“Hey google, what is the best ice cream shop near me?”
Who doesn’t love the ease of asking your smartphone a question and turning up instant, hands-free results? For questions that need addressing in the middle of a baking session, walk, or simply while multitasking other responsibilities, the voice search function is an ultra handy innovation that has gained massive traction in recent years.
After a quick look at some 2020 statistics, you’ll see that when it comes to the digital search world, no other segment has grown larger than voice search. This is in part thanks to the built-in voice search function that has become a standard addition to mobile smart phones.
With almost everyone relying on their mobile phone for instant internet access, communication, and entertainment, its worth it to make sure that your website is as mobile-friendly as possible and makes use of this special feature.
Did you know you can optimize your written content to appeal to voice searches? Tap into this superpower using these 4 tips:
1. Leverage your local business through SEO
Because voice search only returns one answer, you need to fight for that spot by all means necessary. Its not just about being on the first page of Google anymore, you want to be #1. This means completely filling out your Google My Business account, paying attention to the keywords on your site, and tagging your content appropriately.
Mobile voice searches are 3x more likely to be local based than text which means that you have an advantage in coming up as a search result for users in your area. Make sure your website contains your address, phone number, service areas, local organizations and involvement, as well as your daily operating hours to optimize your written content and maximize your chances of being found.
2. Write in a conversational tone to optimize your written content
Remember that when people use voice search, they are talking to their phone the way they would talk to any other person. Jargon-filled, impersonal copy will not fit with the voice algorithm or present well when read out by the virtual assistant.
Try reading your copy out loud to see if your writing flows the way you speak. This is a great way to optimize your written content and see where you might need to take out extra words, adjust punctuation, and improve your clarity. Keep your sentences short and descriptive to get to the point quickly.
3. Implement a detailed FAQ page
Writing answer-focused copy is key to optimize your written content as voice search is predominantly used when people have a question and need a quick answer. Set up an FAQ page that is easy to find and written from the point of view of your customer. Try to think intuitively about the questions your customers will have when they first click on your website, while navigating your website, and what they may want to know about your products. Examples could include:
Q: Do you ship to Canada?
A: Yes. We ship to Canada and the United States
Q: Do you do custom orders?
A: Yes. Our team is happy to work with you to create your custom order, contact us at 111-222-3333
By answering first with a yes or no when possible, you can cut to the chase and give concise answers quickly.
4. Optimize your product descriptions for voice search
The use of voice search for shopping has been predicted to skyrocket in 2022. This means that its more important than ever to put effort into your product descriptions for maximum returns. Studies show that 83% of shoppers who use virtual voice assistants have confidence in its suggestions, so getting your products to turn up on a voice search majorly boosts your chances of making a conversion.
When writing your product descriptions try thinking about not only the product itself, but about the experience the customer will have while using it, how it will solve their problem and how it will make their life better. By using this approach, you can stretch what may have originally been a sentence or two into a comprehensive description that will help sell the product and create copy that will turn up in a voice search.
Don’t forget to include:
- Image descriptions and alt text keywords
- Long-tail keywords
- Local keywords and content
- Organized headers
Conclusion
Now that you have some strategies to optimize your written content, get ready to incorporate them into your website copy! As more people start to adopt voice assistant technology in their day-to-day life this area will only continue to grow.
Think you could benefit from some expert guidance? We’ve got your back! Chat with a Wingman today.