Google Business Profile (GBP) has become an essential tool for businesses to manage their online presence. As we navigate the digital landscape in 2024, it's crucial to understand the ins and outs of GBP to maximize its benefits and avoid potential pitfalls. Let's dive into some key aspects of GBP that every business owner and digital marketer should be aware of. The Power (and Perils) of Public Edits Did you know that anyone can suggest changes to your GBP listing? It's true! While this feature aims to keep information up-to-date, it can sometimes lead to unexpected alterations[1]. Imagine waking up to find your business hours changed or your phone number incorrect – yikes! To stay on top of things, make it a habit to regularly check your GBP dashboard. It's like giving your online storefront a quick once-over every morning. Dealing with the Dreaded Suspension GBP suspensions can feel like a digital time-out for your business. If you find yourself in this situation and your appeals are denied, don't lose hope! While you can't create a new profile (Google frowns upon that), you can take steps to get back in the game[1]. Start by ensuring your profile adheres to GBP guidelines. Then, gather supporting documents like business licenses or utility bills. Think of it as preparing for a digital show-and-tell to prove your business is legit. The Curious Case of the Wandering Service Area For service area businesses, GBP can sometimes have a mind of its own. If you've moved but your listing is stubbornly clinging to your old location, don't worry – there's a fix. It involves a bit of profile juggling and reaching out to GBP support. Consider it a digital change of address form, but with a few extra steps. Battling Fake Reviews: Your Online Reputation Guardian Fake reviews can be a real thorn in your side. But before you cry foul, take a moment to consider if the review truly violates Google's policies. If it does, respond politely (kill 'em with kindness, right?), then flag the review through your GBP dashboard. It's like being your own online reputation superhero!

In the fast-paced world of digital marketing, SEO can often feel like a complex puzzle. But don't worry – it's not rocket science! With the right approach, you can boost your online visibility, generate more leads, and engage customers like never before. Let's dive into some key SEO strategies that will give your small business or agency the edge it needs. Content: Still Wearing the Crown You've heard it before, but it bears repeating: content is king. No matter how many algorithm updates Google throws our way, valuable and relevant content will always reign supreme. So, what does this mean for you? Blog with Purpose: Your website’s blog isn't just a space to fill – it's your chance to address real customer pain points - and teach the algorithm with clear signals. Share your (or your client’s) expertise, offer solutions, and watch your rankings climb. Diversify Your Content: Don't just stick to text. Mix it up with videos, podcasts, and infographics - better yet, include all of these in your written blog and PR content. This variety not only keeps your audience engaged but also caters to different learning styles and it most certainly engages the search algorithm bots. Quality Over Quantity: It's not about churning out content daily. Focus on creating in-depth, well-researched pieces that truly add value to your readers. The guide for “quality content” is EEAT. Document your experience, demonstrate expertise with depth, show authority (with digital PR) and use 5-star reviews in your content to demonstrate trust. Local SEO: Your Neighborhood Superpower For small businesses, local SEO is like having a superpower. It's your ticket to appearing in front of people actively searching for your services in your area. Google Business Profile: Claim and optimize your Google Business Profile listing. It's free and can significantly boost your local visibility. Complete the profile to 100% completion but that’s only the bare minimum. Reviews, Reviews, Reviews: Encourage happy customers to leave reviews. They're gold dust for local SEO and can influence potential customers' decisions.

Hello, digital marketers and small business owners! Let's explore some fascinating new developments in the world of Google Ads. Recent studies have uncovered some surprising trends that might just change how you approach your ad campaigns. Ready to dive in? Ad Copy Revelations: Challenging Conventional Wisdom A recent analysis of over a million ads has shed new light on what really works in Google Ads copy. Let's break down these eye-opening findings: Ad Strength: Not the Holy Grail Interestingly, ads with "average" Ad Strength are outperforming those with "excellent" Ad Strength in key metrics like CPA, conversion rates, and ROAS. This doesn't mean we should ignore Ad Strength entirely, but it's a reminder that it's just one piece of the puzzle. The Pinning Paradox The debate over pinning assets in ads continues, but the data offers some clarity. Ads with "some pinning" performed well on cost-based metrics, while fully pinned ads showed slightly higher CTRs. It seems a balanced approach to pinning might be the way to go. Sentence Case: The Unexpected Winner Here's a surprise: sentence case ads are outperforming title case ads in most key metrics, especially for RSAs and Demand Gen ads. If your campaigns need a boost, it might be time to experiment with sentence case. Size and Performance When it comes to ad copy length, the data suggests that shorter headlines consistently outperform longer ones. However, longer descriptions had a slight edge. The takeaway? Craft your messages thoughtfully, focusing on impact rather than length. Sticky Headers: A New Way to Grab Attention? Google is testing a new feature: sticky headers for ads in search results. As users scroll down the page, the ad header remains visible at the top. While still in the testing phase, this could potentially increase ad visibility and engagement. Adapting Your Google Ads Strategy For digital marketing agencies and small businesses, these insights offer valuable opportunities to refine your approach:

Hey there, SEO enthusiasts and digital marketing mavens! Ready for a whirlwind tour through the wild world of search engine optimization? Buckle up because we're about to dive into a smorgasbord of SEO goodness that'll make your website sing and dance its way to the top of Google's heart. LSI Keywords + Entities: Not Just Alphabet Soup Remember when stuffing keywords into your content like a Thanksgiving turkey was all the rage? Well, those days are as dead as a doornail and have been for years. Enter Latent Semantic Indexing (LSI) keywords PLUS Entities – the cool kids on the SEO block. These semantic and “thingy” sidekicks help search engines understand your content better than your best friend understands your coffee order. Pro tip: Sprinkle LSI keywords and all the related entities throughout your content, like fairy dust. It's not just about repetition; it's about context, baby! If you don’t know how to do the research around semantically related keywords and entities, I would recommend a tool like Search Atlas. Startup SEO: From Zero to Hero For all you startup superheroes out there, SEO isn't just a nice-to-have – it's your secret weapon. Here's a quick 10-step plan for SEO stardom: 1. Get the bigwigs on board — meaning, please hire an expert. DIY is not a strategy. 2. Set realistic goals (No, dominating Google overnight isn't one of them) 3. Gather your resources 4. Make your website SEO-friendly 5. Do your keyword homework 6. Craft compelling, value-packed content 7. Build topical authority 8. Keep optimizing (It's a marathon, not a sprint) 9. Earn those backlinks (Quality over quantity, always) 10. Track your results (Numbers don't lie) URL Parameters: The SEO Puzzle Pieces Ah, URL parameters – the bane of many an SEO's existence. These little query string critters can cause more headaches than a marathon karaoke session. But fear not! Here's how to tame these wild beasts: - Limit them like you limit your coffee intake (Too much of anything is bad, right?)

Let's explore three key areas of online marketing that are crucial for businesses to master in today's digital environment. Building an Effective Brand Persona A brand persona is more than just a logo and color scheme - it's about creating a relatable personality for your company. Think of it as giving your brand a human touch that resonates with your target audience. Are you the energetic, adventurous brand that inspires customers to push their limits? Or perhaps you're the welcoming neighborhood business where customers feel at home. Whatever persona you choose, consistency is key across all platforms to avoid confusing your audience. Google actually provides several data points for businesses to provide these brand persona details and differences (ie. GBP listing description and other fields, schema, your about page, etc). Are you taking full advantage of the opportunity to communicate your specific brand persona details and differences to the search engines? SEO in 2024: Expert Insights and Trends You Can't Ignore In the ever-evolving world of search engine optimization, staying ahead of the curve is crucial. Recently, a group of SEO heavyweights gathered for Wix's 100th "SERPs Up" podcast episode, dropping some serious knowledge bombs. Let's dive into the juiciest takeaways that every digital marketer needs to know. The State of SERPs: A Rollercoaster Ride Chima Mmeje from Moz didn't mince words when discussing the current state of search results. The much-hyped "helpful content update" hasn't quite lived up to its name, leaving many SEOs scratching their heads. Add to that Google's apparent love affair with Reddit, and you've got a recipe for frustration. Key Takeaway: SEO in 2024 is like playing darts on a moving train. Flexibility and adaptability are your best friends. Local SEO: The Hidden Gem Joy Hawkins shared some not-so-new news about local search. That "services" section in your Google Business Profile? It's not just window dressing – it can significantly impact your rankings, especially for niche keywords. Those same niche keywords should appear in your website services silo of pages as well, by the way.