The Journal

Web Design & SEO

Straight-talk guides on websites, local SEO, and Google Business Profile, written for business owners, not developers.

Google Search Console social media performance for Instagram, TikTok, X and YouTubeLocal SEO

You Can Now Add Instagram, TikTok, X and YouTube to Google Search Console

Google Search Console now tracks your social media performance in search. How to connect your accounts and what the reports show.

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Business not showing up in Google search resultsLocal SEO

Why Your Business Is Not Ranking on Google

The most common reasons local businesses stay invisible in search, and what to fix first.

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Google search results for local businessesLocal SEO

How Google Ranks Local Businesses

Relevance, distance, and prominence. How the three ranking factors work and which ones you can actually control.

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Local SEO checklist for small businessesLocal SEO

Local SEO Checklist for Small Businesses

Every task that moves the needle on local search, organized by what to tackle first.

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Common SEO mistakes small businesses makeLocal SEO

SEO Mistakes That Are Keeping Your Business Off Page One

The errors most small business owners make without realizing it, and how to fix each one.

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Google Maps local pack rankingsLocal SEO

How to Improve Your Google Maps Ranking

What separates the businesses in the local pack from everyone below them, and how to close the gap.

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Finding a local business on Google MapsLocal SEO

How to Rank on Google Maps: A Local SEO Guide

The three things Google actually ranks on, and the concrete steps that move you into the local pack.

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Managing a Google Business Profile from a laptopGoogle Business Profile

How to Optimize Your Google Business Profile

The free listing most local businesses half-fill out, and the settings that actually bring in calls.

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Optimizing a Google Business ProfileGoogle Business Profile

The Complete Guide to Optimizing Your GBP

Every field, photo, and setting that affects how your profile appears in Maps and local search.

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Google reviews for a local businessGoogle Business Profile

How to Get More Google Reviews (Without Begging)

A repeatable system for generating reviews consistently, so you never have to rely on a one-time push again.

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Business ranking high on Google MapsGoogle Business Profile

Rank Higher on Google Maps Using Your GBP

The profile-level changes that have the most direct impact on where you appear in the local pack.

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Small business website on laptop and mobileWeb Design

What Makes a Good Small Business Website in 2026?

Fast, mobile-first, and built for search. Here's what actually separates a site that converts from one that just exists.

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Local business owner checking Google rankingsLocal SEO

How to Get Your Business on the First Page of Google

Two spots to target, five things to fix. A practical breakdown of how local businesses actually reach page one.

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Website speed optimization on mobile phoneWeb Design

How to Speed Up a Slow Website (Without a Developer)

Six fixes you can do today, starting with images. No coding required.

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