I'm a Small Business — What Should My Marketing Budget Be in 2025?

Running a small business means wearing a dozen hats — and one of the hardest to figure out is marketing.

If you're asking yourself, "How much should I actually spend on marketing?" — you're not alone. Whether you're just getting started or trying to scale, having a clear marketing budget is one of the smartest decisions you can make.

Let’s break down what’s recommended, what works in real life, and how to build a budget that actually grows your business — without blowing it.

Why You Need a Marketing Budget (Even If You're Small)

Without a marketing plan, you're relying on luck. That might work for a while, but eventually:

• Leads dry up

• Social growth stalls

• Competitors pass you

Having a marketing budget ensures you can consistently attract new customers, stay visible, and build long-term brand loyalty — not just rely on word-of-mouth.

The Golden Rule: 5–10% of Your Revenue

Most experts (and even the U.S. Small Business Administration) recommend small businesses spend 5–10% of gross revenue on marketing.

Here’s how that looks:

Annual Revenue	5% Budget	10% Budget
$50,000	$2,500	$5,000
$100,000	$5,000	$10,000
$250,000	$12,500	$25,000

If you're just starting out or in a very competitive niche (like ecommerce, fashion, or bridal), you may want to lean closer to the 10% side to get traction faster.

What Should Be Included in a Small Business Marketing Budget?

Depending on your business type, your budget might include:

• Social media content & management

• Paid ads (Meta, Google, TikTok, etc.)

• Website maintenance & SEO

• Email marketing tools (e.g. Mailchimp, Klaviyo)

• Photography, video, or graphic design

• Blog writing or content marketing

• Marketing consultant or freelancer fees

Pro Tip: Start with the tools and services that give you the fastest return — like Google Ads for local searches, or boosted posts for events and sales.

What If My Budget Is Tiny (or Zero)?

That’s okay — you can still make progress!If your budget is under $1,000/year, focus on:

✅ Organic social media (Reels, TikTok, Stories)✅ Google Business Profile (update it weekly!)✅ Email list-building (with free tools)✅ Posting consistently valuable content (think: tips, FAQs, behind the scenes)

As you grow, reinvest a portion of your profits into paid ads or hiring help to scale faster.

Realistic Small Business Marketing Budgets by Stage

Here’s what a sample monthly budget might look like at different stages of growth:

🟡 Starter (Side hustle or new biz — ~$1,000/month revenue)

• Social media tool: $25

• Instagram ads: $50

• Canva Pro: $12

• Time: You do most of the work

  Total: ~$100/month

🟠 Growing (Making $5K–10K/month)

• Freelance marketer or content creator: $300

• Facebook + Google Ads: $300

• Email software + lead magnet setup: $50

• SEO blog writing or website help: $100

  Total: ~$750/month

  
  

🔵 Scaling (Established biz ready to grow fast)

• Paid ads (Meta, Google, YouTube): $800–$2,000

• Content marketing: $300–$800

• Full-service freelancer or agency: $1,000+

  Total: $1,500–$4,000/month

  
  

Final Thoughts: Budgeting Smart = Growing Smarter

If you’re serious about growth, treat marketing like an investment — not a luxury. Start where you are, get clear on what drives results, and scale as your business grows.

You don’t need a massive budget to get real results. But you do need a plan and consistency.

Need help creating a marketing plan that fits your budget and gets results?I work with small businesses every day — from ecommerce shops to wedding vendors — helping them make the most of their dollars. Let’s build something that works for you.

Contact me here to get started with a free strategy consult.