Digital marketing in India is witnessing tremendous growth. With so many advertisers relying on digital channels for customer acquisition, the demand for talented digital marketers is on a rise. Industries of all segments are focusing on investing in digital marketing.
Related: Read The History of Digital Marketing in India
In India, digital marketing is emerging as one of the most sought-after techniques to gain customers’ attention. It is a sign its scope in the future is exceptionally brilliant.
In this article, I will discuss the demand for digital marketing in India, the skills needed, the growing career opportunities, and the salary structure of digital marketing professionals in India.
Let’s begin.
What is Digital Marketing?
Digital marketing means to advertise businesses through different digital channels. The aim is to connect with existing and prospective customers. The channels might include social media, search engines, email, mobile applications, web applications, websites, or other digital channels.
Related: Learn SEO
Today, businesses leverage these digital channels to promote and sell their products, reach a wider audience, connect with their potential customers, engage with them, and build brand awareness effortlessly.
Related: Best Digital Marketing Tools
Digital Marketing Growth in India (Stats)
According to the Digital Report 2020, released by Global marketing services group Dentsu Aegis Network (DAN):
- The Indian digital industry has shown a growth rate of 9.4% over 2018 to reach Rs.68,475 crore by the end of 2019.
- The industry will grow by 10.9% to reach Rs.75,952 crores by the end of 2020. Also, it will be showing expected growth of 11.83% CAGR to reach a market size of Rs. 1,33,921 Crore by 2025.
Related: Best Digital Marketing Stats
According to Statista, Placement India, and Naukri.com:
The digital ad spending will reach 2,477 million in 2020.
- Search advertising will have more than a 45% share of internet marketing spend.
- Around 20 lakh digital marketers are in demand every year.
- The highest demand is for PPC professionals, followed by SEO, and content writers.
Demand For Digital Marketing in India
Let us now understand the factors that led to the demand for digital marketing in India.
Increasing Number of Internet Users
When it comes to marketing online, the first thing to consider is the number of users accessing the web. The number of internet users determines the amount of accessible prospective customers.
If you carefully examine this graph of Indian internet users, you can find that the number has almost touched 700 million in the existing year.
If referred to the past record, the number of users is expected to grow by over 974 million users by 2025. The number of users here includes people from both urban and rural regions. So, the distribution of services is even across the country, and the internet penetration level is incredible.
Moreover, India was already ranked as the second-largest online market worldwide in 2019. It is a huge indication that the market for internet marketing is highly potential.
Increasing Number of Mobile Users
The above stat shows the overall users across India. But note that a majority of the users are accessing the internet through their mobile phones.
Take a look at the graph below. In 2020, the number of users has reached 448 million. By 2023 the figure is projected to touch 500 million, creating enormous scope for digital marketing.
Thanks to the availability of cheap mobile data, it has accelerated the smartphone user base in India.
The major role player was Reliance Jio, which entered the Indian market in September 2016. The brand created turbulence in the market by offering cheap 4G, high-speed data plans, and free voice calling.
As expected, the company had a whopping number of customers and 100 million customers within six months. By the end of 2019, it managed to become the highest wireless telecom subscriber base in India.
As a result, the data pricing was lowered by other established telecom operators. This, in turn, led to the growth in mobile internet accessibility as well as affordability.
In addition to data pricing, the utility value of smartphones over other devices like laptops, desktops, or tablets, was an important contributing factor in the increased number of mobile users.
Growing Ecommerce in India
Ecommerce brands are performing exceptionally well in the Indian market. Brands like Amazon, Flipkart, Paytm, Myntra, Snapdeal, and Ajio are just to name a few succeeded in marking their presence.
Customer increasing awareness and interest in grabbing the best deals has resulted in a bigger ecommerce market. You can determine its market impact with a fact – the Indian e-commerce market expects to exceed 100 billion USD by 2022.
Another recent survey says, in India, E-commerce revenue is anticipated to grow to 71.0 billion U.S. dollars in 2024.
With the e-commerce market thriving in India, the need for digital marketing will keep increasing. Global brands will continuously look for marketing services to help them with an effective pre-launch buzz, a sustainable brand presence, quick conversions, and online sales. It is high time when digital marketers can grab maximum opportunities.
Replacement of Traditional Marketing
Compared to traditional marketing, digital one is beneficial in many ways. It is more convincing, quick to approach potential customers, has a variance, can capture a wide audience, and of course, is paperless.
Indian industries realize the practical benefits and results and therefore, are rapidly shifting to digital marketing from traditional marketing.
Digital India Program
All the above factors are significantly playing a role in boosting the scope of digital marketing. But not to forget the Indian government’s Digital India program launched in 2017.
The government is encouraging more digital adoption in day to day life using information technology. Buying, payment modes, booking tickets, filling up forms are few examples where digitalization has already entered.
The effort of the Indian government is further generating the need for digital marketing, and the demand is not just limited to metro cities but also open to small towns.
Digital Marketing Skills That Are Highest in Demand
India is one of the top markets for digital marketers because it is a growing economy . Also, its scope is only going to increase, which will increase the demand for professionals in the near future.
Related: PPC Skills You Need To Master
Interestingly, digital marketing can fit any kind of person. Anyone who is analytical, creative, insightful, and technologically inclined can enter this career domain.
Most importantly, it doesn’t require any specific or higher degree. If you have the right skills, you can be an ace.
Related: Instagram Marketing Skills You Need to Learn
This marketing field is dynamic, which means the marketer has to be smart enough to keep up with the changing trends and understand the users’ mindsets.
Related: Learn Content Writing and Content Copywriting
Digital Marketing Job And Freelancing Opportunities in India
There are many opportunities available for everyone, as said earlier, digital marketing is a huge landscape to explore. There are several different specializations in this field to start your career.
Some of the digital marketing job roles that you can take are:
- Digital Marketing Strategist
- Digital Marketing Executive
- SEO Analyst
- Web Content Manager
- Link Building Specialist
- Social Media Specialist
- Email Marketing Specialist
- Google AdWords Specialist
- Content Writer
- Ecommerce SEO Specialist
- Paid Advertising Manager
- Digital Marketing Team Lead
- SEO Manager
- Digital Marketing Manager
Besides, there are other popular digital marketing roles to choose from.
- Professional Blogger: Many professionals are a full-time blogger. They post text content or videos and earn reasonably well. (Learn how to create a blog)
- Youtuber: Audiences these days are highly interested in watching videos, and therefore it can be a good source of income. (Learn how to start a YouTube Channel)
- Affiliate marketing & AdSense: In this job role, you need to choose your niche and be an expert. If you can pull good traffic, you can earn with techniques like AdSense and affiliate marketing. (Learn what is affiliate marketing)
- Freelancing Services: If you are the one who wants to enjoy freedom while working, this is for you. You can start from home and catch different clients seeking expert services for their brand.
- Start-up or Agency: By learning digital marketing skills, you can be capable enough to start your own agency/start-up.
Salary Structure For Digital Marketing Professionals in India
Here are are the different salary structure for digital marketing professionals in India:
- Digital Marketing Intern: 10,000 – 15,000 INR/Month
- Digital Marketing Executive: 20,000 – 30,000 INR/Month
- Digital Marketing Manager: 40,000 – 60,000 INR/Month
- SEO Intern: 10,000 – 15,000 INR/Month
- SEO Executive: 20,000 – 30,000 INR/Month
- SEO Manager: 25,000 – 40,000 INR/Month
- PPC Intern: 10,000 – 20,000 INR/Month
- PPC Executive: 20,000 – 35,000 INR/Month
- PPC Manager: 40,000 – 60,000 INR/Month
- Social Media Intern: 10,000 – 20,000 INR/Month
- Social Media Executive: 20,000 – 30,000 INR/Month
- Digital Marketing Head: Above 60,000 INR/Month
- SEO Manager: Above 60,000 INR/Month
- PPC Manager: Above 60,000 INR/Month
Related: Salary of SEO Professionals in India
Conclusion
Today, the Indian digital marketing industry is propelling by each passing day. With more people getting online, the opportunities for digital marketing, and marketers are increasing rapidly.
The digital marketing scope in India is excellent. It is high time to grab the most out of these circumstances if you want to start your career in this domain. You can choose the job role that suits your skills and interest.
