Google’s local search algorithm has been steadily improving over the last few years to help searchers connect with businesses that are not only a good fit for what they are looking for, but also nearby. Much of the work that Google has invested in their local search algorithm had to do with proximity, or where the searcher is physically located in the moment of the search in relation to the location of the business. Still, there are two more important factors to consider when working to improve your results from Google’s local search.

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Whether you’re updating a few details such as your hours of operation or preparing to roll out a complete redesign of your website, making changes to a live site can seem daunting. From considering how much downtime is acceptable to handling things that go wrong, website maintenance is an activity that requires a plan. Here’s what you need to know about making changes to a live website.

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Today’s diners have a wide variety of tastes. Some like adventurous eating, others prefer comfortable favorites. Some like it spicy; others enjoy mellow. Boisterous atmospheres, elegant hush, and kid-friendly are all things people are looking for. Luckily for all of us, there’s plenty of entrepreneurs willing to provide just about any dining experience and cuisine that people of every stripe long for. Among all this variety, there is one thing that virtually all restaurant patrons have in common: visiting a restaurant’s website before visiting. As you consider your restaurant marketing plan, make sure your website is doing the heavy lifting.

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Many businesses were caught by surprise when the pandemic started making its way through the United States earlier this year. As shutdown orders were issued, schools closed, and office staff sent to work from home, business owners were scrambling to notify customers and figure out how to make ends meet. For many of us, this was not only a difficult time, but also a wakeup call as we thought about the variety of crises and emergencies that could arise in the future. From local weather events to national emergencies, it’s time to have crisis management steps in place so we’re ready; use this framework to build your communication plan.

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Back in 2015, we did a review of the state of email marketing and talked about some of the ways this strategy has changed over the years. Just five years ago, responsive design was considered a good idea and an easy way to accommodate a variety of devices. Today, responsive design is a baseline starting point and a must-have for virtually everything on the web! Five years is a long time when it comes to technology, so we think it’s time for an update on email marketing strategies for businesses.

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Connecting with an audience using email can be one of the most effective ways to deliver targeted, customized content to a specific group of people. With so much data to measure—who is opening what, which links are clicked, who seems to be ignoring everything—email is a highly optimizable tactic. In some cases, an email marketing strategy can stand alone. However, we think email is the most effective when it’s used to complement your broader marketing strategies.

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We’re all probably aware of how ubiquitous our mobile devices have become in our daily lives. They’re the first thing we check in the morning, where we turn when we have a few minutes to spare, and often the last thing we put away at the end of the day. It’s easy to see why SMS marketing has been generating positive returns for marketers—at least the ones who are doing it right.

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“Cut through the noise” might be the next phrase ready to be entered into the jargon playbook considering how often it appears in marketing blogs and materials. However, the need to reach your target audience when dozens—or even hundreds—of brands are fighting for the same few seconds of attention is real. SMS marketing provides a unique opportunity to be heard, as long as it’s done right.

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Using text messaging as a marketing delivery channel is slowly but steadily becoming a popular way for brands to communicate with their customers. In fact, these messages have a 98 percent open rate—90 percent of those within the first three minutes—and 75 percent of all consumers welcome messages from brands, provided they’ve opted-in to receive them. There’s a lot of potential in marketing directly to your customers’ smartphones, but there are a few details to keep in mind before jumping in.

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Industrial companies are finding success using content marketing to educate, inform, and even entertain their audiences of current and prospective customers. One key element—video marketing—often gets left on the table in favor of written content like blogs or visual content such as charts, diagrams, and graphics. On the other hand, video marketing has been bringing great results for manufacturing companies so it’s time to give it another look.

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Social media marketing strategies often include at least a few paid posts. Advertising on sites like Facebook and Twitter is inexpensive when compared to other channels, especially when considering how vast a social media audience can potentially be. On the other hand, some marketers are having trouble getting those ads and boosted posts viewed. This post will cover some common errors that lead to low impressions so you can get better results from your social media marketing strategy.

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Do-it-yourself website builders seem like the perfect solution for business owners who are looking for a quick and inexpensive website. On the other hand, when you think of the work that your website needs to do, including drawing traffic and encouraging visitors to sign up and become leads, quick and cheap might not be the best solution.

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The biggest problem that most small and medium-sized businesses have with social media marketing strategies is creating them in the first place. However, no social media activity will be truly useful unless it is directed toward achieving a goal. In other words, if you have no strategy, you’ll probably get a small amount of lift just from the interactions, but if you want to achieve business goals, you need a plan.