Digital Marketing Tools You Must Add to Your Professional Toolkit in 2025. Part 1

Remember, we dived into the fundamentals of online advertising and discussed the important tools in this endeavour. In practice, it turned out that the topic of tools and their specific properties is much more multifaceted and needs more specifications. That’s why we have made a detailed review of the most advanced services and solutions for any digital or affiliate marketer, which should certainly be added to your working arsenal. Save the links, choose the most suitable options from the selection, and share them with your colleagues so that they also can be well-equipped.

Paid search advertising: a must-have in your marketing campaign

One of the key categories of digital marketing with a focus on attracting targeted traffic and increasing ROI is paid search advertising. The principle of such advertising is simple: the advertiser pays search engines to display their ads above the search results. Thus, your advertising content will reach users who are actively searching for relevant products or services. The real power here lies in the cost-effectiveness, scalability, and ability to communicate directly with potential consumers. This model not only increases visibility but also allows marketers to dynamically adjust their strategies and respond in real time to changes in consumer behaviour and market conditions

Leading tools in paid search advertising

1. Google Ads
   As the premier platform, Google Ads provides the opportunity for complex campaign improvements to enhance ROI through detailed analytics and customization features. Its versatility in ad formats and targeting options makes it a top choice for businesses aiming to connect with a broad audience.You’ve probably heard the popular opinion that Google Ads is a mastodon in its field and is a panacea for any marketing campaign. However, this service may not suit everyone, and the market offers a large number of alternative options (besides the two we will discuss in this block). Get to know the strong opponents of Google Ads in our in-depth review.
2. Microsoft Ads (ex Bing Ads)
   This option is known as a significant counterpart to Google. With Microsoft Ads, you can reach a different segment of the internet population. It is particularly noted for its integration with Microsoft products, providing an additional layer of targeting based on user data from the Microsoft ecosystem.
3. Google AdSense
   For those focusing on contextual advertising, Google AdSense optimizes ad placement on websites and makes ads not only visible but highly relevant to the site content and visitors. This relevance boosts user engagement and ad performance, which makes AdSense a critical tool for website monetization.

Comparative table of top paid search advertising tools

Tool	Description	Pros	Cons
Google Ads	Google Ads offers advanced features for managing ad campaigns across Google’s extensive search network.	Comprehensive analytics Highly customizable	Higher cost per click in competitive niches Poor traffic quality if your ad isn’t enough optimized
Microsoft Ads (ex Bing Ads)	Microsoft Ads provides advertising services on Microsoft and Yahoo networks, capturing a unique audience.	Less competition Lower cost per click	Smaller audience reach Limited integration with various third-party tools and platforms
Google AdSense	Google AdSense specializes in placing contextually relevant ads on websites, increasing site monetization.	High relevance of ads Good for monetizing websites	Vulnerable to click fraud A limited selection of ad types

Social media advertising: essential for modern marketers

Social media advertising is a paramount tool for marketers today, as more than half of the world’s population (62%) use social networks and the right target audience is among them. This type of advertising utilizes personalized content and interactive ads, using the full potential of social networks to connect brands and consumers. What makes it particularly successful is the fact that there are many options for detailed targeting, such as those based on habits, hobbies, and demographics. With this level of precision comes the ability to target your ideal audience with personalized communications that increase engagement and conversion. The key to success with social media is trend-watching, as the level of competitors’ creatives and consumer tastes change and evolve minute by minute.

Ultimate platforms for social media advertising

1. Facebook Ads Manager
   Facebook Ads Manager is a powerful platform that manages advertising across Facebook and Instagram. It features an array of tools that support everything from simple post boosts to complex advertising campaigns. Marketers can utilize detailed targeting options based on user data such as location, demographics, interests, and behaviours. It also offers advanced analytics to track ad performance and user engagement, helping advertisers refine their strategies in real time.
2. TikTok for Business
   As a powerhouse of viral content, TikTok for Business enables brands to engage with a global audience through creative, short-form videos. The platform offers unique ad formats such as In-Feed videos, Branded Hashtag Challenges, and Branded Effects, which are designed to integrate intuitively into the user experience. TikTok’s algorithm prioritizes user engagement, providing businesses with the opportunity to go viral and achieve significant visibility quickly.
3. Instagram Ads Manager
   Operated via the Facebook Ads Manager, Instagram Ads Manager is tailored to capitalize on Instagram’s visually rich format. It provides marketers with tools to create visually stunning ads that appear in feeds, stories, and explore tabs. The platform supports various content formats, including images, videos, carousels, and stories, making it ideal for brands looking to enhance their visual storytelling. Targeting, analytics, and reporting tools are fully integrated, offering a sophisticated approach to advertising on one of the most popular social networks.

Comparative table of leading social media advertising tools

Tool	Description	Pros	Cons
Facebook Ads Manager	Manages ads across Facebook and Instagram, offering a suite of targeting and analytics tools.	Extensive targeting options (with retargeting possibilities) Comprehensive analytics Large global audience	Misreporting of some statistics Higher ad costs in competitive sectors
TikTok for Business	Enables engaging advertising through short-form videos, with unique formats like Branded Hashtag Challenges.	High engagement rates Innovative ad formats Strong reach among younger demographics	Limited historical data for long-term trends Can be problematic to measure ROI
Instagram Ads Manager	Focuses on visual advertising within Instagram, utilizing images, videos, carousels, and stories.	High visual impact Integrated with Facebook’s tools Great for brand storytelling	Primarily mobile-focused, which may limit some uses Costly for high-visibility campaigns

Affiliate marketing: leveraging partnerships for enhanced reach

Who else but us understands that affiliate marketing is the growth engine of digital advertising, playing a key role in both revenue generation and outreach. The primary reason for brands to engage with this type of advertising is to attract a diverse audience by utilizing the professional marketing skills of affiliates promoting the company’s products or services. This results-based approach aligns the motivations of both sides: affiliates receive commissions based only on the real traffic or sales they generate, while publishers get only the required type of traffic with the specified level of quality. The effectiveness of affiliate marketing lies in its ability to take advantage of the power of networking to drive sales. That is why it is a vital tool for advertisers looking for scalable and cost-effective solutions.

Top platforms for affiliate marketing

1. HilltopAds
   HilltopAds stands out with its unique anti-adblocker technology, ensuring that ads reach a wider audience, including users who employ ad-blocking software. This feature provides a competitive advantage by increasing actual ad views, which can significantly boost affiliate earnings. HilltopAds also offers a user-friendly interface and real-time optimization insights that help affiliates maximize their ROI.
2. PropellerAds
   PropellerAds is a comprehensive ad network that provides a wide array of ad formats such as native ads, pop-unders, and interstitials. Known for its sophisticated targeting options, the platform facilitates the reaching of specific audience segments, boosting the efficacy of campaigns.
3. Adsterra
   Adsterra is a global advertising network that excels in high-quality traffic delivery and innovative ad solutions. It offers a secure platform for both publishers and advertisers, fortified with anti-fraud technology and personalized ad management.

Comparative analysis of the popular affiliate marketing tools

Tool	Description	Pros	Cons
HilltopAds	An advertising network featuring unique anti-adblocker technology to maximize ad reach.	Diverse ad formats increase reach Real-time optimization User-friendly interface	Smaller network compared to others (small but mighty!)
PropellerAds	A versatile ad network offering a variety of ad formats, including native ads, pop-unders, and interstitials.	Advanced targeting options Variety of ad formats Global reach	Can be overwhelming for beginners (but there is a strong support team)
Adsterra	A robust global advertising network is known for high-quality traffic and innovative ad solutions.	Strong anti-fraud technology Personalized ad management Secure platform	Payout thresholds may be high for some affiliates

Email marketing: cultivating direct relationships with precision

Despite some experts expecting the imminent fading of this promotional channel, email marketing remains a cornerstone of digital strategy due to its direct approach and personalized interaction capabilities. Statistical forecasts even predict impressive growth in email marketing revenues over the next few years. Unlike other advertising methods that can disperse efforts, email marketing allows brands to establish a direct connection with their audience by sending customized messages that resonate on an individual level. The main feature of email newsletter campaigns is the precision of segmentation and automation. This means that each message can be targeted to the specific needs and interests of different customer segments, increasing engagement and conversion. With strong analytics to measure opens, clicks, and conversions, email marketing provides invaluable insights that help refine strategies and improve ROI.

Effective tools in email marketing

1. Mailchimp
   Mailchimp is one of the most widely recognized email marketing platforms, known for its user-friendly interface and extensive template library. It offers advanced automation features, allowing marketers to set up workflows for different audience segments, as well as integrated reporting tools to track campaign performance.
2. GetResponse
   GetResponse provides a suite of email marketing tools designed to create more effective campaigns. It features autoresponders, advanced analytics, and capabilities for creating landing pages and webinars, making it a versatile tool for marketers looking to expand beyond basic emails.
3. Constant Contact
   Constant Contact stands out with its emphasis on simplicity and efficiency, catering especially to small businesses and newcomers to email marketing. It offers extensive customer support, a vast collection of templates, and interactive tools for creating highly engaging emails.

Contrasting some top email marketing tools

Tool	Description	Pros	Cons
Mailchimp	A user-friendly platform with an extensive template library and robust automation features.	Intuitive interface Comprehensive integration options Advanced segmentation and analytics	Can become expensive as subscriber lists grow Limited automation in lower-tier plans
GetResponse	Offers tools for email marketing, landing pages, and webinars, aimed at creating effective multi-channel campaigns.	Versatile multi-use platform Strong automation capabilities Good for scaling operations	More complex to use Limitations in automation for the basic plans
Constant Contact	Focuses on simplicity and efficiency, great for small businesses or beginners in email marketing.	Exceptional customer support Easy to use Extensive resources and learning materials	Less advanced automation features Higher cost relative to competitors

Display advertising: visual impact meets efficiency targeting

Display advertising is a visual approach that plays a critical role in online marketing strategies, combining the power of eye-catching imagery with sophisticated targeting. These ads appear on a variety of online platforms, including websites, social media, and mobile apps, using images, videos, or animations to attract attention and deliver information quickly. The main benefit of display advertising lies in its ability to use data to reach specific demographics, interests, and behavioural patterns. This targeted approach increases brand awareness and helps increase conversions by engaging potential customers in more meaningful and contextually relevant ways. In addition, display advertising wins the perception race, as modern users tend to pay attention to vivid visuals, which is why more than half of marketers included visual ad copy in more than 91% of their content.

Display advertising tools you should pay attention to

1. Google Display Network (GDN)
   The Google Display Network is one of the largest and most comprehensive platforms for display advertising, reaching over 90% of internet users worldwide. GDN allows advertisers to place ads on a vast network of sites across the internet, from large, popular websites to niche blogs and everything in between.
2. AdRoll
   AdRoll specializes in retargeting and multi-channel marketing, allowing businesses to re-engage visitors who have left their websites. AdRoll uses artificial intelligence to optimize ad placements and increase ad performance across web, social media, and email campaigns.
3. Criteo
   Criteo is renowned for its dynamic retargeting technology that personalizes display ads based on the user’s previous online behaviour. This platform is particularly effective for e-commerce businesses looking to convert window shoppers into buyers by showing them tailored ads that feature products they have previously viewed or shown interest in.

Comparable analysis of the display advertising tools

Tool	Description	Pros	Cons
Google Display Network (GDN)	One of the largest networks offering ad placements across a multitude of online venues.	Extensive reach across diverse sites Advanced targeting options Integrates with Google Ads tools	Can be complex to optimize Higher competition in popular categories
AdRoll	Focuses on retargeting and cross-channel advertising with a strong emphasis on using AI for optimization.	Effective for retargeting Cross-platform capabilities AI-driven optimization	Might be pricey for small businesses Requires some effort to adapt
Criteo	Specializes in dynamic retargeting for e-commerce, personalizing ads based on previous user behaviour.	High conversion rates with dynamic retargeting Strong for e-commerce Large publisher network	Less transparency in campaign management Primarily benefits larger retailers

Final thoughts

Navigating the complexities of digital marketing demands more than just creativity and intuition; it requires a robust toolkit that can handle the intricacies of modern advertising landscapes. The tools we’ve discussed today offer a first-hand look into the powerful capabilities available to marketers in 2024.

Although some of them work quite autonomously — don’t worry, modern technology won’t take your job away from you. However, in the competition, the winner will be the one who has learned how to assemble an ultimate combination of these technologies and utilize their potential to the maximum. So don’t delay in learning the most up-to-date tools.

FAQs about affiliate marketing and online advertising tools