Marketing can feel overwhelming. There are so many channels, tactics, and tools that it’s hard to know where to start—or what you might be missing.

This checklist covers the marketing fundamentals every Knoxville small business should have in place. Use it to audit your current efforts or build your marketing from scratch.

Foundation: The Must-Haves

These are non-negotiable. If you’re missing any of these, start here.

Website Basics

You have a website (not just a Facebook page)
Website loads in under 3 seconds
Website is mobile-friendly
Contact information is visible on every page
You have a clear way for visitors to contact you (form, phone, email)
Website has an SSL certificate (https://)

Google Business Profile

See our complete Google Business Profile guide for detailed optimization tips.

You have claimed your Google Business Profile
Profile is verified
Business name, address, and phone match your website exactly
Business hours are accurate (including holiday hours)
You’ve selected appropriate business categories
Business description is complete and includes keywords
You have at least 10 photos
You respond to all reviews within 48 hours

Basic SEO

Learn the fundamentals in our SEO basics guide.

Each page has a unique title tag
Each page has a meta description
Your website mentions Knoxville and areas you serve
You have a page for each main service you offer
Images have descriptive alt text

Online Listings

Your NAP (Name, Address, Phone) is consistent everywhere
You’re listed on Yelp
You’re listed on industry-specific directories
You’re listed on Yellow Pages/Whitepages
You’ve claimed your Facebook business page

Growth: Building Visibility

Once your foundation is solid, these help you grow.

Content Marketing

Learn more about content marketing strategies and our content marketing guide.

You have a blog or resources section
You publish new content at least monthly
Content answers questions your customers ask
Content mentions local areas you serve
You have calls-to-action in your content

Reviews & Reputation

You have a system for asking happy customers for reviews
You respond to all reviews (positive and negative)
You have at least 10 Google reviews
Reviews are coming in regularly (not all at once)
You monitor mentions of your business online

Email Marketing

You have a way to collect email addresses
You send at least one email per month
Emails provide value, not just promotions
You have an automated welcome email
Your emails are mobile-friendly

Not sure which platform to use? Read which social media platform is right for your business.

You’re active on at least one platform your customers use
You post at least weekly
You respond to comments and messages promptly
Content is a mix of helpful, engaging, and promotional
Your profile is complete and matches your branding

Advanced: Amplifying Results

These take your marketing to the next level.

Local SEO

Learn more about our local SEO services.

You have location pages for each area you serve
You have citations on 20+ relevant directories
You’ve built local backlinks (chambers, associations, local blogs)
You post regularly on Google Business Profile
You’re monitoring local keyword rankings

Paid Advertising

Learn more about paid advertising services and read our Google Ads & Facebook Ads guide.

You’ve tested Google Ads for high-intent keywords
You’ve tested Facebook/Instagram ads
You have conversion tracking set up
You’re retargeting website visitors
You know your cost per lead/customer

Analytics & Tracking

Google Analytics is installed and configured
You track form submissions as conversions
You track phone calls (if phone is a primary contact method)
You review analytics at least monthly
You know which marketing channels drive the most customers

Content Expansion

You repurpose content across multiple channels
You have cornerstone/pillar content for main topics
You’re building topic clusters for SEO
You create content in multiple formats (blog, video, social)

Audit Your Current Situation

Go through this checklist and be honest about where you stand:

Green: In place and working well
Yellow: Partially done or needs improvement
Red: Missing entirely

Start by fixing the reds in the Foundation section. Then work your way up.

Prioritization for Limited Time

If you can only do three things:

Claim and optimize your Google Business Profile — Fastest impact for local visibility
Make sure your website works — Mobile-friendly, fast, clear contact info
Ask for reviews — Start building social proof immediately

Everything else can come later.

Need Help Prioritizing?

Every business is different. What matters most depends on your industry, competition, and goals.

If you’d like help figuring out where to focus your limited time and budget, let’s talk. We’ll take a look at your current situation and help you prioritize.