As we walk towards global digitalisation, Siri, Google, Alexa, and Cortana will be our guide in putting your small business at the apex of the online market.
Voice search or voice-enabled search is a mechanism that allows users to access the internet simply through a voice command.
Rather than typing on a keyboard, internet searching has been made easier with inputting the voice through any capable device. Voice searching can be done in three ways:
- Clicking or tapping the voice command icon.
- Calling or mentioning the name of your virtual assistant. For example: “Hey, Siri,” “OK, Google,” “Hey, Alexa,” “Hey, Cortana”
- Tapping the home button or making a gesture on your device interface.
Now, why does voice search matter for solopreneurs? According to data from a recent study, 40% of adults use voice search worldwide, and it is predicted that by 2020, 50% of all searches will be via voice commands. This means that through the optimisation of voice searches, your business has a greater chance of gaining a brand following online.
If you try to ask an SEO consultant about ways to take advantage of voice search optimisation for your company, these would be some of the key tips they will provide:
Target Featured Snippets
Featured snippets are selected search results that could be found at the top of organic results on search engines. The main goal of your business with voice search optimisation is to be featured in the snippet space of Google.
Although the specifications of ranking on top of featured snippets vary, there are strategies to conquer that coveted spot. You can utilise Answer The Public, an online website for conversational search results, to answer common queries. Since most voice searches are 5Ws and 1H (who, where, what, why, when, and how), providing search terms that utilise the most widely used keywords will increase your page’s chance of popping up as a featured snippet.
Strengthen Your Local SEO
More than 20% of all voice searches are local information inquiries. This grows by approximately 130% annually – good news for those who focus on their local SEO. To take advantage of this data, do not forget to include the phrases ‘near me’ and ‘near you’ on the heading tags, anchor text, and meta-descriptions.
Moreover, list down all the locations and areas you serve and describe your location through the inclusion of landmarks and local institutions nearby.
Provide ALL specific information
Users search for businesses that provide all necessary information such as exact location, telephone and mobile numbers, and working hours. So make sure that on your social media accounts, websites, and blog sites are all up-to-date. Also, encourage your customers to post reviews. Having high reviews revs your business up to the top of search results.
Google My Business Listing is a MUST
Another great way to optimise your search engine is to claim or update your business enterprise on Google My Business. Accuracy is the key here, so include contact information and your business’s name. Also, make use of the 400-word limit in the tool to write a short description of your business, your products, and your service offerings. Make sure you have chosen the best category for your company.
Invest In Website Speed
There’s one main reason why people use voice commands in searching – they want to receive results – quickly! After trying out the tactics given above, the next step is to make sure that your website has the optimal speed. It’s important to note that the loading speed of your website also contributes to its search result ranking.
According to a study conducted by Google, 53% of mobile users leave the website if it does not load after the first three seconds. If you want to flourish in the competitive voice search optimisation market, invest in site speed.
These are just a few things to learn about voice search optimisation for small business entrepreneurs. Optimising voice search is still a vast area that marketers and online experts are learning to master.
If you need help with your business’s voice search optimisation, get in touch today and let’s discuss the online needs for your Small Business.