Marketing on a budget can feel overwhelming for North Dakota small businesses, but it does not have to be. With the right strategies, you can increase your visibility, engage customers, and grow your business without overspending. Here are five low-cost marketing wins to try in 2026.
1. Leverage Local SEO for ND Customers
Local SEO is a cost-effective way to increase visibility and get found by nearby customers. Make sure your Google Business Profile is complete, accurate, and updated regularly. Encourage reviews, add photos, and post updates to boost your visibility in local search results. Our free SEO Report tool can help you see how your business ranks.
2. Engage Your Audience on Social Media
Consistent social media posting helps build awareness and maintain your brand presence. Share updates, behind-the-scenes content, and promotions to stay top of mind. Even small, organic posts can strengthen your engagement and reach when planned strategically.
3. Start an Email List
Email marketing is an affordable way to keep your audience engaged. Collect email addresses and send newsletters, promotions, and updates. Even small campaigns help nurture leads, encourage repeat business, and improve retention.
4. Collaborate with Other Local Businesses
Partnerships expand your reach without a big spend. Co-host events, share promotions, or feature each other’s content online. Collaborations help you access new audiences while building credibility within the community.
5. Utilize Low-Cost Advertising Options
Affordable digital and print ads, including Google Ads and Meta Ads, can effectively reach your ideal customers. Start small, track performance, and adjust campaigns based on results to maximize every marketing dollar.
When Low-Cost Marketing Isn’t Enough
While these strategies work, many businesses eventually reach a ceiling with do-it-yourself marketing. That’s where a comprehensive marketing strategy can make the difference.
Our Strategy & Planning service helps North Dakota businesses go beyond trial-and-error marketing. We work with you through our services to:
- Create a monthly marketing strategy aligned with your promotions and goals
- Coordinate advertising, social posts, emails, SMS, blogs, and website updates
- Make campaigns more effective by producing design, photography, and video content to go along with the campaign
- Track performance through our Plains.io dashboards, showing results and areas for improvement
Investing in a guided, strategic approach ensures your marketing works together, saves time, and drives measurable growth.