Business management

Your 2027 small-business marketing checklist

The new year is a natural time to take stock. Before you add anything new, make sure the basics are working. Here's the checklist I walk through with clients every January. Grab a coffee, go down the list, and circle anything that needs attention.

Your website

  • Does it look good and work easily on a phone?
  • Can visitors tap to call from every page?
  • Does the top of your home page say what you do and where, in plain words?
  • Are your prices, hours, services and photos up to date?
  • Does it load quickly? (Try it on your phone using cellular data, not Wi-Fi.)
  • Is there a clear way to book or request a quote?
  • Do you own your domain, and do you know when it renews?

Google and AI search

  • Is your Google Business Profile complete, with the right categories and service areas?
  • Have you added new photos in the last month?
  • Have you replied to every review?
  • Do your name, address and phone match on your website, Google and social profiles?
  • Does your website answer common customer questions in a FAQ?
  • Search for your main service and city. Do you show up? What about when you ask ChatGPT?

Reviews

  • Do you have an easy review link ready to send?
  • Is asking for a review part of how you finish every job?
  • Set a goal: how many new reviews do you want this year?

Social media

  • Are you posting at least a few times a week on the platforms your customers use?
  • Do you have a monthly plan, or are you posting when you remember?
  • Are your profile bios, links and contact info current?
  • Are you answering comments and messages quickly?

The systems behind it

  • Are calls and messages returned the same day?
  • Do quotes get a follow-up?
  • Is your calendar easy for clients to book into?
  • Are your CRM, EZLynx, Trello or other systems up to date?
  • Could a new employee learn your processes without you explaining everything?

Your numbers

  • Where did your new customers come from last year?
  • Which marketing actually brought in calls or bookings?
  • What's one thing you'll stop doing, and one thing you'll do more of?

Start with the biggest gap

You don't have to fix everything at once. Pick the section with the most unchecked boxes and start there. Small shifts, done consistently, add up to big results.

If you'd like help deciding where to start, book a free 15-minute Website & Google Checkup. I'll go through your website and Google profile with you and give you three fixes for the new year, whether we work together or not.

Book your Checkup or call 865-243-0962.

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