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8 Common Digital Marketing Terms Every Business Owner (or Marketing Director) Should Know

Digital Marketing | Nicole Keiner Tuesday, January 6, 2026

OVERVIEW

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Digital marketing can feel overwhelming, but understanding key terms like SEO , PPC , and UX empowers you to make smarter decisions. This guide breaks down the basics, platforms, and essential terms to help you navigate the digital landscape and unlock your business's potential.

INDEPTH

Digital marketing often feels like learning a new language. In meetings or reports, acronyms such as SEO , PPC , and CPC can be overwhelming. Understanding these terms is vital—not just to follow conversations but to make smarter business choices.

When you know what these terms mean, you can see how your budget is used and what results you are getting. Instead of just reading reports, you can help shape your marketing strategy.

This guide explains digital marketing basics, core platforms, and eight confusing key terms. By the end, you'll understand the digital world and how it benefits your business.

What is Digital Marketing?

Digital marketing, also known as online marketing, is the process by which businesses promote their products or services on the internet. Unlike traditional marketing, which uses print, radio, or TV, digital marketing uses online channels to reach the right people.

Digital marketing has evolved significantly. Starting with basic banner ads and emails, it now includes many activities powered by data and technology. The main goal is to reach potential customers where they spend their time—online.

Digital marketing stands out because it is precise. Unlike a highway billboard that everyone sees, digital marketing lets you target certain groups, interests, and behaviors. You can also track your results in real time and make quick changes to boost engagement.

The Core Platforms of Digital Marketing

A strong digital marketing plan usually uses more than one platform. By combining channels, you can share a clear, consistent message. Here are the main platforms you will come across:

Search Engines

This is often where the customer journey begins. Platforms like Google or Bing are used to find answers, products, and services. Marketing here involves two main approaches: earning traffic through organic rankings ( SEO ) or buying traffic through paid advertisements ( SEM / PPC ). More on these acronyms below.

Social Media

Social media platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram , and TikTok let brands connect directly with their audience. It is more than just sharing messages—it is about building a community. With Social Media Management ( SMM ), businesses can share content, talk with followers, and grow brand loyalty.

Email

Email remains one of the most effective channels. It sends direct, personal messages to people who already like your brand and works well for turning leads into customers or keeping current customers engaged.

Content Marketing

This platform supports all the others. Content marketing involves creating valuable, relevant materials—such as Blog posts, videos, and case studies —to attract and engage an audience. It is the fuel that powers your SEO , social media, and email campaigns.

8 Digital Marketing Terms Explained

To better understand your marketing reports, here are eight terms you should know.

1. SEO ( Search Engine Optimization )

Search Engine Optimization is the practice of improving your website to increase its visibility in relevant search results. The better visibility your pages have in search results, the more likely you are to garner attention and attract prospective and existing customers to your business. SEO focuses on "organic" traffic—meaning you don't pay the search engine for the placement. It involves optimizing your site's technical structure, content, and authority.

2. SEM ( Search Engine Marketing )

While SEO focuses on organic traffic, Search Engine Marketing ( SEM ) generally refers to paid efforts to increase visibility. SEM involves using paid strategies to appear in search results. The goal is to verify that a website appears prominently in Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs) when users search for specific keywords.

3. PPC (Pay-Per-Click)

PPC is an online ad model where you pay each time someone clicks your ad. It is a way to buy visits to your site instead of earning them for free. Search engine ads are a common type of PPC . You bid for your ad to appear in sponsored links when people search for keywords related to your business.

4. CPC (Cost-Per-Click)

Your actual cost-per-click is what you pay for each click. You set a maximum budget, but you often pay less than your top bid. The price depends on an auction that looks at your ad's quality and the competition. Knowing your CPC helps you control your budget and see if your campaigns are profitable.

5. Impressions

An impression is counted each time your ad appears on a search results page or another site in the Google Network. It does not mean someone clicked or even noticed it; it just means the ad was shown. Impressions help measure brand awareness. If you want to be seen by many people, you will focus on getting more impressions.

6. Conversion Rate

A conversion occurs when someone on your website takes an action you want, such as filling out a form, making a purchase, or signing up for a newsletter. The conversion rate is the percentage of visitors who take this action.

7. UX ( User Experience )

UX means the overall experience someone has when using your website or digital platforms. It includes how easy your site is to use, its design and speed, and how easy it is for users to find what they need. Good marketing brings people to your site, but good UX keeps them there. If your site is hard to use or slow, people will leave, and your marketing budget will be wasted.

8. Analytics

Analytics is about the data and trends in your digital activities. Tools like Google Analytics track website visits, user actions, and the performance of campaigns. This information helps marketers see who visits a site, where they come from, and what they do. Analytics turns marketing into a data-driven process instead of guesswork.

How Intrada can help with your digital marketing needs

Learning these terms is a good start, but running a successful strategy takes time, skill, and the right tools. At Intrada Technologies, we combine technical know-how with creativity to build strong marketing campaigns.

Since 2000, we have believed in being more than just a service provider—we see ourselves as part of your team. We take time to learn about your business and challenges so we can suggest solutions that help you grow.

Technology is a tool, not the solution itself. Whether you need help with a PPC campaign, a website redesign for better UX , or a full digital strategy, we are ready to help.

If you want to improve your digital marketing or just get a fresh perspective on your current strategy, contact us today. We can talk about your goals and offer a free social media consultation to see how we can help your business.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nicole Keiner is a Senior Marketing Strategist for Intrada Technologies. Her responsibilities include developing and executing marketing and digital media marketing strategies for clients. Nicole has nearly two decades of experience in public relations, content development, digital media marketing, and event management for businesses of all shapes, sizes, and types.

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