There is no universal number that works for every business, but many small businesses allocate between five and ten percent of revenue toward marketing. Businesses focused on aggressive growth may invest even more.
The more important question is not how much you spend, but how effectively you invest it.
A smaller budget directed toward the right audience and channels will often outperform a larger budget spread across too many activities. Marketing should be viewed as an investment in growth rather than simply an expense.
The goal is not to spend more. The goal is to spend strategically.
Want to go deeper? Our guide Marketing Strategy for Small and Mid-Size Businesses explains how to align your marketing investments with your business goals and stage of growth.