Artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic concept: It’s already reshaping how customers search for, evaluate, and select contractors. At a recent trade show this year, one topic dominated conversations across the show floor: AI. And according to Anna Anderson, CEO of Art Unlimited, the biggest challenge isn’t adopting AI, it’s knowing where to start without feeling overwhelmed.

Speaking with Jill Bloom, group publisher of Walls & Ceilings on the “If Walls Could Talk” podcast, Anderson emphasized that contractors don’t need to rebuild their businesses or hire a chief technology officer to stay competitive. Instead, small, strategic adjustments can make a meaningful difference, especially as AI agents increasingly act as intermediaries between businesses and customers.

Website Changes Contractors Can Make Today to Win in Al Search Results

Art Unlimited CEO Anna Anderson shares practical, no-cost steps contractors can take right now to prepare their marketing for AI-driven search and the rapidly emerging “business-to-agent” economy.

“We’re moving into a new landscape,” Anderson explained. “It’s no longer just B2B or B2C. It’s B2A (business to agent). Your customer’s AI agent is gathering information, comparing options, and delivering a summary back to the human. Your marketing has to be ready for that.” 

One of the simplest (and most impactful) steps contractors can take is adding price transparency to their websites. Whether it’s a pricing calculator, estimate tool, or general cost ranges, this information helps AI agents perform price comparisons, a function increasingly built into search platforms. With Google Business Profile rolling out online estimate options, Anderson says pricing is no longer optional—it’s expected.

Another critical factor AI agents look for is credibility. Awards, certifications, and recognitions should be prominently displayed on a company’s homepage, not buried on a subpage. “If you’ve received an industry award or manufacturer recognition, that’s gold,” Anderson noted. “Agents are trained to look for those trust signals.”

Customer sentiment is equally important. Overall ratings, testimonials, and reviews (whether from Google, Yelp, or the Better Business Bureau) help AI assess a company’s reputation. Featuring rotating testimonials or aggregated review scores on a website can significantly improve visibility in AI-driven results.

Anderson also encouraged contractors to test how they appear across multiple AI platforms. While ChatGPT remains well known, other tools like Google’s Gemini, Grok, Perplexity, and Claude are gaining traction. More consumers are now asking smart devices for recommendations instead of typing searches into their phones, making it essential to understand how AI presents your business.

“The face of your business is changing,” Anderson said. “Agents are helping tell your story. If the information isn’t there, they’ll tell someone else’s story instead.”

Her final message to contractors was reassuring: this shift is an evolution, not a revolution. By making incremental improvements and staying curious, businesses can adapt without fear. “Keep chipping away,” she advised. “Small changes do have an impact and we’ll keep sharing what’s next.”

For contractors willing to take that first step, the future of AI doesn’t have to be intimidating: It can be an opportunity.