Digital Marketing vs Online Marketing: How Do They Differ?

Is online marketing the same as digital marketing? Many people still get confused – some say they are the same thing, while others disagree. Actually, online marketing is a subset of digital marketing. If you want to explore the differences between digital marketing and online marketing and how to choose and implement them effectively, this article covers everything you need!

Differences between Digital Marketing and Online Marketing

First off, before diving into the differences between the two and how online marketing is a subset of digital marketing, let’s get to know the definition of digital marketing and how it works.

Digital Marketing refers to using digital channels –both online and offline– to reach a target audience more effectively than traditional marketing. Here are some examples of the offline and online channels used in digital marketing:

• Offline Digital Marketing uses digital technology but doesn’t require an internet connection or an online presence, for example: digital billboards, SMS, tablets in a shop or café, as well as offline mobile applications.

• Online Digital Marketing is performed via online channels with an internet connection. Some examples include search engines (both SEO and PPC), websites, e-mail, and social media.

In short, digital marketing is not the same as online marketing, but online marketing is a subset of digital marketing. Both of them use digital devices as their communication channels. The difference is that online marketing requires an internet connection, so it has 2-way-communication which allows the tracking and collection of data on the target audience.

The Importance of Digital Marketing

Nowadays, digital marketing is not that different from online marketing and has almost become one. Most brands perform online marketing as digital devices like smartphones and tablets are used by most people every day. Therefore, digital marketing –especially online marketing– has become a widely used marketing tool which, as a result, reduces the influence of traditional marketing. Let’s take a look at some advantages of digital marketing:

• • Effective communication with the target audience. Communication becomes more efficient as you can determine your target audience more specifically based on their demographics, including age, gender, education, income, interest, and location.
  • Cheaper and more effective. You don’t have to be a huge brand with a high budget to perform digital marketing and advertise via digital channels.
  • Understand your customers better. Customer insights into the customer journey allow you to communicate with customers according to your goals, and increase your conversion rate.
  • More attractive and effective ads. You can analyse customer insights to see which ads get more conversions or impressions.

• Effective marketing strategy. You can track and gather customer data to develop an efficient strategy that drives sales.

• Better customer relationship. Build a strong relationship with your existing customers via a CRM system on which customer data is stored.

• Broader customer base. You can expand your customer base by using Lookalike Audiences to target audiences whose preferences and lifestyles are similar to those of your existing customers.

Now that you know the differences between digital marketing and online marketing, it is time to do some research and put your strategy into action. If you are looking for a digital agency with expertise in digital marketing, call us for a consultation: 02 030 8000.