why social media marketing is essential for small businesses in 2025

social media used to be a nice-to-have extra, but now it’s an essential for small businesses attract customers and stand out from the crowd.

but why is it so important?

a few years ago, social media marketing like an added extra, exclusive for big businesses with even bigger marketing budgets to splash on campaigns.

but, in 2025, social media is now the most cost-effective tool for small businesses to build a brand presence, connect with customers and differentiate from competitors. no longer is a big budget required to drive growth, just a clear strategy and good quality content.

businesses not utilising social media to showcase their products and services are missing out on potential customers, sales and growth.

still not convinced? here are the top 3 reasons social media is essential for small businesses.

it makes you discoverable to potential customers

be honest… how many times have you heard about a restaurant through a friend and searched it up on social media to get a feel for it?

in fact, it turns out most of us do this! according to a recent study, 75% of consumers use social platforms for information, product or brand searches.

if you’re visible and showing up on social media, you’re already one step ahead, being discoverable to potential customers searching for your products or services.

when customers come across your page, they should immediately get a feel for your brand, what you stand for and the products and services you offer. this acts as a digital storefront, helping people decide whether they want to purchase from you.

having an active presence on social media makes a good first impression for anyone coming across your profile, building trust as you look like a reputable business when you post consistent, valuable content. if you’re posting content that demonstrates the benefits of your products and services, customers are more likely to trust and buy from you compared to businesses with limited or no social media presence at all.

in a world where customers are increasingly searching for information on social media, businesses risk being left behind or overlooked, especially if competitors are showing up and creating engaging social content.

makes your business more human

you’ve probably heard the saying '“people buy from people” and it’s true. when given the choice, customers would prefer to buy from brands that have a human element to them, rather than faceless logos with no human factor.

while you don’t need to go all out influencer-mode and become the face of your brand, incorporating content such as behind the scenes looks at new launches, customer experiences and testimonials, and highlighting your brand values all make your businesses relatable, and allows you to connect emotionally with audiences.

how many times have you purchased something because you agreed with the brand ethos? a global study by Forbes found that consumers were 4 times more likely to buy from a brand with a strong purpose.

when you clearly communicate your businesses values and purpose on social media, giving it that human element, you evoking an emotional response from consumers, which can directly impact their decision to buy. with the right storytelling strategy, you can convert social media likes into sales.

taking a relatable, human approach to social media content also helps to differentiate your business, allowing it to stand out amongst competitors offering similar services but without a strong social media presence.

works while you sleep

as a business owner, you’re probably already juggling multiple plates during the day-to-day running of your operations, so time is a valuable commodity.

one of the best things about social media is it works for you around the clock, making your business accessible to potential customers allowing them to buy from you 24/7, without any extra time or effort on your part.

scheduling content in advance and posting consistently on social media (or getting a social media manager to do this for you) allows you to remain visible and findable online, without having to be glued to your phone.

your social channels keep working for you even while you sleep, sharing your brand message, engaging your audience and driving traffic, all while you’re off the clock! this means you can spend your valuable time running your business, without having to worry about generating leads.

final thoughts

in 2025, social media is essential. it empowers you to be discoverable, build genuine connections, and keep your business working for you 24/7. not utilising these platforms means missing out on valuable leads, sales, and growth opportunities.

If you haven’t yet embraced social media marketing to its fullest, now is the time to start. every step you take online helps you build a stronger, more human brand that customers want to support.

ready to take the first step to grow your small business through social media? we’re here to help! from building your brand identity, creating a bespoke brand strategy for you to implement, to fully outsourced social media management, we can support your business no matter what stage you’re at in your social media journey. fill out the enquiry form below and let’s get started.