Far too many small businesses, especially those without internal digital marketing teams or those working with external marketing professionals or agencies, overlook one of the most critical aspects of a well-rounded SEO program: data-driven SEO. According to a recent Databox research, 67% of businesses handle content marketing and SEO internally, yet many may not be fully leveraging data to optimize their efforts.

Marketing is like the complex blood system of the body. It has too many branches spreading into each and every area of the body. Some are thin, some are thick – but all are equally important for healthy functioning. Automation can help you cut down some of the work in this system and focus on those bigger, fatter arteries that supply blood directly to the heart of the business. It can help you run multiple campaigns at once and stay ahead of the competition.

Tracking standard metrics isn’t enough – while many businesses monitor page views, bounce rates, and similar metrics, only a few are really taking advantage of these insights to acquire new customers. You should understand what’s bringing people in, what’s driving them away, and—most importantly—how to get them to stay and convert So, what metrics should you actually pay attention to? And how can you leverage those insights to consistently bring in new customers?

Managing social media isn’t just about posting content—it’s about measuring what works, improving what doesn’t, and driving real results. But when you’re flooded with likes, shares, comments, and a handful of other metrics, it’s tough to figure out what’s actually working. Social media analytics tools cut through the clutter.

Since sales and marketing both drive customers down the pipeline, it’s no wonder that the two departments often work together. When we surveyed more than 170 companies about their sales and marketing alignment, the majority told us that sales have at least some influence on marketing. About 45% of the respondents reported that their sales have a significant influence on their marketing.

The OKR (Objectives and Key Results) framework is an approach used by companies that sets goals to improve alignment, engagement, and performance. OKRs became well-known after being used by Google and Intel and are now widely accepted across various industries, especially SaaS businesses.

Let’s be real – client reporting often feels like the marketing world’s equivalent of doing taxes—tedious, time-consuming, and to be honest, not the reason you got into this field. Adding to the frustration is the fact that, more often than not, many clients don’t even understand their reports. That’s why marketers often talk about how reporting feels like a necessary evil. But what if we looked at reporting as a tool for client retention?

AI Adoption in SMBs: Key Trends, Benefits, and Challenges from 100+ Companies With larger competitors already using AI to streamline operations and gain a competitive edge, SMBs can’t afford to fall behind. But for many, adopting AI is easier said than done. Limited budgets, lack of in-house expertise, and the fear of wasting time and resources on the wrong tools often leave business owners stuck in decision paralysis.

Producing high-quality content on a consistent basis is no small feat. Even seasoned content teams struggle to handle the pressure of churning out work that resonates, converts and ranks (especially with Google’s slew of algorithm updates ). At companies with smaller in-house marketing teams without specialized content professionals? That pressure can feel…crushing.

Sam Kuehnle (VP of Marketing at Loxo) shares how to craft a marketing plan that aligns with, and contributes to, your company’s annual revenue target.