September 12, 2025
Anita Fritz
Starting a new business is exciting, but marketing can quickly feel overwhelming. There are so many channels, tools and “must-do” strategies that it’s easy to get stuck or make mistakes that slow your growth.
Here are five common marketing mistakes new businesses make and how you can fix them.
It’s tempting to post on every social media platform and chase every trend, but spreading yourself too thin rarely works. You end up exhausted and your audience may never fully connect with your brand.
Example: A new café tries to post daily on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and LinkedIn. The content feels inconsistent, engagement is low, and the owner spends more time posting than serving customers.
Fix it: Focus on one or two platforms where your ideal audience actually spends their time. Learn those channels well, deliver consistent content, and grow from there. Quality always beats quantity.
“Trying to be everywhere at once spreads you thin and confuses your audience. Focus on what matters most.”
Many new businesses start marketing without a clear brand identity. This can make your messaging confusing and make it hard for people to understand what you do and why it matters.
Example: A small consultancy uses vague phrases like “we help businesses grow” without specifying which businesses or what kind of growth. Potential clients aren’t sure if it’s a good fit for them.
Fix it: Define your brand clearly. Know who you help, what problem you solve, and how you want people to feel when they engage with your business. Your website, social media and all communications should reflect this consistently.
Your website is often the first place people meet your brand, but new businesses sometimes treat it as an afterthought. A site that is outdated, slow, or hard to navigate can turn potential customers away.
Example: A new boutique launches with a website that takes minutes to load and has broken links. Customers give up before they even see the products.
Fix it: Invest in a simple, well-structured website. Make sure it clearly communicates what you do, how to contact you, and why people should choose you. Even a basic site with good design and easy navigation can make a huge difference.
Marketing without measuring results is like driving with your eyes closed. You might be doing a lot of work without knowing what’s actually effective.
Example: An online course creator posts weekly on Instagram but never checks which posts get engagement. They keep producing content that no one interacts with, wasting time and effort.
Fix it: Track the results of your marketing. Look at website visits, social engagement and conversions. Listen to feedback from customers and adjust your strategies based on what works best.
While sales are important, constantly pushing products or services can turn people off. Marketing should be about connecting and building relationships, not just making a sale.
Example: A new fitness studio posts only offers and discounts on social media. Followers don’t get to know the instructors or the community, and engagement drops.
Fix it: Share content that educates, inspires or entertains your audience. Show your personality, tell your story, and provide value. When people trust you and feel connected to your brand, sales will naturally follow.
"Marketing isn’t just about selling. It’s about connecting, building trust, and showing your story."
Marketing doesn’t have to be complicated. Avoiding these common mistakes and focusing on clarity, consistency and connection will put your business on the right path.
If you’re a new business feeling stuck with your marketing, start small, focus on what matters most, and take one step at a time. Every action that aligns with your brand brings you closer to your ideal customers.
