A split image showing a traditional business website URL morphing into a .ai domain

.AI Domains Explained: What They Are and Whether Your Small Business Should Use One

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Just a few years ago, using “AI” in your branding felt experimental and uncertain. Today, artificial intelligence is part of everyday business, from marketing automation and customer support to analytics, product development, and consulting.

As AI has moved from hype to reality, so has the .ai domain extension.

Once niche, .ai domains are now used by startups, SaaS companies, consultants, agencies, and product teams that want their brand to reflect innovation and technical relevance. At this point, brands are no longer asking the question “What is a .ai domain?” but rather, does it make sense for my business now?

This guide breaks it down so you can decide whether a .ai domain fits your brand, audience, and long-term goals. … Read More

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San Antonio blogging guide 2026 flatly of a laptop and more on a desk.

How to Write a Blog Post in 2026: A Practical Guide for Small Businesses

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A new year brings fresh goals, tighter competition, and renewed motivation to get your business in front of the right people. And in an age where small businesses, family-owned companies, local service providers, and fast-growing firms shape so much of a city’s heartbeat, content still matters.

Even with AI everywhere and short-form social media dominating daily scrolling habits, strategic blogging continues to be one of the most powerful marketing tools local businesses have in 2026. Blogs help businesses rank on Google, educate customers, build trust, and convert interest into real leads. They don’t disappear after 24 hours like a story. They don’t rely on algorithms the way social platforms do. Instead, they keep working for you month after month, year after year.

But while blogs still matter, the way we write them has evolved. Readers in 2026 expect depth, clarity, and expertise. They’re not impressed by fluffy content or keyword-stuffed paragraphs. They want real answers, real value, and real guidance from someone who understands their challenges. If you’re a business owner, professional service firm, nonprofit, or B2B organization, this guide will walk you through how to write blog content that actually converts. … Read More

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DIY website on a laptop and computer monitor.

Why Your DIY Website Might Be Costing You Customers (Without You Realizing It)

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When you’re running a small business, it’s natural to want to save money anywhere you can, and a DIY website often feels like the perfect shortcut. Just drag, drop, publish, and boom…you’re online.

But there’s a catch: as your traffic grows, a DIY site that looks fine on the surface can quietly hold your business back.

Most businesses don’t realize this until they start asking questions like:

“Why am I getting traffic but no leads?”

“Why are people bouncing off my homepage?”

“Why does every edit take me forever?”

“Why does my competitor’s site feel more trustworthy?”

A website isn’t just a digital brochure, it’s a sales tool. And if that tool isn’t built strategically, you’re missing out on customers who should’ve been yours in the first place.

Let’s break down why DIY websites often fail to convert and how a professionally built site can completely change the game. … Read More

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Boosting Conversions: How Design Strategy Impacts Buyer Behavior

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When it comes to driving conversions, design is more than aesthetics, its strategy. Every color, font, layout, and image plays a role in how people perceive your brand and decide whether or not to take action.

At Branchleaf Digital, we design with purpose, blending creativity with data-backed strategy and tools like GoDaddy to help our clients turn casual visitors into confident buyers. And as year-end budgeting approaches, it’s worth remembering: a smart design investment isn’t just visual, it’s measurable ROI. … Read More

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Two people working over a UX/UP design for a website.

How to Choose the Right Web Pages for Your Business Website

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Fall planning season often means one thing for businesses: new site builds and website refreshes. Whether you’re starting from scratch or rethinking your digital presence, the success of your site hinges on more than just a sleek design. You need an intuitive, user-focused experience that also checks the boxes for search engines.

At Branchleaf Digital, we believe that balancing Search Engine Optimization (SEO) with User Experience (UX) is the key to building a site that not only attracts visitors but also guides them toward becoming customers. And the foundation of that balance starts with choosing the right pages. … Read More

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Small business owner on a laptop with holiday decor all around her as she refines her holiday SEO.

Holiday Local SEO Tips: Optimize Your GoDaddy Website with Branchleaf

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The holiday season isn’t just about twinkling lights, gift wrap, and making memories, it’s also the busiest, most competitive time of year for small businesses. With more people searching online for local stores, services, and gift ideas, your ability to stand out in local search can make the difference between a record-breaking season and a missed opportunity.

At Branchleaf Digital, we specialize in helping small business owners transform their GoDaddy websites into local SEO powerhouses, just in time for the holidays. By optimizing your homepage, adding schema markup, and integrating your Google Business Profile, we make sure nearby customers find you first when they’re ready to buy. … Read More

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Hand holding blue neon SEO sign over a laptop.

Local SEO Starts with Your Website: Best Practices for Small Business Owners

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As the holiday season approaches, competition for customers’ attention is at its peak. For small businesses, especially brick-and-mortar and service-based ones, local visibility is everything. Shoppers aren’t just searching for any store; they’re looking for the right one near them, right now. That’s where local SEO comes in.

At Branchleaf Digital, we specialize in optimizing GoDaddy websites to help small businesses like yours rank higher in local search results and turn that visibility into sales. From your homepage setup to behind-the-scenes technical details, our strategies are designed to make sure nearby customers find you first. … Read More

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Person holding a cellphone scrolling through a business website.

Is Your Website Mobile-Ready? Why It Matters More Than Ever in 2025

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Back-to-school season doesn’t just bring busier mornings and fuller carts, it also brings a major surge in mobile traffic. Parents, students, and shoppers alike are researching, browsing, and buying on their phones more than ever. And with Google continuing to … Read More

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phone in front of a desktop browser with a finger scrolling through the phone.

How to Refresh an Outdated Website Without Starting from Scratch

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Not ready for a full website redesign? You’re not alone.

In 2025, many small businesses are looking for ways to modernize their online presence without blowing their entire marketing budget. The good news? You don’t have to tear it all down to see real results.

With the right strategy, even a few targeted updates can make your website feel fresh, functional, and more aligned with today’s user expectations. … Read More

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The Ultimate Checklist for Launching Your First Business Website

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You’ve got the idea, the name, and the drive, now it’s time to bring your business online. Launching your first website is exciting, but it can also feel like a lot. Many business owners might find themselves asking questions such … Read More

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Budget-friendly web design.

Web Design on a Budget: Smart Tips for Small Business Success

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If you’re a small business owner, you already know: every dollar counts, especially heading into Q3. You need a website that works hard, looks sharp, and doesn’t drain your entire budget before you’ve made your first sale. But where do … Read More

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designing a website

Why GoDaddy Website Builder Is Ideal for Local Businesses (And How We Help You Get the Most from It)

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When you’re running a small business, your time is precious, and your website should work without becoming another full-time job. That’s why so many local businesses turn to GoDaddy Website Builder. It’s fast, intuitive, and budget-friendly, with all the tools … Read More

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building your own website

Top 5 Website Mistakes Small Business Owners Make (And How to Fix Them)

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Mid-year is the perfect time to take a step back and ask: Is my website really working for me? If your site isn’t driving leads, sales, or bookings the way it should, you’re not alone. Many small business owners set … Read More

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Choosing between two website builder options

GoDaddy Website Builder vs. WordPress: What’s Right for You?

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Choosing the right website platform is a big decision, especially if you’re a small business owner trying to build your online presence without getting buried in complex tech setups and tools. Two of the most popular platforms on the market … Read More

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Web designer on a computer.

What Makes a Great Website in 2025? 5 Design Trends You’ll Actually Want to Use

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If you’ve ever landed on a website and immediately clicked out because it was slow, unorganized, or just plain confusing, you’re not alone. In 2025, we’re all a little pickier about the sites we spend time on. And as a … Read More

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Searching something using AI search.

How LLMs Interpret Content: How To Structure Information For AI Search

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If you’re trying to get your content found in today’s world of AI search, there’s something you need to know: structuring content properly matters more than ever. Sure, you might already be familiar with structured data: Schema.org, JSON-LD, rich results, … Read More

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