The Colorado Business Owner’s Roadmap to Digital Marketing

Q: Do I really need a website if I have social media profiles?

Absolutely. Your website is the only digital property you fully control. While social media is important, your website serves as your digital home base and builds credibility with potential customers.

You don’t need massive budgets or a team of experts to succeed in digital marketing – you just need the right strategy and tools. This guide cuts through the complexity to give you practical, proven steps that work specifically for Colorado small businesses. Whether you’re running a family restaurant in Boulder or a boutique in Cherry Creek, you’ll find exactly what you need to start competing effectively online, without breaking the bank or becoming a tech expert yourself.

Feeling unsure about where to start? I understand that every business faces unique challenges. If you’d like to talk through your specific situation, I’m happy to offer a free 30-minute consultation for Colorado small business owners. We can discuss your goals and find the right digital marketing approach for your business. Send me an email or call me – I’m here to help.

Your Digital Marketing Guide

Digital Marketing Basics: Be Where Your Customers Look

Think of digital marketing as your business’s way of being where your customers already are – online. It’s not about complex technology or endless social media posts; it’s about making it easy for locals to find and choose your business. Whether they’re searching for “best pizza in Denver” at midnight or looking up hardware stores in Fort Collins while fixing a leaky sink, you want to be there when they need you.

Many Colorado business are doing fine with just word of mouth, or they worry digital marketing means abandoning their tried-and-true methods. Here’s the truth: you don’t have to choose one or the other. Your newspaper ads can drive people to your website, your happy customers can share your social media posts, and your email newsletters can bring people into your store.

Digital marketing isn’t about replacing what works – it’s about amplifying it.

While a billboard on I-25 costs thousands and reaches everyone (including people who’ll never visit your store), the same budget on digital platforms can reach people actively looking for your products, right in your neighborhood.

You can start small, measure what works, and grow from there. Best of all? Unlike traditional advertising, you can change your digital strategy instantly if something isn’t working, without waiting for next month’s print deadline or being stuck in a long-term contract.

73

of small businesses have a website

Source

92

of small business owners believe having a website is the most effective digital marketing strategy

Source

58

of people search for local businesses on their smartphones daily

Source

Getting Started with your Marketing: Tools & First Steps

Start with these fundamental tools to establish your online presence:

Google Business Profile – Get your business on Google Maps and Search
Meta Business Suite – Manage your Facebook and Instagram in one place
Google Analytics – See who visits your website and what they do there
MailerLite (Free up to 1,000 contacts) – Keep in touch with customers
Canva – Create professional-looking graphics and posts for free
Google Search Console – Understand how Google sees your website
AnswerThePublic – Find what people are asking about your industry
Trello – Plan your content calendar and marketing tasks
Grammarly – Write better content for your website and social media
Buffer – Schedule your social media posts (free plan available)
Mention – Monitor what people say about your business online
HubSpot CRM – Free CRM to manage customer relationships

Your First Steps for Today

Remember: You don’t need everything perfect to start. Begin with these basics and build from there. The most important thing is to start somewhere.

I could use a hand! 🖐️

1. Get on Google – Claim Your Business

Put your business on the map, literally. Setting up your Google Business Profile is free and helps locals find you when they search for your services. This is often your first chance to make an impression.

3. Mobile Check – Test Your Website

Pull up your website on your phone. Can you easily read everything? Click all buttons? Fill out forms? If you struggle, your customers do too. A mobile-friendly website isn’t optional anymore – it’s essential.

5. Plan Ahead – Make a Content Calendar

Spend an hour mapping out what you’ll post next month. Even just planning 1-2 posts per week gives you structure and keeps you consistent. Remember: quality beats quantity.

2. Track Your Success – Set Up Analytics

Install Google Analytics on your website to understand who visits, what they look at, and how they find you. It’s like having a 24/7 assistant tracking your store’s performance, but for your website.

4. Social Presence – Create Your Business Page

Set up an Instagram / Facebook business page to share updates and connect with customers. Think of it as your digital storefront where you can showcase what makes your business special and engage with your community.

6. Review Your Online Reputation

Google your business and read your recent reviews. Are they recent? Are you responding to them? Fresh, positive reviews build trust, and responding shows you care about customer feedback.

Know When to DIY and When to Get Help

Running a business means being smart about where you spend your time and money. While there are many digital marketing tasks you can (and should) handle yourself, others require specialized expertise. Think of it like maintaining your car – you can handle regular maintenance like oil changes, but you’ll want a professional for major engine work.

Let’s break down what you can confidently manage in-house versus what’s worth investing in expert help.

Things that you can do yourself

Add fresh photos to your Google Business Profile every month
Post regular updates on social media (2-3 times per week)
Respond to customer reviews within 24 hours
Update your store hours for holidays on all platforms
Take photos of your team in action and share them
Share customer testimonials as social media posts
Write short updates about your business news and offers
Run simple seasonal promotions or discounts
Share and comment on posts from neighboring businesses
Track how many website visits come from social media

Things I can help you with

Custom website design and development
Technical SEO optimization and strategy
Google Ads campaign management
Advanced conversion tracking setup
Market research and competitor analysis
Marketing automation implementation
Professional brand photography and video
Social media advertising strategy and management
Content marketing strategy and execution
Analytics setup and advanced tracking

I can also help you with:

Branding & Graphic Design

Custom Website Design

Local SEO

Professional Photography

Common Questions about Digital Marketing

Starting your digital marketing journey can feel overwhelming – and that’s completely normal. Over the years, I’ve helped close to 400 small business owners navigate these same waters, and certain questions come up again and again. Here are straightforward answers to the most common questions I hear from local business owners like you.

If you don’t see your question here, feel free to reach out directly.

How much does it cost to start digital marketing for my small business?

You can start with as little as $25-50 per month for basic tools. Many essential platforms like Google Business Profile and social media are free. Your main initial investment will be time and possibly a simple website.

How much time do I need to spend on digital marketing each week?

Plan for 3-5 hours per week to start. This includes posting on social media, responding to reviews, and basic maintenance. You can break this into 30-minute daily sessions to make it manageable.

Do I really need a website if I have social media profiles?

Absolutely. Your website is the only digital property you fully control. While social media is important, your website serves as your digital home base and builds credibility with potential customers.

How long until I see results from digital marketing?

Some results, like increased visibility on Google Rankings and Google Maps, can happen within days. Other aspects, like building a strong social media presence, typically take 3-6 months of consistent effort.

Can I compete with bigger businesses that have larger marketing budgets?

Absolutely! Local businesses often have advantages in authenticity and community connection. Focus on your unique strengths and target your specific neighborhood or niche.

What's the first thing I should do to improve my digital marketing?

Start by claiming and optimizing your Google Business Profile. It’s free, takes about an hour to set up properly, and immediately helps local customers find you.

What if I make mistakes while managing my digital marketing?

Most mistakes in basic digital marketing are easily fixable. Start small, learn as you go, and remember you can always edit or delete posts that don’t work well.

Do I need special technical skills to manage my digital marketing?

For basic tasks, if you can use Facebook and email, you have enough tech skills to start. More complex tasks like website design or advertising campaigns might require professional help.

How do I know if my digital marketing is working?

Look for simple metrics like increased website visits, more phone calls, new customer inquiries, and positive reviews. Google Analytics and social media insights provide free data to track progress.

Can I stop traditional marketing once I start digital marketing?

While every business is different, I highly recommend focusing most of your marketing budget and efforts on digital channels. Digital marketing typically offers better return on investment (ROI), provides detailed analytics to track your success, and gives you the flexibility to adjust your strategy instantly based on what’s working. For example, instead of spending $2,000 on a static billboard, you could use that budget for targeted digital ads that reach exactly who you want, when you want – and see precisely how many customers those ads bring in. You can keep some traditional marketing if it works well for your business, but in today’s market, digital should be your primary focus for the best results.

Want to learn more about maximizing your marketing ROI? Let’s discuss your specific situation

Success Stories: I Don’t Just Talk the Talk

It’s easy to make promises about digital marketing results – but I prefer to walk the walk. Over the years, I’ve helped businesses of all sizes transform their digital presence and achieve real, measurable growth, working with clients from Colorado to all across Europe. From a flooring company that tripled their leads through targeted SEO strategies, to a local boutique that transformed their entire business through social media, these case studies show what’s possible when digital marketing is done right. I’m proud to share some of my favorite success stories that showcase how businesses just like yours are winning online.

If you want to become one of this success stories, you know where to find me.

The Colorado Business Owner’s Roadmap to Digital Marketing

Your Digital Marketing Guide

Your Digital Marketing Guide

Your Digital Marketing Guide

Your Digital Marketing Guide

Your Digital Marketing Guide

Digital Marketing Basics: Be Where Your Customers Look

Digital marketing isn’t about replacing what works – it’s about amplifying it.

73

92

58

Getting Started with your Marketing: Tools & First Steps

Start with these fundamental tools to establish your online presence:

Your First Steps for Today

1. Get on Google – Claim Your Business

3. Mobile Check – Test Your Website

5. Plan Ahead – Make a Content Calendar

2. Track Your Success – Set Up Analytics

4. Social Presence – Create Your Business Page

6. Review Your Online Reputation

Know When to DIY and When to Get Help

Things that you can do yourself

Things I can help you with

I can also help you with:

Common Questions about Digital Marketing

Success Stories: I Don’t Just Talk the Talk

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