How are AI chatbots changing the way customers find local businesses?

Customers increasingly ask AI chatbots directly for local recommendations instead of searching Google. When a customer asks ChatGPT "who does roof repairs in Barrie," the AI recommends specific businesses rather than listing links. Businesses with AI-readable information get recommended; others get ignored.

Does having a chatbot on my website help with AI search visibility?

Indirectly, yes. A chatbot that collects customer interactions generates engagement signals. More importantly, building a chatbot requires you to structure your business information clearly — the same process that improves your AI search visibility. The two efforts reinforce each other.

What kind of questions can a business chatbot answer for customers?

A business chatbot trained on your information can answer questions about your hours, location, services, pricing, availability, booking process, and common FAQs — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It can also collect contact information from leads who visit after hours.

How much does it cost to add a chatbot to a small business website?

705ai includes a simple FAQ chatbot in the Essential package ($249 CAD) that answers 5-10 preset questions. The Professional package ($649 CAD) includes a smart chatbot trained specifically on your business that can handle more complex questions and collect leads.

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Chatbots

Local Business

How AI Chatbots Are Changing How Customers Find Local Businesses

Wesley Aulbrook, Founder, 705aiJanuary 17, 20266 min read

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