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Digital Marketing
A Practical Guide to Data-Driven Strategies



January 2027 | SAGE Publications, Inc
Digital Marketing: A Practical Guide to Data-Driven Strategies explores how to build successful brands with proven digital marketing strategies and practical applications. Author Nick Mattar provides a step-by-step guide through the process of marketing both big and small businesses, covering everything from website creation to strategizing for long-term, sustainable growth. A dedicated early chapter on AI and integrated coverage of analytics in every chapter highlight the modern approaches digital marketers use to drive success. Each chapter includes exercises that put students in the shoes of a marketer building a start-up brand. With this practical approach, students will be prepared to run effective online marketing campaigns in any digital or social media marketing role.

Sage Vantage Learning Platform
This text is offered in Sage Vantage, an intuitive learning platform that integrates quality Sage textbook content with assignable multimedia activities and auto-graded assessments to drive student engagement and ensure accountability. Unparalleled in its ease of use and built for dynamic teaching and learning, Vantage offers customizable LMS integration and best-in-class support.

Highlights
  • NEW! An AI Literacy module prepares students to engage confidently with today's AI tools through an interactive, outcomes-focused experience—with minimal instructor lift and no course redesign required. Available exclusively in Sage Vantage and written by professors who teach and publish about AI, the AI Information Literacy, Academic Integrity, and Responsible AI Use integrates video, data driven examples, applied activities, Knowledge Checks, and built-in assessments that help instructors track student understanding. Focused on strengthening critical thinking, the module teaches students how to evaluate AI outputs for accuracy and bias while developing responsible prompting strategies that support academic success without compromising students’ intellectual growth.
 
Preface
 
Acknowledgments
 
About the Author
 
Chapter 1: The Role of Marketing and Analytics in a Business
Introduction

 
Digital Marketing in a Growing Business

 
Brand awareness vs revenue generation

 
Applying Digital Marketing Analytics

 
Combining Digital Marketing Strategies

 
Summary

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 2: Audience Development
Introduction

 
Segmentation, Targeting, and Positioning

 
Importance of a Niche

 
Creating Buyer Personas

 
Summary

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 3: Developing a Digital Marketing Strategy
Introduction

 
Digital Marketing Strategy

 
Marketing Limitations

 
Long-Term Strategies

 
Summary

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 4: Generative AI
Introduction

 
How Generative AI Works

 
Ethical Questions Around Generative AI

 
Generative AI in Marketing

 
Summary

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 5: Web Marketing and Development for the Mobile Generation
Introduction

 
Website Goals and Vision

 
Sitemaps and Wireframes

 
Create Your Own or Outsource?

 
Integrating Your Brand Into Your Website

 
User Experience

 
Major Website Analytics

 
Summary

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 6: Using Your Website to Generate Leads
Introduction

 
Thought Leadership

 
Brand authority

 
Lead generation websites

 
Email marketing

 
Lead generation website KPIs

 
Summary

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 7: B2C Marketing: E-Commerce Strategies
Introduction

 
Basics of e-commerce

 
Third-party platforms

 
Selling non-inventory products and services

 
E-commerce analytics and email marketing

 
Summary

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 8: Blogging and Search Engine Optimization
Introduction

 
Why blogging?

 
On-page SEO

 
Off-site SEO

 
Technical SEO

 
SEO analytics

 
Summary

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 9: Creating Value Through Social Media
Introduction

 
Social media’s evolution

 
Strategy development

 
Social media platforms

 
Social media analytics

 
Summary

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 10: Social Media Content
Introduction

 
Media consumption habits

 
Video strategy

 
Visual content strategy

 
Writing social media posts

 
Summary

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 11: Attracting and Leveraging Earned Media
Introduction

 
Earned media today

 
News websites and blogs

 
Social media

 
Online reviews

 
SEO backlinks

 
Earned media KPIs

 
Summary

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 12: Influencers and Ambassadors
Introduction

 
Influencer marketing

 
Influencer marketing campaigns

 
Ambassador marketing

 
Ambassador marketing strategy

 
Summary

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 13: Online Advertising
Introduction

 
Advertising overview

 
Advertising strategies

 
Major advertising KPIs

 
Paid social in-depth

 
Paid search in-depth

 
Other native advertising

 
Summary

 
Key Terms

 

This textbook is a remarkable fusion of strategic thinking and practical tools, making it an essential resource for students embarking on their journey in digital marketing. The authors' inviting tone, focus on real-world examples, and integration of emerging technologies like AI create an engaging and dynamic learning experience.

Professor Heejung Park, Ph.D.
Northern Michigan University

This textbook is highly readable with practical advice and clear examples for early stage digital marketers. The history of digital marketing is woven into the text so the reader gains important background context while simultaneously learning about current strategies and resources.

Professor Nicole A. Brown
Oregon State University

The book provides a nice overview of digital marketing. It also contains a lot of practical advice and strategies that students can use. The book also delves into how to build a successful brand using digital marketing and has a focus on data-driven decisions, strategizing, long-term growth, and analytics.

Professor John Gironda, Ph.D.
Nova Southeastern University

This text provides a complete road map for those who are interested in learning the most up to date digital marketing strategies with real world examples!

Professor Yasemin Atinc, Ph.D.
East Texas A&M University

My quest for the perfect textbook to use in my digital marketing experience class has ended.

Professor Thomas Elmer
West Chester University

Provides an overview of digital marketing almost in story format.

Professor Joie S. Hain, DBA
Clayton State University

It is easy to read and understand, very hands on...like a practitioner's guide.

Professor Lubna Nafees
Appalachian State University

This textbook is the best I've encountered for my students to learn the concepts and signposts of digital marketing.

Professor Kyle Peterson
Idaho State University

This book feels fresh and approachable. It connects digital strategy with hands-on marketing tools in a way students can actually use. The tone is professional but friendly, and each chapter has a clear purpose with examples that reflect how digital marketing really works today. I especially like how analytics and AI are woven into the strategy rather than treated as separate topics.

Professor Athena Wooldridge, Ph.D.
Northeastern State University

This textbook offers a clear, student-friendly introduction to digital marketing, with a practical focus on start-ups and small businesses. The authors' approachable tone and well-organized format make complex topics easy to grasp. It’s a strong resource for instructors looking to teach digital marketing in a relatable, hands-on way.

Professor Sherry Macurak, M.B.A.
Collin College
Key features
  • This text is available in Sage Vantage, an intuitive learning platform that integrates quality Sage textbook content with assignable multimedia activities and auto-graded assessments to drive student engagement and ensure accountability. Unparalleled in its ease of use and built for dynamic teaching and learning, Vantage offers customizable LMS integration and best-in-class support.
    • NEW! An AI Literacy module prepares students to engage confidently with today's AI tools through an interactive, outcomes-focused experience—with minimal instructor lift and no course redesign required. Available exclusively in Sage Vantage and written by professors who teach and publish about AI, the AI Information Literacy, Academic Integrity, and Responsible AI Use module integrates video, data driven examples, applied activities, Knowledge Checks, and built-in assessments that help instructors track student understanding. Focused on strengthening critical thinking, the module teaches students how to evaluate AI outputs for accuracy and bias while developing responsible prompting strategies that support academic success without compromising students' intellectual growth.
  • Chapter Opening Case Studies set the stage for the chapter, such as Dollar Shave Club’s growth using e-commerce best practices in Chapter 1 and Nike’s digital marketing strategy in Chapter 3.
  • How-to instructional guides help students learn a key piece of the chapter. Chapter 5 walks students through the process of planning a website and Chapter 8 features a guide on implementing keywords into a webpage.
  • Platform Overviews provide tutorials of core online programs. Chapter 10 walks students through the process of uploading and optimizing a video to YouTube, while Chapter 13 showcases Google and Meta’s online advertising platforms.
  • AI Spotlights discuss how generative AI impacts digital marketing strategies and platforms. These range in applications, including Chapter 12's introduction to AI influencers and Chapter 13's discussion on how Meta and Google provide AI-generated content to simplify the creation of ad campaigns.
  • Success Story case studies showcase real-world digital marketing achievements. Chapter 4 shows how a major online clothing retailer used AI to create more dynamic product photography and Chapter 11 shares how a tech company turned negative viral press into an earned media opportunity.
  • Analytics Review features present various metrics and how businesses apply them. Chapters 6 and 7 differentiate the metrics needed to showcase the performance of a lead generation website and an e-commerce website. Meanwhile, chapters 9 and 10 both discuss social media but define completely different sets of metrics.
  • Chapter Ending Case Studies apply the chapters' takeaways through practical everyday business scenarios. The companies in these case studies vary from L’Oreal in Chapter 4 to the success story of a nationwide online steak retailer in Chapter 8.