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It’s 2025, and the Toronto Blue Jays are on a tear. The city is buzzing, the country is watching, and every baseball fan north of the border is wearing their lucky cap. But as the Jays inch closer to the World Series, something magical is happening off the field too — small business owners are starting to realize that they’ve got their own version of the underdog team quietly climbing to greatness.

And that underdog?

It’s your free digital marketing tools — Google Business Profile, your website, your social media, and all the online assets that don’t cost a dime but can win big when used strategically.

Let’s play ball.

Your Google Business Profile: The Underdog of the Major Leagues

In every great baseball story, there’s an underdog — the player who wasn’t drafted high, who wasn’t the flashiest hitter, but who delivers when it matters most.

For the Toronto Blue Jays, that underdog energy runs deep. It’s what makes the fans believe. And in the world of digital marketing, that same quiet power belongs to your Google Business Profile.

Your Google listing is the player no one talks about — until it wins the game. When paired with Local SEO, it’s like moving that player from the minors to the major leagues. Local SEO teaches Google how to recognize your business as a power hitter — showing up higher in local searches, attracting more fans (customers), and giving your business the visibility it deserves. It’s quietly working behind the scenes, showing up when people search “best landscaper in Regina” or “local bakery near me.” It’s that steady player who just gets on base again and again.

Like the Jays grinding through 162 games, your Google Business Profile is always at work — building trust, collecting reviews, updating hours, showing photos, and making sure your business is visible when it counts.

It’s not fancy. It’s not loud. But it wins games.

Moral of the inning: Never underestimate the power of consistency. Just like the Blue Jays’ bullpen quietly locking down a lead, your Google profile quietly builds your local visibility — one search at a time.

Your Website: Every Player Doing Their Job

When the Blue Jays make it to the World Series, you don’t see one player carrying the team. Everyone has a role. The pitcher throws heat, the catcher calls the game, and the shortstop makes highlight-reel plays.

Your website is the same way. It’s the entire lineup — doing its job day after day, page after page.

Your homepage is the leadoff hitter, making that first impression count.

Your services pages are the power hitters, driving in runs (a.k.a. conversions).

Your contact page? That’s your closer — the final step that seals the win.

And when your website is Google-friendly, it’s like having a roster full of players who actually listen to the coach. SEO best practices are your playbook. Keywords, page speed, mobile responsiveness — these are the fundamentals.

When every player (page) knows the play and sticks to the game plan, your website doesn’t just show up; it shines. And if you’re still waiting to build your site, our Websites in a Week program is like spring training on fast-forward — you show up Monday with a dream, and by Friday you’ve got a website that’s ready to play in the major leagues.

The Jays don’t get to October by accident. And your website doesn’t rank on Google by luck either. It’s about showing up, working the count, and doing the little things right all season long.

Moral of the inning: Do what you love and you’ll never work another day in your life — or another inning in your business. Your website loves to work for you; just make sure you’re giving it the right signals to hit it out of the park.

Social Media: The Snacks at the Game

Ah, social media — the cotton candy, nachos, and overpriced hot dogs of your marketing strategy. You don’t need it to play baseball, but it sure makes the experience more fun.

Posting on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok is like walking the concourse with a handful of snacks. You’re not sure if you’re hungry, but you can’t resist the smell. One post here, one story there, and suddenly your business feels alive, active, and part of the crowd.

Too much, and you’ll feel bloated — overwhelmed by algorithms, trends, and endless scrolling.

Too little, and you’ll look like you’ve left the stadium before the seventh-inning stretch.

The sweet spot? Snack responsibly.

Share the wins. Celebrate the people behind the business. Show your fans (followers) that you’re not just playing the game — you’re having fun doing it.

Moral of the inning: Social media isn’t the main course. It’s the atmosphere. It’s what keeps your audience cheering between innings.

Google Analytics: The Stat Sheet That Tells the Real Story

Every baseball fan knows — the numbers don’t lie. Batting averages, on-base percentage, ERA — these stats tell the story behind every win and loss.

In marketing, Google Analytics is your stat sheet. It shows you what’s working and what’s not.

It’s the difference between guessing and managing. Between hoping for a home run and actually knowing who your best hitters are.

Analytics tells you:

• Which pages on your site are driving traffic (your all-stars).

• Where people drop off (your slumps).

• And which campaigns are bringing in the runs (revenue).

Sure, stats might seem boring at first glance — but so does a scorecard until you realize it holds the secret to the whole game.

Moral of the inning: Winners study the numbers. The Blue Jays don’t just play — they analyze, adjust, and improve. Your business should too.

Email Marketing: The Reliable Veteran in the Lineup

Every baseball team has that one player who’s been around forever — dependable, calm under pressure, and still clutch when it counts.

In the digital marketing world, that’s email marketing.

While everyone’s distracted by the flashy new rookie (TikTok), email keeps doing what it’s always done: delivering results.

It builds relationships. It keeps fans engaged. It sells tickets (or products).

It’s not always glamorous, but neither is a solid double to the gap — and yet, both get the job done. When your audience trusts you enough to open your emails, you’ve earned something even more valuable than clicks: loyalty.

Moral of the inning: Don’t bench your veterans. The Blue Jays know the power of experience — and your business should too.

Google Ads: The Trade Deadline Power Move

Sometimes you need a mid-season boost — a strategic move that changes the game.

That’s where Google Ads come in.

Just like a big-name trade at the deadline, Google Ads give you that instant shot of energy. It’s not free (like your organic tools), but it can make the difference between sitting at home in October or playing for the World Series.

The best part? When you’ve already got a strong foundation — your website, Google Business Profile, and social media — your ads perform even better. You’re not paying to patch holes; you’re paying to amplify what’s already working.

Moral of the inning: Invest smartly when it counts. A well-timed boost can take you from wildcard to champion.

Reviews: Your Fans in the Stands

You can’t have baseball without fans — and you can’t have a thriving business without reviews.

Positive reviews are your standing ovations.

They build credibility, improve SEO, and attract more people to your game (your business).

When someone leaves a five-star review, they’re saying, “I believe in this team.” And when you respond — even to criticism — you show that you value your fans and are always working to get better.

Moral of the inning: A packed stadium creates energy. So does a page full of glowing reviews.

Search Console: Your Team Manager

Behind every great team is a manager who sees what the players don’t — who adjusts the lineup, spots weaknesses, and gives feedback that makes everyone better.

That’s Google Search Console.

It’s the tool that tells you how your website is performing in search, which keywords you’re ranking for, and where you need to improve. It’s the one giving you signals from the dugout, keeping your team (website) in the game.

Ignore it, and you’re playing without direction.

Listen to it, and you’ll find your sweet spot — that perfect pitch you can drive over the wall.

Moral of the inning: Trust your coach. Search Console wants you to win.

Your Online Reputation: The Team Spirit

When the Blue Jays make it to the World Series, it’s not just talent that gets them there — it’s chemistry. It’s belief. It’s how they show up for each other.

Your online reputation works the same way. It’s the combination of everything — your listings, website, reviews, and social media — coming together to build trust.

People don’t buy from businesses; they buy from teams they believe in.

If your brand feels authentic, responsive, and rooted in your community, your customers will wear your jersey proudly — just like Jays fans filling the stands at Rogers Centre.

Moral of the inning: Winning online isn’t about one big swing. It’s about team effort.

The Bottom of the Ninth: Playing the Long Game

The 2025 Toronto Blue Jays didn’t wake up one morning and find themselves in the World Series. It took strategy, grit, and a whole lot of practice.

Your free digital marketing tools work the same way. They don’t promise instant wins. But when you use them consistently — updating your Google listing, optimizing your website, posting on social, watching your analytics — the results add up.

Each tool plays a position.

Each small win moves you around the bases.

And before you know it, you’re sliding into home — visible, trusted, and winning new customers every day.

So, if you’ve been sitting on the bench waiting to start, consider this your call-up to the majors.

Because in the digital big leagues, every small business has a shot at the World Series — and your free tools are ready to play ball.

Whether you’re in the early innings with your Google profile or ready to swing for the fences with a brand-new website, Above the Fold is here to coach you through it. Our Local SEO services help your business rise through the standings, and our Websites in a Week program gets you game-ready fast. Because every local business deserves its shot at the World Series of visibility.