The Journal 09 pieces

Notes worth keeping.

What we’ve learned getting local businesses found and booked — local SEO, Google Business Profile, web design, and the marketing that actually moves the needle. No fluff, just what works.

Poor UX and slow site speed dragging down local SEO performance

Google Business Profile Sep 16, 2025

Silent Rank Killers: 3 Ways Your Outdated Website Is Sabotaging Your Google Business Profile

4 min read

Three silent rank killers — mobile speed, security debt, and fading authority — quietly sabotage your Google Business Profile. Here's how to spot and fix them.

Darren Walker Founder, Sixo Agency
A dollar-sign rocket roped to a deep-rooted oak tree — paid ads versus organic local SEO

Local SEO Aug 22, 2025

Google Ads vs Local SEO: Which Should Local Businesses Prioritize?

6 min read

Quick wins or long-term growth? We break down Google Ads versus Local SEO on cost, visibility, conversion, and ROI — and why the smartest local businesses use both.

Darren Walker Founder, Sixo Agency
A business pin connected by threads to dozens of directory cards and map markers

Local SEO Feb 29, 2024

Is Yext Worth It?

7 min read

Yext keeps your business listings consistent across 100+ platforms — but is it worth the price for a small business? Here's how we use it affordably for local SEO clients.

Darren Walker Founder, Sixo Agency
Many marketing tools folding into one all-in-one device

Marketing Dec 22, 2023

What Marketing Tools Do I Need for My Small Business?

5 min read

Email, CRM, social scheduling, analytics, design, and project management — a practical rundown of the marketing tools a small business actually needs (and how to consolidate them).

Darren Walker Founder, Sixo Agency
A neighbourhood shop surrounded by community icons — a map pin, a handshake, an event banner, a five-star sign

Local SEO Dec 11, 2023

How to Locally Market Your Business

4 min read

All business is local. Optimize for local SEO, claim your Google Business Profile, engage your community, build partnerships, and create localized content to win nearby customers.

Darren Walker Founder, Sixo Agency
A business owner beside a tall storefront built from a browser window, a globe behind showing worldwide reach

Web Design Dec 7, 2023

Why a Website Is Important for Your Small Business

4 min read

Your small business without a website is like a car without wheels. A site boosts your professional image, expands your reach, drives engagement, and puts you in control of your brand.

Darren Walker Founder, Sixo Agency
A confident business map pin on a city map with no computer nearby, ringed by review stars

Local SEO Nov 28, 2023

Can You Do Local SEO Without a Website?

3 min read

Yes — you can do local SEO without a website. Claim and optimize your business listings, use geo-targeted keywords, and earn reviews to rank in local search and reach nearby customers.

Darren Walker Founder, Sixo Agency
A glowing map pin rising above a city, ringed by five-star reviews, photos, and a verified checkmark

Google Business Profile Apr 7, 2022

Google Business Profile: What It Is and How to Use It

4 min read

Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is a free tool that helps local businesses get found on Search and Maps. Here's how to claim, optimize, and rank with it.

Darren Walker Founder, Sixo Agency
A classical column topped by a book, a laurel-wreathed medal, and a checkmark shield — expertise, authority, trust

SEO Feb 15, 2022

How to Build Trust for Local SEO with E-A-T

6 min read

Google rewards expertise, authoritativeness, and trust. Here's how local businesses can build E-A-T with optimized profiles, reviews, content, links, and structured data to rank higher.

Darren Walker Founder, Sixo Agency