Is Your Business Invisible Online?
- Allison Cosenza
- Apr 22
- 3 min read
Here's how to go from no online presence to connecting with customers beyond your own backyard.
You've poured everything into building your dream business — and that deserves a real celebration. But now comes the part nobody tells you about: getting the word out to people beyond your immediate circle. That's exactly where a smart marketing strategy (or the right helping hand) makes all the difference.
First, a reality check: this takes time
Before anything else, set this expectation for yourself — growing your online presence doesn't happen overnight. Building a following and reaching your target audience is a process, and it rewards consistency over perfection. If your business is starting from zero on social media, that's completely okay. It just means you have a little more ground to cover, and that's exactly what we're here for.
Repeat after me: engagement is the key to growth.
Step one: Google yourself
Seriously — right now, open a new tab and search your own name, then search the business name you registered with your state. What you find (or don't find) will tell you everything about where you stand.
What to look for:
If the only result is your state business registration, you have work to do. No social pages, no website, no reviews? That means customers who don't already know you have no way to find you. The good news: this is very fixable.
Step two: figure out where your audience lives online
Once you know your starting point, think about how your ideal customer spends their time online. Different audiences hang out in different places, and spreading yourself too thin is just as risky as doing nothing at all. Start with one or two platforms and do them well.
If you have a physical storefront, your first priority is getting listed on Google Maps and Apple Maps so customers can literally find their way to you — and contact you even before they walk in the door.
If a full website isn't in the budget yet, a Facebook Business Page is a great starting point. It lets customers browse your products, leave reviews, and message you directly — and many businesses have built a strong following there alone.
Join local Facebook groups and community pages that align with your audience. These are free, warm audiences who are already looking to support local businesses.
Step three: think about paid ads (and video)
If your budget allows, running paid ads on your chosen platform is one of the fastest ways to get in front of new eyes. But here's a tip that costs nothing extra: if you're going to run ads, lead with video. Video content consistently outperforms static images in engagement — a simple, authentic clip of your product or service will go further than a polished photo alone.
Pro tip:
You don't need a professional production setup. A well-lit, genuine video shot on your phone can absolutely outperform expensive studio content. Authenticity wins.
The honest truth about all of this
Yes, this is a real time commitment. But here's what's also true: a business that had zero online presence six months ago can be reaching customers in another state today — through the right mix of consistent posting, engagement, and showing up for their audience. That transformation is possible for you too.
Schedule your content, batch your posts, and put in the effort you realistically can. Every like, share, and comment is one more person connecting to your business.
Ready to skip the learning curve?
This is exactly the kind of work I do for small businesses every day — so you can focus on what you do best while I handle getting you found. Let's talk about what your business needs.
Comments