Entrepreneurs know they’re in a war for customer attention, so they’re spending more to get it.

BY BRUCE CRUMLEY @BRUCEC_INC

Photo: Getty Images

Many entrepreneurs are reversing a well-worn cost-cutting business strategy for surviving a stagnating economy. Rather than slashing marketing budgets—typically the very first expense companies sacrifice in shaky times—most small-business owners instead say they plan to invest more on communications. The objective: increase their visibility with consumers through smarter campaigns, even as they worry about rising operating costs.

That dedication to marketing amid continued economic doubt is the main lesson from digital marketing platform Constant Contact’s newly released Q1 2026 Small Business Now report. Based on........

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