Remember the days of typing out search queries on your phone? Those days are slowly fading as voice search takes center stage. People are chatting with their phones instead of typing, asking questions like “Alexa, what’s the best place to get a burger around here?” If your business isn’t optimized for voice search, you might be missing out on a whole new wave of hungry customers (literally, in the case of that burger example).
But don’t worry! Here’s your crash course on turning your website into a voice search magnet, with easy-to-understand tips you can use right away.
Speak Their Language, Not Tech Jargon
Imagine your best friend reaching out to you for a restaurant tip. They wouldn’t be barking out orders like “best pizza in town!” They’d be saying, “Hey, I’m craving some pizza!” or “Are there any good places nearby that have a chill vibe?”
That’s what voice search optimization is all about – natural conversation. Don’t spam your site with dry keywords like “gourmet pizza.” Instead, create content that responds to the questions people naturally ask. For example, ask, “What are the best pizzerias near me with a casual atmosphere?” Or, “Where can I find great pizza with outdoor seating near me?”
Here’s the difference:
Old SEO: The keyword is “gourmet pizza”
New Voice Search SEO: Content is “Looking for a fancy pizza experience? We offer gourmet pizzas made with fresh, seasonal ingredients in a stylish setting.”
See how the new approach sounds more like a real conversation.
Know Who You’re Talking To
Not everyone who searches by voice is looking for the same thing. For example, someone searching “best pizza in town” might be looking for something fancy for their anniversary dinner, while someone searching “late night pizza delivery” might be craving some cheesy goodness at 2:00 in the morning.
The goal is to find your ideal customer and create content that aligns with their voice search behavior. Are you a deep-dish pizza shop that specializes in family dinners? Make sure to highlight that in your site content. Are you well-known for your vegan or gluten-free pizzas? Make sure to include those keywords throughout your site descriptions.
Here’s an example:
Target Audience: Busy families
Voice Search Habit: “Quick and easy pizza delivery near me”
Website Content: “We get it, family life is hectic! That’s why we offer delicious pizzas for delivery, perfect for a stress-free weeknight meal. Order online or give us a call!”
Become a Local Superstar
Since a huge chunk of voice searches are for local businesses, make sure you’re listed on Google My Business. This free tool helps potential customers find you online and see important details like your address, opening hours, and even customer reviews. Keep your information up-to-date, and don’t forget to add relevant keywords like “late-night delivery” or “open late” to your profile.
Here’s the logic: The more search engines know about your awesome pizza joint, the more likely they are to recommend you when someone asks for a slice in your area.
Bonus Tip: Mobile Matters!
Remember, most voice searches happen on smartphones. So, make sure your website is mobile-friendly. This means it should be easy to navigate and read on a smaller screen. Nobody wants to zoom in and out just to order a pizza!
The Final Slice: Keep It Simple and Engaging
People don’t have all day to listen to robot talk. When someone asks a question with voice search, the answer they get should be short, sweet, and to the point. Think of it like an elevator pitch for your business.
Here’s an example:
Voice Search Question: “What’s a good pizza place with a fun atmosphere?”Voice Search Answer: “Craving a slice? We offer delicious pizzas made with fresh ingredients in a lively atmosphere, perfect for a fun night out with friends!”
See how that answer quickly highlights the key selling points – delicious food, fun vibes, perfect for friends?
Optimizing for Voice Search Requires a Different Approach
Here are some strategies to make your content voice search-friendly:
- Talk Like Your Audience Talks: Use the same words and phrases your audience would use in regular conversation. Long, fancy words aren’t necessary here!
- Be a Straight Shooter: Answer common questions directly and to the point. Make it easy for voice assistants to find and use your info.
- Get Local: If you’re a local business, make sure your online listings are up-to-date and full of location-specific info. People using voice search often want local results.
- Page Speed Optimization: Speed matters! Make sure your website loads fast so impatient voice searchers don’t lose interest.
- Be Snippet-Worthy: Aim to get featured in those little snippet boxes on Google. They often get read out loud in voice search results.
- Mobile-Friendly Zone: Since lots of voice searches happen on phones, make sure your site looks good and works well on mobile.
- Keep it Natural: Use everyday language and mix things up with synonyms and related terms. No need to be too fancy with your wording.
In today’s ever-changing digital landscape, an effective SEO strategy isn’t just an option, it’s a necessity for businesses of every size to stand out from the crowd.
A full-service SEO service can not only help you optimize your business for voice search, but it can also help you improve your overall SERP ranking, resulting in more traffic to your website and ultimately more customers.
Don’t miss out on the chance to connect with prospects who are actively looking for what you have to offer.
Let’s talk and see what I can do to help your business succeed in the era of voice search!