How to tell if your marketing is working, without an analytics degree

It's easy to spend months posting on social media, updating a website or handing out flyers without knowing whether any of it brings in work. You don't need complicated software to find out. You need a few simple habits.

1. Ask every new enquiry one question. "How did you hear about us?" Write the answer down in one place, even a simple spreadsheet. After three months you'll see which channels actually bring people to you.

2. Give each campaign its own way to respond. If a flyer and a social post both say "visit our website", you can't tell which worked. Give each one something unique: a short web address, a QR code or an offer name. Then count the responses.

3. Check three numbers once a month. In your website's free analytics, look at visitors, the pages they view most and how many reach your contact page. You're not looking for perfection, just direction. Is it going up or down?

4. Measure enquiries, not likes. Likes and followers feel good, but enquiries and sales pay the bills. If a platform brings lots of likes and no enquiries, change what you post or move your effort elsewhere.

Keep it simple Pick one thing to improve each month, such as a clearer headline or a stronger call to action, and compare the next month's enquiries. Small, steady changes add up.

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