It’s all about Reputation

Marketing in the U.S. is fast-paced, digital-first, and highly reputation-driven. Americans expect every business—big or small—to have a professional presence, good visuals, and a way to be found online.

You don’t need to spend thousands to get started, but you do need to be visible, reviewed, and easy to contact.

How Americans Promote Small Businesses

• Google Business Profile (free):
  The #1 tool for getting found online. Shows your hours, location, photos, reviews, and services in Google Maps and Search.
  https://www.google.com/business/
• Facebook Business Pages:
  Especially effective in small towns and community groups.
• Instagram and TikTok:
  Great for food, fashion, crafts, beauty, fitness, or anything visual. Use hash tags and short videos.
• Local Chamber of Commerce:
  Joining your local business chamber boosts credibility and gives access to networking events, directories, and support.
• Referral Programs:
  Offer a reward when existing customers bring you new ones (e.g., “Refer a friend, both get $10 off”).

Digital Advertising Platforms (Paid Options)

Tip: Most platforms let you set your own budget—you can start with just $5–$10 per day to test what works.

Traditional Advertising Methods (Still Useful in Small Towns)

• Print Ads (local papers, church bulletins): $50–$500/month
• Flyers & Brochures: $0.10–$0.25 per copy (use Canva.com for free designs)
• Signage:
  • Vinyl banner: $50–$150
  • Yard signs: $15–$30 each
  • Large LED roadside sign: $2,000–$10,000
• Local Radio: $200–$1,000 for short campaigns (great for small towns or niche audiences)

Building a Brand on a Budget

• Use free design tools like https://www.canva.com to create your logo, flyers, and social media posts.
• Keep branding consistent: Use the same logo, colour scheme, and tagline everywhere.
• Take high-quality photos of your products, location, or team. Smartphone cameras are enough—just use good lighting and clean backgrounds.
• Register a simple website using tools like https://www.wix.com or https://www.squarespace.com – often $10–$20/month.

Reviews Matter More Than Price

In the U.S., online reviews are one of the most important factors for customer decisions—often more than price.

• Ask happy customers to leave Google or Facebook reviews.
• Respond to reviews politely—even the negative ones.
• Offer a small discount in exchange for honest feedback when starting out.

Real Example

In 2025, a young Immigrant couple in Utah used a $100 Facebook ad campaign to launch their small cleaning service. They gained their first five clients in under a week by targeting nearby zip codes and offering a “first clean free if you leave a review.” Within 90 days, they were fully booked.