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Online Marketing Basics for Small Business Owners
In 2025, it’s more important than ever for your small business to advertise itself online. From websites and social media to SEO and ads, it can be overwhelming to get started when considering how many choices there are.
There’s no need to worry though: you don’t need to do it all at once.
Do some research, find a place to start, and grow from there.
This quick guide will walk you through the basic online marketing tools and strategies every small business should know.
1. Build a Solid Website
Your website is your digital storefront. It needs to look professional on all devices and provide the same quality service you would have in a physical store (in the form of short load times and an easy-to-browse structure). More importantly, it should clearly show:
- Who you are
- What you offer
- How people can contact you
Make sure your website includes clear calls to action (like “Get a Quote” or “Book Now”) and follows SEO basics so people can find you online. Which leads us to our next section…
2. Start with Simple SEO
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) helps your website appear in search results when someone looks for businesses like yours. For starters, focus on:
- Using clear page titles and descriptions alongside image alt text so that search engines can easily detect and understand your site.
- Getting listed on Google Business Profile and submitting a sitemap to the Google Search Console.
- Using tools (for example, the free Keyword Planner tool from Google) to add relevant keywords to your website such as “plumber in Edmonton” or “affordable custom web design”. (Don’t know what keywords are? Learn about them in our SEO Guide).
It doesn’t take much to make a big difference. All it takes is a thoughtful strategy and consistency. (Need help? We offer affordable web design and SEO tailored for small businesses. We offer free consultations - no strings attached!)
3. Use Social Media (Smartly)
You don’t need to be on every platform. Do some market research by talking to customers and studying successful competitors to find out where your audience hangs out (Facebook and Instagram are great starting points for most local businesses). If you’re running paid ads, it is also important to narrow down a service area.
Then, put yourself in the mind of your ideal customer and think about the kind of content they would like to see. Find and learn from both successful and failed competitors to get some ideas if you’re struggling. Once you’ve figured out the audience you’re planning to reach and what kinds of posts you will create, create a plan to follow it regularly and follow-through on that plan.
Some common post ideas that work well with most audiences includes:
- Client testimonials
- Tips and how-to’s
- Promotions or updates
Remember to make sure to tailor your posts to your social media platforms of choice. Content that would work great on Tiktok would likely be seen as unprofessional on LinkedIn.
Finally, be sure to get involved with your local community and respond to any and all comments on your chosen social media site. Remember: it's more about building relationships than going viral.
4. Collect Emails and Stay in Touch
Email marketing is still one of the most effective (and affordable) tools for small businesses. Start by:
- Adding a simple signup form to your website
- Offering a discount, tip sheet, or free resource as a lead magnet
- Sending a short email newsletter once a month
Even a small list of 50 to 100 customers can bring repeat business depending on the products and services you’re selling.
5. Track Your Results
As with any important project in life, you will get the greatest results by staying on top of important metrics. If you’re not tracking what’s working, you’re just blindly shuffling around and burning money on advertisements being sent to the wrong places. Use tools like:
- Google Analytics & AdWords for website traffic
- Facebook and Instagram Insights through the Meta Business Suite
- Simple call or contact form tracking
Be efficient and ruthless with advertisements that aren’t working. If they’ve been running for about a week with no conversions, then it’s time to take them down and try something else. Tracking data will help you make smart decisions and avoid wasting time on what doesn’t work.
Final Thoughts: Start Simple and Grow
If you’ve got the time and the will to put in a little elbow grease, it’s certainly possible to build a successful online presence no matter what business you’re running.
But time is a valuable commodity. At Maximum Website Solutions, we help small businesses get started with affordable web design and digital marketing strategies. We’ll maximize your online presence while you put your time and energy where it matters most: on improving your business and offering your customers the best service that you can.
👉 Want help setting up your online presence the right way? Book a free strategy call.
👉 Ready to upgrade your website and start attracting more leads? See our services.
