Digital Marketing for Small Businesses: How to Get Started (Even Without Experience)

Digital marketing can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re running a small business and don’t have a background in it. But the good news? You don’t need to be a marketing expert to start promoting your business online. With the right tools, a little time, and some creativity, you can start reaching new customers and growing your business today.

 

Here are some of the best ways to dive into digital marketing, even if you’re starting from scratch:

1. 

Claim and Optimize Your Google Business Profile

 

If your business has a physical location, the easiest way to boost your visibility is by setting up (or claiming) your free Google Business Profile. This helps you appear in local search results when people are looking for businesses like yours nearby.

 

Quick Wins:

  • Add photos of your business, products, or services.

  • Keep your hours and contact info up to date.

  • Encourage happy customers to leave reviews.

2. 

Start With Social Media (Pick One Platform to Focus On)

 

You don’t need to be on every platform—just choose one where your audience is most likely to hang out. For many small businesses, that’s Facebook or Instagram. If you’re B2B, LinkedIn might be better.

 

Tips:

  • Post regularly: behind-the-scenes photos, new products, customer shoutouts, or helpful tips.

  • Use free design tools like Canva to make your posts look polished.

  • Engage! Respond to comments and messages quickly.

3. 

Build a Simple Website or Landing Page

 

You don’t need a fancy website to be taken seriously. Platforms like Wix, Squarespace, or Shopify (if you’re selling products) make it easy to build a clean, professional-looking site—no coding required.

 

At minimum, include:

  • Who you are

  • What you offer

  • How people can contact or buy from you

4. 

Grow Your Email List

 

Email marketing is one of the most cost-effective digital marketing tools available. Start by collecting emails from interested customers, either in-store or through your website/social media.

 

Use a free platform like Mailchimp or MailerLite to:

  • Send newsletters

  • Share special offers

  • Promote events or new products

5. 

Use Free or Low-Cost Tools to Learn and Improve

 

Digital marketing is constantly changing—but that doesn’t mean you need to know it all today. There are tons of free resources to help you learn as you go.

 

Some great starting points:

  • Google’s Digital Garage

  • HubSpot’s free marketing courses

  • YouTube tutorials for everything from SEO to social media ads

6. 

Test and Tweak

 

One of the biggest advantages of digital marketing is that you can see what works (and what doesn’t) almost instantly. Try new things, look at the results, and adjust.

 

Track these basics:

  • Which posts get the most likes or comments?

  • Are people clicking links you share?

  • What kinds of emails get opened the most?

Final Thoughts

 

You don’t need a marketing degree or a big budget to make an impact online. Start small, stay consistent, and keep learning. Digital marketing isn’t a one-time project—it’s a journey that grows with your business. And the best part? You’ve already taken the first step just by reading this.

Robert Sabbatini