Even though the two terms sound quite similar, there is a subtle difference between the two modern tools of marketing. In modern times, the internet has become an essential tool for marketers to catch their target audience and hence internet marketing or online marketing has become a prominent tool.

As we generally refer to the increased use of the internet as digitization, people easily confuse digital marketing with online marketing. While the reality is slightly different. So, the answer to the very first question is a clear no.

Definitions of the two terms

Digital marketing, when defined in simpler terms, is the use of digital media to promote a business’ service or product. The media used in digital marketing can range from Television sets and Radio to social media platforms and digital billboards. Digital marketing is a broader concept that involves the use of different channels to reach the target audience.

Whereas, online marketing or internet marketing is concerned with the use of the internet for the promotion of a product or service offered by an organization. Online marketers have access to websites, social media sites, and other platforms that require the internet for functioning, to reach their target audience. This particular form of marketing has boomed in the last few years and has yielded favorable results as well.

Digital marketing vs Online marketing- Key Differences

As the two terms sound quite familiar, there are a few differences to look at:

The first and foremost difference between digital marketing and online marketing is their time of existence. While digital marketing has been in use since the invention of the radio, online marketing came into the picture a century after.

The next notable difference between the two is that online marketing is a subset of digital marketing. We can also say that online marketing is one of the tools of digital marketing.

The channels used in digital marketing include TV, Radio, Mobile, Computer, Electronic billboards while only mobile and computers or any electronic device that has access to the internet is a channel for online marketing.

Which is better?

As both the tools are being used ferociously, a clear verdict on the better tool is still awaited.

Digital marketing, being the bigger concept, allows you to access a vast amount of data which can be useful in picking the right audience. It also allows companies to review their strategies and then pick the best one and capitalize on them.

Online marketing, on the other hand, is limited to the areas where the internet is accessible. However, you cannot overlook the added benefit of online marketing which is efficiency. Online marketing is a tad less expensive and allows you to retain your focus while digital marketing requires extra cost.

So, the two terms used across marketing geeks quite often may be confusing for normal people. But you just need to remember that digital should not necessarily mean online while online means digital.