Blog Articles

A Google Business Profile (GBP) is one of the most powerful tools for local SEO and online visibility. But when duplicate listings appear, they can confuse potential customers, split reviews, harm rankings, and even lead to suspensions. If you're seeing multiple profiles for the same location, it's critical to clean them up — but the process must be done carefully to avoid removing or damaging the verified listing.

Email marketing isn't dead. In fact, it remains one of the most cost-effective, ROI-positive strategies available. But with spam filters tightening and sender reputation playing a bigger role in inbox placement, getting your emails delivered is tougher than ever. If you're seeing low open rates or landing in spam, this guide will help you understand why and what to do about it.

In 2025, artificial intelligence has evolved from being a futuristic concept to a core component of everyday business, marketing, creativity, and productivity. Whether you're a solopreneur, a digital agency, or a large enterprise, understanding which AI systems are leading the industry can give you a competitive edge. This pillar article breaks down the most powerful and practical AI platforms of the year.

In the fast-paced world of social media marketing, businesses often believe that more is better — that posting multiple times a day is the key to rapid growth. However, this approach can sometimes backfire, especially for small or growing businesses with limited audience engagement.

In today's competitive local market, standing out on Google is essential — and one of the most powerful ways to build trust and attract more customers is by becoming Google Guaranteed. This special certification gives your business the coveted green badge that appears in Google Local Services Ads, signaling to potential customers that Google backs your work up to \$2,000.But the process to become Google Guaranteed involves multiple verification steps, paperwork, and background checks — which can be time-consuming and confusing. That's where Fawkes Digital Marketing comes in. We handle everything for you, making the process seamless so you can focus on running your business.

Supporting small businesses is one of the easiest and most impactful ways to uplift your local community — and it doesn't always require spending a lot of money. Whether it's a neighborhood bakery, a family-owned repair shop, or a new boutique down the street, small businesses depend on the support of everyday customers like you to survive and thrive. Here's how you can show your support, build community pride, and help ensure these essential businesses remain part of your town for years to come.

Online reviews are the modern word-of-mouth -- and they're often the deciding factor between a customer choosing you or a competitor. In fact, over 90% of consumers read online reviews before visiting a business, and businesses with more positive reviews rank higher in local search results on platforms like Google.

Email is one of the most powerful tools in your digital marketing arsenal. But if your message lands in the spam, junk, or promotions folder, your efforts can fall flat. A key culprit? Spam trigger words. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore what these words are, why they matter, and how to strategically replace them with safer alternatives.

If your small business website has been flagged as dangerous or suspicious by tools like McAfee WebAdvisor, Norton Safe Web, or other web security systems, it can seriously impact your credibility and ability to attract customers. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore why websites get blocked, how to fix it, and how to proactively prevent it from happening in the future.

Just getting a website doesn't mean you're done doing your marketing. Your work has ultimately just begun. We all want the "Field of Dreams" where you build it, and they come. That's not the case. Below is an outline of what you should do to get found and start seeing results. It may be work, but it's work that will pay off. Everything below is the "light version" of what we do every month and is something everyone can do. We've made this much less intensive so that it's not as overwhelming for you.

In today's hyper-connected world, texting is one of the most powerful tools businesses have to communicate with their audience. But with great power comes great responsibility. Especially when using Application-to-Person (A2P) messaging through systems like Twilio and the 10DLC (10-digit long code) framework.At Fawkes Digital Marketing, we don't just build powerful marketing platforms—we protect your ability to keep using them. Our team is committed to helping businesses in North Alabama and across the country understand and follow A2P messaging rules, so you avoid disruptions, bans, and steep penalties.

May is Small Business Month, and there's never been a better time to celebrate and support the entrepreneurs, family-run shops, and independent service providers that keep our communities thriving. While big franchises might offer convenience, it's the small businesses that truly fuel the heart of local economies. In this article, we'll explore why small businesses contribute more to communities than franchises and why your support matters more than ever.

In the ever-evolving world of digital marketing, SEO remains the cornerstone of organic visibility. At Fawkes Digital Marketing, we don't just follow trends—we set the standard. As premier organic SEO experts, we help businesses navigate the latest changes and stay ahead of the curve. This guide breaks down the most effective SEO strategies, highlights outdated practices to avoid, and shows why partnering with us is the smartest move for sustainable online growth.

In today's competitive local services market in Cullman, Alabama (and beyond!), standing out and earning the trust of potential customers is paramount. The Google Guaranteed badge, a prominent shield displayed alongside your business name in Google Search results, is a powerful tool that can help you achieve just that. It signifies that Google has vetted your business, offering customers a sense of security and increasing your visibility among local searches. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of becoming Google Guaranteed, explaining the benefits, requirements, and steps involved in leveraging this valuable asset for your business growth.

After uploading this viral AI trend to my personal Facebook, I've been asked about it. Sometimes, embracing the latest viral trend allows you to learn more about programming with AI, custom prompts, and see what it's all about. Don't worry, you can do it too, without being a software developer or anything overly complex, while learning a few things about what this technology can do.

In the realm of local search, Google Business Profile (GBP) often steals the spotlight. It's understandable – Google commands a significant share of the search engine market. However, limiting your local SEO strategy to just one platform is akin to fishing in only half the pond. Enter Bing Places for Business, Microsoft's equivalent to GBP. While it might not have the same buzz, neglecting your Bing Places listing means missing out on a valuable audience, less competition, and a broader online presence. This comprehensive guide will delve into why your business needs a Bing Places page and the tangible benefits it offers for your local SEO success.

When it comes to accepting credit cards, one unavoidable question for businesses is: who should cover the processing fees — you, the business owner, or your customers? With providers like Stripe, Square, and others charging 2.9% to 3.5% per transaction, that cost adds up. Below, we break down the pros and cons of each approach to help you decide what's best for your business and your customers.

Email remains one of the most powerful tools in your marketing arsenal—but only if it's done right. If you've been sending out email after email and getting no responses, it's time to shift your approach.

Service area pages are crucial in local SEO and attracting the right customers. Whether you run a home service business, a law firm, or a digital marketing agency, a well-optimized service area page helps potential customers find you and trust your expertise. This guide'll explain why your website needs a service area page and what key elements it should include to maximize visibility and conversions.

In today's digital world, businesses need more than just a name on a membership list—they need visibility, engagement, and lead generation. Traditional Chambers of Commerce have served their purpose but often fail to provide real-time business growth solutions. Enter Brilliance CRM, the ultimate business directory and chamber membership software alternative offers a modern, data-driven approach to business networking and marketing.

Domain trust is a crucial factor in how search engines rank websites. A high domain trust score signals to Google that your site is reliable, authoritative, and safe for users. This can lead to higher rankings, more organic traffic, and better online credibility.

In today's digital-first world, staying ahead of the competition requires more than just traditional Search Engine Optimization (SEO). As search trends evolve, so does the way businesses must optimize their content. Enter Answer Engine Optimization (AEO)—the next frontier in digital marketing.

Well, it's not expanding, as this is where we started back in 2013. We're partnering with PanoramaNow to help businesses grow their reach through our CRM software, Brilliance CRM, which uses its business directory/membership portal. This has all the features that a Chamber of Commerce would provide a business on steroids. We say that because it allows for more features, functionality, and better search engine visibility for your business.

In today's digital landscape, businesses must do more than rank on search engines; they must provide instant, relevant answers to users. That's where Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) comes in. While Search Engine Optimization (SEO) focuses on ranking web pages in search results, AEO ensures that your content appears in featured snippets, voice searches, and AI-generated answers.