Six affordable (and effective) marketing tips for small business

Nearly nine out of 10 local business searches on a mobile device either result in a call or visit to the business within 24 hours, making a website essential for marketing your small business. At its most basic, your website should provide your business’s location, hours, contact information and an overview of the product or services you offer. Adding a blog, testimonials or a short history about your business are all good ways to improve your site’s odds of appearing in search results. 

If your company is just getting started, you'll likely hear more marketing tips for small business related to social media than any other avenue. Active social channels a vital part of small business promotion strategy — 43 percent of internet users between ages 16 and 64 use social media while researching a purchase.

With the exception of paid advertising, the only built-in cost to social media is time, so pick as many channels as you are comfortable managing. Like your website, make sure your social channels contain up-to-date information, including hours and contact information. Use stories about upcoming events, new 

When budgets and time are tight, teaming up with another company is one of the more effective marketing techniques for small businesses. Ideally, find a complementary business to partner with — for example, a gym and a health food store — and work together to promote each other’s enterprises. Collaboration ideas include hosting an event together, offering a discount to your partner’s customers or displaying each other's flyers, brochures or business cards at your locations. The FedEx Office design center includes custom templates to easily create your ready-to-print file, even with no design experience. 

It can cost between six and seven times more to acquire a new customer than to retain a current one. According to the Harvard Business Review, a five percent improvement in customer retention can boost profits by 25 to 95 percent. Your small business promotion ideas should begin with your current customers. Proven strategies include VIP events, discounts, free gifts and handwritten cards thanking them for their support. Strive to turn your best customers into brand ambassadors.

Consumers expect companies to positively impact society. Small businesses can easily achieve this on the local level. Hosting a can drive for the local food bank or sponsoring a local team are great advertising ideas for small businesses that will garner goodwill in the community. Don’t forget to take credit for your effort — create a poster showing how much food you collected or the total amount of money you raised. If you sponsor a team, ask about hanging a banner above their dugout or bench. 

Whatever your small business marketing efforts, FedEx Office can help create the materials needed to attract new customers, wow existing ones and ensure the success of your company.

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