If you’ve ever wasted time guessing what content to post, what keywords to use, or how to describe your services in a way that actually gets attention – this one’s for you. Because there’s a tool that can give you real answers, fast. And it’s free.
Why marketing research usually falls to the bottom of the list
You already wear ten hats. Taking time to research what your competitors are doing, what people are searching for online, or how to position your business better? That tends to get pushed to “one day”. But without good research, your marketing is based on guesswork.
That’s where AI can help – especially if you’re in a smaller area like Timaru or South Canterbury where trends and customer behaviour aren’t always the same as in the big cities.
The tool: AlsoAsked
One of the best-kept secrets in marketing is a tool called AlsoAsked. It’s powered by data from Google and uses AI to map out what people are actually asking online. Type in a topic (like “heat pumps” or “home office fitouts”) and it shows you a tree of real questions people type into Google.
It’s free for basic use and takes less than 30 seconds to give you results.
Here’s how small business owners are using it
- A painter in Geraldine used it to uncover the top questions people have about painting cedar houses. She turned those questions into blog posts.
- A solar installer in Temuka used it to identify the most common objections around cost, and updated his website to answer them up front.
- A physiotherapist in Timaru created a series of short videos based on real patient questions shown in AlsoAsked – and now gets more enquiries through Google.
Why it works so well
People don’t search the way businesses think they do. They ask questions. They want comparisons. They want local info. AI tools like AlsoAsked show you what people are *really* typing in – and that lets you create content that actually shows up in search results.
How to use it in 3 simple steps
- Go to alsoasked.com
- Type in a broad topic your business deals with (e.g. “interior painting”, “solar panel installation”, or “back pain treatment”)
- Click “Search” – and let it show you a list of real, grouped questions
You can then use those questions to:
- Write blog posts that answer real customer queries
- Update your FAQ page with better answers
- Record videos where you answer 1 question at a time
- Train your team on what matters most to your customers
A tip for tradies and service businesses
If you serve multiple locations, try running a search for each town you work in. What people in Ashburton ask might be slightly different from those in Waimate. This can help you show up in more searches, in more places.
Want to go even deeper?
This tool is just the start. I use AI tools like AlsoAsked, ChatGPT, and others to help my clients make smart, strategic marketing decisions that are backed by real data – not just “gut feel”. If you’d like help turning insights into action, let’s chat.