Let’s be real for a second.
As a small business owner, you’re already wearing about seventeen different hats on any given day. You’re the CEO, the customer service rep, the bookkeeper, and probably the janitor too. And somewhere in between all of that, you’re supposed to figure out this whole digital marketing thing?
I get it. I really do.
And here’s what makes it even harder: there’s so much noise out there. So many “experts” telling you what you should be doing, what you’re doing wrong, and why your business will fail if you don’t follow their exact formula.
I want to walk you through some of the biggest misconceptions I hear from small business owners just like you—folks who are working hard, trying to do right by their families and their communities, and just want some straight answers.
Myth #1: “I Have a Website, So I’m All Set.”
I wish it were that simple, friend. I really do.
Having a website is kind of like having a storefront on a back road with no sign. Sure, it exists. But if nobody knows it’s there, does it really matter?
Your website is absolutely important—don’t get me wrong. It’s your digital home base. But just building it doesn’t mean people will automatically find you. Think of it this way: your website is the house, but you still need to invite people over.
That’s where the rest of digital marketing comes in. SEO helps people find you when they’re searching for what you offer. Social media lets you connect with your community where they’re already spending time. Content marketing shows potential customers that you actually know your stuff.
It’s not about doing all the things. It’s about doing the right things so the people who need you can actually find you.
Myth #2: “Digital Marketing Is Only for Big Companies with Big Budgets.”
This one makes me a little fired up, honestly.
Because if anything, digital marketing has made things more fair for small businesses like yours. You don’t need a Super Bowl ad budget to reach the right people anymore.
Back in the day, if you wanted to advertise, you had to buy expensive radio spots or newspaper ads and just hope the right people were paying attention. Now? You can reach exactly the people who are looking for what you offer, right in your local area, for a fraction of that cost.
Digital marketing is actually one of the most budget-friendly ways to get your name out there. And for a small business owner who’s trying to make every dollar count (while still making it to your kid’s soccer game on time), that’s huge.
Myth #3: “The Internet Is Too Big—I’ll Just Get Lost in the Noise.”
I hear this one a lot, and I understand why it feels that way.
Yes, the internet is massive. But here’s the beautiful thing: you don’t need to reach everyone. You only need to reach your people.
And with digital marketing, you can get incredibly specific about who sees your message. You can target people in your exact town, people searching for your exact service, people who care about the same community causes you support.
Think about it this way: would you rather put up a billboard on the highway hoping the right person drives by, or have a conversation with someone who already said they need exactly what you offer? That’s the difference.
Plus, more than half of your potential customers are looking you up on their phones. Your business can literally be in their pocket when they need you most.
Myth #4: “There’s No Way to Know If Digital Marketing Actually Works.”
Actually, this is one of my favorite things about digital marketing—you can see exactly what’s working.
Unlike that ad you ran in the local paper where you just had to hope it worked, digital marketing shows you the numbers. You can see how many people visited your website, where they came from, what pages they looked at, and whether they reached out to you.
On social media, you can see how many people viewed your post and how many reacted or made comments on it. You can compare across your posts easily to see what works and what doesn’t.
It’s not magic. It’s data. And those data help you make smarter decisions about where to spend your time and money.
You get to see what’s connecting with people and what’s falling flat. And then you can adjust. No more throwing spaghetti at the wall and hoping something sticks.
Myth #5: “My Customers Aren’t Online.”
Friend, I promise you—they are.
I know your customers might not seem like the “online type.” Maybe you serve an older demographic, or you’re in a really traditional industry. But here’s the thing: everyone is online now. Your customers are checking Facebook to see what their grandkids are up to. They’re Googling “best [your service] near me” when they need help.
The world has changed, especially in the last few years. Even people who never thought they’d be “internet people” are now comfortable researching businesses, reading reviews, and reaching out online.
If you’re not showing up in those searches, if you don’t have those reviews, if your business isn’t easy to find online, you’re missing out on connecting with people who are actively looking for what you offer.
Myth #6: “I Should Either Go All-In on Digital or Stick with Traditional Marketing.”
Here’s where I’m going to get a little pushy with you: it’s not either-or.
You don’t have to abandon everything that’s worked for you in the past. That sponsorship of the local little league team? The booth at the community fair? Those things matter, especially when you’re building trust in your community and giving back.
But digital marketing works even better when it’s paired with those traditional efforts. Someone sees your logo at the school fundraiser, then later they Google you and find your website. Or they see your Facebook post, then notice your sign when they drive by your location.
It all works together. And honestly, the businesses that do best are the ones that use a mix of both—meeting people where they are, whether that’s at the farmer’s market or on their phone.
The Real Truth About Digital Marketing
I’m not going to tell you that digital marketing is easy or that it’ll solve all your problems overnight.
What I will tell you is this: it’s not as complicated or as scary as you’ve been led to believe. And you don’t have to figure it all out on your own.
You started your business because you’re good at what you do. You serve your customers well. You show up for your community. Digital marketing is just about helping more of the right people find you so you can do what you already do best.
You don’t need to be on every platform. You don’t need to post seventeen times a day. You don’t need a celebrity-level following.
You just need a solid strategy that fits your life, your business, and your goals.
Ready to Cut Through the Confusion?
If you’ve been putting off digital marketing because you weren’t sure where to start—or because you tried something that didn’t work and you’re feeling stuck—I’d love to chat with you.
I offer free consultations where we can talk about your specific business, what you’ve tried, what’s not working, and what might actually move the needle for you. No pressure, no sales pitch. Just a genuine conversation about how digital marketing can work for a business like yours.
Because you’re already doing the hard work. Let’s just make sure the right people can find you.
Schedule your free consultation today, and let’s figure this out together.