There is no alternative to a small business (SMB) website, though some marketers may argue this is the case. While Google My Business and Facebook are critical to any digital presence, new tech, features and capabilities are allowing for more dynamic, customer-focused websites, central to the marketing stack. And aside from creating a catchy headline,…
In a data-driven world, brands require a more comprehensive, data-driven approach to managing their reputations. Most large brands I know view reputation management as the process of managing online ratings and reviews. And indeed having a system of soliciting and managing customer ratings/reviews is important. Ratings/reviews are the lifeblood of your reputation. The more reviews…
Domain names are more critical than many people realize. They play a central role in brand image and influence how easy it is for customers to find a business online. Plus, they can be important for ranking well on search engines. This is true even for businesses that have a physical brick-and-mortar location. After all,…
Imagine you have an appointment with a potential new client who is looking for small business marketing services. A week or two before you are supposed to meet in person, you decide to take a look at what the client already has going on, including the website. You lean back in your chair to relax…
What exactly is Google My Business (GMB) page doing for businesses? For many companies, the answer is simply, “I cover my bases with Google.” I understand that answer. I hear it all the time. But no business should ever operate on gut feel. A GMB listing takes time to set up and manage effectively. Marketers…
Websites are the original digital marketing platform. But for some pundits, their relevance is in doubt given the dominance of Google and Facebook. Do websites – especially small business (SMB) websites – have a role to play anymore? Yes – but it’s changing. During a recent webinar, Greg Sterling of LSA and Matt Matergia of…
Square is buying website creator Weebly. Weebly has free and paid website products. The transaction is valued at $365 million, comprised of a mix of cash and Square stock. Square said in its press release that it will now be able to offer “one cohesive solution to start or grow an omnichannel business”: Today, it…
Small business websites are extremely important to the consumer path the purchase. Recent LSA data found that 71% of US consumers used a company website in the past month to obtain local business information. This was the second most used channel for local discovery behind only search engines. Despite this, the SMB website’s relevance is…
Online reviews impact sales and can make or break your reputation or brand. That applies equally to retailers, contractors, dentists and plastic surgeons. In fact, 88% of consumers say they trust reviews as much as personal recommendations. As a result, reviews have become a critical part of local SEO and enterprises large or small must…
Despite the prominence of search and social media for local discovery, consumers continue to utilize and rely on websites on the local path to purchase. A new 2018 LSA study found that 71% of consumer have used a company website in the last month to access local information (products, services, hours, location, etc.). Additionally, 25% said…
