Field notes

The blog.

Notes, observations, and occasional rants about web design, marketing, and what actually works.

Recent posts

SEO

How Google’s November 2023 Core Update Impacted Small Business SEO and Local Rankings

Aug 4, 2025·9 min read

Discover how Google’s November 2023 Core Update disrupted local SEO and what it means for small business websites. This deep dive explores why authenticity, experience-driven content, and real-world reputation now trump technical tricks—and how thoughtful design, locally rooted stories, and strong user engagement can help small service-based businesses rise in the rankings. Featuring client case studies and actionable tips, it’s a roadmap for anyone looking to build lasting visibility in local search.

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Local SEO

How to Optimize Your Website for the Google Local Pack and Get More Local Customers

Jun 25, 2025·10 min read

If your website isn’t driving local traffic or leads, it might be missing one of the most powerful tools in your digital arsenal: the Google Local Pack. This blog unpacks how local search really works — from relevance and distance, to the often-overlooked role of prominence — and shows business owners how to break into that coveted top-three map listing. You’ll learn how to master your Google Business Profile, craft hyper-local website content, earn impactful reviews, and build citations and backlinks that matter. Whether you’re a realtor, salon owner, or dog trainer, this guide lays out practical, tactical moves to turn your online presence into a magnet for nearby customers.

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Content

Creating Strategic Content That Drives Traffic and Builds Meaningful Engagement

Jun 25, 2025·9 min read

Most businesses create content that looks good on the surface but fails to drive meaningful engagement or conversions. This post dives into what "content that works" actually means—how to craft blog posts, videos, and tools that attract the right audience, build trust, and move users down the funnel. From aligning content with the marketing journey, to using real stories and structure for connection, to striking the balance between SEO and soul, this guide shows how to make content that earns attention—and keeps it.

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SEO

Understanding Site Structure for SEO and How It Affects Your Website’s Google Rankings

Jun 23, 2025·9 min read

Struggling with why your website isn’t ranking on Google? This blog post breaks down the often-overlooked foundation of effective SEO—site structure. From clean URL hierarchies to strategic internal linking and mobile navigation, learn how organizing your content like a well-run bookstore can boost visibility, improve user experience, and support long-term growth. Whether you're using Webflow, WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace, this guide shows why structure isn’t just a technical detail—it’s a core business strategy.

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SEO

How Google’s March 2024 Core Update Impacted Small Business SEO and Local Rankings

Jun 23, 2025·10 min read

If your small business website saw a sudden crash in traffic in 2024, you’re not alone—and the culprit may be Google’s March 2024 Core Update. This blog explores how the update shifted SEO priorities toward authentic, experience-based content, hitting templated and thin sites hard while rewarding real stories, niche authority, and user-focused design. From platform-specific pitfalls on Webflow, WordPress, Wix, and Squarespace to actionable tips for local businesses, this post lays out what went wrong, what to fix, and how small businesses can thrive in a search landscape that now favors human-centered, trustworthy websites.

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highsouthroofing.com
Web Design

How to Create Service Pages That Drive Traffic, Build Trust, and Boost Conversions

Jun 23, 2025·9 min read

Tired of being told to “just create great content” without knowing what that actually means for SEO? This blog breaks it down with a strategic look at service pages—the underrated powerhouse that can turn casual site visitors into paying clients. Learn how to structure service pages that rank in Google, speak directly to your audience’s needs, and showcase your expertise—all while making your site work harder for you. Packed with real-world examples, copywriting tips, and local SEO tactics, this post is your roadmap to building service pages that convert like a salesperson on autopilot.

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Local SEO

How to Optimize Your Website for the Google Local Pack and Increase Local Search Visibility

Jun 17, 2025·8 min read

Discover how real businesses are making the leap into Google’s Local Pack and turning online visibility into phone calls, foot traffic, and lasting reputations. This blog post walks you through a step-by-step strategy to optimize your Google Business Profile, website, local citations, and customer reviews — all with an emphasis on real-world examples, practical tools, and a human-centered approach that aligns digital presence with brand values. It's a local SEO guide written not for tech wizards, but for small business owners ready to be seen.

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Web Design
8

8 Common Website Design Mistakes to Avoid for Better UX and SEO

Jun 16, 2025·9 min read

Discover the most common—and costly—web design mistakes that quietly sabotage your business’s online success. From prioritizing looks over usability to unintentionally turning away mobile users and burying your calls to action, this post breaks down eight key pitfalls with real-world examples and actionable fixes. If you want a website that doesn't just look great but truly converts, these insights are a must-read.

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Small Business
7

7 Proven Strategies to Build a Strong Online Presence for Your Small Business in 2025

Jun 16, 2025·9 min read

Feeling invisible online? This blog post unpacks a practical, people-first framework for small businesses to build an authentic, effective digital presence. From clarifying your brand and crafting a high-converting website to mastering local SEO, content strategy, and data-driven decisions, it’s a roadmap to attract, connect with, and earn the trust of your ideal audience—without fluff, jargon, or overwhelm.

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Web Design
7

How to Improve Your Website's Engagement Rate in 7 Steps

Jun 16, 2025·9 min read

If your website looks fine but fails to engage visitors or convert leads, the problem might not be what you think. In this post, we explore seven strategic, psychology-backed steps to boost your website’s engagement rate—from clarifying your messaging and speeding up load times to incorporating interactive elements, trust signals, and a content experience that actually resonates. Whether you're a small business owner or a creative professional, this guide offers actionable insights to help your site not just attract visitors—but make them stay, interact, and convert.

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Content

Creating Web Content That Drives Traffic and Engagement for Service-Based Businesses

Jun 16, 2025·9 min read

Struggling to turn your website into a lead-generating powerhouse? This blog post breaks down the art of crafting web content that does more than just please search engines—it builds trust, reflects your brand voice, and genuinely resonates with your ideal clients. From SEO-savvy structure to storytelling that sticks, learn how to blend strategy with soul to create content that attracts the right traffic and turns readers into loyal customers. Real-world examples and actionable insights included—no jargon, just clarity.

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Web Design
8

The 8 Essential Elements of a High-Converting Website for 2025

Jun 16, 2025·9 min read

Most small business websites fall into one of two traps: overly flashy or overly simplistic. This post explores why truly high-converting websites are more like conversations than sales pitches. Drawing on over a decade of client work, the author walks through eight essential elements — from clear value propositions and intuitive layouts to emotionally resonant messaging and trust-building design — that help turn visitors into customers. Whether you use Webflow, Squarespace, or Wordpress, these timeless strategies are rooted in human behavior and tailored, actionable advice.

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Occasional notes on what actually works.

No spam, I promise. Just the occasional note on web design, marketing, and growth when I have something worth saying.