Voice-enabled devices now live in millions of Australian homes and pockets. Someone might ask, “Where’s the nearest physiotherapist near me?” right now.
Are you showing up in that answer?
We’ve been helping Australian businesses with SEO at Matter Solutions since 2004. Over the years, we’ve watched search change from simple keywords to real conversations. Voice search is the biggest shift we’ve seen yet.
In this blog, we’ll share our insights into why voice search SEO matters for your local business. You’ll also learn simple changes that will help you show up in these voice searches.
Why Your Business Needs Voice Search SEO
Voice search is becoming a real way people find businesses. Around 76% of people now use voice search when they’re looking for local businesses. That means three out of four potential customers might be searching for you this way.
What makes voice search so different? Well, people talk completely differently than they type.
Think about it this way. When you’re typing, you might search “best coffee Sydney.” But when you’re speaking to your phone, it sounds more natural to ask, “Where’s the best coffee shop near me?”
This change shows up in the kinds of searches people make:
● “What’s a good restaurant near me?”
● “When is Bunnings open on Sunday?”
● “How do I get to XYZ Hair Studio?”
Because of this shift, voice search creates new demands for businesses. You need keywords that sound like real conversations. Your mobile site also has to load super fast because voice users want answers right away. And your business details must be perfect everywhere online.
The numbers back this up too. Voice recognition technology is expected to be worth $26.8 billion by 2025 and voice shopping sales should hit $40 billion by 2024. These aren’t small changes we can ignore.
But before we talk about getting your website to show up in voice searches, you’ve got to make sure it’s ready for them first.
How to Make Your Website Voice Search-Friendly
The truth is, most websites aren’t ready for voice search yet. But don’t worry, these problems are actually easier to fix than you might think. Let’s figure out what’s going wrong first, thenwe’ll tackle some simple solutions you can start using right away.
Identify Common Gaps
Your website probably has a few gaps that stop it from showing up in voice searches. We see these same issues pop up again and again:
● No FAQ sections written the way people actually talk
● Mobile pages that load too slowly and make voice users give up
● Missing schema markup that helps search engines understand what your business does
● Your business name, address, and phone number don’t match across different websites
When these things are missing or wrong, voice assistants get confused. So when someone asks their phone “Where’s the best pizza near me?” they might never hear about your restaurant.
Fixes You Can Implement
The good news is you can start fixing these problems today. Here are the voice search optimisation steps that work best:
● Good headings sound like real questions, for example: “What’s the best Thai restaurant in Brisbane?”
● An FAQ page helps when it answers the exact questions locals usually ask.
● Google’s PageSpeed Insights can show you how fast your mobile site loads.
● Add schema markup using simple tools like Merkle Schema Generator or RankMath.
After getting these basics down, you’re safe to head to the next step.
Make Voice Search Work for Your Business with Local Listings
Look, you’re probably not a full-time marketer with hours to spare. So let’s focus on what actually drives real visibility without eating up your whole day. It only takes a few smart moves to bring changes.
Master Your Google Business Profile First
Your Google Business Profile is your voice search goldmine. When someone asks Google Assistant “Where’s the nearest café?”, your profile is what gets them answers. So, make sure everything’s filled out completely. That means:
● Photos of your shopfront
● Accurate operating hours
● All your services listed
● Q&A section where you answer common questions people ask.
Don’t Forget the Other Players
But Google isn’t the only game in town anymore. You’ve now got Apple Maps which powers Siri’s local searches, so get your business listed there too. There’s also Bing Places that feeds results to Cortana, and it’s worth the effort since Bing has a 20% share in voice search.
Think Like Your Customers Talk
Remember, local voice searches are often urgent. Someone might be asking “closest emergency dentist” or “tradie available now” when they really need help fast. So, your listings need to show you’re open, available, and nearby.
We’ve seen it firsthand that businesses with full profiles attract 70% more voice search customers. Don’t forget Aussie slang either. People might search for “servo near me” instead of “petrol station” or ask for the “nearest bottle-o.”
Keep your reviews flowing too. Voice assistants love businesses with fresh, relevant reviews that answer real questions customers ask.
All these changes are great, but how do you know if they’re actually working?
Tools and Tips to See if Voice Search Is Working
Most businesses have no idea if their voice search efforts are working. They’re making changes but flying blind when it comes to results. Here’s how to start tracking what actually matters.
● Google Search Console: The first place to look is Google Search Console. Check your queries for question words like “how,” “where,” “when,” and “what.” These longer, conversational searches often come from voice users. You’ll start noticing patterns in how people ask about your services.
● Answer The Public: Next, try using tools like Answer The Public to dig into the voice phrases people use in your industry. Once you know what people are asking, you can create content that answers those exact questions.
● Featured snippets: This should be your main target. Why? Because when Google pulls your content for the “answer box,” that’s what voice assistants often read aloud. So, write concise, direct answers that get straight to the point.
● Local map pack: Keep an eye on your local map pack performance too. You can watch your rankings in directory listings and Google Business Profile views.
Still not seeing much traffic? That’s totally normal. Voice SEO takes time to build up steam, but tracking these things shows what’s starting to connect with people.
Start Optimising for Voice Search Today
Voice search isn’t some future tech trend anymore. It’s how people are finding businesses right now, today. While your competitors are still figuring this out, you can get ahead by speaking the language your customers use.
Make it simple for people to find you. Here’s a quick recap:
● Use smart content that answers real questions.
● Keep your Google Business Profile sharp and up-to-date.
● Focus on conversational keywords that sound like actual human speech.
And if you need help getting your voice search strategy sorted, we, at Matter Solutions, are here to guide your next step and make sure you’re ready for this change.
