# Web Works Answers Sourced, dated answers from Sovereo Web Works for business owners deciding how to be found when clients ask Google, ChatGPT and other AI tools. ## AI search and AEO - [What is an answer-driven website?](https://www.sovereo.com/web-works/answers/what-is-an-answer-driven-website/): An answer-driven website is built around the real questions your buyers ask, with each page giving a clear, sourced answer near the top. It helps people who research before they buy, and gives search engines and AI tools plain text they can read and quote. - [What is the difference between SEO and AEO?](https://www.sovereo.com/web-works/answers/what-is-the-difference-between-seo-and-aeo/): SEO works to rank your pages in search results so people click, while AEO (answer engine optimization) works to get your content cited inside AI answers such as Google AI Overviews and ChatGPT. Google says its AI features need no special optimizations beyond good SEO. - [How do I get my business mentioned by ChatGPT or Google AI?](https://www.sovereo.com/web-works/answers/how-do-i-get-my-business-mentioned-by-chatgpt-or-google-ai/): No one can guarantee it, but you can improve your odds: let AI search crawlers in, publish clear answers to your buyers' questions in plain HTML text, keep your Google Business Profile complete, and earn mentions on other trusted sites. Google says no special AI optimizations are needed beyond standard SEO. - [Is SEO dead in 2026?](https://www.sovereo.com/web-works/answers/is-seo-dead-in-2026/): No, but it is changing: 68.01% of US Google searches ended without a click in January to April 2026, per SparkToro and Similarweb data, yet Google says SEO fundamentals still matter for its AI features. - [Why is my website traffic dropping?](https://www.sovereo.com/web-works/answers/why-is-my-website-traffic-dropping/): Common causes are technical errors, Google algorithm updates, seasonal shifts in demand, site migrations, and spam or security problems. A growing cause in 2026 is AI summaries and zero-click results, which answer questions on Google itself, so fewer searchers click through. - [What is llms.txt, and do I need it?](https://www.sovereo.com/web-works/answers/what-is-llms-txt-and-do-i-need-it/): llms.txt is a proposed Markdown file at the root of a website that gives AI tools a short summary and links to key pages. It is not an official standard, Google says you do not need AI text files to appear in its AI features, and it is cheap to add but not a ranking lever. - [How do I measure whether AI tools mention my business?](https://www.sovereo.com/web-works/answers/how-do-i-measure-whether-ai-tools-mention-my-business/): Combine three methods: free webmaster reports (Bing Webmaster Tools shows AI citation counts, and Google counts AI feature traffic inside Search Console), AI referral visits in your analytics, and a fixed set of buyer questions you test in AI tools each month. No single tool shows the full picture. - [What is GEO (generative engine optimization)?](https://www.sovereo.com/web-works/answers/what-is-geo-generative-engine-optimization/): GEO is the work of making your business a source that AI tools such as ChatGPT, Perplexity and Google AI Mode name and cite when they write an answer. The term comes from a 2023 research paper, which found that its methods could raise a source's visibility in AI answers by up to 40%. - [What is the difference between SEO, AEO and GEO?](https://www.sovereo.com/web-works/answers/what-is-the-difference-between-seo-aeo-and-geo/): SEO works to rank your pages in a list of search results. AEO works to make your page the single answer a search engine or voice assistant gives. GEO works to get your business named and cited inside answers that AI tools write from several sources. ## Building and pricing a site - [How much does an AEO website cost?](https://www.sovereo.com/web-works/answers/how-much-does-an-aeo-website-cost/): In 2026, small business websites typically cost about $500 to $5,000 with a freelancer and $5,000 to $20,000 with an agency, and small business SEO retainers often run $800 to $2,500 a month. Sovereo Web Works quotes builds after a free AI visibility check. - [Should I use an AI website builder or hire someone?](https://www.sovereo.com/web-works/answers/should-i-use-an-ai-website-builder-or-hire-someone/): An AI website builder is fine for a simple, low-stakes site on a small budget. Hire someone if buyers research you before they buy, because the site then needs accurate, original, sourced answers in text that search and AI crawlers can read, which builders do not guarantee. - [How long until AI tools cite my website?](https://www.sovereo.com/web-works/answers/how-long-until-ai-tools-cite-my-website/): There is no set timeline, and no one can guarantee citations. Google says search changes can take from a few hours to several months to show, and OpenAI says ChatGPT search reflects robots.txt changes in about 24 hours, but being cited depends on whether your page is the best answer. - [Should I use a template real estate website or a custom one?](https://www.sovereo.com/web-works/answers/should-i-use-a-template-real-estate-website-or-a-custom-one/): A template site from a real estate platform is fast and affordable, and it is fine for a new agent. A custom, owned site makes more sense for an established team, because it can answer local buyer and seller questions in your own words and you keep it if you change vendors. - [Do I need an AEO agency or a website builder?](https://www.sovereo.com/web-works/answers/do-i-need-an-aeo-agency-or-a-website-builder/): A website builder gives you pages; it does not research what your clients ask or write answers AI tools will trust. An AEO agency does that work, but many are priced for funded companies. A local business needs the answers and the measurement without a startup-sized retainer.