Small firms carry an unusually large share of South Dakota's economy. The SBA counts 96,770 small businesses responsible for 58% of employment, one of the highest shares among the states. South Dakota had 29,106 employer establishments in 2023. 87.1% of employer establishments in the state had fewer than 20 employees, so the typical local business is a small team.
That shapes how marketing works. Owners make decisions quickly and want work they can see paying off, so a focused site, an accurate business profile and a few well chosen search targets usually come before larger campaigns. The state had 3,838 retail trade establishments and 2,214 professional, scientific and technical services establishments, so retailers make up a big part of the local competition and online ordering can set one apart.
South Dakota had an estimated 935,094 residents in July 2025, and the resident population was up 5.5% from the 2020 base, adding new customers each year who will look for providers online.