Is There a Comparison Between Digital Marketing and E-commerce?


The pandemic has given us the push we needed to embrace digital infrastructure.

E- commerce and digital marketing are essential components of any digital business. There is a world of difference between digital marketing and e-commerce, and though they are interlinked, it might confuse some. In simple terms, digital marketing refers to the promotion factor of the 4 Ps, and e-commerce refers to the place factor of the 4 Ps.

In this article, we will learn about digital marketing and e-commerce, as well as the differences between the two.

The Difference Between Digital Marketing and E-commerce

  • Digital marketing helps the e-commerce industry grow by promoting goods and services to a wider target audience.

  • The e-commerce industry provides the digital marketing industry with huge business.

  • Digital marketing is all about providing companies with a platform through which they can interact with consumers and persuade them to purchase their goods and services.

  • Digital marketing activities help the e-commerce industry by increasing volume sales.

  • The e-commerce industry is all about providing sellers with a platform on which they can sell their goods and buyers can purchase the same.

  • E-commerce and digital marketing are distinct activities that both help the business and each other grow.

The in-depth Concept of E-commerce

Electronic commerce, or E-commerce, refers to the meeting place where sellers and buyers meet to compare prices of various products, understand product features, and ultimately make a purchase decision. E-commerce has been around for a while, but it really took off during the pandemic when people were afraid to leave their homes and go to the physical marketplace. E-commerce has myriad benefits to offer both buyers and sellers. On e-commerce websites, a buyer can find anything, starting with the clothes they need, the food they eat, the vehicles that they ride, entertainment channel subscriptions, and anything under the sun. Some of the e- commerce websites currently trending in the Indian subcontinent are Flipkart, Amazon, Myntra, Big Basket, Blink It, Swiggy Mart, Jio Mart, Ajio, and others.

Benefits of Purchasing from the E-commerce Website

  • Comparison between different brands and products − Customers can compare the prices, product features, and aesthetic appeal of the different products without any hassle.

  • Accessibility − Consumers can purchase goods 24*7.

  • Flexibility and ease − consumers can make the purchase decision at their convenience and get the goods delivered to their doorstep. Consumers can conduct research and make payments all while sitting on their couches.

  • Discounts or price reductions − Since many intermediaries in between are eliminated, companies can offer consumers discounts on the MRP, thereby saving consumers a lot of money.

Benefits of Selling Through E-commerce Websites

  • No physical outlet required − Companies can keep their product in the warehouse, and they do not have to worry about having a physical store in every district for the customer’s convenience. They can save a lot of costs in terms of the rent of the place, the creation of the store, salaries for the employee, and others.

  • Higher margins of profit − Since firms do not have to share a percentage of their profits with the intermediaries, they can easily book themselves higher profits.

  • Can reach a mass audience − Companies can easily reach more consumers with the help of e-commerce. Customers from all over the world can shop at the company and have their purchases delivered to them.

  • There will be no overstocking or understocking of inventory − Since the goods are available in the warehouse and we do not have individual stores. This will reduce the problem of inventory understocking and overstocking. Companies will be able to serve consumers better.

The in-depth Concept of Digital Marketing

Digital marketing refers to the marketing techniques that companies can use to promote their products or services. There are different channels through which companies can promote their products, and some of them are social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Snapchat, Telegram, WhatsApp, and others), websites, applications, browsing sites, articles, and others. The different methods of digital marketing would be −

  • Social media marketing

  • Website Marketing

  • search engine marketing

  • Search Engine Optimization

  • Content Marketing

  • Email Marketing

  • Affiliate marketing and others

Benefits of Digital Marketing

  • Wider reach and targeted audience − With digital marketing, companies will have the benefit of reaching a wider audience across the globe, and on top of that, they can also ensure that the audience they reach is made up of potential buyers. Today we are deep into data, and understanding a person’s choices, needs, interests, and demographics is child’s play.

  • Cost-friendly − Digital marketing is a more cost-effective measure as companies can build their own websites, channels, and handles and share engaging posts with the audience. With a budget, they can try out other methods of email marketing, search engine marketing, affiliate marketing, and others.

  • Timeliness − Digital marketing helps companies reach consumers with the right advertisements at the right time. You just searched for Nike shoes on Google, and now you'll see ads for them on your social media platform, or it's 2 p.m., your lunchtime, and Zomato and Swiggy will come up with tempting deals on Biryani and other dishes.

  • Develop brand loyalty − Since the consumers interact with the brand on a daily basis on different channels, they become involved with and attached to it. They become brand loyal and help the company grow.

Digital marketing and e-commerce are separate divisions that support each other's growth. A firm need to have a presence in the e-commerce industry, and along with that, it should know how to advertise itself in the internet world. Both activities are deeply interlinked, as good SEO content on the e-commerce website will ensure huge traffic and more sales. On the other hand, there should be something to promote for digital marketers. Companies can also run their digital ads on their websites or the websites of other companies if they have huge traffic on their own and earn passive income. It is time to shift gears because going digital is no longer an option; it is the default survival setting.

Updated on: 14-Mar-2023

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