How to write an llms.txt for a small business (with a template)

An llms.txt file sits at the root of your site, like robots.txt, and gives language models a curated summary: who you are, what you offer, and which pages matter. The format is proposed at llmstxt.org.

Is anyone actually reading it?

Honest answer: adoption is early. Some AI tools, coding assistants and agents fetch it; the big search engines haven't committed to it. It takes twenty minutes to write, it can't hurt, and it forces you to state your business facts clearly, which helps everywhere else too.

The structure

• One # H1 with your business name
• A one-line > summary
• A few plain sentences of key facts
• ## Sections with link lists: - [Page](url): what's on it
• An optional ## Optional section for nice-to-have links

A template

# Hale & Sons Plumbing

> Family-run plumbers in Leeds, UK. Emergency callouts 24/7, boiler servicing, bathroom fitting.

Gas Safe registered (No. 123456). Covering LS1–LS29. Callout from £79. Reviews: 4.9 on Google (380+).

## Services

- [Emergency plumber](https://halesons.co.uk/emergency): 24/7, typical arrival 60 minutes
- [Boiler servicing](https://halesons.co.uk/boilers): £89, all major brands
- [Bathroom fitting](https://halesons.co.uk/bathrooms): Design to finish, 2–3 weeks

## About

- [Our team](https://halesons.co.uk/about): Three generations since 1987
- [Prices](https://halesons.co.uk/prices): Full price list, no call-out surprises

## Optional

- [Blog](https://halesons.co.uk/blog)

What to leave out

Marketing language ("leading", "innovative"), every blog post you've ever written, and anything that isn't on your site. The point is accuracy, not volume.

Generate yours from your sitemap, then edit it down.