How to Market on a Budget as a Small Business

tips for small business owners market on a budget

Did you know that there are more than 30 million small businesses throughout the country? So if you're a small business owner, it's important to think about how you can stand out from the crowd.

To make this happen, you need to market your business effectively. But for lots of business owners, you're on a tight budget.

That's why we've created this guide outlining tips for small business owners for marketing their company on a budget. Keep reading to learn more.


Effective Web Design

First things first, you need to have a strong website. In today's digital world, this is absolutely essential.

Start by thinking about the messages you want to send via your website. What do you want visitors to know about your company? What features and benefits do you want to explain?

Then think about the design of your site. For most small business owners, you're not a professional graphic designer. But there are lots of tools out there that can help you make a visually pleasing site without having to code.

What are your brand colors? What fonts do you want to use? What kind of imagery do you want to include to define your company?

All of these things will help define your business to potential customers.


Work on Your SEO

Some marketing efforts can be done on a budget. And others can even be free. Search engine optimization (SEO) is one of these tactics.

SEO is all about getting your pages to rank higher on Google. This way, when people search for products and services related to your company, your website can organically show up in the results.

When your site is optimized for SEO, you'll be able to generate relevant traffic for free. And who doesn't like that?


Utilize Video

Another cheap and engaging marketing tactic you can try? Video.

With the rise of mobile devices including smartphones and tablets, people are watching more video than ever. And when you create engaging video content, you'll be able to reach potential customers right on these devices.

Say you sell cookbooks and other kitchen supplies. You could create a YouTube series where you walk people through your recipes step-by-step, using your kitchen equipment.

Then, you can share these videos on your social media channels, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest.

You can also embed them on your website on the home page, product pages, or blog posts.

To create great online videos, you don't need to be a Hollywood cinematographer. Simply using your iPhone or Samsung smartphone works really well.


Monitor Your Reputation

In today's digital world, online reviews are super important. For example, people often look up various companies before deciding who to work with. And these 3rd party reviews are super important for many consumers in their decision-making process.

For the highest chance of success, monitor your reputation on Google, Facebook, and Yelp. These are the leading review sites today.

Whenever you get a review, make sure you respond. Whether it's a positive or negative review, responding shows potential customers that you take the time to engage with your clients.

Interested in learning more? Here's more information about CTA public relations.

Take Advantage of Social Media

Next, utilize social media. This is a free way to market your company. And if you want to try out social media ads, this is a low-cost way of entering the marketplace.

While it's free to use, the sheer number of social media channels can be overwhelming. Not to mention creating a publishing calendar with engaging content month after month.

Here's where you should narrow your focus as you begin.

Think about your target audience. What's the age range and gender split? 

This will help you decide which social media channels to utilize.

Pinterest, for example, is very popular with middle-aged women. Facebook, on the other hand, has a wider appeal.

Working with teens? Snapchat and TikTok are a great option.

Next, think about what types of content you want to share. And next, start creating assets and a publishing schedule. It's that simple.


Don't Forget about Email Marketing

Here's another great opportunity when it comes to tips for small business owners: email marketing.

With email marketing, you have a direct connection to your audience's inbox. With many other marketing channels, you're simply hoping that you'll connect with an interested group of people.

But when you have people's email addresses, you know exactly who you're contacting. And they've opted in to get information from you.

Consider the various types of email campaigns you could run. For newer leads, you could send an introductory series that explains who you are and what you do.

For leads who haven't purchased but have been on your list for a while, you could send a specific offer to entice them to buy. The bottom line is that you have lots of options with email marketing.


Tips for Small Business Owners: Marketing on a Budget

There you have it: tips for small business marketing on a budget. If you're trying to get the word about your company, it can feel daunting and expensive. But it doesn't have to be.

By following these tips, you'll be able to generate interested leads, boost sales, and improve your bottom line. And what business owner doesn't like the sound of that?

Next, it's time to make a plan. Which of these tips will work best for you?

Want to learn more about small business marketing on a budget? Check out our blog for additional business tips and tricks.

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