Let’s say you’re trying to drive more traffic to your new website or online store, and you’ve heard that digital marketing may be the way to go. But you’ve also heard that digital marketing can become quite expensive, and you don’t have a very big budget. So should you be using it, or not?
Well, the first thing to understand is that there are numerous types of digital marketing, and they’re far from equal. Some, like search engine optimization (SEO) and social media marketing (SMM) can be very cost-effective, or even free. Others, including search engine marketing (SEM), can get expensive if you’re not careful. SEO is usually best contracted to an experienced SEO consultant, while SEM or Google Ads management is best left to a SEM specialist.
Below, we take a closer look at the amount you can expect to pay for high-quality digital marketing in the modern world.
How Much Do Various Types of Digital Marketing Cost?
As we noted above, different types of digital marketing can cost significantly different amounts. For example, SEO can be completely free if you do it on your own, while things like Google Ads can range to tens of thousands of dollars per month. But of course, this depends on how much you want to advertise.
If you employ an agency to take care of your digital marketing for you, expect to pay at least $1000 per month. For high-end agencies and larger websites, this can stretch to even more. Hourly rates for marketing professionals tend to sit between $50 and $100 per hour, and it’s easy to see how even a few hours of assistance can add up.
What Are the Best Methods for Tight Budgets?
If you’re on a tight budget, the best way to save money is going to be doing things yourself. Some methods to think about include:
- SEO, which can be completely free if you don’t have any money to spend on it. You won’t see immediate results with SEO. But when done correctly, it can result in increased traffic for some time into the future.
- SMM, which can also be free. Paid social media advertising options are available, and there’s usually no minimum spend with these. If you don’t want to spend anything, focus on creating a strong community and sharing actionable content.
- Email marketing, which can also be free. However, you will need a decent mailing list before you can make any real impact from email marketing, and this can take some time to build.
Marketing on a tight budget isn’t impossible, but it’s difficult, and you will need to be prepared to get your hands dirty.
How To Choose a Digital Marketing Platform?
When selecting a digital marketing platform or agency to work with, the first thing to think about is your budget. Set this, and stick to it. Pay attention to the reputation of providers as you’re doing your initial round of research, and shortlist attractive options. Then, dig deeper and see what others have been saying about each platform. Ensure they offer the services you require, and speak to the sales team to gather a first impression.
Final Word
The cost of digital marketing can vary from absolutely nothing to tens of thousands of dollars per month. This largely depends on the type of marketing you’re looking at and your marketing volume. There are numerous options for those on tight budgets, and there are also countless digital agencies out there offering attractive marketing solutions.