Digital marketing is no longer an option — it’s a necessity for businesses of all types. As we enter 2025, the way that consumers engage with brands is continuing to change rapidly. Businesses who do not have a strategy in place risk lagging behind and missing out on opportunities, while those that have a robust strategy in place are experiencing the full benefits of enhanced visibility, engagement, and increased sales.
So why does every business need a digital marketing strategy in 2025? Let’s take a look.
1. Digital is where your customers are.
With more than 5 million internet users around the world and a person spending an average of more than 6 hours online per day, the internet is the first place that customers go to research, review, and make purchasing decisions. From a Google search, to watching an Instagram reel, to watching a YouTube video, and even to sending a WhatsApp message, digital platforms are front and centre in the customer journey.
If you do not have a digital footprint:
- You’re invisible to a large portion of your target audience
- Your competitors have a distinct advantage by being more visible and accessible.
2. Affordable Marketing with Higher Return on Investment
Digital marketing allows businesses large and small to compete on a more even playing field with affordable options that can provide an even bigger return.
With so many different channels and available platforms, businesses can also use multiple strategies simultaneously. While social media and advertising often take the spotlight, there are lower profile digital strategies, such as email marketing, that can also be some of the most productive.
Digital marketing strategies can adapt to suit all businesses to maximise profitability. This can help to establish the right strategy that suits your business goals.
3. Data-Driven Decision Making
With so many options at our disposal, why wouldn’t you want to make data-driven decisions using multiple metrics and sources available through some of the major digital platforms? Digital marketing at its best leverages data. Understanding and leveraging analytics can help you:
- Identify your target audience
- Understand their buying behaviours
- Assist in shaping your strategy
- Confirm you are on the right track
Don’t ignore the analytics available to you!
4. Increased Customer Engagement Time & Frequency
An effective digital marketing strategy can help your business find new customers or connect with existing customers through various digital channels of communication.
Social media platforms (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn) allow businesses to connect with customers in real time. Their short, bite-sized style makes it easy for someone to engage your posts, share your content, or join a discussion.
Digital engagement is not limited to social media:
- Businesses can engage customers through text messages, emails, and chatbots.
- Work with the communication channels your customers prefer.
Think of it this way, the big highlight of sports events is always the social engagement. Your business and social identity are built on credibility and visibility that is driven largely by customer engagement.
Additionally, crafting a relationship with customers through engagement in this multichannel approach can allow for anywhere, anytime engagement with contextual relevancy.
5. Brand Recognition and Credibility
Consumers typically trust businesses that have a digital presence. It is logical to think if you can afford a website and social media presence, then you must be reputable.
Branding yourself/narrating your own story through social media not only brings credibility to your brand but engages your audience and allows for regular communication — all while building relationships with the customer.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) not only gives you increased visibility, it positions your business as being authoritative in your space. The more content you produce and share, the better your brand recognition will be (which will often drive even more traffic).
Conclusion
In conclusion, the market place is more competitive than ever. Whether you recognize it or not, if your business does not have a strategy, unlike Sporting Agencies or multi-billion dollar tech companies, your competitors have developed their own marketing strategy to take some of the air out of your business.
Developing a digital strategy will help in connecting with your ideal target audience, while giving your business credibility and brand awareness while working fiscally to drive traffic and sales potential.
If you follow my next blog post, I will provide you with the necessary framework for developing a Digital Marketing Strategy for your company in 2025.
