Small Business Marketing Tips & Insights

SEO, website design, Google Ads, and local marketing advice for small business owners and trade contractors.

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View everything we have published for small business owners and contractors. Looking for keyword lists for your trade? Browse our SEO Keywords by Industry libary. Want to know where your own site stands? Request a free SEO Evaluation with our team.

Acupuncture SEO: The Complete Guide for Acupuncturists

Acupuncture SEO: The Complete Guide for AcupuncturistsAcupuncture SEO is how your practice shows up in the exact moments a patient is looking for you. Whether they are running a search on Google or asking an AI platform like ChatGPT or Google Gemini for a...

7 Digital Marketing Strategies for Small Business Owners

7 Digital Marketing Strategies for Small Business Owners

7 Digital Marketing Strategies for Small Business OwnersPublished: July 29th, 2026The digital marketing strategies for small business owners that worked five years ago no longer cover the places your customers are actually looking. Today's customer has more ways to...

SEO For Concrete Contractors

Find out how concrete contractors can build a stronger SEO foundation with the right keywords, optimized service pages, local search strategies, and high-quality content. This guide shares practical recommendations backed by real search data and industry examples.

Passing The Google Business Profile Video Verification Process

Google Business Profile verification can be frustrating, but knowing what Google expects makes the process much easier. This guide walks through the video verification process step by step, helping business owners avoid common mistakes and improve their chances of being verified on the first attempt.

SEO Packages for Siding Contractors

If you're searching for SEO packages for siding contractors, you're likely looking for a predictable way to generate more siding leads from Google. The truth is, most siding companies don’t need “more marketing.” They need a system that helps them show up when...

Should Blog Posts Display Publishing Dates?

Small Business SEO Should Blog Posts Display Publishing Dates?Published: December 20th, 2025 By: Meg FinneganIf you have ever built or managed a small business website, you have probably completed at a blog post template and asked yourself a deceptively simple...

Google Ads vs SEO for Locksmiths

Small Business SEO Google Ads vs SEO For LocksmithsThe debate will rage on far after you read this article, but one question we hear constantly from locksmiths is this: “Should I invest in SEO or Google Ads to grow my locksmith business?” The truth? It depends....

How to a Rank a Locksmith in AI Search

Small Business Search Engine Optimization How to Rank a Locksmith in AI SearchTable of Contents: How to Rank a Locksmith in AI Search Why AI Search Matters for Locksmiths How AI Search Is Changing Local SEO Core Strategies to Rank Locksmiths in AI Search Results...

The Ideal Website Sitemap for Locksmiths

Small Business Search Engine Optimization  The Idea Website Sitemap for Locksmiths Table of Contents: The Idea Website Sitemap for Locksmiths What is a Website Sitemap for Locksmiths Why a Sitemap Matters for Locksmith SEO Core Pages Every Locksmith Website Should...

The Ideal Website Sitemap for Flooring Contractor

The Ideal Website Sitemap for Flooring Contractors A well-structured website is one of the most important tools you have as a flooring contractor. It's how homeowners, builders, and businesses find you online, learn about your services, and decide whether to contact...

Alternatives to HeyTony

Small Business SEO Services Alternatives to HeyTony: Why MarketKeep Could Be a Better FitIf you're comparing HeyTony with other SEO providers, here’s what you should know: MarketKeep offers SEO services ranging from $350 to $850 per month, with month-to-month...

On-Page SEO Services for Contractors

Small Business SEOOn-Page SEO Services for Contractors: Drie More Conversions from Search Using Our Blueprint Search engines are the first place many homeowners and property managers turn when they need a contractor. If your website does not appear near the top of the...

ChatGPT Prompts Roofers Can Use for Marketing

Digital Marketing for Small BusinessesChatGPT Prompts Roofers Can Use for MarketingAs the roofing industry becomes more competitive, small businesses are turning to innovative tools to stay ahead. One of the most powerful tools to emerge recently is artificial...

What Pages to Include in a HVAC Website?

Small Business Website DesignKey Pages to Include in an HVAC Website Everything You Need to Know About Designing a Website for Your HVAC CompanyA well-optimized website is essential for HVAC businesses looking to attract customers and grow their services. Your website...

Best SEO Agencies for Locksmiths

If you run a locksmith business, you know how important it is to be found online. When someone is locked out of their home, office, or car, they are not scrolling through dozens of options. They reach out to the locksmith who appears first on Google. That is where...

How Location Plays a Role in Local SEO

How Location Plays a Role in Local SEO Why Your Physical Address Matters When It Comes to SEOWhen it comes to local SEO, location isn’t just about where your business is; it’s about how you position yourself to appear in front of your target audience when they search...

How Much Are Google Ads for Roofers?

How Much Are Google Ads for Roofers? A Step-by-Step Guide for Small Business OwnersRoofing companies face unique challenges when it comes to attracting clients. With competition intensifying online, leveraging tools like Google Ads can give your roofing business the...

15 Masonry Website Design Ideas for Small Business Owners

15 Masonry Website Design Ideas for Small Business Owners

Search engine optimization (SEO) is essential for small businesses aiming to establish a strong online presence and attract local customers. According to a study by BrightLocal, 93% of consumers use the internet to find local businesses, and 82% of smartphone users...

Is GoDaddy SEO Worth It?

You have finally done it. You have struck out on your own, and chances are you are in the beginning stages of building your business empire. One of the first things that you do is purchase a domain name, build a website, and now try to drive traffic to your website so...

Guide to SEO for Fence Contractors

Ready to start ranking on search engines? Click on the button below to generate a free SEO report and insight into your top 3 competitors online. A successful lead generation campaign online can help create more high-paying profitable jobs, consistent workflow,...

What is responsive website design?

The average American spends 5.4 hours a day on their phone and millennials spend at least 5.7 hours a day on their phone according to zdnet.com. Because of this shift in behavior, small business owners must adapt and make sure that their website works on both desktop...

Google Reviews Not Showing Up

Google Reviews Not Showing Up. June 2021 Issue Updated June 2021. Small Business Owners are experiences issues with legitimate Google reviews not showing up.  This is because Google recently implemented a spam algorithm that is designed to examine the veracity of user...

What is a focus keyword in SEO?

Within the Yoast SEO plugin there is a field where you can insert a keyword or phrase for your page or post called the Focus Keyword Field. Once the keyword or search phrase has been added, Yoast SEO will then evaluate your content - including the SEO title, H1 tag,...

SEO for Landscaping Companies

SEO For Landscaping Companies: 93% of all online experiences start with a search. When it comes to SEO for landscaping companies this stat shows just how critical developing a well-optimized website is for your business. SEO has the ability to not only boost your...

How to find Local SEO Keywords

How To Find Local SEO Keywords 88% of searches for local businesses on a mobile device either call or visit the business within 24 hours. To appear in these key search results your website needs to incorporate local SEO keywords into your search engine optimization...

Questions to ask a website design company in Baltimore

Questions to ask a website design company in Baltimore 88% of consumers search for a product online before purchasing it in-stores. As a small business owner that presents a huge opportunity in your local market. The more you invest in your website design, the more...

How to get a roofing company to the top of Google Maps

So you want to get your roofing company to the top of Google Maps, and you definitely should! 4 out of 5 people who search for a service business in their area rely on the Google Maps section before reaching out to a business. So if you are not optimized for local SEO...

Tracking SEO with Google Analytics

You recently launched a search engine optimization campaign for your website, but now you want to know how it is performing. There are a number of tools out there that can help you track your SEO campaign, but most have a fee associated with them. However, there is...

Small Business SEO on a Tight Budget

Small Business SEO on a Tight Budget When faced with growing your website presence on a shoestring budget you may feel overwhelmed. Don't get discouraged! Small Business SEO on a tight budget can be done successfully and produce results. The thing you have to do is...

What are SEO services?

What are SEO Services?  In 2020 every business owner is in a rush to optimize their website for search. Coupled with the fact that budgets are tight, you may be wondering whether you should optimize your website yourself or invest in small business SEO...

What is Google Guaranteed

What is Google Guaranteed? If you have been searching on Google recently for a particular service like a roofer, plumber or pest control company you may have noticed a few boxes appearing at the top of the page with some reviews, showing potential customers that this...

What is a conversion?

What is a conversion? Digital marketers love to use trendy phrases and words to describe their work. Terms such as "do-follow", "non-follow", "index", and CPC can sometimes leave a small business owner feeling lost. Luckily one such term that is pretty straightforward...

Local Ranking Factors for Small Businesses

If you are a small business that operates on a local level, relying on foot traffic, and people driving to your store is critical for your sales. Local SEO will help your business to appear on the 1st page of Google Search results and connect with potential customers...

SEO Solutions For Small Business Owners

SEO Solutions for Small Business Owners That Work At MarketKeep, the digital marketing agency for small businesses, we recognize that your business needs SEO solutions that are going to make an impact. When performed correctly search engine optimization can and should...

Bare Minimum for SEO Success

Whether it is because you don't have the time, the staff, or the budget to invest fully in search engine optimization you still want to achieve some sort of success right? So what is the bare minimum for SEO success online? What are the things you know you need to do...

Importance of SEO for Small Businesses

Understanding the Importance of SEO for Small Businesses SEO is important for greater searchability and visibility, but it extends so much further than just that. Most small business owners don't even realize the true importance of SEO for small businesses and how...

What is NAP and does it help SEO?

What is NAP and does it help SEO?

What is NAP and does it help SEO? At MarketKeep, the digital marketing agency for small businesses, we get this question a lot. What is NAP and does it help SEO? Well NAP stands for Name, Address, and Phone number and it is very critical for businesses looking to rank...

7 Videos that increase conversions

Creating Videos that increase conversions Videos that increase conversions jump-start the sales process like no other type of content can making it a no brainer to implement them into your digital marketing strategy. In today's blog the team here at MarketKeep, the...

Google Analytics 101: What is Average Session Duration

Google Analytics 101: What is Average Session Duration

Analytics Terminology: What is average session duration? The average session duration is one of the most commonly referenced metrics within Google Analytics and appears directly on the home page of your dashboard. But what exactly is average session duration and why...

Inbound Marketing Strategies for Small Businesses

The advantage of inbound marketing strategies for small businesses Inbound marketing is a business strategy that attracts customers through the tactic of creating valuable content and experiences tailored to your target audience online. While traditional strategies...

Adding an Agency to Google My Business

Correctly Adding An Agency to Google My Business You have decided to work with a digital marketing agency for small businesses that will help you manage your website and website presence. That means providing them with access to some of your accounts such as the...

Plugins for WordPress Migration

Wordpress Migration Plugins There are a ton of Wordpress Migration Plugins out there that will help you move your website from one host to another. While it is super easy to start a new Wordpress website, moving an existing site from one site to another is not as...

2020 Local SEO Ranking Factors

Top Local SEO Ranking Factors Local search engine optimization (local SEO) is a crucial element to your overall SEO plan. Why? There are 3.5 billion searches every day on Google, and according to Search Engine Journal, 46% of them are for local search results....

Commercial Real Estate SEO

Small Business SEO SEO Keywords for Commercial Real Estate Agents Ready to start connecting with customers online? Learn which keywords to utilize in order to drive traffic to your websiteWhy Does Search Engine Optimization Matter? 92% of all traffic online starts...

SEO Keywords for Roofers

SEO Keywords for Roofing Companies The best SEO keywords for roofers to use in order to target residential roofing clients. This post was last updated August 31st, 2026The rules changed in 2026. Homeowners have more control over the roofing process than they have ever...

Holiday SEO Tips

Holiday SEO Tips Its never too early to start planning for the most wonderful time of the year! Heck you probably already know whose house  you will be headed to for Thanksgiving and Christmas! So if you have already solidified your actual Holiday Plans, chances are...

Maximizing Google My Business

How To Optimize Google My Business in 10 Steps If the goal of your business is to target local customers, then boosting your local search visibility online will be a high priority for you. One of the best ways to accomplish this is by making sure to optimize Google My...

Picking an SEO Company

Finding a Great SEO Company to Work With According to Clutch.com there are over 17,353 agencies and companies that offer SEO services across the globe. Let's face it, not all of those agencies or companies know what they are doing. And in a saturated marketplace like...

WordPress Redirects

Wordpress Redirects: Why Too Many Can Be A Bad Thing There is no denying that redirects are useful for your website. You never want someone to click through on a link to your website only to find a 404 error. In fact, beyond enhancing your user's experience, redirects...

GoDaddy Alternatives

Top GoDaddy Alternatives for Wordpress Websites Millions of authors, entrepreneurs, and small business owners turn to GoDaddy for their Wordpress Websites and online search visibility. While some people love working with GoDaddy, more and more people are turning to...

How much does SEO cost

How much does SEO cost in 2019? Wondering how much does SEO cost for your business? On average, U.S. Businesses spend between $750 to $6,000 a month for SEO. If you are running a local search engine optimization campaign you should set aside between $500 to $850 per...

How to use google posts

How to use Google Posts and Connect With Customers Online Google Posts is a feature within your Google My Business Account that allows people and businesses to create content that will be published directly to Google. This feature was created for business owners to...

Best SEO Youtube Channels

The Best SEO Youtube Channels to Follow Right Now Every small business owner is invested in maximizing their visibility online. Whether you are a new business owner, or someone who has been in business for 20+ years a majority of your time and energy when it comes to...

how to rank a website on google

How To Rank A Website on Google Step By Step Every small business owner is invested in trying to improve their search visibility online. We are always looking for the best practices, that lead to the quickest results and largest return on investment. The truth of the...

Types of Backlinks

Types of Backlinks for your Small Business Link building is the process of acquiring hyperlinks from other websites back to yours. A hyperlink (commonly referred to as links) are a way for users to navigate between pages on the internet. Search engines use links to...

Why redesign your website

8 Reasons to Redesign Your Website In today's modern environment your target audience's first impression of your business will be based on your website. Does it have the content they are looking for? How fast does it load? What are other people saying about your...

Small Business SEO Tips

Small Business SEO Tips: How to Improve your Business Online Every small business is looking for a competitive advantage online. When it comes to search engine optimization (SEO) even the smallest shift in strategy can have a huge payoff. At MarketKeep, the digital...

Social Media Solutions

Social Media Solutions for Business Owners At MarketKeep, the digital marketing agency for small businesses, we understand the importance of social media for businesses. Social media is a great way to build reach new customers, build customer loyalty, and staying in...

Affordable SEO Packages

Affordable SEO Packages Built for Small Business As an SEO Company for small businesses, we wanted to design search engine optimization (SEO) campaigns that produced results, but also remained affordable for business owners. We realize that your SEO strategy is just a...

What is a meta description

What is a meta description and why is it important? Small business owners understand the importance of having their website appear on the 1st page of Google Search Results. The key to this success is through SEO. So how do you tackle SEO? There are three key areas:...

What is a meta tag title?

What is a meta tag title and why is it important for my business? You may be asking yourself just what is a meta tag title?  A title tag is an HTML element that specifies the title of your website. It is important to customize your Title Tag because these tags are...

Mind Blowing Stats about Local SEO

Stats about Local SEO that will change the way you think You are sitting at home when you realize that you have a leak all over your kitchen floor. You realize you need a plumber to fix the issue. What do you do? You immediately search for a plumber in your area...

5 Guidelines to SEO Success

5 Guidelines to SEO Success for Small Business Owners Every business owner that has a website should have 1 goal in mind, making sure that your website can be easily found online. When it comes to achieving that objective, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the best...

10 Questions For Freelance Website Designers

The Top Questions For Freelance Website Designers When it is time to develop a new website for your business, finding a website designer is generally your top priority. If you choose correctly the process can be seamless, if not you may never want to redesign your...

marketing companies for small business

Sorting through the countless marketing companies for small business owners can be difficult, and knowing what separates the good ones from the bad is getting increasingly harder. At MarketKeep we have assembled a team of people who have been helping small businesses...

How to Create Facebook Ads for Small Businesses

Understanding the value of Facebook Ads for Small Businesses If you are a small business owner who has been in operation for more than 10 years it may be hard to understand the power of Facebook Ads. Previously you relied on data from focus groups and Neilsen ratings ...

Improve Local SEO Results in 10 Steps

Improve Local SEO Results in 10 steps for your business Local SEO is essential to small businesses that operate in specific cities, towns, or regions. While SEO focuses on ranking in searches across search engines, Local SEO prioritizes appearing on search engine...

Signs You Need Professional Digital Marketing Services

6 Signs You Need Professional Digital Marketing Services According to smallbiztrends.com the small business owners spend between $5,000 to $20,000 a year on digital marketing. On average this equates to 1% of their annual sales. As a small business owner, your digital...

Small Business Google Analytics Reports

6 Small Business Google Analytics Reports you Need to Read As small business owners we understand that we need to use Google Analytics to figure out if our website is performing well and attracting new visitors to our site, but do we know what else to look at? How...

65 High-Quality Backlinks

65 High Quality Backlinks for Small Businesses with Strong Domain Authority Are you ready to build your brand online? Are you committed to growing your rankings online and the amount of traffic coming to your website? Backlinking helps search engines find your website...

10 Questions to ask a WordPress Designer

Questions to ask a Wordpress Designer to avoid mistakes and bad investments As a small business owner in today's environment, having a powerful website is an absolute must. It is how you connect with your customers, attract new ones, and grow your business. Sometimes...

Basics of Pay Per Click Advertising

Understanding the basics of pay per click advertising PPC or pay per click advertising is a powerful tool if set up correctly. Pay Per Click Advertising is a tool that you can use when you need to grow your online presence and attract new visitors to your website or...

Why is Local SEO Important?

Is Local SEO Important? Yes. As a small business owner, you may be asking yourself is local SEO important for my business? And the resounding answer should be yes! 46% of all Google searches are local searchers! Meaning they are using terms such as "near me" or "near...

WordPress SEO Plugins

Wordpress SEO Plugins for Small Business Owners Small Business Owners must maximize every dollar associated with their marketing budget. That also includes the type of tools you invest in when it comes to powering your Wordpress Website. There are thousands of tools...

SEO Tools every small business owner should have

Being successful online means doing two things extremely well:  Driving customers online to your website  Converting website traffic into leads, sales, or in-store visits In order to accomplish these two objectives, small business owners must craft a digital marketing...

Questions you ask marketing consultants

Small Business Marketing Consultant Questions every business owner should be asking... The difference between the right hire for your small business and the wrong hire can be the questions you ask. Hiring the right small business marketing consultant can have a...

Audience Overview Report

What is the Audience Overview Report? If you have never signed into your Google Analytics Account, the entire dashboard can seem overwhelming! The first report you will see is the Audience Overview Report, and at first glance, the metrics can seem confusing. What is...

Types of Online Searches

Do, Know, & Go: Types of Online Searches One of the most important elements to building an online marketing strategy around SEO is your ability to understand your audience. That is why MarketKeep has broken down the average consumer into three separate types of...

Selecting the right keyword for SEO

Are you selecting the right keywords for SEO purposes?  At MarketKeep we are always asked how we select our keywords for SEO. As a digital marketing agency, we are happy to share with you, because selecting the right keyword for SEO is tricky! In order to fully...

List of Keywords in Digital Marketing

Keywords in Digital Marketing   Search Engine Optimization: Search Engine Optimization is the practice of optimizing websites to make them reach a high position in Google - or another search engine’s - search results. SEO focuses on rankings in the organic...

Importance of a SSL Certificate for my website

Establishing the importance of a SSL Certificate for websites When understanding the importance of a SSL Certificate for websites let's first establish what a SSL Certificate is. SSL Certificates are used to secure data transfers, credit card transactions, logins, and...

What is SEO and how does it work?

So what is SEO, and how does it work for my small business? So what is seo and how does it work? Search Engine Optimization or SEO for short is not as complicated as people make it out to be. As Shopify puts it it is, “a measurable, repeatable process that is used to...

Generate Online Reviews

Generate Online Reviews

The Best Way to Generate Online Reviews for your Business Generating online reviews can be hard, but with each passing day more and more people are making buying decisions based on the popularity of a restaurant, product, or business based on their online reviews....

Marketing Plan Template

The Marketing Plan Template for a small business owner in mind. In order to grow your business, you need a marketing plan. That does not mean you have to create one from scratch, most companies can be successful using an established marketing plan template. The right...

SEO Tools for Small Business Owners

Best SEO Tools to Use as a Small Business Owner in 2026Updated: 10/3/2026 Written By: Meg FinneganA small business can run solid SEO on four free Google and Bing tools, then add one paid suite when the free data stops answering its questions. That is the short version...

Small Business SEO Expert

The Small Business SEO Expert MarketKeep will help increase your visibility online. Search Engine Optimization, or SEO, can be complex, but with MarketKeep we simplify things by breaking SEO down into four key components. That is why many consider MarketKeep to be the...

seo help for my website

SEO Help For My Website? Have you tried searching that on Google? As a business owner myself I am constantly searching SEO help for my website. Understanding where to look, and what the practices are is criticial to the sucess of your company. SEO help for my website...

Hire A Small Business Marketing Consultant

Hire a Small Business Marketing Consultant for your company A small business marketing consultant should be simple to hire, effective in both communication and implementing a marketing strategy, and finally they should be affordable! These are the three things every...

Using BrightLocal to Grow Your Business

As any business grows online, it is important to track your growth, that's why we use BrightLocal, which you can view here. Internet presence is a must in today's market, making sure your business is moving up the rankings in search engines such as Google, Bing,...

How to Market My Business

Answering the Question: How to Market My Business As business owners we have all stressed over the question, How To Market My Business. With today's technology one of the most effective ways to market your business is through the internet. When marketing online, one...

Small Business Marketing Consultant

Small Business Marketing Consultant

 Tips for finding a Small Business Marketing Consultant Have you ever gone on Google and searched the term "small business marketing consultant"? Sometimes it can feel like you are taking a leap of faith when typing this in. How can you tell if the marketing...

Choosing Your Marketing Strategy

Choosing your Marketing Strategy There a ton of different approaches you can take when choosing your marketing strategy. But which one is the best? Obviously there is no universal choice when it comes to marketing strategies, but there are some choices that are better...

Best Marketing Strategies

Developing the best marketing strategies Every business owner wants to develop the best marketing strategies. That is a lot easier said than done. In most cases small business owners must not only develop the best marketing strategies, but also the best sales...

Adding a New Admin User to your Facebook Business Page

Adding a New Admin User to your Facebook Business Page

Adding A New Admin User To Your Facebook Page Did you recently hire a new employee to help you out with your social media campaigns? Instead of giving them access to your personal Facebook accounts, there is a way in which you can add them to your Facebook Business...

What Social Media Platform Should I Advertise On?

Social Media Advertising? A lot of business owners ask us this question all the time. What social media platform should I advertise on? Social Media advertising can be tricky because there are so many companies out there telling you they have the best way. You may...

Who is your Target Audience?

Who is your Target Audience?

Identifying Your Target Audience as a Small Business Owner Written by Patrick Kurowski Updated Monday, October 5th, 2026Knowing your target audience is one of the most important parts of digital marketing for a small business owner, and it is also one of the most...

Building A Social Media Campaign

Building A Social Media Campaign

Building a Social Media Campaign as a Small Business Owner Written by Patrick Kurowski Published 12/19/16. Updated 10/2/26. Building a social media campaign as a small business owner starts with one question: what will make your customers want to stop scrolling and...