SEO and VSO best practices

Best Practices Voice Search Optimisation and SEO in general

1. Understand Natural Language Queries

Explanation: Voice searches are typically longer and more conversational than text searches. They often include question phrases like "who," "what," "where," "when," "why," and "how."

Example: Instead of typing "best pizza restaurant NYC," a user might ask, "What is the best pizza restaurant in New York City?"

Strategy: Optimise your content to answer these natural language queries. Use long-tail keywords and phrases that mimic how people speak.

2. Focus on Featured Snippets

Explanation: Featured snippets, also known as "position zero," are the concise answers that appear at the top of Google search results. Voice assistants often pull responses directly from these snippets.

Example: If a user asks, "How do I make lasagna?" the voice assistant might read out the content from a featured snippet that provides a step-by-step recipe.

Strategy: Structure your content to provide clear, concise answers to common questions. Use bullet points, lists, and tables to increase your chances of being featured.

3. Optimise for Local Search

Explanation: Many voice searches have local intent, such as finding nearby businesses or services.

Example: A user might ask, "Where is the nearest coffee shop?"

Strategy: Ensure your business information is accurate and up-to-date on Google My Business and other local directories. Include your location in your website’s meta tags, and use phrases that reflect local queries, like "near me" or specific city names.

4. Improve Website Loading Speed

Explanation: Voice search users expect quick answers. A slow-loading website can result in a poor user experience and lower search rankings.

Example: If your website takes too long to load, a user might abandon the search and ask another query.

Strategy: Optimise your website's performance by compressing images, using a content delivery network (CDN), and minimising JavaScript. Tools like Google PageSpeed Insights can help you identify and fix performance issues.

5. Ensure Mobile Friendliness

Explanation: Many voice searches are conducted on mobile devices. A mobile-friendly website enhances user experience and improves your chances of ranking higher in search results.

Example: A user searching for "best hiking trails" on their phone will have a better experience if your site is optimised for mobile.

Strategy: Use responsive design, ensure easy navigation, and optimise content layout for smaller screens. Google's Mobile-Friendly Test tool can help you check your site's mobile compatibility.

6. Create FAQ Pages

Explanation: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) pages are perfect for targeting long-tail keywords and natural language queries.

Example: An FAQ section on a plumbing website might answer questions like, "How do I fix a leaking faucet?" or "What should I do if my toilet overflows?"

Strategy: Compile a list of common questions related to your business and provide detailed, concise answers. Use structured data to help search engines understand the content better.

7. Leverage Structured Data Markup

Explanation: Structured data, or schema markup, helps search engines understand the context of your content, increasing the likelihood of appearing in rich results and voice search responses.

Example: Using structured data to mark up your business’s address, phone number, and hours of operation can help you rank higher in local search results.

Strategy: Implement schema markup on your website for various content types, such as articles, products, reviews, and local businesses. Google's Structured Data Markup Helper can assist you in adding this markup.

8. Optimise for Conversational Keywords

Explanation: Voice search queries are often more conversational and less keyword-focused than text searches.

Example: Instead of searching for "weather forecast," a voice search user might ask, "What's the weather like today?"

Strategy: Incorporate conversational phrases and natural language into your content. Focus on long-tail keywords that match the way people speak.

Conclusion:

Voice search is revolutionising the way users interact with technology, and businesses must adapt to stay relevant. By understanding the nuances of voice search and implementing these best practices, you can improve your online visibility, attract more traffic, and enhance user experience. Promot Digital Marketing is here to help you navigate the complexities of Voice Search Optimisation, ensuring your business thrives in this dynamic digital landscape.

Call to Action: Ready to optimise your website for voice search? Contact Promot Digital Marketing today to learn how we can help you stay ahead of the curve and harness the power of voice search for your business.