VPN Adoption: A Strategic Move for Marketers in the Digital Era
In the fast-paced realm of digital marketing, the adoption of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) emerges as more than just a technological choice – it becomes a strategic imperative. When running an effective and safe marketing business, geo-restrictions, cybersecurity threats, and other limitations are becoming considerable foes.
In this era where borders blur virtually but regulations and limitations persist, the role of a VPN transcends mere encryption; it becomes a gateway to unlocking a genuinely borderless digital environment.
In this article, we’ll explore VPNs and how they can positively impact your marketing business. Moreover, you’ll find some tips on how to choose the right VPN that will fully satisfy your needs.
4 Ways a VPN Can Help Marketers Out
While many marketers don’t see a VPN as a necessity, it certainly is one. It can help you deal with a wide range of problems and nuisances. Let’s take a quick look at them (click on each corresponding link to jump ahead):
- Ensure privacy & data security
- Pay Less for Certain Services & Tools
- Access Geo-Restricted Content & Unlock Social Media Features
- Make Search Results More Organic
Below, you’ll find in-depth explanations and some examples of how VPNs can assist you in your marketing adventures. If you have any questions regarding how VPNs can be used to better protect your digital marketing campaign, contact us. Also, check out our blog "Digital Marketing Strategies: 6 Effective Strategies For Any Business"
1. Ensure Privacy & Data Security
Whether you’re a freelance marketer or a part of an agency, you exchange a lot of sensitive information and files during your workdays. Especially if you work remotely. If you don’t use the right tools, chances are someone can sabotage and leak the data. Such events can not only ruin your campaign plans but also lead to financial losses and a negative impact on your reputation.
But that is easily prevented with a secure VPN. The most reliable services use state-of-the-art encryption and safety features. They create secure tunnels between:
- Your devices
- The Internet
- Your clients
That means a VPN renders it unreadable to potential eavesdroppers. Furthermore, it minimizes the chances of man-in-the-middle & DDoS attacks, which can be fatal to your campaigns.
In addition, VPNs can also:
- Encrypt your internet traffic, making it unreadable to anyone trying to intercept it.
- Mask your IP address by replacing it with the IP address of the VPN server you are connected to.
- Allow you to connect to less secure, public Wi-Fi networks, such as those in coffee shops, airports, or hotels.
- Bypass geographical restrictions by making it appear as though you are accessing the internet from a different location.
- Ensure that your DNS requests are also encrypted and do not reveal your browsing history.
We will analyze some of these features more closely throughout the article, but It's important to note that while VPNs provide enhanced privacy and security, the overall security of your online activities also depends on other factors, such as the strength of your passwords, the security of the websites you visit, and the practices you follow online.
2. Pay Less for Certain Services & Tools
Crafting effective marketing campaigns and digital content can be a lot easier with the right tools. However, they are usually quite pricey, especially if you’re a solo freelancer. In addition, some tools might not be available in your country. But did you know that a VPN can help you reduce those prices and unlock the services in some cases?
As you may probably know, many online vendors use dynamic pricing to increase the cost when a product is in high demand. Especially, when you check it more than a few times. Moreover, the tool prices differ depending on the region you are in and its local purchasing power.
Luckily, a VPN can prevent trackers and hide your browsing history, giving you a clean slate to work with. Additionally, by switching to a different country you can unlock special regional discounts. Plus, some countries have lower prices altogether. For example, Adobe Suite costs $59.99/month in the US, while in India, you can get it for as little as $28.72/month. It’s mind-blowing how much a VPN with Indian servers can help you save!
In summary, there are several benefits of using a VPN for crafting effective marketing campaigns and digital content, such as:
- Cost reduction
- Access to regional discounts
- Dynamic pricing evasion
- Bypass geo-restrictions
- Privacy and security
- Access pricing discrepancies
VPNs are truly remarkable tools and when used right, they can be extremely beneficial.
3. Access Geo-Restricted Content & Unlock Social Media Features
Not all content, add-ons, and special features are available globally. For instance, marketers in a handful of countries (like the USA, the UK, or Germany) have access to exclusive Snapchat+ and its shiny features. Additionally, not all regions are eligible for shopping/selling on Instagram Marketplace. This disparity can limit the creative and strategic potential of marketers in certain locations. While we are on the note of e-commerce, check out our article "Shopify Marketing Strategies".
Businesses in the countries listed above can shop on Instagram.
While it seems completely unfair to be excluded, you can easily fight this injustice. By changing your IP address and location with a VPN, you’ll have access to fancy tools and features that are available on that country’s:
- Snapchat
- TikTok
This way, you can expand your marketing possibilities and strategize accordingly, tapping into innovative trends and consumer behaviours that might be unique to specific regions.
Moreover, unlocking these exclusive features enables you to stay ahead of the curve and gain a competitive edge in the ever-evolving digital landscape. Whether it's:
- Experimenting with new ad formats
- Engaging with diverse audiences
- Leveraging region-specific trends
Using a VPN empowers you to tailor your marketing approach and stay nimble in a global marketplace. It's not just about overcoming restrictions; it's about unlocking opportunities and staying at the forefront of digital marketing innovation.
4. Make search results more organic
While a VPN is not traditionally categorized as a marketing tool, it proves invaluable in facilitating a more organic and insightful search experience. By donning the digital identity of your target audience from a different corner of the globe, you gain the ability to perceive search results in their unaltered state, just as users in those specific regions would.
Imagine the scenario of strategizing for a global campaign. Without a VPN, your exploration is confined to the limitations of your local search environment, providing you with results that may be skewed and fail to capture the nuanced intricacies of diverse markets. However, with the implementation of a VPN, you and your marketing team can virtually position yourselves at the centre of various regions. This not only dismantles geographical barriers but also allows for an authentic and immersive exploration of search results.
In essence, a VPN becomes your passport to the global digital landscape, offering a panoramic view that extends beyond your immediate location. It transforms the digital marketing landscape from a confined space to an expansive arena, where you can fine-tune your strategies based on the authentic behaviors and preferences of users in different regions. In doing so, a VPN becomes a powerful ally in your quest for a global marketing approach.
Tips on How to Choose a Marketing VPN
With so many VPNs on the market, it can be challenging to pick the right one for marketing purposes. However, there are a few mandatory characteristics and features that every VPN should have.
For example, the main things are solid encryption and a trustworthy privacy policy. The former will ensure that no one can intercept your traffic. The most reliable cipher at the moment is AES-256 encryption. As for privacy, look for an independently-audited no-logs policy. That way, you won’t have to worry about data gathering and info leaks.
Excellent performance is ensured by tunnelling protocols and the server fleet. For swift connections, look for the WireGuard or NordLynx tunnelling protocols. In addition, the more countries a VPN covers, the better. That way, you’ll get more opportunities to hop through regions and explore local markets. Furthermore, the quality and number of servers will ensure faster speeds and more safety.
Other things are crucial too, like:
- Geo-block bypassing possibilities
- Additional features
- Simultaneous connections
- Customer support
The best way to find the best VPN for marketing is to do some research on review forums and opt for a free trial version.
Conclusion
One thing is clear: while a reliable VPN is not a marketing tool that will help you boost your campaign sky-high, it can help you in various ways. The main one is the security and privacy of your work-related data. Without a virtual private network, your marketing agency can become a victim of various cybercrimes.
Apart from security, a VPN can make various marketing and design tools a lot cheaper. And let’s not forget unlocking exclusive features and exploring organic search results for global campaigns. So, if you want to improve your work and overall safety, don’t hesitate to grab a VPN today.