expected that over 80% of all online traffic would be linked to videos by 2022, consolidating the central role of video in marketing strategies.

  8. Mobile Searches on Google:

    In 2021, over 60% of searches on Google were made from mobile devices, highlighting the importance of mobile optimization in SEO strategies.

  9. Social Media Advertising Investment:

    With spending exceeding $100 billion in 2021, social media advertising continued to be a vital channel for brands looking to reach their audiences in a more personalized way.

  10. Rise of Artificial Intelligence in Marketing:

    Looking to the future, it was estimated that over 30% of companies would use artificial intelligence (AI) in at least one part of their marketing operations by 2022. These numbers suggest the growing integration of advanced technologies into marketing strategies.

These statistics are not only a snapshot of the past but also a beacon guiding towards the future of digital marketing. In the coming decade, we will continue to see how these figures evolve and shape new trends in the fascinating world of digital marketing.

 

Digital Marketing

 

Advantages of Digital Marketing:

There are many advantages to using Digital Marketing as a strategy, but the most comprehensive and important ones are:

-Precise segmentation: You can target specific audiences based on demographic, geographic, interest, or behavioral criteria, and in the case of online advertising, it also allows you to create audiences similar to those who bought from you or visited your page, for example.

-Measurement and analytics: It provides real-time data and final results on the performance of your campaigns, allowing you to make adjustments and optimizations to improve performance.

-Cost-effectiveness: Compared to traditional marketing, digital marketing is usually more affordable, especially for small businesses.

-Scalability: Based on data, it allows you to progress in scaling actions that work with lower risk.

 

Possible Actions in Digital Marketing:

There are many possible actions within the world of digital marketing; in this case, we will talk about 10 of them.

  1. SEO: The Basis of Online Visibility:

    Search engine optimization (SEO) is the foundation upon which online visibility is built. From keyword research to technical optimization, every detail counts to ensure prominent positioning in search results.

  2. Strategic Social Networks:

    Strategic social media management is not just about presence; it’s a constant conversation with your audience. Develop a coherent content strategy, interact authentically, and leverage the specific features of each platform to maximize connection.

  3. Personalized Email Marketing:

    Email remains an invaluable tool. From informative newsletters to personalized campaigns, email marketing is the key to building long-term relationships with your audience.

  4. Paid Advertising with Focus:

    Paid ads are the fast track to visibility. Use platforms like Google Ads, Facebook Ads, and LinkedIn Ads strategically to target your audience directly and accelerate growth.

  5. Relevant Content Marketing:

    Quality content is king. Whether through blogs, videos, infographics, or podcasts, creating relevant and valuable content is essential to captivate your audience and build an authoritative presence.

  6. Optimized Landing Pages:

    Well-designed landing pages are essential to guide your visitors towards conversion. Optimize these pages to turn visitors into customers through attractive design and effective calls to action.

  7. Web Analytics for Decision Making:

    Web analytics is your digital compass. Use tools like Google Analytics and Looker Studio to understand user behavior, identify patterns, and adjust data-driven strategies.

  8. Strategic Influencer Marketing:

    Collaborating with relevant influencers can be a powerful catalyst. Find personalities aligned with your brand and allow them to amplify your message, gaining authenticity and reaching new audiences.

  9. Automation for Efficiency:

    Automation is the key to efficiency. From automated email responses to scheduled social media campaigns, automating tasks frees up time for more strategic strategies.

  10. Remarketing or Retargeting Strategies:

    Remarketing allows you to keep your brand top of mind for visitors who didn’t initially convert. Use this strategy to subtly remind users about your offer and increase conversions.

 

Objective of Digital Marketing:

The ultimate goal of digital marketing is to drive business growth, increase brand visibility, generate interested audiences, and ultimately turn those potential customers into concrete sales that satisfy users.

 

Why Use Digital Marketing?

There are many reasons why using this strategy today makes sense. Perhaps the first one that comes to mind is being where the audience is today, and that is largely digital. Internet and new technologies revolutionized the way we interact with various services and products.

On the other hand, digital marketing offers unparalleled effectiveness. It allows companies to build an online presence, connect with potential customers, and foster customer loyalty in ways that were unthinkable a few years ago.

 

Conclusion:

In an increasingly digitized world, digital marketing emerges as the guiding beacon steering companies towards success. From its historical evolution to impactful statistics, it is clear that digital marketing is not just an option but a necessity for those aiming to stand out in today’s competitive business landscape. By incorporating effective digital marketing strategies, doors open to a new realm of opportunities and sustainable success.

Share:

Ready to start?

Let’s create a space. Know us.