Where do leads actually come from for a small shop?
Short answer
Google search, Google Maps, and referrals. In that order. Everything else is a rounding error until those three are dialed in.
The reality
80 percent of leads for owner-operated trades come from someone searching Google or asking a neighbor. Social media, billboards, mailers all have a role, but none of them beat showing up first when someone types your service.
Where to spend first
Google Business Profile, fully built out, with photos and reviews. Then a simple website that ranks for your service plus city. Then ask every customer for a referral. That trio beats every ad budget under $5K a month.
Ask your version of this question
This is one business owner-tested take. Your shop size, trade, and team change the answer. Ask the exact version inside Ask a Shop Owner and get a response grounded in how owners like you actually handled it.