How Much Should a Small Business Spend on Marketing?

Spend too little and you stay invisible. Spend too much in the wrong places and you waste it. Here's a simple way to set a marketing budget that actually moves the needle.

A rule of thumb

Most small businesses invest somewhere between 5% and 10% of revenue in marketing — more when you're growing, less when you're coasting. The exact number matters less than spending it consistently and on the right things.

Where the money should go first

• The foundation — a website and local SEO. This is the asset everything else points to.
• Staying visible — consistent social and email, so you're remembered.
• Amplification — paid ads, once the foundation is solid.

A no-guesswork starter plan

Build the website. Keep it managed. Add consistent social. Layer in ads when you're ready. With flat, published pricing, you can see exactly what each step costs — no "request a quote" runaround.

The biggest marketing mistake isn't spending too much — it's spending in fits and starts.