Ask anyone in Salt Lake City or Provo how they found the taco spot they visited last weekend, and there’s a decent chance they didn’t type a thing. They asked their phone. With 76% of voice searches having local intent, statistics show that over half (58%) of consumers use voice search to find nearby businesses. For Utah businesses, this means voice search optimization becomes increasingly integral.
The Difference Between Voice Search and Typed Search
Voice search is fundamentally different from text-based search. For a text-based search, a user may search for “pizza Salt Lake City.” For a voice search, the user may ask their phone, “What is the best pizza place that is open near me right now?” Using this search method, the user is actually phrasing their search as a question.
Search engines will yield results that more closely match how the majority of people speak, naturally giving the advantage to the local business that has optimized its content and the way it speaks. One of the main advantages of voice search SEO for businesses in Utah is that it can create a competitive advantage.
What Businesses in Utah Should Do?
Follow these guidelines to strengthen your voice search SEO Utah strategy:
Focus on Long-Tail Keywords with a Conversational Tone
Think about the language your ideal customers would use. Examples of voice search queries include “Where do I find a good plumber in Provo?” or “What is the best landscaping service in Ogden?” If these examples are incorporated into the copy on your business’s website, search engines will have a greater ability to connect your voice search query to your business.
Optimize Your Google Business Profile
Most voice search results reference Google Business Profiles. Make sure your business name, address, phone number, hours, and category are listed accurately. Businesses with fully completed profiles are more likely to appear in “near me” voice search results, one of the most important aspects of local customer outreach for SEO Utah.
Add Schema Markup
Schema Markup provides search engines with structured data about your business, including location, services, hours, and reviews. While users won’t see it, it helps Google determine which business information to feature in voice search results.
Prioritize Mobile Speed
The majority of voice searches occur on mobile devices. Your business loses the potential to attract new customers if your website loads slowly on mobile devices. Aim to have your website load in under three seconds to stay within Google’s Core Web Vitals.
Bringing It All Together for Utah Markets
Voice search prefers local content that speaks to Utah cities, neighborhoods, and services rather than broad generalities. An example of this is a roofing business that speaks to “storm damage repair in Sandy, Utah” is much more likely to get matched to voice search than a business that speaks to “Utah roofing” in general. The results really stack up when the SEO Utah strategy is implemented with specific geography in mind.
The Bottom Line
When it comes to voice search, businesses that answer real questions, maintain clean listings, and have a local focus will reap the benefits. Companies that either hire professionals for SEO Utah services or perform it themselves will benefit most from treating voice as a primary channel rather than a secondary one. This will help businesses stay visible as search moves from screens to speech.