Most small business owners think they have a traffic problem.
But the truth is?
They have an awareness problem.
If you don’t know how your audience thinks, shops, or decides, you’re selling blind.
Let’s fix that.
This post breaks down the five stages of awareness (coined by Eugene Schwartz) and shows how they impact your online sales — plus what we do at Ocasio Consulting to help you win at each one.
What Are the Five Stages of Awareness?
Think of your customers as ranging from “never heard of you” to “ready to buy now.”
Here’s the full range:
- Completely Unaware – They don’t know they need anything.
- Problem Aware – They feel pain, but don’t know how to fix it.
- Solution Aware – They know options exist, but not you.
- Product Aware – They’ve seen you, but they’re not sold yet.
- Most Aware – They’re ready — just need the right push.
If your website, SEO, or content isn’t speaking to these people at their stage — they’ll bounce.
Let’s break it down.
Stage 1: Completely Unaware
🚫 The Problem
They’re not Googling you because they don’t even know they have a problem.
You’re invisible to them.
⚡ Real World Example
When we first started working with Healthy Home Environmental Services, they posted general tips on social media. But nobody was engaging because their audience didn’t realize poor air quality or hidden mold was their problem yet.
✅ How We Help
- We created blog content like “Mold Testing for Homes in Orlando: What You Need to Know”
- Launched brand awareness ads targeting symptoms, not services
- Built a clear, bold homepage that speaks to first-time visitors
👉 This helped move people from Unaware → Problem Aware.
Stage 2: Problem Aware
🚫 The Problem
They know something’s off — sales are slow, leads aren’t converting — but they don’t know why.
⚡ How This Kills Sales
They’re Googling things like:
- “Why isn’t my website working?”
- “Why am I not getting traffic?”
But your site says: “We build beautiful websites.”
Not helpful.
✅ How We Help
- Free homepage tear-downs or SEO audits that spotlight the actual problem
- Keyword-rich blog posts answering real pain points
- Optimized landing pages that meet them where they are
👉 At this stage, content is king. Blog posts like “Top 5 Reasons Your Site Isn’t Getting Leads” convert big.
Stage 3: Solution Aware
🚫 The Problem
They know SEO, branding, or web design could help — but they don’t know who to trust.
You’re in a lineup with every other agency.
✅ How We Help
- Content that educates, not sells
- “Web Design vs SEO – Where Should Small Businesses Start?”
- Explainer videos that show your process
- Strategic internal linking between your blog and service pages
- Real testimonials
Pro Tip: Add a section to your service pages that says:
“Is this the right service for me?” → helps filter traffic at this stage.
Stage 4: Product Aware
🚫 The Problem
They’ve checked out your site. Maybe even followed you.
But something’s holding them back.
✅ How We Help
- Add an offer. Something simple. Ex: “Free 15-minute strategy call.”
- Clarify your pricing (don’t hide it)
- Use targeted retargeting ads with urgency
- Split-test your CTAs (buttons should say what happens next)
At this point, the design of your site matters.
It needs to look clean, load fast, and feel trustworthy.
This is where Healthy Home’s site started converting better — once we redesigned their homepage and made their CTAs bold, clear, and mobile-friendly.
Stage 5: Most Aware
🚫 The Problem
They’re ready to buy — but can’t find the “Buy Now” button.
Or you’ve confused them.
✅ How We Help
- We simplify the path to action.
- No 8-click checkout. No vague forms.
- Just one clean CTA: Book a Free Call or Get a Quote Now
Bonus:
Email automation. If they’ve opted in but haven’t booked — send a simple nudge.
How Most Small Businesses Get This Wrong
They speak to everyone like they’re in the same place.
They post a “special offer” (Stage 5) on a blog meant for someone just figuring things out (Stage 2).
Or they write a 2,000-word SEO article… and send it to their ready-to-buy email list.
Match your message to their mindset, and watch sales roll in.
Our Awareness-to-Action Framework
At Ocasio Consulting, we do more than just design websites or do SEO.
We help you build a sales engine that works 24/7 by guiding visitors through each awareness stage with:
- Smart Branding – Get attention in seconds
- Conversion-First Web Design – Built to turn clicks into customers
- SEO Content That Ranks & Converts – Speak to every stage
One of our clients, Busby Estate Liquidation & Realty Services, saw a 78% increase in leads once we restructured their homepage, added stage-matching content, and optimized their Google Business Profile.
See our Comprehensive Guide for Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs
📊 Table: Awareness Stage vs Marketing Strategy
| Awareness Stage | What They Need | What We Do |
|---|---|---|
| Unaware | Attention + Curiosity | Brand-first content + social media hooks |
| Problem Aware | Clarity + Guidance | SEO blog posts + site audits |
| Solution Aware | Education + Trust | Explainers + comparison pages |
| Product Aware | Confidence + Incentive | Offers + retargeting + CTAs |
| Most Aware | Simplicity + Urgency | Booking pages + one-click actions |
Real Growth, No Guesswork
If your marketing isn’t working, it’s probably not a strategy problem.
It’s an awareness problem.
Let us fix that.
Book your free consult now → https://yourgraphicdesign.guru/contact-us/
