FAQs

Our frequently asked questions

  • How does Local Business First help my business?

    Local Business First provides DIY websites, custom websites and search engine optimization (SEO) services for local businesses in Franklin, MA and the Greater Boston area. Together, we design, eye-catching, fast, mobile friendly websites that set you apart from competitors, drive online traffic to your site, convert visitors into real clients, and deliver measurable results!

  • What website builder does Local Business First use?

    We use Duda - a website builder similar to Wix and Squarespace. The websites are fast, SEO Optimized as they are hosted on AWS.  The website builder also includes marketing and SEO tools.

  • How difficult is it for me to build a DIY website?

    Not at all! Our website builder that has built-in tools to help you build your DIY website. If building a website yourself is not your thing, we offer packages that include building your website. We have videos to guide you every step of the way. 

  • How do I increase my business’ prominence on Google/social media?

    There are several ways to your business prominence. A key to Google prevelance is having an acting and complete Google My Business listing and optimizing your website for Search Engine Optimization. To increase social media prominence, it is important to have active accounts that you post to regularly.

  • How can I increase traffic to my website?

    There are several ways to increase traffic to your website including using Social Media, getting your business listed in online directories, writing quality content (blogs), create a Google My Business listing, and more.

  • Why doesn’t my business show up in Google searches?

    There may be several reasons why your business isn't showing up in Google searches. The most common may be that you have not informed Google that you have a business by creating a Google My Business listing. Another common reason is that your website may not be set up for Search Engine Optimization (SEO) well. 

  • What services do you offer?

    Local Business First offers: 

    DIY websites

    Done with You Websites

    Custom websites 

    Search engine optimization (SEO), 

    Content/Blog writing

    Local business SEO, Google Business Profiles

  • Can I mix and match services from your website?

    Of course! We will work with you one-on-one to provide the services best suited for your business.

  • What is SEO?

    Search Engine Optimization” (SEO) refers the science and art that help you achieve better rankings for your website in organic search results. SEO is part of the general area of search engine marketing (SEM), which groups all marketing strategies related to searching processes. Good SEO is long-term and follows search engines guidelines.

  • What is ​search engine optimization?

    Search Engine Optimization is all about making your website more visible to people who are using search engines to look for your product, services, or brand. It is ranking methodologies to follow that help a site ​which offers value to users beat the competitors in search results.

  • What is SEM?

    SEM stands for search engine marketing. But the term has actually come to mean a very specific type of marketing on search engines. That’s paid search. The most commonly known and used paid search tool is Google Ads. While SEO takes time, search engine marketing (SEM) allows you to save time and automatically appear in front of target audiences actively searching for products and services like yours.

  • What is search engine advertising (SEA)?

    If your SEO efforts aren’t paying off — or paying off fast enough — consider adding search engine advertising to build your brand and customer base faster. 

  • Does “Search Engine Marketing (SEM)” Include SEO?

    It depends who you ask. For most people and Wikipedia No. But in reality., SEM covers both paid and organic search queries. All the measures that involve you paying to place ads in search engines are grouped together under SEA (search engine advertising).

  • Is it important that I list my website with search engines?

    Google answers over 88,000 searches worldwide per second. So, every second that your website is not indexed, you miss on hundreds or thousands of opportunities. 

  • Why optimize my website?

    Optimizing your site for search engines and visitors in done to achieve the following: Improve ranking and create a better user experience.

  • What is one-time SEO?

    One-time SEO is when a site is being built or a client wants their site optimized but no ongoing monthly service is done after the initial site or optimization. A one-time SEO would be done for a brand new website. This is mainly because there is no data to go off. There are no keywords and historical data to go by. To get the best results a solid ongoing campaign should start after six months or so.

  • Should a local company do one-time SEO?

    A local company should perform Search Engine Optimization. However, one-time SEO may not have a long-lasting impact. On-going SEO should be performed to maintain high website rankings and increase organic search results.

  • What is the difference between SEO and local SEO?

    Traditional SEO focuses on optimizing your website to increase visibility on a national or global scale. Local SEO, on the other hand, optimizes your website to capture searches in your area.

  • What is a Google My Business listing?

    A Google My Business listing is similar to any listing in other business directories. A Google My Business listing allows Google to present your company information to searchers in a variety of ways.

  • Do I need a Google My Business listing?

    A Google My Business listing will open up your business to be viewed by many potential customers. Because of this, a Google My Business listing is very important for your business.

  • What is the difference between a Google Maps and Google My Business listing?

    Google My Business is an online business directory and Google Maps provides directions. Google My Business is your responsibility to establish and maintain with up to date information, whereas Google Maps does not require any input from you. However, Google Maps won't show your company's information without a Google My Business listing.

  • What’s the difference between a Google Plus profile and Google My Business profile?

    Google Plus is an outdated plugin that is no longer offered or supported by Google. A Google My Business Profile, however, is an online business directory available to small business owners. 

  • How do I get my business on Google?

    The best way to ensure your business is represented on Google and in Google searches is to first set up a Google My Business listing. Other ways include performing Search Engine Optimization on your website.

  • Why should I use Google My Business?

    Google My Business is a free and easy-to-use tool for businesses and organizations to manage their online presence across Google, including Search and Maps. Businesses that verify their information with Google My Business are also twice as likely to be considered reputable by consumers. In addition, Businesses that add photos to their Business Profiles receive 42% more requests for directions on Google Maps, and 35% more clicks through to their websites than businesses that don’t.

  • Why do I need responsive web design?

    Business owners need responsive web design for their website because it ensures users will have a consistent experience interacting with your website regardless of how they are viewing it, on their phone, tablet, laptop, etc.

  • How will responsive web design help my business?

    Responsive web design will help your business by making your website more accessible to potential customers who may be viewing your website on their phone or tablet rather than a PC or laptop.

  • What is responsive web design?

    Responsive web design is a website design approach that will ensure your website presents well on all types of devices and screen sizes.

  • Why is social media important for my business?

    Interacting with consumers on social media is an important marketing strategy for small businesses. Using social media helps you build brand awareness, increase your customer base, and connect with current customers.

  • What if I don’t use social media?

    Social media marketing is very important for small businesses. If a business doesn’t engage with social media marketing, chances are that it won’t be as successful in engaging with a broad customer base.

  • How can Google help my business?

    Google My Business is a free tool that helps small businesses create and manage their Google listings, which appear when customers find businesses on Google Search and Maps. It helps business attract new customers and share information about what makes them special.

  • How do I get my business on Google for free?

    1. Go to business.google.com/add/info 2. Sign up for a Google My Business account 3. Search for your business using its name and address 4. If you see a dialog letting you know that someone else has verified the business, you must request ownership by taking these steps. 5. If you don’t see your business listed in the menu, click No, these are not my businesses or I’ve correctly entered the business. You’ll then be prompted to enter some details for your business. Make sure you enter an accurate, complete street address, and a phone number which reaches your business directly.

  • What do I need to add to my Google business profile?

    Google My Business has many features to advertise your business and engage with your customers. While you can spend quite a bit of time developing your profile, if you are looking to just cover the absolutely necessary information make sure you add the following: Company contact information including company name, address, and phone number Hours of operation (if you do not operate at a physical address, display the hours that you typically are available by phone) Website address if you have one 3-5 pictures of your work and/or your company logo Creating a Google business profile is a quick, easy and free way to increase visibility and generate leads. For more information on Google My Business click here.

  • Can My Online Business Create a Google My Business Listing?

    Listings on Google My Business can only be created for businesses that either have a physical location that customers can visit, or that travel to visit customers where they are. If you run an eCommerce business that doesn’t have a storefront or if you provide services to clients exclusively online, you aren’t eligible to create a Google My Business listing. And if you run an eCommerce business that also has a physical storefront, you’re eligible to create a listing for the location you have. 

  • Can I hide my address from the GMB listing since I travel to meet clients?

    Starting in January 2019, Google did begin to allow businesses that have a specific service area to create Google My Business listings without having to publish a public address. 

  • What kind of data does Google Analytics collect?

    How does Google Analytics track data? Google Analytics tracks all of its data by a unique tracking code that you install on every page of your website. This code is a small snippet of Javascript, or a coding language, that runs in viewers' browser when they visit those pages.

  • How do I check Google Analytics data?

    There are two ways to access Analytics: through a standalone account at www.google.com/analytics, or through your linked Google Ads account. You can sign in to your Analytics account from www.google.com/analytics. Click Sign in (at top right), and select Analytics.

  • What is the purpose of Google Analytics?

    Google Analytics is one of the most popular digital analytics software. It is Google's free web analytics service that allows you to analyze in-depth detail about the visitors on your website. It provides valuable insights that can help you to shape the success strategy of your business.

  • What red flags should I look for in Google Analytics?

    5 Red Flags to Look for in Your Google Analytics Data: Low Time On Page. Time On Site is a key metric that you need to look out for when analyzing your Google Analytics account, High Bounce Rate, High Self Referrals, Low Website Visitors to Leads Ratio, Low Number of Visitors.

  • What is the Google Analytics tracking code?

    The Google Analytics Tracking Code allows Google to quickly scan data on each page of your website and send it back to your Analytics report for the best and most accurate data yet. To find your tracking ID, (UA-XXXXX-Y), click Admin, select Property Settings, then Tracking Info > Tracking Code.

  • How long does it take Google Analytics to show data?

    Google analytics takes upto 24 hours for the data to appear. GA will show reports from the day you have implemented tracking id on your website.

  • What is Google Analytics?

    In simple words, Google Analytics is a free tracking tool offered by Google, and it shows you how visitors use your website.

  • What Does Google Analytics Do?

    Google Analytics offers information about user behavior that can be critical for your business. There are many reasons why you should be using Google Analytics. Here’s are some of its benefits: Measure your website’s performance, See if your marketing efforts are working, Which type of content to create or products to list on your website, Divide users into different segments (like age, gender, country, device, etc.), Optimize website pages to boost conversions

  • What is the difference between the Google Search Console and Google Analytics?

    They are both Google tracking tools. Google Analytics is user-oriented, providing data related to those who visit and interact with your website. Google Search Console, on the other hand, is search-engine focused, providing tools and insights that can help site owners improve visibility and presence in the Search Engine Result Pages (SERPs).

  • Is Google Search Console part of Google Analytics?

    To put it simply, Google Analytics will give you data points about the performance of your website. ... On the other hand, Google Search Console is used to improve and optimize your website. It provides information on who is linking to your site, if there are technical errors on your site, and intel to keyword queries.

  • What is Google search console used for?

    Google Search Console is a free service offered by Google that helps you monitor, maintain, and troubleshoot your site's presence in Google Search results. You don't have to sign up for Search Console to be included in Google Search results, but Search Console helps you understand and improve how Google sees your site. 

  • What is a soft 404?

    A soft 404 is a URL that returns a page telling the user that the page does not exist and also a 200-level (success) code. In some cases, it might be a page with little or no content--for example, a sparsely populated or empty page.

  • How do I access Google console?

    You can access your Admin console at admin.google.com. Enter your email address and password to sign in, and the console appears.

  • How do I optimize Google My Business (GMB) listing?

    Claim your listing, Complete your business info, Post, Add photos & videos, Get reviews, Get high quality links from authority sites, Answer questions from users, Create your own services and more… Read out blog here for specific steps: https://localbizfirst.com/how-to-optimize-google-my-business-listing

  • How to optimize my blog?

    Use the following strategies to optimize your blogs: Research your topic thouroughly and create quality content, add keywords in the blog url and the post heading, title, description, optimize the images. For a detailed step by step blog, click here: https://localbizfirst.com/ten-steps-for-optimizing-your-blog-post

  • How to optimize a web page?

    Use the following strategies to optimize your web pages: Add keywords in the page url, page heading, title, description and optimize your images. For a detailed step by step optimization, click here: https://localbizfirst.com/ten-steps-for-optimizing-your-blog-post

  • Do I need a website?

    The answer is absolutely yes! Here are ten reasons: https://localbizfirst.com/ten-reasons-why-a-local-business-needs-a-website

  • How do I create links for my website?

    Here are some ideas: Sponsor local clubs and organizations, offer discounts, join the local Chamber and get accredited with Better Business Bureau

  • Does my Facebook page need to be optimized?

    Definitely! Insert keywords in the About tab and showcase your services in the Services tab. Check out blog: Optimize Your Local Business Facebook Page https://localbizfirst.com/how-to-optimize-local-facebook-business-page

  • How do I create a DIY website?

    Click HERE to pick a template, then replace your images, colors and content and voila! You have a website.

  • Done With You Websites?

    You create you website by clicking HERE, then buy a package on the pricing page. For simple website a 4-6 hour packages is probably sufficient. Starts at $490.

  • What does custom websites include?

    Custom websites include page creation, SEO Optimization, and content writing.

  • Do you submit to local directories?

    Yes we do! We use the Uberall or Neustar/ Localeze platforms

  • Need a custom website?

    We develop mobile friendly and optimized for SEO websites. We also write the content for you! Learn more HERE.

  • How much does SEO cost?

    I depends on how many pages and what the competition is.

  • Do you offer discounts?

    We usually have discounts for Milford Chamber members. Our prices are already discounted though. We are running a special or 30% OFF to the end of July, 2020.

  • What platform do you use?

    We use the duda platform. To learn more click HERE.

  • How are your websites different than Square Space and Wix?

    They are faster, more designing options, they are SEO Optimized and they also have personalization tools.

  • Can you show me website packages?

    You can find out pricing here

  • Do you do SEO?

    Yes we do local SEO and organic SEO.

  • What is local SEO?

    Local SEO is optimizing or customizing your website to rank better for a local audience.



    Learn how to improve your local SEO HERE.

  • What is organic SEO?

    Organic SEO is an online marketing strategy made up of smaller sub-strategies, like keyword research and link building, that help your website rank at the top of organic, unpaid search engine results pages.


    Click HERE to learn how to optimize your organic SEO.

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