Marketing for SMEs in 2026: What to Focus On (and What to Ignore)
The past year has reshaped how many teams approach marketing. 2025 brought tighter budgets and shifting priorities, but it also delivered something valuable: clarity. It highlighted what truly works, what matters most, and where focused effort creates the biggest impact.
As we move into 2026, we have a real opportunity. The importance of marketing is clearer than ever, and when it’s done with purpose, it delivers real impact, even without big budgets.
As an SME creative agency based in the North West, our role this year is simple: to help you focus on what genuinely moves the needle, and confidently leave behind what doesn’t. The goal isn’t to do more, it’s to do the right things well.
We know there’s no shortage of conflicting advice online, which only adds pressure when budgets are limited, and new platforms and tactics seem to appear daily. The answer isn’t a bigger spend, it’s smarter prioritisation.
In 2026, we’re doubling down on what matters most and what we do best: choosing the right platforms, working with the right people, and nurturing those relationships properly, instead of trying to be everywhere, especially where our audience isn’t.
So, as we start the year with clarity and confidence, what’s worth investing in, and what isn’t?
Start With a Strategy
It might seem obvious, but a strategy is the number one place to start. Sit down as a team and clearly define your priorities for the year.
What are your objectives? Leads? Revenue? Awareness?
Who is your audience?
Where is your audience? Answering this helps you decide which channels are truly worth focusing on, whether that’s social media, email marketing, or a mix of both.
Of course, your strategy can evolve, but having a clear starting blueprint makes all the difference.
Here’s where we think you should focus:
Web
- Ensure your website is fit for your customers’ needs.
- Make it easy to navigate.
- Design with a mobile-first approach.
- Use clear CTAs and strong internal linking so users can move around your site easily.
Not sure how your customers use your site? We offer website audits, including Hotjar setup and insights (email our Account Director laura@monitorcreative.co.uk for more info)
Content & SEO
- Optimising your Google Business Profile.
- Creating relevant, helpful blog content.
- Clear website messaging aligned to your audience.
- Strong CTAs that support your business goals.
- Email marketing to nurture and convert leads.
Long/Short Form Content (Including Animation)
- In 2025, we saw growing demand for long-form and B2B content, with animation leading the way. This will continue in 2026.
- Animation makes it easier to break down and communicate complex products. We’ve got a blog all about this.
We have some fantastic case studies of our animation work. Check this out.
Social Media
- Establish where your audience is, then plan content around this.
- Focusing on fewer, more relevant platforms and using AI to plan and optimise content more efficiently.
- Creating consistent, audience-led social content that supports wider business goals rather than chasing trends.
Utilising AI
It’s important to note that we only recommend using AI as a tool to enhance efficiency, not replace strategic thinking or creativity.
- Speeding up idea generation and concept development for B2B campaigns.
- Using AI to support long-form content creation, from research and scripting to structure.
- Allowing teams to do more with limited budgets by prioritising time and resources more smartly.
What to ignore
- Trying to do everything at once.
- Chasing vanity metrics that don’t drive real results.
- Adding extra strain to your team. Instead, work with an agency you can scale up or down as needed.
That’s where we come into place. As a full-service creative agency, we can ensure any of the above is executed perfectly to suit your goals. Chat to a member of the Monitor team for a quick discussion on where to get started or even a specific project in mind. Email hello@monitorcreative.co.uk, we look forward to chatting!
Ready for your next read?
You’ll enjoy this blog:
‘Marketing for SMEs vs. Large Organisations: How Smaller Businesses Can Win With the Right Strategy’
This blog explains the key differences between marketing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and large organisations, and why smaller businesses can still succeed with the right approach. It highlights that SMEs often feel overwhelmed by big brands’ budgets, but they have unique strengths, like personalised customer relationships, agility to respond quickly to change, and the ability to use cost-effective, targeted strategies that larger companies lack. The article outlines practical ways SMEs can leverage these advantages, such as personalised marketing, nimble strategy shifts, efficient use of limited budgets, niche positioning, and marketing automation, to outperform bigger competitors and build strong customer connections.