When Do You Really Need Marketing and Advertising?

Not every business needs to run ads 24/7. Believe it or not, some of the most successful businesses rely very little on marketing—and that’s totally okay. But when does it actually become necessary?

Let’s use a simple example: a neighborhood doughnut shop.

If you own a doughnut shop located in the middle of a neighborhood with high foot traffic, loyal locals, and no direct competitors nearby, you might not need a big digital marketing push. Your customers are likely people who already live nearby, drive past your storefront daily, or simply crave the smell of fresh doughnuts on a Sunday morning. A couple of good signs and consistent quality may be enough to keep business steady.

However, what happens if:

• A new coffee shop opens two blocks away?

• A national chain launches a store five minutes down the road?

• Your foot traffic starts to slow as nearby construction affects the area?

That’s when marketing starts to matter. Advertising isn’t just for gaining new customers - it’s for staying visible, relevant, and competitive. When your audience has choices, you need to remind them why you’re the better one.

So When Is Marketing Needed?

• You’re in a competitive industry (like salons, real estate, HVAC, etc.)

• You want to grow beyond word of mouth

• Your business relies on appointments or long-term customers

• You’re introducing a new service or product

• You’re new in town—or expanding to new areas

The doughnut shop may not need to run Facebook ads every month, but if they're looking to launch catering services or open a second location across town, digital marketing suddenly becomes a powerful tool.