Glossary

Digital marketing

Digital marketing refers to the promotion of products, services, or brands through online channels and digital technologies. It includes activities that take place across websites, search engines, social media platforms, email, and online advertising networks.

The goal of digital marketing is to reach audiences where they spend time online and guide them toward taking a desired action.

Why digital marketing matters

Most customer journeys now begin online. People often search for information, compare options, and read reviews before making decisions.

Digital marketing helps businesses:

  • Reach audiences across multiple online channels
  • Target specific groups of people
  • Measure campaign performance in real time
  • Adjust strategies quickly based on results

This level of visibility and flexibility makes digital marketing a key part of modern business growth.

Common types of digital marketing

Digital marketing includes several different channels and approaches.

Search engine optimisation (SEO)
Improving website content and structure so it appears in search engine results.

Paid advertising
Running adverts on search engines, social media platforms, or websites.

Content marketing
Creating useful content such as articles, videos, or guides to attract and educate audiences.

Social media marketing
Using social platforms to share content, engage audiences, and promote products or services.

Email marketing
Sending targeted messages and updates to subscribers or customers.

Businesses often combine several of these channels as part of a broader marketing strategy.

Digital marketing and data

One of the advantages of digital marketing is the ability to track performance using data. Marketers can measure metrics such as website traffic, engagement, conversion rates, and advertising performance.

These insights help businesses understand what works and refine their marketing efforts over time.

Digital marketing and the customer journey

Digital marketing often supports multiple stages of the customer journey. For example, search and social media may introduce people to a brand, while email marketing or targeted advertising may encourage them to take action later.

By using different channels together, businesses can guide customers from initial awareness through to purchase and long-term engagement.

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