The present and the future is digital marketing. Companies are also increasingly shifting from traditional ways towards digitalization. So, as different as the mediums to market your product or service for the two types are, the same holds for the marketing funnel as well. Moreover, the chances are that you would need some fresh talent for digital marketing if you haven’t considered it already. However, you can trust an agency with this job like I outsource sales recruitment agencies for my business.
Having said that, let’s see what the modern-day marketing funnel looks like.
What is Digital Marketing Funnel?
Using a term but not having much knowledge about it is wrong. So, if you do not know what a digital marketing funnel is, then it is a step by step process adopted by businesses these days. And the motive behind this process is to turn the prospective customers into loyal ones.
Old vs. New Funnel
Although the old funnel is no longer beneficial for companies, you need to know what the old funnel looked like so you can make a better comparison. The old model aka as AIDA model consisted of these stages:
- Awareness
- Interest
- Desire
- Action
If you compare it to the new funnel, it consists of the following stages:
- Awareness
- Consideration
- Purchase
- Retention
How is the Old Funnel Different from the New One?
The stages for both funnels are just ‘on the surface’ differences. However, if you look into them deeply, you will see that there are many more ways in which both the funnels differ from mere stages. Here are those differences:
Old Funnel
- Focuses on a linear experience
- It consists of four steps
- The funnel thinks about the universal consumer behavior at large
New Funnel
- Focus is on a non-linear experience
- It consists of ten steps
- It thinks of the behaviors that drive a user
So, to summarize it, the new funnel considers each customer as an individual. And the focus is on targeting them in the same manner. However, the old funnel considered the consumers as one, and marketing efforts were directed at them as a whole too.
Why did the Funnel Change?
A question that many have in mind is that why did the funnel change. The answer to this is the evolution of technology. If you do not see the connection, here is the deal. With passing time the number of users who have access to the Internet increased. This means that the users can now shop even when on the go. Apart from that, the fact is that users now have an immense amount of information available to them. Thanks to the Internet.
And this gave rise to users having a non-linear and customized shopping experience. Thus, allowing them to shift from old to new. Because the old marketing funnel was not effective any longer. As it adopted a linear approach. Thus, ignoring the various paths that a consumer was capable of taking.
Why is Digital Marketing Funnel Crucial?
If you are still ignorant of the fact that digital marketing is taking over the world, then it’s high time that you do. And for that to happen you should know how exactly the digital marketing funnel works apart from its importance. Here are all the reasons that make the funnel important:
- You will be able to get more targeted exposure. Hence allowing your business to grow further.
- Get access to quality leads that have more chances of conversion.
- Nurturing the prospecting or existing customers well enough for them to spread the word further.
Thanks to the era of the Internet, you now have access to more options when it comes to shopping products or services online. Thus, making it possible for businesses to earn more. However, there is a downside to it as well. As the world is moving towards digitization, it is becoming difficult for the businesses to break through the clutter. However, if you are doing it the right way, you don’t have to worry.
Reasons Why the Digital Marketing Funnel Matters
The following are some of many reasons why the new marketing funnel matters:
- You get to discover new strategies that can help you market your product or service better
- Companies understand the motivation behind their customers’ purchases
- Realization why some strategies work until a certain stage only
- Ability to have a different plan for the different stages of the funnel
Types of Digital Marketing Funnels
Although the stages might be the same for all, the following are the different types of digital marketing funnels:
- Hourglass
- Looping
- Micro-moments
Tips to Reach Out to Your Customers
Although there are various stages in a digital marketing funnel and there are various types of funnels, but one thing remains constant. And that is how you can reach out to the shoppers at the various stages of the marketing funnel. No matter what type or stage of the funnel, following will work for all:
- 24/7 assistance
- Focusing on more than just the metrics
- Using AI and machine learning
- Leveraging the brand’s value
- Marketing your ideal shopper
However, do not think that a single person will be responsible for doing all this. For example, you can ask IT staffing firms or marketing recruitment agencies to find individuals for you who can do the job for you.