In the early days of the Internet, it could be kept really simple.
To rank, all you had to do was submit your URL.
Have a few navigation buttons floating around, some images and background music… that was enough.
Today, the scene of the digital world is different.
Voice Search Application is KEY.
On Page optimisation; Off Page optimisation; appealing content and serious keywords; a professional website design; TLD combinations specificity; all these are part and parcel of what makes your online presence visible.
And yet, it is still not enough.

In 2020, more than 50% of all goods and services searches on the internet will be done via voice search. And as technology rapidly explodes, with search capabilities in clothes, watches and IoT devices, consumers will look to purchase goods and services online, using all of these and much more.

Just as the printing press replaced the pen and mobile phones replaced landline, so it will be with the new ‘Voice Search First’ world, replacing the ‘Search text Box’ we are all so familiar with.
If your business is not optimised for it and is unable to deliver content that supports and allows customers to access the information they require, when they ask for it, your goods and services (your business) will not be seen and will fall back, behind the pack.
Perhaps waaaay back! Forget what used to work.
As 2020 kicks in, those business ignoring the technological tsunami pushing relentlessly forward, will fall away.
Voice Search, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Augmented Reality (AR) powered search queries are the new trends businesses will need to understand and adapt for to be successful.

HOW IS YOUR BUSINESS? IS IT READY FOR VOICE SEARCH?

A permanent shift in the way users search for goods and services has already begun.
Smartphone Users have switched to voice messaging and will continue to do so, just as they shifted to WhatsApp, Twitter or the classic SMS service.
And the Big companies have responded to the demand with Siri, Google Assistant and Alexa accommodating everyday voice searches and even handling various day to day tasks throughout the modern day ‘Tech’ house.

How is YOUR Business? Is it prepared for this shift? If it is, then don’t worry, the quicksand of SEO change will affect neither your business nor your income.
But if it isn’t ready, necessary adjustments to classic search engine optimisation is required.
Immediately.

HOW DO YOU CREATE CONTENT? FOR VOICE SEARCH?

• Use Long- Tail Keywords (Longer, more Specific word combinations and sentences).
  Single or Short Keywords are less accessible, more expensive and rarely available.
  And Voice Searchers will generally search with longer word combinations.
• Optimised metadata descriptions, a clear URL structure and website specific TDL are also helpful.
• Create content that answers SPECIFIC questions.

Use a Q & A page.
Present the questions in Headline form; post the Answers immediately.  

RELATED TO: SEO Adjustments For Voice Search.

• Content is KEY. But technical jargon not easily understood by the average person, will diminish a websites online visibility because it is too… technical.

Google is all about the USER experience. Replace the technical jargon and intellectual voice with that more to the liking and understanding of the Customer. This will please Google and the potential customer with money in their pocket.
This is very important.

HOW DOES PAGE LOADING SPEED AFFECT VOICE SEARCH?

Page loading speed is going to matter even more in the future.

Page loading speed is going to matter even more in the future.

• Optimize your website images
• Minify the HTML, CSS and JavaScript
• Use a Content Delivery Network to provide higher performance

Use ‘Page Speed Insights’ to measure your websites loading time and reduce it, if necessary.

HOW CAN I USE STRUCTURED MARK UP?

Structured Data Mark-up provides ACCURATE and IMPORTANT details about a Website or a Business to all Search Engines.
When a Searcher uses Voice Search (or the Search Box), the results they receive heavily favour readily available information presented through Structured Data.
Information like a websites business listing and featured snippets are quickly presented by the Search Engine to the Searcher.
This is a faster, more direct and more efficient response to the Searchers queries on Voice Search, delivering relevant results and more information.

HOW DOES AI AFFECT SEARCHES?

In 2018, two phone calls were presented to a website Developers’ conference.
In one, a caller books and secures an appointment over the phone for a haircut.
In the second, a caller tries to book a table at a restaurant then asks how long they need to wait for a table on a set night.
In the Great Reveal, both ‘callers’ turned out to be Artificial Intelligence robots.
Both conversations sound natural and human.

Unique and contextual content as well as structured data that delivers high value is increasingly important for websites. This makes it easier for AI to easily identify relevant information in order to maintain prominent visibility on the internet, within a list of perhaps three as opposed to the current search results of ten per page.
That is the future we are heading in to, very quickly.

It pays for all businesses who want to compete for position (which will become more critical with Voice Search) to have a thorough and strong understanding of these things.
Ensuring your Website is properly optimised, not only in the traditional sense with the basic SEO principles but also, in regard to the specific optimisations needed for Voice and Wearable Tech Search, will ensure all things are in place to succeed.

RELATED TO: SEO Success For Voice Search.

IN CONCLUSION

The Scene of our Digital world is an ever changing landscape.
Those businesses who will scale to the top of the mountain, will be those who are prepared to take on the voice search revolution and succeed at it.
We have touched on a few of the optimisations astute business owners must consider for Success.
For more information, contact us HERE.