AI visibility for small business is quickly becoming just as important as Google SEO. AI is changing how people search. More and more, they’re asking tools like Gemini or ChatGPT things like:
“Who’s a good VA in Rochdale?”
“What virtual assistant can help with inbox management?”
If your business doesn’t appear in those answers — you could be missing out on a whole new stream of potential clients.
Here’s the good news: you can show up. Even if your website is new. Even if you’re not techy. And even if you’re not ranking on page one of Google (yet).
Let’s break down how to get found by ChatGPT, Gemini, and other AI search tools.
Understanding how to show up in AI search starts with knowing how it works behind the scenes:
🔍 Google Gemini pulls from live Google search results and featured content
💬 ChatGPT uses data from Bing, LinkedIn, public websites, and citations
🧠 Other tools like Perplexity or You.com combine sources but still rely on accessible, well-structured content
So if your site isn’t appearing, it’s not because AI tools don’t like you — it’s because they can’t find you.
Want to improve AI visibility for your business? Start by making sure your site can be seen.
Most people submit their site to Google and forget the rest. But if you want to get found in ChatGPT results, you also need to be visible on Bing.
📥 Submit your website to Google Search Console
📥 Submit your website to Bing Webmaster Tools
🆕 If your site is brand new, this is a must-do.
You don’t need a fancy website — but it should be clear and structured to support AI SEO for small business.
Here’s what helps AI tools “read” your site better:
🔠 Use proper headings (<h1>, <h2>) for each section
📍 Clearly mention your services and location:
“I’m a virtual assistant based in Rochdale, helping small UK business owners manage their inbox, diary, and admin.”
🏷 Add meta titles and descriptions for every page
🖼 Include alt text on all images
These basics boost both your traditional SEO and your AI search optimisation.
Schema markup is hidden code that helps tools like ChatGPT and Gemini understand your site.
You can use plugins like Yoast, RankMath, or SEOPress (if you use WordPress) to add:
🏢 Your business type and name
🛠 Services you offer
📍 Your location and hours
⭐ Reviews or testimonials
❓ FAQs
This is a game-changer for AI visibility for small business websites and doesn’t require any coding knowledge.
AI tools don’t just scan your site — they also use public sources they can cite. To boost visibility in ChatGPT and Gemini, you need to appear elsewhere online too.
Try:
✍️ Publishing blog posts on Medium
🔗 Optimising your LinkedIn profile and posting regularly
📇 Adding listings on Yell, Clutch, and UK Small Business Directory
🎙 Writing guest blogs or appearing on relevant podcasts
The more places your business shows up — especially ones that include your location and services — the more likely AI will feature you in its results.
AI tools answer questions the way people ask them — in plain English. So make sure your content reflects that.
Examples:
🗣 “Who’s the best VA for inbox support in the UK?”
🗣 “Where can I find a virtual assistant near me?”
To increase your AI search visibility:
✍️ Write in full sentences, not just a list of keywords
❓ Answer questions people might ask:
🤔 What does a virtual assistant do?
🤝 How do I work with you?
📍 Where are you based?
Writing like this helps AI tools quote you directly in search results.
To recap, here’s how to improve AI visibility for small businesses:
✅ Your site is indexed by Google and Bing
✅ Schema markup is added (via plugin is fine!)
✅ Your services and location are mentioned in plain English
✅ You’re visible on LinkedIn, Medium, directories, or other public sources
✅ Your content matches how people speak when asking AI for help
I offer a practical AI Visibility Audit that checks all of this for you — and gives you a plain-English action plan to help your business show up in AI search tools like Gemini, ChatGPT, and Perplexity.
Because your business shouldn’t be invisible to the tools your next client is using to search.
