Search is no longer just about typing a few words into Google and choosing a link. AI Overviews can now summarise information for some searches, while AI Mode allows people to ask follow-up questions and explore a topic in more detail.
For businesses, this raises another question. Does a website need to be built differently for AI? This blog is the answer to that. Keep reading until the end to know how web design in Melbourne must change to achieve the results businesses desire.
Begin With the Technical Basics
There is little value in creating a beautifully designed website if Google cannot access its important pages.
Check that the main pages can be crawled and indexed. Make sure important URLs work correctly and that the website does not have unnecessary technical barriers. HTTPS, mobile compatibility and a properly configured website are also part of a sound setup.
Google’s technical requirements are fairly simple. Googlebot must be able to access the page, the page should return a successful status code and there should be content that can be indexed. A page that meets these requirements can then be considered for Search.
Search Console is useful here. It can highlight indexing problems and other issues that may otherwise go unnoticed.
Plan the Website Structure Before Adding Pages
A website becomes much easier to manage when its structure is planned from the beginning.
Consider a business that offers five different services. Putting all five on one crowded page may not be the best approach. Separate service pages can give each offering enough room while making it easier for visitors to find what they need. Those pages can then be connected through internal links.
Navigation should follow the same logic. Someone arriving on the homepage should be able to work out where to go next without having to hunt through the site. Internal links also help Google discover pages and understand how different parts of a website relate to one another.
The important thing is to create a structure that makes sense to a person first.
Put Important Information Into the Page Content
A website may look impressive because of its images, animations and interactive features. But some information should never be hidden only inside those elements. Think about the details a customer actually needs. What does the business offer? Where does it operate? What does a particular service include? How can someone get in touch?
These details should be available as text on the relevant pages. Google’s AI Search guidance recommends making important content available in textual form. This does not mean removing visual elements. A good web design in Melbourne can use photographs, videos and graphics while still making its key information easy to access.
Write for the Questions Customers Actually Ask
This is where content becomes important. Imagine someone is considering a service for the first time. They may want to know how the process works, how long it takes, what is included or what they should prepare beforehand. Those questions can tell you what belongs on the website. Useful content could take the form of:
- Service explanations
- FAQs
- Practical guides
- Examples
- Industry information
The aim is not to create a separate page for every possible keyword. Google has specifically warned against producing large volumes of low-value pages to manipulate Search or AI-generated results. A smaller website with genuinely helpful information can be more useful than one filled with pages that say very little.
Make the Website Comfortable to Use
A visitor does not care how well a website was optimised if they cannot use it comfortably.
The menus should work on a phone. Text should be easy to read. Buttons should be easy to tap. Important information should not disappear behind intrusive pop-ups. The page should also load efficiently and make the main content easy to identify.
These are not new AI requirements. They are part of providing a good experience for people using the website. Google’s guidance for generative AI features continues to point site owners towards established SEO and page-experience practices.
This is one reason web design and SEO often overlap. A clear layout can help a visitor just as much as it can help a search engine understand the page.
Do You Need Special AI Markup?
This is one area where there is quite a bit of confusion. There is no special schema that a website needs simply to appear in AI Overviews or AI Mode. Google also clarified in June 2026 that llms.txt is not needed for Google Search and does not affect Search visibility or rankings.
Structured data can still be useful for eligible Search features when it is implemented correctly. The important point is that it should accurately describe information that is actually present on the page.
So, there is no need to add AI-related code simply because the website is being built in 2026.
Keep Checking the Website After It Goes Live
A website needs attention after launch too. A new service may need to be added. An old page may become outdated. A link might stop working. A change to the website could also create an indexing issue.
Regular checks can prevent small problems from becoming bigger ones. Search Console can help businesses keep track of their Search performance and identify technical issues. Google also now provides reporting related to visibility in its generative AI features.
However, traffic should not be the only thing you measure. If the purpose of the website is to generate enquiries, bookings or sales, those outcomes matter just as much.
Conclusion
A website does not need a separate version for Google Search and AI Overviews. It needs a strong foundation that makes its pages accessible, its information easy to follow and its content useful.
If you are building a new website or planning to improve an existing one, Make My Website can help with the design and development process. Explore our website services to see how we can build your website around your business requirements.
