A recent study from online appointment scheduling company Schedulicity looked at how small business owners viewed the economic outlook in 2012.

What researchers found was overwhelming optimism. Specifically, 91 percent of respondents expected their companies to outperform 2011 results, while just 2 percent predicted their businesses would fare worse. What's more, 66 percent of those polled said they expect a better economic environment in 2012, while just 8 percent feel things will get worse.

"While 2011 was clearly still a rebuilding year for many small businesses, 2012 is poised to be a time of development," said Jerry Nettuno, CEO of Schedulicity. "Prosperity is right around the corner. Small businesses owners are signaling to us – both anecdotally and through formal communications – that the economic recovery is progressing."

Respondents clearly noted their propensity for cost-effective marketing tools in 2012 to achieve business goals, ranking social media and SEO initiatives higher than direct mail, daily deals and traditional print advertising. Furthermore, growing revenues and increasing profits were also seen as high priorities.

A separate study from MarketingSherpa recently asked nearly 3,000 chief marketing officers about business goals they thought would be important in 2012. The largest percentage of respondents – 85 percent – felt increasing sales conversions and revenue was most critical. 

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