John K Mitchell's Misc Blog

Google Search Console Impression Bug: What It Means for Your Small Business
Google Search Console Impression Bug: What It Means for Your Small Business


Short version: Google has confirmed that a long-running bug in Search Console inflated impression data since 13 May 2025. As they fix it, your reported impressions will likely drop — but don’t panic. Nothing about your actual visibility or traffic has suddenly got worse.

If you run a small business and keep an eye on your website performance, this update might feel a bit unsettling at first. One day your numbers look strong, the next they dip — and you’re left wondering what’s gone wrong. The good news? Probably nothing at all. This is a reporting issue, not a ranking or traffic issue.

Google has confirmed that due to a logging error, impression counts in Search Console were higher than they should have been for quite some time. Now that they’ve identified the problem, they’re rolling out a fix. As that happens, impression numbers will adjust downward to reflect reality more accurately. https://www.forestsoftware.co.uk/blog/2026/04/google-search-console-impression-bug-what-it-means-for-your-small-business/

Google Search Console Impression Bug: What It Means for Your Small Business
Google Search Console Impression Bug: What It Means for Your Small Business


Short version: Google has confirmed that a long-running bug in Search Console inflated impression data since 13 May 2025. As they fix it, your reported impressions will likely drop — but don’t panic. Nothing about your actual visibility or traffic has suddenly got worse.

If you run a small business and keep an eye on your website performance, this update might feel a bit unsettling at first. One day your numbers look strong, the next they dip — and you’re left wondering what’s gone wrong. The good news? Probably nothing at all. This is a reporting issue, not a ranking or traffic issue.

Google has confirmed that due to a logging error, impression counts in Search Console were higher than they should have been for quite some time. Now that they’ve identified the problem, they’re rolling out a fix. As that happens, impression numbers will adjust downward to reflect reality more accurately. https://www.forestsoftware.co.uk/blog/?p=3012

How to Make Your Small Business Feel Like Fun Again
How to Make Your Small Business Feel Like Fun Again


Running a small business can be one of the most rewarding experiences, but it can also become a source of stress over time. The long hours, financial pressures, and never-ending to-do lists can take the joy out of something that once felt exciting. If you no longer wake up thinking "what a wonderful day" and you’re finding it hard to remember why you started your business in the first place, don’t worry – you’re not alone. The good news is that with some adjustments, you can rekindle that spark and make your small business feel like fun again.

Revisit Your "Why"


Before you dive into making changes, it’s important to reconnect with your original motivation. Why did you start your business? Was it to be your own boss, follow a passion, or make a difference in your community? Take some time to reflect on your goals and values. Writing them down can help clarify your vision and remind you of what’s truly important. https://www.forestsoftware.co.uk/blog/2025/01/how-to-make-your-small-business-feel-like-fun-again/

Will Hiring More Than One SEO Company Help Speed Up Your Efforts?
Will Hiring More Than One SEO Company Help Speed Up Your Efforts?


Short answer? It might feel like a shortcut… but it can just as easily slow you down, cost more, and create a mess behind the scenes.

If you're a small business owner trying to grow online, it’s tempting to think: “If one SEO company is good, two must be better.” More hands, more ideas, faster results… right?

Not quite.

Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) isn’t like stacking extra builders on a job site. It’s more like steering a ship. If two different crews are pulling the wheel in different directions, you don’t go faster—you just drift off course.

That doesn’t mean working with more than one SEO provider is impossible. But it does mean you need to understand the risks, the moving parts, and the level of control required before you go down that road.

Let’s break it all down in plain English so you can make a smart decision for your business. https://www.forestsoftware.co.uk/blog/2026/04/will-hiring-more-than-one-seo-company-help-speed-up-your-efforts/

Do Your Webpages Say What You Think They Do?
Do Your Webpages Say What You Think They Do?


Quick answer? Probably not as clearly as you think. It’s easy to assume your website explains your business perfectly—but visitors don’t see it the way you do. They skim, they guess, and if things aren’t obvious within seconds, they leave.

That’s the uncomfortable truth. As a small business owner, you’re close to your work. You know what you do inside out. But your website visitors don’t. They land on your page with questions, and if your content doesn’t answer them quickly, clearly, and in plain English, they’ll click away and find someone who does.

This post is all about helping you step back and look at your website with fresh eyes. We’ll dig into whether your pages actually say what you think they say, and how to fix it if they don’t. No jargon. No fluff. Just practical advice you can use straight away.


Can Visitors Tell What You Do in Seconds?


Let’s start with the big one. https://www.forestsoftware.co.uk/blog/?p=3001

The Real Cost of Starting a Small Business in the UK: What to Expect (and What Might Surprise You)
The Real Cost of Starting a Small Business in the UK: What to Expect (and What Might Surprise You)


Starting a business sounds exciting — and it is. But before you dive in, you need a clear idea of what it’s really going to cost. Some expenses are obvious, while others can sneak up on you when you least expect it.

If you’re planning to launch your own venture in the UK, this guide walks you through both the expected and less obvious costs, so you can budget properly and avoid nasty surprises later on.


Getting Started: The Basics You Can’t Avoid


Every business has a starting point, and with that comes a handful of unavoidable costs. Even if you’re keeping things small or running your business from home, you’ll still need to cover some essential setup expenses.

First up is your business structure. If you’re going self-employed as a sole trader, the cost is minimal — registering with HMRC is free. https://www.forestsoftware.co.uk/blog/?p=2998

Why AI Can Give Different Answers to Almost the Same Question
Why AI Can Give Different Answers to Almost the Same Question


Ever asked an AI the same thing twice and got two totally different answers? You’re not imagining it. It happens more often than you’d think, and for small business owners using AI tools for content, ideas, or customer support, it can feel a bit… unpredictable. In this guide, we’ll break down why this happens in plain English, without the tech jargon, so you can use AI more confidently (and avoid a few common pitfalls).


What Is an AI Bot (In Plain English)?


Let’s start with the basics. An AI bot is simply a computer programme designed to understand questions and give useful answers. Think of it like a very fast assistant who has read a massive amount of information and can respond almost instantly. But here’s the key thing to remember: it doesn’t think like a human. It doesn’t have opinions, beliefs, or real understanding. Instead, it works by spotting patterns in language. https://www.forestsoftware.co.uk/blog/?p=2992

How to Respond to Negative Reviews – With Real Examples That Work
How to Respond to Negative Reviews – With Real Examples That Work


Bad reviews happen to every business. Whether you run a café, an accountancy firm, or a plumbing service, someone, somewhere, will eventually be unhappy. The good news? A negative review doesn’t have to damage your reputation. In fact, handled well, it can actually build trust and show potential customers that you care.

This guide walks you through exactly how to respond to negative reviews in a calm, human, and professional way. You’ll also find real-world style examples you can adapt for your own business.


Why Negative Reviews Aren’t the End of the World


Let’s be honest—getting a negative review can feel like a punch in the gut. You’ve worked hard, you’ve tried your best, and then someone pops up online saying you’ve let them down. It’s frustrating. But here’s the thing: people expect to see some negative, or non-five star, reviews. A business with only five-star ratings can actually look a bit suspicious. https://www.forestsoftware.co.uk/blog/?p=2989

10 Things You’ll See Wrong When Reading About SEO (And Why They Matter)
10 Things You’ll See Wrong When Reading About SEO (And Why They Matter)


SEO advice is everywhere. Blogs, forums, social media, YouTube videos… everyone seems to have a “secret trick” to get you to the top of Google. The problem? A lot of it is wrong, outdated, or dangerously oversimplified.

If you’re running a small business, this matters more than you might think. Bad SEO advice doesn’t just waste your time — it can quietly damage your website’s visibility, sometimes for months before you even realise what’s gone wrong.

Over the years, I’ve been asked to look at many websites that have suddenly dropped in rankings. In most cases, the issue wasn’t bad luck. It was bad advice being followed with good intentions. Things that sounded sensible on the surface, but didn’t hold up in reality.

Before we dive in, let me ask you something.

If you read something online about taxes, health, or your finances, would you just accept it without question? https://www.forestsoftware.co.uk/blog/?p=2987