Business

More than 50% of Small Businesses Spend 5 or Less Hours on Marketing: Survey

Published

6 years ago

May 28, 2019

According to the Survey conducted by Outbound Engine, it has been revealed that 58% of small businesses don’t give the necessary time to marketing. The report titled, “Stress, Time & Growth: Factors Affecting Small Business Marketing in 2019”, the emphasis is laid on the complexity in today’s small ecosystem. And analyzing the marketing strategies of small businesses, the report points out that stress is the major factor which affects the amount of time small businesses spend on marketing its products or services.

Mark Pickren, the CEO of Outbound Engine, said that the marketing plays a vital role in boosting the growth of any business and it requires a lot of efforts to successfully promote products as well as services. However, Small Business Marketing Trends highlight that the lack of necessary knowledge and the budget to capitalize on marketing options are the two important factors which could be attributed to increasing the complexity in the small businesses environment. This, in turn, leads to an increase in stress in the ecosystem of small businesses.

The survey emphasizes that the lack of knowledge, finance, and talent are the major factors which have led to increasing the complexity of doing marketing in the small business environment. 28.5% of the small businessmen don’t have enough money, 22.39% don’t have sufficient time, and 14.25% attribute the inability to find the best marketing tactics as the reason for poor marketing of their business. Other than this, 11.96% don’t have the skilled staff and 2.80% are not aware of the customer base they need to target for the promotion of their products.

And major fact trending in the report shows that 54.45% spend only 5% or less of their revenue on marketing. Only 4.33% invest greater than 20% of their revenue on marketing. The more the spending on marketing, the more is the growth of small businesses, the survey results hinted.

Business

The Key Components of a Successful Digital Marketing Strategy

Published

3 days ago

November 16, 2025

Matthew Wiles

In today’s hyper-connected world, a well-defined digital marketing strategy is essential for any business that wants to grow, build brand trust, and stay competitive. Whether you’re a local retailer, an eCommerce business, or a professional service provider, your online presence plays a major role in shaping how your audience perceives you. For example, industries like legal services are increasingly recognising the benefits of specialised digital marketing for law firms to attract and engage clients in an increasingly digital marketplace.

Below, we explore the key components that make up a successful digital marketing strategy—and how to align them with your business goals.

Clear Objectives and Measurable Goals

Every effective strategy begins with a clear understanding of what success looks like. Your goals might include increasing website traffic, generating leads, improving search engine visibility, or enhancing customer retention. Setting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) objectives helps ensure that each marketing activity contributes to tangible outcomes.

A Strong Brand Identity

Your digital marketing efforts should reflect a cohesive brand identity that resonates across every channel—your website, social media, email campaigns, and online ads. Consistent visual design, tone of voice, and messaging establish credibility and make your business instantly recognisable.

Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)

SEO remains the backbone of digital visibility. From on-page content optimisation and keyword targeting to technical site health and link-building, SEO ensures your business appears where customers are actively searching. Local SEO, in particular, helps businesses connect with audiences in specific geographic areas—an essential tactic for professionals and service-based businesses.

Engaging Content Marketing

High-quality, relevant content builds authority and nurtures relationships. Blogs, videos, infographics, podcasts, and whitepapers provide opportunities to educate, entertain, and inspire your audience. Great content not only boosts SEO performance but also establishes your brand as a trusted industry leader.

Social Media Engagement

Social platforms allow you to interact directly with your audience, showcase brand personality, and promote your services. The key is to use the right platform for your audience—LinkedIn for B2B engagement, Instagram for visual storytelling, or Facebook for community connection. Regular posting, active engagement, and data analysis are crucial for success.

Paid Advertising (PPC and Social Ads)

Paid campaigns can provide immediate visibility and lead generation, especially when combined with strong targeting and data insights. Tools like Google Ads and Meta Ads Manager allow you to reach specific demographics, remarket to previous visitors, and maximise ROI through ongoing optimisation.

Email Marketing and Automation

Email remains one of the most effective tools for nurturing relationships. Automated workflows can deliver personalised experiences, keeping leads engaged throughout the buyer journey. From newsletters to drip campaigns, consistent and value-driven communication is key.

Data Analytics and Continuous Optimisation

No digital marketing strategy is complete without performance tracking. Tools like Google Analytics, social insights, and CRM data reveal what’s working—and what’s not. Regularly reviewing metrics enables businesses to refine their strategy and continually improve results.

Final Thoughts

A successful digital marketing strategy is more than a checklist—it’s an evolving framework built on research, creativity, and constant learning. When each component works together seamlessly, your business can attract, engage, and convert customers more effectively, while maintaining a powerful and professional online presence.