Latest news with #SEO
Forbes
7 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
7 Ways Your Small Business Can Reach New Customers — Beyond Google
Female Small Business Owner Arranges Stock In Window Display AI and changes to search engines are truly transforming how small businesses get discovered online. Although the rise of AI overviews within Google search results presents opportunities to get found in new ways, it can be difficult for busy small business owners to keep up with all the algorithm changes. Furthermore, organic website visits are down, and zero-click searches are up, so you can't solely rely on customers finding your business on Google and then clicking through to your website. It's essential to diversify your marketing and use multiple strategies to get your business visible and reach new customers - beyond just organic Google search results. Here are some ways small businesses can do this: 1. Combine SEO, GEO, And AEO Strategies Traditional SEO, such as keywords and backlinks, remains important in the age of AI. However, adding a layer of AEO (answer engine optimization) and GEO (generative engine optimization) may help your website show up in AI overviews and platforms like ChatGPT and Claude. Make sure to: 2. Get Active On Reddit And Quora A recent study revealed that Reddit and Quora are the top two domains cited in AI overviews, as users ask and answer questions that are highly valuable, specific, and sometimes not answered elsewhere. This presents a great opportunity for small businesses to get active on these platforms, providing helpful answers to relevant questions to build credibility and trust, and in turn, increase the chance of being cited in AI overviews. 3. Don't Sleep On Social Media Did you know that Instagram posts now appear in Google search results? Instagram should now be a key part of your SEO strategy, as it offers an excellent opportunity to get your content in front of more potential customers. Depending on your capacity, focus on one to two social media platforms, and grow from there. Choose platforms that make the most sense for your business, such as LinkedIn for B2B brands. Consider these tactics to help reach and engage new customers: 4. Build A Personal Brand On LinkedIn More and more companies big and small are discovering the power of founder-led content. As a small business owner, embrace LinkedIn as a way to build a personal brand and reach new audiences. Make sure to optimize your profile so visitors understand exactly what you offer, and show up consistently with content that focuses on providing value and sharing your thought leadership. 5. Be A Guest On Small Business Podcasts Have a think: what kind of podcasts do your ideal customers listen to? What podcasts are relevant to your topic or industry? Then pitch yourself as a guest to these podcasts. This is a great way to reach an already-established audience, share your insights and knowledge, and engage potential new customers. Once the episode has aired, remember to share it across all of your own channels to amplify the reach even further! 6. Build An Email List An email list is something that you own. This means it's unaffected when Google or social media algorithms change, or if a platform goes down entirely! So it's essential to build your email list and nurture them with newsletters to keep building the relationship. To encourage people to subscribe to your list, offer a value-packed freebie (i.e., a lead magnet) such as a free e-book or PDF guide. You can promote this freebie across your website and social media channels, even at the end of your podcast appearances! 7. In-Person Small Business Networking Even in a digital world, a bit of old-fashioned networking can still go a long way. Find any small business networking groups in your local area. Meeting new people and nurturing relationships helps to grow your personal brand, get visible in front of more potential customers, and could even lead to referrals. It's essential not to rely on just one marketing avenue. We know it can be overwhelming, though, when there are numerous actions you could be taking. So start with a couple of new platforms and build from there. You don't have to do everything, but by diversifying and giving your ideal customers more ways to discover your small business, you'll set yourself up for more success.
Forbes
7 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
Reinventing Local News For The Digital Age
Sam Nelson, President, Downstreet Digital. 15+ years running digital advertising and marketing in the political, public and private sector. Many regional news outlets are founded on a commitment to fast, accurate and community-first reporting. They can serve as a vital part of daily life in the region, covering everything from breaking news and public safety to local politics, economic development and cultural events. Unlike larger media groups, small news outlets typically operate independently. That independence is a strength—but it also means competing with well-funded outlets, often without having the same marketing budgets or technical infrastructure. Based on my experience helping news outlets improve their digital footprint and marketing, here's how you can build a strategy for remaining relevant and growing in the digital age while retaining your regional outlet's unique voice and values. Setting Project Goals When it comes to elevating your digital strategy, one of the primary challenges that regional news outlets face is modernizing their digital presence and growing their online audience—without compromising their editorial mission or relying on paid advertising. The first step in creating your strategy should be setting specific goals you want to work toward. Here are a few to consider: • Increase website traffic and story discovery through stronger search engine optimization (SEO) and user experience. • Improve time-on-site and engagement through more intuitive design and layout. • Build an organic, loyal following on social media through consistent content and platform-specific tactics. • Preserve and reinforce the community's long-standing trust in your outlet while adapting to the demands of today's digital news environment. The Three Pillars I believe that now, more than ever, local media can play a critical role in shaping informed communities—and that with the right digital tools and strategy, even small outlets can thrive in a competitive media landscape. Rather than chasing short-term clicks, though, the key is to build a strategy rooted in long-term audience growth and trust-building. Your news station is a platform for civic engagement, so it's important to sharpen your voice, streamline your digital presence, and meet readers where they already are: on their phones, on social media and online 24/7. In order to reach your established goals from the first step, I recommend focusing on these three pillars: Create a consistent, nimble posting strategy across your social media that mirrors the pace of your reporting. For example, instead of rigid content calendars, prioritize: • Breaking news and real-time public safety alerts. • Community events and local spotlights. • Hyper-relevant government updates and civic news. • Easy-to-share headlines and links tailored for mobile-first readers. Take a look at your website and see where it can be refreshed. Start with subtle but high-impact changes, such as: • Restructuring your homepage for easier story discovery. • Improving formatting and mobile responsiveness. • Streamlining article templates for clarity and faster reading. • Implementing SEO enhancements that target local keywords and breaking topics. • Adding social sharing tools to amplify organic reach. Many small, independent publishers face the problem of needing to modernize and grow online without abandoning their editorial integrity or the unique relationship they've built with their community over decades. Don't rely on clickbait headlines, paid social campaigns or flashy gimmicks. Instead, focus on staying true as well as competitive. That means ensuring that every decision you make balances growth and authenticity, reach and reputation. In my experience, these three pillars can lead to faster load times across devices, better Google indexing of top stories, and increased time-on-site and pageviews per session, as well as making it easier for users to explore related stories and stay informed longer. Conclusion: Trusted Local News, Digitally Supercharged A lean, independent news operation can still compete in today's digital landscape—without relying on paid media. By creating a focused strategy and having a deep understanding of what your audience values, your regional news outlet can grow its organic social media following, increase engagement and traffic without compromising journalistic standards and reinforce its role as an indispensable part of your region's civic life. And all of this can be achieved on a modest budget, with little-to-no reliance on ad spend—just smart strategy, consistent storytelling and the power of local trust. Growth doesn't have to come at the cost of authenticity. With a strategy rooted in your values, it's possible to evolve—and expand—without losing what makes you essential to your community. Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?
Globe and Mail
a day ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Leading SEO Specialist Aftab M. Expands DigixFly Services to North American Market, Targeting Underserved High-Growth Industries
Mississauga, ON, Canada - DigixFly, a specialized digital marketing agency led by internationally recognized SEO expert Aftab M., announces its strategic expansion into the North American market, bringing proven optimization strategies that have transformed businesses across three continents. Filling the Gap in Specialized Industry SEO While many SEO agencies chase oversaturated markets, DigixFly has built its reputation by identifying and serving profitable niches that traditional agencies overlook. The company specializes in HVAC contractors, clean energy companies, specialized e-commerce businesses, and local service providers – industries with significant online potential but limited access to expert SEO guidance. "We've discovered that some of the most profitable businesses are also the most underserved when it comes to sophisticated SEO strategies," explains Aftab M., founder of DigixFly. "A well-optimized HVAC company in a mid-sized city can dominate their local market, but most don't know how to leverage SEO effectively. That's where we create tremendous value." International Success Stories Drive North American Expansion DigixFly's expansion comes on the heels of significant client successes across international markets. Recent achievements include transforming Connect Group's digital presence across GCC markets in Dubai, where strategic SEO implementation resulted in substantial organic growth for their business and event support services. The agency's comprehensive approach was further demonstrated with Pangea Sculptures, where DigixFly resolved over 120 technical SEO issues while building a robust content strategy that improved search visibility across multiple international markets. In Australia, the company's work with Verdant Earth Technologies showcased DigixFly's expertise in the clean energy sector, helping the sustainability-focused company achieve stronger organic search presence in competitive renewable energy markets through comprehensive technical SEO strategies. Data-Driven Results Without the Overwhelm Unlike agencies that flood clients with vanity metrics, DigixFly focuses on business-impacting improvements. The company consistently delivers measurable outcomes including enhanced organic traffic, improved search rankings, and stronger domain authority – all while maintaining complete transparency in reporting. "Our clients don't need to understand every technical detail," notes Aftab. "They need to see real business growth from their digital presence. We handle the complexity so they can focus on serving their customers." Strategic Market Positioning for 2025 DigixFly's North American expansion leverages proven enterprise-level expertise across comprehensive market sectors. Having successfully managed SEO campaigns with monthly budgets ranging from $100,000 to $500,000 for major corporations, Aftab M. now brings this institutional-grade approach to North American businesses of all scales. Enterprise & Corporate Sector: Large corporations requiring sophisticated, multi-location SEO strategies with substantial monthly investments. DigixFly's experience managing six-figure monthly SEO budgets provides the infrastructure and expertise needed for complex enterprise implementations. Emerging Clean Energy & Technology: As renewable energy adoption accelerates, solar installers, clean technology companies, and sustainability-focused businesses require advanced digital strategies to reach environmentally conscious consumers and B2B decision-makers across multiple market segments. Healthcare & Professional Services: Medical practices, legal firms, accounting services, and consulting businesses need specialized SEO approaches that address industry regulations, local market dynamics, and professional credibility requirements. Manufacturing & Industrial: B2B manufacturers, industrial equipment suppliers, and specialized service providers require technical SEO expertise that understands complex sales cycles, multiple stakeholder decision-making, and industry-specific search behaviors. Financial Services & Real Estate: Banks, investment firms, insurance companies, and real estate agencies need sophisticated local and national SEO strategies that build trust while navigating strict industry compliance requirements. Local Service Excellence: HVAC contractors, plumbers, electricians, and specialized service providers benefit from enterprise-level SEO techniques scaled appropriately for local market dominance and sustainable growth. E-commerce & Retail: From specialized B2B marketplaces to consumer retail, online businesses require comprehensive SEO strategies that address technical infrastructure, content optimization, and conversion-focused user experience design. Franchise & Multi-Location Businesses: Restaurant chains, retail franchises, and service-based franchises need coordinated SEO strategies that balance corporate brand consistency with local market effectiveness across multiple locations. This comprehensive market approach reflects DigixFly's core philosophy: proven enterprise methodologies adapted for businesses at every scale, delivering measurable results through technical excellence and strategic implementation. Comprehensive Service Portfolio DigixFly offers end-to-end SEO solutions designed for businesses serious about long-term growth: Competitive Advantage Through Specialization What sets DigixFly apart is its deep understanding of industry-specific challenges. Rather than applying generic SEO templates, the agency develops customized strategies based on each sector's unique search behaviors, competitive landscapes, and customer journeys. "A solar installer's SEO needs are completely different from an HVAC contractor's, which are different from a specialized e-commerce store's," explains Aftab. "We invest time understanding each industry so our strategies actually work in the real world." Availability and Partnership Approach DigixFly is currently accepting new North American clients with a focus on building long-term partnerships rather than short-term contracts. The agency's competitive pricing structure makes professional SEO accessible to growing businesses that previously couldn't afford enterprise-level digital marketing. Interested businesses can schedule a complimentary SEO assessment to identify immediate opportunities for online growth. About DigixFly Founded by SEO specialist Aftab M., DigixFly provides data-driven search engine optimization services for businesses seeking sustainable online growth. With a proven track record across international markets and diverse industries, the company specializes in underserved niches where professional SEO can create significant competitive advantages. The agency operates from its North American headquarters in Mississauga, Ontario, with digital services available across Canada and the United States. DigixFly is committed to ethical, sustainable SEO practices that create long-term value for clients and their customers. Media Contact Company Name: Digixfly Contact Person: Aftab M. Email: Send Email Phone: +1 626 3063806 Address: 1316 Willowvale Gardens City: Mississauga State: Ontario Country: Canada Website:
Forbes
a day ago
- Business
- Forbes
The Hidden Power Of SEO In Boosting Paid Ad Performance
Mykola Lukashuk, CEO at Marketing Link, is a B2B SEO, analytics, and ads consultant. Search engine optimization (SEO) and paid ads are often managed independently—split across teams, timelines and key performance indicators (KPIs). But this siloed approach can limit performance. Without SEO, you overpay for clicks that go to poorly optimized pages. Without ads, your SEO has no short-term acceleration. When these channels work together—from metadata to landing speed to tag health—you can unlock measurable gains in visibility, quality score and conversion. Why Technical SEO Matters More Than You Think Page speed is no longer just a user experience (UX) metric—it's a revenue factor. Google's Core Web Vitals assess performance under 3G-like conditions, which still impact how your site is ranked and how your ads perform. For advertisers, that's not just a poor experience—it's lost budget. Every bounce is a click you paid for but didn't convert. Optimizing for page load time doesn't just boost your SEO; it protects your return on ad spend (ROAS) on platforms like Meta and Google Ads. The Role Of OG Metadata In Meta Advertising Open Graph (OG) metadata determines how your content appears when shared on Meta platforms like Facebook or Messenger, and that makes it directly relevant for ad performance. If your OG tags aren't configured properly, here's what might go wrong: • The wrong text, description or image shows up (such as a mismatched product or your site's logo). • Instead of linking to the right page, the preview shows your homepage. Meta caches OG data. Even after updating a page's title or image, the preview might not refresh unless you force a re-scrape using the Facebook Sharing Debugger. If OG metadata is missing, Meta might generate a random preview by scanning the page. That preview could be irrelevant: a blank image, a low-quality logo or an outdated banner. Well-structured OG tags give you control over how your brand is displayed in ad previews. This directly affects click-through rate (CTR), perceived trust and performance of ad formats like dynamic product ads and story placements. How SEO Supports Google Ads And Microsoft Ads Google Ads uses the Quality Score metric to assess the relevance of your ads. It's based on three core components: • Keyword: Does it match the user's search query? • Ad Copy: Does the ad include the keyword? • Landing Page: Does the content on the page match the ad and keyword? When all three are aligned, your ad receives a Quality Score between 1 and 10. The higher the score, the lower your cost-per-click and the better your ad position. For example, if someone searches for 'custom kitchen remodel,' and that exact phrase appears in your ad headline, Google considers it relevant. Then it looks at your landing page. If the page only mentions 'kitchens' but not 'remodel' or 'custom,' the Quality Score drops. You can check your Quality Score in Google Ads by revealing the hidden columns. There, you'll see how Google rates your landing page: • Poor • Average • Good • Excellent A similar Quality Score is used in Microsoft (Bing) Ads, also based on a 1 to 10 scale. Their rating labels include: • Underperforming • Competitive • Very competitive Even if your business focuses purely on ads—not SEO—it's still worth updating your landing pages with clear, relevant text. This helps both Google and Microsoft understand what your page is about and improves ad performance. You can't stuff 50 to 60 keyword variations into a single page. Focus on the primary ones. For example: • If your keyword is 'custom kitchen remodel,' mention it three to five times on the page. • Include it in the title or meta description, if possible. • Use it in H2 or H3 headings. Review your ad costs—and consider whether improving your page copy could boost your return. Even small changes, like adding a short, keyword-rich description, can improve your Quality Score. Just don't try to cheat the system by dumping a comma-separated list of keywords. Google Ads and Microsoft Ads can detect this tactic—and may penalize your account for keyword stuffing. Google scans your website in detail, and poor meta tag implementation can create issues in both SEO and Google Ads. What could go wrong: • Missing Details: Shipping info, return policy and warranty terms are examples of missing details. Google may block your ads if this information is missing from your site. • New Products Added Without Optimized Meta Tags: If you upload 1,000 new items with generic or missing titles and descriptions, Google might not even bother crawling them. • Duplicate Meta Tags: If your title and description tags are not unique, it can hurt indexing speed and reduce the chances of your products being eligible for ads. Here's what usually happens when a store adds new products: Google picks them up in the feed, shows them in Merchant Center, indexes the product images and then makes them eligible for ads. But if the meta tags are weak, duplicated or incomplete, I've found that this process can get delayed by up to three months. If your business invests only in paid ads and ignores SEO basics, you may start asking: • Why did we add this product, but it's not showing up in ads? • Why isn't Google processing our site? One simple solution: Run a basic SEO optimization cycle for a few months. Focus on improving meta tags, making titles and descriptions unique and speeding up indexing. Even a minimal SEO package from your ad agency can help close this gap and prevent delays in ad campaigns. Meta tags directly impact how fast Google indexes your products; whether they're eligible for shopping and Performance Max (PMax) ads; and the overall performance of your ad campaigns. Conclusion SEO isn't just about organic rankings—it's a multiplier for your entire digital strategy. From faster page loads to stronger metadata and more relevant landing pages, search fundamentals directly influence how your ads are scored, served and clicked. If your paid campaigns are hitting performance ceilings, the fix may not be in your ad account, but your website. Aligning SEO with your ad infrastructure helps you spend smarter, convert faster and compete stronger across platforms. Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?
Forbes
a day ago
- Business
- Forbes
4 Ways To Contribute To Your Blog When You're Tired Of Writing
Peter Boyd is an attorney and the Founder of PaperStreet. He has successfully helped 2,000 law firms with their websites and marketing. For small-business owners, writing blog posts each month can start to feel like a chore, especially if writing isn't your thing. On the days when you're staring at the screen and nothing good is coming to mind, it's okay to take a break. You don't have to write. But you should keep contributing to your content marketing in some way. I've put together a few ideas to help you still put in the effort while honoring the fact that your brain just isn't in a writing mood. (Hey, it happens to all of us. We can't be creative geniuses 100% of the time.) 1. Refresh An Old Blog Post Look through your site and find a blog post that's gotten a lot of views. Then update it. Add 'Updated 2025' to the post title and title tag. Refresh the content—make sure it's accurate, relevant and optimized. Maybe add a few new lines, replace any outdated links or swap in a new image. It's less work than writing from scratch and can still boost your SEO. 2. Make Some Artwork If writing feels like pulling teeth today, switch gears and make something visual. Many online graphic design tools are super user-friendly—even if you don't think of yourself as a designer. Create a few graphics for old blog posts, or ones you know you'll be publishing soon. Or knock out images for your next holiday campaign. Another successful effort is to take a blog post and generate an infographic from it. These might not be the most urgent tasks, but they are still productive and a great creative outlet. 3. Curate Instead Of Create Not everything has to be completely original content. Share a roundup of recent news, industry trends or helpful tools. Then write a quick introduction or add a short note about why you're sharing. If even that feels like too much writing, just let the links speak for themselves. You're still providing value, and your readers will appreciate it. Bonus: This strategy can help support your link-building efforts. When sharing your curated blog post on social media, be sure to tag the owner of the links you included. You could get some extra mentions from it, making this effort just as valuable as writing something new. 4. Generate Future Writing Ideas Spend time planning instead of producing. Scroll through your analytics. Poke around competitor websites. Check out what's trending on LinkedIn or even your Facebook feed. Gather inspiration from your favorite places. Jot down headline ideas. My team loves using AI to brainstorm blog topics when we're in a slump. Just Keep Showing Up Some days, writing just isn't going to happen. But that doesn't mean your content marketing has to stall. Whether you're refreshing, designing, curating or planning ahead, there are plenty of ways to stay productive (and creative) without forcing a single sentence. Honor what mood you're in, and do your best to stay on track. The most important thing isn't writing something, but rather committing to your overall strategy. No one minds if you pivot a bit. Forbes Agency Council is an invitation-only community for executives in successful public relations, media strategy, creative and advertising agencies. Do I qualify?
