Where your business needs to show up online (and why it matters)
If someone searched for your business today… would they find you?
Not just on Google.
But on LinkedIn.
On social media.
Even in tools like ChatGPT.
Because that’s how people are searching now.
And if your business isn’t showing up, someone else is.
Which means they’re getting the enquiry instead.
It’s not just about visibility anymore. It’s about being found by the right people, the ones you actually want to work with.
Search has changed (and it’s not slowing down)
Search used to be simple. You typed something into Google, clicked a link, and that was that.
Now it looks more like this:
People still use Google, of course. That’s SEO (Search Engine Optimisation).
They search on social media for recommendations and real experiences.
And more and more, they’re using AI tools like ChatGPT to ask questions and get answers. That’s where terms like GEO (Generative Engine Optimisation) and LLM (Large Language Models) visibility come in.
It might sound technical, but it’s actually very simple.
Your business needs to show up in the places your audience is already searching.
And those places are growing.
Your website is still your foundation
Having a website is a great start. But it’s what you do with it that matters.
I see this all the time when I speak to business owners. They have a website, but it hasn’t been updated in months, sometimes years. It doesn’t quite reflect what they offer now, or how their audience actually searches.
A website like that isn’t working as hard as it could be.
Search engines and AI tools are both looking for similar things:
Clear explanations of what you do
Content that answers real questions
Language that feels natural, not forced
Signs that your business is active and trustworthy
If your website doesn’t have that, it’s harder to find. And even harder for people to trust.
The golden thread is always your audience
This is the bit that makes everything else easier.
Keywords are not just “SEO terms”.
They are the exact words your audience uses when they need help.
What are they typing into Google?
What are they searching on social media?
What are they asking tools like ChatGPT?
If you don’t know that, it’s very difficult to show up.
And if your messaging isn’t clear, it’s even harder for people to choose you.
When your content reflects your audience’s real questions and problems, everything improves. Your visibility, your engagement, and the quality of enquiries you receive.
Don’t overlook LinkedIn
LinkedIn is often underestimated, but it plays a big role in how you show up online.
Sharing posts, writing articles, or repurposing your website content there helps:
Build your authority
Show your expertise
Give people another way to find you
Support your website, not replace it
You don’t need to create everything from scratch. You can take what you’ve already written, adapt it slightly, and share it on LinkedIn, then guide people back to your website for more.
It all works together.
It’s not about doing more, it’s about doing the right things
This is where people get overwhelmed.
You don’t need to be everywhere.
You don’t need to post every day.
You don’t need to follow every trend.
You do need to:
Be clear on who you’re talking to
Use the words they use
Show up consistently in the places that matter
Small, focused changes to your website and content can make a big difference.
A simple way to think about it
I get it. Keeping on top of your online presence isn’t always easy when you’re busy running your business.
That’s where I can help.
I work with small businesses to raise their online profile, engage their audience and deliver content that works. Whether you need a sounding board or someone to take it off your hands, I’m here.
And sometimes, a conversation is all it takes to get things moving.
