Only 45% of SMBs track analytics and the others give the reason that they don't have time, experience or budget to track analytics according to an infographic from SCORE.org. In our Local Commerce Monitor 19 survey of small businesses, SMBs say…
73.5% of retail SMBs* maintain a customer list, the majority for more than a year, according to data from Wave 19 of Local Commerce Monitor (LCM), our survey of small and medium businesses. Over half of these SMBs say they promote…
As SMBs increase digital marketing spend, agencies that target them with marketing automation can gain a competitive edge. This was the focus of a recent BIA/Kelsey webcast (and companion white paper) co-hosted by Vendasta. But more important than the "why?" is the "how?". Addressing…
SMBs in the Entertainment* vertical are more committed to digital media than the average SMB, according to data from Wave 19 of Local Commerce Monitor (LCM), our survey of small and medium businesses. These SMBs allocated 42.1% of spending to…
This is the latest in BIA/Kelsey's Vantage Points series. On a semi-weekly basis, it will tap the perspectives of various lookout points from around the local media and tech sectors. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect that of BIA/Kelsey. The SMB Churn…
Social Media is the top marketing channel for SMBs once again, according to Wave 19 of Local Commerce Monitor (LCM), our survey of small and medium businesses. 73.2% of SMBs in the full sample reported that they use social media…
Franchises use an average of 12 types of media for advertising and promotion, according to our annual survey of SMBs, also known as the Local Commerce Monitor (LCM)™, Wave 19. As with other SMBs in the survey, a Facebook page was franchisees' most…
Web hosting has transformed over the past few years. With domain and website creation, there's lots of room for integration with marketing and SMB services (social, search, CRM etc.). The one-stop-shop is also appealing to time-starved and simplicity-oriented SMBs. GoDaddy…
As big data continues to collide with local marketing, small businesses are more empowered than ever to acquire and retain customers. It's the job -- and opportunity -- of local media companies and startups to bring them that capability. But…
In our annual survey of SMBS also known as the Local Commerce Monitor (LCM)™, Wave 19, when we take a closer look at our industry segments, SMBs in certain vertical categories are more likely to be franchises. As shown in the…
While a majority of small businesses prefer to DIY their digital advertising (58%), this doesn't mean that these DIY SMBs don't use agencies for other advertising purposes. A typical SMB uses multiple channels (6-12) on average for advertising and marketing. 14% of SMBs…
Facebook Pages are the most prevalent form of SMB marketing according to BIA/Kelsey data. And there are currently 45 million SMBs with active Pages according to Facebook's own data (2 million of which are paid). As we've discussed, this has a…
One very simple way for small businesses to compete with the big players in their markets is with the help of marketing automation such as email and social media monitoring. Marketing automation helps small businesses appear and behave like a brand or…
SMBs are putting a bigger share of their advertising budget towards digital media, according to BIA/Kelsey's Local Commerce Monitor (LCM)™, Wave 19, survey of small-and-medium businesses. When looking at the data by vertical category (Professional Services, Home/Trade Services, Retail, Entertainment, and Technology) SMBs…
In the second year of examining franchises in BIA/Kelsey's Local Commerce Monitor™ (LCM) Wave 19 survey of small and medium-sized businesses, franchisees are increasingly using small agencies for their advertising and marketing. See the infographic below for the highlights. The report…
Home and Trade Services* SMBs use an average of 6 different channels for advertising, including print yellow pages, newspapers, direct mail and community sponsorships. While Facebook was the most popular channel used, print yellow pages, newspapers, direct mail and community sponsorship…
Retail beacons have gotten lots of attention and excitement over the past 24 months -- most of it pre-mature. But it's a technology that is starting to gain realistic adoption, and holds lots of promise for the perennial local challenge…
According to BIA/Kelsey's Local Commerce Monitor (LCM), survey of small- and medium-sized businesses, the higher spending Plus Spender SMBs* had an average annual spend of $75,169 for advertising and promotion. The Plus Spenders spent an average of 17.8% of their advertising budget on…
At BIA/Kelsey SMB in September, we zeroed in on the trend that local isn't just about advertising and marketing... it's also software that helps local businesses operate. That can include payment processing, inventory, ecommerce and of course appointment scheduling. We…
73 percent of small businesses use social media for marketing, and Facebook Pages is the leading tool. This is one of many findings that emerged from the latest wave of BIA/Kelsey Local Commerce Monitor (LCM) survey of SMBs. Covered here on a weekly…