Marketing automation for small business: tools, costs and examples

Marketing automation sends the right message at the right time without you doing it by hand: a welcome email after sign-up, a reminder before an appointment, a review request after a job. Start with the two or three moments that happen most often in your business, automate those, and add more only when they work.

Good first automations

1. 1Instant enquiry replyConfirm you received it and say when you will respond.
2. 2Appointment remindersA day before, with the option to reschedule.
3. 3Review requestA short message after the job with a direct link.
4. 4Quote follow-upA friendly nudge if a quote has had no reply after a few days.
5. 5Re-booking reminderFor services that repeat, such as servicing, cleaning or check-ups.

Types of tool

Costs range from free starter plans to monthly fees that rise with contacts or messages. Check how pricing grows as your list does.

Keeping it personal

• Write messages as you would speak, and sign them with a real name.
• Use details you know: their service, date, suburb.
• Stop sequences when someone replies or books.
• Make it easy to reach a person.

Where Kahu fitsKahu CRMEvery enquiry from your site, WhatsApp and email lands in Kahu CRM automatically, with the next follow-up already drafted.Site, WhatsApp and email enquiries in one listFollow-ups drafted, waiting for your yesNothing typed in by handSee Kahu CRM →Leads · this week3 waiting on youAroha TaneAsked for a valuation · 2h agoFollow-up draftedJMJames MooreWebsite form · quote sent MonRepliedPWPriya WalkerEmail · quiet 6 daysNudge Tue 9am

Frequently asked questions