Understanding the Qualities of Digital Communication

We define digital communications as any text or image-based messaging that occurs through a website, streaming video, audio, graphic design, digital photography, text, or web code. Digital communication encompasses a huge range of media, including web sites, web ads, online streaming video and radio, email, and more. It also occurs through social media marketing, video ads, sponsored blog posts, text message campaigns, and an ever-increasing range of technological mediums. This article explores some of the key characteristics that define digital communication.

 

Digital Communication is Expanding at a Rapid Rate

As more of the world gains access to the internet and devices like computers, tablets, and mobile phones, the world of digital communication is expanding. According to the GSMA, over 5 billion people use mobile devices, with more users joining every day. Not only does this mean that advertisers and organisations are better able to reach their audiences, but that consumers are more able to communicate with each other. Individuals are using digital communication to share articles, videos, and even restaurant recommendations through a few simple touches to the screen. The evolution from 4G to 5G networks is allowing for larger amounts of data to move between devices, and for the limits of creative media to grow. In years past, it took several minutes to download an single song- in contemporary times, almost any song can be accessed in less than a few seconds using streaming radio or digital video channels.

Digital Communication Encourages Innovation in Creative Expression

Digital communication allows for new combinations of imagery, sound, text, and animation. Pop-ups, GIFs, video ads, and clickable web banners are all new means of messaging and expression that have arisen in the last several years. The use of sound, moving text, and animated imagery are allowing for marketers and artists alike to redefine the limits of their creative expression. Who knows what’s next in the world of technological innovations?

Digital Communication Can Reach New Audiences

New platforms like Youtube, Soundcloud, and Instagram, allow for entertainers, companies, and individuals to reach audiences that were once out of reach due to geographical limitations. Streaming radio and television provide a platform that is affordable and attractive to a range of users. Consequently, this has created a new world of digital marketing; Blogs, web banners, video ads, and promoted posts are rapidly expanding as one of the most important digital marketing and communication tools around the world.

Digital Communication Uses Web Code As a Tool

Web code, like HTML5, JavaScript, and more, act as the language of the internet. These coding languages work to move information, text, and images through the web as users run searches or “surf” through different sites. This code can sometimes detect a user’s past behaviour, interests, geographic location, and whether they have visited a site previously. As a result, web code becomes a tool to determine when and where digital communications should be sent. Digital marketing companies use web code to direct their communication campaigns, and also to track their success.

The world of digital communications is endlessly expanding, allowing for new creative outlets, better opportunities to target individuals, and more opportunities for users to share with each other. While digital communications may never fully replace all forms of communication, its presence continues to become more important in cultures around the world.

* This article was originally published here