Back to Glossary
What Is Digital Marketing?
Strategy & Planning
Updated 18 September 2026
Quick Answer
Digital marketing is the umbrella term for any marketing conducted through digital channels — websites, search engines, social media, email — as opposed to traditional offline methods like print or billboards.
Digital Marketing vs. Traditional Marketing — What's the Difference?
| Digital Marketing | Traditional Marketing | |
|---|---|---|
| Channels | Websites, search, social, email | Print, TV, radio, billboards |
| Measurability | Highly trackable, in real time | Harder to measure precisely |
Why It Matters
- It's generally far more measurable and affordable to start than traditional advertising, making it accessible to small businesses.
- It covers a huge range of tactics — SEO, PPC, social, email — so 'doing digital marketing' means choosing which subset actually fits your business.
How It Works
- A business identifies its target audience and where they spend time online.
- It selects specific channels (search, social, email) and tactics matching that audience.
- Performance is tracked and refined using analytics, which is far more precise than most traditional advertising.
Key Takeaways
- Digital marketing is the umbrella term for marketing through digital channels.
- It's generally more measurable and affordable to start than traditional advertising.
- Focusing on one or two channels beats spreading thin across everything.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is digital marketing better than traditional marketing?
It's generally more measurable and often more affordable to start, but the right mix depends on where your specific customers actually are.
Do I need to do all forms of digital marketing?
No — most small businesses succeed by focusing deeply on one or two channels rather than spreading thin across everything.
What's the easiest digital marketing channel to start with?
It depends on your business, but a well-optimized Google Business Profile and basic SEO are often the most accessible starting points for local businesses.