Small Business SEO & Answer Engine Optimisation
Get found in Google and in AI-powered answers.
Affordable Small Business SEO and AI Search Services
Search is changing. Your next customer might never scroll a page of blue links – they’ll ask Google’s AI Mode, ChatGPT or Gemini who they should work with, and choose from the names they’re given.
My SEO services are designed for that world. I still take care of the essentials – technical SEO, content, on-page and off-site, but I now also structure your website so AI tools can understand what you do, who you’re perfect for, and when to recommend you.
That’s Answer Engine Optimisation (AEO)
When we work together, we’re aiming for:
- Higher rankings in traditional Google search
- More visibility in AI Overviews and AI Mode
- A better chance of being named when someone asks AI “who should I use for…?”
- Clearer messaging so both humans and AI know exactly who you help
“The number of clients coming to Night Nannies has increase by about 25-30% in the past 4 months since I contacted Melissa and I totally attribute that to her wisdom.
It was the best money I ever spent on my business and I have been recommending them to my fellow entrepreneurs.” Night Nannies, London
My SEO Services: A Three-Step Approach
I offer a structured, three-phase SEO service model to meet you where you are and help you grow:
Step 1: SEO Audit & Strategy Session
Want to know exactly how your site is performing?
I get to know your business, audience, goals, and competitors.
I then assess your website’s performance against the four primary components of SEO:
➔ Technical SEO
➔ Content
➔ On-Site Optimization
➔ Off-Site SEO
Alongside the usual technical, content and on-site checks, I now also review how “AI-ready” your website is – whether your content is clear and structured enough for AI tools to understand and potentially reference in their answers.
I’ll then create a PDF roadmap of how to go from where you are today to where you want to be. This roadmap operates as the foundation of your SEO strategy.
And I will complete Step 1 with an online meeting with you to review our findings and discuss the next steps.
Ideal for businesses starting their SEO journey or looking to refine their current strategy.
What’s Included:
- Comprehensive website audit
- Initial keyword research (light touch)
- Technical SEO analysis
- Customised action plan
- AI-readiness review of your key pages
Investment: from £675 (based on website size and complexity)
Book an SEO Audit today — if you book a new Wildcurrant website within 60 days of your audit being completed, I’ll refund the audit fee (even if your build starts later).
Step 2: SEO Setup & Implementation
Imagine having a website that Google, AI and your dream clients can’t ignore.
Research & Planning: This phase includes setting up Google Analytics, connecting your website to Google Search Console, deep keyword research, competitive analysis, and content strategy.
As part of this research, I’m looking at how your content can support both traditional Google search and AI search. That means clear service pages, helpful content that answers real questions, and structure that makes it easy for AI tools to know when you’re a good match.
Implementation: This phase includes tasks such as updating page titles and meta descriptions, optimizing content, improving alternative text, building an XML sitemap, and more.
Results & Next Steps:
I expect to see improvement in the search results within a few weeks of completing the implementation step. We will then review these results and discuss the next steps.
For businesses ready to lay a solid SEO foundation.
What’s Included:
- Connection to Google Analytics and Search Console
- Deep dive into keyword research
- On-page SEO optimisation
- Competitive Analysis
- Content Strategy
- Content optimisation for target keywords
- Content structured for AI and answer engines (AEO foundations)
Investment: Starting from £995 (based on website size and complexity)
Step 3: Now choose your monthly retainer level
Perfect for businesses aiming for sustained growth and continuous improvement.
Ongoing SEO is where we keep building your visibility – in Google and in AI search results. We refine existing pages, publish helpful content, and monitor how your site is being surfaced so you stay visible as search evolves.
What’s Included:
- Regular optimisation for both traditional search and AI search features
- Technical SEO maintenance
- Strategic planning sessions
- Monthly performance reports
Investment: ½ day (4 hours) = £695, 1 whole day = £1200, 1.5 days per month = £1,885
What is Answer Engine Optimisation (AEO)?
Answer Engine Optimisation is simply the next phase of SEO.
Instead of only asking “How do I rank higher on Google?”, we also ask:
“How do I make it easy for AI tools to recommend my business when someone asks for help?”
Practically, that means:
Clear, focused pages about each service you offer
Helpful content that answers your customers’ real questions
A well-structured site that’s easy for both humans and AI to navigate
Trusted signals from around the web (reviews, citations, backlinks)
Traditional SEO is still the foundation. The infrastructure that feeds AI answers. AEO is about making sure that strong foundation leads to more mentions, more visibility and more enquiries in an AI-driven search world.
If phrases like “AI Overviews” and “LLMs” make your eyes glaze over, don’t worry. My job is to stay on top of the tech so you can stay focused on running your business.
FAQs
Do You Have Case Study on SEO That I Could Read?
I do, read my Night Nannies SEO Case Study here.
Small Business Websites & SEO
If you need the foundations sorted first, I can build the site too — see my small business website design service (WordPress, Woocommerce and Shopify).
What Is On-Page SEO for Small Businesses?
On-page SEO for small businesses involves optimising individual website pages—like text, images, and meta data—to improve visibility in search results and attract the right local customers.
What Is Off-Page SEO for Small Businesses?
Off-site SEO for small businesses refers to actions taken outside your website—like backlinks, directory listings, and social proof—to boost your site’s authority and help it rank higher in search results.
Q: How Long Does it Take to See Results from SEO?
SEO is a long-term strategy. While some improvements can be seen within a few weeks, significant results typically take 3-6 months.
Q: Do I Need to Commit to a Long-Term Contract?
Not at all. There is a minimum 3‑month commitment required. But after this my ongoing SEO support is flexible, with no long-term commitments. You can choose the level of support that suits your business.
Q: Can You Help with Local SEO?
Absolutely. I specialize in local SEO strategies to help your business appear in local search results and attract nearby customers. Everything you need to know about local SEO – click here
Melissa Critchley
Founder of Wildcurrant Marketing, specialises in website design and search engine optimisation for small businesses. Based in Ludlow, Shropshire, she works with clients across the UK (and sometimes beyond!)
ARE YOU READY TO LEVEL UP?
If you are:
- looking for a new small business website,
- or an artist or creative looking for professional help from someone who understands your business,
- and/or SEO services,
- and/or Meta or Google Ads, then please do get in touch.
Email me: melissa@wildcurrant.co.uk
Call: 07771 623276
WILDCURRANT MARKETING
I work with small business owners and creatives, delivering strategic websites and excellent SEO to grow their businesses. My clients are based both locally in Shropshire and throughout the UK.
07771 623276
melissa@wildcurrant.co.uk
Based in Ludlow, Shropshire and working UK wide