Saturday, 13 May 2017 08:48

SEO 2017: Voice Search Is Up Next!

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Voice search has come far. The wave started with the introduction of Siri. Increasing use pushed the technology to develop. Kinks were ironed out and voice search got better. There are still improvements necessary but, as of 2017, voice search is big.

The statistics are looking up. By 2014, daily usage increased in more than 40% of adults and more than 50% of teenagers. Technology development followed. By 2016, Google’s Conversational Search Director Behshad Behzadi claims to have reduced speech recognition error rate to just 8% as of 2016.

So, this 2017, when you want to optimise your website, make sure you don’t forget those who go online using voice searches. Here are some tips.

Optimise for Local Listings
Voice search is usually used via mobile phones. And, typically while on the road, people search for location-relevant information, such as “car repair near me” or “pizza takeout in Penrith.”

Thus, it is important to make sure you’ve optimised your website for local listings. The first call of business here is your on-page optimisation. Use location-specific key phrases in your meta content and actual text.

Then, include your business’ physical location in search engine lists, such as Google My Business. Embed the direction map that comes with your Google business listing.

Make Sure Your Listings Are Accurate
Off-page optimisation is part of website optimisation. This includes getting your business listed in relevant directories, social media websites and other similar sites. Here, you include your business name, physical location, operating hours, website URL and contact information.

Make sure all your listings are accurate. The information is the same all through out, especially your business address. Inaccurate data is not only confusing for your clients. You are also in danger of being penalised by Google in search engine results.

Optimise for Long-Tail Keywords
Voice searches are different from typed searches. Usually, people don’t drop stop words when they search using voice. Voice searches are like conversations and people don’t edit themselves. So, include long-tail keywords in your optimisation targets.

For best results, think of how people speak while talking when coming up with your keywords. Voice searches are made up of natural conversational language.

Turn To Your Analytics
Your search and keywords analytics – either through your CMS (content management system) or 3rd party service providers, such as Google Analytics --- would give you clues on what users search for to find your website. Take your cue from there.

Create Q&A-style FAQs
People “converse” with their phones when they do voice searches. The language is often natural – they don’t edit themselves. This is where Q&A format FAQs come in. This is a way for long-tail keywords to be written into your content naturally.

Improve Your Website Speed
Most people who use voice search use their phones to search. So, make sure your website is optimised for mobile phones. Your website speed is a factor here. It is part of your SEO, and a factor in how Google ranks websites. There are several online tools you can use to assess your website speed. Tweaking your code and optimising your images are ways to improve your website speed.

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Tim Williams

Founder and Managing Director of A Website That Works For You, Tim Williams has lead "The Green Team" to success helping business owners take advantage of leading Web Design and Online Marketing practices.

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