There are more than 30 million small businesses in the United States. Let that sink in for a moment because it is a massive number of business owners.
So if you're a small business owner trying to advertise your business, it can be intimidating. And often costly.
The good news about small business advertising? It doesn't have to be!
We've created this guide outlining key tactics you can utilize for small business advertising on a budget. Say hello to increased sales and goodbye to massive marketing spend. Keep reading to learn how.
Write Engaging Website Content
One of the best marketing tactics for small businesses on a budget is content marketing. Here's what that means.
More than 4 billion search queries are entered into Google every single day. And all of these people are looking for answers to their questions. They want information.
So the goal of content marketing is to provide users with the information they are looking for. And when you can do this on your website, you can:
- Become an authority in your space
- Build trust with potential customers
- Introduce new people to your brand
- Convert visitors into leads and sales
Next, create a content calendar and get writing. Be sure to follow SEO best practices in terms of keyword inclusion, internal and external linking, and length recommendations.
Soon, you'll enjoy a steady stream of users to your website day after day absolutely free.
Grow Your Email List
Next, take advantage of one of the best free marketing tips around: email.
Email has been around for a long time when it comes to internet technology, and it's still incredibly relevant. People check their emails very often.
And when you can email a potential customer, you have direct access to their attention via their inbox. It's a marketer's dream.
But in order for this tactic to be effective, you need to have a solid database of people to email. So do whatever you can to grow your email list.
If you have a physical store, ask people for their email addresses as they check out. On your website, consider placing an email address form in your footer. You could also create a pop-up asking visitors to sign up for your newsletter and/or promotional emails.
Make Sure Your Site is Mobile Friendly
Each year, more and more web traffic comes from mobile devices. So simply put, if your site isn't optimized for mobile performance, your business will struggle.
In the past few years, Google has introduced changes that penalize websites that aren't mobile friendly. And when Google penalizes your site, your rankings will worsen.
The worse your rankings, the less traffic you'll get, and the less you'll sale.
So in order to avoid this, make your website responsive. When you use a responsive builder, your site will automatically resize to fit any screen size.
Whether your visitors come on a phone, tablet, laptop, or desktop monitor, they'll see a beautiful, fast-loading version of your site.
Work on Your Online Business Profile
Another small business advertising tip? Optimize your online business profiles.
If you've ever searched for a local business on Google, you've probably seen the box that populates on the right-hand side of the screen. This module features information like contact information, hours of operation, and your address if applicable.
The name for this box is called your Google My Business profile. It's a free service available to all small businesses and you should take advantage of it.
Take some time to set up your profile with correct information. That way, when someone wants to give you a call, visit your website, or come to your shop, they'll have the right information.
Voila. Generating business can be as simple as making sure your profile is up to date.
Monitor Your Reputation
Also important and free? Monitoring your online reputation. It's no secret that customer reviews are incredibly important in today's digital world.
For example, if you've ever bought something on Amazon, chances are you've spent time reading through reviews to see if you're making a good decision. And if you come across lots of negative reviews, there's a good chance you decided against purchasing that product.
This is where reputation management comes into play as a crucial part of small business advertising.
To start, think about which platforms you should be actively monitoring. Common websites are Google, Facebook, Amazon, and/or Yelp.
On Google, you can set up alerts so you're notified anytime someone leaves a review about your company. Then, when you receive a review, always take a few minutes to respond.
This will show potential customers that you're responsive and that you provide exceptional customer service. Even if you get a negative review, by responding to it in a kind and courteous manner, you can show that you care.
Also keep an eye on social media. People often use these platforms to talk about their experiences with companies, especially negative ones. By responding quickly to these, you can put out fires before they get massive.
You should also think about your reputation offline. Consider utilizing pay as you go billboards, flyers, or wrapping your car for affordable advertising solutions that get real results.
Final Thoughts on Small Business Advertising
Now that you've read through these tips for small business advertising on a budget, what's next? It's time to figure out your game plan.
What are your small business advertising goals? What's most important to your company? Which of these tactics will help you get there?
Once you have this figured out, you can get started on your small business advertising game plan. Want to learn more about SMB marketing? Visit the Digital Marketing section of the Bootstrap Business Blog right now to learn more about frugal advertising tactics.
