![\"\"](\"https:\/\/images.crowdspring.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/27131152\/pexels-photo-220762.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n
![\"logo](\"https:\/\/assets.crowdspring.com\/marketing\/landing-page\/logo-quiz-hero-optimized.png\"){kind=logo}
<\/div>4. While content marketing<\/a> continues to dominate as a low-cost but extremely effective marketing strategy,\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a080% of small businesses don’t<\/em> utilize content marketing<\/a>.\u00a0<\/strong>While content marketing continues to dominate as a low-cost, but extremely effective, marketing strategy, 80% of small businesses don't utilize content marketing. <\/a><\/span>Share on X<\/a><\/span>\n 5. A website is essential for every business. Period. In our digital world, customers expect businesses to have a website. However, as of 2015\u00a060% of small businesses<\/a> did not have a website!\u00a0<\/strong>While content marketing continues to dominate as a low-cost, but extremely effective, marketing strategy, 80% of small businesses don't utilize content marketing. <\/a><\/span>Share on X<\/a><\/span>\n 6.\u00a030% of small businesses without a website cite cost<\/a> as the reason. <\/strong>But, with so many inexpensive options for building a website these days, cost should no longer present a barrier.\u00a0 Here’s a terrific guide to how much website design should cost<\/a>. 30% of small businesses without a website cite cost as the reason. But, with so many inexpensive options for building a website these days, cost should no longer present a barrier. <\/a><\/span>Share on X<\/a><\/span>\n 7. 35% of small businesses without a website feel their operation is\u00a0<\/strong>too small<\/a> to warrant a website. <\/strong>Customers will beg to differ. Consumers not only expect businesses to have a website, but they also view a website as a sign of credibility. 35% of small businesses without a website feel their operation is too small to warrant a website. Customers will beg to differ. Consumers not only expect businesses to have a website, but they also view a website as a sign of\u2026 <\/a><\/span>Share on X<\/a><\/span>\n The 220,000+ creatives at crowdspring can design a custom website<\/a> to help your small business stand out.<\/p>\n Many small businesses may be neglecting their marketing, but they agree a few things are important.<\/p>\n These facts reveal many small businesses’ marketing priorities. Do they align with yours?<\/p>\n 8.\u00a0 Small businesses put their faith in the power of word-of-mouth. 28% of small businesses believe that word-of-mouth advertising<\/a> is the most effective<\/strong> way to attract new customers.\u00a0Small businesses put their faith in the power of word-of-mouth. 28% of small businesses believe that word-of-mouth advertising is the most effective way to attract new customers. <\/a><\/span>Share on X<\/a><\/span>\n 9. 20% of small businesses claim that search engine optimization<\/a> is the most effective<\/strong> way to attract new customers. Note that both word-of-mouth and SEO techniques are organic in nature.\u00a020% of small businesses claim that search engine optimization is the most effective way to attract new customers. Note that both word-of-mouth and SEO techniques are organic in nature. <\/a><\/span>Share on X<\/a><\/span>\n 10.\u00a0 Increasing sales continues to be a top priority for small businesses. At 51%,<\/strong>\u00a0driving sales<\/a> is small businesses’ top digital marketing priority.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>Increasing sales continues to be a top priority for small businesses. At 51%, driving sales is small businesses' top digital marketing priority. <\/a><\/span>Share on X<\/a><\/span>\n 11. Small businesses are also determined to get their name out there. In second place, 48% of small businesses cite building brand awareness<\/a> as their top digital marketing priority.<\/strong>\u00a0Small businesses are determined to get their name out there, too. In second place, 48% of small businesses cite building brand awareness as their top digital marketing priority. <\/a><\/span>Share on X<\/a><\/span>\n Branding is crucial<\/a>. Successful businesses usually have a strong business name<\/a> and a professionally designed logo<\/a>.<\/p>\n To learn more about naming your company, read 10 Tips for Naming Your Startup or Small Business<\/a>. To learn more about logo design and branding, read Powerful Branding Lessons From The World’s Best Brands (That Actually Work For Your Small Business)<\/a>.<\/p>\n 12. If you’re wondering where to focus your social media marketing efforts, Social Media Examiner notes that\u00a0Facebook, Twitter, and<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0Linked-in<\/a> are the top three social media marketing platforms<\/strong> for small businesses.\u00a0 If you're wondering where to focus your social media marketing efforts, Social Media Examiner notes that Facebook, Twitter and Linked-in are the top three social media marketing platforms for small businesses. <\/a><\/span>Share on X<\/a><\/span>\n People associate personalized attention and authentic relationships with small businesses.\u00a0 Social media’s casual and personable nature makes it an excellent platform for small businesses to play to that strength.<\/p>\n Social media marketing continues to be an ideal and cost-effective way for small businesses to reach and build relationships with their audiences. But don’t take my word for it – these facts will tell you all you need to know.<\/p>\n 13. Almost all small businesses have realized the value of social media marketing. According to Social Media Examiner, 96% of SMBs<\/a> say they use social media in their marketing strategy.\u00a0<\/strong> If you're wondering where to focus your social media marketing efforts, Social Media Examiner notes that Facebook, Twitter and Linked-in are the top three social media marketing platforms for small businesses. <\/a><\/span>Share on X<\/a><\/span>\n 14. And, most small businesses agree that social media marketing pays off. Almost 90% of marketers<\/a> report that social marketing efforts have increased exposure for their business.<\/strong>\u00a0Most small businesses agree that social media marketing pays off. Almost 90% of marketers report that social marketing efforts have increased exposure for their business. <\/a><\/span>Share on X<\/a><\/span>\n 15. Social media doesn’t only increase exposure. It has also shown great results in driving online traffic – a great way to generate leads.\u00a075% of marketers<\/a> claim that social media marketing has helped to increase traffic.<\/strong>\u00a028 Surprising Facts to Guide Your Small Business Marketing Strategy <\/a><\/span>Share on X<\/a><\/span>\n According to a Melwtater’s state of social media report<\/a>, 78% of brands want to build brand awareness through social media. 47% use it to increase brand engagement, while 46% use it to connect with customers.\u00a0For more on this strategy, we recommend you read Supercharge Your Small Business Marketing: How To Market to the Social Media Generation<\/a>.<\/p>\n Many small businesses may be losing their\u00a0way because they don’t have the data needed to make smart marketing choices, adjust or improve their strategies.<\/p>\n These facts illuminate small businesses’ ongoing struggle to track their marketing data<\/a>.<\/p>\n 16. Small businesses have difficulty tracking their marketing ROI (return on investment). Less than 30%<\/a> of small businesses use website analytics, call tracking<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0or coupon codes. <\/strong>And without knowing what’s working, crafting a smart marketing plan<\/a> is hard. Less than 30% of small businesses use website analytics, call tracking or coupon codes. And without knowing what's working, it's hard to craft a smart marketing plan. <\/a><\/span>Share on X<\/a><\/span>\n 17. While social media continues to be a top-rated marketing platform for small businesses, 6 in 10<\/a> small business owners cannot track ROI from their social media activities. <\/b>While social media continues to be a top-rated marketing platform for small businesses, 6 in 10 small business owners are not able to track ROI from their social media activities. <\/a><\/span>Share on X<\/a><\/span>\n 18. Worse than that…\u00a018% of small businesses admit to not tracking anything<\/em><\/a>. <\/strong>Thankfully, this number is relatively small. Tracking your results is essential to making informed marketing choices and improving your strategy.\u00a018% of small businesses admit to not tracking anything. Thankfully, this number is relatively small. Tracking your results is essential to making informed marketing choices and improving your strategy. <\/a><\/span>Share on X<\/a><\/span>\n 19.\u00a0Forty-two percent of marketers cite lack of quality data<\/a> as their biggest obstacle<\/strong> when implementing successful lead-generation campaigns. Prioritize gathering your small business’s data to plan and execute smart marketing campaigns. Forty-two percent of marketers cite lack of quality data as their biggest obstacle when implementing successful lead generation campaigns. Prioritize gathering the data your small business needs to plan and execute smart marketing\u2026 <\/a><\/span>Share on X<\/a><\/span>\n Positive online reviews (and how your business handles its negative online reviews) can either be a major marketing strength or a major weakness.<\/p>\n Reviews are even more important for small local businesses with small advertising and marketing budgets. Word-of-mouth advertising,\u00a0reviews, and referrals are vital to building momentum and generating new local leads.<\/p>\n These facts from ReviewTracker show just how important your online reviews – and your response<\/em> to online reviews – really are.<\/p>\n 20.63.6 percent of consumers<\/a> say they will check Google reviews before visiting a business. <\/strong>63.6 percent of consumers say they're likely to check Google reviews before visiting a business. <\/a><\/span>Share on X<\/a><\/span>\n Reviews are even more important for small businesses – most of which don’t have national or global reputations to back them up. So, encourage your satisfied customers to leave you a positive review on Google. It’s a marketing gift that keeps on giving.<\/p>\n 21. While consumers place more importance on online reviews, they expect businesses to do the same. According to a survey by ReviewTrackers<\/a>, 53% of customers expect businesses to respond to their online reviews within a week.\u00a0<\/strong>According to a survey by ReviewTrackers, 53% of customers expect businesses to respond to their online reviews within a week. <\/a><\/span>Share on X<\/a><\/span>\n That means that more than half of your customers expect a prompt response to their online grievances. If you fail to respond to those negative reviews, you disappoint more than half of your consumer base.<\/p>\n 22. However,\u00a063%<\/a>\u00a0of consumers say that a business has never responded to their review. <\/strong>So, despite customer’s expectations that businesses respond to their negative online reviews, many businesses do not. That’s a lot of disappointed customers. 63% of consumers say that a business has never responded to their review. So, despite customer's expectations that businesses respond to their negative online reviews, many businesses do not. That's a lot of disappointed customers. <\/a><\/span>Share on X<\/a><\/span>\n 23. But, the time and effort needed to respond is well worth it. Your business’s reputation can recover significant losses if you respond to negative reviews. 45% of customers<\/a> are more likely to visit a business if it responds to negative reviews.<\/strong>\u00a0Your business's reputation can recover significant losses if you respond to negative reviews. 45% of customers are more likely to visit a business if it responds to negative reviews. <\/a><\/span>Share on X<\/a><\/span>\n 24. Finally, don’t go chasing waterfalls. A perfect average online review score is improbable and not ideal. A study by Power Reviews and Northwestern University<\/a> reveals that shoppers are more likely to purchase products with an average star rating between 4.2 and 4.5<\/strong>. The 4.2 -4.5 range even beats out a perfect 5 stars. A study by Power Reviews and Northwestern University reveals that shoppers are likelier to purchase products with an average star rating between 4.2 and 4.5. The 4.2 -4.5 range even beats out a perfect 5 stars. <\/a><\/span>Share on X<\/a><\/span>\n Many small businesses are local small businesses<\/a> – targeting consumers who live in their geographic location.<\/p>\n It follows then that local customers are the lifeblood of local small businesses.<\/p>\n Here are some facts that will help you market to local shoppers.<\/p>\n 25. Clix Marketing’s Amy Bishop revealed at the 2018 SMX East Search Engine Marketing Conference that\u00a072% of consumers who did a local search<\/a> visited a store within a 5-mile radius<\/strong>.\u00a0Clix Marketing's Amy Bishop revealed at the 2018 SMX East Search Engine Marketing Conference that 72% of consumers who did a local search visited a store within a 5-mile radius. <\/a><\/span>Share on X<\/a><\/span>\n This means that if you’re seeking local consumers, you’ll get the most impact if you target customers who live within 5 miles of your business.<\/p>\n 26. A great way to engage and entice local shoppers is by offering location-based coupons that reward customers for stopping by the store. Aaron Levy of Elite SEM (a search engine marketing company) shared that 51% of people polled<\/a> wanted location-based coupons when searching for a business online<\/strong>.\u00a0Small business marketing facts: what’s important to most businesses<\/h3>\n
The Facts:<\/h3>\n
Small business marketing facts: social media<\/h3>\n
The Facts:<\/h3>\n
Small business marketing facts: off-track marketing<\/h3>\n
The Facts:<\/h3>\n
Small business marketing facts: online reviews<\/h3>\n
The Facts:<\/h3>\n
Small business marketing facts: marketing in your own backyard<\/h3>\n
The Facts:<\/h3>\n