Google Business Profile Archives

Google Maps Is Getting Smarter: What “Ask Maps” Means for Local Businesses

Google Maps Is Getting Smarter: What “Ask Maps” Means for Local Businesses

By Casey Dolan|2026-03-13T13:40:28-07:00March 13th, 2026|SEO, The Internet|

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? [...]

Digital Marketing Trends in Greater Palm Springs

Digital Marketing Trends in Greater Palm Springs

By Casey Dolan|2026-01-29T15:12:35-08:00January 28th, 2026|Digital Marketing, Email Marketing, SEO, Social Media, Tips, Websites|

Digital marketing in Greater Palm Springs has never followed the same rules as bigger cities, and in 2026 that gap is only getting wider. This region runs on tourism, seasonal residents, events, and short attention spans. People are here for a few days, maybe a few weeks, and they are making decisions fast. That reality breaks a lot of generic marketing advice right out of the gate. If your strategy assumes people are researching for weeks, comparing brands, or slowly warming up to a business over time, it is already out of sync with how this area actually works. […]

Local SEO in Palm Springs Isn’t the Same as the Rest of the Coachella Valley

Local SEO in Palm Springs Isn’t the Same as the Rest of the Coachella Valley

By Casey Dolan|2026-01-26T12:44:05-08:00January 26th, 2026|Digital Marketing, Latest Articles, Marketing, SEO|

If you run a business in Palm Springs or elsewhere in the Coachella Valley, SEO probably sits in a strange mental category. You know it matters. You’re not entirely sure why. And you’ve likely heard a dozen different explanations that range from overly technical to wildly oversimplified. The truth sits somewhere in the middle. SEO isn’t magic, and it isn’t just “keywords.” Especially in a market like the desert, it’s about understanding how people search locally, how Google interprets that intent, and how your business fits into that ecosystem. […]

Social Media in 2026: What’s Changed, What Still Works, and Where to Focus

Social Media in 2026: What’s Changed, What Still Works, and Where to Focus

By Casey Dolan|2026-01-20T16:16:33-08:00January 20th, 2026|Social Media|

If social media feels louder, more crowded, and less effective than it used to, you’re not imagining it. I talk to a lot of business owners who are doing what they think they’re supposed to be doing. They’re posting consistently, sharing updates, staying active. On paper, everything looks fine. But the results don’t always match the effort. Plenty of likes, maybe a few comments, but not much movement where it actually matters. […]

How Local Businesses Can Win Leads from AI Search (ChatGPT, Google, and Beyond)

How Local Businesses Can Win Leads from AI Search (ChatGPT, Google, and Beyond)

By Casey Dolan|2025-08-21T10:46:33-07:00August 21st, 2025|Advertising, Artificial Intelligence, Digital Marketing, News, SEO, The Internet|

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. […]

How to Get More From Your Google Business Profile (Palm Springs Edition)

How to Get More From Your Google Business Profile (Palm Springs Edition)

By Casey Dolan|2025-08-12T10:05:28-07:00August 12th, 2025|Digital Marketing, Latest Articles, SEO, Tips, Websites|

If you run a business in the Coachella Valley, your Google Business Profile (the little box that shows up on the right side of Google and in Maps) is one of the best free marketing tools you have. It’s also the one most people forget exists until a customer says, “Hey, your hours are wrong.” Let’s fix that. Here’s a simple, non-nerdy guide to turning your profile into a steady stream of calls, clicks, and directions, written by someone who actually lives here and works with local businesses across Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Palm Desert, La Quinta, and beyond. 1) Lock down the basics (and keep them current) Name, Address, Phone (NAP): Use your real business name—no keyword stuffing. Make sure your address and phone match your website and any directories. Primary category: Choose the most accurate option (e.g., “Plumber,” “Web Designer,” “Coffee Shop”). Add a few secondary categories, but don’t overdo it. Hours + special hours: Add holiday hours and seasonal hours (yes, this matters here). Nothing turns [...]

How to Market Your Business in Palm Springs Without Breaking the Bank

How to Market Your Business in Palm Springs Without Breaking the Bank

By Casey Dolan|2025-08-21T09:54:48-07:00July 23rd, 2025|Tips|

Palm Springs is the kind of place where you can see a 1970s Rolls-Royce and a shirtless guy on a scooter on the same block. It’s a mash-up of retirees, artists, bachelorette parties, tech bros, boutique shop owners, and that one guy who still thinks NFTs are the future. It’s also a tough market to stand out in — especially if you’re running a small business and don’t have a “marketing budget” so much as a “cross-your-fingers-and-hope budget.” Here’s the good news: You can market your business here without remortgaging your mid-mod. Whether you're a service pro, a retail shop, or something deliciously weird (I see you, mobile cactus bar), there are real strategies that work — without the BS. 1. Google Business Profile: The Free Tool Everyone Forgets Exists Ah yes, the Google Business Profile — also known as “the reason someone might actually find your business.” If you haven’t claimed or updated yours since 2019, you’re not alone. But you’re also missing out on being shown in [...]

5 Easy Digital Wins for Small Businesses (That Won’t Make Your Head Explode)

5 Easy Digital Wins for Small Businesses (That Won’t Make Your Head Explode)

By Casey Dolan|2025-06-24T13:35:43-07:00June 24th, 2025|Tips|

Let’s face it—running a small business already feels like juggling flaming swords while riding a unicycle… during a windstorm. So when people start throwing around words like SEO, analytics, and “the algorithm,” it’s tempting to just pretend the internet doesn’t exist. But here’s the thing: you don’t need to become a full-time digital marketing guru to make smart, effective moves online. In fact, a few small steps can go a long way. Here are 5 easy digital opportunities that can help boost your business—without requiring a 12-week bootcamp or a caffeine IV. 1. Claim Your Google Business Profile (Seriously, Do It) This one’s free, simple, and ridiculously powerful. If someone searches for “best tacos in Palm Desert” or “dog groomer near me,” and your business doesn’t show up? You’re basically invisible. Claiming your Google Business Profile takes 10 minutes and lets you: Show up in search and on Google Maps Share your hours, photos, and contact info Collect and respond to reviews And yes, responding to reviews (even the [...]

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