Tips on Optimising Voice Search for Your Website

Remember those good old days when you’d sit there, pecking away at your keyboard, trying to spell out your deepest, darkest search queries? Yeah, us too. But let’s face it, times have changed. Now, we’re all about talking to our phones like they’re our best mates. And businesses? They need to get with the program or risk getting left in the digital dust by optimising vocal or voice search.

Vocal search is the new black, and if you’re not on board, you’re missing out on a golden opportunity to snag new customers. So, sit back, get comfy, and let’s dive into how you can optimise your website for those vocal search-loving users.

The Rise of Vocal Search Users

If you’re not utilising vocal search yet, you’re overlooking a great chance to attract new customers, as it is currently trending.  Nowadays, using a virtual assistant for web searches is as common now as using smartphones, smart speakers, and smart TVs and grabbing a meat pie.

In fact, the number of digital assistants is projected to soar from 4.2 billion in 2020 to a staggering 8.4 billion by 2024. Additionally, it’s estimated that three-quarters of US households will own a smart speaker by 2025. These trends strongly indicate a significant surge in vocal search usage and many users are abandoning the keyboard in favour of using their voices to communicate.

This change in searching habits is not just a fad. It’s a game-changer. People are abandoning lengthy, intricate search queries in favour of casual, conversational phrases. When individuals utilise vocal search, they are frequently seeking a particular item they need right away. This only means you have a great chance to grab their focus and convert them into clients. However, to achieve that, you must optimise your website for voice search.

Here are some effective tips on how to be prepared to surf the vocal search wave:

1. Focus on Long Tail Keywords

The first step in optimising your website for vocal search is to communicate in the language used by your customers. We are replacing brief, catchy keywords with lengthy, conversational phrases. Stop thinking about “fish and chips” and instead, say “best fish and chips in Melbourne CBD”.

Long-tail keywords are as valuable as gold when it comes to vocal search. They are more detailed, providing search engines with a better understanding of what your customers are looking for. Think of it this way: when discussing dining options with a friend, you wouldn’t simply mention “food”. You might mention a place as the “top burger joint in town”.

To discover these valuable insights, you can utilise many tools or keyword research, or you can pay attention to your customer’s language. What kind of inquiries do they make? What expressions do they utilise?

Keep in mind too, that the more precise your keywords are, the higher your likelihood of ranking well in vocal search results. Vocal searches also focus on conversational language, therefore your content should be in line with that. After organising your keywords, it’s time to ensure your website content reads like an engaging story. Avoid using complicated language and instead use simple words that even your grandmother would be able to understand.

2. Local SEO

For brick-and-mortar businesses, local SEO is essential for achieving success in vocal search. Let’s say, when a person asks their phone for the “top pizza close by”, they are likely feeling hungry and prepared to make a purchase.

The initial step is to claim ownership of your Google My Business listing. Ensure that your business information is accurate: including the name, address, telephone number, website, and business hours. Remember to include enticing images too, to attract those senses of taste.

Following that, motivate your satisfied customers to provide feedback. Receiving favorable reviews enhances your local SEO and establishes trust with potential clients. And remember to distribute those location-specific keywords across your website. Using descriptions such as “the top coffee in Melbourne” or “the best sushi in Sydney” will assist search engines in identifying your areas of expertise.

3. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Picture yourself searching for a needle in a haystack, except this time the haystack is the internet. Feeling extremely overwhelmed? FAQs are there to rescue the situation.

People are bombarded with information these days, and they want quick answers. By creating a comprehensive FAQ section on your website, you’re giving your audience a helping hand. Not only does an FAQ section improve user experience, but it also helps you rank higher in search results. Search engines also love FAQs because they provide clear, concise answers to common questions. 

Having an FAQ section not only enhances user satisfaction but also boosts your search engine ranking. Search engines favor FAQs as they offer straightforward solutions to frequently asked questions. Want to take a guess? Frequently, individuals inquire in vocal search, making a robust FAQ section beneficial for enhancing your presence in desired vocal search outcomes.

4. Schema Markup

Adding schema markup to your website is similar to including subtitles; it assists search engines in understanding the content of your site. It’s as if your website is being granted exclusive access to the search engine event.

By adding schema markup, you are providing search engines with a guide to your business. You’re informing them of your location, occupation, and reputation. And if search engines have a better understanding of your website, they are more inclined to display it favorably in search results.

Additionally, implementing schema markup can assist you in obtaining those desired featured snippets. You’re familiar with those small boxes that appear at the top of search results, right? That is one valuable property, and using schema markup can secure you a prominent position.

5. Maximimise for Mobile

The reality is that many people all over the world are constantly attached to their mobile devices. And you know what? A large portion of vocal searches happens on these tiny handheld devices. If your website is not designed for mobile devices, you are losing a large number of potential viewers.

Creating a website that is compatible with mobile devices involves more than just ensuring it appears visually appealing on a smaller display. The focus is on ensuring smooth navigation, fast loading times, and a user-friendly experience. This includes large lettering, visible prompts to take action, and quickly loading images.

Add to that, search engines favour mobile-friendly websites and give them better rankings as a reward. To increase your presence on traditional and vocal search, ensure your website is optimised for mobile devices.

6. Keep Your Site Fast

No one enjoys a slow website. In today’s rapidly changing digital landscape, having patience is uncommon. A sluggish website can turn off customers more quickly than a speeding bullet.

Picture yourself endlessly waiting for a webpage to load. Frustrating, right? This is why the speed of a website is essential. It impacts everything from user experience to search engine rankings.

But, how can turn your website to not only load in a flash but also convert visitors into customers? It’s all about maximising efficiency. There are many adjustments you can make, from image sizes to server response times. What’s even better? A speedier website can result in increased conversions and more satisfied customers.