Back at the Desk: What Changed in Local Search While You Were Busy Running Your Business
What changed in local search in 2026 — AI answers, smarter Maps, harder-working Business Profiles — and what Coachella Valley businesses should do next.
Google Maps Is Getting Smarter: What “Ask Maps” Means for Local Businesses
Google Maps has quietly become one of the most important marketing platforms for local businesses. People use it to find restaurants, compare service providers, check reviews, and decide who looks trustworthy enough to call. In many cases, they never even visit a website before making that decision. Now Google is adding another layer to Maps: AI-powered search and discovery. In a recent announcement, Google introduced new features that allow users to ask Maps questions and receive recommendations directly within the app. Instead of typing basic searches like “coffee near me,” people can now ask things like: “What’s a good brunch spot with outdoor seating?” “Where can I get a quiet place to work nearby?” “What’s a good local sushi restaurant open right now?” Maps then analyzes reviews, photos, and business information to suggest places that match the request. Which raises a very practical question for business owners: How do you make sure your business shows up when Maps starts answering questions for people? [...]
SEO in the Age of AI: How Small Businesses Should Position Their Websites in 2026
If you’ve heard someone declare “SEO is dead” lately, congratulations. You’ve witnessed a marketing industry tradition. Right up there with “email is dead” and “websites don’t matter anymore.” Here’s the truth: SEO isn’t dead. It’s changing. And AI is the reason people are panicking about it. Not because AI “replaced Google” (it didn’t), but because it changed how people get answers and what kind of content actually gets rewarded. If you run a small business, especially in Palm Springs or anywhere in the Coachella Valley, this matters. You don’t need to chase every shiny new tool, but you do want your website positioned so you show up when people search, ask AI tools for recommendations, or decide who looks legit enough to contact. […]
Launching the Foxi Marketing Website — A Bold New Brand Goes Live
Some projects are pure work. Others are pure fun. And every once in a while, you get lucky enough to have both — like with Foxi Marketing. Brooke Fox came to me with a new business, a sharp brand kit, and a name that already sounded like it belonged in a good marketing story. My job was to turn all that into a website that looked confident, creative, and — most importantly — Foxi without being fussy. […]
How Local Businesses Can Win Leads from AI Search (ChatGPT, Google, and Beyond)
Search has changed more in the last two years than in the last twenty. Instead of typing “best web designer near me” into Google and scrolling through pages of results, people are increasingly asking AI assistants — ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, Perplexity, you name it — for direct recommendations. And here’s the kicker: these AIs don’t list ten blue links. They give one answer. If your business is the answer, that’s a potential client in your pocket. If you’re not, you’re invisible. […]
Thriving in the Heat: How Coachella Valley Businesses Can Prosper During the Hot Summer Months with Smart Digital Marketing
The hot summer months in the Coachella Valley can be challenging for local business owners. As temperatures soar to 120 degrees and beyond, residents often feel fed up with the relentless heat and prefer to stay indoors. This can lead to a dip in foot traffic and sales. However, with smart and efficient digital marketing strategies, businesses can not only survive but also thrive during this period. Here’s how you can leverage digital marketing to keep your business buzzing all summer long. […]
The Local SEO Secret Sauce: Why Greater Palm Springs Businesses Should Buddy Up with a Hometown Agency
Hey there, fellow Greater Palm Springs business rockstars! Let’s talk shop, shall we? Specifically, let’s chat about why bringing your SEO game to the next level means cozying up to a local agency right here in our sun-kissed paradise. Grab a cold drink, kick back, and let’s dive into why your business and a local SEO agency are a match made in desert heaven. […]
Unlocking Success: Why Paid Search Ads Shine Brighter Than Social Media Ads in the Greater Palm Springs Area
Hey there, Greater Palm Springs small business owners! If you’re navigating the wild world of digital advertising, you’ve likely juggled the question: paid search or social media ads? Let’s chat about why paid search ads – those little gems that pop up when you Google something – might just be your golden ticket to marketing success in our sunny corner of the world. […]
Coachella Valley Non-Profits Should Strive to Make Every Day a CV Giving Day
If you are in the Coachella Valley and have been on social media today, you have likely seen a few requests from various non-profit organizations for donations through CV Giving Day, which, essentially, is a directory of charities and non-profits, large and small in the Greater Palm Springs area, showcasing a few of their details along with an ask for a contribution. And while, certainly, any way that can help an organization bring in revenues should be utilized, and I don’t mean to take anything away from the charitable spirit of the organizers of CV Giving Day, setting up your non-profit for donations on your own website has numerous advantageous for your organization and should be strongly considered. […]
Dominate Palm Springs’ Digital Scene: Elevate Your Business with Local SEO Expertise
Hey there, fellow Palm Springs enthusiasts! It’s Casey Dolan here, and today I want to take you on a journey through the digital playground of our beloved desert oasis. As a proud resident and business owner in Greater Palm Springs, I’ve seen firsthand the impact of local SEO in helping businesses like yours thrive in our vibrant community. So grab a cold drink, kick back, and let’s dive into why local SEO is the secret sauce to success in Palm Springs. […]