How to Optimise Your Website for Voice Search
Voice search has become increasingly popular with the growth of voice assistants like Siri, Alexa and Google Assistant. It is estimated that over 50% of searches will be conducted by voice by 2023. This shift in search behaviour requires websites to adapt and optimise for voice search.
Here are some tips on how New Zealand businesses can optimise for voice search:
Focus on Semantic Search
Voice searching uses semantic search, where the meaning and intent behind the search phrase matters more than the exact wording. You need to include synonyms and semantically related words across your website copy to cover the different ways people may phrase questions. This improves chances of correctly answering voice queries.
Answer Searches Through FAQs
Format website content around natural language questions that people would ask voice assistants. Integrate an FAQ schema markup to highlight questions and answers. Google displays this in search results to directly answer voice searches.
Simplify Navigation
Lengthy and complex navigation menus don’t work for voice searchers. Simplify site architecture with clear, succinct and descriptive menu options that users can easily say out loud.
Improve Site Speed
With voice searches, slow loading websites lead to failed responses, causing the voice assistant to move to the next result. Speed up page load times through compression, caching, optimising images and eliminating unnecessary redirects.
Enhance Contextual Cues
When voice searching, people rely more on contextual clues over exact terms. Include related words, conversational language and descriptive headers. Additionally, structure content in a. clear, logical hierarchy.
Optimise for Long-Tail Keywords
Voice searches use longer, conversational queries rather than just one or two words. Research and incorporate relevant long tail keywords in strategic places throughout your site’s content.
Adapting to voice search is key for New Zealand businesses who want to remain visible and findable online. By optimising website copy, navigation menus and content structure for voice queries, you can increase relevant traffic and conversions. The higher the voice search optimization, the likelier it is that virtual assistants recommend your business.
