Example
Imagine an ecommerce website that struggles with slow load times due to large product images and inefficient code.
Implementing a series of speed optimizations could improve page load times, provide a better user experience, and increase the site’s chances of ranking for voice searches.
5. Implement Structured Data
Structured data, or schema markup, is code that helps search engines understand your website better.
This extra information can boost your chances of ranking for voice searches and appearing in special search results.
If you own a local business, focus on specific schema types like LocalBusiness, Restaurant, and Product.
These schemas let you share important details such as your business hours, address, menu items, and customer reviews.
Example
Consider a local restaurant that implements RestaurantSchema markup on its website.
By providing search engines with detailed information about their cuisine type, price range, hours, and location, they can improve their chances of appearing in voice search results for queries like “What’s the best sushi restaurant near me?”
6. Craft Voice-Friendly Content
To optimize your content for voice search, think about both what you say and how you say it. People using voice search want clear, brief, and easy-to-understand information.
Here are some tips for creating voice-friendly content:
Answer common questions directly.
Use simple words and short sentences.
Organize your content with H2 tags, bullet points, and numbered lists.
Keep paragraphs short (1-2 sentences).
Write a clear, conversational title that matches what people might ask in a voice search.
FAQ pages work well for voice search optimization because they naturally answer common questions in a straightforward way.
Users often search for “Near Me” phrases such as “pizza near me,” “gas stations near me,” or “ATM near me.” To improve your visibility for these searches, follow these tips:
Consider distance, relevance, and prominence to the search.
Create content and pages for each location.
Add Google Maps to your website to show where your business is located.
Use local keywords, like neighborhood names and landmarks.
Example
If you run a retail business with several locations, create specific pages for each.
You can help customers find their nearest store more easily by including store details, directions, and maps.
7. Improve Accessibility
Voice search is essential for many users with visual impairments or mobility challenges.
Improving your website’s accessibility can help these users and may also improve your voice search rankings. Here are some key accessibility practices:
Use alt text for images.
Provide clear anchor text for links.
Include captions and transcripts for video and audio content.
Use semantic HTML markup.
8. Explore Voice-Specific Features
As voice search technology improves, there are new ways to optimize your content.
Here are some features to consider:
Build Alexa skills or Google Actions to connect with voice assistant users.
Use speakable markup to show which parts of your content work well for audio playback.
Optimize for conversational searches on voice shopping sites like Amazon and Walmart.
Make Your Business Voice-Search Ready
Implementing these eight voice search optimization strategies can ensure your business is well-positioned to capture the growing audience of voice search users.
The key to success is to imagine yourself in your target customer’s shoes and consider how they might phrase their queries when speaking to a voice assistant.
As a final tip, it’s always a good idea to conduct your own voice searches related to your industry or niche. Analyze the top-ranking results and identify commonalities or best practices you can apply to your optimization efforts.
By staying proactive and continually refining your approach, you can remain ahead in the ever-evolving world of voice search SEO.
More Resources:
Featured Image: fizkes/Shutterstock