As the world becomes more mobile and digitized, consumers have more choice than ever before when it comes to gaining information and performing transactions. This trend has dramatically changed the way we market and consumers have changed the way they interact with brands. In 2018, more people than ever are researching and consuming content online, which gives businesses the opportunity to reach this audience and promote their products.

Traditional marketing methods such as radio ads, billboards, magazine spreads, and television commercials have become somewhat obsolete, and businesses must now adapt to this new world of online marketing to continue thriving.

This adaptation comes in the form of new technologies such as display advertising, social media marketing, and inbound marketing. When executed correctly, these methods can help businesses of all sizes and across all industries to gain a distinct competitive advantage.

While this may seem like a daunting task to many businesses, a new generation of digital marketers is providing simple step-by-step guidance for marketing executives who wish to reorient their businesses for the 21st century.

Why Online Marketing and E-commerce?

With more people accessing the internet from their smartphones and tablets than ever before, having a digital footprint is now a requirement for any business, regardless of size.

E-commerce platforms like Shopify, which is used by hundreds of thousands of businesses worldwide, provide a significantly advantageous environment for marketers. Not only can businesses store their products online, but they can also promote and advertise those products on their website.

Additionally, when a consumer makes a purchase from an online retailer, the receipt usually follows online, providing marketers with more data on which to base their future marketing and advertising strategies.

What is Inbound Marketing?

Inbound marketing is a “set of processes that help you attract, engage, and motivate people to interact with you and your brand.” (HubSpot)

Put simply, inbound marketing focuses on attracting, engaging, and motivating people to seek out your products or services, rather than marketing to them. This strategy can be applied whether you’re a brand new business or you’ve been around for a while and are looking for ways to evolve your game.

Businesses that utilize inbound marketing usually find that their marketing efforts are far more effective and generate far more interest and engagement compared to those that rely on traditional methods.

Marketing to tourists is very different from marketing to residents, and marketing to men is different from marketing to women. So too is marketing to millennials different from marketing to older audiences.

Key Takeaways From This Article

To learn more about what successful businesses are doing, check out the following list of key takeaways.