Brian

Tokyo Tales and Block-y AdventuresSmall business owners, gather ‘round! WordPress’ annual State of the Word (SOTW) went global again this year, landing in Tokyo, Japan—a fitting choice given how much the platform owes to its Japanese community. The event, held at Tokyo Node Hall, brought together big ideas, cultural celebrations, and the kind of geeky […]

2024: A Year of Growth, Change, and Marketing Lessons This year was a reminder that marketing isn’t just about flashy campaigns or clever taglines—it’s the lifeline that can make or break a business. I watched a small startup navigate thrilling highs, crushing lows, and the “what-in-the-world-is-happening” moments that every business faces. The unexpected hero? Instagram.

The internet has revolutionized how home service businesses reach and connect with customers. While traditional advertising methods like print and radio remain relevant, the shift to a digital-first world means businesses must focus on managing both their online presence and reputation. Understanding the fundamentals of digital marketing, especially search engine optimization (SEO), is essential for

As a small business owner, every dollar you spend on marketing counts. You’ve probably been told to invest in Google Ads to grow your reach. That’s great advice! But here’s the catch: if your “Google Ads person” is relying solely on Performance Max (PMax) campaigns and calling it a strategy, you might not have a

Running a small business is a constant balancing act. Marketing budgets are tight, and every penny you spend needs to pull its weight. That’s why many small business owners turn to Google Ads—a platform with seemingly endless potential to connect you with your ideal audience. But here’s a reality check: if your “Google Ads person”

A court ruled in favor of WP Engine against Automattic and its founder, Matt Mullenweg, in a dispute involving WordPress-related services. The court granted WP Engine a preliminary injunction, requiring Automattic to reverse certain actions they had taken against WP Engine. This decision is critical because it restores WP Engine’s ability to operate and interact

Businesses can fail for countless reasons. Sometimes the cause is obvious—like a product that never quite worked or lacked demand. But occasionally, the signs of success are there: a working product, paying customers, and rising sales. Then something breaks, and the business collapses. How does this happen? Here are some real-world scenarios: These scenarios illustrate

Maintaining your website’s health is crucial for attracting customers and maintaining your online presence. Think of your website like a car—routine maintenance is essential to keep it running smoothly. While fixing a typo or replacing a broken image is obvious, many critical improvements happen “under the hood.” Are you ensuring your website is optimized for

The digital marketing landscape is evolving at an unprecedented pace. For small businesses in the Chicagoland area, keeping up with these changes is critical to staying competitive. However, hiring qualified talent is becoming a growing challenge. Industry demands are changing faster than the workforce can adapt, and traditional hiring practices may no longer meet the

Stay prepared by understanding the impact of AI, Google’s antitrust challenges, the importance of technical SEO, and more. As 2024 winds down, it’s time for small business owners to anticipate changes in the SEO landscape for 2025. With shifts in search platforms, evolving AI tools, and Google’s ongoing legal battles, staying informed and adaptable is