What is Digital Marketing?
Digital marketing is the promotion of products or services through digital channels like search engines, social media, email, and websites to connect with potential customers. This guide covers everything you need to know — from channels and strategies to metrics and CRM-powered automation.
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internet users worldwide
of marketing budgets go to digital
average ROI per $1 spent on email
social media users globally
Digital Marketing Channels
SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
Optimize your website to rank higher in organic search results. Drive sustainable, free traffic from Google through quality content and technical optimization.
SEM / PPC (Pay-Per-Click)
Run paid ads on Google, Facebook, and other platforms. Only pay when users click. Get immediate visibility and measurable results with precise audience targeting.
Email Marketing
Send targeted emails to nurture leads and retain customers. With an average ROI of $42 for every $1 spent, email marketing is the highest-performing digital channel.
Social Media Marketing
Engage with your audience on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and X. Build brand awareness, foster community, and drive traffic to your website.
Content Marketing
Create valuable content such as blog posts, guides, infographics, and case studies to attract your target audience. Build trust and establish authority in your industry.
Video Marketing
Tell your brand story through YouTube, Reels, and TikTok. Video is the most engaging content format with the highest retention rates.
The Role of CRM in Digital Marketing
CRM and digital marketing are two sides of the same coin. While digital marketing attracts potential customers, CRM ensures those prospects are tracked, nurtured, and converted into long-term customers. Without CRM, marketing data remains scattered and opportunities are missed.
A CRM with built-in marketing capabilities - such as Rapitek Marketing Cloud - unifies customer data from every touchpoint: website visits, email opens, social interactions, and phone calls. This 360-degree view makes truly personalized marketing possible at scale.
- Email campaign builder
- Lead scoring & segmentation
- Marketing automation workflows
- Campaign analytics & ROI tracking
- WhatsApp & SMS integration
How to Build a Digital Marketing Strategy
Map your content to each stage of the buyer journey: awareness, consideration, and decision. Plan topics, formats, and publishing schedules.
Set up analytics, UTM parameters, and CRM tracking to measure every interaction. Connect your marketing tools to your CRM for unified data.
Review performance data weekly. Run A/B tests on subject lines, CTAs, and landing pages. Use CRM reports to identify what drives conversions.
Key Metrics in Digital Marketing
Customer Acquisition Cost
Total marketing spend divided by the number of new customers acquired. Lower CAC means more efficient marketing.
Customer Lifetime Value
Total revenue a customer generates over their relationship with your business. Aim for an LTV:CAC ratio of 3:1 or higher.
Conversion Rate
Percentage of visitors who complete a desired action (form fill, purchase, sign-up). Varies by industry and channel.
Return on Investment
Revenue generated minus marketing cost, divided by marketing cost. The ultimate measure of campaign success.
Digital Marketing Automation with CRM
Welcome Sequences
Automatically send onboarding emails when a new lead signs up. Introduce your brand, share resources, and guide them to the next step.
Lead Nurturing Drips
Deliver targeted content based on lead score and behavior. Move prospects through the funnel with timed, relevant messaging.
Re-engagement Campaigns
Trigger campaigns for inactive contacts. Win back dormant leads with special offers or fresh content automatically.
Behavior-Based Triggers
Send emails or notifications when users visit pricing pages, download content, or abandon carts. Respond at the right moment.