How Can You Optimise Your Website for Voice Search?

21 August 2017

With almost 60% of Google searches performed on mobile, it’s no surprise that Voice Search is becoming an increasingly popular way to find what we’re looking for online. In this article, we explore how the rise of Voice Search could impact your website’s SEO and what you can do to optimise for it.

What is Voice Search?

Voice Search is the process of searching for a query on Google by tapping the microphone icon in the search bar and speaking instead of typing what you are looking for. The majority of Voice Searches are made on mobile devices such as smartphones.

Why is it becoming important?

With advancements in intelligent assistants such as Siri and Cortana, Voice Search is becoming easier and smarter than ever before. The introduction of voice controlled assistants such as Google Home and Amazon Echo have also contributed to its increased popularity. Not only do intelligent assistants help us to search for information, they can also complete tasks for us by finding the most suitable local businesses or online services and making purchases for us.

According to Google’s Micro-Moments: Your Guide to Winning the Shift to Mobile, 69% of smartphone users are more likely to buy from companies whose mobile sites or apps help them to easily find answers to their questions. Therefore, if your website can help your customer to find the information they are looking for, then you are more likely to be recommended by virtual assistants.

Can my website be found using Voice Search?

If your website is classified as “mobile-friendly” by Google then it will rank higher in searches on mobile devices, which means it will also rank in a Voice Search. If your website, or any of your webpages are not mobile-friendly, then they will not appear.

How can I make my website easier to find?

There are three main factors to consider when optimising your website for Voice Search.

The first is location. 22% of Voice Searches are location-focused - a higher percentage than searches that are typed. So it’s essential that your website will appear in local searches, especially if you run a local business. You can do this by claiming your Google My Business listing if you haven’t already, and by using location based keywords.

The second is tone of voice. People are more likely to use colloquial language and longtail+ keywords when using Voice Search. This means you’ll need to add more conversational words, phrases and questions to your website copy, and think about the language that your customers will use.

The third is content. Your content needs to answer questions from across all stages of your customer’s journey, not just questions about your product or service. Google have identified four main types of content people look for on mobile:

I-Want-to-Know
A person is looking for information and inspiration on a product or service, but they are not ready for a hard sell.

I-Want-to-Go
A person wants to find a local business, or buy a product from a local store. The information you provide will give them an idea of the physical experience you provide.

I-Want-to-Do
A person wants to know how to do something or try something new. They want you to give them the information on how.

I-Want-to-Buy
A person is ready to make a decision on what product to buy or how to buy a particular product. They need to know why they should buy from you.

If your content can answer these questions, then you are more likely to appear in a Voice Search.

Want to know more about optimising your website for Voice Search? Wida’s SEO specialists can help you. Call us today on 0115 921 4797, or fill in the form below to book a consultation.