Digital Marketing Action Plans are critical for Ontario businesses facing rapid shifts in how customers find and choose local services. What worked for local businesses five years ago simply doesn’t cut it anymore. As a digital marketing professional who has worked with hundreds of small businesses across Ontario, I’ve witnessed this transformation firsthand — and I’ve seen exactly which businesses thrive, and which ones struggle to keep up.
If you’re a small business owner in Ontario, you’re likely feeling the pressure. Your customers are online. Your competitors are investing in digital. And traditional marketing methods just aren’t delivering the results they used to. But here’s the good news: you’re not alone — and there’s a clear path forward.
What Is a Digital Marketing Action Plan (DMAP)?
A DMAP is more than just a marketing to-do list. It’s a tailored strategy designed specifically for your business, your market, and your growth goals. It maps out:
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Your online visibility gaps
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Your best channels for ROI (SEO, social, ads, email)
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Your customer journey from discovery to repeat purchase
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Metrics and tools to track your success over time
At Digitize Media Corp, we don’t do generic plans. We specialize in building DMAPs for Ontario businesses — taking into account regional trends, local search patterns, seasonal demand, and community engagement opportunities.
The New Reality for Ontario Small Businesses
The pandemic didn’t start the digital shift — it accelerated it. And what we’re seeing now isn’t just a temporary change; it’s a permanent evolution in how Ontarians discover, research, and purchase from local businesses.
Here’s what the numbers say:
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87% of Ontario consumers research local businesses online before buying
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“Near me” searches in Toronto, Ottawa, and Hamilton have risen by 250% since 2020
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73% prefer to engage with businesses that are active on social media
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Mobile searches peak between 6–9 PM, when people are planning for the next day
This isn’t browsing — it’s buying intent. If your business doesn’t show up or doesn’t impress online, you’re likely losing business to your competitors.
Government-backed programs like the Canada Digital Adoption Program emphasize the importance of having a clear Digital Marketing Action Plan.
4 Digital Marketing Strategies That Work for Ontario Businesses
1. Local Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Want your business to appear when someone searches “best [your service] near me” in Mississauga or Kitchener? That’s where local SEO comes in.
To win at local SEO, focus on:
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Optimizing your Google Business Profile
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Ensuring consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone) across all directories
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Creating content based on city-specific keywords and local topics
2. Social Media Marketing with a Local Edge
Ontario consumers are active on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. But it’s not about broadcasting — it’s about connection.
Share:
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Behind-the-scenes moments from your Barrie storefront
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Customer success stories from the GTA
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How your business gives back to your local community
Consistency and authenticity matter most.
3. Targeted Digital Advertising
Forget the Yellow Pages. Today, you can target Facebook or Google ads down to the postal code or specific demographics in Ontario.
You’ll be able to:
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Reach the right people at the right time
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Track every click, impression, and conversion
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Maximize your ROI with data-driven optimization
4. Email Marketing & Customer Retention
Customer retention is your hidden growth engine.
Use email to:
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Announce seasonal offers (like winter HVAC tune-ups)
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Deliver hyper-relevant, localized updates
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Maintain trust with regular communication
Is Your Business Showing These Digital Symptoms?
| Digital Symptom | What It Means | DMAP Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Your website looks outdated | Customers may view your business as less professional or trustworthy | Modern website redesign with mobile responsiveness and fast load speeds |
| You don’t show up in Google search | You’re missing out on ready-to-buy local customers | Local SEO strategy including Google Business optimization and keyword-targeted content |
| Inconsistent or inactive social media | You’re not engaging your audience or building brand recognition | Social media content calendar tailored for your local community |
| Few or no online reviews | Customers may question your credibility and service quality | Reputation management: review collection strategy and automated follow-up systems |
| Slow online response times | You’re losing leads and damaging trust | DMAP sets up alerts, automations, and quick-response templates across channels |
| Relying only on word-of-mouth | You’re limiting your reach and long-term growth potential | Paid ads, email campaigns, and content marketing to scale your visibility and inbound leads |
| No tracking or analytics in place | You’re investing blindly with no clear ROI or direction | DMAP includes dashboard setup with Google Analytics, conversion tracking, and campaign reporting |
Why Ontario Businesses Can’t Afford to Ignore Digital
Over the past few years, digital behaviour in Ontario has shifted dramatically:
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87% of Ontario consumers check businesses online before buying
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Mobile “near me” searches have grown over 250%
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73% say they trust businesses with an active social media presence
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Evenings (6–9 PM) are now peak hours for mobile searches in the province
This means potential customers are actively searching, researching, and deciding — before they ever walk through your door or give you a call. If you’re not showing up when it matters most, someone else is.
How Digitize Media Corp Solves These Challenges
At Digitize Media Corp, we don’t believe in cookie-cutter marketing. Every Ontario small business has unique needs, goals, and audiences — and our Digital Marketing Action Plan (DMAP) reflects that.
Our DMAP includes:
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Local SEO strategies tailored to your specific city or region
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Social media management that builds real community engagement
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Hyper-targeted digital ad campaigns for maximum ROI
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Customer retention strategies that increase lifetime value
We understand Ontario. From the seasonal trends affecting Ottawa landscapers to the digital preferences of Toronto shoppers — we craft strategies that work here, not just anywhere.
5 Actionable Steps You Can Take Today
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Claim & Optimize Your Google Business Profile
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Add accurate info, upload photos, and respond to reviews
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Audit Your Online Presence
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Search for your business — are all listings up to date?
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Create Local Content
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Address local needs (e.g., “best flowers for Ontario gardens”)
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Engage with Local Communities Online
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Join Ontario Facebook groups or local business chats
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Track Your Results
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Set up Google Analytics and pay attention to traffic sources
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The Path Forward
Digital transformation isn’t optional — it’s essential. The businesses that thrive in Ontario are the ones that treat digital marketing as an opportunity to connect, grow, and lead in their communities.
If you’re ready to stop reacting and start leading, we’re ready to help.
Let’s create a Digital Marketing Action Plan tailored to your Ontario business.
📞 (780) 446–4543
📧 hello@digitizemedia.ca
🌐 www.digitizemedia.ca
About Digitize Media Corp
Digitize Media Corp is a full-service digital marketing agency based in Edmonton, Alberta. We specialize in helping startups and small businesses grow their Edmonton web presence with proven strategies in SEO, content marketing, advertising, and social media.
