Last updated: 9 November 2026
Digital marketing is how a business gets found and contacted online. A small business should usually start with a fast, secure website, a complete Google Business Profile, a way to measure enquiries and a simple email list, and add paid ads or social media once those work.
The first five things
A website that works
Fast on a phone, clear services and contact details, and HTTPS.
Google Business Profile
Hours, services, photos and reviews kept up to date.
Measurement
Know where enquiries come from before you spend money.
A simple list of customers and prospects, cheap and under your control.
Ads and social media
Add these once you can measure results.
Secure foundations
Your domain, email and website accounts carry your reputation, so protect them with multi-factor authentication and named logins.
Quick answers
How much should we spend?
Start with a small, time-limited test with a clear goal, then scale what works.
Do we need social media?
Only where your customers are. A complete Google Business Profile usually comes first.
Not sure where to begin? Book a free 20-minute call.
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