Should You Target a Bigger City Like Austin? Probably Not.
Chasing a metro like Austin from a small town loses you twice. The review bar is 5 to 10 times higher, and proximity keeps you out of the pack anyway. I pulled the Central Texas map data. Here's why going local ranks you faster.
Are Paid Leads Worth It for Contractors? (Thumbtack, Angi & HomeAdvisor)
Thumbtack, Angi, HomeAdvisor - they all promise to fill your schedule. Sometimes they do. Here's the honest math on paid lead platforms, when they actually make sense, and why renting leads makes even less sense in a small town than a big metro.
Google Business Profile Optimization: The Complete Checklist (2026)
Your Google Business Profile is the single biggest thing deciding whether your phone rings. Here's the complete, plain-English checklist for setting it up right - and keeping it that way - in the order I'd actually do it.
How Many Google Reviews Do You Actually Need to Rank?
I pulled 453 contractor map-pack rankings across 16 towns around Austin and 10 trades. There's no single number, it's your trade and your town. A smaller market is far easier to own than chasing the metro.
Small Business SEO in Georgetown, TX: The Honest 2026 Guide
Georgetown isn't a sleepy town anymore. Sun City keeps growing, Wolf Ranch keeps filling up, and people are Googling local contractors every day. Here's what actually works to show up - written by a guy who lives 15 minutes up the road and does this for a living.
How Much Does a Website Cost for a Small Business in 2026?
Anywhere from $0 to $15,000+. But for a contractor or local service business, most of those options are either too cheap to work or more than you'll ever need. Here's the honest breakdown of what you actually get at each price point.
Wix vs Custom Website: What's Actually Better for a Small Business?
Wix is fast and cheap to get started. A custom site loads faster, ranks better, and doesn't lock you into a platform. Here's the honest comparison - with real Lighthouse numbers - for a contractor or local service business.
How to Get More Google Reviews (Without Being Annoying About It)
Most business owners know reviews matter. They just don't have a system for getting them. Here's the honest, no-gimmick approach that actually works - and a few things that'll get your listing penalized if you try them.
Why Your Business Isn't Showing Up on Google Maps (And How to Fix It)
If someone searches for what you do in your town and you're not showing up, something specific is broken. Here are the 10 most common reasons - and exactly what to do about each one.
Local SEO for Small Businesses: The Complete 2026 Guide
Most small service businesses aren't invisible online because of bad work - they're invisible because nobody set them up right. Here's what local SEO actually is, why it matters, and what to do about it.
Local SEO Pricing: What Does It Actually Cost in 2026?
Local SEO pricing ranges from $0 (DIY) to $5,000+/month (full agency). Here's an honest breakdown of what you actually get at each tier - and what makes sense for a small service business in 2026.