Small business owners understand the hustle. It’s a very real challenge to constantly be marketing and selling your business to find new customers. On top of that, budget is often low and time stretched thin. Without using up all your sane waking hours, how can you find new customers and expand your small business? There are a variety of strategies that can help.

A Few Words on Customer Retention

Before we jump into the part where we tell you how to find more customers, we would be remiss if we didn’t say a few words on customer retention. Keeping your current customers happy and coming back for more is significantly cheaper and less time-consuming than finding new customers. According to an article from Semrush, “U.S. companies could save over $35 billion per year by focusing on keeping their existing customers happy.” Additionally, customer happiness serves as word-of-mouth referrals and requires less effort from you. When possible, keep your customers happy.

Beginner Strategies for Finding More Customers for Your Small Business

When you’re just starting out, you want to make sure you are doing the basics to bring in a solid customer base. Try these strategies.

Leverage Digital Marketing

In case you’re late to the game, you need to have a validated place on the internet. You need a digital presence that includes a website and social media accounts where you promote your business. You can use your website to add promotions and other relevant information and you can use your social accounts to promote your business and offerings where they’re likely to be found. Make sure your website is functional and up to date and your social accounts are active.

Engage in Community Activities

Community events are great ways to find new customers, especially if you are a local business. Find opportunities to participate in your area where you will have exposure to new audiences, such as fall festivals, local gatherings, art fairs, back-to-school events, or other sponsorship opportunities. Get your face and brand in front of as many locals as possible.

Offer Promotions and Discounts

Everyone loves a deal so give them something to talk about. Offering new-customer promotions or limited time offers can be the incentive someone might need to try out business with you. You can also encourage word-of-mouth recommendations with referral programs.

Reach Out to Your Network and Partner with Other Businesses

Networking is a must for any professional and even more so for small business owners. Consider ways you can partner with other businesses or offer special promotional pricing for bundling services. This is a great way to leverage existing customers that other businesses may have to gain new exposure. Attending conferences and other industry events can also help to extend your brand even further.

Focus on Customer Experience

A great customer experience is far better marketing than all your paid advertising. One article reports that “92% of consumers trust recommendations from friends and family over all forms of advertising,” making word-of-mouth referrals well worth the time and effort. Make sure your employees are trained in customer service and that they are providing only the best. You may also want to offer additional incentives, such as loyalty programs and referral rewards.

Advanced Strategies for Finding More Customers for Your Small Business

Once you reach a point where you feel like you’ve exhausted the basic strategies and you’re ready to move into the more advanced category, you may want to try out some of the strategies below.

Add More Products or Service Offerings

If you feel like you’ve maxed out your audience, you may want to provide additional products or services to reach more people. This may also increase your revenue with existing customers who may look to you for additional items. A good option could be including seasonal or trend-based products to help diversify your offerings.

Take Your Digital Marketing to the Next Level

Once you have a website and are using some basic digital marketing strategies, you may want to expand your online presence, by doing the following.

• Search engine optimization (SEO): Improve your website’s visibility on search engines by optimizing content with relevant keywords, backlinks, and user-friendly design.
• Email marketing: Build an email list and send regular communications with promotions, updates, and valuable content to keep customers engaged and wanting more from you.
• Pay-per-click (PPC) advertising: Invest in targeted online ads through platforms like Google Ads or Facebook Ads. This will help you reach a specific audience based on demographics, interests, and behaviors.
• Blogging: Create valuable, informative content that addresses your target audience’s pain points or interests. This helps establish your business as an authority in your industry and attracts organic traffic.
• Video content: Videos are highly consumed. Put out videos with product or service offerings, open houses, discounts, you name it—make a video of it.
• Webinars and workshops: Host online or in-person events that provide valuable insights or training. This can help build trust and establish your credibility.

Consider Physical Advertisements

Physical media such as billboards, advertising in local magazines, and community flyers may help you to reach more people. Consider investing in local-area publications or advertising that may be seen by local residents.

By combining these strategies, you can increase your customer base, boost sales, and achieve long-term growth.