Marketing Myths Busted: What Local Businesses Really Need Online
If you’re a local business owner, you’ve probably heard it all when it comes to online marketing:
“SEO is a scam,” “You don’t need a website if you’re on Facebook,” or “Google Ads are only for big companies.” Let’s clear the air.
At Flypaper, we work with hundreds of small to mid-sized businesses across the country—so we know what actually works and what’s just noise. Today, we’re debunking some of the biggest digital marketing myths and sharing what local businesses truly need to grow their online presence.
Myth #1: “I don’t need a website—Facebook is enough.”
Reality: Social media is a great tool, but not a substitute for a strong website.
Your website is your online home base. It’s where customers learn about your services, check your hours, contact you, and—most importantly—decide if they trust you. A well-designed website helps you show up in search results, control your brand, and convert visitors into customers. Social media should support your online presence, not replace it.
🛠️ What You Actually Need: A mobile-friendly, professionally built website with clear contact info, service pages, and local SEO baked in.
Myth #2: “Nobody clicks on Google Ads—they just scroll past them.”
Reality: Google Ads can drive serious leads—especially for service businesses.
Yes, some people scroll, but plenty of searchers click on those top results. In fact, businesses make an average of $2 in revenue for every $1 spent on Google Ads. The key is targeting the right keywords, writing strong ad copy, and using conversion tracking (which we do!).
🎯 What You Actually Need: A focused Google Ads strategy, market-specific tracking numbers, and ongoing optimization—not just a “set it and forget it” campaign.
Myth #3: “SEO takes too long to be worth it.”
Reality: SEO is a long-term investment, but it’s one of the most cost-effective marketing strategies out there. Think of SEO like building a reputation online. It takes time, but once you’ve built trust with search engines, you can earn consistent traffic without constantly paying for ads. And when it’s paired with solid content and local strategies (like Google Business Profile optimization), it can make a huge difference.
🌱 What You Actually Need: Monthly SEO work that builds momentum—technical updates, content creation, backlink building, and local optimization.
Myth #4: “Online reviews don’t really matter.”
Reality: 87% of consumers read online reviews before choosing a local business.
Reviews are often the first impression someone has of your business. And they don’t just influence people—they influence search engines too. A strong reputation helps you stand out in local search results, builds trust, and increases clicks.
⭐ What You Actually Need: A proactive strategy to request reviews, respond to them, and monitor your reputation online.
Myth #5: “I can do all this myself.”
Reality: Running a business is already a full-time job. Tackling digital marketing on your own means keeping up with Google’s algorithm updates, managing ad budgets, creating content, tracking data, and troubleshooting tech issues—on top of everything else you do. Without the right tools, time, and expertise, it’s easy to waste money on strategies that don’t convert or fall behind competitors who are staying current.
💡 What You Actually Need: A partner who understands your market, tracks your results, and helps you make smart decisions. As part of every service we provide, we’re also constantly learning and educating ourselves on platform updates, search algorithm changes, and the latest best practices—so we’re always applying what’s new and what works to help you stay ahead of the competition.
Ready to Cut Through the Noise?
Online marketing doesn’t have to be confusing or overwhelming. When you’ve got a trusted team in your corner, you don’t just
do digital marketing—you win at it.
📞 Let’s Talk
Want to see what’s working (or not) in your current strategy?
