small businesses in the United States
Small businesses make up 99.9% of U.S. firms, according to the SBA’s February 2026 fact sheet.
U.S. Small Business Administration, February 2026Reference data for local owners
Local business marketing statistics for 2026.
A current, sourced snapshot of the numbers shaping how customers find, compare, and choose local businesses.
Last updatedOctober 13, 2026
Built for business owners, writers, and anyone who needs a clear, citable view of the local customer journey.
The numbers
Eight signals worth paying attention to.
These figures come from public agencies and current U.S. consumer research. Each source is linked directly from the statistic it supports.
of U.S. adults use the internet daily
Pew Research Center’s 2025 survey also found that 41% of adults say they are online almost constantly.
Pew Research Center, January 2026in U.S. retail e-commerce sales in 2025
E-commerce represented 16.4% of total U.S. retail sales for the year, up from 16.1% in 2024.
U.S. Census Bureau, March 2026are more likely to use a business after positive reviews
In the same consumer survey, 77% said negative reviews make them less likely to choose a business.
BrightLocal Local Consumer Review Survey, 2026visit a business website after reading positive reviews
A business site often becomes the next proof point after a customer sees a strong review.
BrightLocal Local Consumer Review Survey, 2026do more research after a positive review
Only 34% said they were ready to buy or make a booking at that point, which makes clear follow-through information matter.
BrightLocal Local Consumer Review Survey, 2026expect businesses to respond to reviews
Eighty percent say they are more likely to use a business that responds to every review.
BrightLocal Local Consumer Review Survey, 2026are open to writing a business review
Among consumers asked to leave a review in the last year, 83% said they went on to leave one.
BrightLocal Local Consumer Review Survey, 2026What it means
Customers are doing the work before they contact you.
Reviews can open the door, but they rarely finish the decision on their own. Customers want to see a current website, clear service information, real proof, and an easy way to take the next step. That is why a business’s public presence has to work as one connected experience.
For local owners, the practical takeaway is simple: keep the details current, make your best proof easy to find, respond thoughtfully when customers speak up, and remove friction from the first conversation. The strongest marketing does not make people hunt for reassurance.
See the Growth IQ approachMethodology and sources
Current sources, clearly dated.
This page uses the latest available release from each source at the time of the update. Consumer survey findings describe surveyed U.S. adults and should be read as directional consumer behavior, not a promise about every market or customer.
- U.S. Small Business Administration, Frequently Asked Questions About Small Business, February 2026
- Pew Research Center, Daily internet use is the norm for U.S. adults, January 2026
- U.S. Census Bureau, Quarterly Retail E-Commerce Sales, Fourth Quarter 2025, released March 2026
- BrightLocal, Local Consumer Review Survey 2026
Cite this page
Tim G Marketing. “Local Business Marketing Statistics for 2026.” Updated October 13, 2026. https://growth.timgmkg.com/local-business-marketing-statistics
Make the next move clearer
See where your customer path can work harder.
Get a practical view of what is helping, where interest is leaking, and what to improve first.
Talk to Tim G Marketing