SEO in the Age of AI: What Actually Works for Small Businesses

TL;DR: Search isn’t dead; it’s different. Google and other tools now use AI to summarize answers and pick sources they trust. You win by publishing short, clear answers backed by real experience, on fast pages that are easy to read. Focus on a handful of customer questions, show proof you’ve done the work, and make it simple to contact you.

What changed (in plain English)

  • AI answers at the top. For many searches, Google may show an AI box that summarizes an answer and links to a few sources. You don’t apply to be included—you earn it by being useful and trustworthy.
  • Less tolerance for fluff. Big content mills and copy-paste pages get filtered out. Thin pages that repeat what everyone else says won’t help you.
  • Trust signals matter more. Sites that look real—clear author, business info, real photos, and specific details—do better than generic, anonymous advice.

The good news: small businesses can compete if you write like you talk to customers and back it up with proof.

E-E-A-T, explained simply

You’ll hear people say Google looks for “E-E-A-T.” Here’s what that means and how to show it on your site:

  • Experience — Have you actually done this work? Show it. Include before/after photos, tool names, job locations (city only), and quick notes on how you solved the problem.
  • Expertise — Do you know what you’re talking about? Add your name and a one-line bio on service pages and blog posts. Mention certifications, years in business, or special training.
  • Authoritativeness — Do others trust you? Earn mentions or links from local partners, chambers, suppliers, and happy customers. Publish case studies people can reference.
  • Trust — Are you a real, reliable business? Provide clear contact info, pricing ranges, warranty and policies. Avoid spammy pop-ups. Use HTTPS. Keep your business name, address, and phone consistent everywhere.

If a stranger can land on your page and quickly think, “These folks do this for a living—and they look legit,” you’re doing E-E-A-T right.

How to write posts AI can quote (and customers can use)

Use this structure for every post:

  1. Quick answer up top (3–5 sentences). Pretend the customer asked you in person. Give the bottom line first.
  2. Details with headings. Use ## and ### so the page is easy to scan.
  3. Specifics beat fluff. Add steps, measurements, timelines, cost ranges, the tools you use, and “what could go wrong.”
  4. Local proof. Short case study: “In Madison we raised a 10’ x 10’ slab 1.5" in 90 minutes for $X–$Y.”
  5. FAQ. Answer the next 3–5 questions customers usually ask.
  6. Clear CTA. Put a button near the top and again near the bottom: “Get a free estimate.”

Formatting tips:

  • Keep paragraphs short (2–4 lines).
  • Use bullet lists where possible.
  • Add a blank line between paragraphs in Markdown so it renders cleanly.

Topics that actually move the needle

  • Cost & timelines: “Concrete leveling vs replacement—cost, durability, and when each makes sense.”
  • Comparisons: “Self-leveling vs polyurethane injection: what we recommend and why.”
  • Local guides: “Concrete heave in Northeast Ohio winters: how we prevent it on jobs.”
  • Process: “Our 6-step concrete lift process (with photos).”
  • Proof: “Case study: saved a client $3,200 by lifting instead of replacing a driveway apron.”

Aim for one strong page per topic, not many thin pages.

Local SEO basics (set it and keep it tidy)

  • Google Business Profile: Fill out everything. Add photos monthly. Pick accurate categories. Post short updates.
  • NAP consistency: Your Name, Address, Phone must match across your website, Google listing, and major directories.
  • Service areas: List the cities you actually serve. Add a short paragraph per city on one page (don’t make 50 near-duplicate pages).
  • Reviews: Ask after successful jobs. Reply to all reviews. In replies, mention services naturally (no keyword stuffing).

Simple technical wins (no developer needed)

  • Speed: Compress images before you upload. Keep photos under ~200–300 KB when possible.
  • Heading order: One # H1 per page (main title), then ## H2 for sections, ### H3 for sub-sections.
  • Internal links: From blog posts, link to your services and contact pages; from service pages, link to relevant blog posts.
  • Schema (optional but helpful): Add LocalBusiness, FAQ, and Article schema to help search engines understand your pages. Keep schema consistent with the visible content.

What AI looks for (and how to satisfy it)

  • Clear structure: Your short answer at the top and labeled sections make it easier for AI to pull accurate quotes.
  • Freshness: Update important pages quarterly—new photos, pricing ranges, recent jobs.
  • Information gain: Add details only a real pro would know in your area (weather issues, soil conditions, common slab sizes, typical lift heights).
  • Safety and limitations: Briefly note when to call a pro and when a DIY fix is okay. Balanced advice builds trust.

30-day plan (lightweight, realistic)

Week 1 — Foundation

  • Add an About snippet and author bio to service pages and blog posts.
  • Create a Policies/Warranty page and link it in your footer.
  • Pick 10 photos from recent jobs and upload them (compress first).

Week 2 — Two money pages

  • Write two evergreen pages:
    • “Concrete leveling vs replacement in [Your Area]: cost, time, durability”
    • “Our 6-step concrete lift process (with before/after)”
  • Each page gets: a summary box, clear headings, a mini case study, and a CTA.

Week 3 — Local proof and FAQs

  • Publish 2 short case studies (150–300 words each).
  • Add a small FAQ to your top pages (3–5 questions).

Week 4 — Tune-up and reviews

  • Add internal links between pages.
  • Ask 5 recent clients for reviews and reply to all new reviews.
  • Speed pass: compress the 10 largest images and replace them.

Conclusion

SEO in 2025 is simple to describe and hard to fake: be genuinely helpful, show real experience, and keep your site fast and easy to use. You don’t need dozens of posts or fancy tools—just a few strong pages that answer real questions, proof that you do the work, and clear paths to contact you. If you build that foundation and keep it fresh each quarter, you’ll earn trust from both customers and search engines—even in the age of AI.

Ready to see what a modern website can do for your business? Get your free consultation today. Remember—we build first, you pay only if satisfied.

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