Author: Laura Brown

Digital Marketing Made Simple

Critical Website Maintenance

Why Website Maintenance Matters More Than Ever

TL;DR: A website needs ongoing care to stay safe and working. WordPress security holes rose 42% in 2025, almost all of them in plugins, and attackers often exploit new ones within hours. Updates fix those holes, but they can also break forms, pages, or the whole site, so each update needs a backup first and…
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PHP Critical Security Update: Your Site Is Already Protected

TL;DR: On October 21, 2026, PHP, the language WordPress runs on, released emergency fixes for two critical security flaws that could let attackers take over a website from the outside. Details leaked early, and attacks started before the fix was out. My hosting partner, InMotion, put a precaution in place ahead of the patch and…
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the importance of google reviews in seo and aeo

Google Reviews and Why They Matter More Than Ever

If you’ve been treating your Google Business Profile reviews as an afterthought, it’s time for a shift in thinking. Reviews aren’t just social proof anymore — they’re a direct input into how visible your business is in Google Search, Google Maps, and increasingly, in AI-generated answers from tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Google’s AI Overviews.…
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Ai and Search Engine Optimization in 2026

Is Google Still Enough? How AI Is Changing the Way Customers Find You

If you’ve noticed that search is starting to feel different, you’re not imagining it. The way people look for information online is changing fast — and it has real implications for how your business gets found. Here’s what’s happening, and what it means for you. The Shift From Searching To Asking Not long ago, when…
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The hidden risks of ai generated website code

The Hidden Risks of AI Generated Website Code

The Hidden Risks of AI-Generated Website Code Published by West Coast Cyber Chick · Shoreline Digital Marketing AI coding tools have become indispensable — but the code they produce can quietly open doors that no marketer intended to leave unlocked. Imagine asking a helpful assistant to build you a front door — and they do…
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How to Create a How to Video (Without Spending a Small Fortune)

What I Did to Create My First How-To Video (Without Spending a Small Fortune) Creating your first how-to video can feel overwhelming—especially when you’re surrounded by thousands of content creators online. But the truth is, you don’t need a huge budget or a studio setup to get started. I created my first how-to tutorial with…
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Build A Website Step By Step

How to Start Building a Website: A Beginner’s Guide to a Solid Foundation

Building your first website can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right tools and setup, you can launch a professional, secure, and accessible site that’s easy to manage and grow. Whether you’re starting a blog, online portfolio, or small business site, this guide will walk you through the essential first steps.…
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Why On-Page SEO Matters

Imagine having a beautiful website… but no one sees it. That’s where on-page SEO comes in. What is On-Page SEO? On-page SEO is the practice of optimizing the content and structure of your website so search engines like Google can understand it—and rank it higher. This includes things like: Using the right keywords Writing clear…
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How I kept my small business running during personal termoil

How I Kept My Small Business Running During Personal Turmoil

Life doesn’t pause when you run a business. As small business owners, we wear a lot of hats — boss, bookkeeper, marketer, customer service rep — and we often keep things running on sheer willpower. But what happens when life hits hard? When you’re dealing with an illness, a loss, or any personal crisis, keeping…
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