Client Analysis of Apple
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Client Analysis of Apple
Digital marketing and media have gradually risen into the ranks to become among the most critical aspect of formulating a successful strategy for the future growth of many businesses. The use of various media and digital platforms to advocate for the brand of a particular company is, therefore, essential in modeling the company despite it having existed for several decades or being new. Looking into the example of Apple Inc., we will identify their strategic digital marketing framework, particularly the use of the website, to critically analyse their digital marketing and media activity.
Apple Inc. is a multinational technology company from the United States of America. Apple headquarters are n Cupertino, California. Apple Inc. was founded in April 1976 by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne through a business partnership. The company, as of the end of the year 2019, is estimated to have had an employee capacity of 137,000 (Apple Inc., “Apple 10-K Report FY 2019”). Apple Inc. designs develop and sells a wide range of products, mainly in the electronic category and also online technology services and computer software. These products include the iPhone smartphones, iPad tablet computers, the Mac personal computer, the iPod for portable music playing services, the Apple smartwatch, the Apple TV, AirPods, and the HomePod all in the electronic hardware category (Reuters). Software products include iOS, macOS, and watchOS. Other services include the iTunes media player, Shazam, and Safari web browser (Reuters). Moreover, Apple Inc. offers a lot of different products and services in America and across the world.
In the technology industry, Apple Inc. counts as the largest brand in ranking and revenue. The company’s online presence also counts as among the best because many of the E-commerce portals used to promote the brand identify the enormous demand for Apple products (Bhasin). Apple also has channel partners that help in the company’s e-commerce presence. Its digital marketing strategy includes Google’s digital advertising network and other technology news websites, as well as having other agreements with prominent websites under which Apple advertises its products (Greenspan). Apple Inc. also utilizes its own App Store in the iOS, its website, and on various online services, especially social media. Through the Apple Store offline marketing, Apple has employees at its stores. They are responsible for assisting potential customers in familiarizing themselves with the products and probably convince them to buy in the process. The figure below represents Apple’s advertising spending on select few products from 2009-2013.
Statista 2020
Apple Inc. is, therefore, on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, among others. On most of these websites, besides directly marketing to the vast number of users, Apple has partnerships with them to put ads (Greenspan). Apple Inc.’s digital channels led by its websites emphasize on customer service and education through its various online services instead of focusing on the brick-and-mortar stores. Therefore, Apple puts a lot of focus on advertising and online sales. Still, in the recent past, channels such as Apple News+ and AppleTV+ have become examples of Apples’ new digital presence and hence more revenue (Liquid Web).
Apple Inc.’s digital marketing strategy based on various techniques that have resulted in the company becoming a benchmark for many other companies. These techniques include;
- Simplicity; – Apple products come with straightforward messages in their ads that need not a lot of convincing but instead speak for themselves (Arica).
- Leverage Reviews; – Apple is good at getting its customers to review its products and services and also initiatives. Apple recognizes the importance of customer feedback, and it does that by offering free trials and samples for testimonials and reviews through social media or the website.
- Apples stand out; – Apple is instrumental in presenting ethical core values by putting them in action, which appeals to customers a great deal. Also, Apple is excellent in customer service as they have keenly studied them. Hence her employees, via websites, ads, and other channels, know how to speak to them in their language.
Apple’s SWOT analysis is an essential part of the company’s innovation. The strengths in of Apple lie in, and not limited to;
- Innovation – its innovative products have been a crucial part of the company’s growth and development. Apple’s products, like the iPod and MacBook, stand out, which shows significant strength.
- Leadership – Apple is leading in technology and brand development across the world and many other companies’ benchmark on Apple’s success in direction.
- Design and Technology – Apple has one of the unique design which complements the brands’ technological standpoint. Apple has always been leading in product design.
- Consumer Focus – One factor that has made Apple successful is its attention to the consumers’ tastes and prevalence, therefore, putting its products on high demand as soon as they premiere.
Weaknesses in Apples analysis include;
- Matching – Customers tend to be very diverse, and matching their expectations has proven to be one of Apple’s biggest challenges, mainly because the company gives a lot of hope.
- Dependency on few Products – In comparison to other technology giants, Apple has a few products on its portfolio. They, therefore, highly dependent on the success of these products, which can be overwhelming.
Apple’s global activity has hit a snag, especially in the production of iPhones and other hardware due to the Coronavirus outbreak. Given that most of the technology works done in China, the epicenter of the disease, a lot of activity affected, and it trickled down. According to The Star, apple March quarter statistics show that Apple will not be able to meet its revenue guidance (The Star). Moreover, Apple’s global supply for its products as well as the market has significantly reduced, and therefore will temporarily affect revenues worldwide
Works Cited
Apple Inc. “Apple 10-K Report FY 2019.” 28 Sept. 2019.
—. “Site Map.” Apple, 2019, www.apple.com/sitemap/. Accessed 23 Apr. 2020.
Arica, Asena. “An Ultimate Guide For Apple’s Digital Marketing Strategy2.” Digital Agency Networks, 5 Feb. 2020, digitalagencynetwork.com/an-ultimate-guide-for-apples-digital-marketing-strategy/. Accessed 23 Apr. 2020.
Bhasin, Hitesh. “Marketing Strategy of Apple Inc – Apple Marketing Strategy.” Marketing91, 11 Jan. 2019, www.marketing91.com/marketing-strategy-apple/. Accessed 23 Apr. 2020.
Greenspan, Roberta. “Apple Inc.’s Marketing Mix or 4Ps (An Analysis).” Panmore Institute, 13 Sept. 2018, panmore.com/apple-inc-marketing-mix-4ps. Accessed 23 Apr. 2020.
Liquid Web. “5 Examples of Brands with Great Multi-Channel Marketing Strategies.” Liquid Web, 2020, www.liquidweb.com/woocommerce-resource/channel-strategy/. Accessed 23 Apr. 2020.
Reuters. “AAPL.O – Apple Inc. Profile | Reuters.” Reuters.Com, 2019, www.reuters.com/companies/AAPL.O. Accessed 23 Apr. 2020.
Statista. “Apple: Ad Spend on Selected Products in the U.S. 2014.” Statista, Statista Research Department, 28 Sept. 2014, www.statista.com/statistics/323934/apples-ad-spend-products/. Accessed 23 Apr. 2020.
The Star. “Apple Unlikely to Meet Revenue Guidance Due to Covid-19 Impact | The Star Online.” Www.Thestar.Com.My, 18 Feb. 2020, www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2020/02/18/apple-unlikely-to-meet-revenue-guidance-due-to-covid-19-impact. Accessed 23 Apr. 2020.