Easy Marketing Tips for Business Owners: Smart, Low-Budget Ways to Get Seen Online

In the last few blogs, you learnt how easy it is to get your business online. You learned that you can take your business online without a website, using tools like iK Pay Link and iK Buy Button. We also took you through how to build a super slick and professional website with iK Webstore, using the handy how-to guide and simple click-and-add setup.Now that you’re a pro at going online, we need to talk about how to actually get people to your online store and spending moola!

This is where marketing comes in, and it doesn’t have to be costly or complicated. In fact, some of the most effective strategies are simple, strategic, and consistent, especially for small business owners with limited time and budget.

Whether you’re running a side hustle or scaling up, the truth is this: being seen online is the key to being remembered. And it’s never been easier (or cheaper) to do it.

Not a marketer? Start here.

Every business is different. Some make sales on Instagram Stories. Others swear by WhatsApp, newsletters, or even just a great website page and word-of-mouth.

The key isn’t to do everything. It’s to do the right things — the ones that work for you and your audience.

A SimpleTexting study found that small businesses with a clear marketing plan are 6.7x more likely to succeed. So,let’s start with the most powerful plan: clarity.

Step 1: Get clear on your value

You don’t need fancy jargon or a five-page brand strategy. You just need to know:

Who you’re helping
What problem you solve
Why you do it better

Try filling in this sentence:

“We help [target audience] achieve [goal] without [pain point].”

This value should shine through in every caption, post, product page or bio. If you’re stuck, think: what would my happiest customer say about me?

If you’ve just started your business and need help with your brand, read How to Build an Iconic Brand Identity for Your Small Business.

Step 2: Choose the right channels (not all of them)

You don’t need to be everywhere. You just need to be somewhere that matters.

Here’s how to choose:

Visual product or lifestyle brand? Try Instagram or Pinterest.
B2B or service-based? LinkedIn and email might be best.
Selling locally? WhatsApp and Facebook groups are gold.
Trying to rank online? Focus on SEO or helpful blog content.

If you want to start by creating an Instagram page, read Do it for the ‘Gram: How to Start an Instagram Page for Business and follow our simple guide to get you posting.

Step 3: Know who you’re talking to

You can’t grow if you don’t know who your audience is.

How old are they?
What do they want?
Where do they spend time online?
What language do they use?

Tools like Instagram Insights, Google Analytics, or even a simple customer poll can help. They might seem overwhelming, but they are there to help you. Take your time navigating those pages to learn about your customers. You can also listen in on the conversations they’re having, in your DMs, on WhatsApp, in comments and reviews.

Once you know what your customers actually want to see and hear, you can start showing up more intentionally. That’s when real connection (and sales) happen.

Step 4: Create content that works (not just content that’s pretty)

What actually performs well online?

How-to's (especially ones that solve common problems)
Lists (“5 Ways to Style This” or “3 Must-Have Tools…”)
Behind-the-scenes content that builds trust and shows your face
Customer reviews or stories
Simple product demos (bonus points if they’re under 30 seconds).

You don’t have to be a graphic designer or TikTok creator. You just have to be clear. Teach something. Answer a question. Offer a quick win. And repeat.

Check out this local business owner and iKhokha merchant, Jeanne Brooks at Wicked Donuts. During the COVID-19 pandemic, business was slow, but Jeanne took to social media to explain her story and appeal to her followers. Since that initial spike of support, Jeanne has regularly posted on her social media channels, following trending sounds and giving people insight into the behind the scenes of donut-making and entrepreneur life. Her Instagram currently has over 20 000 followers, proving that a good attitude and a little effort goes a long way.

Step 5: Turn WhatsApp and Instagram into sales tools

You’re probably already chatting with customers. Why not make that chat convert?

Here’s how to make it easy for customers to buy from your social channels:

Use Pay Links

With iK Pay Link, you can send a secure payment link directly via WhatsApp or DMs. No website. No card machine. Just click, pay, done.

Use Product Catalogues

Set up a WhatsApp or Instagram product catalogue so customers can browse your offering.

Use Buy Buttons

Want a shortcut to a specific product? Add a Buy Button to your newsletter or PDF catalogue, so they can go from interest to payment in one click.

If you want to learn more about how to use these tools, read Digital Commerce: Way Easier Than You Think.

You don’t need a marketing team. Just a plan.

There’s no “perfect” platform or secret formula. Just smart, consistent action. You don’t need to go viral, you just need to show up where your customers already are and make it easy for them to trust and buy from you.

Start small. Start with one post a week, one Pay Link, and one product highlight. And build from there.

Need help setting up digital payment tools or selling online with zero rand? Watch our full YouTube video here for a step-by-step breakdown.