Marketing and communication
SEO basics for small businesses, with AI
Being found by customers in your area. The basics of search engine optimisation, and how AI helps without you writing for robots.
6 min read
SEO stands for search engine optimisation: making sure customers find you when they search. For most small businesses it comes down to being found locally for what you do. AI helps, but the basics remain simple.
Search like your customer
Ask yourself what someone who needs you would type. Usually a service plus a place: "roofer Hasselt", "accountant Namur", "bike repair Ghent". Or a question: "how long does a flat roof last". AI can help you come up with these searches. Then check for yourself what those searches turn up.
One page per service
A page about everything ranks for nothing. Create a page for each important service with:
- A title that says what you do and where.
- A clear explanation in the customer's language.
- Answers to questions customers ask.
- Your contact details and area.
Locally visible
- A complete, up-to-date Google business profile, with opening hours, photos and category.
- The same name, address and phone number everywhere online.
- Genuine customer reviews. Ask satisfied customers for them; never write them yourself or with AI.
Where AI helps
- Coming up with searches from the customer's point of view.
- Rewriting a service page so it clearly says what and where.
- Suggesting a page title and short description.
- Collecting questions a page can answer.
Where it goes wrong
- Text stuffed with keywords reads badly and doesn't work.
- Publishing AI text in bulk without real substance achieves little and can damage your credibility.
- Fake reviews are misleading and can land you in trouble.
Checklist
Your answers stay only in this browser.
Prompt to copy
We're a [type of business] in [area] offering [services]. 1) Give fifteen searches customers would type, combining service plus place and in question form. 2) For one service, suggest a page title of no more than 60 characters and a description of no more than 155 characters. 3) Give five questions that page could answer. No keyword stuffing.
