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 […]
5 SEO Trends Small Business Owners Need to Know for 2025
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 […]
Automattic’s Forking of a Popular Plugin Sparks Controversy in the WordPress Community
Automattic, a major player in the WordPress ecosystem, recently forked a paid premium plugin, rebranded it, and distributed it for free. This move has raised concerns among small business owners and developers who rely on WordPress plugins for their websites, with many feeling it could disrupt trust in the plugin and theme marketplace. What is […]
Unlocking the Power of AI for Small Business Content Marketing in 2025
As we head into 2025, artificial intelligence (AI) continues to revolutionize how businesses create and optimize content. HubSpot’s latest State of AI Report reveals that 43% of marketers use AI for content creation. For small business owners, this presents an exciting opportunity to amplify your marketing efforts while saving time and resources. But how exactly […]
Understanding the Ongoing Google Analytics (GA4) Reporting Discrepancies
Google Analytics 4 (GA4) has been a go-to tool for measuring website traffic, but recent reporting issues have raised concerns for businesses worldwide. Although Google announced a resolution to the problem on November 20, discrepancies in traffic data persist for many users, including our agency. We’re using this opportunity to outline what’s happening, share our […]
Simplified Guide to Keyword Research for Business Owners
Keywords are the backbone of your website’s SEO strategy—they’re the words and phrases people type into search engines when looking for products or services like yours. Choosing the right keywords helps your site show up in search results, driving more traffic and potential customers to your website. But how do you find the right keywords? […]
Comprehensive Guide to Keyword Research for Business Owners
If you’re running a business and want to attract more customers online, keyword research is the first critical step in improving your website’s search engine optimization (SEO). Keywords are the specific words or phrases your potential customers type into search engines like Google when they’re looking for products or services like yours. By understanding and […]
Google’s Crackdown on Affiliate SEO Hits Major Publishers: What It Means for Their Revenue and Future Strategies
The search visibility of affiliate businesses tied to major publishers like Forbes, Wall Street Journal, CNN, Fortune, and Time has dropped sharply in recent months, according to data from search visibility firm Sistrix and several search consultants. This decline in traffic is valued at over $7.5 million, according to Sistrix. These publishers had been earning […]
A Local Accountant’s Guide to Keyword Research for SEO
If you run a local accounting business, keyword research is essential for helping potential clients find your services online. By targeting the right keywords, you can improve your website’s visibility in search engines, attract more clients, and grow your business. But what does this mean in practice? Let’s break it down into simple steps tailored […]
How to Rehab Your Google Ads Like a Pro (Without Breaking the Bank)
Recently, I started to notice my bottom line limping along like it had pulled a hamstring. As a small business owner, I did what most of us do—I ignored it. “It’s just a slow month,” I told myself, as I threw more cash at the problem and kept hustling like nothing was wrong. But then, […]
Local SEO for Small Business Owners: A Comprehensive Guide
Running a small business means wearing a lot of hats, but one thing you can’t afford to overlook is local SEO. It’s how people in your community find you when they search for products or services online. Whether it’s someone looking for “pizza near me” or “plumbers in [Your City],” local SEO helps you get […]
A Guide to Protecting Your Small Business from Malicious Backlink Attacks
As a small business owner, search engine optimization (SEO) is essential to growing your online presence and attracting customers. However, with increased competition, there are risks—one of which is malicious backlink attacks. These attacks can harm your SEO efforts, hurt your website’s rankings, and damage your reputation. While search engines like Google have become smarter […]
WP Engine and Automattic: The Feud
The lawsuit filed by WPEngine against Automattic and Matthew Mullenweg (Case No. 3:24-cv-06917) is a complex legal battle primarily revolving around allegations of trademark infringement, interference with contractual relations, extortion, and various forms of unfair competition. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the case: Background and Overview The complaint opens by framing the case as one […]
What Small Business Owners Need to Know About Google’s Antitrust Case and How It Might Affect Your Online Presence
In August 2024, Google faced a significant legal blow in the U.S., losing its first major antitrust case brought by the Department of Justice (DOJ). This case is likely to have ripple effects that could impact not just Google, but also how businesses like yours interact with online search engines and advertising. If you’ve heard […]
Why I Moved My High-Traffic WordPress Site from WP Engine to Rocket.net: A Developer’s Journey Through Malware, Migrations, and Better Security
As a professional WordPress developer with over 15 years of experience, I’ve seen the evolution of WordPress hosting platforms, managed services, and security solutions. Over the years, I’ve worked with several hosting providers, and while I’ve had my share of issues, my experience with WP Engine, in particular, reached a breaking point that led me […]
WordPress Market Share Stagnation
The market share of WordPress, which has long been the dominant platform for building websites, has shown signs of stagnation in recent years. WordPress has historically been the go-to content management system (CMS) for websites, holding a commanding market share. At its peak, WordPress powered over 40% of all websites globally, making it the most […]
Peloton & Google Partnership
If Google teamed up with Peloton Interactive, the partnership could potentially offer a range of benefits to Peloton, leveraging Google’s vast technological capabilities and ecosystem. Here are some possible advantages: Overall, a collaboration between Google and Peloton could significantly enhance Peloton’s technology stack, user experience, and market reach, making it a more competitive player in […]

