23 Jul Traditional Marketing vs Digital Marketing

The great debate – is digital marketing better than traditional marketing? There are many ways to skin a cat, as they say, and it’s no different when it comes to marketing. Traditional marketing vs digital marketing has been a hot topic for decades, but just what is the difference and how can it benefit your business:

What is digital marketing?

Digital marketing uses the internet and various digital channels to market to potential customers. Websites and social media are great examples of using these channels to attract customers through effective marketing communication.

What is traditional marketing?

The flip side is traditional marketing which uses offline media to reach potential customers. Traditional channels such as billboards, printed media and TV commercials are all examples of this form of marketing.

Which is better?

As the digital revolution continues to grip various industries, many believe traditional marketing is slowly falling away. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Utilising traditional marketing (magazines, radio ads, etc) to connect to customers has its place, especially when you consider the need for many of us to disconnect from the digital world.

Digital marketing is important in its own right, especially when considering so much of our lives is spent online. Whether this is scrolling social media, searching for our next holiday destination or paying our bills, the internet has infiltrated every aspect of our daily lives, and digital marketing attempts to take full advantage.

Each marketing channel provides its own benefit to your business. Here are just a few:

Traditional Marketing:

Pro: It reaches potential customers who spend time away from their computers and smartphones.

Con: It’s not always as measurable as digital marketing, and it can become quite costly.

Digital Marketing:

Pro: You can reach a targeted and larger audience that cost-effectively increases brand awareness.

Con: The digital landscape is vast, but it’s also highly competitive. To reach the right audience and convert them, you will need an effective digital marketing strategy to help you beat out the competition.

The Bottom line…

Find what works for you! Your business is unique, and you have a great understanding of where your potential customers hang out. Each marketing channel has advantages and disadvantages, but understanding what your marketing needs are will help you decide whether traditional marketing or digital marketing is best for your business.

As a leading Digital Marketing Agency in South Africa, you can speak to us about creating a digital marketing strategy which helps your business reach the right people.