SEO & GEO for SME Websites: A Practical Checklist
In 2026, ask not only “do we rank?” but “will AI describe our services correctly?” SEO helps people find you; GEO helps generative answers get you right.
Technical checklist
- Unique title, description, canonical per page
- Complete hreflang (self + alternate + x-default)
- JSON-LD: Organization/LocalBusiness, FAQ, Article, Breadcrumb
- Accurate sitemap/robots; block secrets
- Core content readable without JS
- Internal links across services, work, insights, contact
Trust & local signals
Consistent NAP, about/founder pages, real cases, and privacy policy matter for both local SEO and AI citations.
FAQs
What is GEO vs SEO?
SEO optimizes classic rankings and clicks. GEO improves the chance generative answers cite you correctly. Both need clear structure, authority signals, and consistent entities.
Does keyword stuffing help?
No. Answer real questions clearly, then reinforce with titles, headings, internal links, and schema.
Can small firms do GEO without PR?
Yes. Fix NAP, service clarity, FAQ, org/person schema, and publish verifiable case and expert content.