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Cheap marketing guide – 10 best low-price channels, products and services that don’t cost too much

Updated on 3 April 2024

It can be tough to get your business off the ground if you’re working on a tight budget. But don’t worry – there are plenty of ways to market your company without spending too much money. Cheap marketing is certainly possible!

 
Quick, easy, no commitment!

In this guide, we’ll discuss 10 cheap marketing tactics that will help you achieve your goals without breaking the bank. So whether you’re looking for affordable SEO services, cheap email marketing ideas, or simply need some guidance on how to keep your costs down, read on for some great tips!

Video: Marketing budgets explained

Is cheap marketing still effective?

Absolutely! In fact, many businesses are finding that low-cost marketing tactics are just as effective – if not more so – than expensive ones. And with the right strategy, you can get great results without spending a fortune.

Moorepay logo Cutting edge payroll software
  • Powerful and easy to use
  • HMRC & RTI compliant
  • Used by payroll pros
Pipedrive logo The CRM platform to grow your business
  • Great for entrepreneurs
  • Powerful data analytics
  • Manage sales and data
Wix logo Powerful web builder and advanced business tools
  • Great for startups
  • Powerful web page builder
  • E-commerce available
Planable logo Supercharged content planning
  • Great for marketing
  • Better than lists or sheets
  • Manage social media
Webador logo Create a new website in 10 minutes. Easy.
  • Launch your website fast
  • Powerful data intuitive
  • No coding skills needed

So what are some cheap marketing ideas?

Here are ten of the best:

Top 10 cheap marketing tactics and ideas

  1. Cheap SEO marketing
  2. Cheap email marketing
  3. Cheap SMS text marketing
  4. Cheap digital marketing
  5. Cheap social media marketing
  6. Cheap digital marketing agency
  7. Cheap online marketing
  8. Cheap viral marketing
  9. Cheap direct mail marketing
  10. Cheap website marketing

1. Cheap SEO marketing

One of the most effective – and affordable – marketing strategies is SEO. By optimising your website for search engines, you can attract more visitors to your site and improve your chances of ranking high in search results. And best of all, you can do it yourself without spending a lot of money on expensive services.

Ways to save money on SEO include:

  • Doing keyword research yourself
  • Optimising your website for mobile devices
  • Using free or low-cost SEO tools
Is it cheaper to do SEO in-house, or outsource it to an expert?
The answer depends on your budget and your level of expertise. If you’re working with a limited budget, doing SEO yourself may be the best – and cheapest – option. However, if you don’t have time to learn the ins and outs of SEO, or you want to make sure your website is getting the best results possible, outsourcing to an expert may be worth the investment.

How much does SEO cost?

The cost of SEO varies depending on the size and scope of your project. However, most businesses can expect to spend between $500 and $5000 per month on SEO services.

Are there any free or low-cost SEO tools?

Yes! There are a number of free and low-cost SEO tools available online. Some of our favorites include:

  • Google Keyword Planner: This free tool from Google can help you research keywords for your website.
  • Moz Keyword Explorer: This tool helps you find the right keywords to target for your SEO campaign.
  • Ahrefs Keywords Explorer: This tool allows you to research keywords, track your rankings, and more.

2. Cheap email marketing

Another great way to reach your target audience is through email marketing. By sending out regular newsletters, you can stay in touch with your customers and promote your products or services without breaking the bank. And there are plenty of free email marketing software options available, so you don’t have to spend a lot to get started.

Our top 5 reasonably-priced email marketing product recommendations

  1. AWeber
  2. GetResponse
  3. iContact
  4. MailChimp
  5. Constant Contact

Paying for an email marketing service can get expensive, especially if you have a large list of subscribers. If you’re on a tight budget, consider using a free or low-cost service like MailChimp or Constant Contact. These platforms offer all the features you need to get started, and you can upgrade to a paid plan if and when your business grows.

Another way to save money on email marketing is by using free templates. There are plenty of great options available online, so there’s no need to spend money on a designer. Simply choose a template that fits your brand and start creating beautiful newsletters that will engage your readers!

And finally, don’t forget to take advantage of discount codes and special offers. Many email marketing platforms offer discounts on their services, so be sure to take advantage of them!

3. Cheap SMS text marketing

Text message marketing is a great way to reach your customers – and it’s surprisingly affordable. With SMS marketing, you can send text messages directly to your customers’ phones, so they’re always kept in the loop. And since it’s such a personal form of communication, it can be very effective in promoting your products or services.

Factors that impact the cost of SMS text message marketing:

  • The number of contacts in your list
  • The number of messages you send
  • The features you use

To save money on SMS text message marketing, consider using a bulk messaging service. This will allow you to send messages to large groups of people at once, so you don’t have to pay per text. And if you’re on a budget, you can also find free or low-cost text messaging services that will still give you the ability to reach your customers.

Another way to save money is by using short codes. Short codes are special numbers that allow you to send texts to large groups of people at once. And since they’re so easy to remember, they can be a great way to promote your brand.

To find a short code for your business, check out our list of the best short codes for SMS marketing:

  • BulkSMS
  • EZ Texting
  • Text Marketer
  • Slick Text

4. Cheap digital marketing

Lead generation in digital marketing is one of the most cost-effective ways to reach your target audience. By using online channels such as social media, email, and your website, you can connect with your customers and promote your business without spending a lot of money. And there are plenty of free tools and resources available to help you get started.

Best low-cost software products for digital marketing

There are a lot of low-cost software products available on the market today. Here are ten of the best:

  1. SEOptimer is a great low-cost SEO tool that offers a wide range of features including keyword research, competitor analysis, and backlink analysis.
  2. Hootsuite is an affordable social media management platform that allows you to manage all your social media accounts in one place.
  3. MailChimp is a popular email marketing platform that offers a free plan for up to 2000 subscribers.
  4. Buffer is an excellent tool for managing your social media schedules and reporting on your performance.
  5. Fiverr is a great place to find low-cost digital marketing services such as logo design, social media marketing, and SEO.
  6. Upwork is a freelancing platform that connects businesses with talented professionals from all over the world.
  7. Canva is a great way to easily create stunning visuals for your digital marketing campaigns.
  8. Google Analytics is a free tool that provides insights into your website traffic and performance.
  9. BuzzSumo is a tool that allows you to see the most popular content across all social media platforms.
  10. KeywordTool.io is a free keyword research tool that provides accurate data on over 750 million keywords.

5. Cheap social media marketing

Social media is a great way to connect with your customers and promote your business. And best of all, it’s free! By creating a social media profile for your business, you can reach out to your target audience and build relationships with them. And there are plenty of free resources available to help you get started.

5 ideas to start your first social media marketing campaign without spending any money

  1. Create a social media profile for your business
  2. Find relevant groups and forums to join
  3. Post interesting and engaging content
  4. Engage with other users and build relationships
  5. Use hashtags to reach a wider audience

6. Cheap digital marketing agency

If you’re looking for professional help with your marketing, there are plenty of affordable digital marketing agencies out there that can help you reach your goals. Just be sure to do your research and find an agency that offers services that fit your budget.

How to negotiate a lower fee from your digital marketing agency

If you’re not happy with the rate your digital marketing agency is charging, don’t be afraid to negotiate. Here are a few tips:

  • Do your research and know what the going rate is for the services you’re requesting.
  • Be clear about your budget and what you’re willing to pay.
  • Explain why you think the rate is too high.
  • Be prepared to walk away if you can’t reach an agreement.
  • Remember that you’re the one in control and you can always find another agency if necessary.

7. Cheap online marketing

There are plenty of free online marketing tools and courses available, so you can promote your business without spending a lot of money. From SEO to social media, there are plenty of ways to reach your target audience and get the word out about your business. And with a little creativity, you can come up with some great marketing ideas that won’t cost you a fortune.

5 creative ways to start your online marketing without spending much money:

  1. Start a blog and write informative articles about your industry.
  2. Submit guest posts to relevant blogs and websites.
  3. Create helpful videos and tutorials about your products or services.
  4. Engage in social media conversations and build relationships with potential customers.
  5. Provide valuable resources such as eBooks, whitepapers, and tips sheets.

8. Cheap viral marketing

Viral marketing is a great way to get your message out there without spending a lot of money. And with the right strategy, you can create a buzz about your business that will reach far and wide. Just be sure to create quality content that people will want to share, and make sure your marketing campaign is creative and engaging.

How to devise a low-cost viral marketing campaign

  1. Start with a great idea. It needs to be attention-grabbing and something that people will want to share.
  2. Create quality content. This is what will make people want to share your campaign.
  3. Make it easy to share. Use social media, email, and other platforms to make it easy for people to share your campaign.
  4. Track your progress. Keep an eye on how many people are sharing your campaign and see what’s working and what’s not.
  5. Make adjustments as needed. If something isn’t working, try something else.

9. Cheap direct mail marketing

Direct mail is a great way to reach your target audience without spending a lot of money. And with the right strategy, you can create a powerful marketing campaign that will get your message across without breaking the bank. Just be sure to focus on quality over quantity, and make sure your direct mail pieces are creative and eye-catching.

Doesn’t the cost of printing and postage make direct mail marketing more expensive?
The cost of printing and postage can add up, but there are ways to keep your costs down. One way is to print your direct mail pieces on recycled paper. Another way is to use e-mail marketing instead of traditional mail. You can also take advantage of bulk mailing discounts from the post office.

What are some creative ideas for direct mail marketing?

Here are a few ideas:

  • Create eye-catching postcards
  • Design unique flyers
  • Send out fun and interesting newsletters
  • Use creative packaging to stand out from the rest
  • Make your direct mail pieces interactive with QR codes or other features

10. Cheap website marketing

There are plenty of free website marketing tools and resources available, so you can promote your business without spending a lot of money. From SEO to social media, there are plenty of ways to reach your target audience and get the word out about your business. And with a little creativity, you can come up with some great marketing ideas that won’t cost you a fortune.

Best free or low-price tools for website marketing

  1. Google Analytics: track your website traffic and see where your visitors are coming from.
  2. Google AdWords: create ads and target potential customers who are searching for keywords related to your business.
  3. Bing Ads: another great way to create targeted ads and reach potential customers.
  4. Facebook Ads: create ads and target specific demographics, interests, and more.
  5. Twitter Ads: create ads and target specific users based on their interests and keywords.
  6. LinkedIn Ads: create ads and target specific businesses and professionals.

So there you have it – a cheap marketing guide to help you get started. With a little effort and creativity, you can promote your business without spending a lot of money. So what are you waiting for? Get started today!

Reviewed by , Managing Director

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