10 Easy Ways to Prepare for AI Dominance in a Post-Search World

Last Updated: May 20, 2025

The way people find local businesses is changing fast. We’re moving away from traditional search engines like Google and toward AI-powered tools like ChatGPT, Grok, and Gemini. These platforms are gaining users quickly and taking big chunks of traffic away from search engines. If you still rely on search engines to bring in new customers, you’re targeting an audience that keeps shrinking.

AI tools aren’t just smarter, they’re faster, more convenient, and often more useful than traditional searches. That’s why more and more people use them to ask questions, request recommendations, and even find local service providers. And here’s the key: these tools are already deciding which businesses to recommend… and which ones to ignore.

That’s why businesses like yours need to act now. If you wait until it hurts, it’ll be too late. And you can’t just “pay your way in” like you would with PPC ads. Even worse: these AI models don’t update every day, every week, or even every month. It’s common for them to be out of date by a year or two, because retraining them costs millions of dollars. That means new information (like your website) might not be included for many months, or even years.

Here are 10 easy actions you can take today to help AI recognize your business and recommend it to future customers.

1. Ask for Better Reviews

Not just more reviews, *better* ones. Ask happy customers to be **specific**:

“They quickly and professionally installed a new water heater in San Marcos, TX” (pure gold!)
“Good plumber” (mostly useless)

The first one includes a specific service, strong adjectives (quick and professional), and the city and state. That’s the trifecta. The more detailed the review, the easier it is for AI (and customers) to understand exactly what you do and where you do it. If you have to offer a discount or reward for a review, do it. If you have to offer a *better* reward for using the right KEYWORDS in the review… do that too. Be direct and tell the customer why. They’ll appreciate your honesty and think you’re on top of the AI trend.

2. Get More Reviews

Having 10 reviews isn’t enough anymore. ChatGPT (the most flexible on this) says it expects small local businesses to have at least 50. Grok wants 100 or more. If you have fewer, AI is likely to skip you in favor of a business with a higher review count.

Ask for reviews from every satisfied customer. Offer a discount or a small gift card if needed. Start getting those numbers up!

Need ideas for getting more reviews? Check out these articles we wrote on the topic:

3. Respond to Reviews (Professionally)

AI tools (and real humans) pay attention to how you respond to reviews, especially negative ones.

Thank people for positive reviews.
Stay calm and professional with negative ones.
Never argue or blame the customer.

Good responses show you’re responsible and trustworthy. Believe it or not, those are two qualities AI is trained to value.

Struggle with this? Don’t worry (most people do) but we help our clients with this every day. Just reach out and we’ll be happy to help.

4. Create Pages for Each Service You Offer

You’ve heard us push this for years: make a page for each service. Now it’s not just for Google, it’s for AI too.

Instead of only saying you offer “plumbing services,” break them into separate pages like:

Toilet repair
Faucet installation
Water heater installation

AI can’t recommend you for a service if it doesn’t know you offer it. As smart as it is, it still needs to be told exactly what you do.

5. List All Your Services Clearly

If you’re not ready to create individual pages for each service yet, **at least** make sure you list every service separately in one place. That means, for example, listing “water heater installation” and “water heater repair” as two different items. Make the list as complete as possible. Even if this doesn’t help much with SEO, it can give you a small edge in AI optimization.

6. Clearly State Your Hours and Whether You Offer Emergency Service

This one is important and often overlooked. If you answer calls 24/7 and offer emergency service, say it clearly and prominently on your website. Why? Because when someone tells an AI, “I need an emergency plumber near me,” you’ll only show up if that phrase is on your site. Same idea: if someone is searching for a plumber at 8 p.m., the business marked as open until 9 p.m. is more likely to appear.

7. Make Your Contact Info Impossible to Miss

Make sure your phone number, email, and address are easy to find. Put them:

In the header and footer
On a Contact page
On your service pages

AI tools can’t recommend you if they don’t know how customers can reach you.

8. Brag About Your Experience

Do you have 10, 20, 30 years in business? Say it! A long track record builds trust. AI (and customers) are more likely to recommend companies that seem stable, experienced, and reliable.

9. Win a Few Awards (and Show the Ones You Already Have)

You don’t need a Nobel Prize, just something that boosts credibility:

A local “Best of…” award
Chamber of Commerce recognition
A mention in a trade association
Awards from HomeAdvisor, Angi, BBB, or Thumbtack

These third-party mentions tell AI you’re trustworthy, which makes you more recommendable. Even if your awards are a few years old, grab the graphic and put it on your site with a couple sentences about it. That tells AI you’ve won awards and increases your credibility.

10. Show Up in the Right Directories

AI pulls a lot of its information from business directories. Sure, the more the better, but make sure your info is included (and consistent) on these specifically, since these are sources AIs use to form opinions about your business:

Google Maps / Google Business Profile
Yelp
BBB (Better Business Bureau)
Thumbtack
Nextdoor
Houzz
Angi

These listings also give you more places to collect reviews, which, as you already know, is critical.

Final Thought

Like we said last week, AI is changing how customers find businesses. Unfortunately, while this makes things easier for consumers, it makes things harder for businesses. You still have to do everything you used to do for search engines, but now you have more work and fewer chances to show up. Sometimes only one. But with a few smart moves, you can stay ahead and make sure your company shows up when someone asks an AI for help.

And if you ever need help with any of this (websites, reviews, directories), we’re just a message away.

Reviews: Why They’re a Must-Have and Tips for Getting More

Last Updated: December 3, 2024

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Let’s get straight to it: reviews are no longer just “nice to have.” They’re a huge factor in the Google rankings game, and potential customers expect to see them before making a buying decision. Getting those reviews can be a challenge, but don’t worry, we’ve got some tips to help you!

Why Reviews Are Crucial for Online Success

Google’s ranking algorithm is heavily influenced by reviews. High ratings along with a solid number of reviews tell Google (and potential customers) that your business is legitimate, trustworthy, and relevant. What’s the “ideal” number of reviews? The answer is simple: “one more than your closest competitor.” Of course, that assumes a similar average rating. And as we all know, “simple” doesn’t always mean “easy.”

Avoid fake reviews. Buying reviews or posting them fraudulently might seem like a quick fix, but Google can detect that behavior easily. The result? Your profile could get suspended. It’s just not worth the risk.

Why Reviews Matter to Your Customers

This isn’t just about algorithms. Reviews are essential for earning the trust of potential customers. Think about your own habits: when was the last time you hired a service or bought a product without checking reviews first? In today’s world, where we rely on strangers on the internet to guide us, reviews are everything.

They provide proof of your expertise, reliability, and customer service. They’re a critical part of the decision-making process. Even though nobody reads every review, plenty of people read a few, and they definitely consider your average rating. After all, would you eat at a restaurant with a 1-star rating? Would you hire someone with a 2.3-star average if 6 of their last 10 reviews are detailed complaints? Probably not.

The Biggest Mistake Business Owners Make

Too often, business owners only start worrying about reviews after they get a 1-star review. That usually causes a frantic scramble to collect a few positive reviews to “fix” the problem. This reactive approach can tempt you into taking shortcuts, like buying reviews, which, as we said, is a terrible idea.

Instead, make reviews part of your everyday process. By collecting positive reviews consistently, you build a cushion of trust. That way, when you inevitably run into a difficult customer who tries to tank your rating, it won’t hit nearly as hard.

How to Get Those Valuable Reviews

Here are a few proven ways to collect reviews consistently:

1. Ask Every Customer, Every Time

After you finish a job, casually ask the customer for a review. Something as simple as: “If you were happy with our work today, we’d love a quick review!” can be very effective.

Want to motivate them even more? Offer a small discount if they leave a review right then and there. They’re more likely to do it while the experience is fresh, instead of days later.

2. Make It Easy with a Short Link

After every job, send a direct link to your Google Business Profile review page. Make it even easier by using a short link through services like bitly.com or tiny.cc. The easier it is to leave a review, the more likely customers are to do it.

3. Automate with Tools

Services like ReviewStream make the process automatic. Just upload your customer list and the tool sends friendly reminders to leave a review. Pro tip: if you sign up for ReviewStream in December 2024, you’ll save 50%! (Yes, that’s a shameless commercial, but who doesn’t like a good deal?) Whether you use our service or something similar, the key is automation: it runs every day without extra effort.

4. Don’t Forget Vendors

You don’t have to rely only on customers for reviews. Vendors and business partners can leave reviews too. They may not have bought your product or service, but they’ve interacted with your business and can share their experience. Since they also understand how important reviews are, they’re often happy to return the favor.

Final Thoughts

Reviews are the backbone of your online reputation. This isn’t just about pleasing Google, it’s about building trust with potential customers. When you make review collection part of your daily operations, you set your business up for long-term success.

And when that inevitable 1-star review shows up, you’ll be ready. A strong foundation of positive reviews ensures that one unhappy customer won’t define your reputation. Keep building those reviews, and watch your business thrive!

When Is the Best Time to Use Facebook Ads Versus Google AdWords?

Last Updated: June 13, 2019

You’ve probably noticed that organic search results pages are getting harder and harder to rank on.

(This is mostly due to Google’s quest to monetize every inch of space on Page 1, but that’s a rant for another day…)

As a result, many business owners are trying paid ads, instead. Most people are using either Facebook Ads or Google AdWords (or both).

If you’ve tried this alternative yourself, we don’t blame you. It’s a smart move!

However, if you’re going to start a paid ad campaign, make sure you’re using the platform that best matches what you’re advertising. Otherwise, you’ll be throwing away your money.

But don’t fret. We’re here to help. In this post, we’ll explain when you should use Facebook Ads, and when you should use Google AdWords. Keep reading!

Choosing the Appropriate Platform

Let us tell you about a mistake we see often.

Many small, local business owners start off using Facebook Ads because the platform is super-affordable and easy to understand. However, sometimes they don’t realize it’s not well suited to what they’re specifically advertising.

No matter how much a paid platform costs, it’s a waste of money when it doesn’t effectively market your services.

This is why it’s so important to recognize the differences between Facebook Ads and Google AdWords.

So, without further adieu, we’ll now discuss Facebook Ads versus Google AdWords and how to tell which platform is a better fit for your business.

Facebook Ads vs. Google AdWords: What’s the Difference?

When deciding between the two platforms, your choice boils down to one thing: urgency.

Put another way, how immediately do people need your services?

Is your typical customer calling you for a fast solution to an urgent problem?

Or, on the other hand, does your typical customer spend time planning and researching what they need before contacting you?

If your customers are often in a rush to get something fixed, then Google AdWords is the better fit. However, if you offer a service that your customers tend to put off for a while or take their time thinking about, then Facebook Ads is a more suitable option.

Why?

It has to do with the nature of the platforms.

With Google AdWords, your ads are displayed only when users search for your products or services. They have a specific need and they’re seeking you for it.

For example, here are some services that are a good fit for Google AdWords:

Appliance repair
HVAC repair or replacement
Windshield repair
Leaky pipe repair
Drain unclogging
Basement flood cleanup

As you can see, these services are for time-sensitive problems that demand a swift solution. People aren’t likely to hem and haw over price quotes or do extensive cost comparisons. Rather, their most pressing concern is how quickly the job can get done. The idea is, when they google something like “furnace repair in Albany,” they’ll see your ad right away and give you a call.

By contrast, Facebook displays your ads in the news feeds of the people you’ve selected to target. These ads interrupt their activity without them explicitly seeking out your products or services. The goal is to keep your brand on their minds as they go about their days so they remember you when the time is right.

Here are some examples of services that are successful with Facebook Ads:

Trash removal
Home remodeling
Car audio and mobile electronics
Driveway paving
Landscaping
Electric panel upgrades
Massage therapy

Before hiring a company for the above services, most people take time to do research, ask for recommendations, compare quotes, and/or plan their budgets. These are not emergency situations. Therefore, it’s helpful to plant the seed early and often by periodically displaying your ad in their Facebook news feeds.

Is the difference between Facebook Ads and Google AdWords a little more clear now?

Let us know if you need further explanation! We’d be happy to answer your questions and give you some guidance on setting up your first campaign. Just give us a call or shoot us a message!

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