Generative Engine Optimisation · Chichester & West Sussex
AI Search Optimisation (GEO) in Chichester
Get recommended when customers ask ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews and Perplexity for a local business. Potts Strategies is a Chichester agency that helps Sussex businesses appear in AI search answers. We combine local SEO with Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO): fixing your listings, building reviews, adding structured data and rewriting key pages so AI tools can verify and quote your business. Plans start at £399 a month.
You’ll get a reply with a few questions, then a short call or Loom video if helpful. Prefer to read first? See our case studies or meet the team.
3.55M
Google impressions generated for a client
16,300+
Organic clicks (Google Search Console)
4 engines
ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity and Google tracked monthly
Why AI search matters for local businesses
More customers now ask an AI assistant instead of scrolling Google. Those answers usually name three to five businesses, not ten pages of results. If you're not one of them, you're not in the conversation. Here's why Sussex businesses work with us on GEO.
We measure it
We check where you appear in ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity and Google before we start, then track it monthly alongside calls and enquiries.
We research it
James's final-year dissertation at the University of Exeter studies the shift from SEO to GEO. We apply what we find to client work.
We're local
Based in Chichester, working with businesses across West Sussex. You deal directly with James and Nathan.
Proven SEO foundations
Our SEO work for Exclusive Private Villas generated 3.55 million Google impressions and 16,300+ organic clicks (Google Search Console).
GEO FAQ
What is Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO)?
GEO is the practice of making your business easy for AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini and Perplexity to find, verify and recommend. It builds on local SEO with structured data, consistent citations and clear, quotable content.
How is GEO different from SEO?
SEO aims to rank pages in a list of links. GEO aims to get your business named inside the AI-generated answer itself. Both matter, so we run them together.
How long until I appear in AI answers?
Most Chichester and Sussex clients see early movement within 60 to 90 days, depending on competition and the state of their listings and reviews. We report progress monthly.
How much does GEO cost?
Plans start at £399 a month with no long lock-in. Book a free AI search review to see what's included for your business.
GEO & Local SEO · Chichester & Sussex
What's included
Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO) is built into every one of our SEO plans. We make sure ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews, Gemini and Perplexity recommend your business when Sussex customers ask who to call, book or buy from.
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AI Visibility Audit
We test 50+ real customer prompts across ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews, Gemini and Perplexity to map exactly where you appear, where competitors win, and which sources the AI trusts. You get a prioritised action plan within 10 working days.
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Google Business Profile & Bing Places
Complete, consistent and active profiles with weekly posts, services and Q&A.
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Listings clean-up
One name, address and phone across the directories AI tools cross-check, from Yell to Apple Maps.
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Answer-first page rewrites
Service and location pages that answer customer questions in the first two sentences.
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Structured data
LocalBusiness, Service and FAQ schema so search engines and AI read your details accurately.
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Reviews & reporting
A simple process for recent, detailed reviews, plus monthly reports on AI visibility, rankings, calls and enquiries in plain English.
Who it's for
Small and growing businesses in Chichester, Bognor Regis, Worthing and across Sussex, especially trades, hospitality and professional services, where customers search locally and act quickly. We're based in Chichester and work across West Sussex and the wider Sussex area.
GEO FAQ
Straight answers about AI search for Sussex businesses. Still unsure? Talk to our Chichester team.
What is GEO and how is it different from SEO?
SEO helps you rank in Google's links. GEO helps AI assistants name and recommend you in their answers. They share foundations, so we deliver both together.
How long until I appear in AI answers?
Most Sussex clients see first AI mentions within 6–12 weeks, once listings, schema and answer-first pages are in place.
Does GEO work for local trades and hospitality?
Yes. Queries like “best plumber in Chichester” are exactly where AI tools pull from Google Business Profiles, reviews and local listings.
Is GEO an extra cost?
No. It's included in every SEO plan.
How our Chichester SEO engagement works
A clear, four-stage process built around the realities of running a Sussex business. You stay informed at every milestone, while our specialists handle the technical depth of local and AI search visibility across Chichester, Bognor Regis, Midhurst and the wider West Sussex coast.
01
Visibility audit
We benchmark your rankings in Google, Maps and AI answer engines like ChatGPT and Gemini, mapping which services and Sussex towns offer the fastest growth opportunities.
02
Strategic roadmap
A clear roadmap focusing on the local SEO services that generate qualified enquiries from your profitable service areas.
03
Implementation
Our SEO agency in Chichester handles the heavy lifting, from technical site changes to Google Business Profile optimisation.
04
Reporting & refinement
Monthly jargon-free reports on calls, enquiries and AI citations, with quarterly strategy reviews aligned to your capacity and goals.
Local SEO FAQ for Chichester & Sussex
Straight answers to the questions Sussex business owners ask before working with us.
Which areas around Chichester do you cover?
We work with businesses across Chichester, Bognor Regis, Selsey, Midhurst, Petworth, Arundel, Worthing and the wider West Sussex and Hampshire border.
How long until we see results in Sussex searches?
Most clients see Map Pack movement within 6–12 weeks, with compounding organic and AI-search gains over 3–6 months.
Can you help us appear in AI answers for local queries?
Yes. We structure your entity data, citations and content so tools like ChatGPT, Gemini and Google AI Overviews recommend you for “near me” searches in Sussex.
Do we need to meet in person?
Not required, but as a Chichester-based agency we’re happy to meet locally for kick-off and quarterly reviews.
Chichester & Sussex FAQ
How the engagement process works
Straight answers on timelines, AI search and how local customers across Chichester, Bognor Regis, Midhurst and the Manhood Peninsula actually find businesses. Can't see your question? Talk to our team.
How long does SEO take to start working?
SEO is a gradual process rather than an overnight fix. The time it takes to see results varies depending on your starting point, local competition, the health of your website and Google Business Profile, and how quickly we can implement changes. Because a range of factors influence rankings, we focus on steady growth over fixed guarantees. See how we approach this in our local SEO services.
How do people in Chichester search for local businesses?
Chichester searches are heavily mobile and "near me" driven, with spikes around the city centre, Festival Theatre season and Goodwood events. Many residents search by neighbourhood or village – Summersdale, Fishbourne, Bosham or Selsey – rather than "Chichester" alone. We build location pages and Google Business Profile signals that match these real-world patterns.
Do you cover areas outside Chichester?
Yes. We work with businesses across West Sussex, including Bognor Regis, Midhurst, Petworth, Arundel, Littlehampton and Worthing, as well as Havant and Emsworth on the Hampshire border. Each campaign is tuned to the service radius you actually want to win work in.
Will my business appear in AI search tools like ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews?
AI assistants favour businesses with clear, consistent and well-cited information. We structure your content, reviews and local citations so AI tools can confidently recommend you when someone asks for the best option in Chichester. Learn more about our AI search optimisation.
Is SEO suitable for one-person trades?
Yes. If you are a sole trader, SEO helps you compete with larger firms by focusing on local expertise and reviews. It provides a way to get direct enquiries without having to constantly pay lead platforms for the privilege of bidding on jobs.
How does SEO work with my existing Google Ads?
They work best together. Google Ads gives you immediate coverage, while SEO builds long-term authority. Over time, a strong SEO presence can reduce your reliance on paid ads, but consistency is key to maintaining search visibility as competition changes.
What do I need to have ready before starting?
You should have a website that you own and access to your Google Business Profile. If your site is outdated, we may suggest technical improvements first. Most importantly, you need to be prepared to answer more local enquiries as visibility improves. Ready to begin? Book a free Chichester visibility audit.
Chichester · West Sussex · South Coast
Ready to request a trade SEO review?
Request a review or ask a question. After you enquire, you’ll get a reply with a few questions, then a short call or Loom video if helpful. Every review covers Google Business Profile health, local pack visibility and how AI search tools like ChatGPT, Gemini and Google AI Overviews describe your business across Chichester and Sussex.
Explore: Local SEO · AI Search Optimisation · Google Business Profile · Case Studies · Contact
Which areas of Sussex do you cover?
We work with trades in Chichester, Bognor Regis, Selsey, Midhurst, Petworth, Arundel, Worthing and across West Sussex and East Hampshire.
Do you meet clients in Chichester?
Yes. In-person sessions are available in and around Chichester; most reviews are delivered remotely by call or Loom.
How fast can local rankings improve?
Quick wins on your Google Business Profile often show within weeks; sustained map pack and AI search visibility typically builds over 3–6 months.
Related services and guides
Trade SEO is one part of a joined-up search strategy. Explore our core services, expert guides and the Sussex towns we rank businesses in every day.