Print vs. digital advertising: what to choose?
Advertising, both digital and print, is an integral part of every business or organization. It is used not only to increase sales but also to spread awareness about a particular company or organization. It would be difficult to find a company, especially in the business field, that does not use advertising.
In today’s world, we can see that more and more businesses are being created, and international trade is becoming easier and more accessible to most consumers. Therefore, the need for advertising is also growing, more and more types and formats of it are appearing. We often divide advertising into traditional (print) and modern (digital), but even then there are many different forms. This article is intended to further discuss advertising opportunities for your business.
What is print advertising?
Print advertising is any advertising that is printed on paper or other material. It can be seen in newspapers, magazines, and other publications, usually in the form of an advertisement. Also, printed advertising includes various flyers, posters, and billboards that promote a certain product, service, or event.
It’s no secret that print advertising costs more than digital advertising. Therefore, it is mostly chosen by medium and large businesses. Although it may seem that traditional print advertising is irrelevant these days, it is not. Many businesses still invest in print advertising because it has unique advantages:
- Can better reach target audiences. If your target audience is narrow enough, print advertising in certain publications aimed at that audience can actually be more effective than digital advertising. Online ads are also shown based on the data you choose, but they are usually quite general – age, gender, interests. ;
- May last longer. If your advertisement is on a stand on the street or in another space, it will be visible for a long time. Online advertisements are visible for a short time, as long as they are paid for;
- It may seem more reliable. Print advertising is usually invested by big and well-known businesses that are reliable. Because digital advertising online is cheap, scammers can use it either;
- Can offer more opportunities for self-expression. The format of print advertising is often unlimited, so it is possible to create individual solutions with the help of graphic design. Digital advertising such as Google Ads has strict requirements that must be met.
To create print advertising, you will need graphic design services. Print layout (flyer, poster, etc.) creation offered by Adveits can help you.
What is digital advertising?
Digital advertising is a term commonly used to describe any form of advertising on the Internet. It includes both advertisements on search engines (Google Ads advertising) and advertisements on social networks (Social Media Advertising) or other platforms. Nowadays, digital advertising is very widely used, and the following main advantages can be distinguished:
- Can be cheaper. Online advertising is not expensive, making it affordable even for small businesses. Plus, you usually know what you’re paying for. For example, Google Ads uses the pay-per-click principle, where you only pay for a click;
- Can reach more people, even internationally. Print ads only reach certain segments, while online ads can be seen by a larger, even international, audience. Therefore, more people can buy your product or service;
- Can be more efficient. As more and more people use the Internet, online advertising can be more effective and more visible;
- Offers a wider selection than print advertising. Digital advertising offers the opportunity to advertise on a wider variety of channels. For example, TikTok advertising is a great place to reach a young audience, while LinkedIn advertising is a great place to reach professionals in your field;
- It does not require a lot of investment in creativity. Digital advertising is not only cheap, but the process of creating it can be simpler and cheaper than print ads;
- A more sustainable choice. Print advertising requires more resources such as paper. Because online advertising has no physical form, it is relatively sustainable.
Which one is better?
Both print and digital online advertising have their advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, it is impossible to say unequivocally which advertisement is better. The choice depends on the size, nature, target audience, etc. of your business.
Businesses often use both print and digital advertising for the best results. Such a combination can offer the most benefits and reach all target audiences. In addition, it ensures awareness among different age groups.