Top SMART Goal Examples for Small Businesses in 2025
- Out of the Box Advisors
- Apr 15
- 9 min read
Updated: 7 days ago
Looking for ways to set your business up for success for 2025? The secret is to stay SMART.
With SMART goals, you can stay organized, execute your plans effectively, and significantly increase your chances of achieving your goals! Small Business SMART goals can also help you avoid missing critical details. Otherwise, you might lack the necessary direction once you get started.
Let’s start with the obligatory stat: About 3% of MBA graduates who regularly write their goals down earn 10 times as much as the other 97% combined. By setting SMART goals, you can set yourself up for success.
Setting SMART Goals for Success in 2025
What are SMART goals, exactly? Don't worry, we have you covered! In this guide, we'll help you understand how to create SMART goals that work for your small business. We will even provide a few examples to guide you.
Start your small business new year off on the right track with our SMART goals guide for 2025!
If you're already familiar with SMART goals and just looking for the examples, click here!
Understanding SMART Goals
First, let's clarify what SMART goals are. The acronym stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Results-Driven, and Timely. Establishing SMART goals helps you maintain clarity for yourself and your business. This ensures your team is set up for success, allowing you to track your progress efficiently.
The Basics of SMART Goals
It is important to understand that these are not strict rules but guidelines. You will notice some overlap between these factors as we explore each component below.
Specific
Make sure your goals are clear and specific. A good strategy is to consider your employees’ perspectives. If they have questions about your goal, it might not be specific enough.
Common Pitfalls
A broad goal can leave team members confused. If goals are vague, you may experience miscommunication or poor execution.
For instance, saying you want to "generate more leads" is not specific. Questions such as "How many leads?" or "What type?" could lead to confusion.
The Correct Approach
Instead, clearly state, "I want to generate 20 more leads through our website by the next quarter." This example is specific in its action, count, source, and timeline.
Measurable
Measurable goals are crucial. If you can't measure your goals, tracking progress becomes challenging.
Common Pitfalls
The difficulty level often arises when defining the measurements. It's easy to mention a number but hard to track it effectively.
In the previous example, "20 more leads" is measurable, but you'll also need a method to capture leads, such as Google Analytics.
The Correct Approach
Make sure to set measurable values and have ways to track them. Additionally, use benchmarks to break down your goal. If your team needs 20 leads in one quarter, they should aim for at least six leads per month. This will help them remain focused and proactive.
Attainable
It's vital to set realistic goals. If your goals seem unattainable, your team may become discouraged.
Common Pitfalls
Unrealistic goals can place unnecessary pressure on your team.
An example would be, "I want to make $1M in sales this year!"—a stretch for a business just opened three months ago.
The Correct Approach
Establish goals that motivate but are still achievable. As your business evolves, gradually increase the challenge of your goals.
Results-Driven
This component focuses more on the "why" behind your goals.
Common Pitfalls
Asking too little about the motivation for your goals can lead to superficial objectives that don't align with real business growth.
A goal without clear relevance may create confusion and low engagement.
The Correct Approach
Ensure your goals align with the broader business objectives. Instead of "I want to generate 20 leads," consider stating, "I want to generate 20 leads for business growth." This way, results are tied to strategic objectives.
Timely
Setting deadlines is essential for each goal. A timeline helps motivate your team and prevents procrastination.
Common Pitfalls
A lack of clear deadlines can lead to missing goals.
The Correct Approach
Stick to reasonable timeframes based on your current operations. For example, if you set quarterly sales goals, make sure that the timeframes for achieving those goals are consistent with meetings and tracking methods you're already using.
Fun Fact
You are 42% more likely to achieve your goals if you write them down. Grab a sheet of paper or even better, use a whiteboard for visibility!
We know these are some of the most exciting items in your business strategy. To keep your attention, we will happily provide you with a puppy or kitten photo for each example!
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As a bonus, we will link each photo to a rescue we support if you'd like to help them. -Ryan, CEO
SMART Goal Examples for Small Business
Now that we’ve defined SMART goals, let’s explore setting you up for success. Here are eight small business SMART goal examples you can use in 2025.
1. You’re Starting a Small Business
Before launch, consider core questions: Why do you want to start a new business? What type of business? When will you open?
Their Notes:
I want to start a new bakery specializing in French pastries.
I need to sell 20 pastries daily to break even by the end of next year.
I’ll establish a menu, gather recipes, and promote my business through digital marketing.
Starting a bakery will financially benefit my passion.
I’ll open my doors by December 2025.
SMART Goal:
Within the next month, I will set up a French patisserie downtown. In two weeks, I'll develop my menu and marketing strategy. Once I open, I need to sell 20 pastries a day to break even. This goal will allow me to enjoy my passion while making money.
Analysis:
Several Specifics are present regarding starting the business.
Daily pastry sales are easily Measurable. Did I open in December? Yes or no is a measurable aspect.
Timelines for tasks are Attainable.
The Results relate to pursuing a passion, which is a strong motivating factor.
Timelines here are clear and reasonable.
2. Growing a Small Business
To ensure long-term success, consider your growth strategy. Focusing on your first customers is crucial.
Their Notes:
I want to acquire three new clients for my marketing business.
I can achieve this while maintaining my current clients.
I’ll develop a social media marketing campaign and ask for referrals.
Gaining new clients will boost revenue and growth.
I will acquire three clients in two months.
SMART Goal:
I will generate three new clients for my marketing business within two months. I will focus on referral programs and social media marketing. Achieving this goal will enable us to hire another designer and increase our capacity for new customers.
Analysis:
The goal is Specific in terms of number and method of achieving it.
It is Measurable with a clear goal.
The assumption is that three new customers in two months is Attainable.
Hiring a new designer reflects a Result-oriented outcome.
Two months is a reasonable Timeframe.
3. Becoming a Thought Leader
Establishing yourself as a thought leader adds credibility to your business.
Their Notes:
I want to become an expert in transportation.
My goal is to receive speaking requests for events.
I can partner with a PR firm to help achieve this.
This will enhance my visibility and client trust.
I want to be recognized as a thought leader within two years.
SMART Goal:
I will work with a PR company to become a thought leader in transportation within two years. They will help book me at three major events. This boosts credibility and attracts more clients.
Analysis:
The goal specifies engagement with a PR firm to secure at least three events.
Measurable by counting speaking engagements.
The goal considers an existing workload, making it Attainable.
The Result here is brand awareness in the industry.
A two-year timeline is mindful and organized.
4. Improving Customer Response Time
Improving the customer experience can increase your revenue by 80%. On the other hand, unhappy customers will share negative experiences, which can result in losing future business.
Their Notes:
I will enhance customer response time by creating a dedicated service team.
I’ll hire three new team members by the end of the year.
We have room and budget for new hires.
Improving response time will boost our brand's reputation and revenue.
I have four months to hire the service team.
SMART Goal:
By hiring three new customer service representatives, I aim to improve our response time by 50%. Enhancing customer service will boost our brand reputation and revenue. I will hire my team within four months.
Analysis:
The goal outlines Specific targets at multiple levels.
It’s important to Measure response time accurately.
Assumed 50% response time improvement is realistic, making it Attainable.
The primary Result is improved brand recognition with a secondary boost to revenue.
Timelines pertain to measurable achievements and hiring.
5. Improving Employee Retention
Struggling with employee retention can waste valuable resources. High turnover leads to training costs and disruptions, affecting customer satisfaction.
Their Notes:
I will improve employee turnover by 20% through better training and setting expectations.
We aim for a 20% improvement in 120 days.
One-on-one meetings will clarify roles for new employees.
This effort will reduce acquisition costs and boost productivity.
We aim to reduce talent acquisition by 50% with improved retention.
SMART Goal:
Through training and better personal relationships, I aim to reduce our employee turnover by 20% within 120 days. This will boost productivity and cut recruiting costs by up to 50%.
Analysis:
The goal includes metrics and clear targets for both turnover and timelines.
Employee turnover percentage should already be Measured within your KPIs.
Depending on the current situation, 120 days for a 20% improvement may be Attainable.
The drive for reduced expenses is a motivating Result.
A 120-day timeline has been established, keeping a clear focus.
6. Boosting Business Operations Efficiency
Improving your sales process is an obvious strategy to accelerate business growth. This example focuses on sales but can apply to numerous business aspects.
Their Notes:
I will challenge our sales department to enhance closing ratios.
Our sales team aims to boost the closing ratio from 30% to 50%.
I'll discuss feasibility with my sales team.
Aligning compensation with closing metrics will incentivize performance.
This goal is achievable within one year.
SMART Goal:
We aim to improve the sales process efficiency by linking compensation bonuses to conversion rates. Our target is to raise the closing ratio from 30% to 50% within a year.
Analysis:
The Specificity of this goal is somewhat broad but seeks expert input.
Conversion rates should be a Measured metric.
Setting a range makes it Attainable while involving the team for expertise.
Improved conversion efficiencies result in more sales—this is the Result motivation.
A one-year Timeframe is established.
7. Paying Off Debts
While some liabilities might be necessary, debts can hold your business back. SMART goals can help manage these effectively.
Their Notes:
Pay off $15,000 in credit card balance.
We’ll monitor cash accounts weekly to manage debt payments.
We will achieve this by reducing optional expenses.
Paying off our debts will reduce interest expenses and enable growth.
Target achievement within one year.
SMART Goal:
I aim to reduce our debt by $15,000 within a year. We'll do this by cutting current costs. Weekly cash account reviews will determine how much to allocate for debt repayment. Reducing our debt will foster financial stability for the business.
Analysis:
Specific debt payoff clearly articulated in the goal.
Measurement involves tracking payable amounts effectively.
Attainability revolves around cost reduction.
Financial stability is a strong Result-oriented goal.
A one-year Timeline seems reasonable for debt reduction.
8. Increasing Web Traffic and Leads
Search engine optimization (SEO) is essential for improving web traffic and leads. Defining the expected results is critical in setting a SMART goal.
Their Notes:
Improve SEO rankings for five target keywords by year-end.
We can achieve top three positions by obtaining 10 high-quality backlinks and enhancing our content.
A strong SEO strategy will help us reach this goal.
Better rankings will attract more leads.
The target completion date is three months from now.
SMART Goal:
We will improve our SEO ranking for our five primary keywords to average at least in the top three positions within three months. This improvement will generate additional traffic and leads.
Analysis:
A common mistake in hiring for SEO is not setting Specific goals for accountability.
Ensure Measurable rankings average out; fluctuations occur.
Aiming for an improvement of about five ranks is a feasible Attainable goal.
Results include either increased traffic or leads, based on effective website design.
A three-month Timeframe for improvement aligns well.
Get SMART: Setting SMART Goals Helps Set Your Small Business Up for Success
These are examples to help you craft your vision for setting your own SMART goals. Working with a business coach can streamline this process. However, it is not mandatory.
The main takeaway is that while you are setting goals, ensure they are structured for success. If you need help creating SMART Goals, we're here to assist!
Contact us today to get started.
Out of the Box Advisors has been established for over 13 years and has a proven track record of assisting small businesses in achieving growth. Our clients grew their revenues by 19% on average in 2024.
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