Voice Search vs. Traditional Search: What Business Owners Need to Know

In the evolving digital landscape, the way consumers search for information is changing rapidly. Two predominant methods are voice search and traditional search. As a small business owner or website admin, understanding the differences and optimizing for both can greatly impact your online presence and customer reach. This article will help you navigate these search methods to better serve your audience.

Understanding Voice Search

Voice search involves speaking into a device to perform an online search, often using digital assistants like Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant. It's on the rise primarily because of its convenience. Imagine having a busy morning and simply asking your phone for the nearest coffee shop instead of typing it out. This ease is why a growing number of people prefer voice search, especially on mobile devices.

According to a report by PWC, 71% of people prefer searching via voice over typing. This shows the increasing reliance on voice-assisted technology. For businesses, this means optimizing their digital strategies to align with this trend is crucial.

Traditional Search: The Digital Staple

Traditional search, on the other hand, involves typing keywords into a search engine to find information. This method remains popular for more detailed inquiries or when users need to clarify search queries or compare multiple sources. Traditional search is still robust because it allows users more control over the specificity of their queries.

For business owners, maintaining an optimized website for traditional search is key. It involves using relevant keywords, quality content, and effective search engine optimization (SEO) techniques to rank higher in search results.

Key Differences in Optimization

While both methods aim to deliver relevant search results, optimizing for voice search differs significantly from traditional search. Voice queries tend to be more conversational and longer, resembling a natural conversation. For example, a traditional search might look like “best coffee shop,” whereas a voice search could be “Where's the best place to get coffee near me?”

To capture voice search traffic, businesses should focus on long-tail keywords and natural language phrases. Creating an FAQ section that answers common customer questions concisely can also be beneficial. Additionally, ensuring your website is mobile-friendly and has fast loading times is essential, as many voice searches are conducted on smartphones.

Why It Matters: The Business Impact

Ignoring the rise of voice search can mean losing potential customers. With ComScore predicting that by 2020, over 50% of all searches will be voice-based, businesses cannot afford to overlook this trend. By optimizing for both search methods, businesses can ensure they are visible to a wider audience.

For business coaches and consultants, this means guiding clients through these changes and helping them adapt their marketing and SEO strategies. It involves understanding the client’s target audience and their search behaviors to provide tailored solutions.

Actionable Steps for Business Owners

1. Audit Your Content: Review your current website content to ensure it meets the needs of both voice and traditional search users. Incorporate longer, conversational keywords where necessary.

2. Optimize for Local Search: Many voice searches are local. Claim your business listing on platforms like Google My Business to improve your local search visibility.

3. Enhance Website Speed and Mobile Experience: Fast, mobile-friendly websites perform better in both voice and traditional search rankings. Use tools like Google's PageSpeed Insights to assess and improve your website performance.

4. Engage with FAQs: Develop a comprehensive FAQ section that addresses common customer inquiries in a conversational tone.

By taking these steps, business owners can maximize their reach and ensure they are not only present but prominent in both types of search results.

Conclusion

Voice search and traditional search each offer unique opportunities to connect with potential customers. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, staying informed and adapting to these changes will be key to maintaining a competitive edge. By understanding and implementing strategies for both, business coaches and consultants can provide more value to their clients and ensure sustainable business growth.

Citations:

PWC. (n.d.). Consumer Intelligence Series: Prepare for the Voice Revolution. Retrieved from https://www.pwc.com

ComScore. (n.d.). Voice Search - A Resource Guide. Retrieved from https://www.comscore.com