Free tool
Marketing budget calculator
Enter your revenue and goals to get a monthly marketing budget and a sensible split across channels.
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How to read your result
There's no single right number. Many small businesses spend somewhere between about 5% and 12% of revenue on marketing. Newer businesses and those in competitive Raleigh categories tend to sit at the higher end, and established businesses with strong referrals at the lower end.
The split adjusts to your business type:
- Local service businesses get most of their leads from Google searches and the Maps pack, so SEO, local SEO and paid search carry the most weight.
- Professional services are researched more carefully, so content and AI search visibility matter more. People increasingly ask AI tools to compare firms.
- Retail and restaurants lean on Google Business Profile, reviews, social content and traditional marketing such as events and local print.
Early on, put more into channels that build over time (SEO, local SEO, AI search) and treat paid ads as the tap you turn up or down while those grow.
What percentage of revenue should a small business spend on marketing?
A common range is roughly 5% to 12% of revenue. Use the lower end to maintain an established business and the higher end when you're new, launching a service or growing quickly in a competitive market.
Should I count my website in my marketing budget?
Yes. Ongoing website costs such as hosting, updates and improvements belong in your marketing budget. A full rebuild is usually treated as a one-time project.
Is this calculator a quote?
No. It's a planning guide. For a recommendation based on your actual competitors, request a free competitor analysis.
See exactly why competitors outrank you
Get a free competitor analysis for your Raleigh business: who is winning in Google, Maps and AI answers, and the three changes that would close the gap fastest.
Get my free competitor analysisPrefer email? Write to Rob at rob [at] seortp.com