Local Business Network

10/18/2026

Haven’t checked out our podcast yet? Now’s a great time to tune in!

If you’re a business owner looking to learn more about marketing, SEO, local SEO, Google Business Profile optimization, online reviews, and the strategies that help businesses get found online, our podcast is for you.

We share practical insights, helpful tips, and real-world advice to help you strengthen your online presence, attract more potential customers, build your brand, and grow your business. Whether you’re handling your own marketing or working with an agency, you’ll find ideas you can put to work for your business.

🎧 *Listen to the LocalBizNet podcast on Spotify! Give us a listen, follow the podcast, and share it with another business owner who could benefit from what we have to share.

Your business deserves more than just a website. It deserves to be found!

*As a disclaimer, this podcast was created using Google's new notebook.



https://open.spotify.com/episode/0YIuhw2c1OHQFpHEnL0SRu?si=UythTP0fTbqit2Ty0SPxqw

The Local Business Marketing Podcast · Episode

10/05/2026

From a LinkedIn friend, Ana Precup.

10/04/2026

Let's see how quickly you can pick up on this one. 😉

10/03/2026

Thinking about building your own website?

With Wix, Squarespace, GoDaddy, and other website builders, it’s easier than ever to put a website online. But getting a website online and getting that website **found by potential customers** are two very different things.

There’s a lot that goes into a website that actually works for a business—from SEO and Google indexing to page structure, content, and your Google Business Profile.

I took a closer look at what separates a website that simply exists from one that is built to help bring in business.

Here is a link to the full article:
https://www.localbiznet.com/articles/3393350_do-i-need-to-hire-someone-to-build-my-website

09/20/2026

I may have not been the only one who has said this, so I can't take full credit for this quote, but it is one I believe in and live by:

“Success is not just about making money. It’s about creating something that provides real value to others.”
~ Steve Davies

09/20/2026

How much is one new customer really worth to your business?

If you're only looking at the first transaction, you may be dramatically underestimating the value of that customer.

A $50 service call, a $100 dental visit, or a $25 restaurant check could be the beginning of a relationship worth thousands of dollars over several years.

But there's a problem: before that relationship ever begins, the customer has to choose your business.

And today, one of the first things they often look at is your Google review profile.

Your reviews can influence whether a potential customer picks up the phone, visits your business, or moves on to a competitor.

I wrote this article to take a closer look at customer lifetime value—and why your Google reviews may be playing a much bigger role in your revenue than you realize.

**Read the full article:**
https://www.localbiznet.com/articles/3155763_what-a-new-customer-is-really-worth-and-why-google-reviews-decide-who-gets-them

09/06/2026

I received a phone call from a new lead and high probability client in the next couple weeks.

The really exciting part was she found my website through a recommendation from ChatGPT.

While so many SEO experts are trying to game the system I’ve found that just keeping up with your Google Business Profile and good old fashioned SEO practices may be the secret to getting noticed and recommended by AI.

08/16/2026

Can a Bad Google Review Get You Sued?

A one-star Google review has now become the subject of a defamation lawsuit seeking damages in excess of $25,000.

For consumers, a case like this can raise an obvious concern: Can you really be sued simply for leaving a bad review?

For business owners, it raises a very different question: When does a negative review cross the line from protected criticism into something that can actually be challenged legally?

The answer to both questions is more complicated than the headline might suggest. The important distinction isn't whether a review is negative. It's what the reviewer actually says, whether those statements are true, and whether the statements cross the legal boundaries of protected opinion and factual criticism.

Here's what happened in a case involving a dissatisfied consumer and a manufacturing business, what the lawsuit alleges, and what both consumers and business owners should take away from it.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/can-bad-review-get-you-sued-steve-davies-vz7rc

07/29/2026

Is Your Google Business Profile Helping Your Business... or Holding It Back?

Most business owners know they have a Google Business Profile, but very few have looked at it closely in months—or even years. An outdated category, old photos, incorrect business information, or missed opportunities can quietly cost you visibility and customers without you ever realizing it. In this article, we'll walk through 15 of the most important areas to review so your Google Business Profile continues working as one of your most valuable local marketing tools.

Use this 15-point Google Business Profile checklist to identify common issues that may be hurting your local visibility. Learn how to optimize your profile, attract more customers, and improve your presence in Google Maps and AI-powered search.

07/19/2026

When most business owners think about online reviews, they usually think about reputation. They want more five-star reviews because they know potential customers read them before deciding who to call or where to spend their money. They're absolutely right. But what many people don't realize is that those same reviews can also help improve their visibility in Google Search, Google Maps, and even AI-powered search experiences. In other words, positive reviews don't just convince people to choose your business—they also help people find your business in the first place.
Let's take a closer look at why online reviews have become one of the most valuable assets a local business can have.

Learn how positive online reviews improve SEO rankings, increase local visibility, and help your business earn more traffic, leads, and customers.