Plan your small business marketing budget

Start with the work you need

A useful marketing budget starts with a clear scope. A website project, ongoing social content, and paid advertising involve different work. This page explains what to discuss before choosing services; it is not a published rate card or a binding quote.

What shapes a marketing budget?

• Channels and locations: which social accounts, business profiles, and locations need attention.
• Content: the publishing schedule, formats, and photography or video you already have.
• Website scope: the pages, content, and customer actions your website needs to support.
• Customer conversations: the volume of reviews and comments and the situations that need your input.
• Advertising: campaign goals, creative requirements, and the amount spent on the advertising platform.

Separate service costs from ad spend

When comparing proposals, ask which costs pay for marketing work and which pay for ad delivery. Confirm whether website hosting, outside tools, content production, or other third-party costs are included. Agree on the scope and payment terms before work begins.

Bring these questions to your strategy call

1. Which service will address my most important business goal?
2. What is included, what is excluded, and what will you need from me?
3. What are the recurring and one-time costs?
4. How will we measure progress, and what are the cancellation terms?

Review the services available before starting a conversation. No results estimate should be treated as a guarantee.