How Small Businesses Can Stay Visible Online: Inside My Workshops with SBDC APEX

 

Search isn’t what it used to be — and honestly, it’s changing faster than anyone expected. Google’s updates barely slow down, and AI tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Bing Copilot are now answering questions instead of sending users to websites. The rules for showing up online keep shifting under our feet.

There have been so many changes that most small business owners simply don’t have the time to keep up. Between client work, school pick-ups, and the everyday chaos of running a business, nobody is reading algorithm notes or search-engine patents. That’s exactly why I partnered with SBDC APEX Alabama this fall to host a three-part workshop series — to cut through the noise and teach what actually matters for visibility right now.

We had an incredible turnout of small business owners who showed up ready to learn and brought thoughtful, real-world questions. And while all of this information can feel overwhelming — especially without a dedicated marketing team — small, consistent improvements truly matter. A few intentional updates can put you miles ahead of other businesses who are still doing nothing.

And that’s why I’m working on a solution to help: a simple, manageable way for business owners to dedicate just a little time each month to improving their website without the overwhelm. More on that in a minute.

But first — if you missed the workshop series or want a behind-the-scenes look at what we covered, here’s everything you need to know.

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Website Visibility Wins Series: Fall 2025 (Recap)

 

We hosted a three-session workshop series focused on SEO, local visibility, and the fast-moving world of AI-driven search:

Session 1: Foundational SEO to Help Your Website Get Discovered

📅 September 17, 2025 — 11:00 AM–12:30 PM

Session 2: Get Found Locally — Google & Bing Setup

📅 October 15, 2025 — 11:00 AM–12:30 PM

Session 3: Using AI to Drive Traffic to Your Website

📅 November 19, 2025 — 11:00 AM–12:30 PM (register here)

Now let’s dive into what these sessions actually covered — and why they matter for every small business.

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Where We Started: Making SEO Make Sense Again

In the first session, we went back to the essentials — but in a practical, “real people doing real business” way. No jargon. No fluff. Just the pieces that genuinely move the needle.

We covered:

• how to find keywords your actual customers search

• what your homepage must communicate within seconds

• why internal linking matters more than most people realize

• how to use E-E-A-T to build trust

• simple content structures AI tools can understand

• a monthly SEO checklist small business owners can actually keep up with

The best part? Watching people realize SEO doesn’t have to feel like a mystical language only big companies understand. It’s simply about clarity — and making your website genuinely helpful.

Local Visibility: The Power of Google Business Profile

Session two focused entirely on something every local business should master: Google Business Profile.

If your website is your digital home, GBP is the billboard on the busiest street in town — and the data source AI tools are hungry for.

We broke down:

• how to choose the right categories (this is a game-changer)

• what to include in your description

• why photos matter way more than you think

• how reviews signal authority and relevance

• what to update monthly to stay competitive

• how Bing Places fits into the picture

I say this often, and I mean it: GBP is one of the fastest, easiest wins for small business visibility. And yet it’s still overlooked.

AI + Search: The Workshop That Changes Every Time

The third session, “Using AI to Drive Traffic to Your Website,” is the wild one — the workshop where I’ve accepted that my slides will be out of date approximately 48 hours after I create them.

If you want a front-row seat to chaos, try preparing a presentation about AI. I’ll finalize everything, feel great about it, and then bam — Google drops an update, or ChatGPT launches a feature that changes how information is pulled. And there I am, rewriting half the deck at 11 p.m. so participants get the most current insight.

But that’s also why this session is so important.

AI tools pull information differently than traditional search engines. They rely on:

• clear site architecture

• structured data

• consistent branding

• verified directories

• natural language content

• accurate local signals

• strong, trust-based authority

AI isn’t replacing search — it’s redefining what it means to be the “best answer.”

And for small businesses, this opens the door to major visibility wins if you know how to play the game.

Behind the Scenes: Keeping Up With the AI Firehose

Every time I teach the AI session, I update it, sometimes in real time. I taught the workshop in September, updated half of it in October, and by November, I was rebuilding sections again.

That’s the pace of change we’re dealing with now.

And honestly? I love it. There’s something energizing about walking into a workshop and saying, “Okay, here’s what changed this week,  and here’s what you should do about it.” It keeps the material fresh, and it gives business owners accurate, real-world guidance instead of outdated advice floating around the internet.

But all this updating and question-answering made me realize something important…

Coming Soon: Monthly Website + SEO Office Hours

One thing I hear over and over is:

“I wish I had someone I could ask my random website and SEO questions.”

So I’m making that happen.

Starting soon, I’ll be hosting monthly office hours, a relaxed, open hour where you can pop in with whatever’s on your mind:

• website questions

• what to update monthly

• how to make your site convert better

• Google Business Profile issues

• anything confusing you about SEO

• questions about AI + visibility

• “is this normal?” situations

No slides.
No pressure.
Just clarity, direction, and advice you can take action on.

If you want to get notified when office hours launch, let me know here. They’re designed for small business owners who want support without the overwhelm.