Best Small Business Marketing Strategies to Grow Your Brand

CARRIE LOWE
Oct 30
3 min read

Running a small business is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming—especially when it comes to marketing. With limited budgets and resources, small business owners need to be smart and strategic about where they invest their time and money. The good news? There are proven marketing strategies that can help you stand out, attract loyal customers, and grow your revenue without breaking the bank.

Here are the best small business marketing strategies you can start using today:

1. Build a Strong Online Presence

Even if you run a brick-and-mortar business, having a strong online presence is crucial. Most customers search online before making a purchase, so you want to make sure your business shows up.

How to do it:

Create a professional, mobile-friendly website.
Include clear information like your location, hours, and contact details.
Optimize your website for search engines (SEO) so you rank higher on Google.

2. Leverage Social Media Marketing

Social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok give small businesses a chance to connect directly with their audience—often for free.

Tips for success:

Post consistently with engaging visuals.
Share behind-the-scenes content and customer testimonials.
Use stories, reels, or live videos to humanize your brand.
Respond to comments and messages quickly to build trust.

3. Start Email Marketing

Email marketing remains one of the most cost-effective ways to reach your audience. It allows you to nurture relationships with leads and customers while driving repeat sales.

Action steps:

Offer a freebie or discount to encourage people to join your email list.
Send valuable, relevant content (tips, updates, promotions).
Use automation to follow up with customers after purchases.

4. Use Local SEO and Google Business Profile

If you serve a local market, you want people nearby to find you first. Setting up and optimizing your Google Business Profile is a must.

Benefits include:

Appearing on Google Maps searches.
Displaying reviews, hours, and directions.
Showing up in “near me” searches, which often lead to immediate purchases.

5. Collaborate with Other Businesses

Partnerships can expose your business to a whole new audience—without spending big on ads.

Examples of collaborations:

Co-host events or giveaways with complementary businesses.
Create joint promotions (e.g., buy from one store, get a discount at the other).
Cross-promote each other on social media or email lists.

6. Run Paid Ads Strategically

Paid advertising can be powerful if done right, especially when you use hyper-targeting to reach your ideal customers.

Where to advertise:

Facebook & Instagram Ads (great for visual businesses).
Google Ads (good for search-based businesses like services or restaurants).
Local publications or community newsletters.

Start with a small budget, test what works, then scale up.

7. Collect and Showcase Reviews

Positive reviews can be the deciding factor for many customers. The more social proof you have, the more trustworthy your business appears.

How to get them:

Ask satisfied customers to leave a review right after a purchase.
Make it easy with direct links to your Google, Yelp, or Facebook reviews.
Highlight top reviews on your website and social media.

8. Create Valuable Content

Content marketing helps you attract and educate customers while positioning yourself as an expert.

Ideas to try:

Blog posts that answer common customer questions.
How-to videos or tutorials.
Infographics and checklists that can be shared on social media.

The best marketing strategies for small businesses don’t have to be expensive—they just have to be consistent and strategic. Start with a few of these approaches, track your results, and double down on what works.

Remember: marketing is an investment, not an expense. When done right, it will bring you more customers, more visibility, and ultimately, more revenue.