Digital Marketing vs. Online Marketing

digital marketing vs. online marketing
We see many Marketing companies and business owners using these terms interchangeably and it’s beginning to muddy the waters and create confusion for people, so we decided to write this post hoping to clear it up a bit. Hopefully we’ve done just that!

Share This Post

Digital Marketing vs. Online Marketing

If you’ve researched how to grow your business or bring your business online, you have likely heard both of these terms, maybe even Internet Marketing as well. They are often used interchangeably but they don’t mean the same thing. Well, Internet Marketing and Online Marketing mean the same thing, but Digital Marketing is slightly different!

Let’s review them individually. 

Digital Marketing

Digital Marketing is an umbrella term that actually includes Online Marketing within it. In other words, Online Marketing is Digital Marketing, but Digital Marketing isn’t just Online Marketing – it’s more. 

Digital Marketing includes any form of marketing that uses a Digital platform, not necessarily the internet. For example, TV ads, Radio Commercials, & SMS Marketing are considered forms of Digital Marketing, but not Online Marketing. In fact, like these examples, Online Marketing is another form of Digital Marketing.

Online Marketing

So what is Online Marketing? Well, you may have already put that together. It’s a form of Digital Marketing that requires the internet. SEO, Social Media Marketing, YouTube Ads, etc are all forms of Online Marketing. Internet Marketing is just another term for Online Marketing.

Let’s look at some different types of marketing to see the differences by example.

Type of StrategyDigital MarketingOnline Marketing
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)YesYes
Search Engine MarketingYesYes
Social Media MarketingYesYes
Social Media AdvertisingYesYes
Content MarketingYesYes
Pay-Per-Click AdvertisingYesYes
Web DesignYesYes
TV AdvertisingYesNo
Radio AdvertisingYesNo
Digital BillboardsYesNo
SMS MarketingYesNo
Vehicle Wraps & LetteringNoNo

Digital vs. Online – What Do We Do?

Not to add to the confusion, but we could be considered more of an Online Marketing company, however that’s too limiting. The reality is we can, and do offer services outside of Online Marketing such as SMS Marketing and Digital Billboards. Heck, we are even equipped to do Radio Advertising, although admittedly it’s not commonly asked of us.

So to better serve our clients, we decided to stick with the term Digital Marketing as that better describes our ambition and intent with Comvert Marketing and our future.

Why Does It Matter?

We see many Marketing companies and business owners using these terms interchangeably and it’s beginning to muddy the waters and create confusion for people, so we decided to write this post hoping to clear it up a bit. Hopefully we’ve done just that!

If you have any questions about this topic, or want to suggest another topic for us to address, please leave a comment or contact us to let us know!

Share This Post

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Get updates and learn from the best

More To Explore

Today, I set out on my plan to write a post about ChatGPT, the new AI Chatbot app that has been blowing up search engines and surfacing in seemingly every conversation these days. So as I began to plan the post, it quickly occurred to me; what better way to explain ChatGPT is there than to let it explain itself? After all, it is certainly capable!

Building a website for your business can be a lot of work, even when you’re working with a development agency or designer. The reality is that your business is unique and if you want to convey that to people effectively, it can require a lot of unique content, information or media created or provided by you.

To make sure your website copy writing is on point and driving conversions, keep it concise and conversational. Short sentences are easier to read, and when paired with simple language, can easily get the point across without overwhelming readers.

Remember, failing to plan is planning to fail.

Let's Get Started!

Please provide some information about your project or business so we can help you more efficiently.

Let's Get Started!

Please provide some information about your project or business so we can help you more efficiently.