Channel / Analytics Terms Channel A channel, in marketing and communications, refers to the medium or platform through which a brand or organisation delivers messages, engages audiences and drives actions. Channels can be digital or traditional, organic or paid, and serve different roles across the customer journey. Common digital channels include email, search engines, social media, websites, mobile apps and online ads. Offline channels may include print, television, direct mail, events and out-of-home advertising. Each channel offers unique strengths and limitations depending on the audience, objective and content type. For example, email is ideal for direct communication and nurturing leads, while search engines help capture intent-driven traffic through search engine optimisation (SEO) and pay-per-click (PPC) ads. Social media platforms allow for engagement and storytelling, but vary in tone and format between LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook and others. Selecting the right mix of channels is essential for campaign success and often involves cross-channel coordination to reinforce messages and meet users where they are. Effective channel strategy requires understanding how your audience interacts with content at different stages of the funnel. Analytics tools like Google Analytics, HubSpot and Meta Ads Manager can help measure performance by channel, offering insights into traffic sources, conversions and return on investment. Attribution models assign credit to channels based on their role in the conversion path, helping marketers allocate budget and refine their tactics. Whether promoting a product, building community or launching a donation campaign, thoughtful channel selection and integration improve reach, relevance and results.