Resource Spotlight: AnswerThePublic

https://answerthepublic.com/

Tool Type: Keyword Research

Best For: SEO, Content Planning, Audience Insights

Ease of Use: Beginner-Friendly

Cost: Free with optional Pro version

If you’ve ever stared at a blinking cursor wondering what to post next, you’re not alone. Content creation can feel overwhelming, especially when juggling the daily demands of running a small business. Between managing operations, serving customers, and staying visible online, finding the time and inspiration to write blogs or social media posts that drive traffic is no small task.

That’s exactly why we’re launching this Resource Spotlight series—to highlight tools that make smarter marketing possible without adding more stress to your day. This month, we’re starting with a free, powerful platform that shows you exactly what your customers are searching for online: AnswerThePublic.

What Is AnswerThePublic?

AnswerThePublic is a search listening tool that pulls data from Amazon, Bing, Google, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to show you what people are typing in the search bar. Your search terms are broken down into questions, prepositions, comparisons, and more.

For example, type in "Lake Erie" and you’ll see real search queries like:

• “Where is Lake Erie?”

• “Places to stay near Lake Erie”

• “Lake Erie jobs”

It’s like getting a sneak peek into your customers’ minds and using it to craft smarter marketing.

A Local Business Example

Let’s say you run Dock's Beach House Restaurant out of Port Clinton and want to write a blog post or create social media content to help your website appear in search results. You can go to AnswerThePublic and type in "Port Clinton restaurants" and search through the top search queries, such as:

• “Port Clinton restaurants on the water with outdoor seating”

• “Port Clinton restaurants with a patio”

• “Port Clinton restaurants with a view”

These are the common search terms people are typing into Google. From a content creation standpoint at Dock’s Beach House, you would want to show off the outdoor seating/patio, Lake Erie views, and mouth-savoring food.

Now you’ve got the foundation for blog posts, video content, and an FAQ page for your website. That’s how SEO can work smarter, not harder.

Why Small Businesses Should Use It

• Find Content Ideas Instantly

  Never wonder what to post again. Build content around real questions your customers are asking.
  

• Boost SEO with FAQ Pages

  Creating FAQ sections using these questions can improve your rankings and even get you into Google’s “People Also Ask” boxes. Bonus: Create a video per FAQ and double down on SEO and content.
  

• Speak Your Customers’ Language

  When you echo the exact phrases people use, you build trust and improve conversions online and in person.
  

• Plan Smarter Marketing Campaigns

  Use this tool to brainstorm seasonal blog content, optimize product descriptions, or prepare for local tourism spikes.

Use Cases for AnswerThePublic

AnswerThePublic is more than just an SEO tool. It is also used across several marketing and research fields to help businesses better understand what their audience wants to know.

• SEO: Discover keyword trends and intent-driven search queries to rank higher in organic search results.
  

• Content Marketing: Generate ideas for blog posts, social media, and web copy based on what people are actively searching for.
  

• Consumer Research: Identify patterns and questions that reveal your audience’s concerns, motivations, and pain points.
  

• Public Relations: Find angles for press releases or campaign messaging by knowing what people are asking or comparing.

How to Try It

1. Visit answerthepublic.com

2. Enter a keyword related to your business

3. Explore the search clouds of customer questions

4. Use the results to create content for your website, emails, or social media

5. Repeat monthly to stay relevant and searchable

   
   

By taking 30 minutes a month to explore keywords and common questions, you’ll build a foundation that boosts your discoverability for months, especially with tourists and seasonal visitors planning trips in advance.

Ready to Take the Guesswork Out of Your Marketing?

Your customers are already asking questions. The opportunity lies in being the one to answer them. Tools like AnswerThePublic don’t just give you topics—they provide clarity, direction, and a direct connection to the people searching for what you offer.

This tool can help you think less like a business owner guessing what might work and more like a strategist creating exactly what your audience needs. Your next great piece of content is already waiting...

Want to be the answer to what your customers are already searching for? Try answerthepublic.com today.

Community Spotlight: 419 Lake Erie Sportfishing

Strong communities are powered by small businesses doing big things. That’s why we’re proud to kick off our Community Spotlight series with a look at 419 Lake Erie Sportfishing, a local charter service that’s helping people chase the thrill of hooking walleye and yellow perch on one of the best fishing spots in the country.

Every trip promises action, fresh air, and unforgettable memories!

Meet the Captain

419 Lake Erie Sportfishing is operated by Captain Zac Doust, who brings 9 years of experience to every trip. Charters launch from  Anchors Away Marina in Lakeside Marblehead, Ohio, aboard “Hooked,” a 29-foot Tiara Coronet built for comfort and performance.

“As an avid angler, I find immense joy in sharing my passion for fishing with others. It’s truly a rewarding experience.” - Captain Zac

With top-tier equipment and a strong focus on customer experience, every trip feels like a mix of adventure and relaxation!

What You’ll Catch

419 Lake Erie Sportfishing offers full-day and half-day private charters, ideal for groups looking to reel in some of the lake’s most prized fish. Trips are family-friendly and customizable; perfect for kids, friend groups, or multi-generational outings looking to enjoy Lake Erie together.

Known for their fight and flavor, anglers can expect to target walleye and yellow perch. Whether you're casting lines for a fresh fish fry or chasing trophy catches, Captain Zac provides the rods, reels, bait, and local know-how to help you land them.

What Follows

After a great day on the water, the surrounding area offers plenty to explore. Grab a bite to eat at one of many local waterfront restaurants, visit the historic Marblehead Lighthouse, or unwind with a cold drink on the patio at a local brewery.

For families, nearby attractions like African Safari Wildlife Park, Cedar Point, and ferry rides to Kelleys Island or Put-in-Bay make for a full day of fun beyond the boat.

Local Business, Lasting Impact

Supporting local businesses like 419 Lake Erie Sportfishing means more than just booking a charter. It’s about keeping local traditions alive, creating jobs for residents, and ensuring future generations can enjoy this unique region.

According to Small Business Trends, 82 percent of people say they prefer supporting local businesses over national chains, especially when those businesses reflect the values of their community.

Every charter booked is a vote of confidence in the small businesses that make Lake Erie more than just a destination; it makes it home.

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Why We Do a Community Spotlight

The Community Spotlight series is about more than recognition; it's also a way to help boost visibility through local SEO, connect with new audiences, and celebrate what makes this region so special. At West Erie Marketing, we help small businesses build a stronger online presence with affordable strategies and a personal touch.

If you’re a business owner in the Western Lake Erie area—Toledo, the Islands, the Shores—consider this your invitation to get noticed and positively impact the community.

Want your business to be featured in our next spotlight? Reach out to West Erie Marketing and let's chat about how we can help you grow your audience and connect with the local community.

West Erie Marketing Services Spotlight: Web Design

Are web design services worth the money?

Your website is your digital storefront. Investing in professional design isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. A great site builds trust, improves your Google ranking, and converts visitors into loyal customers.

At West Erie Marketing, our web design and development services aren’t just about making something look good; they’re about building an online presence that works for you. Whether you’re a small-town shop looking to expand or a busy local service provider wanting to attract more leads, we craft custom websites that combine beauty, function, and performance.

Why Web Design Matters More Than Ever

Let’s face it... if your website is outdated, hard to navigate, or slow to load, potential customers will bounce faster than a summer storm off the Lake Erie coast. And you’re not alone. Here are some real pain points many local businesses experience:

• Slow Site Speeds: Just a 1-second delay in load time can reduce conversions by 7%

• Poor UX Design: 88% of users are unlikely to return to a site after a bad user experience

• Lack of Mobile Optimization: Over 60% of web traffic now comes from mobile devices, yet many small business sites still aren’t mobile-friendly

• DIY Website Fatigue: Many business owners start on DIY platforms but quickly hit a wall when trying to scale or customize their site

A professionally designed website is a growth tool, not just a nice-to-have. For small businesses, a high-quality website can increase visibility, build credibility, and turn local visitors into paying customers. Whether you're a service provider in the Toledo metropolitan area or a small business on Lake Erie's Islands & Shores, investing in custom web design ensures your business stands out online, ranks higher in search engines, and keeps traffic/customers coming.

5 Actionable Web Design Tips for Small Business Owners

Below are five simple, actionable website tips you can apply today. Small updates like these can boost your site’s performance and help you connect better with your audience, without needing a full overhaul. Every click counts, so why not make the most of it?

1. Add (or Update) Contact Information

If customers can’t reach you easily, they’ll move on.

• Double-check phone number, email, and address

• Display contact info in the header and footer

• Add a contact form with clear fields

• Include business hours (especially for local services)

2. Check Your Social Media Links

Make sure you're sending visitors to the right place.

• Verify all social icons link to the correct accounts

• Remove outdated or inactive platforms

• Open links in a new tab (so users stay on your site)

• Keep social handles consistent with your business name

3. Clean Up Your Homepage

A cluttered homepage confuses visitors; keep it clean, clear, and goal-driven.

• One main CTA (like “Book Now” or “Call Us”)

• Remove outdated text, buttons, or offers

• Highlight your value proposition in a headline

• Keep navigation simple (no more than 5 main links)

4. Use High-Quality Photos

Good photos grab attention and build trust.

• Replace blurry or outdated images

• Use real photos of your products, team, or location

• Optimize image sizes to prevent slow loading

• Avoid overly generic stock photos

5. Make Sure It’s Mobile-Friendly

A smooth mobile experience is essential in 2025.

• Check your site on your phone (scroll through all pages)

• Ensure buttons are easy to tap and menus are easy to use

• Confirm text is readable without zooming

• Aim for under 3 seconds of page load time

What We Offer

Feeling overwhelmed? At West Erie Marketing, our web design and development services are built to eliminate these common pain points with small businesses:

• E-Commerce Development: Online stores built for conversions

• Front-End Development: Functional and visually engaging design that aligns with your goals

• Mobile Optimization: Fully responsive sites that look great on every screen

• Performance Optimization: Speed, SEO, and security baked in

• UI/UX Design: User-first designs that keep people engaged and clicking

• Webpage Creation: From landing pages to full builds, we’ve got you covered

• Website Design: Clean, responsive layouts tailored to your brand

• Website Maintenance: Ongoing support so your site stays sharp and secure

Affordable web design gives small businesses a competitive edge in a crowded market. Instead of struggling with clunky DIY platforms or outdated templates, professional design offers a streamlined, branded experience that’s easier to manage and scale. The right website can simplify operations, support marketing efforts, and help you grow with confidence.

What sets professional web design apart isn’t just the look, but rather the strategy behind it. Unlike cookie-cutter templates or one-size-fits-all platforms, custom web design considers your goals, audience, and local market. From layout to functionality, every element is built with a purpose, giving your business a unique online identity that reflects your brand and speaks directly to your customers.

Ready to Build a Better Website?

Don’t let an underperforming website sink your business potential. West Erie Marketing can design a website that reflects your brand, grows your reach, and helps you make waves online.

📲 Reach out today to schedule a web design quote and receive a FREE website audit!