More shoppers now ask AI tools questions like “Where can I buy a good fountain pen in Geelong?” or “Which garden centre near me stocks fruit trees?” Instead of a list of links, they get a short answer naming a few businesses. If your shop isn’t in that answer, the customer may never know you exist.
There’s a lot of hype about this. Most of what gets a shop recommended by AI is what has always got a shop found: accurate, consistent information about you, in more than one place.
Get your Google Business Profile right
For local shopping, start with your Google Business Profile. AI answers on Google draw heavily on it, and other AI tools often use the same information.
- Use your exact business name, address and phone number.
- Choose the most accurate primary category, then add relevant secondary categories.
- Keep opening hours current, including public holidays.
- Add real photos of your shopfront, interior and products.
- Write a description that says plainly what you sell and who you serve.
Keep your details consistent everywhere
AI tools build a picture of your business from many sources. If your name, address or phone number differs between your website, Facebook page, industry directories and local listings, that picture becomes less certain. Check each listing and make them match.
Reviews matter, so ask for them
Reviews carry weight in local recommendations for sure.
Make asking for reviews part of your routine. A card at the counter, a QR code on receipts or a follow-up email after a special order all help. Ask every customer, not just the happy ones. Selectively asking only satisfied customers, or offering rewards for reviews, breaches Google’s rules, and fake reviews are unlawful in Australia.
Reply to reviews, including the critical ones. A calm, helpful reply shows future customers how you treat people.
Let others talk about you
AI tools pay attention to what other people say about you. Mentions in local news, community websites, supplier stockist lists, industry associations and event pages all help.
Ask your suppliers to list you as a stockist. Join your local business association. Support a community event and make sure your shop is named. Each mention is another independent source confirming you exist and what you do.
Put your range online
An AI tool can’t recommend you for a product it doesn’t know you sell. If your website only says “gifts and homewares”, you’re unlikely to appear when someone asks about a specific brand or product.
Even if you don’t sell online, a website that shows your key brands and categories gives AI something to work with. If you do sell online, clear product titles, accurate descriptions and current stock levels all help. A POS connected to your online store keeps this information current without extra work.
Answer the questions customers ask
Think about what customers ask at your counter. Do you do repairs? Do you take special orders? Can I find a particular brand? Is there parking nearby?
Put those answers on your website in plain language. A simple frequently asked questions page is easy for AI tools to read and quote. Avoid filling your site with generic AI-written pages or near-identical pages for every suburb, because these can work against you.
You do not need special AI files
You may be offered services promising to “optimise for AI” with special files or code. Google has said no special AI file or schema is required. Spend your time on the basics above instead.
Check what AI says about you
Ask ChatGPT, Gemini and Google a few questions a customer might ask about your shop or category. See who is recommended and why. Answers vary from day to day, so look for patterns over several checks rather than reacting to one result.
What to do next
Update your Google Business Profile, check that your details match across your top five listings, and set up a simple way to ask every customer for a review. Then write five answers to questions your customers ask most often and add them to your website.
If you would like to see how Tower connects your stock to your online store, Tim and Justin can take you through it. Call 1300 662 957 or email sales@towersystems.com.au.
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