The Biggest Digital Marketing Mistakes Small Businesses Make (And How to Fix Them!)

Running a small business is an adventure - exciting, unpredictable, and sometimes a little chaotic. Digital marketing is a huge part of that journey, but if you’re not careful, it can feel like trying to juggle flaming torches while riding a unicycle. One wrong move, and - whoops - you’ve accidentally set your brand on fire (and not in a good way).

To help you avoid those digital marketing disasters, let’s dive into the most common digital marketing mistakes small businesses make and how Gem Marketing can help you turn things around!

🚫 Mistake #1: Ghosting Your Audience 👻

Imagine you meet someone new, have a great chat, and then… they vanish for months. No texts, no calls - nothing. Rude, right? Well, that’s exactly how your audience feels when you post on social media once in a blue moon and then disappear. Social media isn’t just about showing up when you feel like it; it’s about consistency.

✅ The Fix: Show Up & Stay Engaged!

Social media is like a party - you wouldn’t just walk in, say “Hey!” once, and then leave, right? (At least, we hope not.) Plan a content calendar, post regularly, and actually engage with your followers. This doesn’t mean you have to post daily, but a steady, reliable presence builds trust and keeps your brand top of mind.

How Gem Marketing Can Help: No time to plan content? No worries! We can create, schedule, and manage your social media so your audience never feels ghosted again.

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🚫 Mistake #2: Ignoring Your Website (Your Digital Storefront) 🏚️

Your website is like your digital storefront - if it’s outdated, slow, or impossible to navigate, people will walk right past (aka, bounce off your page). And if it’s not mobile-friendly? Yikes. More than half of web traffic comes from mobile devices, so a clunky site is a huge missed opportunity.

✅ The Fix: Keep It Fresh & Functional

A great website should be easy to navigate, mobile-friendly, and fast-loading. It should also have clear calls to action, so visitors know exactly what to do next - whether that’s booking an appointment, making a purchase, or signing up for a newsletter.

How Gem Marketing Can Help: Need a refresh? We can audit, update, or even build you a brand-new website that’s modern, fast, and designed to convert visitors into customers.

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🚫 Mistake #3: Ignoring SEO (Your Secret Weapon) 🔍

SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) might sound like techy mumbo-jumbo, but it’s actually one of the most important things you can do for your business. Without SEO, your website is basically hiding in the shadows while competitors steal the spotlight.

✅ The Fix: Make Google Your Friend

You don’t need to be an SEO wizard, but optimising your website and content helps customers find you. 

Some quick wins:

✅ Use relevant keywords in your website and blogs

✅ Regularly update your site with fresh content

✅ Get your business listed on Google My Business

✅ Earn backlinks from reputable sources

How Gem Marketing Can Help: SEO is kind of our thing. We can help optimise your website, create keyword-rich content, and improve your local search ranking, so customers can actually find you!

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🚫 Mistake #4: Being a Sales Robot 🤖 (aka, All Sell, No Personality)

Ever followed a brand that only posts “BUY NOW!” messages? Yeah, it’s not fun. People don’t want to feel like they’re being shouted at - they want to connect with brands that educate, entertain, and engage.

✅ The Fix: Mix It Up & Show Some Personality!

Your content should be a blend of:

✨ Helpful tips & advice

🎬 Behind-the-scenes peeks

💬 Customer stories & testimonials

😂 A little humour & personality

🎁 Promotions - but not all the time!

How Gem Marketing Can Help: Not sure what to post? We’ll create engaging content that tells your brand story, builds trust, and keeps your audience coming back for more.

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🚫 Mistake #5: Ignoring Analytics (Flying Blindfolded) 🎯

If you’re not checking your analytics, how do you know what’s working? Guessing is not a strategy! Without data, you could be pouring time and money into things that aren’t actually driving results.

✅ The Fix: Track, Learn, and Adjust

You don’t need to obsess over every number, but checking your social media insights, website traffic, and email open rates helps you make smarter decisions. If something isn’t working, tweak it! If something is working, do more of it!

How Gem Marketing Can Help: We track, analyse, and adjust your marketing strategy based on real data, so you’re always moving in the right direction.

🚀 Learn how to fix those Digital Marketing Mistakes and get back on track!

Avoiding these digital marketing mistakes can make a huge difference in how your small business attracts and retains customers. But if this all sounds overwhelming, don’t worry - that’s where Gem Marketing comes in!

We specialise in:

✅ Social media management (so you never ghost your audience again)

✅ Website updates & SEO (so your business gets found online)

✅ Engaging content creation (so you’re not just another sales robot)

✅ Data-driven strategies (so you know what’s working!)

Let’s get your digital marketing working for you - without the stress. Ready to glow up your brand? Let’s chat! ✨

📩 Contact us today at hello@gemmarketing.co.nz or visit our services page to get started! 🚀