Try This 10-Minute Test Before Your Next Customer Does

  Posted by: Admin on 19th October 2026 10:18:57.

Here’s something I'd like you to try tonight.
Pick up your phone, open ChatGPT, and ask it what a new customer would ask: "Who’s the best [what you do] in [your town]?"

Then read the answer slowly. Is your name in it? Is a competitor’s? If you do show up, are your hours and services right?

I’ve been building websites for Wisconsin small businesses and nonprofits since 2007, and this is the quickest reality check I know.
More people now ask an AI tool for a recommendation instead of scrolling through Google, and those tools usually hand back only a few names.

What I want you to know:

• The AI tools aren’t guessing.  They rely on what your website, Google and Bing profiles, and reviews say about you.
• Small mismatches matter. An old phone number on a forgotten listing can be enough for an assistant to pass you over.
• Most of the fix is work you can do yourself, a little at a time.

I wrote out the whole tune-up, step by step, in my new article:

When Someone Asks ChatGPT "Who Should I Hire?", Will Your Name Come Up? https://realwis.com/ai-visibility-who-should-i-hire.html

Like to work with a pen? There’s a free one-page checklist you can print and mark up: https://realwis.com/ai-visibility.html

Run the test this week. If the answer surprises you, the article shows you where to start.

Jim Murphy, Real Wisconsin Website Design, veteran-owned and woman-owned, Green Bay

Google ran a spam update on September 24. Here is the 20-minute check for a Green Bay business.

  Posted by: Admin on 29th September 2026 15:48:01.

Google started a global spam update on September 24, 2026.  The rollout can take up to about two weeks, so the picture may still be moving through early October.

If you run a shop, trade, clinic, or nonprofit in Green Bay, De Pere, or the Fox Valley, do not rip the website apart this week.  Do a short check.  Then fix only what is actually weak.
 

**What this update is really about**

Google is again pushing down pages that exist mainly to rank, not to help a person choose a business.  That includes:

• Near-duplicate city pages that only swap “Green Bay” for “Ashwaubenon”
• Thin AI pages with no local detail
• Service pages that could belong to any company in any state
• Listings and website details that do not match

Using AI to draft is not the problem.  Publishing low-value pages at scale is.

**The 20-minute check**

1.  Open Google Search Console.  Look at performance from September 17 through today.  Note whether clicks or impressions dropped, and on which pages.

2.  Open the Manual actions report.  If it is empty, you do not have a manual penalty.

3.  Open the Security issues report.  Rule out a hacked site before you blame SEO.

4.  Pick your three money pages: home, main service, contact.  Read them out loud.  If a stranger in Allouez can’t tell what you do, where you work, or how to call you, those pages need work.

5.  Compare your website name, address, and phone to your Google Business Profile.  They must match exactly.

If traffic is flat and those five items look clean, wait until Google marks the rollout complete.  Do not rebuild the site on a hunch.

**The doorway test for city pages**

If you have a page for every nearby town, swap the city name in your head.

• If nothing else on the page would have to change, that page is thin.
• Keep pages that prove real work in that place: a photo from the job, a review that names the town, a note about the actual service area.
• Merge the rest into one strong service page that lists the communities you actually cover.

A plumber who works Green Bay, De Pere, and Howard is better off with one honest service-area page than eight copy-paste city pages.

**What still helps a local business**

This has not changed, and it matters more when Google is cleaning spam:

• One consistent name, address, and phone everywhere
• A complete Google Business Profile: hours, services, categories, real photos
• Reviews that mention the service and the town
• A mobile site that loads and has tap-to-call
• Pages written like a person who has done the work here, not a template

Update holiday hours, winter hours, and “by appointment” before customers hit a locked door.

**What not to do this week**

• Do not buy a package of 50 blog posts.
• Do not create new city pages just to “cover more towns.”
• Do not change the domain, theme, and phone number at the same time. You will not know what caused a drop.
• Do not ignore a real problem because “Google will sort it out.” Thin pages and mismatched listings are on you.

**If you want a second set of eyes**

RealWis can review the site, the listings, and the profile the same way we do for other Wisconsin small businesses and nonprofits.  Call 920-785-1219, text 920-461-3129, or use the contact form on Real Wisconsin Website Design.

Ground Covers Guide

  Posted by: Admin on 18th July 2026 18:18:05.

Ground Covers Guide: 9 Options for Green Bay, Wisconsin

Prepared by: Jim Murphy – Real Wisconsin Website Design – www.realwis.com

Date: May 2026

This guide provides full planting and care information for the 9 ground covers.

1. Ajuga reptans (Bugleweed / Carpet Bugle)

Description: Low-growing perennial with colorful foliage and striking blue-purple flower spikes in spring. Forms a dense carpet that suppresses weeds.

Height: 4–10 inches | Spread: Vigorous via runners

Hardiness: Zones 3–9

Light: Partial to full shade (tolerates sun if moist)

Soil: Moist, well-draining, slightly acidic

Planting: Spring or fall. Space 6–12 inches apart. Keep the crown at soil level.

Care: Water regularly in the first season. Trim spent flower spikes. Divide every 3–4 years.

Notes: Can be aggressive. Excellent under trees.

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2. Mazus reptans (Creeping Mazus)

Description: Very low mat-forming plant with small purple-blue flowers. Good for light foot traffic.

Height: 1–2 inches | Spread: Quick via stolons

Hardiness: Zones 5–8

Light: Full sun to partial shade

Soil: Moist, fertile, well-drained

Planting: Spring or early fall. Space 6–12 inches apart.

Care: Keep soil moist until established. Trim after blooming.

Notes: Ideal between stepping stones.

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3. Pachysandra terminalis (Japanese Spurge)

Description: Evergreen ground cover with glossy dark green leaves and small white flowers in spring.

Height: 6–12 inches | Spread: Moderate via rhizomes

Hardiness: Zones 4–9

Light: Partial to full shade

Soil: Moist, well-drained, acidic

Planting: Spring or early fall. Space 6–12 inches apart.

Care: Minimal pruning. Watch for fungal issues in stagnant air.

Notes: Excellent for deep shade under trees.

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4. Galium odoratum (Sweet Woodruff)

Description: Woodland ground cover with whorled leaves and fragrant white star-shaped flowers. Leaves smell sweet when dried.

Height: 6–12 inches | Spread: Moderate

Hardiness: Zones 4–8

Light: Partial to full shade

Soil: Moist, humus-rich

Planting: Spring or early fall. Space 8–12 inches apart.

Care: Cut back dead foliage in early spring.

Notes: Nice with spring bulbs.

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5. Trifolium repens (White Clover)

Description: Nitrogen-fixing ground cover with white globe flowers. Excellent lawn alternative.

Height: 4–8 inches | Spread: Vigorous

Hardiness: Zones 3–10

Light: Full sun to partial shade

Soil: Adaptable, prefers moist, well-drained

Planting: Spring or early fall. Seed or space plugs 6–12 inches.

Care: Mow every 4–6 weeks. Very low fertilizer needs.

Notes: Improves soil and supports pollinators.

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6. Vinca minor (Lesser Periwinkle)

Description: Evergreen trailing ground cover with glossy leaves and blue-violet flowers.

Height: 4–6 inches | Spread: Vigorous

Hardiness: Zones 4–9

Light: Partial to full shade

Soil: Moist, well-draining

Planting: Spring or early fall. Space 8–12 inches apart.

Care: Trim in early spring.

Notes: Can be invasive — use edging.

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7. Securigera varia (Crown Vetch)

Description: Tough nitrogen-fixing plant with pinkish-white flowers. Good for erosion control.

Height: 1–2 feet (trailing) | Spread: Very aggressive

Hardiness: Zones 3–9

Light: Full sun to light shade

Soil: Poor, rocky, well-drained

Planting: Spring or fall by seed.

Care: Mow 1–2 times per year.

Notes: Invasive in many areas — use with caution.

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8. Hedera helix (English Ivy)

Description: Classic evergreen vine/ground cover with glossy lobed leaves.

Height: 6–12 inches as ground cover | Can climb high

Hardiness: Zones 4–9

Light: Partial to full shade

Soil: Moist, well-draining

Planting: Spring or early fall. Space 12–24 inches.

Care: Trim as needed.

Notes: Highly invasive — not recommended in many areas.

*

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9. Rubus calycinoides (Creeping Raspberry)

Description: Textured green leaves with red tints in fall, small white flowers, and edible orange-red berries.

Height: 4–8 inches | Spread: Moderate to aggressive

Hardiness: Zones 6–9 (Zone 5 borderline)

Light: Full sun to partial shade

Soil: Well-draining, average

Planting: Spring or early fall. Space 12–24 inches.

Care: Trim in spring. Drought-tolerant once established.

Notes: Good for slopes. Protect in harsh Zone 5 winters.

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General Tips for Green Bay (Zone 5):

• Best planting times: Spring or early fall
• Most need consistent moisture in the first year
• Use edging for aggressive spreaders
• Consider invasiveness: English Ivy, Crown Vetch, and Vinca can escape gardens

Boost Your Brand with Effortless Social Media Success!

  Posted by: Admin on 5th May 2025 11:17:02.

Ready to Elevate Your Social Media Game?

Let Real Wisconsin Website Design handle your social media posting, so you can focus on growing your business.
Whether you’re on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter/X, or beyond, we’ll deliver tailored, high-quality content that drives results.

Sign up today for our $299/month Tier 3/SEO package (12-month agreement) and take advantage of this exclusive offer for Green Bay and surrounding Wisconsin businesses.
Visit www.realwisconsinwebsitedesign.com or call us at 920-785-1219 to get started!

Real Wisconsin Website Design:
Your Partner in Social Media Success.

Boost Your Brand with Effortless Social Media Success!

Imagine captivating your audience with vibrant, engaging social media posts across nine major platforms—without the hassle or time drain. At Real Wisconsin Website Design, we make it happen with our expert social media posting services, delivering high-quality content that drives engagement and builds your brand.

Why Choose Our Social Media Posting Services?

• Save Time, Maximize Impact: Crafting a single ad-style post can take up to 15 minutes, and posting across nine platforms adds another 45 minutes—totaling a full hour per posting DAY!  We streamline this process, creating and scheduling six diverse, high-quality posts daily to keep your audience engaged without you lifting a finger.
• Algorithm-Friendly Strategy: Our approach spaces post 2–3 hours apart, ensuring your content reaches different audience segments across time zones while staying in favor with platform algorithms (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter/X, and more). This consistent, strategic posting (3–7 posts/day) boosts your visibility and engagement.
• Tailored, Engaging Content: We create platform-specific posts—carousels, reels, polls, static images, and more—designed to resonate with your audience. Our AI-driven tools ensure variety and quality, preventing follower fatigue and keeping your brand fresh and exciting.
• Hassle-Free Scheduling: With our advanced scheduling technology, we queue a week’s worth of posts in one go, optimizing for peak audience activity times (e.g., 8 AM, 2 PM, 8 PM). You get consistent, impactful content without daily manual effort.
• Performance Tracking: We monitor likes, shares, comments, and more to fine-tune your strategy. If engagement dips, we adjust post frequency or style to keep your audience hooked.

Cost-Effective Solutions for Your Business

Limited-Time Special Offer!
For businesses in Green Bay and surrounding Wisconsin areas, we’re excited to offer our Tier 3/SEO with Extended Coverage package at an unbeatable rate of $299/month with a 12-month agreement. This comprehensive plan includes creation and scheduling of six daily posts across nine platforms, delivering professional, algorithm-optimized content that elevates your brand—all at a fraction of typical agency rates.

Typical Agency Pricing (for comparison):

• With a Signed Agreement: Other agencies in the Green Bay area might charge $75/hour per post (including creation and scheduling), spreading upfront work over time. $2,250.⁰⁰/MONTH
• No Agreement: Without a contract, hourly rates could be $120/hour per post. That’s $3,600.⁰⁰ per MONTH.

With our $299/month special, you lock in significant savings and get the same high-quality service trusted by brands across Wisconsin—no hourly billing, no hidden fees, just results.

Why It Works

• Platform-Specific Expertise: We balance post frequency for each platform—3–4 posts on Twitter/X, 2 on Instagram, 1 on LinkedIn—to align with best practices and avoid overwhelming your audience.
• Engagement-Driven Approach: Six posts daily, spaced strategically, capture attention without spamming. We mix educational, promotional, and interactive content to keep followers engaged.
• Scalable Strategy: We start with six posts/day, analyze performance, and adjust (e.g., 4–5 posts if needed) to ensure maximum impact for your unique audience.

How to Dominate SEO and Search with Your Website

  Posted by: Admin on 1st November 2024 17:16:54.

How I can dominate in SEO and searchs with my website at https://realwis.com/

It's great you're thinking about Search Engine Optimization (SEO)! It's a crucial part of getting your website, https://realwis.com/, seen by more people. "Dominating" search results takes time and effort, but by focusing on providing high-quality content and improving your site's technical aspects, you can significantly boost your rankings. Let's break down some key aspects:

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Interactive List

Key SEO Strategies

Keyword Research

Identify relevant keywords that people are searching for when looking for businesses like yours. Use tools like Google Keyword Planner to discover these terms.

On-Page Optimization

Make sure your website's content is well-written, informative, and includes your target keywords in natural ways. Optimize title tags, meta descriptions, and headings.

Off-Page Optimization

Build high-quality backlinks from other reputable websites. This shows search engines that your site is trustworthy and valuable.

Technical SEO

Ensure your website loads quickly, is mobile-friendly, has a clear site structure, and is secure (HTTPS). These factors affect how search engines crawl and index your site.

Content Marketing

Create valuable content like blog posts, articles, videos, and infographics that attract your target audience and encourage them to share and link back to your site.

brightness_alertWhy it matters

SEO

In today's digital world, appearing high in search results is essential for any website. SEO drives organic traffic, meaning you don't have to pay for ads to reach potential customers.

Remember, SEO is a continuous process. It requires ongoing monitoring, analysis, and adjustments to stay ahead of the competition and algorithm changes. Keep learning, experimenting, and refining your strategy, and you'll see positive results over time!

short_text

Simplify

notes

Go deeper

image

Get images

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What are some tools I can use for keyword research?

Tell me more about On-page Optimization.

How can I build backlinks?

Please provide a step by step set of instructions for all this as a manual.

It's fantastic that you're ready to dive into SEO! Here’s your simplified manual for boosting your website's visibility. Just remember, SEO is like a marathon—it takes time and consistent effort to see results! Let's start:

Your SEO Manual

Don't be afraid to experiment and see what works best for your specific website. Track your progress using tools like Google Analytics to see how your efforts are impacting your rankings. You got this!