Digital Marketing Basics.
What is Digital Marketing?
Digital marketing is the art and science of promoting anything using the internet.
It could be a product, a service, your skills, or even your personal brand.
It involves everything from:
- Websites and SEO
- Social media (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.)
- Content creation (blogs, reels, podcasts, videos)
- Email and WhatsApp marketing
- Paid ads (Google, Meta, LinkedIn, YouTube)
- Funnels, automation, CRMs, analytics, and much more
The beauty? You don’t need an office, a team, or a fancy degree to get started.
All you need is a laptop, internet, the right mindset
Every business—from a chaiwala to a 7-star hotel—is going online. Consumers spend hours every day scrolling, searching, and buying online. This is your opportunity.
Let’s look at a few data points:
- 5.3 billion people use the internet today.
- 4.8 billion are active social media users.
- E-commerce is expected to cross $8 trillion globally by 2027.
- India alone has over 800 million internet users, with Tier 2 and 3 cities exploding with digital buyers.
This isn’t a trend. It’s the future.
And digital marketers are the architects of this future.
The Power of Digital Marketing as a Career
Here’s what makes it such a goldmine:
✅ No entry barrier – Anyone can learn it
✅ High demand – Every business needs digital presence
✅ Multiple income streams – Freelancing, consulting, agency, product selling, coaching, affiliate marketing
✅ Scalable – Start solo, build a team, scale globally
✅ Work from anywhere – Truly location-independent lifestyle
Must-Know Terms in Digital Marketing (And Why They Matter)
Let’s face it—when you first step into the world of digital marketing, it feels like a different language. Words like SEO, CTR, ROAS, funnel, pixel, opt-in, and automation start flying around.
This chapter is your decoder ring—it will make sure you understand every term with clarity and know where and how to use it. Let’s go!
1. Traffic
The number of people visiting your website or page.
- Organic traffic: Comes naturally via search engines or content.
- Paid traffic: Comes through advertisements.
- Direct traffic: When someone types your website URL directly.
🛠 Tools: Google Analytics, SimilarWeb
2. Lead
A person who shows interest in your product or service.
- Cold lead: Doesn’t know you yet.
- Warm lead: Knows you but hasn’t purchased.
- Hot lead: Ready to buy.
🛠 Tools: Google Forms, Typeform, Mailchimp, ConvertKit
3. Conversion
When a visitor takes the desired action (buys, signs up, books, etc.)
- Conversion rate: % of visitors who convert
- Formula: (Conversions ÷ Total Visitors) × 100
🛠 Tools: Google Analytics, Hotjar, Funnel Builders
4. SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
The practice of optimizing your content to rank higher on Google.
- On-page SEO: Keywords, headings, meta tags
- Off-page SEO: Backlinks, shares, authority
- Technical SEO: Site speed, mobile-friendliness
🛠 Tools: Ubersuggest, Ahrefs, SEMrush, Google Search Console
5. Content Marketing
Creating value-driven content to attract and engage your audience.
Includes:
- Blogs
- Videos
- Reels
- Infographics
- Ebooks
- Podcasts
🛠 Tools: Canva, Notion, Jasper.ai, Grammarly
6. Funnel
The customer journey from stranger to buyer.
Basic Funnel Example:
- Awareness → Interest → Decision → Action
🛠 Tools: Systeme.io, ClickFunnels, Leadpages, Zoho
7. Landing Page
A standalone page designed for one goal—lead capture, registration, or purchase.
🛠 Tools: Carrd, Instapage, Swipe Pages, TagMango
8. CTA (Call to Action)
A button or line that tells your visitor what to do next.
E.g., “Buy Now,” “Download Free Guide,” “Book a Call”
💡Tip: A clear CTA can double your conversion rate.
9. CTR (Click-Through Rate)
The % of people who click your ad or link.
Formula: (Clicks ÷ Impressions) × 100
🛠 Tools: Google Ads, Facebook Ads Manager
10. ROI (Return on Investment)
How much you earn from your marketing efforts.
Formula: (Net Profit ÷ Cost of Investment) × 100
11. Email Marketing
Sending emails to educate, nurture, and sell.
- Campaigns: Timely promotions
- Automations: Triggered based on behavior
🛠 Tools: Mailchimp, ConvertKit, Sendinblue, Moosend
12. WhatsApp Automation
Using tools to auto-reply, follow up, and send broadcasts.
🛠 Tools: Wati, AiSensy, Zoko, Interakt
13. Pixel
A small piece of code you install on your site to track actions for ads.
- Facebook Pixel helps with remarketing
- Google Tag helps with analytics and ads tracking
🛠 Tools: Meta Pixel Helper, Google Tag Manager
14. Retargeting
Showing ads to people who’ve already visited or interacted with your content.
🛠 Tools: Facebook Ads, Google Ads, LinkedIn Ads
15. Lead Magnet
A freebie you offer to get contact info (e.g., free eBook, checklist, webinar).
🛠 Tools: Canva (to create), Gumroad (to deliver), ConvertKit (to collect leads)
I hope knowing these terms would help you starting the Journey. In coming blog we will deep dive into aspects which needs to be implemented as a starter.