Google introduced us to voice search way back in 2011, however, at the time it wasn’t high on the priority list for website designers, marketers or anyone else for that matter! But as speech recognition devices have become more popular ie. Siri, Alexa, and Google Home, the time has now come for us to focus more deeply on how this affects our business websites.
In one of its earliest incarnations, voice search needed customers to call a telephone number and offer search phrases to receive a web page with their search results. It’s not difficult to see why this didn’t take off!
Google has reported that 60% of individuals that found an organisation with voice search then called that company utilizing the “click to call” choice. 62% of regular smart speaker customers research something using their voice-activated audio speaker and purchase that item within the following month, so here are our top tips to optimise your website for voice search…
- Web Content Must Dialogue-Friendly
Your website needs to have appropriate material to rank on Google’s search engine results pages (SERP). Given that voice search queries lean towards conversational key phrases, websites need to adjust to that. So, to optimize for voice search, your website information needs to be dialogue-friendly.
To enhance your website for voice search, you can add extra frequently asked questions (Frequently Asked Question) web pages, and you can structure article as well as website copy as if they’re answers to inquiries. Use resources such as AnswerThePublic to study typical queries associated with your item.
- Target Long-Tail Key Phrases
Long-tail search phrases are longer, much more particular keywords that people typically make use of when they prepare to research something. Nonetheless, people often make use of long-tail keyword phrases in voice search as well. When people talk, they use full phrases and inquiries, this means you need to use these long-tail keywords to drive your web content method, as well as remember to write in a conversational tone.
- Focus on Mobile-First Design
About 20% of handheld device users utilise mobile voice search monthly. The percentage of individuals aged 16-24 boosts this to 25%. The majority of people currently make use of voice assistants to make calls, play songs, as well as navigate applications on their phones. So, it’s just natural they would use the voice-assisted search on mobile.
- Maximize Your Material for Local Outcomes
Did you know that 50% of individuals that utilise local voice search to find a business or service additionally purchase there that day? Google notes “near me” as one of the most commonly used expressions for voice search. To maximize local listings, make sure to upgrade your Google My Company listing and include your location or area in your content and metadata.
What does this mean for you? Your site must have an exceptional mobile user experience. Receptive website design instantly adapts your web content and website layout for the different mobile screen sizes.
If you want to optimize your website for SEO traffic, then you need to be prepared to create a website experience that works for voice search and we can help you do exactly that – Contact us on 020 3940 5000 or webteam@stepinternet.co.uk