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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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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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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If you run a small business, you’ve probably heard the term “Local SEO” tossed around — but what does it actually mean in 2025? At its core, Local SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is how your business shows up when people nearby are searching for your products or services. Whether it’s “best hair salon near me”…
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Well here we are again, the holidays are about to go into full swing. Actually to me it feels like we skipped Thanksgiving and went straight to Christmas. I admit, I’ve been listening to Christmas music and watching the Hallmark Channel since the beginning of November. Guilty. This time of year seems to go by…
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Google vs. Yelp – Which One Matters More? Listen to West Coast Cyber Chick Podcast Episode There are all kinds of online review sites out there, Yelp and Google being two of the biggest. Question is, which one should you focus your efforts on? Short answer – focus on Google but don’t ignore Yelp. Here’s…
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Three, Two, One – ACTION! Video marketing continues to be on the rise as one of the most effective ways to promote your business, brand or product. You don’t have to have expensive equipment, a studio or even a ton of knowledge to make a video that viewers want to watch. Video marketing can start…
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It’s not if, it’s when… No, I’m not trying to be Debbie Downer here, I’m just being realistic. For those of us with small businesses, an economic downturn or recession can hit us hard, some to the point of being business-ending. Listen to West Coast Cyber Chick Podcast Episode I managed to (barely) survive the…
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Voice search is going to do nothing but increase in the coming years. How often have you found yourself saying “Hey Siri” or “Alexa find me…”? That’s voice search. If you have any doubt about the importance of ranking for voice searches, check out my post “Voice Search and Why It Matters to your SEO…
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Voice search, or voice-enabled, allows the user to use a voice command to search the internet or portable device. Whether it’s on your smart phone or smart speaker, voice search is growing in popularity because it’s a fast and easy way to find an answer to a question. “Siri what time is it?” or “Alexa…
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© 2026 Laura Brown - Shoreline Digital Marketing
Digital Marketing Made Simple! Big Bear Lake, CA
