2025 Research Shows DIY Marketing and Self-Service Platforms on the Rise

DIY Marketing on the Rise

Small business marketing is undergoing a major transformation. A new wave of self-service marketing platforms and DIY ad design tools is empowering business owners to take control of their campaigns like never before. This shift toward do-it-yourself (DIY) methods reflects growing confidence in user-friendly platforms that allow small businesses to manage their marketing with ease, reduce costs, and adapt campaigns more quickly and effectively to meet market demands.

What Is a Self-Service Marketing Platform?

A self-service marketing platform is an online tool that enables businesses to plan, create, launch, and track marketing campaigns independently, without the need for a marketing agency. These platforms provide an all-in-one solution that simplifies the marketing process, offering businesses greater control over their messaging and branding.

Benefits of Using a Self-Service Platform vs. Hiring an Agency

Many small businesses are turning to self-service platforms to handle their marketing efforts, and the numbers speak for themselves. According to Taradel's 2025 Small Business Marketing Survey Report, 71% of small business owners prefer using these tools over hiring a marketing agency. This represents a significant increase from previous years—up from 66% in 2023 and 51% in 2022—indicating a clear and growing trend.

Some of the key benefits of self-service platforms include:

• Cost Savings: Self-service platforms eliminate the need for costly agency fees, allowing businesses to allocate their budget more efficiently.
• Control and Flexibility: Businesses can make real-time changes to their campaigns, ensuring that their marketing strategies remain agile and responsive.
• Ease of Use: With intuitive interfaces and step-by-step guides, these platforms are designed for users with little to no marketing experience.
• Analytics and Tracking: Built-in reporting tools provide valuable insights into campaign performance, helping businesses make data-driven decisions.

The Rise of DIY Ad Design

Beyond campaign management, small businesses are increasingly embracing DIY ad design tools to create their own marketing materials. In 2025, 70% of small business owners prefer to use online design tools to create their own ads, rather than hiring a professional designer. This trend has seen significant growth over the past few years, with 53% of businesses designing their own ads in 2022, rising to 63% in 2023, and now reaching 70% in 2025.

Benefits of DIY Ad Design

Designing ads independently offers a range of advantages, including:

• Customization: DIY tools allow businesses to tailor their ads to suit their unique brand identity and target audience.
• Speed: Without the need for back-and-forth communication with a designer, businesses can create and launch ads much faster.
• Affordability: Online design tools eliminate the need for expensive graphic design services.
• Creative Freedom: Business owners can experiment with different layouts, colors, and messaging without limitations.

One example of a powerful DIY ad design tool is Taradel’s free postcard design tool. This platform offers fully customizable templates tailored to specific industries, making it easier than ever for businesses to create professional-quality marketing materials in just a few clicks.

Conclusion

The rise of self-service marketing platforms and DIY ad design tools marks a significant shift in how small businesses approach marketing. As these tools continue to evolve and become more sophisticated, more businesses are expected to adopt them, allowing for greater independence, cost savings, and creative control. Whether it's through planning and launching campaigns or designing eye-catching ads, small businesses now have the power to take marketing into their own hands and achieve impactful results.

Download the FREE report of Taradel's 2025 Small Business Marketing Survey.