Articles
What we've learned, written down.
Plain-English articles for business owners: the systems we build, the marketing we run, what things cost, and what to skip.
- July 12, 2026What do missed calls actually cost a service business each month?Most small businesses miss more than half their calls. Here's the math on what that costs in real dollars, why voicemail does not save you, and how to close the leak.
- July 11, 2026How much should a small business spend on Google Ads per month?Most small businesses spend $500–$3,000/month on Google Ads. The right number depends on your industry's cost per click and what a lead is worth to you.
- July 11, 2026How much does a small business website cost in 2026?Small business websites range from $0 DIY to $35,000+ for a full agency build. Here's what each tier actually includes, what drives the price, and what buyers forget to budget.
- July 10, 2026What is AEO (answer engine optimization), and how does it change what SEO means now?A plain explanation of answer engine optimization (AEO), how it differs from traditional SEO, why AI engines like ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews pick certain pages to cite, and the first steps a small business should take.
- July 10, 2026How Branson Businesses Can Show Up When Visitors Ask AI Instead of GoogleA practical playbook for Branson, Missouri small businesses on getting cited by ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews, and other AI search tools. Covers Google Business Profile, question-based website content, reviews, schema, and more.
- June 7, 2026Is AI worth it for your small business? How to decide, plus the 7 uses that pay offA four-question test for deciding whether an AI tool belongs in your small business, the seven uses that actually pay off, and the ones to skip.
More on the way. We publish occasionally, no filler.