What Are the Strategies for Small Businesses to Leverage Voice Search for SEO?

In the constantly evolving world of digital marketing, businesses big and small are always on the lookout for the best strategies to stay ahead. One such emerging technology is voice search, and it’s quickly becoming essential in the field of Search Engine Optimization (SEO). But how can small businesses leverage this new trend to boost their SEO? Sit tight, we’re about to delve into this.

Understanding Voice Search

Before we explore the strategies to leverage voice search, it’s important to understand what voice search is and why it’s becoming so popular.

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Voice search is a technology that allows users to use their voice to ask a digital assistant (like Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant) a question or give a command. It’s fast, hands-free, and allows users to multi-task, making it a very attractive option for today’s busy consumers.

Voice search is more than just a passing trend – it’s a seismic shift in the way people interact with digital devices. With the rise of smart speakers and the increased use of mobile assistants, voice search is growing exponentially. According to ComScore, 50% of all searches are projected to be voice searches by 2020.

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For small businesses, this presents a unique opportunity to stay ahead of the curve and reach their audiences in a new, personal way.

Optimizing Your Website for Voice Search

One of the main ways small businesses can leverage voice search for SEO is by optimizing their website.

The key difference between traditional text search and voice search is the way queries are formulated. Text searches often consist of choppy, fragmented keywords, while voice searches are more conversational and question-based.

To optimize for voice search, start by incorporating long-tail keywords into your website content. These are phrases that are much more specific than common keywords and mimic the way people talk. For instance, instead of using "best pizza joint", consider something like "where’s the best pizza place near me?".

Also, create an FAQ page where you answer common questions about your business, products or services. This method is great for voice search because digital assistants often pull voice search results directly from FAQ pages.

Remember to ensure your website loads quickly as well. Voice search users are typically on the go, so they expect fast results.

Emphasizing Local SEO

Voice search and local SEO go hand-in-hand.

According to Google, "near me" searches have increased by 150% over the past two years – and a significant amount of these are voice searches. This is a tremendous opportunity for small, local businesses.

To leverage this trend, ensure your Google My Business listing is up to date with accurate information about your business, including your address, business hours, and phone number. Also, include local keywords in your website content, such as your city or neighborhood name.

Moreover, gather reviews for your business on Google My Business and other review platforms. Positive reviews not only increase your business’s visibility, but they also build trust with potential customers.

Structuring Data for Voice Search

Another way small businesses can leverage voice search for SEO is by structifying their website’s data.

Structured data, also known as schema markup, is a form of code that helps search engines understand the content on your site. While it doesn’t directly impact your rankings, it can enhance your listings and potentially increase your click-through rate.

Implementing structured data can help your website appear in voice search results, as search engines are better able to match your content with user queries. Google’s Structured Data Markup Helper is a great tool to get started with this.

Incorporating Voice Search into Your Content Strategy

Finally, consider how voice search can be integrated into your content strategy.

Voice search queries often start with "who", "what", "where", "when", "why", and "how". Try creating content that answers these questions directly. This type of content is not only voice search friendly, but it also provides value to your audience.

Another excellent strategy is to create voice search-friendly video content. According to Google, 6 out of 10 people would rather watch online videos than television. Plus, YouTube is the second largest search engine after Google.

By creating engaging, informative, and keyword-rich video content, you can reach a wider audience and potentially increase your visibility in voice search.

In conclusion, voice search is not just a trend – it’s a major shift in the way consumers interact with businesses online. By leveraging voice search for SEO, small businesses can stay ahead of the curve and connect with their audience in a new and innovative way.

Making Use of Featured Snippets for Voice Search SEO

An underutilized strategy to leverage voice search for SEO is the use of featured snippets.

Featured snippets are the summary answers you often see at the top of Google search engine results. They are designed to provide users with concise, direct answers to their search queries. In short, they are Google’s way of highlighting the best response for a user’s question.

The interesting part is that voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant often read out these featured snippets in response to voice search queries. Therefore, if your content is featured in a snippet, it increases the chances of it being chosen as a voice search result.

So, how can small businesses take advantage of this feature? Firstly, aim to provide clear, concise, and direct answers to common questions within your content. Ensure these answers are well-structured and easy to understand.

Secondly, use structured data or schema markup. As mentioned earlier, this helps search engines understand the context of your content, making it easier for them to select it as a featured snippet.

Finally, remember to focus on long-tail keywords. These detailed and specific phrases often align well with the natural language used in voice searches and can increase your chances of appearing in featured snippets.

Enhancing User Experience for Voice Searches

Voice search is not just about optimizing your content and website. It’s also about the overall user experience.

Voice searches are often made by users who are busy or multi-tasking, and they expect quick, accurate, and relevant responses. This means your website needs to be user-friendly and responsive.

Improving the loading speed of your website is one way to enhance user experience. No one likes a slow-loading website, and this is especially true for voice search users who are often on the go.

Next, ensure that your website is mobile-friendly. A large number of voice searches are conducted on mobile devices, so it’s critical that your site is well-optimized for mobile use.

Lastly, think about how you can provide a seamless voice search experience. For example, consider how your content sounds when read out loud. Is it clear and easy to understand? Does it answer the user’s query effectively? Strive to create content that not only looks good on the page, but also sounds good when delivered by a voice assistant.

Conclusion

As we move further into the age of voice search, it’s clear that this technology is more than just a fad. It’s a game-changer, transforming the way consumers interact with businesses and seek information online. For small businesses, adapting to voice search is not just beneficial, but necessary to stay competitive in today’s digital landscape.

Through effective search optimization strategies such as the use of long-tail keywords, optimizing for local SEO, structuring data appropriately, incorporating voice search into content strategy, using featured snippets, and enhancing user experience, small businesses can ensure they are not left behind.

As with any technological advancement, the key to leveraging voice search for SEO lies in understanding its nuances and adapting accordingly. By doing so, small businesses can connect with their audience in a more personal and innovative way, ultimately boosting their visibility and success in the online space.