AI Search & ChatGPT: How Small Businesses Can Be Found and Recommended
AI is transforming how customers discover businesses. Platforms like ChatGPT don’t just list websites – they provide direct answers, recommendations, and insights. For small businesses, this creates a major opportunity to reach audiences searching in natural, conversational ways.
As a Squarespace Platinum Partner, we specialize in helping small businesses succeed in this new AI-driven landscape. One key advantage we offer is AOI – AI Optimization. AOI is the process of structuring your Squarespace website so it performs effectively in AI search tools, making it more likely that your business will be recommended to the right customers. This is not a standalone SEO service – rather, it’s integrated directly into the websites we design, ensuring your business is AI-ready from the start.
How AI Recommends Businesses
AI “ranks” businesses differently than traditional search engines. Key factors include:
Clear, structured content: Well-organized pages with headings, bullet points, and concise service descriptions.
Answering real questions: Content that directly addresses what customers are asking.
Authority signals: Reviews, testimonials, certifications, and awards that show credibility.
Local relevance: Accurate location, service areas, and proximity help AI recommend your business nearby.
Up-to-date content: Fresh, relevant information keeps your business visible in AI results.
Benefits of AI Search
Optimizing for AI allows small businesses to:
Increase visibility on AI platforms like ChatGPT.
Reach targeted leads actively seeking your services.
Showcase expertise through clear, helpful content.
Improve local discovery through accurate business details.
Maintain a 24/7 presence without extra marketing effort.
How Designsite Can Help
As a Squarespace Platinum Partner, Designsite ensures your website is not only visually appealing but also AI-optimized. Here’s how we integrate AOI into your Squarespace site:
AI-friendly website design: Structured content and clear service descriptions that AI can easily interpret.
Content strategy: Copy that answers customer questions and highlights your services.
Local integration: Accurate business details and location-specific information to improve AI recommendations.
Ongoing optimization: Continuous improvements built into your site to keep it competitive in AI search.
By embedding AI Optimization into every Squarespace website we design, we help small businesses increase visibility, engagement, and customer reach – without offering SEO as a separate service.
Be Found Where It Matters
In today’s AI-driven world, being visible isn’t just about search rankings – it’s about being recommended when customers ask questions. Designsite ensures your small business is AI-ready, trusted, and discoverable by the people who are actively looking for your services.
Digital illustration at top created using text prompts in Adobe Firefly AI
