7 Digital Marketing Misconceptions

By Ryan Boog

Digital marketing is an umbrella term that encompasses all marketing efforts that involve the internet, including search engine optimization (SEO), search engine marketing (SEM), pay-per-click ads (PPC), social media, content marketing, email marketing, and video (to name a few).

Digital marketing, online marketing, and internet marketing are all the same thing. Digital marketing is an online marketing strategy that includes SEO (search engine optimization), content creation, and social media management. (These are the basics. I won’t elaborate and complicate things.) Here are the things that AREN’T true about digital marketing:

1) Digital marketing isn't effective

There are many business owners out there that think digital marketing isn’t necessary. They couldn’t be more wrong. Digital marketing is the norm. It is a marketing strategy that allows you to reach your consumers 24/7. An awesome online presence will grow your business and give you a leg up on your competitor. Last year, digital marketing generated three times as many leads as traditional outbound marketing, but cost 62% less (Source: HubSpot). This online marketing strategy also provides boat loads of valuable data.

2) My business can’t afford digital marketing

This is one of the most common misconceptions I hear. To the contrary, digital marketing IS a wise investment for your company.

Let’s say you spend ~$1000 a month on digital marketing. The sales generated by your online presence will most likely cover the cost and then some.

More time is spent in digital channels and more time is spent online.

Among the marketers that cut budget for COVID-19, 70% expect their budgets to be larger than their post-COVID-19 budgets (Source: The Harris Poll).

Not too mention, the home services consumer journey begins online. 82% of shoppers that were looking for moving services, ran an online serach before making a decision (Source: Dialogtech).

Finding a way to afford digital marketing may be the difference between maintaining and thriving.

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The pandemic has impacted advertising budgets, but digital advertising is still considered essential for most brands and retailers.

-Digital Advertising News

3) Anyone can do a digital marketer's job

Please, please, please… don’t just hire someone off the street to do your digital marketing! I see businesses get burned by hiring poor agencies or people all of the time. It is a costly mistake and they can destroy your online presence. Your website will get penalized by Google and your sales will plummet. Don’t throw your money away. Do your research and find an agency with creditable digital marketing experience.

4) Digital marketing = Social media

Digital marketing is more than updating Facebook! Sometimes, we don’t even touch our clients social media pages. There are many aspects of digital marketing like SEO, email newsletters, or content creation. Social media is only a piece of the puzzle.

5) Blogs aren’t important

Fresh and relevant content on your site is very important. Putting helpful articles on your site increases your credibility and helps consumers move down the sales funnel. You don’t have to call it a blog either, you can label the section as tip or news depending on the tone of your website.

6) I will instantly rank first on Google once I start SEO

If someone is promising you this, run! Depending on your industry you may never rank first. What matters is an increase in traffic to your site, sales, and interaction with users.

7) Google Ads is the best way to rank

Google Ads is a bit like a drug. It will increase sales and traffic to your site and everything will seem awesome. However, if you stop the ads the high will end and your site will be down in the dumps. Your digital marketing strategy should include more than just Google Ads. It should be paired with SEO and content creation.

Do you have digital marketing questions?

Feel free to reach out to the team. Don’t hesitate to ask! We love talking about this stuff and if you are in the Twin Cities area, maybe we can get a coffee and chat.