The impact of social media marketing on the performance of small businesses: A case study of Malappuram municipality

In the digital age, social media marketing has emerged as a transformative tool for businesses, especially small enterprises, to enhance brand visibility, engage customers, and drive business performance. This study examines the impact of social media marketing on small businesses in Malappuram Municipality, exploring how various platforms and strategies influence business growth, customer satisfaction, and profitability. The research adopts a descriptive and analytical approach, employing primary data collected through surveys from 50 small businesses. Findings reveal that social media marketing significantly improves brand awareness, customer interaction, and revenue generation while enabling businesses to adapt swiftly to market changes. The study highlights key strategies and challenges faced by small businesses in leveraging social media as a marketing tool, offering insights for entrepreneurs and policymakers to optimize digital marketing practices in local business contexts.