What Is the Best Marketing for a Small Business?
Discover the best small business marketing strategies tailored for Portland entrepreneurs. Learn what really works — and book a free marketing consultation today.
Learn practical, budget-friendly ways to market your small business in today’s digital world. From building a strong online presence to mastering local SEO, this guide from Gabriel Lawler Creative Services breaks it down step-by-step—no fluff, just results.`
If you’re a small business owner, you’ve probably asked yourself: "How do I get more people to find me, trust me, and actually reach out?" Don’t worry—you’re not alone. As the founder of Gabriel Lawler Creative Services, I work with small businesses every day to help them stand out online, build real connections with their audience, and grow with confidence.
Whether you’re just starting out or trying to get more out of your current efforts, this guide is packed with simple, effective strategies that you can start using right away.
Marketing isn’t just about selling—it’s about building trust, raising awareness, and attracting the right customers. And as a small business, the way you show up online and in your community makes a huge difference.
The good news? You don’t need a big budget or a full team. You just need the right plan, the right tools, and a little consistency.
Let’s break it down.
Your website is often the first impression someone gets of your business. It should clearly say who you are, what you do, and how people can get in touch.
Here at Gabriel Lawler Creative Services, I help clients create clean, responsive websites that highlight their core services—whether that’s home improvement, wellness, local services, or something totally unique.
Make sure your site includes:
Creating a free Google Business Profile helps people in your area find you. If you’ve ever searched "plumber near me" or "best local photographer"—you’ve seen it in action.
Pro tips:
Your customers have questions—and Google rewards businesses that answer them. That’s why I help my clients build blog content that’s not only helpful but designed to bring in organic traffic.
Think about writing posts that answer things like:
These blogs don’t just help with SEO—they help build trust.
Local SEO means optimizing your site so people in your area can actually find you. It’s one of the most important parts of digital marketing for small businesses.
For example:
These should appear naturally in your headings, meta descriptions, and throughout your site content (including blogs).
Add your business to Yelp, Bing Places, Apple Maps, Angi, and others. The more consistent your business info is across the internet, the better you’ll rank locally.
You don’t have to be on every platform. Just choose one or two where your audience hangs out—Instagram and Facebook are great for visual and local businesses.
Social media is about storytelling. Share your wins, your lessons, and what makes your business unique.
If you’ve worked with someone, don’t let that be the end. A simple monthly email keeps you on their radar for future needs or referrals.
Ideas for email marketing:
Text marketing? Works great for appointment reminders or quick updates—just don’t overdo it.
People trust word-of-mouth more than any ad. Ask your best customers to share your name—and give them a reason to do it.
I always encourage my clients to check in with their data. Tools like Google Analytics, Google Search Console, or even tracking leads manually can tell you a lot about what’s working—and what’s not.
Once you know, you can double down.
Running a small business means time is always limited. If marketing is taking too much of it—or you’re not sure where to start—I’m here to help.
At Gabriel Lawler Creative Services, I work with small businesses to:
You don’t have to do it alone.
Start by claiming your Google Business Profile and making sure your website clearly explains what you do and where you work.
Focus on free tools: Google, social media, and email. These go a long way when used consistently.
It helps—especially if you want to improve your SEO and answer customer questions before they even call.
Some things (like ads) are fast. SEO and content can take a few months—but they build momentum over time.
Marketing doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. You just need to be consistent, intentional, and focused on helping your customers.
Whether you offer fireplace installations, wellness services, or custom crafts, people are searching for what you do. Let’s make sure they find you.
Looking for help? That’s what I do. Reach out today and let’s build something that works.
