Frequently asked questions
How to show up on Google and AI: all your questions answered
If you don't know where to start with "being found online", this page gathers the questions business owners in Valencia ask us most, answered without jargon.
If you are starting from scratch
How much does it cost to appear on Google?
Showing up in Google's normal results (SEO) is free: you don't pay to be listed, you pay for the work of optimising your website and your profile. Paid ads (Google Ads) are different: they appear at the top marked 'Sponsored' and disappear as soon as you stop paying.
Why does my competitor rank above me on Google?
Usually a mix of: they have had an active website for longer, more and better reviews, a fuller Google Business Profile, or a website that answers what the customer is searching for better. It is rarely one factor alone, so all four need checking.
How long until my business shows up on Google?
For Google Maps and local searches, first improvements usually show within 2-4 weeks if the profile was poorly optimised. For general website rankings on Google, expect 2 to 4 months. For an AI such as ChatGPT to mention you, expect 4 to 8 weeks if your structured data is already correct.
Do I need a website to appear on Google?
To appear on Google Maps with your business profile, a website is not mandatory. But to appear in the normal search results, and above all for an AI such as ChatGPT to cite you, you need a website with clear content about what you offer.
How do I get Google reviews?
Ask your satisfied customers directly, right after the service, with a direct link to your profile (Google gives you a short link for this). Recent reviews that you have replied to count for more than many old reviews left unanswered.
What happens if I do nothing about this?
Your business keeps going for people who already know you, but you lose everyone who searches for your type of service without knowing your name, which is now most people: on Google, on Google Maps and increasingly by asking an AI directly. Competitors who do work on this take those customers.
Do I have to choose between Google and AI, or should I work on both?
You don't have to choose. They are two different places where a customer can find you, and they largely rely on the same foundations: clear content, well-structured data and online reputation. Working on only one leaves the other half open to competitors.
Can I do it myself or do I need an agency?
The basics (Google Business Profile, asking for reviews, a simple website) any business can do without help. Where an agency makes a difference is the technical side (structured data, website architecture) and ongoing follow-up, which most businesses don't have time to maintain.
What people ask before hiring
I already have a website and it doesn't show on Google. What do I check first?
First whether Google knows it exists: search site:yourdomain.com. If nothing shows, it is an indexing problem. If pages show, check your Google Business Profile, make sure the name, address and phone match across the web, and that you have a clear page for each service with the area you work in.
Can I see how an AI sees my business before hiring anyone?
Yes. Ask ChatGPT, Gemini and Perplexity the questions your customer would ask (for example, 'best plumber in Paterna') and note whether you appear, with what description and which sources they cite. It is a free five-minute test and the starting point of our audit.
How many reviews do I need to show up on Google Maps?
There is no magic number. Relevance, distance and prominence of your business all count. More real, recent reviews help, but they don't replace a well-optimised profile. Ask for reviews without making them up or buying them: Google penalises fake ones.
Do you require a minimum contract?
No. ValenIA's monthly plans have no minimum contract and you can stop whenever you want. The initial audit is free and without commitment.
What happens to my website and content if I stop working with you?
They are yours. What we create for your business (pages, texts and profiles) stays with you and is written down in the proposal. You are not tied to a platform or to a domain you don't control.
How long does the free audit take?
It depends on the current workload, but the goal is to reply within 24-48 working hours with a clear summary of what to fix first. If you need something more urgent, message us on WhatsApp.
To go deeper, see our SEO and GEO services for businesses in Paterna.
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