Guides 2 min read
What Is Digital Marketing and What It Includes
Digital marketing is everything a business does online to reach customers: SEO, ads, social media, email and website. See the channels and where to start.
In this article
Digital marketing is everything a business does online to reach customers: showing up on Google, ads, social media, emails, a website and, more and more often, recommendations in AI tools like ChatGPT. Unlike billboards or radio, almost every step can be measured.
The main digital marketing channels
- SEO and local SEO. Appearing in Google’s unpaid results. See what is local SEO.
- Google Ads. Paid ads for people searching for a service right now. More in what is PPC advertising.
- Social media. Profile management and ads on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok.
- Email marketing. Newsletters and automated emails. See what is email marketing.
- Content marketing. Blog articles and guides that answer customer questions. More in what is content marketing.
- AI visibility. Appearing in ChatGPT answers and Google AI Overviews.
- Website. Where all channels end up and where a visit becomes an enquiry.
Why it matters
- Customers search online first. Before calling, most people check Google, reviews and profiles.
- Precise targeting. An ad can be shown to people in a specific city, age group or to those searching for the service right now.
- Measurability. You see how many enquiries came from each channel and what they cost.
How to start
- Set the foundations. A tidy website, Google Business Profile and enquiry tracking.
- Choose one or two channels. Usually local SEO for the long term and Google Ads for quick enquiries.
- Measure enquiries, not likes. Track calls, forms and sales by channel.
- Add channels gradually. Once the first channels work, social media, email and content come next.
Digital marketing for small businesses
A small business does not have to be everywhere. It matters more to be clearly visible where customers search, and for most local businesses that is Google. When people in your city find you among the first, your profile convinces them with reviews and your site clearly leads to a call, digital marketing starts bringing customers.
See all digital marketing services on the digital marketing page.
Frequently asked questions
What is digital marketing?
Digital marketing is promoting a business and its services online: through search engines, ads, social media, email, a website and AI tools like ChatGPT.
What is the difference between digital and traditional marketing?
Traditional marketing uses TV, radio, print and billboards. Digital marketing uses the internet, can target people more precisely and measure exactly how many enquiries and sales it brings.
Which digital marketing channel should I start with?
Local businesses most often start with the Google Business Profile and local SEO, and add Google Ads for quick enquiries. Other channels come once the foundations are in place.
About the author
Matija Terzić
I am the founder of VRH Agency from Rijeka. I run the whole marketing for businesses, from ads and SEO to websites and automation, so they win more clients and more profit, and I write about it from my everyday work with clients.
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