5 Digital Resolutions Every Saskatoon Business Should Make for 2026

As the last days of 2025 wind down and Saskatoon prepares for another Saskatchewan winter, it's the perfect time to think about your business goals for the new year. While you're making personal resolutions about hitting the gym or eating healthier, your business deserves some resolution love too—especially when it comes to your digital presence.

The reality is stark: businesses without a strong online presence are becoming invisible to modern customers. Here in Saskatoon, we've watched countless local businesses struggle simply because potential customers couldn't find them online. But 2026 can be different. In this guide, I'll share 5 digital resolutions that can transform how Saskatoon customers discover and connect with your business.

81% of consumers research online before making a purchase decision. If your Saskatoon business isn't showing up in those searches, you're losing customers to competitors who are.

Why Your Business Needs Digital Resolutions

Let's be honest—most business owners know they need to improve their online presence. The problem isn't awareness; it's action. Year after year, "get a better website" stays on the to-do list, and year after year, it gets pushed aside for more urgent matters.

But here's what's changed: the gap between businesses with strong digital presence and those without has never been wider. While you're still relying on word-of-mouth and that aging Yellow Pages ad, your competitors are capturing customers through Google searches, social media, and professional websites that work 24/7.

The good news? January is actually an ideal time to make these changes. It's traditionally a slower season for many Saskatoon businesses, giving you time to focus on improvements. Plus, customers are actively searching for new services as they tackle their own new year goals. Let's dive into the resolutions that will set you up for success.

Resolution #1: Finally Get a Professional Website

If your business still doesn't have a website—or you're embarrassed by the one you have—make 2026 the year you fix that. A professional website isn't just a nice-to-have anymore; it's your digital storefront, open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, even during those cold Saskatoon winter nights when no one wants to venture outside.

Think about your own behavior as a consumer. When you need a plumber, a restaurant, or a service provider, what do you do? You search online. And if a business doesn't have a website—or has one that looks like it was built in 2005—you probably move on to the next option.

What Your Website Should Include:

• Clear contact information - phone number, email, and address prominently displayed
• Your services or products - what you offer and why customers should choose you
• About page - your story and what makes your Saskatoon business unique
• Customer testimonials - social proof that builds trust
• Call-to-action - make it easy for visitors to contact you or make a purchase

The best part? A professional website is more affordable than ever. Our website development service starts at just $199, making it accessible for even the smallest Saskatoon businesses.

Resolution #2: Make Your Site Mobile-Friendly

Already have a website? Great! But here's a question: have you looked at it on your phone lately? If you have to pinch and zoom to read text, or if buttons are impossible to tap, you're losing customers every single day.

More than 60% of web searches now happen on mobile devices. When a potential customer in Saskatoon searches for your services from their phone—maybe while waiting in a Tim Hortons drive-through—and your site is frustrating to use, they'll hit the back button and find your competitor instead.

Signs Your Site Isn't Mobile-Friendly:

• Text is too small to read without zooming
• Buttons and links are too close together to tap accurately
• Pages load slowly on cellular connections
• Images extend past the screen edges
• Navigation menu is difficult or impossible to use

Google also prioritizes mobile-friendly websites in search results. If your site isn't responsive, you're not just frustrating visitors—you're also hurting your chances of showing up when Saskatoon customers search for services like yours. Learn more about why this matters in our guide to why your business website needs to be mobile-friendly.

Resolution #3: Invest in Local SEO

Having a website is step one. Making sure Saskatoon customers can actually find it? That's where local SEO comes in. Local SEO (Search Engine Optimization) helps your business show up when people search for services "near me" or include "Saskatoon" in their search queries.

Think about it: when someone searches "best coffee shop Saskatoon" or "plumber near me," you want your business to appear in those results. Without local SEO, you're essentially invisible to customers who are actively looking for what you offer.

Local SEO Quick Wins for 2026:

• Claim your Google Business Profile - it's free and essential for local visibility
• Keep information consistent - same name, address, and phone number everywhere online
• Add your business to local directories - Yellow Pages, Yelp, and industry-specific sites
• Include location keywords on your website - mention Saskatoon and Saskatchewan naturally
• Encourage customer reviews - Google reviews significantly impact local rankings

For a deeper dive into local SEO strategies, check out our comprehensive local SEO guide for Saskatoon small businesses.

Resolution #4: Start Creating Helpful Content

Content marketing might sound like something only big companies do, but it's actually one of the most effective ways for small Saskatoon businesses to attract customers. The concept is simple: create helpful content that answers questions your potential customers are already asking.

For example, if you're a landscaping company, you might write about "How to Prepare Your Saskatoon Lawn for Winter" or "Best Plants for Saskatchewan Gardens." When local homeowners search for these topics, they find your helpful content—and discover your business in the process.

Content Ideas for Saskatoon Businesses:

• How-to guides related to your industry
• FAQ pages answering common customer questions
• Local guides specific to Saskatoon and Saskatchewan
• Behind-the-scenes looks at your business
• Customer success stories and case studies

You don't need to become a full-time blogger. Even one helpful article per month can dramatically improve your search visibility over time. The key is consistency and genuine helpfulness—write for your customers, not for search engines.

Resolution #5: Build Your Online Reviews

Online reviews are the digital equivalent of word-of-mouth recommendations, and they're incredibly powerful. When a Saskatoon resident is choosing between two similar businesses, they'll almost always pick the one with more (and better) reviews.

Yet many local businesses have few or no reviews online. If that's you, 2026 is the year to change it. The good news is that most happy customers are willing to leave a review—they just need to be asked.

How to Get More Reviews:

• Ask at the right moment - right after a successful transaction or positive interaction
• Make it easy - send a direct link to your Google Business review page
• Follow up by email - a friendly reminder a few days after service
• Respond to all reviews - thank positive reviewers and address negative feedback professionally
• Display reviews on your website to show social proof

Don't be discouraged if you get an occasional negative review. How you respond to criticism often matters more than the criticism itself. A professional, helpful response shows potential customers that you care about making things right.

How to Actually Keep These Resolutions

We all know how it goes with New Year's resolutions—great intentions in January, forgotten by February. Here's how to make sure your digital resolutions actually stick:

• Start with one resolution - don't try to do everything at once
• Set specific deadlines - "get a new website" becomes "launch new website by February 15"
• Break big projects into small steps - weekly tasks are easier to manage than massive projects
• Get help when needed - sometimes the fastest path is hiring professionals
• Track your progress - celebrate small wins along the way

If "get a professional website" has been on your resolution list for years, maybe 2026 is the year you stop trying to DIY it and work with professionals who can get it done quickly and correctly. Sometimes the best resolution is knowing when to ask for help.

Get Your Digital Presence Ready for 2026

Ready to make 2026 the year your Saskatoon business finally gets the online presence it deserves? TechYXE specializes in helping local businesses establish and improve their digital presence. Our website development service has helped dozens of Saskatoon businesses attract more customers and grow their revenue.

Our web development service includes:

• Custom website design starting at just $199 - professional sites tailored to your business
• SEO optimization - get found by Saskatoon customers searching for your services
• Mobile-responsive design - looks great on all devices
• Fast turnaround - get your site live quickly so you start 2026 strong
• Local Saskatoon team - we understand the local market and your customers

Don't let another year go by with an outdated website or no website at all. Contact us today for a free consultation and let's make 2026 your best year yet for digital growth!

Related Articles

• Why January is the Perfect Time for a New Business Website - Discover why the new year is ideal for launching your site
• Local SEO Guide for Saskatoon Small Businesses - Complete guide to getting found by local customers
• Why Your Business Website Needs to Be Mobile-Friendly - Learn why mobile responsiveness is essential
• Why Every Saskatoon Business Needs a Professional Website - The competitive advantages of having a quality website