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AI Is Changing How Customers Find You — Are You Ready?

AI Is Changing How Customers Find You — Are You Ready?

Unlock More Leads Using ChatGPT (Yes, Really)

Ben Wright
May 06, 2025

Welcome to The Growth Report

It’s Ben Wright here, founder of Risely.

AI is no longer just a buzzword — it’s becoming the new search engine. Tools like ChatGPT are being used daily by homeowners, business owners, and busy consumers to find local service providers faster and with more precision.

Instead of typing into Google, users are now asking ChatGPT things like:

“Who’s the best AC repair company in Austin?”
“Which moving company has the best reviews in Portland?”
“What’s the top-rated landscaping business near me?”

And here’s the kicker — ChatGPT pulls its answers from top-ranking websites, reviews, and business profiles. So if your business isn’t optimized online, it’s not just missing out on Google traffic — it’s being left out of AI-driven recommendations altogether.

At Risely, we’re helping our clients stay ahead of this shift.

More and more people are asking ChatGPT for recommendations. But what ChatGPT recommends? It’s not random — it’s heavily influenced by what’s already performing well on Google:

Websites with strong SEO
Businesses with a steady stream of positive reviews
Well-maintained Google Business Profiles
Content-rich service and location pages

That’s why now more than ever, your business needs to show up where it matters — because AI tools are becoming the new gateway to leads.

See It in Action:
Watch this quick screen recording as we ask ChatGPT:
“Who are the best movers in Southlake, TX?”

You’ll see how it instantly surfaces businesses that are:
✅ Ranking high on Google
✅ Using clear, keyword-rich content
✅ Backed by strong local SEO and online reviews

The Future of Local Searches 🚀

In this video, I discuss how more people are turning to ChatGPT instead of Google for finding local service providers.

This is where your next customer could be coming from — but only if your digital presence is up to date.

How to Stay Visible in the AI Era:
Here’s what your business needs to do now to stay competitive:

Build Keyword-Rich Location Pages

If your business serves multiple cities, one of the best ways to boost visibility is by creating dedicated location pages — but only for the areas where you actually have a physical presence or a verified Google Business Profile.

Instead of creating dozens of city pages just to rank, focus on quality over quantity. A strong location page should include:

Localized keywords (e.g., “plumber in Frisco, TX”)
Specific services offered in that area
Photos or project examples from the region
Your local phone number and address (matching your GBP)

This ensures your site stays relevant, useful, and aligned with what ChatGPT and Google are looking for — real, trusted local businesses.

Keep Google Reviews Flowing

Recent, positive Google reviews don’t just build trust with potential customers — they also play a major role in how visible your business is online. Google’s algorithm weighs both the quantity and recency of your reviews when determining local rankings. And since AI tools like ChatGPT often pull from top-rated businesses on Google, your reviews directly influence whether you show up in AI-powered recommendations.

Make asking for reviews a consistent part of your post-service follow-up. The more reviews you collect, the more signals you're sending to both search engines and AI tools that your business is active, reputable, and worth recommending.

Optimize Your Google Business Profile (GBP)

Your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is one of the most important tools for local SEO — and it’s often the first thing people (and AI tools like ChatGPT) see when searching for businesses like yours.

Make sure your GBP is fully filled out and regularly updated. This includes:

Accurate business hours
Service areas
A detailed business description
High-quality, real photos
Regular posts or updates

The more complete and active your profile is, the more likely you are to appear in local search results — and be recommended by AI.

👉 Here’s a complete guide to optimizing your Google Business Profile

Update Blog Content Regularly

Fresh, relevant content helps you rank for more long-tail searches. Use blog posts to answer questions like:

“How to prep your home before a move”
“Best time of year to trim trees in Dallas”
“How to spot a trustworthy mechanic”

This builds trust and gives AI more quality content to pull from.

Be Consistent Across the Web

Your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) should be identical on your website, Google profile, directories, and social media. Inconsistent listings hurt your visibility and confuse AI tools.

Whether you're a moving company, HVAC tech, landscaper, or mechanic — AI is already influencing how customers find you. Businesses that optimize their online presence today will dominate tomorrow’s searches.

Ready to make sure your business shows up? Let’s talk. At Risely, we help local service businesses stay visible, generate more leads, and grow — even in the age of AI.

Ready to Boost Your Marketing?

Imagine what a customized marketing plan could do for your business. Book a 20-minute audit call with me, and together we’ll uncover opportunities to elevate your strategy—no strings attached.

Whether we partner up or not, you’ll walk away with actionable insights to drive growth. Let’s explore your potential!