If you run a small business and you’ve noticed enquiries starting to come from unusual sources — someone saying they ‘asked their phone’ or ‘used ChatGPT’ to find you — you’re not imagining things. The way people search for local services is changing faster than at any point since Google first appeared. And for tradespeople and small businesses across the UK, the businesses that adapt now will be the ones that pull ahead.
A major new report from WPP Media has forecast that generative AI search — the kind of results you get from Google AI Overviews, ChatGPT, and Microsoft Copilot — will generate over $100 billion in global advertising revenue by 2030, growing at close to 100% per year. That’s not a distant future trend. It’s happening right now, and it’s already changing which businesses appear at the top of search results and which ones get left behind.
What does this mean in practice for a plumber in Poole, a roofer in Exeter, or a decorator in Dorset? It means that simply having a basic website is no longer enough. AI search engines don’t just look at your website — they look at how well-described your services are, how many credible sources mention your business, and how consistently your details appear across the web. Businesses with strong, well-maintained digital presences are the ones that AI recommends. The others simply don’t appear.
The good news is that getting your digital marketing in order doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. A properly structured website, regular news content that answers the questions your customers are actually asking, and consistent local SEO work can make a significant difference — and quickly. These are exactly the things that a specialist agency working with small businesses can put in place, without the jargon or the unnecessary complexity.
Simply Digital are a digital marketing agency based in Poole and Exeter, working exclusively with UK small and medium businesses. They speak plain English, focus on results, and won’t tie you into anything you don’t need. Visit https://simply-digital.co.uk/ to find out how they can help your business get found online.