8 Best SMB Marketing Analytics Tools To Boost Growth

Remember those key marketing numbers we talked about in the last blog post? The ones that show you exactly what's working for your SMB? Awesome!

Now comes the not-so-fun part: tracking them. The sheer number of options can be overwhelming. That's why I'm sharing a list of SMB-friendly tools to simplify your marketing and make those KPIs sing.

10 Best SMB Marketing Analytics Tools To Boost Growth

1. Website Analytics

Your website is your digital storefront, so understanding how visitors interact with it is crucial.?

Google Analytics is the industry giant that offers a wealth of data (traffic sources, bounce rates, time on page, etc.). But it can be intimidating.

Clicky, Fathom Analytics, and Plausible Analytics are marketing analytics platforms that offer privacy-focused and simpler interfaces if you want a more streamlined option.

2. Social Media Analytics

Don't be fooled into thinking those likes and comments are the only metrics that matter. Most social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.) have built-in analytics dashboards.

These offer insights into post performance, audience demographics, and what drives engagement.?

However, third-party tools like:

Hootsuite, Sendible, Sprout Social, Zoho Social, Tailwind, Agorapulse, SocialPilot, Brand24, Keyhole, or Buffer?can streamline the process and offer deeper reporting for managing multiple platforms or scheduling posts.

3. Email Marketing Analytics

Your email marketing platform is a treasure trove of valuable data. Essential metrics like open rates, click-through rates, and unsubscribes are available in any reputable email marketing tool, such as Mailchimp, Constant Contact, GetResponse, or ActiveCampaign.??

Want to get more sophisticated? Use their A/B testing tools to test subject lines and design variations that can boost performance. Integrating your email platform with your CRM can unlock even deeper customer behavior.

4. All-in-One Dashboards

Let's say you want a unified view of your marketing data across channels. That's where HubSpot, Kartra, Databox, Kajabi, Semrush, or Kissmetrics?come in. The upside? A beautiful dashboard showing your progress.

The downsides? Potential cost and the risk of becoming so focused on countless data points that you lose sight of taking action.

5. SEO & Keyword Research Tools

Understanding what your customers are searching for is like having a secret map of where they're hiding online. Ahrefs, SEMrush, Se Ranking, AnswerThePublic, Similarweb, TopicRanker, Soovle, and Serpstat?act as your expert guides.?

They help you:

• Discover potential search terms,
• See your competitors' keywords,
• And track how your website ranks.

But don't neglect the free tool in your pocket— Google Search Console offers valuable insights straight from the source.

6. Advertising Analytics

If you're investing in paid ads (think Google Ads, Facebook, etc.), tracking their performance is vital.

Each ad platform has its analytics dashboard, giving you data on clicks, spending, and conversions.

However, Supermetrics?and?Whatagraph?consolidate everything into one place across multiple channels.?

For SMBs focused on closing deals,?Ruler Analytics?tracks phone calls and directly connects ad spending to actual revenue.

7. Competitor Analysis Tools

Think of your competitors as your always-available case study. Wouldn't it be nice to sneak a peek at their marketing playbook??

Tools like?Similarweb?let you analyze their website traffic and estimate which channels they're using.?

BuzzSumo?helps you see what content of theirs performs well (and much more). And if you want to get strategic,?SpyFu?exposes its most profitable search keywords and ad campaigns.

?8. Customer Feedback & Survey Tools

Data can tell you a lot, but sometimes you must ask your customers! Survey tools like:?

• SurveyMonkey or?Typeform?makes it easy to gather feedback—from quick satisfaction polls to deeper market research.?
• ?Hotjar?shows you heatmaps of where people click on your site and even replays user sessions to uncover friction points.?
• Qualaroo?lets you ask specific questions on your website, collecting in-the-moment insights.

Key Considerations When Choosing Marketing Analytics Tools

It's not just about the feature. Finding the perfect analytics tool is like finding the perfect pair of jeans – fit matters more than fancy labels. Here are a few critical factors to keep in mind:

a) Customer support and training?

Look, no one enjoys being stranded on a digitally deserted island when their fancy analytics tool throws them a weird error message.

That's why you need backup. Choose a tool with wonderful customer service when things get confusing.

Guides, videos, or even better, live chat will make the learning curve way less painful. Because, let's be honest, you're busy running your SMB – you shouldn't need a tech degree to use marketing tools.

b) Your KPI match

Not all tools are created equal. Before you get seduced by shiny features, ask yourself: Does this tool help me track the metrics that actually get measurable results for my business?

If you obsess over website traffic but the tool focuses on social media, it's a bad match.

c) Your SMB budget reality

Sure, we all love a freebie. But be realistic about your future needs. Many marketing analytics tools offer free basic plans, then require paid upgrades as you track more data or want advanced features.

Factor this into your decision so you don't have to switch tools mid-stream.

d) Don't be a tool fool

The most complex, expensive marketing analytics tool is useless if you dread logging in. User-friendliness is key, especially for small teams.

During your trials, double-check if you can quickly find the insights that matter. Or do you need a rocket science degree to get a simple report? Check those red flags.

e) Plays well with others?

How much time do you want to spend manually transferring data between systems? Look for tools that integrate with your existing tech stack. Does it pull information seamlessly from your website?

Can it connect with your email marketing software or CRM? Less data juggling equals more time for actual strategy.

Your marketing analytics tools shouldn't leave you feeling overwhelmed. They should give you that X-ray vision of what works within your SMB.

• What drives sales.
• What channels are worth the investment?
• And where to double down for maximum growth.

But remember, tools are just that – tools. They provide the information, and you wield the strategic power. Never lose sight of the big picture and your unique SMB goals.

Now, let's get this conversation going. What marketing analytics tools have you used?