Story Based Question
You manage the SEO for a local plumbing business. Over the past few months, you’ve noticed more and more customers asking voice-enabled devices like Google Assistant for help with plumbing issues. You realize that voice search is becoming a big deal for local businesses, and you need a strategy to optimize your services for this. But you’re unsure where to start, especially when it comes to tailoring your SEO for voice search.
You ask yourself: “How do I create a strategy for optimizing local services for voice search?”
Exact Answer
To create a strategy for optimizing local services for voice search, focus on local SEO, optimize for natural language and question-based queries, ensure your business information is accurate across platforms, leverage Google My Business, and use structured data (schema markup).
Explanation
Optimizing local services for voice search requires a mix of traditional local SEO and strategies that align with the way people use voice search. Voice search queries tend to be more conversational and location-specific, so your approach needs to address these factors. Here’s how to build an effective strategy:
- Focus on Local SEO
Voice searches are often location-based. People tend to ask questions like “Where can I find a plumber near me?” or “Who can fix a leaky pipe in [City Name]?” To optimize for these searches, make sure your local SEO is solid.- Action: Ensure your website is optimized for local keywords and phrases, like “plumbing services in [City Name]” or “best plumber near me”. Include your location in titles, meta descriptions, and headers.
- Optimize for Natural Language and Question-Based Queries
Voice search queries tend to be conversational and longer, often framed as questions. For instance, instead of typing “plumber near me”, someone might ask, “Who is the best plumber in [City Name] for a clogged drain?”- Action: Create content around question-based keywords. Build an FAQ section on your site to address common voice search queries like “How do I fix a leaky faucet?” or “What should I do if my toilet is overflowing?” This helps capture voice searches with long-tail, natural language queries.
- Ensure Accurate Business Information Across Platforms
When customers search for local services through voice, they rely on accurate, up-to-date business information. This includes your address, phone number, hours of operation, and services offered.- Action: Make sure your business details are consistent across all online platforms, including your website, Google My Business, Yelp, and other local directories. This boosts your visibility in local voice search results.
- Leverage Google My Business
Google My Business (GMB) is a crucial tool for local SEO. It’s often the first thing that appears in local voice search results, especially when someone asks for “near me” queries.- Action: Optimize your Google My Business profile by ensuring all details are accurate and up-to-date. Add service areas, business hours, photos, and respond to reviews. You can also use posts on your GMB profile to engage with potential customers.
- Use Structured Data (Schema Markup)
Schema markup helps search engines understand your business information better and can lead to rich snippets in search results. This is important for both local and voice search visibility.- Action: Use local business schema to mark up important details like your address, phone number, hours of operation, and the services you offer. This allows voice assistants to pull up the right information when someone asks about your services.
Example
Let’s say you manage the SEO for a local plumbing business. Here’s how you would apply these strategies:
Step 1: Focus on Local SEO
You make sure your website has location-specific keywords, like “plumbing services in [City Name]” and “24/7 plumber near me”. You also create location-based landing pages for different areas you serve.
- Action: On your homepage, you add content like: “If you’re in [City Name] and need a plumbing expert, we’re here to help. We offer 24/7 emergency plumbing services in [City Name] and surrounding areas.”
Step 2: Optimize for Natural Language and Question-Based Queries
You start a blog where you answer common plumbing questions in a conversational tone. This helps target question-based voice search queries.
- Action: You write blog posts titled “How do I fix a clogged drain?” or “What should I do if my water heater stops working?” These posts are optimized for voice search by answering questions directly.
Step 3: Ensure Accurate Business Information Across Platforms
You make sure your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) are consistent across your website, Google My Business, Yelp, and other local listings.
- Action: You update your Google My Business profile with your exact business hours, services, and photos of your work. This ensures that when someone asks for “a plumber near me”, your business is accurately displayed.
Step 4: Leverage Google My Business
You upload high-quality photos of your services, add a business description, and make sure all the information is accurate. You also start responding to reviews to build trust.
- Action: You create a post on your Google My Business page saying, “We’re open this weekend for emergency plumbing services. Call us anytime!” This ensures your business stands out in local voice search results.
Step 5: Use Structured Data (Schema Markup)
You add schema markup to your website to provide search engines with detailed information about your services, business hours, and location.
- Action: You use local business schema on your homepage and service pages. You add structured data for “Plumbing Services”, “24/7 Emergency Plumbing”, and other relevant services to enhance visibility in voice search results.
Optimizing local services for voice search is about creating a solid local SEO foundation, focusing on conversational and question-based queries, ensuring your business information is consistent, and leveraging tools like Google My Business and schema markup. With voice search becoming increasingly popular for local services, adapting your SEO strategy will help you stay visible and accessible to potential customers.