FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
What is Optimized by AM and who do you work with?
Optimized by AM is a web design and digital marketing agency based in Pennsylvania. We specialize in building custom websites on platforms like Shopify, BigCommerce, Wix, and Squarespace, and in optimizing those sites and Google Business Profiles for local SEO, GEO, and AI-powered search. We primarily work with small businesses, service providers, and local creators across Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and their surrounding communities.
What types of businesses do you serve?
We work with a wide range of local industries including HVAC companies, plumbers, electricians, roofers, landscapers, hair stylists, restaurants, medical practices, law firms, home service providers, and retail stores. If you're a small business trying to get found online, we can help.
Do I need a big budget to work with you?
Not at all. We offer scalable solutions designed for small business budgets. Whether you need a simple website refresh or a full local SEO and Google Business Profile management package, we have options that fit different stages of growth. Contact us for a free consultation and custom quote.
Are you local to Pittsburgh and Philadelphia?
Yes! We actively serve businesses throughout the Pittsburgh metro including Allegheny County, Butler County, and Washington County—and the Philadelphia metro including Montgomery, Bucks, Delaware, and Chester counties. Being locally rooted means we understand your market, your competition, and your customers.
How do I get started?
The easiest way is to request a free website and local SEO audit. We'll review your current online presence, identify gaps, and walk you through a clear plan. No pressure, no jargon, just honest advice about what will move the needle for your business.
WEBSITE DESIGN
What website platforms do you build on?
We specialize in Shopify, BigCommerce, Wix, and Squarespace. Each platform has strengths: Shopify and BigCommerce are excellent for e-commerce and retail; Wix and Squarespace work great for service businesses, restaurants, and portfolios. We'll recommend the best fit for your industry and goals during your consultation.
Will my website work well on mobile devices?
Yes, every website we build is fully mobile-responsive and optimized for Core Web Vitals. Since the majority of local searches happen on smartphones, a fast, mobile-first design isn't optional. It's the foundation of everything we build.
Do you write copy for my website?
We offer optional copywriting services that are written with local SEO and AI search optimization (AEO) built in. That means your About page, service pages, and location pages are written to rank, not just to read well. You can also provide your own copy and we'll format and optimize it.
Will I own my website after it's built?
Yes, always. You own your website, your domain, and your content. We don't lock clients into proprietary systems. After we hand off the site, you can manage it yourself or retain us for ongoing optimization and maintenance.
Can you add online booking, e-commerce or payment processing?
Yes. Depending on your platform, we can integrate online appointment booking, product catalogs, shopping carts, Stripe or PayPal payment processing, and more. We'll map out the right features for your specific business model.
SEO/GEO/AEO
What's the difference between SEO, GEO and AEO?
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is the practice of ranking higher in traditional Google search results. GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) is about getting your business cited and recommended by AI tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google's AI Overviews when people ask for local recommendations. AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) focuses on structuring your content so AI engines can extract and surface it directly as an answer. We do all three, because the future of local search is all three working together.
Why do I need GEO / AI SEO for my website?
More and more customers are asking AI assistants things like 'What's the best HVAC company in Pittsburgh?' or 'Find me a plumber near King of Prussia.' If your business isn't structured to be cited in those answers, you're invisible to an increasingly large segment of local searchers. We optimize your content, schema markup, and Google Business Profile specifically to appear in those AI-generated results.
Do you do keyword research specific to my city/area?
Yes. We build hyper-local keyword strategies targeting your city and surrounding communities. That means research into 'near me' searches, landmark-based queries, neighborhood intent signals, and industry-specific terms people in your area are actually searching. Cookie-cutter national keyword lists don't work for local businesses, we go deeper.
GOOGLE BUSINESS PROFILE
What is Google Business Profile management?
Your Google Business Profile (GBP) is what shows up in Google Maps and the local 3-pack when someone searches for your type of business nearby. We create, verify, and fully optimize your profile then manage it monthly with keyword-rich posts, photo uploads, review responses, Q&A management, and service updates that signal an active, trusted business to Google.
Why can't I just set it up myself and leave it?
A neglected GBP ranks poorly. Google rewards active profiles that post regularly, respond to reviews, upload fresh photos, and keep business info accurate. Our monthly management keeps your profile consistently active and optimized; which directly impacts your local pack ranking and the number of calls, directions requests, and website clicks you get from Maps.
Do you help with getting more Google reviews?
Yes. We can build a review generation strategy for your business, including follow-up messaging templates, QR codes, and best practices for asking at the right moment. More recent, positive reviews improve both your Google ranking and the way AI tools perceive and recommend your business.
What if I don't have a GBP yet?
We handle the full creation and verification process for you. Getting verified can take a few weeks depending on Google's process, but we guide you through every step and optimize the profile completely before and after verification. You will sometimes need to send us business documentation and/or a video of your business location.
Can you manage GBPs for multiple locations?
Yes. If you have multiple business locations or serve multiple cities, we can manage a GBP for each one with location-specific content, photos, and posts tailored to each area.
PRICING & PROCESS
How much does a new website cost?
Website pricing varies based on platform, number of pages, integrations, and whether you need copywriting. We offer transparent flat-rate project pricing rather than hourly billing, so you know exactly what you're getting. Contact us for a free quote. Most small business websites fall in an accessible range without surprise costs.
How much does monthly GBP management cost?
Our monthly local SEO and GBP management plans are designed for small business budgets. Pricing depends on the scope of services, number of locations, and competitiveness of your market. We'll give you a clear breakdown during your consultation with no long-term contracts required.
Do you require long-term contracts?
No. We believe in earning your business every month. Our recurring services (SEO, GBP management, content) are month-to-month. We do recommend a minimum of 3–6 months to see meaningful results, but we won't lock you into a contract.
What does the onboarding process look like?
After your free audit and consultation, we send a clear proposal. Once you approve, we kick off with a discovery call to align on your goals, gather assets (logos, photos, credentials), and map out a 90-day plan. For websites, you'll see a design mockup within the first two weeks.
Do you offer a free audit?
Yes! We offer a free local presence audit that covers your website's current SEO health, Google Business Profile completeness, citation consistency, competitor positioning, and AI visibility gaps. It's the best way to see exactly where you stand before investing anything.
RESULTS & TIMELINES
How long does it take to rank on Google?
Most clients see measurable improvements in local rankings within 90 days of SEO work. Google Business Profile optimizations tend to show results faster, sometimes within 2–4 weeks. Full organic SEO authority builds over 3–6 months. We set honest expectations and track your progress with monthly reporting.
Can you guarantee us first page rankings?
No reputable agency guarantees specific rankings. Google's algorithm changes constantly and no one controls it. What we guarantee is a proven, white-hat process, transparent reporting, and strategies that consistently move businesses up in local results. Our track record speaks for itself.
What if I already worked with an agency and didn't see results?
It happens more than you'd think, especially with agencies using generic, non-local strategies. We'll audit what was done, identify what hurt and what helped, and build a clean strategy forward. Past SEO work isn't always wasted; sometimes it just needs the right local layer on top.
Do you work with businesses that are brand new with no online presence?
Absolutely. Starting fresh is sometimes easier, there's no bad history to clean up. We build your entire online foundation: website, GBP, citations, schema, and local content strategy, all from scratch and done right the first time.