Yelp’s Toxicity Problem Is Its Own Fault

Small businesses have had a tumultuous relationship with online review websites over the years. This has ranged from people attempting to sabotage businesses with negative reviews (a cottage industry itself), versus the other extreme where small business owners go as far as suing online reviewers. I’m not here to talk about that, though. Instead, I … [Read more…]

What “Being Partnered With Google” Actually Means

I’ve noticed lately that a lot of marketing agencies – especially ones targeting their services towards smaller businesses – proudly tout that they’re “partnered with Google.” If you’re a small business or intimidated by the process of getting to the top of Google (which is a lot harder than it sounds, but I already covered … [Read more…]

The Ghost Towns of Ill-Fated COVID-19 Entrepreneurial Projects

It’s been almost a year and a half since COVID-19 brought the global economy to its knees, crippled small businesses across the world and justified the indoors habits of gaming enthusiasts everywhere. Hey, I’m allowed to tease myself. In this part of the United States things are comparatively normal, something I’ve only been able to … [Read more…]

2020: The Year Small Businesses Were Left Out in the Cold

More than anything else, 2020 may be the year that small businesses were left out in the cold. Literally as of this month.  The effects of COVID-19 on the small business community have been sudden, shocking and heartbreaking. I’m a web developer who works exclusively with small businesses, and I’ve seen it firsthand. I’ve watched … [Read more…]

My Autumn/Winter 2020 COVID-19 Small Business Predictions

It’s been a turbulent year during which the norms we’ve been accustomed to have been thoroughly turned upside down. The small business community has been no exception; suddenly businesses are being required to pivot, develop new business models and market to new customer bases. This has been a crazy year for me personally as I’ve … [Read more…]