How people search the internet has dramatically changed over the past decade. Desktop search has been replaced by mobile as the number one way that information is obtained. Having a mobile-friendly website is essential for business success.
If your website is responsive for different platforms, you are one step ahead of the game. However, you still need to make tweaks to your marketing strategy to maintain your ranking position in the search engines results page as voice search becomes more popular.
Design content for voice search
Voice search has created a new set of challenges for businesses. Visual branding has traditionally been the focus of marketers, but now the sound of a brand is as equally important. It allows brands to connect with consumers more naturally.
When you search via a desktop or type into a search engine from your phone, the phrases that you use are shorter and paraphrased so that you can access information quickly. Searching with voice uses longer conversational sentences and is accessed via mobile devices:
- How can I XYZ?
- Where can I buy XYZ near me?
- Is XYZ open for dinner right now?
- Which is better XY or Z?
Searching by voice is more likely to ask questions, so think about how you can incorporate questions into your website and provide answers. The websiteAnswer the Public is a fantastic tool that you can use to research what questions are already being googled around your business.
How can you prepare for voice-based search?
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Optimise your business listings
Check and double check that your business listings are up to date and accurate: your business name, address, contact details and opening hours.
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Make sure your onsite SEO is optimised
Success with search driven verbally is only going to be achieved if your website is optimised for organic search. Voice is not separate to your digital marketing strategy; it is part of it. SEO Marketing Services from Serendipity Online Marketing Ltd can ensure that your website is performing at a level to support voice search success.
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Focus on questions
The content that you publish should contain conversational questions that your target audience asks about your industry. Research what questions your customers and clients regularly ask.
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Provide answers
Create content that provides answers to customers’ questions. A FAQ page is an easy way to address the questions and answers issue for voice search, but don’t just stop there. Answer questions in blog posts too.
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Test your voice search
Using vocals to search is a new concept for businesses to understand, but the principles and best practices are very much linked to SEO. Once you have created content for voice search, test it out. Use voice search and see how successful your efforts are.
Voice search is a relatively new concept that is becoming more popular. To gain the competitive edge, it is important that you implement it into your digital marketing strategy so that by the time it becomes the norm you have a well-tested response to the innovations.