Choosing where to be visible.
THE CHANNELS
Search engines, for people actively looking for what you sell Social media, particularly Instagram, Facebook and X WhatsApp, for conversation and ordering Referrals and word of mouth, which for most local businesses is the largest single source Marketplaces Physical presence and signage
WHAT THIS MEANS
Search brings people with intent, and it takes months to build.
Social media reaches people who were not looking, and requires continuous effort.
Referrals cost nothing and depend on doing good work and being easy to recommend.
WHERE TO START
Make sure people who already know your name can find you: a business profile, a website, a findable phone number.
That captures the demand that already exists before you try to create more.
THEN
One additional channel, done properly, rather than five done badly.
MEASURING
Ask every new customer how they found you. Record it. That tells you where to spend effort, and it is more accurate than analytics for most local businesses.
