Marketing in an AI World — What Every Small Business Needs to Know

I recently attended Marketing in an AI World with Marie El Daghl from Chasing Albert during small business month, and it provided a really clear explanation of how AI is changing marketing, especially for small, service-based businesses.

We’re officially operating in a world where AI is shaping what customers learn, think, and decide about our brands long before they land on our website.

Here’s a breakdown of the key insights I learn’t from Marie plus some practical tips you can start applying immediately.

AI Works Differently to Traditional SEO

Google search = links.
AI tools = answers.

Instead of returning a list of websites, AI analyses vast amounts of online content and shares a conclusion based on what it finds most relevant, credible, and consistent.

This shift means your digital footprint matters more than ever.

AI Responds to Different Query Types

To show up in AI-generated answers, your content should support these kinds of queries:

⭐ Informational

“How do I…?” “What is…?” “Explain…”
Users want to learn something; facts, definitions, how-to steps.

⭐ Targeted

Users know what they want and are trying to find it.

⭐ Navigational

“Where can I find…?” “Who provides…?”

⭐ Comparative

Users are weighing up options, features, pros and cons.

⭐ Conversational

Natural-language questions: the way people talk.

⭐ Contextual

Local, relevant or related services and providers.

⭐ Entity

Verifying a business, brand, person or product.

Your content should help answer as many of these as possible.

Where AI Gets Its Information

Marie shared one of the most important stats of the day:

👉 50% of the data AI uses to understand your business comes from your website.

The rest comes from digital spaces like:
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• Reddit
• Quora
• Your social content
• Online communities
• Public databases and directories

AI is constantly scanning, which means outdated content or unclear messaging can lead to misrepresentation. AI loves fresh content so make sure you are regularly going back over your old content to refresh it and keep it current.

Why Radical Transparency Matters

We’re in an era where everything you publish can influence how AI talks about you.

If your website hasn’t been updated since 2020, AI assumes the information is outdated.
If your services aren’t clearly explained, AI may not understand what you actually do.
If your testimonials aren’t visible or scannable, AI can’t use them as credibility signals.

You have to train AI on how to describe your business.

And the good news? You can influence this.

Ways to Optimise Your Business for AI

Here are the actions Marie highlighted, plus extra recommendations from me as a brand strategist:

Make Testimonials Searchable & Organised

Break them into categories, such as:
• Brand design
• Workshops
• Education
• Corporate design
AI loves clarity.

Create a Strong FAQ Page

Include questions that real customers ask — and questions they might ask AI.
Example:
• “What is brand strategy?”
• “How do I know if my branding needs an update?”
• “How does a brand workshop work?”

Use Natural, Conversational Language

AI prefers simple, human-friendly wording.
Clear headings.
No overly creative titles.
Say what it is.

Map Your Content to Your Services

Ensure each service has:
• A clear description
• Benefits
• Process
• Pricing structure (or “from” pricing)
• Case studies
• Testimonials
• FAQs

Keep Your Website Updated Regularly

Fresh content signals relevance.
Updates help AI trust your information.

Blogs Should Be Clear, Practical & Educational

Use natural language, how-to guides, definitions, and straightforward titles.
Think:
“5 Ways to Improve Your Brand Consistency”
not
“Brand Brilliance Breakdown.”

Strengthen Your Digital Footprint

AI pulls data from:
• Interviews
• Podcasts
• Guest posts
• Directory listings
• Social media
• Video content
• Workshops or event pages

Show up consistently so the narrative about your brand stays aligned.

Final Thoughts

As Marie emphasised, AI won’t replace human marketers, but it will replace outdated marketing strategies.

Small businesses that adapt early will:
✔ show up more often in AI answers
✔ have clearer messaging across digital platforms
✔ build trust faster with potential customers
✔ gain a major competitive advantage

About the Author

Alysha is a seasoned graphic designer and brand educator with over a decade of experience in marketing and design. She specializes in crafting bold, unique brand identities, publication designs, and impactful presentation revamps. Working primarily with small and medium-sized businesses, she partners with entrepreneurs who seek a long-term design collaborator who truly understands their brand, audience, and business goals. While she serves a wide range of industries, she has a particularly strong presence in financial services, investor relations, and the creative entrepreneurial space.

Beyond design, Alysha is passionate about educating small business owners on the power of branding. Through her blog, she shares expert insights on design, brand strategy, and proactive marketing—helping business owners stand out, build credibility, and attract their ideal customers. Her brand education work focuses on guiding women entrepreneurs over 40 in understanding their competitors, defining their audience, clarifying their brand’s deeper purpose, and developing a compelling brand personality and messaging.

With a friendly, efficient, and results-driven approach, Alysha ensures her designs and branding strategies are not only visually compelling but also strategically aligned to help businesses thrive.