# Small-Business Marketing Information > Plain-language guides for small-business owners on how customers find you, check you out, and get in touch. Canonical: https://vassalmarketing.com/information/ **Maintained by Vassal Marketing** ยท Last updated on September 26, 2026 Reviewed at least quarterly and whenever a platform or rule it cites changes. General information, not legal or professional advice. Check rules that affect your business with a qualified professional. ## Start here ### We just launched or inherited a website Confirm your business owns the accounts, then set up the routine checks that keep the site working. - [Marketing account ownership inventory](https://vassalmarketing.com/information/resources/marketing-account-ownership-inventory.md) - [Domain, hosting, and account ownership](https://vassalmarketing.com/information/website-stewardship/domain-hosting-account-ownership.md) - [Monthly owner maintenance checklist](https://vassalmarketing.com/information/resources/monthly-owner-maintenance-checklist.md) ### Calls or leads have dropped Check that forms and phone numbers still work before assuming it's a search or ads problem. - [Forms, calls, and booking paths](https://vassalmarketing.com/information/website-stewardship/forms-calls-and-booking-paths.md) - [Traffic drop recovery](https://vassalmarketing.com/information/traffic-drop-recovery.md) - [Why platform numbers differ](https://vassalmarketing.com/information/measurement-analytics/why-platform-numbers-differ.md) - [Check what AI assistants say about you](https://vassalmarketing.com/information/answer-engine-optimization/checking-and-correcting-ai-answers.md) ### We're hiring or replacing an agency Know what to ask before you sign, and make sure you can leave with everything you paid for. - [Questions to ask before hiring for SEO](https://vassalmarketing.com/information/resources/questions-before-hiring-seo.md) - [How to evaluate an SEO proposal](https://vassalmarketing.com/information/resources/evaluate-seo-proposal.md) - [Agency offboarding checklist](https://vassalmarketing.com/information/resources/agency-offboarding-checklist.md) ### We're thinking about Google Ads Work out what a customer is worth and whether your tracking and follow-up are ready before you spend. - [Google Ads readiness](https://vassalmarketing.com/information/paid-search/google-ads-readiness.md) - [Local Services Ads](https://vassalmarketing.com/information/paid-search/local-services-ads.md) - [Your first 90 days of Google Ads](https://vassalmarketing.com/information/paid-search/first-90-days-of-google-ads.md) ### We got a bad or fake review Reply calmly without sharing private details, and report only reviews that break the site's rules. - [Responding to customer reviews](https://vassalmarketing.com/information/reviews-reputation/responding-to-customer-reviews.md) - [Negative and suspected false reviews](https://vassalmarketing.com/information/reviews-reputation/negative-and-false-reviews.md) - [The FTC review rule explained](https://vassalmarketing.com/information/reviews-reputation/ftc-review-rule-explained.md) ### Our Google profile has a problem Fix wrong details, regain access, or work through a suspension without making it worse. - [Ownership and access](https://vassalmarketing.com/information/google-business-profile/ownership-and-access.md) - [Profile accuracy](https://vassalmarketing.com/information/google-business-profile/profile-accuracy.md) - [Suspensions, reinstatement, and spam](https://vassalmarketing.com/information/google-business-profile/suspensions-reinstatement-and-spam.md) ## Information topics - [Website Stewardship](https://vassalmarketing.com/information/website-stewardship.md): Keep your website working after launch: account access, domain and security renewals, backups, updates, accurate information, and the forms and phone numbers customers use. - [Google Business Profile management](https://vassalmarketing.com/information/google-business-profile.md): Keep control of your Google profile, keep your hours and details correct, handle reviews and photos, and know what to do if the profile is suspended. - [Reviews and Reputation](https://vassalmarketing.com/information/reviews-reputation.md): Ask for honest reviews the right way, reply without sharing private details, deal with unfair reviews, and follow the FTC's rules on reviews and testimonials. - [Measurement and Analytics](https://vassalmarketing.com/information/measurement-analytics.md): Set up Google Analytics, test that calls and forms are counted, tag campaign links, and turn real inquiries and booked jobs into a simple monthly report. - [Modern SEO](https://vassalmarketing.com/information/seo.md): Help the right customers find your website in Google, including AI Overviews: technical health, useful service pages, local signals, legitimate links, and honest measurement. - [Answer Engine Optimization (AEO)](https://vassalmarketing.com/information/answer-engine-optimization.md): Help ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews and AI Mode, Copilot, and other AI assistants find, describe, and recommend your business accurately, and measure what they send you. - [Google Ads and Paid Search](https://vassalmarketing.com/information/paid-search.md): Decide whether Google Ads or Local Services Ads make sense, keep the account in your name, track real leads, and know what a customer costs before you scale spend. ## Checklists and templates - [Small-Business Marketing Glossary](https://vassalmarketing.com/information/resources/seo-glossary.md) - [SEO Audit Checklist](https://vassalmarketing.com/information/resources/seo-audit-checklist.md) - [High-Quality Service Page Checklist](https://vassalmarketing.com/information/resources/service-page-checklist.md) - [Local SEO Checklist](https://vassalmarketing.com/information/resources/local-seo-checklist.md) - [Google Business Profile Checklist](https://vassalmarketing.com/information/resources/google-business-profile-checklist.md) - [SEO Website Migration Checklist](https://vassalmarketing.com/information/resources/website-migration-checklist.md) - [Monthly SEO Reporting Template](https://vassalmarketing.com/information/resources/monthly-seo-reporting-template.md) - [Questions to Ask Before Hiring an SEO](https://vassalmarketing.com/information/resources/questions-before-hiring-seo.md) - [SEO Myths: A Practical Reality Check](https://vassalmarketing.com/information/resources/seo-myths.md) - [How to Evaluate an SEO Proposal](https://vassalmarketing.com/information/resources/evaluate-seo-proposal.md) - [Google Search Console Beginner's Guide](https://vassalmarketing.com/information/resources/search-console-beginners-guide.md) - [Marketing Account Ownership Inventory](https://vassalmarketing.com/information/resources/marketing-account-ownership-inventory.md) - [Agency Offboarding Checklist](https://vassalmarketing.com/information/resources/agency-offboarding-checklist.md) - [Review Request Templates](https://vassalmarketing.com/information/resources/review-request-templates.md) - [Google Ads Readiness Checklist](https://vassalmarketing.com/information/resources/google-ads-readiness-checklist.md) - [Monthly Owner Maintenance Checklist](https://vassalmarketing.com/information/resources/monthly-owner-maintenance-checklist.md) - [Lead Tracking Sheet](https://vassalmarketing.com/information/resources/lead-tracking-sheet.md) ## Industry playbooks - [Marketing Playbook for Contractors](https://vassalmarketing.com/information/industries/contractors.md) - [Marketing Playbook for Plumbers](https://vassalmarketing.com/information/industries/plumbers.md) - [Marketing Playbook for Electricians](https://vassalmarketing.com/information/industries/electricians.md) - [Marketing Playbook for Auto Repair Shops](https://vassalmarketing.com/information/industries/auto-repair.md) - [Marketing Playbook for Salons and Barbershops](https://vassalmarketing.com/information/industries/salons-barbers.md) - [Marketing Playbook for Restaurants](https://vassalmarketing.com/information/industries/restaurants.md) - [Marketing Playbook for Dry Cleaners and Tailors](https://vassalmarketing.com/information/industries/cleaners-tailors.md) - [Marketing Playbook for Real Estate Professionals](https://vassalmarketing.com/information/industries/real-estate.md) - [Marketing Playbook for Professional Service Firms](https://vassalmarketing.com/information/industries/professional-services.md) - [Marketing Playbook for HVAC Companies](https://vassalmarketing.com/information/industries/hvac.md) - [Marketing Playbook for Roofing Contractors](https://vassalmarketing.com/information/industries/roofing.md) - [Marketing Playbook for Dental Practices](https://vassalmarketing.com/information/industries/dental-practices.md) - [Marketing Playbook for Landscaping Companies](https://vassalmarketing.com/information/industries/landscaping.md) ## Three habits behind every guide - Keep ownership clear: your business controls its important accounts, and everyone who helps gets their own login with only the access they need. - Work from verified facts: hours, prices, claims, and customer quotes should be current, true, and approved. - Measure without promises: use calls, bookings, and real jobs to decide what to do next. ## Questions business owners ask ### Where should I start if I only have a few hours? Start with ownership: make sure your business controls its domain, website, Google Business Profile, and analytics accounts. Then check that your hours, phone number, and services are correct everywhere customers see them, and that your contact form and phone number actually reach you. ### Who should own a business's marketing accounts? Your business should. Keep primary control of your domain, website, Google Business Profile, analytics, advertising, and other important accounts. Staff and outside partners should each sign in with their own login and only the access their work needs. ### Does following these guides guarantee visibility or leads? No. Good habits make your information more accurate and your decisions better, but search engines, platforms, competitors, demand, and customer behavior are outside anyone's control.