Alex Phung highlighted reputation management as a commonly overlooked aspect, emphasizing the importance of actively seeking and replying to customer reviews, both positive and negative. They noted that responding promptly to reviews signals engagement to Google and customers. Alex Phung warned that ignoring bad reviews can be detrimental to a business.

Alex Phung identified home service industries (e.g., plumbing, HVAC, landscaping) and restaurants/cafes as the easiest to succeed in digital marketing due to immediate local needs, high visual content potential, and urgent demand. They noted that health and wellness industries also perform well due to their ability to create engaging content. Conversely, Alex Phung stated that real estate agents and mortgage industries are more challenging, requiring a longer-term strategy to build trust due to the sensitive nature of financial and legal advice.

Alex Phung recommended focusing on hyper-local targeting for promoting a business, particularly in areas like Plaster County and Sacramento. They advised emphasizing cities where the business is located, expanding outwards in a 10-15 mile radius for Google SEO and geo-targeted ads on Facebook and Instagram. Alex Phung also stressed the importance of community involvement, such as partnering with non-profits, to build trust, and ensuring listings on local directories to drive website traffic.

Alex Phung provided advice for new businesses with limited budgets, suggesting they start by claiming their Google Business Profile, which is FREE and a strong driver for local leads. Alex Phung recommended building a clean, even one-page, website as it is more effective than relying solely on social media pages. They also advised actively seeking and replying to reviews on platforms like Google Business Profile and Yelp. Alex Phung emphasized the value of connecting with local agencies and community networks, which can offer free startup advice and connections.

Alex Phung stated that successful digital marketing for small businesses requires a holy trinity of website, SEO & Google Ads, a balance between visibility and conversion, emphasizing the non-negotiable need for a professional, mobile-friendly website. They recommended pairing a strong website with local SEO, including a Google Business Profile, to ensure local discoverability. Alex Phung also suggested incorporating Google Ads and advised working with a local marketing agency to leverage their expertise and local network.

Alex Phung highlighted that the digital marketing industry is rapidly evolving, with AI-driven tools like ChatGPT & Google AI Overview creating new, affordable opportunities for small businesses. They explained that AI can assist with content creation, ad development, and social media posts, making tasks previously requiring extensive training more accessible.