The Four Types of Digital Marketing You Need to Know

The Internet has changed the world in many ways, and one of the biggest changes has been in how companies do business. Long gone are the days when you could rely on traditional marketing techniques such as print ads, radio commercials, and billboards to reach your customers; nowadays, these channels don’t provide nearly as much impact as they used to. Instead, small businesses must focus their efforts on digital marketing—and this often means exploring four main types of digital marketing: search engine optimization (SEO), pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, social media marketing, and content marketing.

Search Engine Optimization

Internet users rely on search engines for information, meaning you want your business ranking high. A solid SEO strategy can help you get there by ensuring that web surfers find your website when searching for related topics. Promoting your business via SEO is also a cost-effective marketing method, so long as you do it correctly. Search engines constantly refine their algorithms and fine-tune their search engine optimization guidelines; keep an eye on these trends if you plan to include SEO in your digital marketing strategy.

Email Marketing

While email marketing is often associated with having a newsletter that goes out once a week, it’s actually more like content marketing. If you want your customers to feel connected to your brand, then email marketing campaigns are an easy way to make them feel special. Plus, according to Constant Contact (one of the top providers in our reviews), companies that send at least one email per month achieve revenue growth rates 56 percent higher than those who don’t. So what should you include in your weekly newsletter?

Social Media Advertising

Social media is a great marketing tool for getting your brand in front of your consumers, but it can also be used as a highly-targeted advertising medium. By using social ads, you can reach potential customers in specific demographics based on their likes and interests—that’s extremely valuable information! Unfortunately, many brands still treat social ads like a supplement to other marketing channels. Instead, use these ads to find new leads and convert them into sales.

Influencer Outreach

Some people will give you their email address because they want to hear from you, but not everyone is keen on that. Influencer outreach is a great way to get contact information for people who are more likely to open and respond to your emails. It’s about creating relationships with influencers who aren’t necessarily interested in what you have at first glance—and then working hard to earn their trust and develop that relationship into something mutually beneficial.