More people now turn to AI tools for answers. They ask direct questions and expect clear guidance. This shift is still new, and many small business owners are unsure where to start. This blog gives you a simple starting point.
Answer engines are tools like ChatGPT, Gemini and Perplexity. Instead of showing a list of search results, they scan information across the internet and deliver a short, clear answer. They act like a helper that reads widely, compares sources and explains what it finds in plain language. As more people rely on these tools, businesses need to understand how to be included in those answers.
You do not need a full website rebuild or a major change to your marketing. You only need to take a few practical steps that help answer engines understand your business.
Start with the basics
GEO (Generative Engine Optimisation) sits on the same foundations as SEO (Search Engine Optimisation). If AI tools cannot read your content, they will not use it. These structures also make it easier for answer engines to understand, trust and share your information. That’s why your website needs to be easy to scan and simple to understand.
Focus on:
- Clean structure with clear headings and short sections
- Fast loading pages
- Pages that work without heavy scripts, like Java Script
- Straightforward navigation
These essentials help answer engines make sense of your website.
Make sure your core pages are complete
Answer engines prefer businesses that look complete and well organised. They want to see clear information that covers what you do, who you serve, and how people can work with you.
Check that you have:
- A clear home page
- A detailed services page
- An about page with your story
- Contact details that are easy to find
- No empty, orphaned, or broken pages
A tidy site builds trust and gives answer engines more confidence in your business.
Focus on the questions your customers ask
GEO is built on clear answers. Most questions start with phrases like:
- “How do I”
- “What is the best”
Write content that answers these types of questions in plain language. Put the answer at the top, then add helpful detail below.
Use real language from your customers
Listen to the way your customers talk. Read your emails, phone notes, online reviews, social comments and support questions. These show you the words people use when they ask AI tools for advice.
Use the same language in your content. It makes answer engines more likely to recognise and use your information.
Keyword research also remains a really useful tool for content creation.
Build evidence across the web
Answer engines look for honest and reliable signals. They scan reviews, forums, social posts, videos and any source that’s trusted by real people.
Focus on:
- Collecting fresh reviews from real customers
- Sharing clear product or service information on trusted sites
- Being positively mentioned on niche blogs or comparison sites
- Creating helpful content on social channels and YouTube
These signals strengthen your visibility across AI platforms.
Keep your information consistent
Answer engines check many sources at once. If your hours, pricing, address or service details differ across platforms, they may not use your information at all.
Make sure your key details match across:
- Google Business Profile
- Social profiles
- Directory listings
- Your website
Consistency builds confidence.
Start small and stay steady
You do not need a large amount of content at once. Start with the questions you hear most often. Write clear answers. Keep your reviews fresh. Make small improvements to your website structure. These simple steps put you in a strong position as AI tools become a normal part of how people search.
If you want help shaping your GEO plan, we can guide you through the process and show you where to focus first.