The Hanna Smith Agency

The Hanna Smith Agency Digital marketing, SEO, SEO copywriting and publishing. SEO, Digital Marketing, Corporate and Creative Services.
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THSA is a full-service marketing agency and digital project managers.

Credibility is the New Click 🖱Google your business. Would you buy from you?Search has changed.It is no longer just ranki...
25/03/2026

Credibility is the New Click 🖱
Google your business. Would you buy from you?

Search has changed.
It is no longer just rankings; it’s AI summaries, reviews, and brand perception.

We combine:
➡ SEO (visibility)
➡ Generative Engine Optimisation (AI positioning)
➡ Reputation Management (trust signals)

To ensure your business is not just found…
but chosen.

Because the brands that win today don’t just rank.
They own the narrative.

Find out how you can protect your credibility, enhance visibility and enjoy the benefits of “Good SEO”.

Research shows that longer articles, typically 1,500-2,500+ words, still tend to perform well in organic search. But len...
20/03/2026

Research shows that longer articles, typically 1,500-2,500+ words, still tend to perform well in organic search. But length alone isn’t what drives results. The real advantage comes from depth: content that demonstrates topical authority, explores a subject thoroughly, and answers every part of a user’s query.

At the core, Google prioritises helpful, experience-driven content aligned with E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness). That means quality and credibility matter far more than word count.

That said, shorter articles can absolutely perform just as well, especially when they’re written by real people sharing genuine, lived experiences. Authenticity often cuts through more effectively than volume.

So how do you decide what to write?

Shift your focus from repeating what already exists online to offering something original. Write from your own perspective. Avoid drawn-out, corporate-style content that says a lot without adding real value. Instead, bring in your insights, your experiences, and your unique take on the topic.

Learn more about copywriters and what they do at https://thehannasmithagency.com/copywriters-in-south-africa/

A recent article from Ahrefs reports that 65% of ChatGPT usage can be classified as search, although the figure may vary...
10/03/2026

A recent article from Ahrefs reports that 65% of ChatGPT usage can be classified as search, although the figure may vary depending on how “search” is defined.

The comparison with Google is still significant. For every search-like query in ChatGPT, there are roughly 8.33 searches on Google. Google also sends 190 times more traffic to websites than ChatGPT, while ChatGPT’s click-through rate is 96% lower than Google’s.

These numbers highlight two fundamentally different business models. Google acts as a gateway to the web, directing users to external websites, while ChatGPT keeps users inside a conversational experience.

So what does this mean for search traffic?

The long-term impact remains uncertain. However, one thing is clear: users will always gravitate toward the platforms that deliver the fastest and most relevant information. For now, Google still dominates when it comes to generating traffic to websites.

06/03/2026

Are you protecting the future visibility of your brand?
Not sure where to start? Ask THSA. Our clients are already being cited and mentioned.

Don’t Break Your Brand.Remember when your brand launched?Clear voice.Confident look.Instantly recognisable.Now…Your Face...
11/02/2026

Don’t Break Your Brand.

Remember when your brand launched?

Clear voice.
Confident look.
Instantly recognisable.

Now…

Your Facebook looks different from your website.
Your sales deck uses three fonts.
Your logo has a cousin.
Your tone depends on who had time to post today.

Somewhere along the way, the brand guidelines became… optional.

Here’s the problem: when your brand keeps changing, the market feels it.

You go from:
✨ “They really know who they are.”
to
🤔 “I’m not quite sure what they do.”

Consistency builds trust.
Inconsistency builds doubt.

If your business has evolved, your brand should too.
But intentionally. Not accidentally.

Because recognition turns into trust.
And trust turns into revenue.

Don’t break your brand.

AI Search and AI Discovery are closely related, but they represent two different "mindsets" for how users interact with ...
03/02/2026

AI Search and AI Discovery are closely related, but they represent two different "mindsets" for how users interact with information and how you optimise for them.

Think of it this way: Search is Reactive; Discovery is Proactive.

Or, AI Search is a replacement for traditional search, whereas AI Discovery is more like a personal recommendation.

Scenario:
AI Search: The user has a specific goal and knows roughly what they are looking for. They use an AI engine to get an answer to a specific question.
Question: "What are the specs of the new Ford Ranger?"

AI Discovery: The user is in an exploratory phase. AI "discovers" products or information for the user by suggesting relevant options they didn't explicitly ask for based on their broader needs.
Question: "I need an SUV that is spacious for a family of 5 and good for long highway drives." (The AI then introduces a car option.)

Are you optimising for AI Search and Discovery?
02/02/2026

Are you optimising for AI Search and Discovery?

Starting strong in eCommerce means getting the fundamentals right from day one 💻🛒Recent Statista data highlights just ho...
02/02/2026

Starting strong in eCommerce means getting the fundamentals right from day one 💻🛒

Recent Statista data highlights just how competitive online retail has become: the average conversion rate across all e-commerce sites remains under 2%. Skin care performs slightly higher at around 2.7%, while luxury apparel averages just 0.4%.

If you are not sure which kind of store to launch, start with the data. Understanding industry performance and customer demand helps you make an informed choice and position your business in a category with strong potential.

Key priorities when launching an online store (that are surprisingly often overlooked):

✔️ Optimising the customer journey with clear navigation and strong product pages
✔️ Delivering a seamless checkout experience with minimal friction and flexible payment options
✔️ Keeping stock availability accurate and up to date to maintain trust
✔️ Offering straightforward delivery options, including free shipping thresholds where possible
✔️ Providing clear returns and exchange policies to reduce hesitation at purchase
✔️ Investing in responsive customer service to support buyers quickly and effectively
✔️ Building credibility early through reviews, secure payments, and consistent branding

Then, beyond the first sale, long-term growth comes from retention:

🔁 Retargeting visitors through paid ads, abandoned cart emails, and automated follow-ups
💌 Staying top of mind with digital marketing, loyalty incentives, and exclusive offers
🤝 Partnering with established brands for competitions, giveaways, and collaborations that expand your reach
⭐ Encouraging repeat purchases with excellent post-sale support and a memorable unboxing experience

eCommerce success isn’t only about what you sell; it is about creating an experience that makes it easy for customers to buy and gives them a reason to return.

30/01/2026

Can brands with smaller budgets do well on social media? Absolutely.

We have many clients on smaller plans who still get real value from having their social media pages or website managed professionally. Why?

Because they understand that brand is everything.

Content that feels rushed or looks “meh” sends a message. People may not say it out loud, but they notice when something looks low effort. And in today’s world, that can make a business look like it’s struggling. This won’t make people choose you.

Sound harsh? Maybe. But it’s the reality we’re in.

For most non-ecommerce businesses, social media isn’t about going viral or selling every day. It’s about authority. And the only way to build authority is to show up looking like you are serious about what you do and who you are as a business.

And yes, you don’t need a massive budget to achieve this.

Our 7k p/m social media marketing plan is back!

Search isn’t just about clicking on website links anymore. More and more customers are getting what they need straight f...
28/01/2026

Search isn’t just about clicking on website links anymore. More and more customers are getting what they need straight from AI summaries, without ever visiting a site. That’s why SEO still matters, but it’s no longer the full picture. GEO works alongside SEO to keep your business visible both on Google and in AI-driven results. The brands that adapt early will have the advantage, because it gives them a better chance of becoming a trusted source that AI engines pull from first. For marketers, GEO is a new skillset, but it really comes down to creating content that’s clear, credible, and easy for both people and AI to understand.

Not sure where to start? Ask Liz about GEO and the results we have already achieved for our clients ⏬

As we wrap up another exciting year, we want to say a heartfelt thank you to our amazing clients and extended teams.We’r...
12/12/2025

As we wrap up another exciting year, we want to say a heartfelt thank you to our amazing clients and extended teams.

We’re proud of every campaign, every launch and every story we helped bring to life together.

And now… we’re gearing up for something even bigger.

🚀 2026 is the year of Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO); the future of search, visibility and brand presence in AI-driven platforms.

Thank you for being part of our journey.

Get in touch with us to start planning your GEO strategy in 2026. Our offices open on 5 January.

Address

Durbanville
Cape Town
7550

Opening Hours

Monday 08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 08:00 - 17:00
Thursday 08:00 - 17:00
Friday 08:00 - 17:00

Telephone

+27823787452

Website

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