3 Things Small Businesses Can Do Today to Improve Their Website for SEO and AEO

From one entrpreneur to another, I’m going to wager a guess — you opened your business because you found a solution to your target audience’s problem.

And as someone who’s lived in the web space for years, I’m also going to guess that you built a website because you wanted that work to be visible, accessible, and trusted. Yet lately, you’ve felt it: your site isn’t showing up like you hoped. It’s not getting the right traffic, inquiries, or leads.

It’s frustrating. I get it.

Here’s the truth: you can make search engines and answer engines work for you if you’re willing to roll up your sleeves. You can make meaningful progress without being a tech whiz or hiring a full-scale agency. In fact, you can take three simple steps today that will start to move the needle for your visibility and authority online.

Step 1. Improve Your Content for User Intent (No Tech Required)

Search in 2025 is all about answering real questions clearly and completely. AI tools, Google’s AI Overviews, and voice assistants prioritize content that reflects the human experience and is genuinely helpful to the end user.

You can improve your content by focusing on what searchers need — not what you want them to see.

What you can do today:

Rewrite your service pages so they clearly answer the most common customer questions.
Add an FAQ section to your core pages using simple Q&A format.
Make your content more scannable with clear headings, adding bullets, and reducing paragraph length.
Add real examples, case details, or experience that shows your expertise.

Read more about how to ensure your website speaks to your expertise in our Downloadable Ebook.

Download Our Ebook

Why this matters for SEO + AEO:

AI engines look for natural language, context, and content that solves a problem. By rewriting your content based on what users actually need, you increase your chances of appearing in:

AI Overviews
Voice-based results
AI assistants
Long-tail conversational searches

This is one of the most powerful DIY changes you can make — and it requires zero code.

2. Update and Optimize Your Google Business Profile (GBP)

Local tactics still impacts how you show up in search engines and LLMs — and Google Business Profile is the #1 tool small businesses can update on their own.

You don’t need a developer, and you don’t need technical knowledge. Just log in and make some simple updates, starting with what I’ve mapped out below.

What you can do today:

Add new photos (inside your business, products, recent work).
Update your hours and service areas.
Add descriptions for each service you offer.
Respond to reviews — especially recent ones.
Ask happy customers to leave new reviews.
Post updates or announcements.

Why this matters for SEO + AEO:

Your GBP influences:

“Near me” searches
Map results
Voice search via Google Assistant
AI-generated answers pulling local business info

AI wants trustworthy, recent, consistent information — and your Google Business Profile is one of the strongest trust signals you control.

3. Strengthen Your Multi-Platform Presence (SEO Beyond Google)

In 2025, people search everywhere — not just through Google. Your visibility on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and AI chat tools can affect how often your content is surfaced across search experiences.

And the best part: you can take action today. Don’t be afraid to pick up your cellphone and start recording!

What you can do right now:

Create short videos explaining a service, tip, or how-to.
Use simple keywords in captions (e.g., “landscaping tips,” “marketing plan template,” “dance studio in Lynchburg”).
Add location references if you’re a local business.
Repost website content as short educational posts.
Publish content that answers questions you hear from customers.

Why this matters for SEO + AEO:

Younger users often bypass Google entirely. AI engines also scan public social content to understand topics and brand authority.

Being findable across platforms strengthens: