2027 Small Business Planning: 3 Ways to Get Ahead Before the New Year 

A new year brings new opportunities to grow your business. Whether you want to attract more customers, increase revenue, improve your online visibility, or spend less time managing marketing, now is the time to plan how you’ll get there. 

But a successful year doesn’t happen by setting a few goals and hoping for the best. It takes a clear strategy, an understanding of what your customers need, and the right tools to help you put your plans into action. 

As you prepare for 2027, focus on three areas that can make a meaningful difference in your business: setting measurable goals, getting found in search and AI, and automating the work that slows you down. 

Here’s how to turn those priorities into a practical small business growth plan for the year ahead. 

1. Set Goals You Can Measure 

Every successful business plan starts with knowing what you want to accomplish. But setting goals like “get more customers” or “grow revenue” isn’t enough. You need to understand what those goals look like in practice and how you’ll measure progress. 

Start by looking at where your business stands today. Review the previous year’s performance to identify what’s working, where you’re falling short, and which opportunities deserve more attention. 

For example, if your goal is to bring in more customers, consider whether you need to increase website traffic, generate more inquiries, improve your conversion rate, or encourage existing customers to come back. 

Once you understand the opportunity, turn it into a measurable goal. 

Identify Your Top Business Priorities 

You don’t need to tackle every part of your business at once. Choose one or two priorities that will have the greatest impact on your growth. 

Consider setting goals in these areas: 

• Leads: How many new inquiries or potential customers do you want to generate each month? 

• Revenue: How much do you want to increase sales or average transaction value? 

• Customers: How many new customers do you want to attract, and how many existing customers do you want to retain? 

• Visibility: How much do you want to improve website traffic, search visibility, or social media engagement? 

• Efficiency: How much time do you want to save by simplifying marketing and administrative tasks? 

For instance, a home services business might set a goal to generate 20% more qualified inquiries by improving its local search presence and creating more targeted service pages. A professional services business might focus on increasing repeat business through email campaigns and more consistent customer follow-up. 

The key is to connect each goal to an action you can take and a result you can track. 

Build a Marketing Budget Around Your Goals 

Once you know what you want to accomplish, determine what you’ll need to invest to get there. 

Your marketing budget should support your business priorities, not simply repeat what you spent last year. Consider which channels have delivered the best results and where additional investment could help you reach more customers. 

For example, if most of your new customers find you through Google, investing in local SEO and your online listings may be a better priority than spending more on social media ads. If you’re already attracting website visitors but aren’t getting enough inquiries, improving your website experience and calls to action could have a bigger impact. 

Break your budget into categories such as: 

• Website development and optimization 

• SEO and online visibility 

• Social media marketing and content 

• Paid advertising 

• Customer reviews and reputation management 

• Marketing tools and automation 

You don’t have to spend more to get better results. Focus on investing in the activities that support your goals and give you a clearer picture of what’s working. 

Track Progress Throughout the Year 

A goal is only useful if you know whether you’re getting closer to achieving it. 

Choose a few key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor each month. These might include website visits, calls, form submissions, new leads, customer reviews, or revenue generated from marketing campaigns. 

Review your results regularly and make adjustments when something isn’t working. If a campaign generates plenty of clicks but few inquiries, for example, you may need to revisit your messaging, audience, or landing page. 

2. Get Found in Search + AI 

Your next customer might find your business through a Google search, a social media post, an online directory, or an AI-powered recommendation. 

The way people discover businesses continues to change, and your online presence needs to keep up. In 2027, getting found means more than ranking in traditional search results. It also means making sure your business information is accurate, your website answers customer questions, and your reputation gives people a reason to choose you. 

Here are a few ways to improve your visibility. 

Strengthen Your Local SEO 

When someone searches for a service nearby, you want your business to show up. 

Local SEO helps your business appear when potential customers search for the products or services you offer in your area. Start with the basics: 

• Update your business listings. Make sure your business name, address, phone number, website, hours, and services are accurate across Google and other relevant directories. 

• Optimize your Google Business Profile. Add current photos, update your services, select relevant categories, and keep your business information up to date. 

• Use local keywords. Include the services you offer and the areas you serve naturally throughout your website. 

• Create helpful service pages. Give each major service its own page with clear descriptions, relevant details, and an easy way to contact you. 

• Keep your online presence consistent. Make sure customers see the same accurate business information wherever they find you. 

For example, an HVAC company serving several nearby communities could create dedicated pages for its heating, cooling, and maintenance services, while clearly identifying the locations it serves. 

These updates help search engines understand what your business does and where you operate, making it easier to connect your business with relevant searches. 

Prepare Your Website for AI Search 

Customers are increasingly using AI-powered search experiences to ask questions, compare options, and find local service providers. 

Instead of searching only for “plumber near me,” someone might ask an AI tool, “Who offers emergency plumbing services in my area and has good customer reviews?” 

To improve your chances of being discovered, make your website useful to both customers and the search tools helping them find answers. 

Focus on: 

• Answering real customer questions. Address common questions about your services, pricing, process, availability, and service areas. 

• Writing clear, descriptive content. Explain exactly what you offer instead of relying on vague marketing language. 

• Keeping business details current. Make sure your services, contact information, hours, and locations are accurate. 

• Building credibility. Include relevant experience, customer testimonials, reviews, and examples of your work. 

• Organizing website content. Use descriptive page titles, helpful headings, and easy-to-follow page structures. 

For example, a roofing company could add a section explaining how often homeowners should schedule a roof inspection, what signs indicate roof damage, and what to expect during an inspection. 

These details give potential customers useful information while helping search engines and AI-powered tools better understand your business. 

You don’t need to chase every new AI search trend or completely overhaul your website. Strong SEO fundamentals, helpful content, and accurate business information remain the foundation of online visibility. 

Make Reviews Part of Your Visibility Strategy 

Your online reputation can influence whether someone chooses your business after discovering it. 

Reviews help potential customers understand what it’s like to work with you, and consistent engagement shows that you value customer feedback. 

Make reputation management part of your regular marketing routine: 

• Ask satisfied customers to leave a review after completing a service. 

• Make it easy for customers to find your review profiles. 

• Respond to positive and negative feedback professionally. 

• Address recurring concerns to improve the customer experience. 

• Keep an eye on reviews across the platforms that matter to your business. 

You can also use customer feedback to improve your website and marketing messages. If customers regularly mention your fast response times, knowledgeable team, or quality of work, highlight those strengths in your content. 

Build a Consistent Social Media Presence 

Search isn’t the only way customers discover businesses. Social media gives you another opportunity to get in front of your audience, demonstrate your expertise, and stay top of mind. 

You don’t need to post every day or be active on every platform. Focus on the channels your customers use and create content that gives them a reason to engage. 

Try incorporating: 

• Helpful tips: Share answers to common questions about your services. 

• Behind-the-scenes content: Show your team, projects, and day-to-day operations. 

• Customer stories: Highlight completed projects, testimonials, and customer experiences. 

• Seasonal content: Share timely reminders, promotions, and services relevant to the time of year. 

• Short-form video: Demonstrate your work, introduce your team, or explain a common customer problem. 

Plan your posts in advance so your social media activity supports your broader marketing goals instead of becoming another daily task. 

3. Automate What Slows You Down 

Running a small business means wearing a lot of hats. Between serving customers, managing employees, handling inquiries, and keeping up with marketing, it’s easy for important tasks to fall behind. 

That’s where AI and automation can make a difference. 

You don’t need to automate everything. Start by identifying repetitive tasks that take up time without requiring much hands-on attention. Then look for tools that can help you simplify those processes. 

Use AI to Create Marketing Content Faster 

Coming up with fresh marketing content can be challenging, especially when you’re responsible for running the rest of your business. 

AI tools can help you brainstorm ideas, create first drafts, and repurpose existing content for different channels. 

For example, you can use AI to: 

• Generate social media post ideas based on upcoming promotions. 

• Draft email campaigns for seasonal offers. 

• Create website content that explains your services. 

• Turn customer questions into helpful blog topics. 

• Brainstorm video scripts and content calendars. 

AI can also help you create and edit marketing visuals. Tools like AI-powered image creation can make it easier to develop graphics for social media, promotions, and other marketing materials. 

The goal isn’t to replace your voice or expertise. Use AI to get started faster, then review and personalize the content so it reflects your business and speaks to your customers. 

Automate Repetitive Marketing Tasks 

Some marketing activities need to happen consistently, even when you don’t have time to manage them manually. 

Think about the tasks you repeat every week or month: 

• Publishing social media content 

• Sending promotional emails 

• Requesting customer reviews 

• Updating business listings 

• Responding to online reviews 

• Monitoring marketing performance 

Automating these activities can help you maintain a more consistent marketing presence without adding more to your to-do list. 

For example, instead of remembering to ask every customer for a review, use an automated review request process to follow up after a completed service. Rather than manually checking every listing, use a solution that helps you monitor and manage your business information across platforms. 

AI can also help you respond to customer feedback more efficiently. Thryv’s AI Review Response helps businesses create responses to reviews while maintaining a more consistent and timely online presence. 

Look for opportunities to automate the work that doesn’t require your personal attention, while keeping important customer interactions genuine and personal. 

Spend More Time on the Work That Grows Your Business 

Automation isn’t just about checking tasks off your list faster. It’s about making more room for the activities that actually move your business forward. 

When routine marketing tasks take less time, you can focus on: 

• Connecting with prospective customers. 

• Following up on new inquiries. 

• Building relationships with existing customers. 

• Improving your products and services. 

• Developing new growth opportunities. 

Start with one or two processes that consistently slow you down. Once you’ve found a solution that works, look for the next opportunity to simplify your workflow. 

4. Turn Your 2027 Plan Into Action 

Setting goals, improving visibility, and automating repetitive work are important steps. But your strategy needs a clear action plan to turn those priorities into results. 

Before the new year begins, take time to outline what you’ll focus on and when you’ll make progress. 

Use this simple planning checklist to get started. 

Your 2027 Small Business Planning Checklist 

Set your goals 

• Review your 2026 business and marketing performance. 

• Identify one or two primary business growth goals. 

• Establish measurable targets for leads, revenue, customers, or visibility. 

• Set a realistic marketing budget. 

• Choose the KPIs you’ll use to track progress. 

Improve your online visibility 

• Update your website content, service pages, and contact information. 

• Review and update your Google Business Profile and online listings. 

• Identify relevant local keywords and customer search questions. 

• Create helpful website content that answers common customer questions. 

• Develop a consistent review request and response process. 

• Plan social media content around your audience and business goals. 

Make marketing more efficient 

• Identify repetitive marketing tasks that take up too much time. 

• Explore AI tools for content creation and marketing support. 

• Look for opportunities to automate review requests and responses. 

• Create a monthly marketing calendar. 

• Set aside time each month to review performance and adjust your strategy. 

Create a Plan You Can Actually Maintain 

You don’t have to complete everything before January 1. In fact, trying to change too much at once can make it harder to stay consistent. 

Break your plan into manageable steps. 

For example: 

• January: Set your goals, review your marketing budget, and update your online presence. 

• February: Focus on local SEO, website improvements, and customer reviews. 

• March: Introduce new content initiatives and identify marketing tasks to automate. 

• Every month: Review performance, evaluate what’s working, and adjust your priorities. 

A simple plan that you can consistently follow will do more for your business than an ambitious strategy that becomes difficult to maintain. 

Growing your business in 2027 doesn’t mean doing more of everything. It means being more intentional about where you spend your time, how you reach customers, and which activities have the greatest impact. 

Start with goals you can measure. Make it easier for customers to find and trust your business through search, AI, and social media. Then use AI and automation to simplify repetitive work and give yourself more time to focus on growth. 

You don’t have to figure it all out on your own, either. 

Thryv’s AI-powered growth platform brings together solutions that help small businesses get found online, build their brand, and grow their business. From website and online visibility tools to AI-powered marketing and automation, Thryv helps you spend less time juggling marketing and more time moving your business forward. 

Make 2027 your year to grow smarter. Explore how Thryv can help you put your marketing plan into action. 

Start your free 30-day trial of Thryv