If you run an online business, one of your top\npriorities is getting potential customers to find you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
To do that, you\u2019ve probably already followed\nall the guidelines, suggestions, and rules to optimize the results of your\nbusiness in search engines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You should be good to go, right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not so fast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Along comes voice search, a rapidly growing\nway that users are searching online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thanks to artificial intelligence (AI) and the\nrise of AI assistants like Amazon\u2019s Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple\u2019s Siri and\nSamsung\u2019s Bixby, voice search is now a dominant method of searching the\nInternet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here\u2019s the deal:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A person who lives in Mytown used to type in a traditional search on the browser of their computer or phone, things like \u201cMytown shoe stores,\u201d<\/em> or \u201cMytown shoes.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Now, that same user will call out: \u201cHey Alexa, where\u2019s the best place to buy\nshoes in Mytown?\u201d<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Or hold the button on their iPhone and say, \u201cHey Siri, where can I get great shoes in\nMytown?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Besides the convenience of speaking instead of typing, this kind of search almost becomes a conversation between the user and the smartphone, tablet, or virtual household assistant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As a result, this usage continues to grow, and\nthis type of search is soon to become the standard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So let\u2019s look at the six ways voice search\nwill impact SEO, and what you can do about it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s true that this is yet another change in\nSEO that requires a new strategy and some new tactics for you and your\nbusiness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But it\u2019s also true that voice search will not\nbe going away. The effort you expend on adapting your online business to voice\nsearch will pay dividends immediately and into the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That doesn\u2019t mean there won\u2019t be other possible adjustments along the way, but changes you make for voice search will serve you well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In fact, Forbes predicts<\/a> that as soon as the year 2020, half of all online searches will be made through voice search.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Think about it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most of us can speak a lot faster than we can type. The novelty of intelligent personal assistants like Alexa will soon be more than a novelty. <\/p>\n\n\n\n They are becoming a convenient and valuable addition to our lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And companies like Amazon and Google are invested in making the assistants even more valuable, so in turn they want to make voice search work as effectively as possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n That increased effectiveness of voice search will only drive faster adoption of personal assistants. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you haven\u2019t already optimized your site for\nmobile, the time has come to make it your Number 1 priority. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Your site has to be responsive to mobile\ndevices. It can\u2019t take too long to load, and it can\u2019t look weird when it does\nload, or people will leave or \u201cbounce.\u201d If your bounce rate is high and stays\nhigh too long, your search rankings will fall drastically. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The need for a mobile-friendly site is\nimportant for many reasons, but even more important for voice search. For\ninstance, people use voice search while driving, utilizing their smartphone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Take a look at your site to ensure it works\nwell on smartphones and mobile devices, then make all the necessary adjustments\nto improve user experience, for example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n A large majority of voice search is for local businesses, including business directories and local reviews. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You need to be sure your business is included in both. In fact, directories and review sites are almost like their own search engines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To address this, make sure you have an optimized Google My Business listing that\u2019s as comprehensive as possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Think photos, reviews, and responses to customer comments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The same holds true for your product page on Amazon if you own an e-commerce business<\/a>. Utilize your keywords within your product descriptions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Depending on the nature of your business, be\nsure you have a presence on third-party review sites like Yelp or TripAdvisor,\nwhich some search assistants use to supplement their queries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Don\u2019t be afraid to ask customers for reviews,\nand make sure you respond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And ensure the essential business information,\nlike name, address, and phone number, are the same on each site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019ve already named and branded your\nbusiness, this could be a difficult one to change. But it may be worth it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s the kicker:<\/p>\n\n\n\n When a customer asks a question of their\nassistant or smartphone, the assistant reads back the top result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For instance, using our example, the assistant\nwould say:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAccording to MyTown Shoe Store\u2026\u201d or \u201cWe found\nthis information on MyTown Shoe Store…\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Having a name that can be spoken by a virtual assistant will become even more important to brand awareness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The business name must be easily understood, easily pronounced, and easy to remember. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It also needs to be spelled in a way that\nallows the assistant to pronounce it correctly. Puns or cute plays on words may\nnot be advisable in the world of voice search.<\/p>\n\n\n\nGet Used to the Fact Voice Search Is The New Normal<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Mobile Friendly Is An Absolute Necessity<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Local Listings Are Vital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Your Name or Brand Must Be Easy To Say<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Content Needs to Sound Like Your Customers Talk<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n