Updated January 2026. Editor’s note: This was written by humans on the Skip team who collectively have helped tens of thousands of small businesses grow across the U.S. since 2020.

Growing a business is different from starting one. When you’re starting out, the question is “How do I begin?” When you’re growing, the question becomes “What should I focus on next?”

There’s no shortage of advice on growth — ads, SEO, social media, partnerships, AI, influencers, marketplaces. The problem isn’t lack of ideas. It’s knowing what actually matters at your stage.

In 2026, most successful small businesses grow by doing a few things exceptionally well — not everything at once. Below are 4 practical steps we recommend based on what we see working right now.

Step 1: Get Consistent Traffic (Before You Optimize Anything Else)

Growth starts with attention. If people aren’t seeing your business, nothing else compounds. Early traffic doesn’t need to be massive — it needs to be consistent and measurable.

Focus on 1–2 channels first:

• Listings and marketplaces (Skip, Google, niche platforms)
• Direct exposure moments (grants, features, live events)
• Organic content (social, short-form, email)

Your goal here is simple: Make it easy for people to discover you.

On Skip, this often starts with:

• Completing your business page
• Appearing in Discover and map views
• Using Boost to increase visibility during high-traffic moments

You don’t need perfection — you need presence.

Step 2: Increase Your Surface Area (List Products & Services)

Once people find you, they need something to engage with.

Many businesses underperform simply because they only show one version of what they do. The fastest-growing businesses increase their “surface area” by clearly listing:

• Products
• Services
• Packages
• Price ranges or starting points

Each product or service becomes:

• A new entry point
• A new search result
• A new way for someone to understand your value

On Skip, listing products and services helps:

• Improve discoverability
• Increase engagement
• Convert interest into action

More surfaces = more chances to win with customers, potential partners, and collaborators.

Step 3: Collect Feedback and Signals (Then Adjust)

Growth isn’t linear — it’s responsive. Instead of guessing what’s working, pay attention to signals:

• Views
• Follows
• Clicks
• Messages
• Purchases
• Reviews

You don’t need perfect analytics but you do need to keep an eye on what's happening. Are you reaching more potential customers? What are your customers saying? What are they asking for?

This allows you to make changes as necessary: Maybe you want to experiment with pricing or update your marketing messaging? Maybe you want to focus on top of funnel growth because you're not getting enough leads?

There are a couple ways to collect feedback and signals on Skip. First, on your Business page you can see information about your business views and followers.

Second, take a look at your product views on your products and payments page to understand what's being viewed.

Third, make sure your AI Agent is set up on Skip. This allows visitors to your business page and website on Skip to ask questions, purchase items, or leave feedback.

Fourth, ask for reviews from users. You can do this via email, and leads or customers can leave reviews on your Skip business page too.

Step 4: Double Down on What Works

This is where growth compounds. Once you see traction — even a little — lean into it:

• Promote the products that convert
• Boost the pages that get engagement
• Reuse content that performs well
• Apply for funding or grants that align with your momentum

Growth doesn’t come from doing more things. It comes from doing the right things more often. Keep this in mind throughout the entire growth process: Getting Traffic > Increasing Product Exposure > Get Feedback > Double Down on What's Working.

On Skip, this might look like:

• Using Boost to amplify high-performing listings
• Applying for larger grants as your business matures
• Turning early traction into credibility and visibility

Keep Going (Progress > Perfection)

Most businesses don’t fail because they’re bad ideas. They stall because owners get stuck trying to do everything at once.

If you get consistent traffic, clearly show what you offer, listen to feedback, and double down intentionally, you’ll be ahead of most businesses. Save this guide, revisit it often, and keep moving forward — one clear step at a time.

If you’re still in the early stages, see our Ultimate Guide to Starting a Business.

If you’re ready to increase visibility now, start by updating your business page and exploring Boost on Skip.