# RankSmith

> RankSmith is a South African digital agency operated by Tapnet Solutions (Pty) Ltd. We build premium Next.js websites and rank brands across Google, ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, Gemini, and Bing Copilot. We specialise in SEO, AEO (Answer Engine Optimization), GEO (Generative Engine Optimization), SXO (Search Experience Optimization), and AIO (AI Indexing Optimization). Based in Johannesburg, Gauteng, serving South Africa and beyond. Contact: wynand@tapnet.co.za or 079 174 8357.

RankSmith writes every page answer first so large language models can lift clean citations. We ship sites that target LCP under 1.5 seconds, INP under 100 milliseconds, and CLS under 0.05. We believe if something is not in Schema.org markup, it does not exist to AI. We do not build on WordPress. Pricing is a once off setup fee plus a monthly care and hosting retainer, starting at R8,500 setup plus R1,500 per month for the Starter tier.

## Services

- [SEO, Search Engine Optimization](https://ranksmith.co.za/services/seo): How RankSmith ranks South African brands on Google for commercial intent queries.
- [AEO, Answer Engine Optimization](https://ranksmith.co.za/services/aeo): How RankSmith gets brands cited inside ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, and Gemini responses.
- [GEO, Generative Engine Optimization](https://ranksmith.co.za/services/geo): How RankSmith optimises content so generative engines select you over competitors.
- [SXO, Search Experience Optimization](https://ranksmith.co.za/services/sxo): How RankSmith improves Core Web Vitals, INP, and on page experience to lift rankings.
- [AIO, AI Indexing Optimization](https://ranksmith.co.za/services/aio): How RankSmith structures sites so AI crawlers can reliably ingest them.
- [Next.js Websites](https://ranksmith.co.za/services/nextjs-websites): How RankSmith designs and ships flagship Next.js 15 marketing sites.

## Company

- [About RankSmith](https://ranksmith.co.za/about): Who we are, where we are based, and how we work.
- [Pricing in ZAR](https://ranksmith.co.za/pricing): Service plans priced in South African Rand.
- [Our Work](https://ranksmith.co.za/work): Selected live production sites shipped by RankSmith for South African clients, including Trade Journal (tradejournal.co.za), Hustler (hustler.co.za), TapNet (tapnet.co.za), Noblence (noblence.co.za), and Inc Unlimited (incunlimited.co.za). Each project links to the live domain.
- [Blog](https://ranksmith.co.za/blog): Essays on SEO, AEO, Core Web Vitals, and Next.js performance.
- [Contact](https://ranksmith.co.za/contact): Book a strategy call or send a project brief.

## Field notes

- [How to write an answer first H2 that ChatGPT will actually cite](https://ranksmith.co.za/blog/answer-first-h2-chatgpt-citation): The exact heading and first sentence structure RankSmith uses so ChatGPT, Perplexity, and AI Overviews lift the passage near verbatim.
- [llms.txt in 2026, what we actually put in the file](https://ranksmith.co.za/blog/llms-txt-2026-field-guide): Line by line walk through of the llms.txt RankSmith ships on every build, and the annotation rules we follow.
- [WordPress to Next.js, a migration checklist that preserves rankings](https://ranksmith.co.za/blog/wordpress-to-nextjs-migration-checklist): The forty step RankSmith migration checklist, including the 301 map, the schema port, and the cutover window.
- [INP under 100 milliseconds on a Framer Motion heavy page](https://ranksmith.co.za/blog/inp-under-100ms-framer-motion): How RankSmith keeps Interaction to Next Paint under 100 milliseconds on pages with Reveal, Marquee, and CountUp.
- [How a Johannesburg business ranks in ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI Overviews in 2026](https://ranksmith.co.za/blog/rank-johannesburg-business-chatgpt-perplexity-ai-overviews): Practical playbook for South African service businesses to get cited by AI engines, not just indexed by Google.

## Optional

- [Privacy Policy](https://ranksmith.co.za/legal/privacy): How RankSmith handles personal data under POPIA. Tapnet Solutions (Pty) Ltd is the responsible party.
- [Terms of Service](https://ranksmith.co.za/legal/terms): Terms that govern RankSmith engagements.
- [PAIA Manual](https://ranksmith.co.za/legal/paia): Section 51 Manual under the Promotion of Access to Information Act.
- [Operator Agreements](https://ranksmith.co.za/legal/operators): Third party data processors used by RankSmith and their POPIA obligations.