“The organizations that succeed realize that offering a remarkable product with a great story is more important and more profitable than doing what everyone else is doing just a bit better.” - Seth Godin

Why Your Small Business Needs Digital Marketing in 2025.

Still Relying Solely on Word of Mouth? Let's talk about why digital marketing is so important for businesses today.

Let’s say someone hears about your business. Maybe a friend told them you’re the best dog groomer in town. Awesome, right? You do great work, people will be talking about it. But what do they do next?

Yep—they Google you. Or go look at your Facebook Page. Or your Instagram.

And if they don’t find anything? Or what they do find looks like it hasn’t been updated since the early days of the internet? That’s where you might lose them—before you ever knew they were interested.

In today’s world, having a strong digital presence isn’t just for big companies with big budgets. It’s essential for small businesses too—especially the ones that rely on local word-of-mouth. According to a 2024 survey by BrightLocal, 98% of consumers used the internet to find information about local businesses, and 76% of people looked at a business online before visiting it in person. That means even your most loyal customers are checking you out online.

So let’s talk about what digital marketing actually is—because for a lot of small business owners, it sounds complicated or expensive. But it really doesn’t have to be. Think of it as your business’s online voice. It includes things like your website, your Google Business Profile, social media, online reviews, email newsletters, and yes—ads, too. But you don’t need to do all of those things to get started. Even a few simple steps can make a big difference.

And why does it matter? Well, first off: visibility. If people can’t find you online, they might not find you at all. Google processes over 8.5 billion searches every day (Statista, 2024). That’s a lot of people asking questions—and many of them are looking for exactly the kind of services you offer. But they won’t know that if you’re not showing up in their search results.

Then there’s credibility. You know that feeling when you look up a restaurant and their website looks clean, modern, and easy to navigate? Now compare that to a site that loads slowly, has blurry photos, or—worst case—doesn’t exist. Which one feels more trustworthy? According to research from Stanford, 75% of people judge a business’s credibility based on its website design. That means your site isn’t just a digital business card—it’s a trust-building tool.

Digital marketing also helps you work smarter, not harder. While you’re busy running your business—serving customers, answering calls, maybe even fixing the printer again—your website, your social media, and your search presence can be working in the background to attract new customers. It’s like having an extra employee who never takes breaks and works around the clock.

Now, I get it—some folks say, “I don’t have time for that,” or “My customers aren’t online.” But here’s the thing: they are. According to Pew Research, 90% of U.S. adults use the internet, and over 85% own a smartphone. So whether your audience is teens looking for haircuts or retirees booking lawn care, chances are they’re scrolling, searching, and checking you out online—right now.

You don’t have to be a tech wizard or have a huge marketing budget to make a real impact online. Start small. Claim your Google Business Profile. Set up a clean, easy-to-navigate website. Post on social media every now and then. These steps may seem simple, but they can open the door to a whole new wave of customers.

At the end of the day, digital marketing isn’t just about being “on the internet.” It’s about showing up where your customers are, building trust before they ever pick up the phone, and making sure your business stays top of mind (and top of search results). And if you ever feel overwhelmed, just remember—you don’t have to do it alone.

— Andy