Glossary
Plain-English definitions for Michigan small business owners
The digital marketing terms that come up most often when running a business in Michigan, written without jargon and with the practical angle that actually matters.
Local SEO
Local SEO is the work of getting a business to show up on Google for nearby customers, both in the regular search results and in the map pack.
Read the full definitionGoogle Business Profile
A Google Business Profile is the free listing Google uses to show your business in Maps and the local pack, including your hours, photos, phone number, and reviews.
Read the full definitionNAP and Local Citations
NAP is short for name, address, and phone number. A local citation is any mention of that information on another site, like Yelp, Facebook, or the BBB. Consistency across citations is a confirmed local SEO ranking signal.
Read the full definitionSchema Markup
Schema markup is structured code that you add to a webpage to tell search engines exactly what the page is about, such as a local business, an article, a product, or an FAQ.
Read the full definitionConversion Rate Optimization
Conversion rate optimization, or CRO, is the practice of improving a website so that a higher percentage of visitors take the action you want, such as calling, booking, or submitting a form.
Read the full definitionMobile First Indexing
Mobile-first indexing means Google primarily uses the mobile version of a website to determine how it ranks in search results, even for searches done on a desktop computer.
Read the full definitionCustomer Reviews and Star Ratings
Customer reviews and star ratings are the public ratings and written feedback customers leave on a business listing or website. They influence both Google rankings and customer decisions.
Read the full definitionService Area Business
A service area business, or SAB, is a business that travels to its customers instead of serving them at a storefront. Plumbers, electricians, mobile groomers, and roofing contractors are typical examples.
Read the full definitionWant the work done for you?
The Michigan Business Initiative handles the website, the local SEO, and the Google Business Profile work that these definitions describe, for a flat monthly fee.