About This Column
This monthly column is intended to inspire action. You know digital transformation is critical to growing your business, but there are so many moving parts and so much to learn! It’s easier to navigate if someone points you in the right direction so you can take the first steps. You don’t have to master anything right now, you only need to move forward and learn as you go.
If one growth tip doesn’t work for your business, pick another one and try that. If you do that over a course of a year, you may be surprised at how much your business has grown and how clear your path is to further growth. A custom strategy will naturally emerge from your efforts, all from trying something new every month.
Content for this column will vary from month to month. We’ll cover what’s trending, motivation, tools, diversification, funding, actionable Canadian data, expert quotes, and how & where to grow your business online over the following month. New posts will be announced in our newsletter, so sign up to ensure you don’t miss a single month of growth.
Grow Your Canadian Small Business Online in January
[DISCLOSURE:Â We may receive compensation for links to products on this website.]
TIP 1: Social Growth
Nowhere is it more important to follow trends (with a finger on the pivot trigger) than social media. Most recently, that has meant embracing social commerce, expanding social media advertising to include platforms like Reddit, and navigating the volatility of social media regulations and bans.
“Social commerce is poised to take off in 2025, reaching 60% or more of Gen Z and Millennial shoppers worldwide, depending on the source,” says Practical Ecommerce. “TikTok is the trending social platform, with roughly 36 million shoppers, while Facebook is massive and established, with 68 million. Both are compelling options.”
The following articles will help to bring you up-to-date in February:
Social Media Trends 2025 (Hootsuite)
Open a Facebook Shop in 2025 (Practical Ecommerce)
Reddit Is Ready For Brands: How to build real connections and succeed (Search Engine Journal)
TikTok, Meta ‘chaos’ reminds Canadian businesses of the value of diversification (CBC)
TIP 2: Online Path to Profitability (P2P)
The online user experience (UX) can increase or decrease sales, which is why we focus heavily on functionality and optimum performance. To maximize profitability, we shift our focus to revenue objectives and the most efficient path to them.
Often referred to in business plans as the Path to Profitability (P2P), your online or multichannel profitability plan will differ from the offline standard. Online, it would be better defined as the path to conversion. Your website’s ability to monitor & track visitors and influence their behaviour gives you a level of power that’s invaluable in your pursuit of a profitable business.
Your path to profitability can also be useful when you’re pitching to investors. In fact, entrepreneurs and investors told CNBC the path to profitability is more important than a company making money right away.
5 Steps to Optimize your Online Path to Profitability
Step 1: Figure out where you are & where you’re going.
Step 2: What do you want your visitors to do on your website?
Step 3: Create a path to profitability map of your website
Step 4: Specific and measurable goals and objectives
Step 5: Ongoing analysis and tweaking
Like most things in online business, this is an ongoing process. Analyze what’s working and what isn’t by noting the calls-to-action, design differences, types of content and functionality that are working best for you and which ones flopped. Use those insights to generate new winners. If you have an existing site, apply what you’ve learned to mapping and restructuring customer pathways.
Once the obstacles have been removed and your revenue streams are flowing freely, you’ll find yourself with a high-converting website structure. You’ll continue to gain insights into your ideal customer and what a great online experience looks like to them. Track, tweak & repeat! It’s a key to online business growth that many miss out on, and the competitive advantage potential is priceless.
Read more in 5 Crucial Steps to Optimize Your Online Customer Path to Profitability.
TIP 3: Grow Your Franchise Online
“The integration of technology and artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing franchise operations. Franchisors are using AI to analyze customer data, optimize marketing strategies, and improve overall performance. This technological shift not only enhances operational efficiency but also makes franchise systems more attractive to tech-oriented entrepreneurs.
For online franchises, technology is a cornerstone of their business model. Automated systems ensure consistency, while AI-driven analytics provide insights to help franchisees identify growth opportunities,” writes Sherry McNeil, President & CEO, Canadian Franchise Association (CFA).
TIP 4: Grow With Lead Magnets
The right lead magnet can grow your email list and your business, but which ones are most effective? Podia analyzed 100 of the top-performing lead magnets on their platform, uncovering the top 12 lead magnets that are proven to drive subscribers and sales.
- Free consultation
- Free ebook
- Free course
- Free sample (or preview of the first chapter of your book or course)
- Templates
- Workbooks, worksheets, calendars, trackers
- Cheat sheets
- Checklists
- Case study
- Webinar
- Starter pack bundle
- Free email training
Get the details from 12 Lead Magnet Examples That Will Bring in Sales and Customers For Your Solo Business.
Free Tool: Ebooks are still the most popular and effective type of lead magnet. Use the free Visme Ebook Creator to easily create as many ebooks as you like. It includes easy-to-customize templates, interactive options, and your ebook can be shared online or downloaded as a PDF.
TIP 5: Grow With Families
Almost every niche includes people with families. With a little creative thinking, you can figure out what type of marketing will draw them out on Family Day (and other provincial celebrations in February).
Family Day is celebrated in a growing number of Canadian provinces, including Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Ontario and Saskatchewan. Other provinces celebrate different holidays on the third Monday in February (February 17th, 2025).
Islander Day is celebrated in Prince Edward Island
Nova Scotia celebrates Heritage Day
Manitoba celebrates Louis Riel Day
Yukon Heritage Day is celebrated on February 21st, 2025.
If you’re running ads specifically for one of these February holidays, remember to adjust your targeting to specific provinces or at least limit them to Canada to get the most bang for your buck.
Family Day provides a unique opportunity for Canadian online marketers who are constantly battling international competitors. It’s also underused within Canada for promotions, so you can really stand out.
Here are 5 Family Day Social Media Contests to Engage Canadians.
TIP 6: February Content
Grow your traffic, grow your business! Timely content can differentiate your business while generating traffic that converts.
Note: We post a list of holidays & observances (monthly, weekly and daily) for marketers in the Online Business Canada Facebook group. There’s a lot of them! You’re bound to find some that are a perfect fit for you business.
Here are just a few February holidays & observances with promotion potential:
Bake for Family Fun Month
Children’s and Pet Dental Health Month
Embroidery Month
Free & Open Source Software Month
Responsible Animal Guardian Month
Senior Independence Month
Time Management Month
Weddings Month
February content themes and slants can include cold, family, love, romance & relationships, chocolate, hearts, and provincial/national pride. February holidays and observances in Canada include Valentine’s Day on the 14th, and National Flag of Canada Day on February 15th. On the 17th we celebrate Family Day (AB, BC, NB, ON, SK), Louis Riel Day (MB), Nova Scotia Heritage Day, and Islander Day. Yukon Heritage Day is on February 21st.
TIP 7: Business Books Worth Reading
Here we share quick quotes from business books we’re reading to help your knowledge grow with your business.
“Influencer marketing is currently one of the fastest-growing advertising sectors. There are millions of influencers, bloggers, and content creators around the world and over 1,200 influencer platforms. With an ever-increasing number of brands entering the market, this is a fantastic time for the industry. There are many parallels with the branded content industry and how it developed and evolved over the past 20 years.” ~ Influencer Marketing Strategy: How influencers can help grow your business, 2nd edition, by Gordon Glenister.
Incremental Change
Changes spread out over the year will combine into powerful results. When growth based on technology overwhelms us, we can make small changes to continue growing and develop further as we feel our way through it.
How will you grow your online business in February? Please share your ideas or questions in the comments below, or join us in the Online Business Canada Facebook group.
For weekly inspiration, insights, tips, and resources, sign up for the Online Business Canada newsletter!
7 Recession Proof Online Businesses To Start From Home
Expert help to choose, start, and run a successful online business!
“Almost 200 pages of pure gold…”
GET IT ON AMAZON
Or Other Major Ebook Retailers
——————————————
© CanadiansInternet.com – Content on this website may not be used elsewhere without expressed permission. Thank you for respecting the effort that we have put into our original content.
DISCLOSURE:Â We may receive compensation for links to products on this website. Â As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Our content is provided for informational purposes only and does not guarantee results.
Melody McKinnon is an internet entrepreneur with 25 years of experience in a wide range of online business models, backed by a formal business/marketing education and enhanced by training and mentorship. She has owned or managed both educational and ecommerce websites. Her book, 7 Recession Proof Online Businesses to Start From Home, is available from all major ebook retailers.
Melody has worked with many businesses in a multitude of capacities. She can often be found on CanadianDigitalMedia.com, CanadiansInternet.com, CanadianFamily.net, and AllNaturalPetCare.com, as well as other quality digital publications. Her content has earned reference links from highly-respected websites, magazines and university textbooks.
Smart tips & tricks for online businesses and offline for digital marketing. Please continue to share them.