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# Hill Media Group: Online Marketing Agency based in Kalispell, MT.

## Sitemaps
[XML Sitemap](https://hillmediagroup.com/sitemap_index.xml): Includes all crawlable and indexable pages.

## Posts
- [Before You Build: 5 Things I’ve Learned Using Claude Code to Build Marketing Tools](https://hillmediagroup.com/building-marketing-tools-claude-code/): Claude Code has opened a door that used to stay locked for people like me. I built tools back in the day. I could write enough code to make things work, but as my clients' needs grew, my time went there, and my coding skills fell behind. I never stopped thinking like a developer. I just stopped keeping up with the code. The barrier was never really the thinking. It was the code I no longer had time to write. Now that the code is mostly handled, the door is wide open, and that's exactly why I want to talk about what's on the other side of it before you walk through.
- [Your Customers Are Using AI Right Now. Are You Part of That Conversation?](https://hillmediagroup.com/ai-customers-attention-small-business-visibility/): Part three of a series. Start here if you haven't: hillmediagroup.com/google-io-2026-small-business-impact
- [Less Friction Always Wins: How AI Is Raising the Bar for Every Customer Experience](https://hillmediagroup.com/less-friction-always-wins-ai-customer-experience/): Also in this series: Google I/O Just Changed the Rules. Here's What Small Businesses Need to Know.  hillmediagroup.com/google-io-2026-small-business-impact
- [Google I/O Just Changed the Rules. Here’s What Small Businesses Need to Know.](https://hillmediagroup.com/google-io-2026-small-business-impact/): Every year, Google holds a developer conference called Google I/O where they pull back the curtain on where the internet is heading. Most years, the announcements are incremental improvements to existing products. This year was different.
- [What Are Those Fake “WooCommerce Automated Testing Product” Orders?](https://hillmediagroup.com/what-are-those-fake-woocommerce-automated-testing-product-orders/): How to Stop Card-Testing Fraud on Your WordPress Store
- [How to Market When Nobody Is Buying](https://hillmediagroup.com/how-to-market-when-nobody-is-buying/): Business feels strange right now. The stock market looks fine-ish on paper, but if you're a small business owner, you probably aren't feeling it. Leads are slower. Decisions are taking longer. Clients who seemed interested have gone quiet. You're not imagining it — and you're not alone.
- [Video Marketing for Small Businesses in Kalispell, Montana: What’s Working in 2026](https://hillmediagroup.com/video-marketing-for-small-businesses-in-kalispell-montana-whats-working-in-2026/): If you run a service business in Kalispell or the Flathead Valley, you've probably noticed something: the businesses getting the most attention online are the ones showing up on video. Not with Hollywood-level production. Not with scripted corporate talking heads. Just real people doing real work and letting potential customers see what they're about before ever picking up the phone.
- [The State of Small Business in 2026: Cautious Optimism and the Cost of Standing Still](https://hillmediagroup.com/the-state-of-small-business-in-2026-cautious-optimism-and-the-cost-of-standing-still/): Small businesses enter 2026 with more confidence than they've had in years, and more uncertainty about what to do with it.
- [5 Marketing Strategies to Maximize Your Home & Garden Showcase Booth](https://hillmediagroup.com/5-marketing-strategies-to-maximize-your-home-garden-showcase-booth/): How local businesses can turn tradeshow visitors into qualified leads at the Flathead Building Association's biggest event
- [The Content Land Grab: Why Creating Content for AI Search Is Easier Now Than It Will Ever Be Again](https://hillmediagroup.com/the-content-land-grab-why-creating-content-for-ai-search-is-easier-now-than-it-will-ever-be-again/): I've been writing content consistently this year, on the Hill Media Group website and my personal site. For the first few months, nothing happened. I'd get the occasional response from someone who received my newsletter, but nothing from anyone who found me through search.
- [7 Steps to Rank Your Montana Business in Google Maps in 2026](https://hillmediagroup.com/7-steps-to-rank-your-montana-business-in-google-maps-in-2026/): When a homeowner in Kalispell searches for "plumber near me" or a driver in Missoula needs emergency auto repair, Google Maps determines which businesses they see first. If your Montana business doesn't appear in those top three results, you're invisible to the customers most ready to buy.
- [The Real Reason Your Cold Emails Go Unanswered—And What to Do Next](https://hillmediagroup.com/the-real-reason-your-cold-emails-go-unanswered-and-what-to-do-next/): Your inbox is a battleground.
- [The State of Small Business Marketing in 2025: What You Need to Know to Stay Competitive](https://hillmediagroup.com/the-state-of-small-business-marketing-in-2025-what-you-need-to-know-to-stay-competitive/): The world of small business marketing has fundamentally changed. What worked even two years ago may be costing you opportunities today. If you're feeling like marketing has become more complex, more expensive, and less predictable, you're not alone. The data confirms what many small business owners are experiencing firsthand.
- [What I Learned Analyzing 15 Auto Repair Websites in Flathead County](https://hillmediagroup.com/what-i-learned-analyzing-15-auto-repair-websites-in-flathead-county/): Last month, I spent several hours doing something that probably sounds incredibly boring to most people: I systematically analyzed every auto repair shop website I could find in Flathead County.
- [ManyChat Instagram Summit 2025: Day 1 Recap – What Small Businesses Actually Need to Know](https://hillmediagroup.com/manychat-instagram-summit-2025-day-1-recap-what-small-businesses-actually-need-to-know/): A small business owner's honest take on the Instagram Summit – separating the hype from the helpful
- [Black Friday Operators Online: Marketing Breakout Session Recap](https://hillmediagroup.com/black-friday-operators-online-marketing-breakout-session-recap/): Deep-dive strategies from the tactical breakout sessions at the Marketing Operators Conference
- [Black Friday Operators Online Conference Recap: 15 Game-Changing Strategies from E-commerce’s Top Minds](https://hillmediagroup.com/black-friday-operators-online-conference-recap-15-game-changing-strategies-from-e-commerces-top-minds/): Complete insights from the Marketing Operators Digital Marketing Conference on Black Friday Cyber Monday Success
- [The Service Business Owner’s Guide to Winning the Holiday Season: 10 Strategies to Cut Through the Noise](https://hillmediagroup.com/the-service-business-owners-guide-to-winning-the-holiday-season-10-strategies-to-cut-through-the-noise/): How Local Service Businesses Can Leverage Black Friday Through New Year's to Build Momentum That Lasts
- [WordCamp US 2025: Insights from Portland on the Future of WordPress, AI, and Digital Marketing](https://hillmediagroup.com/wordcamp-us-2025-insights-from-portland-on-the-future-of-wordpress-ai-and-digital-marketing/): After a decade-long hiatus from WordCamp events, I returned to WordCamp US 2025 in Portland with renewed purpose. As the founder of Hill Media Group, managing over 100 WordPress websites for small businesses and nonprofits, I wanted to reconnect with the community that has been central to my work since WordPress version 1.5 introduced themes and pages. What I discovered was a conference at the intersection of technological evolution and community values; where AI's transformative power meets the enduring spirit of open-source collaboration.
- [How to Dominate AI Search Results: The New SEO Strategy Small Businesses Can’t Ignore](https://hillmediagroup.com/how-to-dominate-ai-search-results-the-new-seo-strategy-small-businesses-cant-ignore/): The way customers find businesses is fundamentally changing. While most business owners are still focused on traditional Google rankings, a small group of smart entrepreneurs has discovered something remarkable: according to a study by SEMRush, customers coming from AI recommendations are worth 4.4 times more than regular Google clicks.
- [Why Your Marketing Tools Are Working Against Each Other (And What to Do About It)](https://hillmediagroup.com/why-your-marketing-tools-are-working-against-each-other-and-what-to-do-about-it/): Last week, I had a conversation with a local restaurant owner that perfectly illustrates a problem I see with almost every small business I work with.
- [Why Your Website Traffic Is Declining (And What to Do About It)](https://hillmediagroup.com/why-your-website-traffic-is-declining-and-what-to-do-about-it/): If you've noticed your website getting fewer clicks lately, you're not imagining things. Recent research reveals a dramatic shift in how people interact with search results, and it's fundamentally changing the digital marketing landscape for small businesses.
- [The AI Search Revolution: How Local Businesses Can Dominate AI-Driven Discovery](https://hillmediagroup.com/the-ai-search-revolution-how-local-businesses-can-dominate-ai-driven-discovery/): The way customers discover local businesses is undergoing a fundamental transformation. Google's aggressive push toward AI-driven search results, from AI Overviews to the new AI Mode, signals a seismic shift in how we need to think about local visibility. Meanwhile, ChatGPT's browser mode and other AI platforms are creating new pathways for customer discovery that bypass traditional search entirely.
- [Will AI Replace Digital Marketing Services? My Real-World Experiment](https://hillmediagroup.com/will-ai-replace-digital-marketing-services-my-real-world-experiment/): A question I get constantly from business owners is whether AI will eventually replace the services they provide. As someone who helps small businesses with digital marketing, I wonder the same thing about my own work. With tools like Claude Artifacts making it possible to build functional tools in minutes, I decided to put AI to the test.
- [5 Communication Failures That Cost Nonprofits Donors and Volunteers (And How to Fix Them)](https://hillmediagroup.com/5-communication-failures-that-cost-nonprofits-donors-and-volunteers-and-how-to-fix-them/): Last year, I attended the annual fundraiser for a nonprofit I've supported for several years. I walked into that event expecting the usual energy and excitement; stories of impact, updates on programs, and that feeling of being part of something meaningful. Instead, I left feeling disconnected and confused.
- [5 Ways Local Service Businesses Can Use AI to Win More Customers (And Keep Them Coming Back)](https://hillmediagroup.com/5-ways-local-service-businesses-can-use-ai-to-win-more-customers-and-keep-them-coming-back/): After attending Search Marketing Expo Advanced earlier this month, I've been flooded with questions my clients about one topic: artificial intelligence. The feedback from my recap insights has been incredible, but the most common question I'm hearing is this: "How can my local business actually use AI without breaking the bank or becoming too technical?"
- [3 Website Changes That Actually Drive More Customers](https://hillmediagroup.com/3-website-changes-that-actually-drive-more-customers/): Your website is often the first impression potential customers have of your business. In today's mobile-first world, that first impression happens on a smartphone screen while someone is scrolling through search results, looking for a solution to their problem. Whether you're a service-based business owner trying to attract local customers, an online retailer competing for attention, or a nonprofit seeking community support, these three fundamental website improvements will transform your online presence from a digital brochure into a powerful customer acquisition tool.
- [SMX Advanced 2025 Recap: What Small Businesses Need to Know About the Future of SEO](https://hillmediagroup.com/smx-advanced-2025-recap-what-small-businesses-need-to-know-about-the-future-of-seo/): SMX Advanced 2025 marked the first in-person SMX conference since early 2020, and it was worth the wait. Held in Boston, the event brought together some of the sharpest minds in search marketing to discuss how AI, structured data, and user-centric strategies are shaping the next generation of SEO.
- [Tourism SEO: How to Rank #1 When Customers Search From 1,000 Miles Away](https://hillmediagroup.com/tourism-seo-rank-when-customers-search-1000-miles-away/): In the competitive world of tourism, having a strong online presence isn't just helpful—it's essential for attracting visitors to your destination. This is especially true for businesses near popular attractions like Glacier National Park, where most of your potential customers are planning their trips from far away.
- [5 Powerful Ways Small Businesses Can Stand Out on Social Media in 2025](https://hillmediagroup.com/5-powerful-ways-small-businesses-can-stand-out-on-social-media-in-2025/): In today's fast-paced digital landscape, social media continues to evolve at lightning speed. For small businesses and local organizations, keeping up with these changes while maintaining an authentic presence can feel overwhelming. Trends come and go in the blink of an eye, making it challenging to create content that resonates with your audience without appearing forced or outdated.
- [5 Proven Strategies to Increase Your Google Business Reviews](https://hillmediagroup.com/5-proven-strategies-to-increase-your-google-business-reviews/): Google reviews have become a cornerstone of local business success in today's digital marketplace. When potential customers search for services in their area, Google prominently displays business listings complete with star ratings and review counts. These reviews serve a dual purpose: they help customers make informed decisions and significantly impact your business's visibility in local search results.
- [How to Build a Winning Local SEO Strategy: Expert Guide for Service Businesses](https://hillmediagroup.com/how-to-build-a-winning-local-seo-strategy-expert-guide-for-service-businesses/): I'm constantly amazed by how many service businesses offer exceptional work yet remain virtually invisible online. The truth is striking - 98% of customers now turn to the internet when looking for local service providers. I've watched businesses go from struggling to thriving simply by improving how they show up in local search results.
- [5 Powerful Ways to Re-engage Your Small Business Customers](https://hillmediagroup.com/5-powerful-ways-to-re-engage-your-small-business-customers/): Are you leaving money on the table by neglecting your existing customers? As a small business growth consultant, I'm consistently amazed by the lack of follow-up from businesses I purchase from. Whether it's my local coffee shop, restaurant, or barber, very few make the effort to re-engage me after my initial visit, which suggests they aren't prioritizing repeat business.
- [5 Essential Email Marketing Automations That Drive Business Growth](https://hillmediagroup.com/5-essential-email-marketing-automations-that-drive-business-growth/): In today's digital landscape, effective email marketing automation isn't just a nice-to-have—it's essential for small businesses looking to nurture relationships and drive revenue growth. At Hill Media Group, we believe in empowering small businesses with education-first strategies that deliver measurable results. Here's our comprehensive guide to the five email marketing automations your business needs to welcome, engage, and retain customers.
- [The Power of a Clean Email List: Why Less Is More in Email Marketing](https://hillmediagroup.com/the-power-of-a-clean-email-list-why-less-is-more-in-email-marketing/): Here's an email marketing truth many businesses overlook: maintaining a pristine email subscriber list is just as crucial as growing it.
- [Beyond the Push: Rebuilding Trust in Social Media Marketing](https://hillmediagroup.com/beyond-the-push-rebuilding-trust-in-social-media-marketing/): In today's digital marketplace, we're facing a significant disconnect between how businesses use social media and what consumers actually want. Recent data highlights this gap in stark terms, revealing why our current approach may be fundamentally flawed.
- [The Evolution of Connection: Why Consumers Turn to Influencers](https://hillmediagroup.com/the-evolution-of-connection-why-consumers-turn-to-influencers/): In today's digital landscape, influencer marketing on social media has transformed from an experimental tactic to a cornerstone of brand strategy. But why are consumers increasingly drawn to these digital personalities? The answer lies in understanding how the traditional sales relationship has evolved over time.

## Pages
- [Untamed Patagonia](https://hillmediagroup.com/case-studies/untamed-patagonia/)
- [Jerad Hill](https://hillmediagroup.com/case-studies/jerad-hill/)
- [Contact](https://hillmediagroup.com/contact/)
- [El Dorado Pool & Spa](https://hillmediagroup.com/case-studies/el-dorado-pools/)
- [Red Eagle Aviation](https://hillmediagroup.com/case-studies/red-eagle-aviation/)
- [Bitterroot Screen Printing](https://hillmediagroup.com/case-studies/bitterroot-screen-printing/)
- [Bud Block’s Appliance & Repair](https://hillmediagroup.com/case-studies/bud-blocks-appliance-repair/)
- [Thank You](https://hillmediagroup.com/contact/thank-you/)
- [Marketing Mindset Monday](https://hillmediagroup.com/marketing-mindset-monday/)
- [Welcome to the MMM Newsletter](https://hillmediagroup.com/marketing-mindset-monday/mmm-thank-you/)
- [Schedule A Meeting](https://hillmediagroup.com/schedule/)
- [Client Success Check-In](https://hillmediagroup.com/client-success-checkin/)
- [Cowboy Up Country Cookin’](https://hillmediagroup.com/case-studies/cowboy-up-country-cookin/)
- [Glacier Precast Concrete](https://hillmediagroup.com/case-studies/glacier-precast-concrete/)
- [Grizzly Mortgage](https://hillmediagroup.com/case-studies/grizzly-mortgage/)
- [Digital Growth Strategy Session](https://hillmediagroup.com/digital-growth-strategy-session/)
- [Video Production](https://hillmediagroup.com/services/video-production/)
- [Product Photography](https://hillmediagroup.com/services/product-photography/)
- [Commercial Photography](https://hillmediagroup.com/services/commercial-photography/)
- [Case Studies](https://hillmediagroup.com/case-studies/)
- [Content Marketing](https://hillmediagroup.com/services/content-marketing/)
- [Social Media Marketing](https://hillmediagroup.com/services/social-media/)
- [Email Marketing](https://hillmediagroup.com/services/email-marketing/)
- [SEO](https://hillmediagroup.com/services/seo/)
- [Website Design](https://hillmediagroup.com/services/website-design/)
- [Services](https://hillmediagroup.com/services/)
- [About](https://hillmediagroup.com/about/)
- [Home](https://hillmediagroup.com/)
- [Support Portal](https://hillmediagroup.com/support-portal/): Please login or create an account to access the Customer Support Portal
- [Thank You for Booking Your Digital Growth Strategy Session 👋](https://hillmediagroup.com/digital-growth-strategy-session/thank-you/): Thank you for taking this important step toward transforming your online presence into a valuable business asset. We're excited to provide you with actionable insights that can help drive measurable growth for your business.
- [Digital Growth Strategy Session Questionnaire](https://hillmediagroup.com/digital-growth-strategy-session/questionnaire/)
- [Managed WordPress Hosting](https://hillmediagroup.com/services/managed-wordpress-hosting/)
- [Terms of Service](https://hillmediagroup.com/tos/): Hill Media Group offer a number of Internet-related services.
- [Articles](https://hillmediagroup.com/articles/): Our library of actionable marketing insights demystifies digital strategy for small businesses. Each article transforms complex concepts into clear, implementable tactics—reflecting our belief that educated clients make better decisions and achieve more sustainable growth for their businesses.
- [Search Engine Optimization](https://hillmediagroup.com/services/search-engine-optimization/): When someone in Kalispell searches Google for what you offer, where does your business appear? If you're not in the top three results, you're invisible to most potential customers. The top three Google search results capture 68% of all clicks—with the #1 position alone often claiming over 30%. At Hill Media Group, we specialize in local SEO strategies that get Montana businesses found by customers ready to buy, turning search visibility into consistent revenue.
- [Privacy Policy](https://hillmediagroup.com/privacy/): Last updated May 06, 2024

## Portfolio
- [Big Valley Grace Community Church](https://hillmediagroup.com/portfolio/big-valley-grace-community-church/): Custom WordPress Multisite website for a multi-campus church.
- [Bud Block’s Appliances](https://hillmediagroup.com/portfolio/bud-blocks-appliances/): Custom website for local Appliance & Repair services company.
- [Jake’s Nut Roasters](https://hillmediagroup.com/portfolio/jakes-nut-roasters/): Dynamic product website showcasing bold style and flavor.
- [Bitterroot Screen Printing](https://hillmediagroup.com/portfolio/bitterroot-screen-printing/): Custom website and photography showcasing the quality craftsmanship of Bitterroot SP.

## Landing Pages
- [FBA Friends Coffee](https://hillmediagroup.com/l/fba-friends-coffee/)
- [FBA Home & Garden Showcase Photos](https://hillmediagroup.com/l/fba-home-garden-showcase-photos/): Get access to the photos from the 2026 FBA Home & Garden Showcase.

## Categories
- [AI Marketing](https://hillmediagroup.com/category/ai-marketing/)
- [Blog](https://hillmediagroup.com/category/blog/)
- [Email Marketing](https://hillmediagroup.com/category/email-marketing/)
- [Online Marketing](https://hillmediagroup.com/category/online-marketing/)
- [Search Marketing](https://hillmediagroup.com/category/search-marketing/)
- [Social Media](https://hillmediagroup.com/category/social-media/)
- [Video Production](https://hillmediagroup.com/category/video-production/)

## Portfolio Categories
- [Church & Ministry](https://hillmediagroup.com/portfolio-category/church-ministry/)
- [Retail & Ecommerce](https://hillmediagroup.com/portfolio-category/retail-ecommerce/)
- [Service](https://hillmediagroup.com/portfolio-category/service/)
- [Web Design](https://hillmediagroup.com/portfolio-category/web-design/)

## Tags