Client Guide
Part 1
- Review of your current website or future website plans.
- An Overview: What the Google Marketing. Ecosystem can do for you?
- Your type of business model.
Part 2
- Pinpointing your customer persona(s).
- Analyze your customer’s journey.
- Analyze your marketing funnel.
- Analyzing your own marketing and expanding the possibilities. Which will provide you the greatest returns. (It’s a long list of possible marketing strategies, but with cutting edge technology multiple strategies provide enormous leverage.)
- Use 4-7 to design marketing campaigns. High quality, high focus experiments.
- Determine Key Performance Indicators.
Part 3
- Return to overview of each Google Marketing Ecosystem platform for a more granular examination.
- Google Search Console (Organic Growth) * see SEO packet.
- Google Lighthouse and Google PageSpeed Insights (PSI)
- Google Ads * (Keyword Planner URL Field).
- Google Analytics 4.
- Google Tag Manager.
- Review Key Performance Indicators.
- Google’s Looker Studio, a dashboard set up for your every day monitoring.
Website
For a straightforward website that integrates well with the Google Marketing Ecosystem, I recommend creating a professional WordPress site with the following considerations:
Hosting
You might consider Bluehost, a hosting company recommended by WordPress.
- Bluehost is like the real estate where your website lives—it stores all your website’s files and keeps them accessible online.
- It also handles security and server maintenance to keep everything running smoothly.
- WordPress, on the other hand, is the tool used to design and manage website content. Think of it as the builder and organizer for everything visitors see on your site.
Editor: Use Gutenberg Along with Wonder Blocks
Gutenberg
Gutenberg is WordPress’s built-in block editor. It lets you create and design pages using blocks (like text, images, buttons, and more) instead of relying on coding or outdated page builders.
Wonder Blocks
Wonder Blocks is a WordPress plugin that adds extra custom blocks to Gutenberg. It provides more design flexibility and unique layout options beyond the default Gutenberg blocks.
In short, Gutenberg is the editor, and Wonder Blocks enhances it with more creative tools.
Theme
A WordPress theme is like the blueprint and interior design of a house:
- WordPress itself is the foundation and structure.
- The theme controls how rooms are arranged, where windows go, and what the walls look like.
- Some themes come with built-in features (like custom layouts and widgets), while others require you to add extra plugins for additional functionality.
- If you switch themes, it’s like renovating a house—some design elements may move, disappear, or need adjustments, but your core content stays intact.
Why the Right Theme Matters
A WordPress theme affects your site’s customization options, available tools, and ease of updates. Some themes have built-in custom fonts and layouts, while others may require additional plugins. Choosing the right one ensures your site looks professional, functions smoothly, and doesn’t create unnecessary limitations.
I originally used the Bluehost Website Builder Theme, which is typically paired with the Bluehost Website Builder plugin. However, I recommend using a different theme, as the Bluehost Website Builder locks you into their ecosystem.
Astra is an open-source theme that offers all essential features without tying you to Bluehost. If you decide to switch hosting providers in the future, Astra makes the transition much smoother—without forcing you to pay higher renewal rates.
Why Astra is a Great Choice:
✔ Lightweight & Fast – Doesn’t slow down your site like some bloated themes.
✔ SEO-Friendly – Works seamlessly with Yoast SEO.
✔ Highly Customizable – Lets you tweak layout, typography, and colors without coding.
✔ Works Well with Page Builders – Great with Gutenberg, Elementor, and Brizy.
✔ Compatible with Most Plugins – No conflicts with Yoast, WooCommerce, or Google Tag Manager.
| Factor | Staying on Wix, Squarespace, or Bluehost Web Builder | Migrating to WordPress + Gutenberg + Astra |
| GA4 & GTM Tracking | Can be difficult or buggy—some platforms restrict full tracking control. | Full control over tracking codes, scripts, and advanced GTM setups. |
| SEO & Performance | Web builders add bloated code, slowing down site speed & SEO. | Faster, lightweight, and SEO-optimized (Google favors well-structured sites). |
| Customization | Limited—many builders lock users into pre-made templates. | Unlimited customization (choose themes, plugins, and coding flexibility). |
| Ownership & Portability | You’re locked in—if the platform shuts down or raises prices, you have no control. | Full ownership—you can move your site anywhere, anytime. |
| Cost Over Time | Monthly/annual subscription fees that increase over time. | Can be cheaper in the long run, especially if self-hosted. |
| Scalability | Harder to scale—limited plugin options and features. | Easily expandable (e-commerce, memberships, advanced marketing tools). |
| Support & Updates | Limited support—platform-specific issues may take days to fix. | Huge WordPress community, plugin updates, and more developer support. |
I’ve worked with different website platforms, and I’ve found that many web builders—like Bluehost Web Builder, Wix, and Squarespace—can create tracking issues. They often make it harder to set up GA4 and GTM properly, which can lead to incomplete data and missing insights. I recommend using WordPress with Gutenberg and Astra for small businesses because it allows full control over analytics tracking, better SEO, and a smoother experience.
Plugin
A plugin is like an add-on or app for your website—it gives it extra features without you having to build them yourself. Think of it like adding a new function to your phone by installing an app.
How It Relates to Bluehost & WordPress:
- WordPress: Plugins help customize your site, like adding contact forms, SEO tools, or design options.
- Bluehost: As a hosting provider, Bluehost often pre-installs or recommends plugins (like a site builder) to help users manage their WordPress site more easily.
The Bluehost Web Builder plugin was interfering with my Gutenberg editor, which is why I disabled it to have more control over the site’s design.
The number of installs gives a strong indication of a plugin’s reliability and usefulness. It shows that many people trust it and find it valuable.
However, you might also want to mention:
- Ratings & Reviews: A high install count is good, but check if the reviews are positive.
- Last Updated Date: If a plugin hasn’t been updated in a long time, it may not be well-maintained or secure.
- Compatibility: WordPress will often tell you if a plugin is tested with the current version—this helps avoid conflicts.
CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) is used to style and design web pages. It controls the visual presentation, including colors, fonts, layout, spacing, and responsiveness.
Difference between CSS, HTML, and JavaScript:
- HTML (HyperText Markup Language) structures the content of a webpage (e.g., headings, paragraphs, buttons).
- CSS styles that content, making it look visually appealing (e.g., changing colors, adding margins, positioning elements).
- JavaScript adds interactivity and functionality, enabling dynamic behaviors like animations, pop-ups, and form validation.
Think of HTML as the skeleton, CSS as the skin and clothing, and JavaScript as the muscles and movement that bring the webpage to life.
As of early 2025, it is easy to make professional looking websites without any coding experience. Though, it’s important to have an overview and knowledge of code to know what you need to ask AI to create, it is also important to know how to use it with a theme such as Astra.
If you want a certain color, font, positioning of an image it’s done by asking AI for code and then knowing where to place the code. For Astra:
Appearance > Customize > Additional CSS
For HTML and JavaScript code place them into a plug in such as WPCode Lite
I needed my screen to scroll down slightly when a user arrived at my website so I asked Chat GPT to create code so the user immediately saw a heading. I copied the code and put it into WPCode Lite. I then adjusted the number that now reads top: 450.
Code I asked Chat GPT to create:
window.addEventListener(‘load’, function () {
// Check if the body tag contains the class ‘page-id-948’ (specific to homepage)
if (document.body.classList.contains(‘page-id-948’)) {
// Prevent scrolling if it has already been done
if (!sessionStorage.getItem(‘homepageScrolled’)) {
sessionStorage.setItem(‘homepageScrolled’, ‘true’); // Mark as scrolled
setTimeout(() => {
window.scrollTo({
top: 450, // Adjust to your preferred scroll position
behavior: ‘smooth’
});
Web Hosting Costs
Bluehost Shared Hosting Plans:
$2.95–$12.99/month, depending on your plan and how many years you prepay.
Renewal rates are typically higher (e.g., $9.99–$24.99/month).
Additional Costs
Domain renewal: ~$10–$20/year (if purchased through Bluehost).
Premium themes/plugins: If you buy premium WordPress themes or plugins, those are additional costs.
Advanced security & backups: Extra services (e.g., SiteLock or CodeGuard) may have additional fees.
To get a professional email with your domain name:
| Option | Price | Custom Email (yourname@yourcompany.com) | Works with Gmail/Outlook? | Notes |
| Bluehost Email | Free | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | If you want a free option without extra setup. But will tie you into the Bluehost Ecosystem when you need to renew. |
| Zoho Mail | Free | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Great free alternative to Google Workspace |
| Namecheap Email | $1.24/month | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Cheap alternative with better email security. Been around since 2000. Good reputation. |
| Google Workspace | $19.80/month | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Full Google ecosystem with Drive, Docs, Meet |
Google Business Profile for Brick-and-Mortar and Service Businesses and Your Website
Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is a free tool that lets you manage how your business appears on Google Search and Maps. For brick-and-mortar establishments like retail shops or restaurants, it displays essential details—such as your location, hours, and contact information—making it easy for customers to find you.
For service-based businesses (like a future Google Analytics consultancy), even without a physical storefront, a well-optimized profile can boost your local presence. It allows you to:
- Showcase Key Information: Share your business details, service offerings, and customer reviews.
- Engage with Clients: Respond to reviews, post updates, and build trust with potential customers.
- Enhance Local Visibility: Appear in local search results, making it easier for clients to find your services.
Including this in your client handbook can help illustrate how even service businesses benefit from a strong, local digital presence.