If your business isn’t online, it’s like whispering in a noisy room while others shout with megaphones. Digital marketing helps you get heard, connect with the right people, and grow. Don’t worry—it’s not as scary as it sounds!

Think of it like learning a new game: start with the basics, build your skills, and level up. With global spending on digital marketing expected to top $667 billion in 2024, there’s no better time to start.

This guide will be your friendly map to understanding how to start digital marketing, helping you get your message out there and connect with the people who need to hear it most.

What Exactly is Digital Marketing?

Think of digital marketing as using the internet and all your digital gadgets to tell people about a product or service. Instead of billboards or newspaper ads, you’re using websites, social media apps, emails, and online search engines like Google to reach folks. It’s about being where your customers are already spending their time – online!

It sounds simple, right? It totally is at its core! Digital marketing helps businesses connect with their audience in a way that old-fashioned marketing just can’t. You can talk directly to people, see what they like, and even change your message if it’s not working.

Why is Digital Marketing So Important Today?

In 2024, if you’re not doing digital marketing, you’re missing out big time. More than half the world’s population uses the internet daily, and many spend hours scrolling through social media or searching for information. Here’s why it’s a game-changer:

• Reach More People: Digital marketing lets you talk to anyone, anywhere in the world, as long as they’re online. No more being limited to just your town!
• It’s Cost-Effective: Unlike a fancy TV ad, you can start digital marketing on a budget and often get more bang for your buck. You can choose exactly who sees your ads, so your money isn’t wasted on people who aren’t interested.
• You Can Track Everything: Want to know if your ad worked? Digital marketing tells you! You can see how many people saw your message, clicked on it, and even bought something. This helps you figure out what’s working and what’s not, so you can make things better.
• Builds Your Brand: Being online helps people get to know your business, understand what you offer, and start to trust you.
• Connect with Customers: Digital tools like social media and email let you chat directly with your customers, answer their questions, and build strong relationships.

In fact, digital ad spending globally is expected to reach an incredible $667.58 billion this year alone, showing just how important it is. Plus, a huge 77% of all digital ad spending in 2024 is happening on mobile devices, showing how much people rely on their phones.

Planning Your Digital Marketing Journey

Just like you wouldn’t start a road trip without knowing where you’re going, you shouldn’t start digital marketing without a plan. This is super important for how to start digital marketing effectively.

Step 1: Know Who You’re Talking To Your Audience

Who are the people you want to reach? Are they teenagers interested in video games? Parents looking for healthy snacks? Small business owners needing help with their websites? Knowing this helps you choose the right words, pictures, and places online to find them. Think about their age, what they like, what problems they have, and what websites they visit.

Step 2: Set your Goals

Do you want more people to visit your website? Do you want to sell more products? Or maybe you just want more people to know about your new business? Having clear goals, like “get 100 new website visitors this month” or “sell 5 new products,” helps you measure your success and stay focused.

Step 3: Check Out the Competition

It’s smart to see what other businesses like yours are doing online. Look at their websites, social media pages, and even their ads. What’s working for them? What are they missing? This isn’t about copying, but learning and finding ways to do things even better!

8 Main Ways to Do Digital Marketing

Digital marketing isn’t just one thing; it’s a bunch of different tools and methods that work together. Think of them as different rooms in a big online house, each with a special job. Here are some of the most important ones, often called the types of digital marketing:

1: Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

When you search for something on Google, how do some websites appear at the very top? That’s often because of SEO! SEO is all about making your website and content super friendly for search engines, so they know what you’re talking about and show your site to people searching for those topics. It’s like putting up a big, clear sign for your online store so people can easily find it. Finding the right keywords (the words people type into Google) is a key part of this.

2: Content Marketing

Content marketing is about creating and sharing helpful or entertaining stuff online – like blog posts, videos, or pictures – that people actually want to see. It’s not always about selling directly but building trust and showing you know your stuff. If you love cooking, you might share recipes online. If you fix bikes, you might make a video about common bike problems. In 2024, videos and short articles are among the most popular content types.

3: Social Media Marketing

This is probably one you know well! It’s using platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or LinkedIn to connect with your audience, share updates, and build a community around your brand. You can post cool pictures, run contests, or just chat with people. Social media is great for getting feedback and making your brand feel more human. Facebook is still the most preferred platform for social marketing by businesses.

4: Email Marketing

Collecting email addresses from people who are interested in your business and sending them newsletters, special offers, or updates is email marketing. It’s a direct way to talk to your fans and can be super effective for turning interested people into customers. Email marketing is expected to grow significantly, proving it’s still a powerful tool.

5: Paid Advertising

Sometimes, you can pay to show your ads to specific people online. This is called paid advertising or Pay-Per-Click (PPC) advertising. Google Ads lets you show up at the top of search results, while Facebook Ads lets you target people based on their interests. It’s like paying to get a fast pass to the front of the line!

6: Website Marketing

Your website is like your online home. It’s where people can learn everything about you, see your products, and contact you. Making sure your website looks good, is easy to use, and works well on phones is super important. It’s the central hub for all your other digital marketing efforts.

7: Mobile Marketing

Since most people use their phones for pretty much everything online, making sure your digital marketing works well on mobile devices is a must. This includes having a mobile-friendly website and even sending messages or offers directly to phones. In 2023, there were 313% more mobile website visits than desktop visits!

8: Analytics

This is like being a detective! Analytics tools help you look at the data from your website and social media to see what’s working and what’s not. How many people visited your site? Where did they come from? What did they click on? This information helps you make smarter decisions about your marketing.

How to start Digital Marketing

You don’t need a super-fancy setup to start digital marketing. Think of it like a chef starting with basic pots and pans; you can get amazing results with just a few key items.

Essential Tools for Beginners

• Google Analytics: This free tool from Google helps you understand who visits your website, what they do there, and where they came from. It’s crucial for tracking your progress.
• Canva: Need to make pretty pictures or simple designs for social media or your website? Canva makes it super easy, even if you’re not an artist!
• Mailchimp: A great tool for starting email marketing. It helps you send emails to your list and track how well they do.
• Hootsuite / Buffer: These tools help you manage all your social media accounts in one place. You can schedule posts ahead of time and see how they’re performing.
• Google My Business: If you have a local business, this free tool helps you show up on Google Maps and local searches.
• SEMrush (or Google Keyword Planner): While SEMrush can be advanced, its basic features, or the free Google Keyword Planner, can help you find out what words people are searching for.

Learning Resources and Courses

To succeed in digital marketing, you need to be curious and always ready to learn! The digital world changes fast, so staying updated is key. Many skills are important, like being a good writer, understanding how people think, and being open to new ideas. Look for:

• Free Online Courses: Websites like Google Digital Garage, HubSpot Academy, and Coursera offer fantastic free courses to learn the basics of SEO, content, and social media.
• YouTube Channels: Many experts share great tips and tutorials for free.
• Blogs and Articles: Like this one! Reading up on current trends and how-to guides is a great way to keep learning.

Conclusion

So, how to start digital marketing? It all begins with a little planning, a lot of learning, and the willingness to try new things. It might seem like a big journey, but by understanding your audience, setting clear goals, and using the right tools, you can successfully launch your online presence.

Remember, the digital world is a loud place, and with digital marketing, you’re not just whispering anymore; you’re using a powerful megaphone to share your amazing message with the world. Start today, experiment, learn from your results, and watch your efforts grow!

FAQs

Is digital marketing a good career?

Yes, absolutely! Digital marketing is a rapidly growing field with lots of job openings.

How much does it cost to start digital marketing for a small business?

You can start digital marketing on a very low budget, even with many free tools. For example, setting up social media profiles and starting a blog costs nothing but your time. Paid advertising and professional tools will cost money, but you can begin small and increase your spending as your business grows and you see results.

What are some common mistakes beginners make in digital marketing?

Common mistakes include:

• Not having a clear plan or goals
• Ignoring how your content looks and works on mobile phones
• Failing to create genuinely useful
• Not tracking your results to see what’s effective
• Trying to manage too many marketing channels at once

How long does it take to see results from digital marketing?

The time it takes to see results varies depending on the type of digital marketing and your goals. For example, paid ads can bring quick traffic, while SEO might take several months to show significant improvements.

What is the 70 20 10 rule in digital marketing?

The 70 20 10 rules in digital marketing are a framework for allocating resources and efforts.

• 70% dedicated to proven, core strategies
• 20% to innovative or experimental approaches
• 10% to high-risk efforts that drive innovation

Is digital marketing an IT job?

No, digital marketing is not an Information Technology (IT) job.