5 biggest digital marketing problems for small businesses and how to deal with them

Digital marketing isn’t optional for most small businesses looking to grow—the ways things change quickly in technology and competition, it’s a necessity. But for many business owners, it can feel like a constant uphill battle. From getting noticed online to managing the time and budget required, the challenges are real and can quickly become overwhelming.

Here are the five biggest digital marketing problems small businesses face and practical steps you can take to tackle them.

1. Getting Noticed in a Crowded Market

With so many businesses competing for attention online, it can feel nearly impossible to stand out. From ranking high in search engine results to creating engaging social media content, getting noticed often requires time, effort, and expertise that many small businesses don’t have.

How to Overcome This: Focus on search engine optimization (SEO), tailored content creation, and consistent social media engagement. These strategies can help increase your visibility and get your business in front of the right audience.

2. Creating Consistent, High-Quality Content

Content marketing is one of the most effective ways to engage your audience, but keeping up with the demand for fresh, relevant content can be complex. Blogs, newsletters, social media posts—it all adds up, and many small businesses don’t have the time or resources to maintain a consistent schedule.

How to Overcome This: Develop a content calendar to plan and schedule your marketing materials in advance. You can also look into automation tools that streamline your efforts without sacrificing quality.

3. Limited Marketing Budgets

Digital marketing can be expensive, especially when you factor in ads, software, and content creation costs. Many small businesses operate on tight budgets and struggle to get results from their efforts without overspending.

How to Overcome This: Focus on high-ROI activities like SEO and content marketing, which can deliver long-term results without a significant upfront investment. Additionally, using analytics to track your efforts can help you spend wisely.

4. Keeping Up with Constant Changes in Digital Marketing

The digital world constantly evolves, with new trends, tools, and platforms emerging regularly. It can be overwhelming to keep up with all the changes and know which ones are right for your business.

How to Overcome This: Stay informed about industry trends, but don’t feel pressured to jump on every new platform. Instead, focus on the tools and strategies best serving your business goals.

5. Tracking and Measuring Success

Many small business owners struggle with understanding the effectiveness of their digital marketing efforts. Without clear insights into what’s working, adjusting strategies and optimizing for success is difficult.

How to Overcome This: Use analytics tools to track your performance metrics, such as website traffic, engagement rates, and conversions. Data-driven insights can help you make informed decisions and fine-tune your digital marketing efforts.

The Real Impact of Digital Marketing: By the Numbers

The importance of digital marketing for small businesses is backed by data:

  • 81% of consumers research online before making purchasing decisions

  • Businesses with strong SEO strategies see 5x more leads than those without

  • Content marketing generates 3x more leads than traditional marketing while costing 62% less

Expert Tips for Immediate Impact:

  • Start with a website audit to identify quick SEO wins

  • Focus on local SEO to target customers in your area

  • Optimize existing content before creating new materials

Let Us Take the Digital Marketing Load Off Your Plate

At Peak Advisers, we understand how challenging it can be to manage digital marketing on top of running your business. As a trusted QuickBooks partner, we’ve helped small companies to grow and succeed for years—and now, we’re here to help you tackle digital marketing.

Whether you need help with SEO, content creation, or social media management, our digital marketing services are designed to make your life easier and your business more visible online. The bottom line? More potential customers will find your business, leading to increased leads and opportunities for growth.

Visit our Digital Marketing Services page to learn more, or schedule a free consultation to discuss your unique needs.

Let’s work together to grow your business online.

David Mitchell

Digital content coordinator and sales consultant for Peak Advisers QuickBooks and business accounting experts.