The meaning of the word ‘guide’ when used to describe a book or an article is simple and straightforward – a guide provides the reader with information or an understanding of a certain subject.
However, the definition of ‘online marketing guide’ is a little more complex.
An online marketing guide is usually shorter than a regular guide, with fewer words and larger type. It is also usually displayed on a page, with a left-hand sidebar containing more details about the topic covered on the page – the so-called “mini-tutorial”.
These “mini-tutorials” on a page usually serve a similar purpose to a “tutorial video” in YouTube, in that they provide information about the subject in an engaging and simplified manner.
Marketing vs. Technology
An important point to make is that an online marketing guide is not the same as an online marketing tutorial. While the former is a simplified explanation of marketing concepts, the latter is usually an introduction to technology and the various tools available to marketers.
If you are new to marketing, you might find the former valuable – it will teach you the essentials of marketing without making you overly complex. Conversely, you might find the latter useful if you are an SEO (search engine optimisation) or PPC (pay-per-click) specialist and wish to brush up on your skills or learn about the technology behind the SEO/PPC tools.
Whichever version you choose, make sure you work through the guide’s examples and exercises to get the most out of it.
Types Of Online Marketing Guides
There are many different types of ‘online marketing guide’ out there, so it is important to know what your target audience expects from your product. Below, we will discuss some of the more common types of online marketing guides and how to choose the right one for your needs.
SEM (Search Engine Marketing)
One of the most popular types of online marketing guide is the search engine marketing (SEM) guide. This type of guide usually covers all the basics of SEO and PPC, and then dives into applying those techniques to a real-world example. The guide might also include guidelines on how to build a website and different hosting packages to consider.
These types of guides are great for people looking to get started with search engine marketing or who are just learning about the subject. The guide format makes it easy to understand and follow along – the ideal starting point for someone eager to learn more about SEO.
MARKETING 101
If you are looking for an easy to follow guide that teaches you the foundations of marketing, you might want to check out a marketing 101 guide. This type of guide usually consists of a short introduction to marketing followed by a more in-depth look at the subject matter – the ideal starter guide for someone new to the subject.
Marketing 101 guides are useful for people looking to learn the basics of marketing, and are an easy way to understand what a marketer does on a day-to-day basis. This type of guide might also include tips on how to write a business plan and the importance of research and analytics in the field. There is plenty to learn from a Marketing 101 guide, and it’s a great place to start if you’re looking to get a footing in the field.
BRAND GUIDE
If you are looking for a guide that focuses on a brand’s marketing strategy, you might want to check out a brand guide. A brand guide is very similar to a marketing 101 guide, but with a few important differences. A brand guide usually covers all the basics of marketing for a specific brand, including products, platforms, and markets. The advantage of a brand guide is that it will teach you all about a brand’s marketing strategy and how to implement it.
The disadvantage of a brand guide is that, if you are looking for general information on marketing, you might not learn as much as you would from a more specific guide. However, if you are a brand manager or marketing manager looking to learn about a brand, a brand guide is a valuable tool to have.
ALIGNMENT AND CONFIGURATION
If you are looking for an easy to follow guide that teaches you the basics of web design and development, you might want to check out an alignment and configuration guide. The goal of this type of guide is to teach you the fundamentals of creating a website that looks good and functions well – the ideal primer for a beginner.
In addition to providing you with information on web design and development, an alignment and configuration guide typically includes a step-by-step tutorial on how to build a basic website. The guide will teach you how to use different web templates and choose the right options for your site. It also helps to provide you with a sample blog post to showcase your work.
The major difference between an alignment and configuration guide and a regular guide is that the former usually takes a more in-depth look at what is commonly known as ‘best practices’ when it comes to website design. While there is no wrong way to design a website, there are certain guidelines and tricks that can make your site more user-friendly and accessible. An alignment and configuration guide will familiarise you with these tricks and guidelines, helping you to construct a better website.
LOGO DESIGN
A logo is an important part of any brand’s identity – it can be used to represent the brand in both online and offline settings. If you are looking for a quick guide to designing a logo, you might check out a logo design guide. A logo design guide usually starts by giving you an idea of what a logo should look like before moving on to walk you through the process of designing the logo. This type of guide could also include a brief history of the company, and a description of what makes the company unique.
The advantage of a logo design guide is that once you have designed the logo, you can use it instantly in all your marketing materials – from business cards to websites to social media banners. The disadvantage is that unless you are a seasoned designer who has worked with various logos before, you might not learn as much as you would from a more in-depth guide.
PRODUCTION
Like many other types of online marketing guide, a product (or product guide) can also be used to teach you the basics of producing a physical product. A product guide usually starts with an overview of the different types of products available, followed by a step-by-step tutorial on how to produce the product at home. It then moves on to teach you the ins and outs of the manufacturing process, from selecting the right raw materials to cleaning and packaging the product.
The advantage of a product guide is that it gives you everything you need in one place – from product selection to manufacturing to distribution. The disadvantage is that unless you are already familiar with the process of creating a product, you might not learn as much as you would from a more in-depth guide.
When To Use Each Type Of Guide
If you are just getting started, a marketing 101 or brand guide might be a good choice – just make sure that you pick the right one for your needs. While these types of guide are short, they cover all the basics of marketing, allowing you to get a taste of what a marketer does without having to invest a lot of time in reading a whole book.
However, if you are looking for in-depth information on search engine marketing, you might want to opt for a more specialized guide – if you do not have a lot of experience in SEO, you might want to avoid a SEM guide and instead look for an SEO guide, for example.
Similarly, if you are looking for information on web design and development, an alignment and configuration guide might be a good choice – you will probably have to move through a lot of steps to get the end product, so having a guide to help you along the way is invaluable.
When it comes to producing a physical product, a product guide can also be quite useful – it saves you the effort of having to look up different manufacturers, distributors, and retailers every time you want to buy equipment or materials for the project.
In summary, knowing the difference between an online marketing guide and a regular guide can help you make the right choice for your needs. While a regular guide might be a good choice if you want to learn the basics of something, an online marketing guide might be the better option if you want to learn more about a specific subject area. Be sure to check the online marketing guide’s description to see if it includes everything you need – if it does not, then you might want to opt for a regular guide instead.