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A plain-English guide for business owners who are just getting started
If you run a WordPress website, you have probably heard people say things like “SEO is changing” or “AI is taking over search”. That can sound worrying, especially if you are not technical or you are already busy running a business.
The good news is this. You do not need to throw everything away and start again. You just need to understand how search is evolving, and how to make small but smart changes so your website stays visible in 2026 and beyond.
This guide is written for complete beginners. No jargon. No hype. Just practical advice you can actually use.
First things first: what has changed?
For years, most people searched by typing into Google. Now, more people are asking questions in tools like ChatGPT, Bing Chat and other AI assistants like Gemini. These tools do not just show a list of websites. They try to answer the question directly.
That is where new phrases like GEO and Generative Engine Optimisation come from.
What is Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO)?
Generative Engine Optimisation, often shortened to GEO, is about helping AI tools understand your website well enough to use it as a source when they answer questions.
Instead of asking “How do I rank number one on Google?”, the question becomes:
“How do I make sure AI tools trust my site enough to mention it or recommend it?”
That trust comes from clarity, structure and usefulness, not from churning out endless blog posts.
AI optimisation is not about more content
This is one of the biggest misunderstandings we see.
AI optimisation is not about publishing three blogs a week forever. In fact, a lot of that content gets ignored.
What works much better is:
- Being clear about who you help
- Being clear about the problems you solve
- Answering real questions in a clear, honest way
Before you touch your website, ask yourself:
- Who is my ideal customer?
- What keeps them awake at night?
- Are they looking for done-for-you help, or just guidance and training?
A business owner looking for an agency wants reassurance, experience and proof.
A business owner looking for training wants clarity and confidence.
Your website should speak to the right one.
Why WordPress is actually a great platform for AI search
WordPress gets a bad reputation sometimes, but when it is set up properly it is one of the best platforms for AI-friendly SEO.
Here is why:
- It handles structured content well
- It works brilliantly with schema markup
- You can control titles, descriptions and page structure easily
You do not need fancy tools. You just need to use WordPress properly.
The basics still matter (yes, really)
Even in 2026, some things have not changed.
Titles and descriptions still count
Your page title and meta description help both humans and AI understand what a page is about.
A good title is:
- Clear
- Specific
- Written for a human, not a robot
For example, instead of:
“SEO Services”
Try:
“Practical SEO and AI Search Help for Small Businesses in Dorset”
That immediately tells people and AI who it is for and where you work.
Structure your pages so AI can read them easily
AI tools love clarity.
That means:
- One clear main heading per page
- Sub-headings that actually describe what follows
- Short paragraphs
- Simple language
If a human can skim your page and understand it in 30 seconds, an AI system usually can too.
Get comfortable with FAQs
If there is one thing AI tools use again and again, it is FAQs.
Think about the questions you get asked all the time:
- How long does SEO take?
- Do I need to keep paying every month?
- Can I do some of this myself?
Answer them honestly on your site.
When you add FAQ schema in WordPress, you are basically putting your hand up and saying:
“This page answers a real question.”
That is exactly what AI search tools are looking for.
Being cited in AI results is the new win
In the past, success meant being top of Google.
Now, success often looks like:
- Being mentioned by name in an AI answer
- Being suggested as a local expert
- Being recommended when someone asks for help
To get there, your site needs:
- Clear explanations
- Proof of experience
- Consistent information everywhere online
This includes your website, your Google and Bing profiles, and even local directories.
Local focus matters more than ever
AI tools are surprisingly good at understanding location.
If you work mainly in Dorset and Wiltshire, say so clearly.
Mention:
- The areas you serve
- The types of businesses you work with
- Local experience and examples
We have been helping businesses across these areas for years, and that local context matters. AI systems look for signals that you are relevant to a specific place, not just the internet in general.
Show experience, not just knowledge
AI search is very good at spotting generic advice.
What it values far more is experience.
That means:
- Talking about real work you have done
- Sharing lessons learned
- Explaining what worked and what did not
This is one of the reasons we always test strategies ourselves before rolling them out to clients at Okapi and Co. It keeps the advice grounded in reality, not theory.
Agency help or training? Make it clear
Many business owners are confused about what they actually need.
Your website should help them decide by being clear about:
- What you do for them
- What they can learn to do themselves
- When it makes sense to bring in an expert
AI tools often summarise this when answering questions. If it is not clear on your site, it will not be clear in the AI response either.
A simple way to think about AI optimisation
If you remember nothing else, remember this:
AI search rewards clarity, usefulness and trust.
Not volume. Not buzzwords. Not clever tricks.
If your WordPress site:
- Explains what you do in plain English
- Answers real questions
- Shows genuine experience
- Is clear about who it helps
You are already doing most of what AI optimisation requires.
Final thought
AI search is not something to be scared of. For many small businesses, especially local ones, it is actually an opportunity.
Big brands often sound generic. Local experts who speak plainly and honestly stand out.
If you get the foundations right now, your WordPress site will not just survive in 2026. It will be in a strong position to attract the right kind of conversations, with the right kind of people.
And that is what good SEO has always been about.
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