July 3, 2019
How to Get on Google's Local Pack

3 Ways to Get Your Business on Google’s Local Pack

Google’s algorithm is always changing. Use these strategies to get your business showing up in the highly coveted Local Pack on results pages.
March 25, 2019
How to Create and Claim Your Google My Business Listing

How to Create, Claim, and Verify Your Google Business Listing [2019]

An easy step-by-step guide to creating, claiming, and verifying your business on Google. It's time to get your business on the map and get found by more local customers!
February 7, 2019

How to Rank Higher on Google

How to use Google My Business and your website to improve local SEO, rank higher on Google searches, increase organic traffic to your website, and get new customers.
February 6, 2019
How to Get Your Business on the First Page of Google

How to Get Your Business on the First Page of Google [2019]

How to improve Google ranking: a step-by-step tutorial to get your business on the first page of Google.
January 18, 2019

How to Rank Higher on Google Maps

Use these 7 tips to get your business to show up in top results for local and maps searches.
November 21, 2018
How to Improve Your Google Business Listing

How to Improve Your Google My Business Listing

Perhaps you just created a Google My Business listing, or perhaps you’ve had a listing for a while. Let’s talk about how to make that listing […]
November 19, 2018
How to Show Up on "Near Me" Searches

How to Show Up in “Near Me” Searches

Small businesses readily rely on consumers in their own backyards, as opposed to a national audience, to keep their doors open. So what are you doing […]
November 6, 2018
Why You Need a Google Business Listing (1)

Tips on Updating Your Google My Business Listing

Updating or editing your Google listing isn’t difficult, but many business owners overlook it. There is a lot more value in your online business listing than you think.
October 15, 2018
The Beginner's Guide to Small Business SEO

The Beginner’s Guide to Small Business SEO

October 12, 2018

How to Promote Your Business Online for Free

There are a plethora of options when it comes to online advertising, but if you can get the milk for free, leave the cow in the […]
August 31, 2018
Digital Marketing Strategies that Work

6 Digital Marketing Strategies That Work

Digital marketing. Even though you know it’s essential to the success of your business, it’s something you’re hesitant to dive into head first. With so many […]
July 5, 2018

How to Stand Out in Search Results

July 3, 2018
Ways to Improve Your Local SEO

11 Ways to Improve Your Local SEO

Years ago when people wanted to find a particular business in their area, they would go to the Yellow Pages. Today, people have set aside those […]
June 4, 2018
8 Mistakes that Can Hurt Your Google Ranking

8 Mistakes That Can Hurt Your Website’s Google Ranking

Google is very secretive about the core algorithms that power its search engine, but that doesn’t mean it’s all guesswork when it comes to figuring out […]
May 13, 2018
how to Choose Keywords for Your Ad Campaigns

How to Choose Keywords For Your Ad Campaigns

March 26, 2018
How to Get More Blog Readers through SEO

How to Get More Blog Readers through SEO

Search engine optimization (SEO) is one of the most important tools you can use to get more eyes on your business blog. By strategically placing thoughtfully […]
March 9, 2018
Local vs National SEO

How to Show Up on Search: Local vs National SEO

Optimizing your website to attract organic search traffic is a best practice. But, taking it a step further and considering factors that play into your local […]
February 23, 2018
Google Ranking Factors

6 Must-Know Google Ranking Factors

The ease of which your business is found online can have a huge impact on the health of your company. The higher you rank in a […]
January 7, 2018
What is Local Search Marketing?

6 Local Search Marketing Tactics

Thanks to digital channels, the playing field for marketing is leveling out and small businesses are abler than ever to spread the word about the products […]
November 27, 2017
How to Create and Optimize Title Tags for Your Website

How to Create and Optimize Title Tags for Your Website

One of the single most important actions to take for growing your business is optimizing your website. You must optimize it so search engines can learn […]
November 19, 2017
SEO vs PPC

SEO vs PPC: What are the Differences?

The two most (mistakenly) interchangeable phrases in online marketing are SEO (search engine optimization) and SEM (search engine marketing), also known as PPC (pay-per-click advertising). People […]
November 14, 2017
What is SEO and Why Do I Need It?

What is SEO and Why Do I Need it?

November 6, 2017
How SEO Helps Your Business

How SEO Helps Your Business

October 26, 2017

How to Use Word Clouds to Improve Your SEO

You have your keyword list that you keep in the back of your mind when writing content for your website, but do you really have a […]
October 17, 2017

11 Ways to Improve Your Google Ranking for Free

October 10, 2017
Simple SEO Strategies for Business Marketing (2)

5 Simple SEO Strategies for Business Marketing

For most business owners, search engine optimization is one of the aspects of marketing that is, well, a pain in the butt. The only thing you […]
October 6, 2017
How to Get Your Website Noticed

10 Ways to Get Your Website Noticed

October 3, 2017
How to Form a Content Marketing Strategy that Works

How to Form a Content Marketing Strategy that Works

Search engines, social media platforms, email, and mobile applications have transformed content into something consumers rely on daily. As a result, content marketing has become even […]
September 28, 2017
5 Steps to Improve Your Website's Search Rankings

5 Steps to Improve Your Website’s Search Rankings

For many of you out there who are looking to improve your search engine ranking, trying to understand how Google ranks your website can be an […]
September 26, 2017
Why Can't I Find My Business on Google?

Why Can’t I Find My Business on Google?

September 24, 2017
Example Digital Marketing Plans for New Businesses

Digital Marketing Plans for New Businesses

Marketing for the new business owner is overwhelming. You have a limited budget and limited time. Where do you start? Email, snail mail (does that still […]
September 22, 2017
How to Increase Blog Traffic

7 Steps to Increasing Blog Traffic

When it comes to promoting your business blog, I’d love to be able to tell you that all you need to do is start writing blog posts […]
September 15, 2017
3 DIY SEO Steps For Your Website.jpg

Three Do-It-Yourself SEO Steps You Can Take On Your Website Today

Tackling your business website’s SEO (search engine optimization) can be an intimidating task. Getting your business on the first page of Google may seem like quite a […]
September 15, 2017
Internal Link Building

How to Better Your SEO in an Hour with Internal Link Building

Every small business owner wants to get more traffic to their website.  Organic traffic, in particular, is the most coveted form of traffic and refers to […]
September 13, 2017
On-Page vs Off-Page SEO

Google Ranking Factors: On-Page vs Off-Page SEO

September 10, 2017
How to Drive Traffic to Your Website

10 Free Ways to Drive Traffic to Your Website

August 12, 2017
How to Improve Your Website Using Analytics

Six Ways to Improve Your Website Using Analytics

A good business website is one that answers important questions, offers value, and generates leads and customers for your business. You may know that the content, […]
August 10, 2017
How Keywords Affect Your Website Metrics

How Keywords Affect Your Website Metrics

Keywords are at the heart of SEO, and SEO is a core part of using your website to grow your business. You may have a basic […]
July 27, 2017
SEO Basics- What are Keywords

SEO Basics: What are Keywords?

May 30, 2017
tips for writing killer website content

8 Tips for Writing Killer Website Content

When creating a website for their business, small business owners often prioritize design over content, investing more time and resources into aesthetics than the actual website […]
May 27, 2017
How to Outrank Your Competitors on Google

How to Outrank Your Competitors on Google

Effective marketing isn’t just about showing the value of your business. It’s also about distinguishing yourself from your competitors, and helping buyers to confidently choose you […]
May 16, 2017
Three Free Ways to Generate Leads from Your Website

3 Free Ways to Generate More Leads From Your Website

Your small business website is not only a way for potential customers to learn more about your business, but also an opportunity to continue marketing your […]
May 8, 2017
How to Attract More Customers

How Do I Get More Customers?

April 27, 2017

How to Write High-Quality Content (and Improve Your SEO)

Increasing your online visibility and developing trust with your target audience is the key to converting interested prospects into customers. There are many ways to achieve […]
April 17, 2017

What is Paid Search Advertising and Why Use It?

If you run a business or market for one, it’s likely that you’ve heard of paid search advertising, also known as search engine marketing (SEM) or pay-per-click […]
March 8, 2017
how to find the most searched keywords for your business

How to Find the Most Searched Keywords for Your Business

Optimizing your website’s searchability is a necessity for getting on the first page of Google, let alone getting found online. One of the best ways to ensure you’re […]
March 8, 2017

Six Helpful Tidbits for Understanding SEO

Many small business owners think that SEO (search engine optimization) is simply not applicable to them. Search engines are huge entities and their inner workings are complex. […]
March 7, 2017

5 Ways to SEO Your Business Website

How do you get your website to show up on the first page for an organic search? Through search engine optimization, or SEO. The answer is simple, […]
February 28, 2017
how to rank first on google images

How to Rank First on Google Images

The Google search engine is a powerful tool and one that the majority of people use on a regular basis. As a business owner, setting yourself […]
January 31, 2017

An Introduction to SEO Practices

Increasing the visibility of your business is essential to its growth because it helps you to stand out above your competition and get in front of more […]
August 17, 2016

How to Increase Your Online Presence

Learn how to increase your online presence through your website, business listings, and social media—no matter what stage of digital marketing development your business is in.
August 16, 2016

SEO Checklist

Here's a checklist of some of the basics every small business owner should take care of to give their website a leg up over their competitors.
August 9, 2016

Organic vs. Paid Search

There are two ways to enhance your online presence in relation to search engines: organic search engine optimization and paid search advertising. This post will go over these two types of search engine strategies, and how they can help you build your online presence.
August 8, 2016

How to Find Long Tail Keywords for Your Business

In order for potential customers to find your business online, you must be showing up on search engines. In order to show up on search engines, […]
August 2, 2016

Who Are My Competitors?

All too often, competition in business is perceived as bad, and competitors are looked upon as something to avoid. The reality is, competition is both inevitable and beneficial to your business. Your competitors can teach you a lot, so it is important for you to monitor them them. So who are your competitors? This post will go over how to find your competitors so you can keep your business the best it can be.
July 29, 2016

Why You Need a Facebook Business Page

If you’re a business owner, one of the best things you can do is create a Facebook page for your business. Facebook is the most widely used social […]
July 21, 2016
Social Media Glossary

Your Guide to Social Media: Social Media Glossary

In today’s digital world, social media is a powerful tool for marketing your business. However, getting the most of your social media marketing can be difficult […]
July 14, 2016

Engaging with Your Audience on LinkedIn

Many LinkedIn users view the social platform as a personal career tool and know that maintaining a strong and up-to-date profile is important for any working […]
June 27, 2016

How to Make Your Business Stand Out

One of the greatest challenges business owners face is finding creative and effective ways to stand out against competitors. When almost every business has a website, […]
June 22, 2016

5 Ways to Attract Customers

The biggest challenge many small businesses have is attracting customers. You may want to set a goal to gain a large amount of customers, but without […]
June 8, 2016
3 Reasons Your Business Shouldn't Have Multiple Domains

3 Reasons Your Business Shouldn’t Have Multiple Domains

Choosing the right domain is often a difficult task. It takes a lot of time, effort, and planning to pick one that’s available and that will […]
June 7, 2016
how to promote your business with or without money

18 Ways to Promote Your Business – With or Without Money

In order to survive and grow into a profitable company, every business needs customers. In order to get customers, every business needs to promote itself. Before […]
March 15, 2016

What’s Up With the New SERP?

Have you heard about Google search’s new look? The Search Engine Results Page (or SERP) has gotten a makeover, and this new display is slowly but surely rolling out to all desktop searches. Now that we’re a few weeks into the roll-out, what has changed? How is it impacting advertisers? What do you need to know to take action in line with the new look?...
February 20, 2016

How to Make a Facebook Event

For most people, Facebook is much more than a mere rolodex of individuals they want to stay in touch with. Over the years, Facebook has evolved […]
January 19, 2016

SEO Elements: The Secret Keys to Your Web Success

While many people take the time to build a website, they don’t make the necessary effort to make sure that their Search Engine Optimization (SEO) elements — things like title tags, meta descriptions, and keywords — are up to par. Make sure your pages are up-to-date with all those missing pieces - or you’ll be missing out on a lot of traffic!...
October 29, 2015

What Are Long Tail Keywords?

If you know a little bit about SEO, you’ve probably heard about short and long tail keywords. For many business owners, the concept of long tail […]
October 14, 2015

The Difference Between SEO and SEM: Effective Search Engine Optimization Explained

Are you confused about the difference between search engine optimization and search engine marketing? If so, you’re not alone. These two terms can be very confusing, […]
September 30, 2015

How to Search for Keywords Using a Local Keyword Tool

Are you a business owner or entrepreneur looking to optimize your website to rank higher on Google? By now, you probably know that using relevant keywords […]
September 3, 2015

Keyword Tips for AdWords Campaigns

Google AdWords is great for business owners who have a website and want to get boost on their search engine rankings. AdWords can be used for almost […]
August 31, 2015

11 Ways to Perform On-Site and On-Page Optimization

Website and webpage optimization is what helps your business rank in local search results. Every aspect of your websites can be optimized to give your business […]
August 18, 2015
How to Find Keywords for Local SEO

How to Find Keywords for Local SEO

One of the most important ways that people will find your business is by performing a search in Google. As a business owner, you have the […]
August 17, 2015
how to get high quailty backlinks

How to Build High Quality Backlinks for Your Local Business

Link building through inbound, or backlinks, is an extremely important component of search engine optimization. Google sees backlinks to your site as a sign that others value your […]
May 28, 2015

Adapt to Search on the Go this Summer

With Memorial Day behind us, and summer on the horizon, most vacationers will start to do their web searches on the go (if they aren't already). That means that now is the PERFECT time for your business to have a responsive website! Don’t let a non-responsive website be the Jaws in your ocean this summer. Unlike Brody, Quint, and Hooper who needed a bigger boat, all you need is to get yourself a site that adjusts to any device....
April 30, 2015

Working on Your (Site) Fitness for SEO Results

Let's be realistic. It used to be enough to stuff a web page full of industry-centric keywords and “Black Hat” tactics to improve your site’s rankings in search results. But now, to no one’s surprise, Google has wisened up and tightened the reins once more. So what does that mean for your Search Engine Optimization (SEO) campaign? It means that now, more than ever, it is imperative that your SEO campaign focuses on overall site health....
April 24, 2015

Why Vanity Metrics Are Useless To Small Businesses

From small business owners to teenagers, we all put some stock into vanity metrics. Vanity metrics are the numbers reflecting your Followers and Likes on social media […]
April 23, 2015

How to Set Up a Google+ Page For Your Business

We’ve talked a lot elsewhere about the importance of building your business a Google+ page. A Google+ page for your business makes sure the current and […]
April 10, 2015

Top 5 Tips from Local SEO for Small Businesses Webinar

Local businesses can improve their Search Engine Optimization (SEO) through some basic steps. To help small business owners get found online, we provided simple tips in […]
March 9, 2015

Hansel & Gretel: Digital Breadcrumbs

Help customers find their way! The web is vast and full of information that can be tough to wade through. How are customers ever supposed to find your business amidst all that clutter? Simple! Like Hansel and Gretl and their fabled trail of breadcrumbs, you can help customers find their way to your business with your very own digital marketing “breadcrumbs”...
December 1, 2014

Domain Name Affects your SEO

Your domain name affects your SEO, so think before you buy! Your website’s domain name (e.g. YourBusiness.com) can have a serious impact on your ability to be found on search engine results pages. So what factors matter when choosing your domain?...
November 14, 2014

How Do You Know If You Have Good SEO?

You hear all the time that SEO is one of the best ways to market your small business. SEO is what will  make your website rank higher in […]
October 30, 2014

“More than Keywords”: Conversations with SEO

As part of our Conversations with Propel interview series, the SEO Team took time out to discuss the do’s, don’ts, and what if’s of Search Engine Optimization. From the important factors other than keywords to the future of content, Dave and Katie covered everything you need to know about SEO, and more!...
July 18, 2014

Free Marketing Tool of the Week: Portent Content Idea Generator

There is no shortage of companies asking small businesses to shell out hundreds if not thousands of dollars to promote themselves. But if you’re like most […]
June 24, 2014

How to Choose a Domain Name for Your Business

As the need for small businesses to have an online presence increases, it’s essential that small business owners learn the best practice for building a website […]
June 4, 2014

The Biggest Lie Ever Told to Small Business Owners About Marketing and What to Do About It

Paying a low monthly fee to automate your marketing and get customers for your business seems like the Holy Grail nowadays. This is the latest version […]
June 3, 2014

5 Quick Tips to Improve Your Website’s SEO Today

How do you get your website to show up as the number one search result on Google, organically? The answer is SEO. A basic knowledge of SEO can put you one step ahead of the game (and your competition), and help take your site right to the top. To get you there, check out these 5 quick and easy steps that you can use to help improve your SEO:
May 20, 2014

How Search Engines “Grade” Your Website Online

How exactly do you get your website onto Google results pages? It's the age-old question. How exactly search engine algorithms work is a complicated question. To simplify the answer, think of your website as a term paper. There are key components that professors look for when grading a paper just as there are key components that search engines look for when grading your website....
May 9, 2014

Introduction to Your Google Results Page

Whether you are an experienced digital explorer or an eager first-timer, you should understand the prominence (and importance) of Google. However, you may not fully understand what the results page means. What do all these different sections mean? More importantly - how do I get my business to be displayed? Let’s take our sample search and review Google’s design...
April 17, 2014

Teaching to the (SEO) Test

When your site is designed for the SEO test, what happens when the test changes? Critics argue that teaching to the test may achieve desired test scores, but can actually cause students to learn less overall. When it comes to optimizing your website, you can easily fall into the same trap...
March 13, 2014

Comprehensive SEO: Going Beyond Keywords

When it comes to search engine optimization (SEO), many people immediately think of keywords. But if your site is ranking well but is not getting traffic, or if it gets traffic but isn't seeing any benefit from it, there is still more work to be done. A fully optimized website should consider all of the following criteria...
February 3, 2014

The Top 5 Misconceptions About SEO

When many business owners are told they should work on Search Engine Optimization (SEO), they start to get a little anxious. They’ve been told all manner […]
January 21, 2014

Bounce Rate- Five Ways to Reduce It and Boost Your SEO

If you’re a business owner with a website set up with Google Analytics, you know from first hand experience that the sheer amount of data to […]
January 10, 2014
word cloud generator

Marketing Tool of the Week: Word Cloud Generators

There are many free marketing tools available for small business owners but many underutilize word cloud generators in their marketing strategy. Generally overlooked as just a […]
January 1, 2014

Marketing Tool of the Week- Tagxedo

There is no shortage of companies asking small businesses to shell out hundreds if not thousands of dollars to promote themselves. But if you’re like most […]
December 20, 2013

Facebook Insights- 5 Tools You Need to Use

With over 16 million local business pages created as of May 2013, Facebook has become an essential marketing channel for business owners across the US.  With […]
December 3, 2013
Navigation Menu Best Practices

Navigation Menu Best Practices for Usability and SEO

Often overlooked, your website’s navigation menu plays a key role in your visitor’s experience, how well your website traffic converts into potential customers, and your site’s […]
November 12, 2013

How to Promote Your Blog

After spending time brainstorming, writing, and optimizing the perfect blog posts to promote your business, you might be wondering, “Why haven’t I seen any results yet?” […]
October 10, 2013

Constructing Your Online Presence

Having a website for your business - no matter the size - is the new norm. From mom and pops to Fortune 500's, people want to know that you have a presence online. While true and important, just throwing a webpage up to have an online presence isn't going to cut it. In the end, a poorly done site can actually end up hurting your online reputation rather than helping it....
September 24, 2013

How search works in a “Google It” world

In 2012 there were more than 5 billion Google searches per day. What is your business doing to make sure you appear in those search results? Search Engine Marketing (SEM) can target your customer demographic and help your website appear on the first page of not only Google but any search engine...
September 12, 2013

Google Keyword Tool Alternatives

For a long time, I’ve been recommending to people the Google Keyword Tool to help with keyword research for search engine optimization. It’s free, easy to […]
August 9, 2013

Increase Traffic to Your Website- 5 Free Ways

Want to increase traffic? If you’re a small business owner who has just gotten your hands on your very first website, the first words out of […]
July 31, 2013

5 Actionable Ideas to Design a Successful Mobile Strategy

Today consumers use smartphones and tablets to interact with businesses 24/7. Roughly 20% of total searches come from mobile devices. Even more interesting, the volume of […]
July 10, 2013

Content Strategy for Marketing Your Business

In the digital age, the question “how can I promote my business” has more answers than ever. As consumers are flooded with a barrage of ads […]
June 25, 2013
Competitive Intelligence lets your spy on the competition

Competitive Intelligence for Your Business

It happens to all of us. No matter how well your marketing is going, there’s always that one competitor who seems to be doing better. What’s […]
May 23, 2013

LinkedIn Marketing for Small Business- Tips for SEO

Business owners can no longer ignore the relevancy and potential benefits a LinkedIn profile holds for their businesses. With over 200 million users to date, professionals on […]
March 13, 2013
Big Vs. Small

5 Ways Small Businesses Can Out-Compete Big Chains

Can small, local, businesses survive in today’s global economy? Can the corner pizza shop with no advertising budget really compete with the Pizza Hut across the […]
January 3, 2013
Google Plus Local

4 Do's and 2 Don'ts For Ranking Well in Google Plus Local

As local search results become more and more important, business owners want to know how to get their listing to rank well.  To help you do […]
December 18, 2012
Website Analytics Confusion

6 Actions to Take Based On Your Website Analytics

Many business owners either feel intimidated by website analytics or they look at the analytics and don’t know what actions to take based on the data. […]
September 26, 2012

SEO bad practices: Rome wasn’t built in a day. Good SEO isn’t either

Many small business owners are aware that their online presence needs work but don’t have either the time or technical knowledge to know what to do next. This is especially true when it comes to building good Search Engine Optimization (SEO) which is a crucial component of any business' online presence. If your business does not appear on page one of a potential customer’s search results, you are likely to be overlooked by consumers who...
September 21, 2012

Why Your Small Business Should Care About iPhone 5

This week Apple launched the new iPhone 5 along with an update to the operating system, iOS. If you’re not an Apple fan, you might be […]
September 13, 2012

8 Signs That You’re Being Offered Bad SEO Services

I get a lot of spam emails from companies offering SEO services.  The emails are annoying, but more importantly the quality of the services that they […]
January 6, 2012

3 Steps to Better Search Engine Rankings Using Google Places

Do a search for just about any kind of business, add your city’s name, and you’ll see Google prioritizing local businesses in the search results.  You […]