Do you know there are 5.35 billion internet users worldwide as of 2024?

Now, this is not just a number but an opportunity for many businesses to convert a large percentage of these users into customers through digital marketing. Digital marketing is the new and upcoming trend nowadays which has a lot of aspects with some main pillars of digital marketing that every business implementing digital marketing should know to achieve more efficient and successful results. 

So, there are 5 main pillars of digital marketing which we have listed here in this article, that every business should consider to grow massively and sustainably in this competitive digital arena. But, before knowing the pillars of digital marketing let’s first understand what digital marketing is.

What is Digital Marketing?

Digital Marketing is the process of advertising products and services through digital platforms. It includes strategies like social media marketing, SEO, PPC advertising, content marketing, and email marketing to reach and engage customers, drive brand awareness, and increase sales.

Digital Marketing is a crucial decision and every business does not need the same type of digital marketing, so consider consulting an experienced digital marketing agency like Get Catalyzed for your business needs before starting your journey of digital marketing.

5 Main Pillars of Digital Marketing

1. Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

It is the process of optimizing a website to rank it higher on search engines like Google and Bing on targeted keywords. These keywords are identified through keyword research which forms the foundation for SEO.

The primary goal of search engine optimization is to increase online visibility and drive relevant traffic to the website which further helps in increasing the conversion rates. SEO has its subtypes and key aspects like On-Page SEO, Off-Page SEO, and Technical SEO which collectively work together to rank a website.

Today, many new website owners are skipping this important pillar of digital marketing – SEO. The reason is that SEO takes time to show results, and some people prefer quick fixes like paid ads instead of investing in a long-term strategy or think it’s too expensive.

However, understanding its benefits and importance for attracting visitors and growing their business can change their perspective.

Why is SEO one of the key pillars of digital marketing?

• Sustainable Long-Term Strategy

While paid advertising can provide immediate visibility, SEO offers sustainable long-term visibility. Ignoring SEO means missing out on potential organic traffic that your website can get for years without ongoing advertising costs.

• Cost- Effective

In paid advertising, you’re constantly paying for each click or impression your ad gets. These costs can add up over time, especially if you want to keep getting traffic to your site. But with SEO, once you’ve set things up properly, you can keep getting visitors to your site without having to pay for each one. This means you’re not paying for each person who clicks on your website from search results like you would with paid ads.

• Improved User Experience

SEO involves optimizing not only for search engines but also for users. This includes improving website speed, mobile responsiveness, and overall usability. Without SEO you are potentially providing a poor user experience, leading to higher bounce rates and lower conversion rates.

2. Content Marketing

Content Marketing is the process of creating valuable, relevant, and engaging content to attract the target audience through the right platforms and channels of digital marketing. Different content formats are used in content marketing like text, image, video, etc.

However, according to recent data and trends, video content marketing is the most attractive and engagement-driving format of content marketing as of 2024.

Why Content Marketing is One of the Main Digital Marketing Pillars?

• Content marketing is highly effective at generating leads. According to a survey by the Content Marketing Institute, 76% of marketers report that content marketing generates demand or leads.

• Content marketing helps in engaging and nurturing audiences. The same survey reveals that 63% of marketers say content marketing helps to nurture the audience, customers, or leads.

• Content marketing contributes majorly to building brand loyalty. The survey also found that 50% of marketers believe content marketing helps build loyalty with existing clients or customers.

3. Social Media Marketing

Social Media Marketing involves using social media platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, etc., to connect with customers, build brand awareness, and brand loyalty, and engage them while promoting products or services.

It is one of the best types of digital marketing to engage and aware customers of new product launches, business services, and other offers with no platform fee.

Why Social Media Marketing is an important pillar of digital marketing?

• SMM helps boost your brand’s visibility by reaching a wide audience on social media platforms.

• There are 4.9  billion active social media users globally as of 2024 and this number is expected to reach 5.85 billion approx. by 2027.

• According to a case study by Digital Agency Network, there was a 45% Increase in conversions from social media.

• It allows for direct communication with customers, enhancing engagement and building relationships with customers which further increases brand loyalty and trust.

 4. Pay-Per-Click Advertising

PPC, short for pay-per-click, is a type of online marketing where advertisers pay for each click their ads receive. It’s like paying a small fee every time someone clicks on your ad.

You’ve probably seen these ads at the top of search results when you use search engines like Google. Advertisers bid on specific keywords related to their business, and their ads show up when people search for those keywords.

But PPC isn’t just limited to search engines. You can also find these ads on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Plus, they pop up on other websites through display advertising.

PPC is subject to money risk so kindly consider hiring an experienced PPC professional for effective and successful results.

Why PPC is one of the main pillars of digital marketing?

• PPC advertising helps businesses to instantly appear at the top of search engine results pages (SERPs) or on social media feeds, providing immediate visibility to potential customers.

• PPC platforms like Google Ads and Facebook Ads offer advanced targeting options based on demographics, interests, and behaviors. This precision targeting ensures that ads are shown to the most relevant audience, maximizing the likelihood of conversion.

• With PPC campaigns, advertisers can easily track how their ads are doing in real time. They get detailed data and analytics that show things like how many people clicked on their ads and how much they spent. This helps them make changes to their campaigns to get better results and make more money.

5. Email Marketing

Email marketing involves informing customers on your email list about new products, discounts, and additional services, effectively keeping them updated on offerings.

Why is Email marketing a main digital marketing pillar?

• Email marketing offers a low-cost way to reach and engage with customers, with minimal expenses required for creating and sending emails, making it accessible to businesses of all sizes.

• Email marketing consistently gives a high return on investment (ROI) due to its ability to generate high revenue from targeted and personalized campaigns, making it a valuable asset for businesses looking to drive sales and conversions. According to Backlinko, On average, email drives an ROI of $40 for every dollar spent for brands in the US and $43 for EU brands.

• Email marketing seamlessly integrates with other digital marketing channels, such as social media and content marketing, allowing businesses to create effective omnichannel marketing campaigns that enhance overall brand visibility and engagement.

Final Thoughts

Now you know, how many main pillars of digital marketing are there.

So, it is important to note that these 5 Main Pillars of Digital Marketing form a foundation for every successful digital marketing strategy. 

Each pillar offers unique benefits and has an important role in reaching and engaging target audiences, driving brand awareness, generating leads, and ultimately achieving business objectives. 

By implementing these pillars collectively and adapting to new digital trends, businesses can stay competitive, enhance customer relationships, and grow immensely in this digital world. 

But if you are a business owner and new to the world of digital marketing only knowing about these pillars won’t help your business grow, but taking digital marketing services from professional agencies like Get Catalyzed would surely do it for you.