New Year Digital Marketing Resolutions for Local Business

A new year is here, and if you are running a local business in Western Sydney, this is the perfect time to think about what your digital marketing should look like in 2023. But let us be honest — most New Year resolutions fail by February. The trick is to set resolutions that are specific, achievable, and tied to real business outcomes.

Here are digital marketing resolutions that local businesses can actually stick with this year.

Resolution 1: Claim and Optimise Your Google Business Profile

If you have not already claimed your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business), that should be your very first task in January. For local businesses in areas like Parramatta, Penrith, Blacktown, or the Hills District, your Google Business Profile is often the first thing potential customers see when they search for your services.

What to do this month:

  • Claim your listing if you have not already
  • Make sure your name, address, and phone number (NAP) are accurate
  • Add your business hours, including any special hours for public holidays
  • Upload at least ten high-quality photos of your premises, products, or team
  • Write a compelling business description that includes your location and key services

This single step can have a bigger impact than almost anything else you do online this year.

Resolution 2: Post on Social Media Consistently

You do not need to post every day. What matters far more is consistency. If you can commit to three posts per week on Facebook or Instagram, you will be ahead of most local competitors.

A simple posting schedule might look like:

  • Monday: Share a tip or piece of advice related to your industry
  • Wednesday: Post a behind-the-scenes photo or team spotlight
  • Friday: Share a customer story, review, or promotion

The key is to batch your content. Spend an hour or two each Sunday planning and scheduling your posts for the week. Free tools like Meta Business Suite let you schedule Facebook and Instagram posts in advance.

Resolution 3: Get Serious About Online Reviews

Reviews are the modern word-of-mouth. In 2023, Australian consumers are checking Google reviews before they visit a local business, call a tradie, or book a service. If you have fewer than ten reviews, or your average rating is below 4.0 stars, this needs to be a priority.

How to build your review count:

  • Ask every happy customer to leave a Google review
  • Make it easy by sending them a direct link to your review page
  • Respond to every review, both positive and negative
  • Never offer incentives for reviews, as this violates Google’s policies

Aim to get at least two new reviews per month. By the end of 2023, you will have a solid review profile that builds trust with new customers.

Resolution 4: Update Your Website

When was the last time you actually looked at your website on a mobile phone? If it has been more than a year since you updated your site, chances are it needs some attention.

Quick website health check:

  • Does it load in under three seconds?
  • Is it easy to navigate on a smartphone?
  • Are your contact details up to date?
  • Do you have clear calls to action on every page?
  • Is your content still accurate and relevant?

You do not need a complete redesign. Sometimes small changes, like updating your homepage headline, adding a clear “Call Now” button, or refreshing your service descriptions, can make a big difference.

Resolution 5: Start Collecting Email Addresses

Email marketing remains one of the highest-return channels for small businesses. If you are not collecting email addresses from your customers and website visitors, you are leaving money on the table.

Simple ways to start:

  • Add a sign-up form to your website offering a discount or free resource
  • Ask customers at the point of sale if they would like to join your mailing list
  • Collect emails at local events or markets

You do not need to send emails every week. Even a monthly newsletter with updates, tips, and special offers can keep your business top of mind.

Resolution 6: Learn One New Marketing Skill

You do not need to become a digital marketing expert overnight. But committing to learning one new skill this year can give your business a real advantage.

Consider learning:

  • How to run a basic Facebook ad campaign
  • The fundamentals of search engine optimisation (SEO)
  • How to create simple graphics using Canva
  • How to read and understand your Google Analytics data
  • Basic photography for social media posts

There are plenty of free resources available. Google offers free courses through Google Digital Garage, and YouTube has tutorials on virtually every marketing topic.

Resolution 7: Set a Marketing Budget

Many small business owners spend money on marketing sporadically without a clear plan. This year, set a monthly marketing budget and stick to it.

A reasonable starting point for a local business might be:

  • $200 to $500 per month for Google Ads targeting local searches
  • $100 to $300 per month for social media advertising
  • $50 to $100 per month for tools and subscriptions

Even a modest, consistent budget will outperform occasional large spends. Track what you spend and measure the results so you can adjust over time.

Resolution 8: Track Your Results

Speaking of measuring results, this is the year to stop guessing and start tracking. You cannot improve what you do not measure.

At minimum, track these metrics monthly:

  • Website visitors (Google Analytics)
  • Phone calls and enquiries
  • Where your leads are coming from
  • Social media engagement (likes, comments, shares)
  • Google review count and average rating

Set up a simple spreadsheet and update it at the end of each month. After a few months, you will start to see patterns that help you make smarter marketing decisions.

Making Your Resolutions Stick

The biggest reason marketing resolutions fail is that business owners try to do everything at once. Instead, pick two or three of these resolutions to focus on in January and February. Once those become habits, add another one.

If you are a local business in Western Sydney, from Parramatta to Penrith, Castle Hill to Campbelltown, these fundamentals will serve you well throughout 2023. The businesses that win online are not necessarily the ones with the biggest budgets. They are the ones that show up consistently and keep improving.

Need Help Getting Started?

If you would rather focus on running your business while someone else handles the digital marketing, we are here to help. At Cosmo Web Tech, we work with local Western Sydney businesses to build websites, improve search rankings, and create marketing strategies that actually work. Get in touch for a free consultation and let us help you make 2023 your best year online.

For insights on building a digital strategy that ties web, mobile, and cloud together, visit Ash Ganda’s blog.

Part of the Ganda Tech Services family, Cosmos Web Tech delivers specialist web design and digital marketing for Australian small and medium businesses.