Let’s be real, boss. In business, “buat bodoh” also got cost. Maybe not in your monthly P&L, but trust me — in 2025, ignoring digital marketing is like leaving your kedai open but no signboard, no lights, no one knows you exist.
“But I Got Regular Customers What…”
Ya, true lah. Maybe your kopitiam already famous with the aunties and uncles. Maybe your boutique sudah ada loyal followers. But think carefully: Gen Z buyers, the ones with TikTok and GrabPay, they know you or not?
In Malaysia, consumer behaviour is changing faster than our highway toll rates. People Google before makan. They check Instagram before shopping. If you’re not online, you’re basically invisible.
The Cost of Doing Nothing
Here’s what “doing nothing” actually costs SMEs:
- Missed Visibility
If people can’t find you on Google, they’ll find your competitor instead. Senang cerita — you lose before the game even start. - Higher Customer Acquisition Cost Later
The longer you wait, the more expensive it gets to catch up. Imagine suddenly want to start digital ads when all your competitors sudah establish. You’ll be paying premium just to sapu leftover audience. - Stagnant Brand Growth
If your brand tak grow online, you’re depending 100% on walk-ins and word of mouth. That one okay last time. Now, even makcik goreng pisang got TikTok account with 50k followers. - Talent Attraction
Young talents don’t want to work for a “dinosaurs punya company.” They want to join brands that look alive online. If your digital presence kosong, hard to attract good people.
Why 2025 Is the Turning Point
- Internet penetration in Malaysia >90%.
- TikTok Shop and Shopee keep exploding.
- Consumers are now “digital first.”
- Even B2B clients Google before they sign contract.
So kalau you still say, “I don’t need digital marketing lah,” you’re basically telling customers, “Don’t find me.”
Small Steps, Big Impact
Don’t worry, nobody asking you to straight away spend RM50k on ads. Start small:
- Claim your Google Business profile.
- Create social media content (even simple videos with your phone cukup).
- Run small-budget Facebook or TikTok ads.
- Build a basic website (tak perlu fancy, just info, contact, credibility).
Bit by bit, your presence grow. That’s how SME jadi sustainable.
So the real question is not “How much does digital marketing cost?” but “How much does doing nothing cost you?” In 2025, the answer is simple: too much.
Jangan tunggu sampai competitor sapu all your market baru you panic. Digital marketing bukan luxury, it’s survival.
