Michael DeVault

Martech, short for “marketing technology,” includes any type of software or tool used for business promotional purposes. As such, martech represents a wide range of tech-based tools, from email marketing platforms and website hosts to customer relationship management (CRM) software for lead generation and nurturing. After sifting through more than 40 martech providers, here are…

When I first started working with WordPress, it was complicated and code-heavy. Even the best themes required custom CSS programming and learning DIV tagging. Today, the WordPress landscape has changed. It’s much easier now to build a WordPress website than ever before. That’s thanks to WordPress page builders. Whether it’s building a site using BoldGrid’s…

When you buy a franchise, you’re buying a proven business model with the tools and resources you need to succeed. But a franchise location is still a small business, and your small business needs marketing. Franchise marketing agencies understand the unique challenges of helping franchise owners grow their small business. Here is a list of…

Learning how to write a brand positioning statement isn’t hard, but it will take some time on your part. First, research examples and competitor positioning. Next, identify your core customer, create an overarching goal, figure out what sets your brand apart, and list the pain points your brand solves. Finally, write your statement. To make…

Ranking higher on Google encompasses a variety of on- and off-page search engine optimization (SEO) tactics. This includes everything from keyword and competitor research to publishing high-quality content, getting backlinks, building listings, and optimizing the content itself on each page of your website. Helping small businesses learn how to rank higher on Google is one…

Permission-based email marketing, otherwise known as opt-in email marketing, is one of the most effective ways to nurture leads and stay connected with your customers. Setting your own permission-based email marketing involves five steps—choosing a platform, importing your contacts, creating and launching the campaign, and then tracking results to gain insights for improving future campaigns….

Imagine performing a Google search for your business and it comes up with five competitors—all of which have dozens of glowing Google reviews. If you’re like a lot of small businesses I’ve worked with, chances are you didn’t have to imagine. You just had to remember. I call it “review envy.” Getting positive reviews on…

Going with a cheap WordPress hosting provider shouldn’t mean sacrificing the features you’ll need to keep your site secure, deliver a good user experience, and ensure your data is safe. We compared dozens of hosting options based on price, features, security, and more. The cheap WordPress hosting solutions below offer the features and support you…

Carving out your position in a crowded market requires positioning your brand to stand out from the competition. Brand positioning is a vital part of your marketing strategy and especially for your brand identity. To help inspire you, we’ve singled out 10 of the best brand positioning examples from around the world. What Brand Positioning…

Creating a local marketing strategy is a critical step to helping your business grow and flourish. With an effective marketing plan, you’ll be able to identify and connect with potential customers, build a strong brand, and convert leads into sales. Download the marketing plan template below and use it as you walk through the steps…

Local marketing is a core component of building a successful small business, and it can be done affordably. Reaching local customers takes a unique focus and knowledge. To help you succeed with your local marketing strategy, we unpack 13 of the best methods for getting the word out about your small business, from deploying direct…

Keyword research is a critical component of achieving high rankings in the search engine results pages (SERPs) on Google and Bing. The best keyword research tools help you identify which keywords to use in your content to rank higher without breaking the bank. We compared dozens of apps to find the best options for gaining…