SEO vs. AEO: What Small Businesses Need to Know to Get Found Online

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SEO vs. AEO: What Small Businesses Need to Know to Get Found Online

If you’re a small business owner trying to get found online, you’ve probably heard the phrase “use the right keywords.” Sounds simple, right? But in reality, showing up in search results takes more than dropping a few phrases into your website. Between SEO, AEO, and ever-changing algorithms, it can feel like you’re shouting into the void while bigger brands dominate the spotlight.

The good news? You don’t need a massive budget or a team of tech wizards to improve your visibility. You just need to understand how the search game works today—and how you can play it smart.

Not Sure If You Should Spend Money on Ads? Start Here Instead

You care about your business and want more people to discover what you offer, but figuring out how to do that effectively isn’t always clear. When growth stalls or sales slow down, one of the first instincts many small business owners have is to throw money at ads. Many small business owners are investing time and money in marketing without a clear strategy or return on investment.

A Real Life Example

Recently, I came across a Reddit post from an app developer that perfectly captured this struggle. He had built something impressive: over 13,000 workouts for men and women, covering both home and gym routines. He’d posted 15 videos on TikTok, gained over 7,000 views, and had gotten 64 downloads. But zero free trials. Zero sales.

Resilience, Respect, and Rebuilding: How to Support Maui’s Small Businesses

Craft fair booth with local artisan goods — a way to support Maui small businesses.

It’s been over two years since the fires devastated Lāhainā. I’ve visited Maui for many years, and Lāhainā has always been a big part of those trips — a place rich in history, culture, and small businesses that gives the town its heartbeat. Today, as rebuilding continues, there are so many ways we can support Maui small businesses and the people behind them.

Today, much of Lāhainā remains unrebuilt. When I visit, I can see the profound loss. I would never pretend to fully understand how difficult this has been for the families and small business owners who lived through it. Their resilience is something I can only admire from the outside.

What I do know is this: the small businesses that are reopening — whether in Lāhainā or across Hawaii — need us. They need visitors to come, to shop, to dine, and to support them as they rebuild not just their storefronts, but their lives.

What Types of Small Businesses Benefit Most from Google Ads (And When They Don’t)

Which Small Businesses See the Best Results with Google Ads?

If you’ve ever wondered whether running Google Ads is “worth it” for your business, you’re not alone. Paid ads can feel like a big leap, especially when your time and budget are tight.

But when done right, Google Search Ads can be one of the fastest ways to get in front of the right people — right when they’re looking for what you offer.

So the real question isn’t should you run ads — it’s is your business the kind that sees great results from them?

Let’s break it down.

Google Ads Work Best for These Types of Small Businesses:

1. Service-Based Businesses With Urgent Needs

What Most Small Business Websites Are Missing in the Age of AI (And a Simple Fix)

The way people search online is changing fast — and AI is right at the center of it. Google’s new AI-generated results, voice assistants like Siri and Alexa, and even tools like ChatGPT are now answering questions directly, often before anyone clicks on a website.

If you’re a small business owner, nonprofit leader, or solopreneur, this shift can feel overwhelming. You’re already juggling clients, operations, and team management — marketing often falls to the bottom of the list. And honestly? Even marketers are struggling to keep up with how quickly things are changing.

That’s why so many websites are falling behind — not because you’re doing something wrong, but because the rules of the game have shifted. Let’s talk about what that means for you — and how to keep your business visible where it matters most.