Digital Cove reference library
Google help written for business owners, not marketers.
Plain-English answers to the practical questions behind calls, bookings, quotes, orders and enquiries. Read the guide, use what helps, and ignore the bits you do not need.
Plain-English Google guide
What Your Google Listing Needs to Tell a New Customer
A plain-English guide to the information a local customer needs when they find your business on Google Search or Maps.
Read the guide →Browse the guides
9 publishedGoogle vs social
Your Instagram Looks Great. What Does Google Show Someone Who Does Not Follow You?
Why a strong Instagram page does not always mean a new local customer sees the same business when they find you on Google.
5-minute checklist
The 5-Minute Google Listing Check for a Small Local Business
A quick plain-English checklist for checking the information customers can see on your Google business listing.
Cost guide
What Should It Cost to Keep Your Google Listing Current?
A practical breakdown of DIY, one-off and ongoing options for keeping a Google Business Profile current without a large agency retainer.
Common questions
Straight Answers About Your Google Business Listing
Plain-English answers to common questions small local businesses ask about Google listings, reviews, photos, rankings and MapRank.
Mobile & service businesses
Can You Have a Google Listing If Customers Do Not Visit Your Address?
A plain-English guide for plumbers, cleaners, mobile businesses and other services that travel to customers instead of serving them at a shop.
Customer reviews
How to Ask Customers for a Google Review Without Making It Awkward
A practical review-request routine for local businesses, including what Google allows and what to avoid.
Google photos
What Photos Should a Local Business Put on Google?
A plain-English guide to choosing useful Google Business Profile photos for shops, salons, trades, hospitality and service businesses.
New business setup
Setting Up Google for a New Local Business: What to Get Right First
A practical first-setup guide for new local businesses creating or claiming their Google Business Profile.
Free tools
Use your own business, not a made-up example.
For your type of business
The useful details change with the customer journey.
A barber, plumber, florist and physiotherapist should not receive the same generic marketing lecture. The niche pages start with the action a real customer is trying to take.
Not sure where to start?