Plain-English guides for local business owners

AI tools like ChatGPT and Google are already recommending local businesses. Here's what's happening and what small business owners in Cleveland County should do about it.

Facebook is where most local businesses spend their time online. But AI search can't read your Facebook page. Here's why your website is what gets you found.

Most customers who want to leave a review never do. Here's a simple system that makes it easy — and gets you more reviews without the awkwardness.

Most local businesses either haven't claimed their Google Business Profile or set it up years ago and never touched it since. Here's why that matters — and what to do about it.

ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews, Perplexity — more people are getting business recommendations from AI tools every day. Here's how to make sure your business shows up.

Having a website and being findable are two very different things. Here are the five most common issues I find on local business websites.

When someone searches for "massage therapist in Shelby NC" or "florist near Kings Mountain," Google is primarily pulling from websites — not Facebook pages. A Facebook page gives Google very limited information to work with.

For most small local businesses, effective local marketing comes down to a handful of things done consistently well. None of these require a massive budget or a marketing team.

Google essentials — without them, you're essentially running a business with the lights off — open for customers, but hard to find and impossible to measure.

Your website can get a boost from invisible code that Google loves. It's called schema markup, and most local business websites either don't have it or have it set up wrong.

Many nonprofits aren't taking advantage of free Google tools that could increase their reach and impact. Learn about Google tools for nonprofits — including $10,000 in free ad credits.

97% of consumers read reviews before visiting a local business. Here's what the latest numbers say — and what your business should do about it.

Most local businesses don't show up on Google at all. There are three places you can. Here's what they are and how each one works.

Shelby's population almost doubles for the American Legion World Series in August. Is your business ready to attract new customers?

Your GBP is one of the few free tools you can use to reach people who are actively looking for a business like yours. People do business with businesses they recognize. Not just by name, but by feel.

57% of local searches happen on a phone. Google ranks your mobile site first. Here's how to check if yours is ready and what to fix if it isn't.

A website isn't a one-and-done project. Broken plugins, outdated info, and slow load times quietly cost you customers. Here's what regular maintenance actually covers.

Someone just searched for your business and got nothing back. Here's what that costs you, and how to check if it's happening to you.

The Catawba Two Kings Casino is already open. Thousands of visitors are searching for local businesses on their phones. Here's how to make sure yours shows up.