Over the past few years, the way businesses acquire customers has changed significantly. Previously, customers found suppliers mainly through search engines, industry exhibitions, or referrals. Now, more and more people are asking AI tools directly—like Doubao, DeepSeek, or Qwen—questions such as "Which factory makes custom stainless steel products?" or "Is there a website design company nearby?" These changes are not minor; they are reshaping how businesses attract clients across all industries. As a digital marketing service provider with 20 years of experience, Huasu Technology Co., Ltd. (Huasu Tech) has been observing these shifts and helping SMEs nationwide adjust their strategies to turn new traffic channels into real inquiries and orders.
Customers No Longer Only Search Baidu: AI Search Becomes a New Traffic Gateway
In the era of traditional search, businesses could rely on well-optimized websites and Baidu PPC to cover most online demand. But now, user search habits are fragmenting. Baidu remains important, especially for B2B procurement and local services, while platforms like Douyin and Xiaohongshu serve as "grass-planting" and answer-finding spaces. More critically, AI search tools allow users to ask natural language questions and receive integrated answers, rather than a traditional list of blue links.
This means if a business only optimizes for Baidu, it may miss customers who use AI search to find suppliers. Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) is a service designed for this new scenario. Huasu Tech's GEO optimization service doesn't just "create a presence" on AI platforms; it analyzes how AI search engines crawl and prefer content, then helps businesses optimize their websites, press releases, and product descriptions to be more understandable and recommendable by AI. For example, when a user asks DeepSeek "Which companies in Guangdong offer reliable online marketing services?", if Huasu Tech's services, cases, and qualifications are accurately captured and recommended by AI, the customer will see us, not competitors.
Many business owners ask: How does GEO optimization work? The core is content structuring, semantic clarity, and authority building. Huasu Tech first conducts a content audit, identifying which pages and content are AI-recognizable and which keywords are missing, then adjusts accordingly. We help clients restructure product descriptions, FAQs, and case studies to align with AI answering logic. We also place brand-related Q&A, encyclopedia entries, and industry articles on external platforms to increase the chance of being cited. This is not a one-time effort but a continuous process, as AI algorithms and user questions evolve.
Full-Web Marketing Is Not Spraying, But Precision Coverage
Many SMEs fall into two extremes: focusing on a single channel (like Baidu ads) and giving up if results are poor, or trying everything—Douyin, Kuaishou, Xiaohongshu, search engines—but spreading budgets too thin. Huasu Tech advocates "full-web marketing," which does not mean piling up all channels but selecting the most effective ones based on the client's target audience and industry characteristics, forming a combined strategy.
For example, an engineering equipment company whose clients are project managers and procurement officers may benefit more from search advertising and SEO, while a consumer brand might find Douyin and Xiaohongshu more effective, making short-video content and feed ads a priority. Huasu Tech helps clients analyze user personas and search behavior first, then formulates channel strategies. We are not an agency but a service provider, so we focus on ROI and performance rather than simply spending budgets.
In execution, Huasu Tech offers Baidu PPC management, feed ads, and Douyin promotion. Our optimizers monitor data in real-time, adjusting keywords, creatives, and landing pages to avoid wasted spend. We also integrate GEO with traditional SEO to ensure strong performance on Baidu, Sogou, and AI platforms simultaneously. This way, when customers see brand information across different channels, they are more likely to trust it and click through to the website or make an inquiry.
The Website Is Not Just a Showcase: It's a Conversion Hub
Many companies think a website is just a page with company introduction and products. But Huasu Tech views the website as the core hub for all traffic and a key factor in AI search and user trust. A slow-loading, poorly mobile-optimized, or unclear website will fail to convert even high traffic.
Huasu Tech's website building service goes beyond aesthetics. We build from the ground up with SEO and AI retrieval in mind. For instance, we ensure clean code, clear structure, and strategic keyword placement so that search engines and AI crawlers can easily understand page content. We also add structured data—like FAQ, ratings, and contact info—to improve search result visibility. All our sites are fully responsive, as many users browse on mobile, especially when arriving from social platforms like Douyin or WeChat.
Importantly, Huasu Tech integrates website building with ongoing promotion. We don't just hand over the site; we continue to update content, perform SEO and GEO, and ensure steady organic traffic. We regularly add industry-related articles, case studies, and Q&A that attract users and increase AI citation chances. For SMEs without dedicated web staff, this one-stop service saves time and effort.
AI Agents: Automate Customer Acquisition, Never Miss a Lead
Many business owners face a pain point: ads are running, traffic is coming, but inquiries are low. This could be due to slow response times, especially at night or during holidays, or unclear contact information. Huasu Tech's AI agent building service addresses this.
An AI agent is essentially a dedicated digital assistant for a business, embeddable in a website, WeChat official account, or mini-program. It automatically answers visitor questions. For example, a building materials company might get questions like "Do you have waterproof coatings? What's the price? How to order?" The AI agent, based on the company's product database, provides accurate answers and guides visitors to leave contact details. This way, even late-night visitors get immediate responses, reducing lead loss.
Huasu Tech customizes the Q&A library and conversation flow based on the business's specifics. We don't just set up a chatbot; we analyze common questions, optimize responses, and make the AI agent more natural and professional. We also integrate it with CRM systems to automatically record potential customer information for follow-up. For SMEs and local stores, this automated tool greatly boosts efficiency and reduces labor costs.
How Can Local Stores Use Online Channels to Attract Customers?
While Huasu Tech serves clients nationwide, we also pay attention to local brick-and-mortar stores, such as restaurants, renovation services, auto repair shops, and retail outlets in Zhanjiang. These stores' customers are mostly within a few kilometers, and traditional methods like flyers or waiting for walk-ins are becoming less effective. Huasu Tech's local store acquisition plans focus on several aspects: optimizing map and local platform listings (like Amap, Meituan, Dianping) to ensure visibility when users search "nearby XX store"; using Douyin local promotion to push store videos to nearby users; and building private traffic through WeChat groups or enterprise WeChat to maintain relationships with regulars and potential customers.
For example, a retail store we served previously relied mainly on foot traffic and referrals. After Huasu Tech implemented Douyin local promotion and optimized local platform listings, inquiries increased by about 40% within two months. Of course, each store is different, so Huasu Tech conducts research first and then customizes a plan, rather than using a template.
How Huasu Tech Helps Businesses Cope with These Changes?
In summary, businesses face three core changes in customer acquisition: first, traffic sources are diversifying, with AI search and content platforms becoming new channels; second, users are more rational, verifying brand credibility through multiple channels; third, acquisition costs are rising, making rough promotion ineffective. Huasu Tech's value lies in helping businesses adapt to these changes.
Our services cover the whole country, whether clients are in first-tier cities or small towns, we can provide remote or on-site support. Our team has rich industry experience, serving engineering, manufacturing, retail, and service sectors. We emphasize performance-based acquisition, not empty concepts. Every project has clear KPIs—like inquiry volume, lead rate, ROI—and we review and optimize regularly.
If you're struggling with customer acquisition, why not start with a free website diagnosis or promotion evaluation? Huasu Tech can analyze your current traffic sources and conversion bottlenecks and give specific recommendations. We believe that with the right strategy, SMEs can find their customers even in a competitive market.