The Essential Role of Advertising for Small Businesses

Encountering advertisements is almost inevitable for most people. Every day, we come across ads while surfing the internet, watching TV, engaging with social media, or even during our commute.

Whether or not we actively look for them, we’re exposed to thousands of ads daily. This is why even small businesses should consider advertising. Without it, it’s much harder for consumers to learn about a product or brand. In fact, 46 percent of small businesses agree with this.

One of the biggest challenges for businesses (63%) is generating traffic and leads. Ads help in this area by boosting consumer awareness. Even if consumers aren’t currently in the market for a product or service, seeing an ad makes them more likely to remember the brand when they are ready to make a purchase.

Take Toyota, for example. A person might see hundreds of Toyota ads. They might not be in the market for a car right now, but when they are, they’ll likely think of Toyota—especially if they enjoyed the ads.

Ads give brands a chance to stick in consumers’ minds. Even if someone isn’t interested in a product, they’ll still be aware of it and might share that awareness with others.

Despite the rise of fake news, recent studies indicate that people still trust advertising. Consumers believe that if a brand is paying for an ad, there’s some form of regulation that makes it trustworthy.

Advertising can be expensive, but the potential profits often make it worth the cost. While TV advertising remains one of the most influential mediums, online and social media ads also play a significant role and are much more affordable.

Companies don’t need to spend a fortune to advertise. While a 30-second TV ad can cost around $342,000, pay-per-click (PPC) online ads range from just 5 cents to $3 per visitor. If your budget doesn’t allow for TV ads, consider using Facebook or other social media platforms to advertise. You’ll still reach potential customers without breaking the bank.

Not every small business can afford to advertise, but those that can should take advantage of the opportunity to reach more consumers and increase their customer base. Advertising is an investment, but it’s one that can really pay off.