Marketing using the internet and online devices really began in the 1990s when the Archie search engine was created. Back in the 1980s, the computer storage capacity was large enough to store large numbers of customer information.
Companies first began using databases that allowed companies to track customer information more effectively than book-keeping thus closing the gap between the business and the customer or potential customer.
The term digital marketing was coined in the 1990s with the development of server/client interaction and the increase of personal online home computers. The first clickbait banner ad appeared by AT&T in 1994, and it is said that 44% of home computer users clicked that ad.
In the 2000s, with more and more internet users and the birth of smartphones gave rise to serious online marketing and the birth of the digital marketing agency.
Moving to 2007 marketing automation developed in response to the success of sophisticated digital marketing campaigns. Marketing automation software replaces repetitive manual tasks with automatic tactical work allowing digital marketers to allow more time to strategy, content, and creative issues. Marketing automation was a major step forward that made for more effective campaigns.
In the 2010s the rise in devices capable of accessing digital media led to another sudden growth. With the development and rise in the use of Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter, consumers became highly dependent on their devices which made digital marketing a blend of in-home and out-of-home advertising. The potential to reach every customer to the palm of their hand was born.
Products marketed digitally are now at the reach to all customers at all times. Statistics in 2014 from Marketing Tech Blog show that in 2014 showed that social media is the top online activity in the USA. The average American spends at least an hour a day on social media nowadays.
99% of digital marketers use Facebook followed closely by Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.
Nowadays four types of digital marketing are recognised. Content marketing could be a blog, or a YouTube video, SEO, or Search Engine Optimisation, sees companies rise in Google searches, social media marketing uses popular platforms to raise their product awareness, and SEM, Search Engine Marketing, a tactic to gain attention, also known as pay-per-click marketing.
