Opportunities & Results
The technology is now well advanced, but in the Netherlands, its use is still in its infancy. This means there are still plenty of opportunities to be the coveted result of a voice-activated search. Unlike “typed” searches, Google doesn’t display 10 or more results; instead, the assistant reads out just one result. By linking that single result to your business, you’ll be a big step ahead of the competition. But how do you do that?
Rewrite your texts
Optimizing your website for voice search mainly involves adapting your content. Whereas you previously focused your content on terms like “plumber Breda” or “accounting firm Tilburg,” when optimizing for voice search, you should use longer, more conversational phrases such as “an affordable plumber in Breda” or “where is the nearest accounting firm in Tilburg?”
Your texts should be as short as possible so that Google Assistant or Alexa doesn’t have to read an entire book to its users. Simple text, free of jargon and difficult words, is also a must. After all, you don’t want to test the technology’s limits. Moreover, people using voice search are often already occupied with something else and unable to process complex information.
Use structured data
Interestingly, the voice search result is not always the same as the first result from a standard, typed search query. It is often taken from a so-called featured snippet. These are the small blocks of text that sometimes appear above the search results for certain queries and provide an immediate answer to the searcher’s question. The trick is to have your content appear in those blocks for relevant questions.
Google has now also added structured data related to voice search, which allows you to show the search engine exactly which part of your text answers a specific question. Which section is “speakable,” as Google calls it, and which part is suitable for reading aloud. Indispensable, but technically much more complicated to implement. Your website developer or SEO specialist can undoubtedly help you with this.
Focus on local searches
In many (if not all) cases, Google prioritizes local search results for voice searches. This means that for certain search terms, local businesses are given preference over national or even international companies. After all, they are often more relevant to the searcher. And that presents even more opportunities for you as a relatively small business owner.
Fortunately, optimizing for local searches isn’t that difficult. Google mainly needs to know where you’re located. You can do this by creating a Google My Business listing or, if you already have a business page, by updating your current listing with your current address. You can also mention your service area in various texts on your website.
Conclusion
Voice search may not yet be very widespread in the Netherlands, but the potential of voice-activated searches makes it worth investing in. Competition is currently limited, which means that even relatively small businesses can take advantage of the opportunities available now.
