Optimize For Voice Search: 7 Tips To Get Your Business Heard

Voice search is no longer a futuristic trend; it’s a present-day reality. As more people turn to Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant for information, businesses must adapt their SEO strategy to capture this growing audience. Are you ready to make sure your business is heard? Here are 7 tips to optimize for voice search.

First, Let’s Understand Voice Search

Voice search is fundamentally different from traditional text-based search. It’s conversational, question-driven, and often local. Think about it: you’re more likely to ask your phone, “What’s the best donut shop near me?” than type “donut shop.” This shift in search behavior requires an update in how we approach SEO.

Key Strategies for Voice Search Optimization:

1. Embrace Conversational Keywords:

Relax your rigid keyword lists. Voice search thrives on natural language. Focus on long-tail keywords that mimic how people speak. Think questions, phrases, and complete sentences. Instead of only targeting “tire shop,” aim for “where can I get good tires?”

2. Answer the Question:

Voice assistants aim to provide quick, direct answers. Your website content should be structured to facilitate this. Create comprehensive FAQs, write clear and concise answers to common questions in your industry, and optimize for featured snippets. This is for that coveted “position zero” spot. Landing the “position zero” spot means your webpage is the voice search answer. Featured snippets can be helpful to the overall SEO strategy, even if your primary goal is simply to be the go-to response for voice queries.

3. Optimize for Featured Snippets:

Featured snippets are the snippets of text that Google often reads aloud in response to voice queries. They are not specifically written or even chosen by the business and added to the results; the way it works is search engines need to understand what your site is about and find the answer to the voice query in your content. To increase your chances of appearing in a featured snippet:

• Use clear headings (H1-H6) to structure your content.
• Present information in lists, tables, or short paragraphs.
• Directly answer the search query within the first paragraph.

4. Prioritize Local SEO:

Many voice searches have local intent. If you have a brick-and-mortar business, local SEO is critical:

• Claim and optimize your Google My Business, Apple Business Connect, and Bing Places For Business profile. Add up-to-date information (name, address, phone number, hours, website) and check it regularly for accuracy.
• Use location-based keywords in your website content.
• Encourage customer reviews on Google and other relevant platforms.

5. Mobile-First Approach:

Most voice searches originate from mobile devices. Your website must be mobile-friendly, fast-loading, and easy to navigate on any screen size. A poor mobile experience will severely hinder your voice search performance.

6. Technical SEO Essentials:

Technical SEO plays a crucial role in voice search optimization:

• Page Speed: A fast-loading website is critical for user experience and search rankings.
• Structured Data: Implement schema markup to help search engines understand the context of your content, making it more likely to be selected for voice results.

7. Think Beyond Your Website: Voice Apps and Skills

This is where you take voice search engagement to the next level. Instead of just hoping to be the answer, you create the answer. With Voice Apps/Skills, you can provide information and offer services; however, creating voice apps/skills requires some technical expertise. You can hire developers specializing in voice technology, use development platforms, or leverage existing templates and tools.

The Future is Voice

Voice search is transforming the digital landscape. By implementing these strategies, including developing voice apps and skills, your business can stay ahead of the curve, capture this valuable audience, and ensure your message is heard loud and clear. At Lodestar Marketing Group, we understand the importance of SEO. Let us know if you need help getting started.