As an entrepreneur, small business owner, or start-up founder, your top aim is to grow your business. You may have started your business out of passion or to solve a problem. But the main goal is for your business to grow and thrive.
Many business owners and entrepreneurs hinder their growth. They keep doing the same things that don’t work. In 2025, trends changed. Every business owner and entrepreneur must adapt to these changes to grow.
In this article, we will be discussing the 5 ways to hinder your business growth and stay backward in 2025. But don’t fret, we will also add what to do instead to guarantee business growth in 2025.
These strategies allow you the opportunity to achieve growth and avoid stagnation.
Let’s get into it.
IGNORE YOUR ONLINE PRESENCE
If your audience cannot find you anywhere on the internet, then you might as well not exist. In this digital era, not having an online presence is akin to business suicide. More than 60% of the world’s population, or at least 5.56 billion people, use the internet every day.
As a business owner or entrepreneur in 2025, connect with your target audience where they are. You should be easy to spot. This helps you stand out from other businesses that sell similar products or services.
Your website, social media, SEO, digital marketing, and omnichannel marketing are key strategies for creating a strong online presence. By using strong branding, you create a unique identity for your business. This helps your target audience recognise you with ease.
HOW THIS STUNTS YOUR BUSINESS GROWTH
- If you ignore your online presence, your competitors get a big edge over your brand.
- You miss out on leads and might turn away potential customers. They may think you’re out of business.
- An outdated website or no website at all means you miss out on leads. People will dislike what they see, or they will not regard you as serious.
- If you don’t use social media, you miss the chance to connect with customers. You could lose loyal customers who might have been your best brand ambassadors.
WHAT TO DO INSTEAD
- Treat your social media presence with the seriousness it deserves. Don’t dive into this without crafting a strategy, as it can blow up in your face.
Check this for how to craft a winning social media strategy: here.
- Improve your website to assist potential customers in locating you without difficulty. This way, they will stay longer and engage with your business.
- Go and claim your “Google My Business Profile.” This would help with SEO and help people find your brand when they search for a service/product.
- Leverage both organic strategies and paid ads to help boost your brand’s visibility. This would help you reach a large audience while considering long-term growth.
2. NOT ADAPTING TO MARKET CHANGES AND TRENDS
Imagine a business owner or entrepreneur relying on cold calls or newspaper ads as a way to make sales in 2025.
That doesn’t sound right. When it comes to market trends, consumer preferences, etc., it is constantly evolving. What worked in the past would have no place in 2025. Back in the early days, traditional marketing was the go-to strategy.
This included print media, TV ads, telemarketing, and more. The Volkswagen print ad, which was groundbreaking for its time, is a well-known example. But here’s the catch: even though the market has changed, some principles and strategies still hold true.
To attract the right audience, make sales, and grow your business, meet them where they are. Find ways to engage them and encourage action.
But another fact remains: change can be scary. This is what stops many business owners, entrepreneurs, founders, leaders, etc. from effecting any change. They stick to what they’ve been doing because it has been working for them. While yes, it has been working, it would get to a point where it won’t anymore.
That ends in 2025! Now, adaptability and flexibility are the way forward. Can you keep up, or will your competitors blaze ahead while you fall behind?
HOW THIS STUNTS YOUR BUSINESS GROWTH
- Your target audience won’t notice your business. They would see you as outdated and irrelevant.
- Your competition (old & new) would gain momentum, making them ahead of you while you’re stuck in your old ways.
- You’ll miss out on potential revenue streams and run your business efficiently due to a lack of upgrades.
WHAT TO DO INSTEAD
- Make sure to stay up to date on industry trends and updates so you neither miss out nor fall behind.
- Be open to making changes and pivoting when necessary. This would play a role in aiding your business’s growth.
- Conduct a SWOT analysis of your business on a regular basis. This helps you find areas to improve. Also, conduct a competitor analysis to see where you can fill the gaps.
- Be open to feedback from your customers. Listen, analyse, and act on their feedback. This will help them enjoy a better experience with your business.
3. POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE AND RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT
“Customer is King” – they’re the lifeline of your business and the reason why your business exists. A customer might not remember what you said, but they will always remember how you made them feel.
Do you take them seriously? Are you delivering promptly and with quality? Do you treat them right and show them that you value them?
There are at least half a billion businesses that exist around the world. In this era of technology, location, and proximity are no longer a restriction for businesses.
What does this mean? This means that consumers have a wide range of options to choose from. Statistics show that 52% of customers will pay more for “good” service. Meanwhile, 66% will spend even more for “great” service. Also, 80% of customers will leave after one bad experience with your business.
These stats show how easy it is to lose a customer if you don’t treat them well. Neglecting customer experience can lead to lost sales, a negative brand reputation, and bad reviews.
If customer service is great, 78% of customers will return. Also, 93% are likely to buy again, and 82% would recommend your business.
After all, happy customers always tell their friends.
HOW THIS STUNTS YOUR BUSINESS GROWTH
- If customers aren’t loyal, the churn rate will rise. Then, you’ll miss out on free brand ambassadors.
- If people dislike your service, they’ll talk about it. A bad review spreads quickly and can cost you potential customers.
- A bad brand reputation isn’t a good look for your business.
- It can lead to customer dissatisfaction and frustration, which is bad for business.
WHAT TO DO INSTEAD
- Seek customer feedback with enthusiasm. This helps you improve and build on what works.
- Talk to your team about connecting with customers. This will help them give great customer service. This is important because “one bad egg can spoil everything.”
- Invest in customer support systems like chatbots with a fast response time. This would help you increase your conversion rate, thus reducing churn.
- Use and promote customer reward strategies like discounts, special offers, and personalised deals. This can help to boost customer loyalty.
4. AVOID NETWORKING AND PARTNERSHIPS
The solution to your business’s stunted growth is the right collaboration or partnership. Isolation isn’t the answer. Building strong relationships and networks can lead to new opportunities.
This could include referrals, recommendations, or extra revenue streams. Many business owners, entrepreneurs, and founders avoid networking. They think it’s unimportant or too stressful to try.
They might say, “I don’t need someone else influencing me.” That’s true sometimes. But a smart partnership can help both sides grow faster.
HOW THIS STUNTS YOUR BUSINESS GROWTH
- If you stay isolated, you miss referrals, recommendations, and teamwork.
- If you avoid networking, you’ll miss out on industry trends, fresh ideas, and new ways to earn money.
- You miss connecting with more people. They only noticed their problem when your solution appeared.
WHAT TO DO INSTEAD
- Find and attend industry events (free or paid) in your area.
- Build a credible presence on LinkedIn and build your connections with like-minded individuals.
- Use your connections with other founders and entrepreneurs to create a win-win collaboration.
5. TRYING TO DO IT ALONE
As a business owner, you wear many hats. You juggle many roles: marketer, content creator, executive assistant, and business developer. It can feel overwhelming and frustrating.
How would you ensure that nothing is lacking? Wearing too many hats can cause burnout and inefficiency. This can hold back your business growth. Your role is to expect needs and make smart choices. Hire experts to help your business operate with greater speed and efficiency.
HOW THIS STUNTS YOUR BUSINESS GROWTH
- A burnt-out person cannot be productive or creative, which would stunt your growth.
- If you don’t delegate tasks, your focus gets split. Some things may suffer, and operations may encounter difficulties.
WHAT TO DO INSTEAD
- Use AI and other software tools to automate tasks. This includes replying to emails, DMs, and generating ideas.
- Outsource tasks like marketing, IT, or accounting to experts. This can help your business grow.
CONCLUSION
2025 can be the best year for your business if you avoid these growth-killing strategies. Growing a business requires adaptability, intentionality, and a willingness to embrace change. If you find yourself relating to any of these methods, then it’s time to make a change.
To thrive, you must avoid these five common mistakes; neglecting your online presence, resisting market trends, offering poor customer service, avoiding networking, and trying to do everything alone.
Be proactive. Build a strong digital presence. Stay ahead of trends. Focus on customer experience. Create valuable connections. Delegate tasks with careful consideration. By doing so, you’ll position your business for long-term growth and success.
Remember, growth doesn’t happen by chance; it happens by choice. Make the right choices today to ensure your business thrives and grows in 2025 and beyond.
PARTNER WITH US TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS IN 2025
Your brand needs a marketing plan that keeps you ahead as the digital world changes. At Cnergii, we focus on turning these trends into plans that suit your business needs.
We can use video, AI, personalisation, and other tech to help your business grow in 2025 and beyond.
Are you prepared to make your marketing plan future-proof? Contact us now to find out how our expertise can help you succeed.
