Due to 84% of adults in the UK owning a smartphone this decade, the internet has become many people’s first port of call when it comes to looking for a product or service. You may be thinking whether printing services are a viable method of advertising anymore? Or whether you should purely focus on digital marketing? The printing services vs digital marketing debate has been a hot topic in the last decade.

The honest answer is that both have their place in the modern world. And, both have a part to play when it comes to a branding strategy, and the generation of sales/enquiries. There are many factors to consider when choosing which method is better for a scenario, so let’s explore them…

Are You Targeting A Local Niche? 

When targeting a very narrow portion of society, particularly when it comes to a local population, printing services still provide one of the most effective methods of advertising. Leaflets and flyers can help promote local events extremely well, as you are physically handing out information about your product, service or event to someone often in the direct vicinity of your business or event location. 

With digital marketing, you can set your ads to target those in a particular radius or area.  However, many users just scroll past when they see a sponsored post on Instagram or Facebook. Or, immediately scroll to the organic results when they see paid ads at the top of Google. 

With leaflets and flyers on the other hand, whether you’re handing it to someone by hand, posting it through a letter box or leaving it on a notice board, it will definitely be noticed by the receiver. When trying to promote your local business or event, don’t underestimate the power of print. You will be able to capture an audience that may not be so fond of targeted advertising. These individuals may still have an interest in your product, service or event so shouldn’t be forgotten!

The Cost Of Printing Services vs Digital Marketing’s Cost Per Click

Many digital advertisers offer seemingly low cost per clicks. This is the amount you pay every time that someone clicks on your digital advert. Digital marketing can therefore seem like a very cost-effective marketing option…and it can very well be. 

However, if your cost per click is an estimated £1 per click or more, the cost can quickly add up. If you receive 10 clicks a day to your website, that’s a cost of £300 per month. For the same cost, you could print 5000 double sided colour leaflets! That really puts things into perspective doesn’t it. 300 clicks vs 5000 leaflets or flyers. 

So, despite what social media companies may have you believe, in many cases print may be the more cost effective route to take for your marketing efforts! 

Which Offers More Credibility?

Anyone can set up a website in less than a day these days, and if your brand isn’t a recognised name, credibility can be an issue. Print brings with it an assurance that a potential customer is dealing with a legitimate business who are going beyond just online means to achieve their business goals. 

For example, a professionally printed letterhead will always impress more than a well-designed email. The same goes for a advert running in a newspaper will always carry more credibility than a randomly placed sponsored banner on a website. 

The physical medium does often carry more weight than their digital counterparts. 

Which Provides Better Information Retention?

Research shows that 84% of people find that they retain information better when they read printed words compared to seeing digitised letters on a screen. Furthermore, 78% of people said that they prefer reading on paper. 79% said they felt most relaxed when reading print. And, 54% said that they pay more attention to advertising when reading print compared to 19% who pay more attention to adverts when reading online.  

These statistics speak volumes! People obviously crave a break from smartphone and computer screens, whether they think about it consciously or not. If you want the recipients of your marketing efforts to retain the information you wish to present more optimally, think about utilising printing services in its various forms. 

Get The Most Out Of Both Formats

Although we’ve certainly showcased the benefits of print advertising in this blog, digital marketing undoubtedly has it’s place. In fact, the combination of the two approaches will in most cases, provide the most beneficial marketing results in terms of branding and sale/enquiry generation. 

Utilising both methods can help increase foot or web traffic and broaden your company’s horizons when combining the marketing avenues strategically. As with any marketing strategy, the first task to complete is to define your audience. Once you’ve ascertained that information, you can see which marketing combo is best for you! 

If you’re looking for printing services in Edinburgh, look no further than Print Pixels! We provide an all-encompassing range of cost-effective printing services for you to choose from. Browse through our many offerings and if you require any assistance or advice, get in touch with our fantastic team today and we’ll be happy to provide our many years-worth of expertise!