Why do I need to market my business online?

A while back, I was talking to a business owner about social media management, and he politely told me he thought word of mouth was better. His logic was that you tell one person, they tell one person, and the chain just keeps going, with every link trusted because it's coming from a real human being. And you know what? He's not wrong (I LOVE a good referral). But he skipped one step in that chain, and it's the reason every small business needs to market online, even the ones running on referrals.

EVERY referral looks you up first.

Think about the last time a friend recommended a restaurant, a hairstylist, or a contractor to you. Before you called, you looked them up. You wanted to see their work, read a few reviews, check their hours, or book them. That's completely normal, and it's exactly what your referrals are doing too.

If they search for you and there's nothing there (no website, no social media, no testimonials, no reviews), they're going to think, does this business even exist? And all the trust that came from a real person's recommendation goes right out the window. And even if they still believe in you, they can't book or buy anything, so the referral fizzles out right there.

I see this in my own business, too. Referrals are my biggest source of clients, and 100% of them looked me up before they ever reached out.

But it's not just me. A July 2026 BrightLocal survey of 1,227 US consumers found that 52% start their search for a local business on Google. And 75% use more than one channel before they decide, bouncing between Google, social media, review sites, and even AI tools. So word of mouth gets people curious about you, and your online presence is where they make up their minds.

I've watched great businesses disappear online (and it's SO sad).

My mom and I go to a local spa together for massages, and it is AMAZING. It feels premium, calm, and plush (not that fake, sterile spa feeling), and the prices are great. But online, you can't tell any of that. Their website is outdated, they never post, and their booking software is hard to use.

So a lot of people end up just calling, which puts more on the front desk than it needs to. It's a business that looks smaller online than it really is, because the brand, the website, and the social media don't match the experience at all. If they only knew!

But, that's what marketing your business online is for! It makes sure your online presence feels like the real business behind it, so it attracts the right people while you focus on serving them.

So, where should you start?

Before you touch anything, we have to clear your brain.

That means getting clear on your messaging, your positioning, and your visual identity, so you look and sound like the same business everywhere online. Without that, you end up like that spa, amazing in person and generic online.

From there, the bare minimum is a free Google Business Profile, so people nearby can find your hours, reviews, and photos. But it's NOT a replacement for a website.

Social media is where people discover you and start to trust you, and your website is where they decide to book, buy, or reach out, so everything should point back to it (here's how a website and social media work together).

Feeling overwhelmed? Let's get it handled.

If all of this sounds like a lot, I get it. You started your business to serve people and do the work you love, and figuring out Google profiles and posting schedules probably wasn't on that list. That's exactly why I created my Total Package.

It's your brand, website, and social media handled together, so your online presence brings in your ideal clients, while you focus on actually running your business. It's a $1,500 setup (delivered in a month or less), and then $700 a month for ongoing social media and website management.

If you're ready to have your whole online presence handled, let's talk.

Start your inquiry here →