Small Business Marketing can be an intimidating step in growing the overall presence of any Small Business across any vertical or market. Regardless of the size of the business, marketing is about getting your products or service in front of potential customers through the channels they are most likely to interact with. This can be done through both online and offline interactions. In the case of Small Business Marketing, the most significant difference might come down to the size of the budget being utilized or the scale of the campaign. Can a small business compete with the budget of an international conglomerate? Not a chance. Is that really such a bad thing though? This is really where tactical execution can completely outweigh the overall budget; where small businesses can really have the upper hand being the face of a local market or by using platforms larger companies overlook
Let’s take a look at what is involved in the process, and some of the potential challenges, opportunities, and methods that exist to help your Small Business grow through Digital Marketing!
What is Considered a Small Business in Canada?
By definition in Canada, a Small Business usually has under 100 employees. Mid-sized businesses have over 100 but under 500. Both are often referred to as Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and there are over 1 million SMEs in Canada alone. That is a huge market of people who have started their own businesses to compete with the larger companies but, more importantly, help serve their communities as local options. Many entrepreneurs start their own businesses by bringing a unique skill set, a twist on an existing product or service, or just a different approach to how they want to conduct business without needing to worry about any corporate red tape.
One of the biggest challenges for any Small Business is knowing its own limitations and understanding where help from another trusted business partner can benefit the company as a whole. That’s why Digital Marketing can often be a challenge for entrepreneurs who know their product or service extremely well & have the resources available to fulfill them, but may not have the time, tools, or understanding of some of the complexities in things like maintaining a high-performing website, enhancing search visibility, or managing Ad campaigns across Social Media that don’t just hand more money over to the big companies that have plenty of it already.
In my case, I don’t pretend like I know how to repair my roof, bake a loaf of bread, or even do an oil change myself. However, I know there are plenty of reliable, local options in the Hamilton area to help so I can get back to what I do know! That’s just another reason why I started Harv Communications in the first place.
How to Get Started With Small Business Marketing
There can be several challenges or roadblocks when it comes to Small Business Marketing. Available resources, the time it takes to implement & manage different platforms, access to tools & understanding their terminology, and the competition on a local or national level. Getting started can certainly be the most challenging step in the process. The good news: every Small Business, with any budget, can do something when it comes to marketing & advertising. There is no one-size-fits-all solution or singular approach to growing your brand online.
Before diving into building a new website or optimizing an existing one, determine your business goals, budget, timing, and communication strategy. This helps ensure your time, budget, and efforts are being utilized in the most effective & efficient way possible. Having a website can be a great first step in helping your brand become visible online. However, it’s not the only digital touchpoint that is available. In fact, there are many people who bypass “Googling” a business in search of their website. They may use Social Media, their preferred directory channel, or even simply rely on Reviews without ever reaching a website at all. With that being said, not having a presence on a platform while your competition is visible can also be a detriment. This is where ongoing competitive research & performance monitoring can help you understand your place in a market.
You know your business. You know where your skills and expertise really shine, but you also know your limitations. That’s where Harv Communications can help by partnering with you to grow your Small Business online through a variety of tactics. If you’re ready to start the conversation, you can contact us at any time!
