No waffle. No theories. No SEO smoke and mirrors.

If I was starting a new local business right now – whether it was window cleaning, massage therapy, dog grooming or freelance accounting – here’s exactly what I’d do to make sure people could find me online.

This isn’t about “going viral” or chasing trends. This is about showing up when real people ask real questions. You know, the kind that lead to sales and bookings.

Step 1. Pick 20 questions my ideal customers ask

Before I’d even think about a fancy logo or slick homepage, I’d make a list of five questions I know people ask in the industry. Simple, human stuff.

Things like:

• How much does [service] cost in [town]?
• How long does it take?
• Why do I need it?
• How often should I get it done?
• Will it work for me?

Then I’d write blog posts, one-pagers, make social posts and videos that answer each one clearly.

Don’t think “professional”. Instead, think “explaining it to a mate in the pub”.

Step 2: Create a simple, no-nonsense homepage

Not a brochure. Not a buzzword fest. Just something that says:

“Here’s what I do – here’s who I help – here are some reviews from people we’ve helped – here’s how to get in touch.”

I’d include:

• My main service explained in plain English, with a simple call to action
• A list of areas I cover (specific names, not just “local”)
• 1-2 client reviews if I have them
• A repeat of the call to action – book a call, send a message, whatever works

And I’d write the whole thing like I speak. Not like I’m writing an essay or acting like a faceless corporation.

Step 3: Add some schema (but not get lost in it)

I wouldn’t spend hours obsessing over this – I’d get a plug-in that can make:

• FAQ schema on the question pages
• Local business schema on my homepage
• Clear service types and service area in the metadata

This is easily done on WordPress. If not, I’d ask someone who knows what they’re doing to give me a one-off setup.

Step 4: Make sure my name, address and phone number are the same everywhere

Website, Google Business, Facebook, Yell, Yelp. All of them.

One wrong digit in a phone number, or one missing postcode, and suddenly AI tools start getting confused.

And confused AI doesn’t recommend you.

Step 5: Ask customers to leave reviews

Doesn’t need to be fancy. Doesn’t need to be perfect. Just get as many good, honest reviews on your Google, Bing, and an extra listing, and link to it from your site.

That social proof is gold for AI assistants deciding who to show. It’s basically a green light that says “this business is active and trusted.”

While you’re at it…

Step 6: Make it easy for people to share your posts

Self-explanatory. It’s free reach.

And that’s it.

No ads. No waiting months to rank on Google. No overthinking.

By the time most businesses are still fiddling with fonts or getting a “strategy” in place, you’re already showing up on ChatGPT when someone asks:

“Who’s the best [service] near me?” Or “Where can I find a reliable [industry] in [location]?”

Being found isn’t magic. It’s just structure + clarity + consistency.

Do that – and you’re 90% ahead of the game already.

(p.s. I say no ads, but if you want to do that, it’s great for user signals. So yeah, do it anyway for a bit of a boost).

(p.p.s. Need help with the above? We’ve got tonnes of content just like this right here. Keep on reading below 👇)

(p.p.p.s. how many p.s’s are too many? :D)