What is digital marketing? —
Put simply, digital marketing is using digital channels such as websites and social media as tools for marketing communication.
If you’re using social media you will be well versed in the adverts that pop up in your stream—that’s digital marketing.
What is traditional marketing?—
Traditional marketing on the other hand involves traditional channels, like billboards and printed media. Think Don Draper in Mad Men brainstorming TV commercial ideas and copy for Coca-Cola.
Up until the development of the internet in the 1990’s, traditional marketing was pretty much the only type of marketing.
Digital marketing vs. traditional marketing: what’s the difference?—
The main difference between digital and traditional marketing is the medium through which an audience encounters a marketing message. While traditional marketing uses traditional media like magazines and newspapers, digital marketing uses digital media, such as social media or websites.
Traditional Marketing Digital Marketing
Traditional Marketing
The promotion of products and services through TV, Telephone, Banner, Broadcast, Door to Door, Sponsorship,etc
Traditional Marketing is not cost-effective.
Traditional Marketing is difficult to measure.
No real-time results are obtained in traditional marketing so there is a need to draft a marketing strategy beforehand as it relies on marketing results.
One-way communication occurs in traditional marketing because of its rigid means to carry out the process of marketing.
Digital Marketing
The promotion of products and services through digital media or electronic mediums like SEO, sem, PPC, etc.
Digital Marketing is more cost-effective-promoting.
Digital Marketing is easy to measure with the help of analytics tools.
It is simple to calculate in the case of digital marketing.
Even after the posting of an advertisement, it can be amended.
The digital type of marketing has carried a global reach.
Two-way communication occurs that leads to more customer satisfaction.
Ultimately both types of marketing have their benefits and downfalls, but the key is understanding your specific marketing needs, considering your budget and understanding your target audience.
Traditional marketing channels are often more expected and welcomed by the Baby Boomer generation and Gen X—people who own televisions and prefer to buy newspapers for example. However, digital marketing is a surprisingly suitable route for all ages, not just millennials and Gen Z—my nan spends hours scrolling through Facebook.
Both digital and traditional marketing can work for you, as long as you know what your audience wants.
