How to optimise a company's website for voice search

Ensure speed and performance. Speed directly affects conversions: the faster a website loads, the more likely it is that the user will stay on it and perform the desired action. Google has a tool called PageSpeed Insights. It evaluates website loading speed for free and provides tips for improvement.

Choose reliable and fast hosting. Without high-quality hosting, it will be difficult to ensure speed, high availability, and security. Hosting issues can negatively impact the visitor experience and the overall reputation of the business.

Check the age of the domain. The older the domain name, the higher the trust of search engines. Such resources may have an advantage in ranking over ‘younger’ sites: they are visited more often, are better indexed, and are more resistant to changes in search engine algorithms. As soon as you have the idea to create a website, you should immediately register a domain name. This will start the domain age report.

Create a fast mobile version. According to research, people spend about 50% of their waking hours on their phones. Therefore, the website should have a mobile version, according to experts at PAnDiKubiz company. Of course, it should load quickly and work without errors. It is worth developing AMP pages. This technology allows you to optimise the pages of the mobile version of the website for fast loading and improved user experience.

Voice messages and voice searches in search engines have become an integral part of gadget use. If you want your company to be visible, its website must be optimised for voice search. In one of our previous publications, we explained why businesses need voice search. Now, the experts at PAnDiKubiz marketing have shared their tips on how to prepare your website for voice search implementation.

Expansion of the semantic core
There are three main differences between voice search and traditional semantics.

Simple phrases. People approach writing a query in a search bar consciously: they try to choose specific and correct words. When they make a voice query, they express themselves in the same way as in everyday life. Therefore, for voice search, you need to choose the simplest verbal phrases.

The presence of a clearly expressed intent. Voice search phrases have the clearest intent (‘open,’ ‘turn on,’ ‘find,’ ‘build’) compared to traditional search phrases. People always put a clear intention into voice commands. The intent in voice phrases should be expressed briefly and as concisely as possible.

Long queries. Verbal queries are longer than written ones. For example, ‘Where can I buy cat food in city X?’ A written query will most likely be twice as short: ‘cat food in city X’, ‘buy cat food’. Therefore, you need to add complete phrases to the semantic core, even if they are not high-frequency.

When collecting semantics, you also need to use:

• various abbreviations;
• queries that begin with question words such as ‘who,’ ‘how,’ ‘where,’ ‘what,’ etc.;
• jargon and slang;
• specific expressions and names that people use when communicating with each other.

Optimise your content for Featured snippets – Google's quick answers. They are located at the top of the search results and contain information that briefly and accurately answers the query. Users usually click on Featured snippets more often than on other search results. Most voice assistants recognise these blocks and often use them to answer user questions.

There are no exact recommendations on how to get into Featured snippets, but in general, Google takes several signals into account:

• paragraphs that expand on a specific question;
• lists;
• technical content in the form of HTML tables;

Create detailed content without filler. According to statistics, the average length of text in Google's top 10 results is over 2,400 words. Long and detailed articles rank higher. Such texts contain a lot of content that can be a source of answers to users' voice queries. Content should contain as much specific information as possible. Remember: no one needs quantity without quality. It is important that content is shared. This also affects voice search.

Create an FAQ section. This is the optimal form of content for voice search queries. Compile a list of the most relevant questions that people ask about your product or service. Provide a brief, clear, and understandable answer to each question.

Local SEO is very important for voice search, according to PAnDiKubiz managers. You can register your company for voice search in Google My Business, add a card to navigators and geoservices. You need unique photos and a useful description of the company. Emphasise convenience and benefits for local customers. The main thing is to update the data promptly.