What is Digital Marketing
"I asked 10 small business owners to explain digital marketing.
9 of them got it completely wrong."
Not because they aren’t smart. It’s because digital marketing feels overwhelming when no one ever shows you the big picture.
That changes today.
Digital marketing isn’t just one thing. It’s not a magic hack. It’s not just social media. It’s not ads. It’s not SEO. It’s a system — a group of tools working together to help people find, trust, and buy from your business online.
If you're a new or small business owner and want to learn how to digital market the right way, you're in the right place.
Let’s break it all down — simple, smart, and in plain English.
Looking for a video? Check out our full video on the topic here:
Start With the Foundation: SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
SEO is what helps your website show up when someone searches on Google.
But it’s not just stuffing keywords on your homepage. It’s about understanding what your ideal customer is actually looking for — their search intent — and making sure your site gives them the answers.
Think of SEO like matchmaking.
If someone’s Googling “best gluten-free banana bread,” and you’ve got the recipe?
SEO is what helps them find you.
Key SEO Basics:
Use main keywords (what people are searching for)
Add long-tail keywords (more specific phrases like “gluten-free banana bread for diabetics”)
Create high-quality content that fully answers their questions
Use headings, internal links, and image alt text
Make sure your site is fast, mobile-friendly, and easy to use
Local SEO: Show Up in Your Town
If you run a physical business — like a bakery, gym, or salon — you need to show up when someone types “best [your service] near me.”
That’s where your Google Business Profile comes in.
Make sure it’s:
Claimed and verified
Fully filled out (description, hours, services)
Loaded with photos, keywords, and customer reviews
This is how you dominate local search — and get found on Google Maps.
3. Your Website = Your Digital Storefront
Your website is your first impression online.
It has to:
Load fast
Look great on phones
Be easy to navigate
Tell people what to do next (aka: clear calls to action)
You also need tools like Google Search Console. It’s free and shows how Google sees your site, what keywords bring you traffic, and where to fix issues.
4. Content is Still King (Just Not Boring Content)
Content marketing means using useful content (blogs, videos, guides, etc.) to attract and help your audience.
Good content does three things:
Answers real questions
Builds trust
Leads people toward your product or service
Know your audience. Talk about their struggles. Solve their problems.
Don’t just pitch. Provide value first.
5. Social Media: Be Social, Not Salesy
Social media isn’t just about “posting stuff.”
It’s about building real relationships and staying visible.
Pick platforms your audience actually uses. Then:
Post consistently
Mix up your content (tips, behind-the-scenes, customer wins)
Show your personality
Engage with your followers (reply, comment, share)
People don’t want a faceless brand.
They want to connect with a real human.
6. Email Marketing: Old School, Still Powerful
Email gives you direct access to your audience — no algorithms involved.
Use it to:
Send helpful content
Promote offers
Build loyalty over time
Start by offering something valuable (a guide, a coupon) in exchange for their email.
Then set up an automated welcome series to introduce your brand.
Don’t spam. Keep it relevant, personal, and useful.
7. Paid Ads: Get Visible, Fast
Once your foundation is solid, pay-per-click (PPC) advertising can help you grow faster.
Google Ads: Show up when people search for specific things
Facebook/Instagram Ads: Target people based on interests, age, location, behavior
Retargeting Ads: Re-engage people who visited your site but didn’t buy
Make sure your landing pages are clear, convincing, and easy to take action on.
8. Backlinks: Street Cred for Your Website
Want Google to trust your site more?
You need backlinks — links from other trusted sites.
You can earn them by:
Creating awesome content people want to share
Reaching out to others in your industry
Guest blogging
Getting mentioned in news articles or directories
It’s like online word-of-mouth.
10. Mobile Marketing: Don’t Ignore the Phone
More people use phones than desktops to browse online.
So make sure everything you do looks and works great on mobile — especially your website and emails.
And yes, SMS/text marketing can work, too — just make sure you have permission, and don’t be annoying.
Final Thoughts: It's a System, Not a Secret
You don’t need to master everything at once.
Start simple.
Understand your customer.
Pick one or two channels.
Stay consistent.
Build from there.
Digital marketing isn’t about doing all the things.
It’s about doing the right things in the right order — with the customer in mind.
So… what’s your next step?
Maybe it’s fixing your website, starting that email list, or finally posting consistently on social.
Whatever it is — start today.
Your future customers are already out there, searching.
It’s time they find you.
