The Game Changer: My First Client Found Me Through an AI Search

This week, something incredible happened. I signed a new client, and when I asked how they found me, the answer wasn’t “a referral” or “Google.” It was: “An AI search and answer.”

For a long time, the engine of my Virtual Personal Assistant business, and the successful businesses I work with, has been built on reliable, proven methods:

• The gold standard: Personal Referrals from happy clients.
• The connections: Networking at In-Person Events.
• The digital storefront: Ranking on Google Search.

But now, we have a new route: AI Search Results! 

This is huge. It means your business, whether you’re a local cleaner or a Virtual Assistant like us, is no longer just competing to be on a list of 10 links on Google’s 1st page; you’re competing to be the single, trusted answer that AI assistants share directly with customers.

The question every small business owner should be asking now is: How do I make sure my website is the one the AI chooses?

The good news is, you don’t need to be a programmer to win this game. You just need to organise your content for the AI’s “brain.” But don’t forget us humans, too!

Here are 3 Simple Ways to Get Your Website Picked by AI

The goal is to make your website content easy for an AI to read, break down, and use. Think of the AI as a very inexperienced apprentice who needs crystal-clear instructions.

1. Write Like You’re Answering a Test 

When an AI reads your site, it’s looking for immediate, concise answers to questions.

• Use “Chapter Titles” (Headings H1, H2 etc): Every section on your page should have a clear, descriptive title. Use questions or clear statements that match how people search, including your local area. For example, “What Are the Top 5 Services a Virtual Assistant in Maidstone Offers?” or “How Can a Kent-Based VA Help My Small Business?”
• Be a Q&A Machine: Create a dedicated FAQ section. The best format is a clear question followed by a short, one- or two-sentence answer. AI tools can easily pull these pairs directly into their search summaries.
  • Example: Q: Do you offer admin support to businesses near Kent? A: Yes, I provide full remote virtual assistant services to businesses across Kent and the UK.
• Love Your Lists: Use numbered and bulleted lists for steps, features, or comparisons. This is the clearest way to present multiple points, and AI loves structure.

2. Be Specific. Be Very Specific.

AI models prefer content that is confident and factual, not vague and salesy.

• Fact over Fluff: Instead of saying, “We offer innovative inbox solutions,” say, “We handle all admin and email management, saving you an average of 10 hours per week.”
• Include Your Location (Naturally): If you are a business with a physical location, make sure your service pages clearly state the towns you serve. This helps the AI connect local searchers to your service.
• Don’t Hide Important Details: If you have crucial information about pricing, hours, or services, make sure it’s on the main page and not hidden in a drop-down menu, a tab, or a downloadable PDF.

3. Ask Your Web Person About “The Secret Codes”

This one is a simple action item for your website designer, tech VA or host platform (like WordPress, Squarespace, or Shopify).

• What to Ask For: Ask them to implement “Local Business Structured Data” or “Schema Markup” on your website.
• Why It Works: This is essentially a secret set of codes (invisible to visitors) that you layer on your website. This code explicitly tells Google and AI: “This is the business name,” “This is the Maidstone address (even if it’s a service area business), and “These are the hours.” It increases the AI’s confidence that it’s pulling the correct, local information about your business and services.

The Bottom Line for Your Business

Your existing strategy (referrals and traditional SEO) is still important. But getting a client from an AI answer proves that the game has shifted from ranking the best link to providing the best answer.

By focusing on clear structure, specific, question-based content, and reinforcing your local presence (where relevant), you are setting your business up to be the authority that AI systems trust and recommend.

Ready to be the chosen answer? It starts with organising the content you already have. If you need any help reviewing your website, get in touch.