Business Strategies

Marketing and pricing decisions shape your revenue more than almost anything else you control. Here are common questions from small-business owners.

How should I set my prices?

Start with your costs, including your own time, so you know the minimum you must charge to stay in business. Then look at what customers value and what competitors charge. Pricing too low is a common mistake; it leaves no room for overhead or profit and can signal low quality.

What is a break-even point, and why does it matter?

It is the sales volume at which revenue equals total costs. Knowing it tells you how many units or hours you must sell before you earn a profit, and it helps you evaluate whether a price change or a new product makes sense.

Should I compete on price?

Rarely as a long-term strategy for a small business. Larger competitors can usually undercut you. Differentiating on service, expertise, convenience or specialization often gives you more pricing freedom.

How much should I spend on marketing?

There is no universal percentage. Set a budget you can afford, track which efforts bring in customers, and put more money into what works. Marketing costs are generally deductible business expenses.

How do I know whether marketing is working?

Ask new customers how they found you, use separate phone numbers or web addresses for different campaigns, and compare the cost of each campaign with the revenue it produced. Even a simple spreadsheet will do.

Do discounts and promotions make sense?

They can, if you calculate the effect on your margin first. A discount that looks small can require a large increase in sales to break even. Use promotions deliberately, such as to introduce a new service or clear inventory.

Do I need to collect sales tax on what I sell?

That depends on what you sell and where you sell it. Georgia imposes sales tax on many goods, and rules for online and out-of-state sales are complex. The Georgia Department of Revenue publishes guidance, and we can help you apply it.

Want to test a pricing or marketing idea against your numbers? Contact us and we can run through the figures with you.