Marketing your small business should be a top priority, and for most (if not all) of you, I am sure it is.

That said, marketing isn’t always easy, doesn’t always yield instant results and, like most worthwhile things in business, costs money. In the long run, however, good marketing is typically rewarded by an increase in sales, credibility and visibility which, at the end of the day, are what makes a business successful.

Just getting started and looking for your first three moves?:

Start a blog
Sooner or later your customers are going to expect you to have one. Jump on the blog train now before you find yourself chasing it later. Besides, blogs are free to set up (with most tools) and your main maintenance is content- not money-related. And the Internet exposure you will receive in return? Priceless.

Track your traffic
Whether your customers find you online or elsewhere, take the time to track your marketing strategies and determine what is working best for you. Who is coming from where and what do they seek? Don’t waste time and money with marketing strategies that aren’t working.

Take hints from the experts
Find the best of the best in your target audience and in your service or industry and know what they are thinking, reading and looking for through their websites and blogs.