Let's Talk As a business owner, you’re often wearing multiple hats – managing accounts, handling sales, delivering customer service, and completing the core work itself. With so many demands, marketing can easily fall to the bottom of your priority list. Yet, it plays a critical role in attracting new customers and retaining existing ones.
To help you build a strong foundation, we’ve created a Marketing Starter Checklist. The more of these elements you have in place, the stronger and more consistent your business growth will be.
1. A Clear, Unique Brand
- Have a logo designed (done professionally in vector format to use across various platforms)
- Define your tone/brand personality
- Consistent brand imaging across all platforms (email, signage, website, socials, etc.)
Your customers need a way to recognise your business – a consistent and engaging brand image is vital to promoting trust and recognition. How you present online will directly affect your customer base, so be sure to find a professional graphic designer to help you through the process.
2. Website
- Having a mobile-friendly site with easy navigation
- SEO basics in place (page titles, meta descriptions, use relevant keywords)
- Clear contact information and call-to-actions
In 2025, if you don’t have a website, you’re practically invisible on Google. A good web designer can build a professional site – or you can make one yourself! There are various easy-to-use platforms available today that are user-friendly (i.e. WordPress, Squarespace). Just be sure to set up your SEO correctly so your customers can find you.
3. Social Media
- Accounts created on relevant platforms based on your target audience (e.g., Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn)
- At least 5–10 initial posts (e.g., intro, services, behind the scenes)
- Posting schedule planned – at least once a week
Social Media is often the first place customers will look you up to check your legitimacy and your quality of work. Customers are more likely to go with a business with an active, healthy social media account. But if you can’t commit to posting every week, it’s still important to post when you can find time. It can be a big job, but it is essential in today’s social media-driven world.
4. Google Business & Apple Business
- Google Business Profile and Apple Business accounts created and verified
- Business hours, location, website, phone number, and services listed
- Add business photos (logo, products, storefront if relevant)
Where do you go to look up a business? Straight to Google! Create and populate your Business Profile on Google with photos and ask your customers for reviews – plus keep your business hours and contact information up-to-date so people can find you.
5. Signage & Business Cards
- Signage designed and installed (i.e. shopfront, vehicle)
- Business cards
It goes without saying that if you have a business, you need signage so you can be found! If you run a mobile business, it’s still important to apply some graphics to your van/truck. Business cards are also nice to have, but they’re not as essential as they once were. Hit up your local signage shop to see what they recommend for your business.
