Nowadays in this tough economy, online business owners end up finding themselves frustrated when trying to compete with large corporations for the fair share of the market. Most independent business owners simply don’t have the same financial resources or know-how to market their companies alongside the titans of industry. Allow me to share five smart marketing tips to help keep your enterprise in the running:

1. SERVE YOUR FRIENDS Many independent business owners sometimes overlook their strongest marketing tools – their current customers. Online business owners hold a distinct advantage over larger companies because they are able to interact with each client at a much deeper level. If you are able to develop strong relationships with your current customers, they will want to return to you for years to come (and bring droves more customers with them).

2. GET ONLINE Don’t overlook the importance of the internet in today’s market. Recent research shows that over 92% of adults regularly research products online before buying them in stores*. Professional web development can help even the score with the top guys by giving a clean, professional appearance to your company. Be careful not to shortchange yourself on your own website. It may be better to have no website at all rather than a poorly developed website. A professionally developed site can necessitate a small investment up front; however the return on investment will be well worth it in the long run.

3. OPTIMIZE AND CONQUER Working with a great looking website is an important step, but it’s not much use to you if no one ever sees it. A strong Search Engine Optimization (Phoenix SEO Expert) can quickly put your website in front of hundreds or thousands of qualified buyers every month. Investing in a talented Phoenix SEO Company often leads to astronomical returns for a relatively low monthly expense

4. BRAND THYSELF Just because you are a independent business doesn’t mean you can’t resemble the top guys. Personalizing company uniforms, pens, coffee mugs, Frisbees, or other items with your company logo can be surprisingly affordable and can help develop a strong brand image for potential customers. Not only will your company appear more stable, but occasionally giving away quality branded items (like a mug with your companies’ logo) is often a way to subtly advertise to that particular family on a on a daily basis basis.

5. BECOME A SOCIAL BUTTERFLY Small business owners can’t afford to get shy. Every single time you come in connection with someone (familiar or new), make an effort to let them know about your companies. Certainly don’t be abrasive, but a surprising amount of leads can be developed by simply bringing up your passion in casual conversations. Everyone wants to have an “inside man” – all you need to do is make sure they know what you can offer them.