Difference Between Traditional and Digital Marketing

Marketing, today, has become an important process of every business promotion. But, which of the two marketing strategies between digital marketing and traditional marketing should you adopt? Both of these marketing terms have unique aspects that serve your business growth and success. But, before you can adopt and implement any one of the marketing strategies, it is always a good idea to know the key factors that make digital marketing and traditional marketing differ from each other.

We all know that advertising plays a critical part in the promotion of any business. Therefore, it is important to have a marketing strategy. You should comprehensively understand the strategy that you will implement and also the difference between traditional marketing and digital marketing. Hence, in this blog, we will discuss the key factors of the two terms and their significance to run your business smoothly.

Did you know? According to a survey, 50% of small and medium-sized businesses use email marketing drip campaigns as their marketing automation tool.

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What is Traditional Marketing?

When a company decides to promote its products and services through an offline mode to reach the audiences, it is a traditional marketing approach. Traditional marketing means marketing goods and services using offline mediums such as posters, television, radios, billboards, magazines, etc.

Though traditional marketing is an old way to market products and services, its significant role in people's lives is not outdated yet. It is because this marketing technique is considerably beneficial in terms of high reach and easy communication to potential customers.

Traditional marketing, however, is limited to communication in only one direction and its implementation has decreased over time. It used to be a common advertising method when the internet was not at play.

What is Digital Marketing?

Digital marketing is the technique of promoting products or services using digital media. In this method the company applies online marketing tactics to persuade customers for a product purchase. Digital marketing uses online techniques like social media, websites, Google search, etc to market a product or service.

In today's world, digital marketing is a widely used strategy to build and grow businesses online. You could think of it as the most modern technique of promoting and selling products online. Through this technique of marketing, you reach only targeted potential customers who currently need what the company has to offer and sell.

Traditional Marketing Vs Digital Marketing — The Pros and Cons

With the evolution of fast paced internet access, it is quite illogical to confine businesses to the conventional methods of marketing. Hence, there is a need to divert from traditional marketing strategies to digital marketing.

Traditional marketing involves one-way product and service promotion offline. In comparison, digital marketing is a strategy that involves the promotion of business brands through online platforms.

Below, you will learn the pros and cons of digital marketing and traditional marketing. Let's begin.

Traditional Marketing: Pros and Cons

Pros —

Easy access to consumers in the local market
High chance of marketing by word of mouth
Areas without internet and less developed economies can benefit from traditional marketing
Hard copies of products and services' information serve as permanent sources for marketing
Makes advertisements more memorable and accessible to the potential customers
High coverage of senior citizens in the local market
Stable and secure existence of the brand where there is no competition
Direct registration of advertisements in the minds of the people

Digital Marketing: Pros and Cons

Pros —

Offers platforms to market product and services information creatively and engagingly
Digital marketing strategies are economically efficient
Massive returns on investment
Businesses have equal opportunities on the digital platform to market and sell their products and services online
High and predictable conversion of users into a lead generation
Businesses can connect with the consumers about their products and services, and, customers too have the opportunity for feedback and reviews
The brand awareness is easy to promote
Easy tracking and measurement of digital marketing results
Easy personalisation and targeting of the right customers
Instant and easy access to global markets
High engagement of customers

Cons —

Might need hiring of experts to run and grow businesses online
Users can personalise or altogether remove advertisements
Existing brands in the online market are already putting forth tough competition
Dynamic environment of digital marketing requires to keep pace with the tech upgrades
Advertisements of products or services are difficult to register in the minds of the consumers
Strategies adopted need to be continually updated and evolved to ensure stable growth of the business
Only content with unique and appealing features can soar ahead

Traditional Vs. Digital Marketing — The Comparison Chart

In this section, we shall have a look at the difference between traditional and digital marketing. The key points are noted below:

Points of Difference	Traditional Marketing	Digital Marketing
1. Customers Access	Customers could be reached out locally and easily.	A company can reach customers globally from anywhere in the world.
2. Marketing Approach	Promotion of the brand in person is necessary.	There is no need for a physical presence to promote and sell products online.
3. Marketing Cost	Involves huge costs in advertisements through printing, magazines, newspapers, etc.	Cost is minimal and sometimes, even zero costs.
4. Type of Marketing Mode	Involves the use of hard copies.	Relies on soft copies to spread awareness about their products.
5. Scope of Lead Generation	It’s hard to get people to eventually turn into potential clients.	Results achieved are instant, as customers are targeted beforehand.
6. Advertisement Personalisation	Customers can’t personalise and skip advertisements that distract them.	Advertisements are displayed as per the tastes and preferences of the customers.
7. Communication Type	It involves a one-way communication marketing technique.	It involves a two-way communication marketing strategy.
8. Marketing Tools	No tools are available to analyse and measure marketing efficiency.	There are many software tools that efficiently and effectively measure marketing progress.
9. Marketing Scope	It is a static method.	It is a dynamic method.
10. Calculation of Return on Investment	Return on investment cannot be tracked and calculated.	The returns are easy to track.
11. Marketing Based on Geographical Location	It is limited to a specific geographical location.	Marketing is global-based and hence, there are no limits on marketing products and services.
12. Track System	It’s not possible to track customers and their preferences.	The data relating to customers and their preferences are possible and easy to track.

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Conclusion

The business scenario has had a dynamic and drastic growth, especially for those who could master the dynamics of the digital world. There have never been better opportunities than there are today. What it can mean for your business growth depends solely on your choice of strategic planning and procedures. Thus, in either case of marketing and promoting your products and services, you have two choices: digital marketing and traditional marketing to choose from.

To conclude, regardless of any business, digital marketing will help you thrive in your business excellently. You could choose many creative aspects of online marketing strategies for the promotion of your brand worldwide. Since it is two-way communication, both the seller and buyer benefit from having a digital presence from anywhere in the world and at any time.

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