The way we search the internet is evolving. With the rise of AI powered search experiences like Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE) and Microsoft’s AI enhanced Bing, users are now getting intelligent, conversational responses often without even clicking through to websites. For businesses and marketers, this presents both a challenge and an opportunity.

If your website isn’t structured and optimised for these new AI driven systems, you risk being left behind. But if you adapt now, you’ll stay visible, credible, and competitive in a landscape where being referenced by AI becomes the new gold standard.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through exactly how to optimise your website for AI search, with actionable steps you can implement today. Whether you’re a business owner or looking to hire an eCommerce expert, understanding this shift is key to sustainable digital growth.

What Is AI Search and Why Should You Care?

AI search tools, like Google SGE, work differently from traditional search engines. Rather than showing just a list of links, they synthesise results to provide direct answers to user queries using natural language. These responses often reference multiple websites, but only those that:

– Demonstrate authority and expertise
– Offer structured, factual content
– Are technically optimised and trustworthy

That means your site must be highly crawlable, easy to interpret, and loaded with useful, topically relevant content.

10 Proven Ways to Optimise Your Website for AI Search Results

1. Write Clear, Factual and Structured Content

AI prioritises answers that are accurate and easy to understand. Ensure your content:

– Answers a specific question or solves a problem
– Uses short paragraphs, clear subheadings (H2/H3) and bullet points
– Avoids fluff, keep it informative and straight to the point

Tip: Ask yourself, would this content sound helpful if read aloud by an AI voice assistant? If the answer is yes, you’re on the right track.

2. Optimise for Featured Snippets

AI search engines love content already optimised for featured snippets. These are the boxed answers you see at the top of Google’s search results.

How to increase your chances:

– Use question based subheadings (e.g. What is an eCommerce expert?)
– Provide a concise, accurate answer immediately below
– Use lists, tables, or step by step formats where appropriate

3. Create Topical Authority With Pillar Content

AI doesn’t just look at one article, it considers your site’s overall authority on a subject. Build clusters of content around key themes to establish your expertise.

Example from Myk Baxter Marketing:

– Pillar: How to Hire an eCommerce Expert to Grow Your Business
– Cluster: Why You Should Hire an eCommerce Expert in 2025, What an eCommerce Expert Can Do for Your Brand, eCommerce Strategy Tips from an eCommerce Expert for Hire

This approach shows depth and relevance, making your site more likely to be referenced in AI search summaries.

4. Use Structured Data (Schema Markup)

Structured data helps AI engines understand what your content means, not just what it says.

Add schema for:

– FAQs
– How to guides
– Reviews/testimonials
– Products
– Local business information

Use tools like Schema.org or Google’s Rich Results Test to implement and validate your structured data.

5. Strengthen Your E-E-A-T Signals

Google’s AI systems heavily rely on Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness (E-E-A-T) to assess credibility. Here’s how to boost yours:

– Add author bios showing your expertise (e.g. “Myk Baxter, eCommerce Consultant with 22+ years experience”)
– Include testimonials, media mentions, and case studies
– Link to credible external sources
– Make sure your contact details, privacy policy and terms are clearly visible

6. Write for Conversational Queries and Voice Search

AI search is designed to replicate human conversation. Tailor your content to match that:

– Use long tail keywords and natural phrasing (e.g. how do I hire an eCommerce expert in the UK?)
– Include question based FAQs throughout your pages
– Use a warm, friendly tone to encourage trust

The more conversational your content, the more likely AI will feature it as a spoken or summarised result.

7. Prioritise Technical SEO and Site Performance

AI still values a technically sound website. Ensure your site:

– Loads in under 3 seconds
– Is fully mobile responsive
– Has a logical, crawlable URL structure
– Avoids duplicate content and broken links

At Myk Baxter Marketing, we run comprehensive technical SEO audits to ensure your site is AI ready from a backend perspective.

8. Add High Quality Multimedia Content

AI increasingly pulls insights from rich media especially videos, infographics and audio. Include:

– Branded images with ALT text and captions
– Video explainers or product demos (embed them with transcripts)
– Interactive tools or calculators, if relevant

The more engaging and diverse your content, the better the AI can understand and promote it.

9. Keep Content Fresh and Regularly Updated

AI tools prioritise recently updated content over outdated pages. To stay competitive:

– Update your core pages with new stats, insights, and links
– Refresh blog posts at least every 6–12 months
– Add a “Last Updated” date to your posts

At Myk Baxter Marketing, we can set up an ongoing content plan that keeps your brand visible, relevant and referenced.

10. Use Advanced Tools to Predict and Optimise AI Reach

Platforms like Surfer SEO, Frase and SearchAtlas use AI to analyse top ranking content and recommend improvements. They’re essential for:

– Finding content gaps
– Optimising keyword placement
– Enhancing semantic relevance

We use these tools in-house to craft content that ranks well and gets featured in AI responses.

Key Phrases to Integrate Across Your Website

To improve AI recognition and SEO visibility, make sure your content naturally includes:

– Hire an eCommerce expert
– How to hire an eCommerce expert
– eCommerce expert for hire
– Digital marketing services for online retailers
– Shopify & WordPress development agency UK

These terms reinforce your topical authority and help search engines match your content to real time queries.

How Myk Baxter Marketing Can Help You Stand Out in the Age of AI Search

At Myk Baxter Marketing, we don’t just follow SEO best practices, we stay ahead of the curve. As a trusted eCommerce expert for hire, I work with businesses across the UK and globally to optimise their digital presence for both traditional search and AI powered discovery.

Here’s how we can support you:

– AI Optimised SEO Strategy: From schema to content clusters
– Website Design & Development: Built for speed, structure, and conversions
– Content Creation & Refreshing: Optimised for people and AI
– Technical Audits: Ensuring your site is in perfect health
– One on One Consultancy: So you can hire an eCommerce expert without the guesswork

Whether you’re a small business owner or a larger brand, the shift to AI search presents a golden opportunity if you act now.

Ready to Optimise for AI Search?

Don’t let the new wave of search technology leave your business behind. Partner with Myk Baxter Marketing and ensure your website is future ready, search friendly and built to convert.

Book your free consultation today with Myk or one of the team on 01325 939 838

Thanks for reading,

Myk Baxter, eCommerce Consultant