Managing a marketing and advertising budget is a challenge for all small businesses. You may not have the capital to throw thousands of dollars into it, but you will need to spend some money in order to make it. Fortunately, there are some low-cost yet effective small business marketing strategies that will maximize your return on investment.

Small Business Marketing Strategies to Try

1. Set Up a Website

In this digital age, every business needs a website. Many people look for businesses online, so having a strong presence there will bring you a lot of new business. It’s completely free to set up a website on free hosting sites, or you can pay a nominal fee for your own professional domain.

2. Start Blogging

Set up a blog on your site and write content that your customer base would be interested in reading. This will situate you as an industry professional while improving your rankings on search engines so you’ll be more visible to people searching for businesses like yours. You can highlight your services or products, share tips on how to use them, or share industry and business updates. Keep it interesting with a range of useful and engaging content.

3. Work on Reviews

Review sites can drive a lot of business your way, as people will want to know that they can trust your product or service before they spend their money with you. Set up profiles on social media sites and smartphone applications. Encourage your customers to leave reviews by reminding them in your store and providing links to these sites on your own website. You can even offer incentives such as discounts or entering them into a raffle if they check in online and leave a review. Keep in mind that if you do this, you cannot influence people on the rating or feedback they provide.

Being a part of a business networking association can also help grow your business by introducing you to other local business owners and providing resources. Mebane Business Association is a community providing networking opportunities and development support for businesses in the Mebane, NC, area. They host monthly meetings, large-scale gatherings, and support for small business marketing. Learn how to become a member by going online or calling (919) 304-3737.