Opportunities for Small Businesses
By Scott Murphy, Digital Technology Specialist for Small Businesses in North Bay, ON
Here are 4 Opportunities for Small Businesses to Grow Online and Boost Efficiency in 2025. Small businesses are the backbone of our communities, but staying competitive in a digital-first world takes intentional planning.
As we step into 2025, here are four practical ways your business can grow online and become more efficient while saving time and money.
Let’s dive in!
1. Embrace Digital Payment Processing
Handling payments is one of those necessary (but not-so-fun) parts of running a business. The good news? Digital payment tools like Stripe and QuickBooks make it easier than ever to stay on top of things.
These tools do much more than just process payments. They let you:
● Send invoices quickly and track who has paid.
● Monitor unpaid invoices so nothing slips through the cracks.
● Get insights into your revenue trends, which helps you make smarter financial decisions.
By simplifying and automating your payment processes, you’ll not only save time but also gain better visibility into your business’s financial health.
2. Diversify Your Online Presence
Relying on just one platform—like Facebook, Instagram, or even your website—can leave you vulnerable if that channel underperforms or runs into technical issues. Spread your digital footprint across multiple platforms to ensure your business can still be found when it matters.
Here are some ways to diversify:
● Your website is your digital home base, so make sure it’s up-to-date and easy to navigate.
● Social media, but don’t put all your eggs in one basket—try using multiple platforms (e.g., Instagram + LinkedIn).
● Local directories and listings, like your local Chamber of Commerce, The Business Centre Nipissing Parry Sound, Yelp, and Yellow Pages. Many are free or inexpensive and boost your visibility in local search results.
Diversification not only protects you from downtime or underperforming channels, but it also helps you reach different customer segments.
3. Give More Value for Free
If you want to grow your online presence and build deeper customer relationships, consider giving something valuable away for free on your digital platforms.
Why?
● Giving information educates your customers about the value of your product or service.
● Communicating builds trust and authority in your industry.
● Customers feel valued and supported when you nurture long term relationships with them.
● More content supports your SEO, meaning your business will appear more often in search results.
This could look like blog posts, how-to guides, videos, free downloads, or even social media tips. For example, if you’re a restaurant, you could share healthy recipe ideas. If you’re in retail, offer advice on how to use or care for your products. The more value you provide, the more customers will turn to you as the go-to expert.
4. Audit Your Expenses and Streamline
Every business has its pain points—especially when it comes to cash flow. Start the year strong by auditing your biggest costs and looking for ways to improve or eliminate inefficiencies.
Here’s where to start:
● Look at your subscriptions and software. Many platforms now offer multifunctional tools that you might not even realize you’re paying for separately. For instance, that marketing platform you subscribed to in 2020 might now have built-in features for scheduling, analytics, or email marketing that you’re paying for elsewhere.
● Evaluate what worked (and didn’t) last year. Are there tools, processes, or services you can cut back on or replace with something better?
Taking time to review and fine-tune your expenses in January could free up cash for other priorities—and who doesn’t love a little extra breathing room in the budget?
Let’s Make 2025 Your Best Year Yet!
If these ideas resonate with you but you’re not sure where to start, I’d be happy to help. As a digital technology specialist for small businesses in North Bay, ON, I work with business owners to improve their online presence, streamline their tools, and grow their bottom line.
Let’s chat! Schedule a complimentary phone call to discuss your goals and challenges.
Here’s to your success in 2025!
