Simply looking around you will reveal the answer to this question. Can you count the number of electronic devices you see? You're probably reading this on a laptop or mobile device, and there are probably a few other devices nearby that can connect to the internet.

Consider how you consume information and how you share it with colleagues, friends, and family. Being online and connected has changed the way we buy things, find out about events, and can even influence how we vote. One of the reasons digital marketing has transformed how businesses promote and market their products and services is the ease with which they can be accessed at almost any time.

Measurability
A website is arguably the single most important marketing tool, providing insight into what people are interested in as well as how they find and navigate your website. How many people have been to your website? Where do they come from: organic search, pay-per-click (PPC), social media, or email campaigns? You can track the evolution of your figures over time to determine whether your marketing message is reaching the right people.

Affordability
Because of its affordability, digital marketing has brought marketing to smaller and medium-sized businesses all over the world, putting them on a level playing field with larger corporations. For example, Facebook advertising via ad campaign tools such as 'boost posts' costs a fraction of the cost of printing leaflets and can be targeted to a specific demographic.

At the same time, you get much greater reach with a larger audience that could potentially span the entire globe, and less paper ends up in landfill. Similarly, online banner advertisements on websites are generally less expensive than advertisements placed in more traditional outlets such as daily newspapers or magazines. The data generated by these online advertising techniques also provides feedback on how effective your ad spend was.

Speed
You can also get your message out there faster in the virtual world – all it takes is a simple click of a mouse button. When compared to the much longer process of producing and distributing printed materials, this means that businesses can be much more agile with their messaging. Twitter updates or website updates take minutes as opposed to days for the design and printing of a flyer. An e-newsletter can be written and controlled when it is sent out, and you can track who has opened it, whereas a newspaper advertisement can take a week to place and you never know how many people have seen it.

Engagement
In today's fast-paced world, digital marketing gives you a dynamic edge in how you promote yourself.

One of the primary reasons digital marketing has grown in importance is the ability to converse with prospective and current customers, answer questions, and resolve issues. You can also interact with a larger audience, which means that you can do more than just sell.

You can get opinions and conduct market research to help you make better decisions. You can also look for collaborations, subcontractors, or the professional opinions of your peers on project work. You can raise your profile and gain their endorsement by encouraging your audience to share pages.