User:Minash8/sandbox

 DIGITAL MARKETING PLATFORMS 

Digital marketing is defined as ‘achieving marketing objectives through applying digital technologies'(Chaffey and Ellis-Chadwick, 2012).

The invention of the World Wide Web and mobile phones has transformed society. In today’s era ‘one of the biggest changes in human interaction is the recent proliferation of online social networks. Rapid growth of Web-based platforms that facilitate online social behavior has significantly modified the nature of human activities, habitats, and interactions. Real-world social relationships have been migrated to the virtual world, resulting in online communities that bring people together from across the globe’ (Tiago and Verı´ssimo, 2014). Marketes are exploiting their digital marketing assets, tools and techniques to improve their customer's business. This involves designing a website and using digital marketing tools and techniques like  search engine optimization (SEO), search engine marketing (SEM), content marketing, influencer marketing, content automation, campaign marketing, data-driven marketing and e-commerce marketing, social media marketing, social media optimization, e-mail direct marketing, display advertising, e–books etc. These are being integrated with traditional tools and techniques like emails and browsers for the ease in use and to facilitate conversion, engagement and referrals (Cim.co.uk, 2017)

Digital marketing platforms are the various means and ways used for reaching and interacting with audiences by people over the internet. There are a variety of traditional and modern digital marketing platforms available. According to Chaffey and Ellis-Chadwick (2012), a few of the most commonly used digital marketing platforms are as follows:

 A) DESKTOP, LAPTOP AND NOTEBOOK PLATFORMS: 

These platforms have been dominantly used for marketing since ages now and their importance continues to build up. This includes traditional platforms like:

·       1.Browser based platforms :   use of internet browsers on desktops and laptops like Google chrome, Mozilla Firefox etc.

·      2. Email platforms:                    emails have been used ever since to establish contact with people and their importance has seen no decrease all through these years.

·       3.Video marketing platforms:  platform like YouTube is a perfect example for this where video streaming is used to reach the customers for advertisement purposes these

days.

·       4.Feed based and API data platforms:   RSS feeds, twitter, Facebook etc. These platforms aids marketers and developers extend a platform and customized it to the

needs of consumers (Martin and Todorov, 2010)

 B) MOBILE PHONE AND TABLET PLATFORMS: 

The use of mobile and tablet based marketing platforms and superseded the desktop based platforms by large numbers in today’s era. With the increase the number of people owning smartphones worldwide, the importance of these platforms show no signs of obsolesce in the near future. This includes

·       1.Mobile based applications: software applications designed for used over mobile phone and tablets and downloaded from app stores like Google play store and apple

store.

·       2.Mobile based Browsers and operating systems: mobile based web browsers like Google Chrome, Safari and Mozilla Firefox.

 C) OTHER HARDWARE BASED PLATFORMS: 

Regarded as something new, in today’s era, other than laptops, desktops, mobiles and tablets, there has been an increase in the use of hardware based platforms to communicate with customers. These include:

·       1.Gaming platforms:  ‘Whether Xbox and Netflix Streaming, Boxee and Hulu, or televisions connected to the Internet by default, the entertainment convergence is opening

exciting new avenues for marketers and consumers’ (Martin and Todorov, 2010). Use of such platforms enables marketers to reach the customers

for in game advertisements.

·       2.Indoor and Outdoor Kiosk type applications:  use of Kiosks and augmented reality options to reach the customers.

·       3.Interactive signage: use of touchscreen, QR codes and Bluetooth to interact with customers in an innovative and a modern way.