Questions we hear a lot
If yours isn't here, call or text 573-621-4337.
Working with us
What does Mississippi River Marketing do?
We help local businesses get found and chosen: websites, Google Business Profiles, local SEO, social media, content, reviews, ads, graphic design and website care. Every client also gets Bridge, a dashboard that shows the results.
Where are you based?
Southeast Missouri. We work with businesses nearby and further away; most of the work happens online.
How do we get started?
Book a free visibility check or call 573-621-4337. We'll look at how customers find you and tell you what we'd fix first.
How much does it cost?
It depends on what you need. After the free check you get a written scope and price before anything starts. Ad spend, if any, is always shown separately from our fee.
Do I keep my website and accounts if I leave?
Yes. They're in your business's name, and we hand over every login and file.
Can you guarantee results?
No one honestly can guarantee rankings, traffic or sales. We promise careful, rule-following work and clear numbers so you can judge it.
Do you use AI to write content?
We may use writing tools, but every piece starts from your real facts and is read and edited by a person. We never publish invented experience, fake reviews or made-up authors.
Is my data safe in Bridge?
You connect accounts on each platform's own screen; we never see your passwords. Data is used only to show your reports and is never sold, used for ads or used to train AI. See the privacy policy.
About our services
How long does a new website take?
Most small business sites take three to six weeks from the first conversation to launch. The biggest variable is how quickly we can gather your photos, service details and approvals. More about website design.
Do I own the website?
Yes. Your domain, your content and your site belong to your business. We put the domain and hosting in your name or document exactly where they live, and we hand over access if you ever move on. More about website design.
Can you host a site you didn't build?
Usually. We'll check what it's built on and whether it's in good enough shape to maintain, and tell you honestly if it isn't. More about website care.
What if my site goes down?
Call or text us. If your plan includes monitoring, we're alerted automatically. Because backups are kept off the server, a broken update can be rolled back. More about website care.
Can you guarantee first place on Google?
No, and be careful with anyone who does. Google decides its results. We do the work that gives you the best chance and show you the numbers so you can judge it. More about local seo.
Is SEO better than ads?
They do different jobs. SEO builds visibility you don't pay for per click, slowly. Ads buy visibility right away. Many businesses do some of each; our guide on when to start ads explains how to decide. More about local seo.
My profile was suspended. Can you help?
Often. Most suspensions come from a name, address or category that doesn't match Google's guidelines. We'll review it, fix what's wrong and help you file the reinstatement request. More about google business profile.
Can you remove bad reviews?
Only Google can remove a review, and only if it breaks Google's policies (fake, off-topic, hateful). We can flag those. For honest negative reviews, a calm, helpful reply does more good than removal would. More about google business profile.
How often should a business blog?
As often as you have something useful to say. For most local businesses, one or two well-made articles a month is plenty. More about content.
Will you write in my voice?
Yes. We'll match how you talk to customers, and you approve everything before it's published. More about content.
Which platforms should I be on?
The ones your customers use. For most local businesses that's Facebook and Instagram first, with TikTok or YouTube if you have video worth sharing. More about social media.
Do you run social ads too?
Yes, when it makes sense. See paid advertising. More about social media.
Do you write reviews?
Never. Every review has to come from a real customer's real experience. More about reviews.
Can we offer a discount for leaving a review?
No. Google and the FTC both forbid incentives for reviews, even for "honest" ones. More about reviews.
What's the minimum budget?
It depends on your trade, your area and what a customer is worth to you. After the free check we'll estimate what a useful test would cost before you commit to anything. More about ads.
Do ads help my Google ranking?
No. Paid and unpaid results are separate. Ads buy visibility while they run; SEO builds it over time. More about ads.
Do I get the source files?
Yes. You get print-ready files and editable versions you own. More about graphic design.
Should my domain be .com?
If the .com is available and makes sense, yes; people type it by habit. Otherwise a clear name in another extension beats a confusing .com. More about domain setup.
Want to know where customers are slipping away?
Book a free visibility check. We'll look at how people find you, what they see and how easy it is to call, then tell you what we'd fix first.