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Why AI-Focused SEO Should Be Part of Your Strategy
A few weeks ago, a new client said they found me by asking ChatGPT to recommend a Seattle web designer—not through Google or a referral. That one moment reframed how I think about SEO. It’s no longer just about showing up on page one—it’s about showing up in AI-powered search tools.
What Worked Well
My main business site is performing well, so this week I turned my attention to Web Designer Habits. It’s a newer site, and I want it to show up when people ask ChatGPT questions like, “What are good habits for web designers?”
Challenges: Building Authority with a New Site
Web Designer Habits is still gaining traction. Unlike my main site, it doesn’t have years of traffic and content behind it. The challenge is making it authoritative in the eyes of large language models, which means clearer language, better structure, and more helpful content.
A Surprising Benefit: Rediscovering My Tools
While thinking through SEO improvements, I remembered I had a lifetime license to Schema Pro—a tool I’ve barely used. It’s already installed on a few client sites, but now I’m planning to fully implement it across my properties.
Tools & Resources That Helped
- ChatGPT – For guidance on what changes to make and how to show up in LLM searches
- Schema Pro – A great plugin for adding structured data:
Lessons Learned
Don’t forget to optimize your own site first. AI search is changing how people find services, and your site’s language, structure, and helpfulness matter more than ever. I also learned that tools I already have might be more useful than I thought.
Moving Forward
I’ll continue refreshing site copy and will set up structured data using Schema Pro. I’ll also update FAQs and keep simplifying language. This will benefit both AI search and my human visitors.
How You Can Implement This Habit
Ask your AI assistant of choice how it might recommend someone like you. Then tweak your website to answer that question better. Use clear headings, simplify your copy, and include your niche and location. Structured data helps too. You don’t have to overhaul your site—just start making small, smart updates that speak to both humans and machines.
about the author
Cami MacNamara is a web designer and owner of WebCami LLC, a Seattle-based agency since 2002. She created Web Designer Habits to help web designers build smarter systems, stay productive, and run a business that works for them.