Print vs. Online Advertising: Which is More Effective in 2025?

As online content and mobile technology continue to grow, businesses face a pivotal decision when it comes to their marketing and advertising efforts.

That increasingly difficult-to-answer question is: “Should you invest in print or online advertising?”

There is no easy way to answer this, and it may be easy to jump to the conclusion of opting for digital channels over print. Given the evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) in search engines, the continued popularity of social media, and how mobiles are now the dominant devices for online purchases through websites and apps, it’s easy to see why many would instinctively choose the latter. 

However, print marketing and associated activities such as direct mail campaigns, leaflet distribution and magazine advertising are not as unpopular or dead-end as you may think.

As business owners find themselves in evolving, complex and competitive marketplaces, the question grows increasingly difficult to answer as both these mediums continue to evolve. It’s prudent to explore the advantages and considerations of both, and why a hybrid approach may be more beneficial in the long run.

Are Print Marketing and Direct Mail Still Relevant in 2025?

Digital transformation has undeniably affected modern advertising for businesses across a spectrum of sectors and industries. Online channels offer unprecedented targeting capabilities, real-time analytics, and the ability to adjust campaigns in real-time.

However, print advertising has demonstrated remarkable resilience, evolving to address modern needs rather than becoming obsolete. In the eyes of many, print offers a tangible, reliable method of connecting with audiences who are over-exposed to AI-led text and content on websites, further perpetuating dangerous discourse and misinformation.

Startup businesses face the dichotomy of trying to get noticed in an often overcrowded and oversaturated market. Standing out on digital channels is incredibly difficult and requires a constant stream of resources and attention. Print marketing is a lot slower, and more time can be taken to nurture leads that come through. 

While there is considerable overlap in terms of print and digital deliverables, startups don’t need a huge amount of upfront investment to get started on either medium. Equipping themselves with a quality camera to take original images for their catalogues or social media posts (obtained for a competitive price from a reputable site like MPB), some well-written text, and an awareness of their audience’s pain points, they’ll be on the right track. 

So which is the best medium to focus your efforts?

Benefits of Print Advertising

Despite some initial worries about its future, print marketing continues to offer unique business benefits that can’t be replicated in the digital space.

• Print materials provide a physical presence that digital ads often lack, creating a sense of permanence that resonates with customers.
• Many studies show that consumers value and trust printed marketing materials more than online alternatives, as they are easier to understand and more memorable.
• Customers must interact with print material in some way, which is more than can be said for digital ads that don’t even reach some of a brand’s intended audience.
• As digital channels become more saturated with advertising content, print is often seen as a refreshing and welcome reprieve from that space.
• Print designs such as brochures, magazines, flyers or leaflets demand attention that ads cannot always command
• While digital ads can be dismissed or ignored in a matter of nanoseconds, print materials possess a much longer shelf life. Extended exposure to mailed materials provides ongoing, long-term value.

Benefits of Online Advertising

There is nothing to suggest that digital marketing is losing any steam; if anything, channels are continuing to innovate in ways that make it easier for consumers to see, engage with, and benefit from ads.

• Social media channels and search engines offer built-in analytics tools which can unlock tremendous insights into campaign performance. It is much trickier to track direct mail performance without a substantial investment.
• Marketers can tailor campaigns and analytics to suit a variety of relevant goals for their businesses, whether it’s impressions, clicks, conversions, or other key events. 
• Digital advertisers can also target highly specific demographics, behaviours, interests, and characteristics like never before. Audience targeting options allow brands to focus on those that are most likely to convert, giving them an edge in campaign performance.
• Digital ads can now be equipped with interactive elements, videos and direct response mechanisms, which can make the entire experience more engaging for users. Printed materials can’t replicate these features, which command immediate action.

Adopting a Print-Digital Hybrid Strategy

The most successful advertisers recognise that digital and print don’t have to be mutually exclusive. There is no rule which stipulates that one must be used without the other. Instead, they can work well as complementary components of a well-structured, aligned omnichannel strategy.

This can include:

• Printed materials offering digital features like QR codes that can bridge the physical-digital gap. These can turn top-of-the-funnel print ads into an immediate gateway to a more immersive digital experience.
• Direct mail and print advertising used in tandem to reinforce key brand messaging. For instance, sending personalised printed materials to prospects who have shown interest in or engaged with products on an online store can be an excellent conversion rate booster.
• Across both print and digital spaces, visual identity can also be made more consistent, which can, in turn, strengthen brand loyalty and recognition. This creates multiple touchpoints that reinforce core brand propositions, values, and goals, where users are not confused about what action they need to take.

The key question isn’t whether print or digital advertising is more effective, it’s how effectively organisations can integrate both approaches to leverage their unique qualities and strengths.

The most successful marketers understand their media consumption habits and create streamlined, positive, and cohesive experiences across channels.

Rather than opting for one or the other, forward-thinking business owners should instead try to create a seamless customer journey that incorporates the best of both worlds.