14 Dec, 2023
Small business owners are used to juggling many responsibilities all at one time. One of the areas where small business owners often need extra support is marketing. The "next big thing" in marketing tactics seems to change frequently, and these tactics are often not on a small business owner's radar. Before going down the rabbit hole of all the new technologies and tactics in 2024, you need to start by making sure your base strategy is solid; this includes making sure all of the nuts and bolts of your marketing strategy are accurate, up-to-date, and optimized for the best results. The marketing strategy includes countless details, so we've created a checklist of some essential, more digestible action items to watch to ensure your 2024 has a solid start. Updated Logo Some of the most popular brands worldwide are ubiquitous enough that marketers can show the logo without a business name in an ad, and most individuals will know which company the ad is for (e.g., Nike, McDonald's, famous car makers, etc.). Your small business doesn't need to be on this level – but you should have a strong logo that your customers and local community can recognize you by. It may be time for a refresh if you last updated your logo a few years ago. You may not need a complete redesign, but you should ensure you have digital assets for your logo in different sizes, any necessary formats, and the ability to access these files regularly. Google Business Profile If your business is at the top of the page in a Google search result, prospects and customers can find your business quickly. Getting your Google business listing and Google business profile set up is crucial. It's also essential to ensure your business hours, address, phone number, email, and website are listed correctly in the listing. Adding pictures of the exterior and interior of your business also helps prospects and customers get the information they need. Review Platforms Many customers rely on reviews to choose which business they will work with. Some customers will take their time elsewhere if a company has no reviews or only negative ones. Many review platforms are on the market, so small business owners should focus on starting with the basics. Get Google reviews set up, and begin sending review campaigns to your current and past customers (and if your business is in person, ask for reviews in person, too).