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Smart device users are no longer just typing what they’re looking for into search engines; they’re now speaking what they need. Known as voice search, it has opened up a whole new world of search opportunities for consumers and business owners alike.
With this in mind, business owners with a strong digital presence not only need to focus on search engine optimization, but they also have to prioritize voice search optimization. Here are a few helpful tips for staying ahead of the curve:
Use Natural Language
Think about how you would talk using a voice search function to find the answer to a question or search for something specific. Conversational keywords and long-tail keywords that mimic natural speech, such as “winery equipment and grape harvesters for sale,” can be effective in helping websites appear front and center in search engine results. The more natural the language, the more optimized your site will be for voice.
Don’t Neglect Local SEO
While you likely want to capture customers from all over the country, don’t neglect local SEO. Create a Google My Business listing and add as much accurate information about your services and location as possible.
It can also help to prioritize local terms to ensure coverage when people search for related and nearby services.
Answer Commonly Asked Questions
When billions of smart device users are using voice search functionality, they’re often asking specific questions. It would be helpful for both your business and its customers if they could find the answers on your website.
Perform research to determine the most commonly asked questions and provide both the question and answer on a dedicated FAQ page or within your general site content. You may be surprised by how helpful this approach can be for voice search optimization.
Create Engaging and Easy-to-Read Content
Just as consumers don’t want to read walls of text to find the information they need, they also don’t want to listen to walls of text. Create engaging and easy-to-read content that can be easily relayed through a voice search function.
Bullet points, headers, and lists to break information down into bite-sized pieces for easy consumption can be a great place to start.
Understand and Implement Schema Markup
In the SEO world, schema markup is a form of unique code that helps search engines understand the content on your website. As a type of semantic vocabulary, it enables search engines to categorize your website’s content and provide the right content based on what search engine users are looking for.
As complicated as schema markup sounds, it’s not something you typically have to put on your website yourself. Instead, most website builders automatically generate schema. If your site builder doesn’t, you can also use schema generator tools. Google also lets you test your structured data.
Stay Current On Trends
Google first introduced voice search in 2010. Since then, we’ve seen it evolve and grow into something helpful for business owners and smart device users alike. However, the constant growth can mean that the way you use voice search today may not be relevant in the future.
Don’t underestimate the importance of staying on top of the latest trends and adjusting your voice search optimization practices to bring the most value to your customers and your business.
Voice search optimization is now more relevant than ever before, but not every business owner knows how to get the most out of it. Adopt current trends, answer your customers’ questions, and use natural language. You should soon start enjoying a new flow of web traffic you never anticipated.
