The way people search the internet is changing, and fast. We’re no longer just typing into Google. We’re speaking to our phones, smart speakers, and even our watches. Whether it’s “Alexa, where’s the nearest accountant?” or “Hey Siri, best yoga studio near me”, voice search is quickly becoming part of everyday life.
For small businesses, this presents both a huge opportunity and a brand-new challenge. To stay competitive, websites now need to be optimised not just for screens and keyboards, but for spoken queries too. Welcome to the world of voice search SEO.
In this post, we’ll break down exactly what voice search SEO is, why it matters, and how you can optimise your website to ensure your business is heard – literally!
What Is Voice Search SEO?
Voice search SEO is the process of optimising your website and content so that it ranks well in search results generated by voice assistants like Alexa, Siri, Google Assistant, and others. These voice assistants respond to natural, spoken queries – often longer and more conversational than traditional typed searches.
For example:
- Typed search: “Indian restaurant London”
- Voice search: “Where’s the best Indian restaurant near me that’s open right now?”
Voice search SEO focuses on capturing these spoken queries and ensuring your website is structured in a way that search engines (and voice assistants) can understand and serve as relevant results.
Why Voice Search Matters for Small Businesses
📈 It’s Growing Rapidly
In the UK, the use of voice-activated devices is on the rise. With smart speakers like Amazon Echo and Google Nest becoming household staples, voice search usage is expected to account for more than 50% of all online searches by the end of 2025. Small businesses who fail to adapt may miss out on a growing share of their local market.
📍 Local Intent Is Strong
The majority of voice searches have local intent. Phrases like “near me”, “closest”, and “how do I get to” are common. That’s good news for small and location-based businesses, if your site is optimised to be found.
🔍 Featured Snippets Rule
Voice assistants often pull their answers from featured snippets or “position zero” in search results. Getting your site into those prime spots requires a different approach to traditional SEO, and voice search SEO is the key.
How Is Voice Search Different from Traditional Search?
Understanding the differences helps shape your optimisation strategy. Here’s how voice queries differ:
| Traditional Search | Voice Search |
| “best hairdresser Cambridge” | “Who is the best hairdresser near me?” |
| Shorter and keyword-focused | Longer, conversational, and question-based |
| Text-based results | Spoken answers from one top result |
| Multiple listings shown | Often only one answer read aloud |
| Suited for skim reading | Needs concise, clear, direct answers |
Voice Search SEO Tips to Make Your Website Voice-Friendly
Now for the practical stuff! Below are some proven strategies to optimise your website for voice search in 2025.
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✅ Optimise for Conversational Keywords
Voice search is far more conversational than traditional text search. People speak in full sentences, ask questions, and use natural language.
What to do:
- Focus on long-tail keywords that mimic real speech
- Use question-based keywords like how, what, where, when, why
- Add FAQ sections to your site, targeting voice-style queries (e.g. “What time do you open on Saturdays?”)
Example:
Instead of targeting “SEO services UK”, optimise for:
➡️ “What are the best SEO services for small businesses in the UK?”
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📍 Focus on Local SEO Essentials
Since voice searches are often local, this is a key part of voice search SEO.
What to do:
- Make sure your Google Business Profile is claimed and fully updated
- Ensure consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone) information across all online listings
- Add location-specific landing pages and content
- Include phrases like “near me”, “close by”, or “in [town/city]” naturally in your content
Bonus Tip: Include directions or nearby landmarks in your copy, e.g. “We’re just five minutes from Croydon Station.”
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🔎 Structure Your Content for Featured Snippets
Because voice assistants tend to pull responses from featured snippets, it’s smart to optimise for that “position zero”.
What to do:
- Use clear headers (H2, H3) to break up content into bite-sized, scannable answers
- Write short, concise answers (around 40–50 words) for FAQs
- Use bullet points, numbered lists, and tables to organise data
Example:
Question: What’s included in a small business SEO package?
Answer: A typical SEO package for small businesses includes keyword research, on-page optimisation, local SEO setup, backlink building, and performance tracking.
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🚀 Improve Site Speed and Mobile Performance
Voice searches often come from mobile users. Google prioritises mobile-friendly, fast-loading sites in voice search results.
What to do:
- Use Google’s PageSpeed Insights to test and improve your loading time
- Make sure your site is mobile responsive
- Compress images and eliminate unnecessary code
- Use a clean, easy-to-navigate design on small screens
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🗣️ Add Structured Data (Schema Markup)
Schema markup helps search engines better understand your content. For voice search SEO, it’s especially useful for:
- Business info (opening hours, services)
- Events
- Reviews
- FAQs
Use schema.org’s FAQPage or LocalBusiness markup to highlight key information that voice assistants can use.
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🧠 Create Authoritative, Trustworthy Content
Google’s E-E-A-T guidelines (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) matter more than ever – especially for spoken search results.
What to do:
- Write content that genuinely helps your audience
- Add author bios or “About Us” pages to show credibility
- Keep your content updated and relevant
- Include testimonials, case studies, or review snippets
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🗓️ Keep Business Info Up to Date
Voice searches often ask practical questions like:
- “What time does [business name] close today?”
- “Is [business] open on bank holidays?”
What to do:
- Keep your Google Business Profile updated regularly
- Clearly list opening hours, contact numbers, and service areas on your site
- Use schema to highlight this information
Bonus Tips: What Not to Do for Voice Search SEO
❌ Don’t stuff keywords unnaturally
Voice search requires a conversational tone. Keyword stuffing will make your content sound robotic and inauthentic.
❌ Don’t ignore analytics
Track how users are finding your site. Use tools like Google Search Console and Google Analytics to spot voice search queries and adjust content accordingly.
❌ Don’t rely on automation alone
AI tools are helpful, but voice search SEO still requires a thoughtful, human-led content strategy to resonate with real users.
Tools to Help You with Voice Search SEO
Here are some tools that can help you optimise:
- AnswerThePublic – Great for discovering real questions people are asking
- AlsoAsked.com – Visualises related questions from Google
- Semrush / Ahrefs – For long-tail keyword research
- Google’s Rich Results Test – To check your schema markup
- PageSpeed Insights – For site speed testing and optimisation tips
Final Thoughts: Be the Voice That People Hear
Voice search SEO isn’t a passing trend, it’s the future of search. With more people relying on voice-activated assistants to get fast, reliable answers, now’s the time to make sure your business is part of the conversation.
The good news? You don’t have to figure it out alone.
At We Get Digital, we help small businesses across the UK build SEO-optimised websites that work for both humans and voice assistants. We combine smart digital tools with real-life strategy and experience to ensure your business gets found, no matter how people search.
Want to get your website voice search-ready?
📞 Let’s talk! Contact us today to learn how we can help.
