Where to Spend Your Digital Marketing Budget (Even If It’s Small)

You don’t need a massive marketing budget to get real results. In fact, small businesses can do a lot with a lean budget - if they know where to spend smart and where to DIY. Whether you're just getting started or trying to stretch every dollar, this info is for you.

What You Can Do for Free 

1. Claim and Optimize Your Google Business Profile

This is a no-brainer. Google Business Profile is free, helps you show up in local searches, and gives potential customers quick access to your hours, reviews, website, and more. Post updates, respond to reviews, and keep it fresh.

2. Post on Social Media

Pick one platform your audience uses (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.) and show up consistently. Share tips, updates, behind-the-scenes, or answer FAQs. It costs you nothing but can build serious trust. The biggest key to success is consistency.

3. Ask for Google Reviews

Great reviews build social proof and boost your local SEO. Don’t be shy - ask happy customers to leave a quick review and make it easy with a direct link. Here are a few more tips to get those reviews:

• Ask when clients are happiest – after a purchase, successful project, or solved issue

• Make it easy – send them a direct link to your Google review page

• Personalize the request – a quick thank-you email or text with their name goes a long way

• Respond to reviews – even the good ones! It shows you’re engaged and builds credibility

4. Write a Blog or Two

Blog posts that answer common customer questions can boost SEO, build authority, and give you content to share on social media. Keep it simple, clear, and helpful. Need ideas on what to write? Look at ‘People also ask’ questions found in Google search results to find common questions. You can also do keyword research or a competitor keyword gap analysis with MOZ.

What You Can Learn 

1. Basic SEO

You don’t need to be an expert, but learning how to optimize your website’s pages, write good meta descriptions, and use keywords can go a long way. Free learning guides from MOZ and SEMrush can help. Even Google has tutorials on how to do SEO.

2. Email Marketing

Platforms like Mailchimp and Klaviyo offer free plans to get started. Learn how to write engaging subject lines, build a list, and send consistent updates or offers. Both Mailchimp and Klaviyo offer resources to help you learn email marketing best practices.

3. Canva for Design

Instead of hiring a designer for every post or flyer, learn Canva. It’s beginner-friendly and can help you create social graphics, flyers, and even email headers that look professional without being a graphic designer.

What Costs a Little (and Is Usually Worth It)

1. A Professional Logo or Brand Starter Kit

You don’t need a $5K branding package, but a solid logo, color palette, and fonts can level up your look and help you stay consistent.

2. Targeted Social Media Ads

Even $5–10 a day can help you reach more people on Facebook or Instagram. Start with boosting posts that are already performing well.

3. A Website Audit or Basic SEO Tune-Up

Hiring someone to check your site speed, fix broken links, and tune your SEO can give you a solid foundation for growth.

What Costs More (and When to Invest)

1. Custom Website Design

If your site looks dated, loads slowly, or doesn’t convert - upgrading is worth it. A professionally designed website builds trust and helps turn visitors into customers.

2. Full-Service SEO

This includes ongoing keyword research, content creation, backlink building, and technical improvements. It’s not cheap, but it’s a long-term growth engine.

3. Digital Advertising Campaigns

Running search or display ads on Google, remarketing, or managing multi-platform ad campaigns can scale your visibility fast. Best done by a pro when you’re ready.

Start Small, Grow Smart

You don’t need a massive budget - you just need a smart one. Focus on free and low-cost wins first, reinvest profits into the next level, and keep learning as you grow. When you’re ready to outsource or invest, you’ll be doing it with confidence.

Need help deciding where your marketing dollars should go? Let’s talk strategy - book a quick call today!

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