There’s a lot of talk these days about how crowded the marketplace feels, and the truth is, that’s not just talk – it’s real. No matter what kind of business you happen to run, you’re going to be competing with more and more other businesses, more than at any other time in history. Customers basically have endless choices, attention spans are shorter, and everyone’s trying to get noticed at the same time.
So how can you make a small business stand out? Because in the end, that’s what you’ve got to do. With that in mind, keep reading to find out more so you can put some of these ideas into practice and ideally stand out from the crowd, no matter how big that crowd might be.
People Remember What Feels Real
There’s something very human about the fact that we notice the things that just feel real and genuine, and that’s great because a small business has a huge advantage here because it’s built by real poeople with ral stories, and customers love that kind of thing.
It could be anything you do, like how your greet people when they come into your business, or the care you put into your products (making them or choosing them), or the tone you put across in your marketing and communication, or anything else – the point is, if you sound human, it’s going to be noticed and liked.
The fact is that when someone feels a personal connection, even if it’s just a little one that only lasts for a moment, they’re going to remember you much more, and they’re also more likely to come back, and tell other people about you too. If you can be human about things, you’re definitely on the right track.
Consistency Builds Trust
Standing out doesn’t happen just once and that’s it – you’ve got to keep going with it, and actually make it part of every bit of your business if it’s going to work. That’s why you’ve got to make sure your messaging, visual identity, packaging, social posts, and customer service all feel like they belong to the same business, and if you can do that, people are going to recognise you a lot faster.
Plus, when you’re consistent, it shows people you’re reliable and they can count on you because you’re always there, working hard. Customers love reliability because, when you think about it, the world is a pretty unreliable place, so any time you can prove you’re keeping promises, that’s going to be a point in your favour.
Small businesses often underestimate just how much their visual presence matters, and things like a well-designed leaflett, a nice business card, or a thank you note are’nt just extras you can throw in – they’re things that keep you in people’s minds in a positive way.
This is actually one of the reasons why a lot of small businesses are going back to print marketing and even taking the time when it comes to understanding die cutting in print finishing because unique physical materials can create a moment of surprise that digital design just can’t.
LOCAL NEWS: Phoenix housing market outpaces national trends again in 2025
INDUSTRY INSIGHTS: Want more news like this? Get our free newsletter here
Standing Out Doesn’t Have To Be Dramatic
One problem that a lot of small business owners essentially give themselves is thinking that standing out means they have to do something dramatic or expensive, but it really doesn’t mean that at all. You could just keep your colour pallette unique (and use it everywhere), or create a tagline that’s easy to remember, or make your packaging a bit different, and so on.
It’s the little details that add up, and most of the time, people won’t really know what it is they like, they’ll just know they like it. The key is to choose a few things you know you can do really well (and, of course, consistently), instead of just trying to do absolutely everything and not do it as well.
Customers Want Tangible Experiences
Everything’s turning digital, and the more it happens, the rarer the physical things are going to seem, which is why something like a leaflet or a real menu instead of a QR code can stand out when that wouldn’t have been the case in the past. Far from it, in fact. And it’s these small and very easy things that stick with people in the end.
The fact is, people like to hold something, and a well-made printed piece of marketing or useful tool for your business is going to help you stand out and stay around for longer, especially if it’s something that can be stuck to the fridge or kept on a desk, and so on.
It’s true that digital tools are one hundred percent needed, but physical items and materials can definitely help massively as well, so they can and should be used together, especially if you’re looking for ways to truly stand out.
Your Story Is Your Strongest Asset
Every small business has a reason it exists, and that reason is at least part of what makes it totally unique. Plus, it doesn’t have to be all that exciting or dramatic; even a simple story can help a lot when you’re trying to stand out.
Whatever the story is, and however your business came to be, people really do like to understand as much as possible about who they’re buying from, and it helps them feel as though they’re making the right choice (which is basically essential when you want to stand out). So don’t hide your story because you don’t think anyone’s interested – instead, put it on your website and have an about us section specifically for it, and share it on social media. Being honest and clear about who you are is one of the easiest ways to stand out.
Final Thoughts
You don’t (necessarily) have to be bigger and louder or more impressive to stand out – you do, however, need to be unique and memorable. And you have to be human. Because when customers experience something that’s a little different, they’re going to remember it, and they’re going to choose it again in the future.
