What It Is, Types, and Real-Life Examples
Digital marketing has completely changed how businesses attract, engage, and convert customers. In 2025, if your business isn’t online, it’s falling behind. Whether you’re a startup selling handmade candles or a law firm trying to reach local clients, digital marketing gives you the tools to succeed.
Let’s explore what digital marketing is, its types, and why it’s so important — with real examples to make it practical.
Digital marketing includes all online strategies a business uses to promote its products or services. This includes websites, social media, search engines, email, and even mobile apps.
What it is: Optimizing your website so it appears higher in search engine results for keywords people are searching.
Example: A bakery in Mumbai wants to rank for “best chocolate cake near me.” They write blog posts, optimize their website, and list their business on Google Maps. After a few weeks, they start getting more walk-ins from people who searched online.
What it is: Running paid ads where you’re charged every time someone clicks on your ad.
Example: A new skincare brand launches a Google Ads campaign targeting people searching for “natural face cream.” They set a daily budget of ₹500 and get 200 website visitors in 3 days, resulting in 10 new sales.
What it is: Using platforms like Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTok to connect with your audience.
Example: A fitness coach posts daily workout tips on Instagram, engages with followers in comments, and promotes her online coaching program through Reels. Over time, she builds a loyal community and gains new clients from her followers.
What it is: Creating and sharing valuable content (blogs, videos, guides) to attract and retain customers.
Example: A travel agency creates blog posts like “Top 10 Places to Visit in Bali” or “How to Travel on a Budget.” These blogs attract people through Google, and many of them end up booking tours through the agency.
What it is: Sending targeted messages to people via email to share updates, promotions, or valuable content.
Example: An eCommerce store collects emails from customers during checkout. Each week, they send out special offers and new arrivals. This leads to repeat purchases and increased customer loyalty.
What it is: Partnering with people or websites who promote your product and earn a commission per sale.
Example: A tech brand launches an affiliate program where YouTubers review their gadgets and include affiliate links. Each time a viewer buys through the link, the YouTuber earns a percentage.
What it is: Collaborating with social media influencers to promote your brand.
Example: A new coffee brand sends free samples to food influencers on YouTube and Instagram. The influencers post reviews, and the brand sees a 30% spike in sales that week.
What it is: Reaching customers on mobile devices through SMS, mobile apps, or push notifications.
Example: A food delivery app sends push notifications at lunch time like: “Feeling hungry? Get 20% off on your next order!” This timely reminder leads to instant orders.
People are constantly searching, scrolling, and shopping online.
Example: A local clothing store lists its products on Instagram and starts getting DM inquiries. Customers now buy without ever stepping into the physical store.
You don’t need a huge budget to start digital marketing.
Example: A freelance graphic designer spends just ₹1,000/month boosting Instagram posts and gets consistent client inquiries.
You can choose exactly who sees your ad and track every result.
Example: A dental clinic runs Facebook ads targeting people within 5 km of their location and between ages 25–55. The clinic tracks the number of bookings directly from the ad.
Being active online keeps your brand top of mind.
Example: A sustainable fashion brand shares stories about its materials, customer testimonials, and behind-the-scenes videos on YouTube. Over time, it develops loyal customers who advocate for the brand.