Tag: small business digital marketing

Digital Marketing Essentials for Small Business

Digital Marketing Essentials for Small Business

As a small business owner, you’re constantly wondering: “How do I get my business found online?” The good news is that Google offers a suite of free tools that can dramatically improve your online visibility.

The challenge? Most small business owners are unaware of Digital Marketing Essentials for Small Business and how to use them effectively.

Let me walk you through the essential digital marketing tools that can transform your small business’s digital presence without breaking your budget.

Google Business Profile: Your Digital Storefront

Google My Business was recently renamed to Google Business Profile, and it’s become even more powerful.

This free tool is critical for local businesses.

Set up your profile completely with your logo, cover photo, business hours, contact information, and plenty of high-quality images.

The more complete your profile, the better you’ll rank in local searches.

Pro tip: One of the key changes in 2025 is the increasing reliance on Google Business Profile as a primary source of information for customers. Don’t just set it up and forget it. Regular updates and posts keep your profile active and engaging.

Google Analytics: Understanding Your Website Traffic

You have a website, but is it working? Google Analytics is your answer. This free tool shows you who’s visiting your site, how they found you, and what they do once they arrive.

Ask your web developer to install the tracking code, then focus on the metrics that matter most to your business.

Are people finding your contact page?

Are they spending time reading about your services?

This data tells the real story of your online performance.

Google Search Console: Your SEO Command Center

Keywords aren’t just something you set once and forget.

Your business evolves, your services change, and your keywords should too.

Google Search Console shows you which search terms are bringing people to your site and helps you identify opportunities to improve your rankings.

Schedule monthly check-ins to review your keyword performance and adjust your content strategy accordingly.

Google Maps: Making Sure You’re Findable

Test the Google map for yourself.

Search for your business from different locations and see what happens. Can customers easily find directions to your area?

Is your address accurate? Google Maps integration with your Business Profile is crucial for local customers who need to see you physically.

Customer Reviews: Your Digital Reputation

Google rewards businesses with genuine, positive reviews. Don’t be shy about asking satisfied customers to leave a review. Send a follow-up email after a successful project with a direct link to your review page, or ask in person. The key is making it as easy as possible for happy customers to share their experience.

YouTube: Video Marketing Made Simple

Video content is no longer optional – it’s expected. Create a business YouTube channel linked to your Google Business Profile. You don’t need expensive equipment to start. Share behind-the-scenes content, customer testimonials, or quick tips related to your industry. Consistent, authentic video content builds trust and helps potential customers get to know you before they even call. Share those videos on social platforms, including TikTok and Instagram Reels.

What’s Changed over the past 5+ Years?

The most significant shift has been Google’s focus on user experience and local search. The tools are more integrated now, and Google rewards businesses that maintain active, complete profiles across all platforms. Social media platforms like Google+ that were recommended in the past have been discontinued, but the core principle remains: be where your customers are looking for you.

The reality is that these tools work best when used together as an integrated system. Your Google Business Profile feeds into Maps, your YouTube videos can appear in search results, and your Analytics data helps you understand what’s working.

Don’t try to tackle everything at once. Start with your Google Business Profile, ensure your Analytics is set up correctly, and then gradually add the other pieces. The investment in time upfront pays dividends in customer discovery down the road.

What matters most is consistency with Digital Marketing Essentials for Small Business.

Regular updates, authentic engagement, and complete information across all platforms will set you apart from competitors who treat these tools as afterthoughts.

Cheryl Friedenberg cheryl@highkeyimpact.com, www.highkeyimpact.com

 

Small Business Social Media Tips during Covid-19

Everything just changed.

The way you do business is different. Your customers are homebound. Shopping in a retail store is non-existent. B2B business meetings are now on video conferencing sites. Service-based businesses are struggling to figure this out.

A new normal has emerged, at least for the next several weeks, if not, months.

You’re thinking “What’s next? What should I do for my small business?”

What’s Next?

As a social media marketing consultant, High Key Impact has been on the front lines of small business marketing since Coronavirus and social distancing was uttered out of our mouths. We’re learning as we go along, and we see many instances where business success is about taking the right approach.

Our clients are living proof of some of our favorite real world examples, including:

-small retailers who have to close up shop, but then build up their website’s online store virtually, or through Facebook & Instagram shopping

-the dance studio offering video classes with a paid subscription

-a niche marketing company providing new messaging for their clients who have no idea what to say in their posts or emails to their customers

-the lawyer and real estate agent who are both staying connecting with clients electronically and are continuing to drive revenue, albeit at a fraction of what it was

Social Media Marketing Tips: Covid-19 Era

SO, What Can You Do as a small business owner to continue on, whether you are closed, open or operating in a limited capacity?

  1. Update your Google My Business listing-Google gives you the opportunity to change your hours and your status through GMB. All you need to do is login to your GMB account and go to the info tab. Your hours will be listed there. You can also set your business as ‘temporarily closed’ so that customers don’t come to your location. This will not change your SEO standing on Google.
  2. Add a note on your website-Is your current business status portrayed on your website? Many sites are using pop-ups or banners to discuss Covid-19 specific plans and best practices for their industry. For example, service-based businesses list their disinfection & sanitation practices when delivering product, and B2B businesses are stating they are available to meet clients virtually with video conferencing. They are also referring to CDC links.
    What do you want to communicate to your customers on your website?
  3. Keep your social media channels active-Continue to post on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Your posts are still relevant to your customers as they want to know you’re doing ok. Fill them in on your business status from week to week. Tell them about your employees and how they are coping. Communicate about any new operational plans you have or are implementing….You get the idea; stay in front of them as much as possible.
  4. Stay positive-While everything on social media sounds doom and gloom, try to be a voice of positivity. If you are a real estate agent, talk about how to use this extra time at home to organize and de-clutter your home. If you are a retail clothing store, offer dress down tips to be comfortable working from home. Use video, Facebook Live, and uplifting posts to show your commitment to your local community, followers, and fans. Share inspirational quotes or uplifting news.

What does your marketing communications look like during our new normal? Are you in need of new ideas, social media support or help?

Contact cheryl@highkeyimpact.com from High Key Impact to schedule a Zoom call today.

6 Free Ways To Promote Your Small Business

With the opportunity growing daily for small businesses to utilize social media marketing opportunities as a sales tool, many business owners are not taking advantage of the many freebies provided.
As small business owners focus on sales, budgets, daily customer deliveries and P&L’s, social media marketing may take a back seat.
What are the lesser-known easy-to-use tools to help small businesses grow their online presence?  Here are just a few:

Facebook Slideshow
Cheryl FriedenbergGo to your Facebook Business Page, Create a new post and click Share a photo or video.  This drop down menu will show you several options with ‘Create a Slideshow’ towards the bottom.  Click the button and Facebook will walk you through the process.  You may add several photos, text and audio to your slides.  In the end, the slideshow is just as impactful as a video!
Analytics from Google, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook.
With a business account, you will have immediate access to your daily, weekly and monthly views, clicks, likes, comments and more.  Analytics are designed to inform the business owner what types of posts, ads and content works best for their pages.
Customer Video Testimonials
Have a happy customer or client?  Have a cell phone or mobile device?  It’s that easy to record their story and experiences utilizing your product or service and share it on your pages and/or platforms.
Google Tools
Sign into your Google My Business account and go to Google Optimize, where you may  now sign up for a Beta test.  From Google’s page:  “Whether it’s a custom-tailored message at checkout or a completely revamped homepage, Optimize shows you which site experiences engage and delight your customers, and gives you the solutions you need to deliver them.”
Google also is providing a Data Studio to take analytics and transform the data into reports, graphs and spreadsheets.  Click here for the Google Data Studio.
Video Marketing Tools
Vimeo, Wistia and You Tube all offer free online versions to create and market video promotions, testimonials and your business story.  If you haven’t heard the news, video is overtaking the social media market by storm and is the ultimate platform to reach the widest audience.  Make a small business video today.
 Family and Friends
Did you know that the simplest way to spread the word about your small business is through your existing network of friends and family.  Post on your personal Facebook and LinkedIn pages all about what your business offers.  Ask family members and friends to like your page and share content.  If you have 500+ friends on Facebook, think about what that means for your reach!
What tools do you already use for your small business?
Use the hashtag #highkeyimpact and tell us what you use…