Answer engine optimization (AEO) for local businesses
Your next customer is asking ChatGPT who to hire. Is it saying your name?
People don't scroll ten blue links anymore. They ask AI for one answer — the best roofer, the right CPA, a gym near them. Versus makes sure that answer is you.
- Recommended in ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews, Gemini, and Perplexity
- Built for trades, professional services, and health, wellness, and fitness
- Every AI-driven lead tracked to a real call, booking, or sale
Get your free AI visibility check
We'll ask the AI tools your customers use about your business and show you exactly who they recommend instead — and why.
Get recommended in
- ChatGPT
- Google AI Overviews
- Gemini
- Perplexity
- Copilot
- Siri & voice
The new front door
Search used to give ten options. AI gives one.
When a homeowner types “who's the best land clearing company near me?” into ChatGPT, they don't get a page of ads and listings. They get a short, confident recommendation — usually two or three names, with reasons.
If your business isn't one of those names, you aren't on page two. You're invisible. And the businesses that are named get the call before the customer ever opens Google.
Here are a few well-reviewed options in the Huntsville area:
1. West Way LandworkVersus client
Family-run and owner-operated, with 20+ years of experience in land clearing, excavating, grading, and drainage fixes across Huntsville and North Alabama.
- 2. Another local contractor
- 3. A regional excavating company
Client result
West Way Landwork started getting leads from ChatGPT right after switching to Versus.
- Lead source
- ChatGPT
- Time to first AI lead
- Right after launch
- Ad spend required
- $0
- 1
The problem
Matt West runs an owner-operated landwork company with 20+ years in the dirt. His work was excellent — but his old website didn't explain what he did, where he did it, or why he was the right call. To an AI model, there was nothing to recommend.
- 2
What we built
We rebuilt westwaylandwork.com from the ground up as an answer engine's ideal source: a dedicated page for every service, clear service-area language, owner and licensing facts, real project photos, plain-language FAQs, and structured data that tells AI exactly who West Way is and what they do.
- 3
What happened
Almost immediately after launch, new leads started telling Matt they found West Way through ChatGPT. Not an ad. Not a referral. An AI recommendation — from customers who were ready to book.
- Service pages
- Service-area pages
- FAQ content
- Schema markup
- Google Business Profile
- Quote & CRM tools
How we get you recommended
AI recommends the businesses it can understand and trust. We make you both.
AEO isn't a plugin or a trick. It's making your business the clearest, most credible answer on the internet for the questions your customers ask.
AI visibility audit
We ask ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, and Google AI the questions your customers ask — and document who gets named instead of you.
Answer-ready pages
Clear service, location, and FAQ pages written the way people actually ask — so AI can quote you directly.
Structured data
Schema markup, llms.txt, and clean technical SEO that tell machines exactly who you are, what you do, and where.
Trust signals
Google Business Profile, reviews, citations, and consistent listings — the third-party proof AI leans on.
Track & grow
We monitor your AI mentions and tie AI-driven calls and forms to revenue, then expand to more questions.
Who we get found
Built for the local businesses people ask AI about every day.
We specialize in three categories where AI answers are already steering who gets the job.
Trades & home services
Landscapers, excavators, roofers, HVAC, plumbers, electricians, fencing, and remodelers.
Customers are asking AI
- “Best roofer near me for storm damage?”
- “Who can clear and grade an acre lot?”
Professional services
Attorneys, accountants, financial advisors, insurance agents, and consultants.
Customers are asking AI
- “Which estate planning attorney should I call?”
- “Good small business CPA in my city?”
Health, wellness & fitness
Med spas, IV therapy, chiropractors, physical therapy, gyms, studios, and personal trainers.
Customers are asking AI
- “Best Pilates studio for beginners near me?”
- “Where can I get IV therapy today?”
Why most agencies miss this
Old SEO chases rankings. AEO earns the recommendation.
The goal
Typical SEO agency: Rank on page one for keywords
Versus AEO: Be the business AI names in its answer
Content
Typical SEO agency: Keyword-stuffed blog posts
Versus AEO: Clear answers to the questions customers ask AI
Technical
Typical SEO agency: Meta tags and backlinks
Versus AEO: Schema, llms.txt, entity clarity, and fast pages
Local trust
Typical SEO agency: Often an afterthought
Versus AEO: Google Business Profile, reviews, and citations
Reporting
Typical SEO agency: Rankings and traffic charts
Versus AEO: AI mentions, calls, bookings, and revenue
Rather just talk?
Leave your number. We'll call you back.
A quick conversation with a strategist about how AI sees your business today.
AEO questions
Straight answers about getting found in AI.
Don't let AI recommend your competitor.
Find out what ChatGPT and Google AI say when your customers ask who to hire — and what it takes to make the answer you.
Want the details first? See our content, AEO & AI visibility service