SEO and digital marketing for Alberta businesses

Energy sits under almost everything. Extraction, processing, pipelines, oilfield services, engineering and their supply chain employ a big share of the province and set the pace for everyone else.

The trades are very strong here, from mechanical and electrical to industrial and residential. Many grew on referrals and never needed much of a website, so the first well-built one in a category gets a big head start.

Farming across the south and centre is a large, advanced industry. Cattle, grain, canola, equipment dealers, agronomy services and food processing all buy on cycles set by the seasons and commodity prices.

Rail and highways make Edmonton the staging point for the north and Calgary an inland distribution hub, supporting a big freight, warehousing and equipment sector.

Retail, restaurants, health, fitness and home services follow the cycle after a delay. When industry is strong, people spend. When it turns, these are the first things customers cut.

Alberta's economy runs on a cycle set by oil and gas prices, and it reaches far beyond energy. Construction, equipment, trades, hospitality, property and retail all follow it after a delay, so when you invest in marketing is a big decision.

Alberta has two big cities. Calgary and Edmonton are close in size, different in character and about three hours apart, with sizeable regional markets in Red Deer, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Grande Prairie and Fort McMurray.

Many people move to Alberta from other provinces, which keeps population growth high and brings steady demand for housing, trades, healthcare, schools and services underneath the commodity cycle.

Alberta has no provincial sales tax, so prices carry only the federal GST. That matters for online pricing, ad copy and any comparison with provinces that have harmonised tax.

Deep winters, hail season and spring breakup each reshape months of demand for anyone who works outdoors or moves heavy equipment.