Once upon a time, we used to think that voice search was out of our reach, that it was a way-too-advanced technology that was only used in certain companies and their developments. But the truth is that voice search is here, and it is now. It’s a way of making our lives easier, helping us with queries on the Internet, shopping online, and even improving inclusivity! 

Voice search in eCommerce is quite necessary nowadays, because as long as a new technological advance makes it easier for customers to shop, the industry will embrace it. And so should you. 

We’ve seen virtual assistants like Amazon’s Alexa, Apple’s Siri, Google Assistant, Microsoft’s Cortana and Samsung’s Bixby come along. With their help, even the smallest tasks in people’s daily routines were made easier. So, now voice-enabled shopping has evolved and positioned itself within eCommerce websites to improve the user experience! Juniper Research forecasts that the voice commerce market will reach more than $80 billion per year by 2023. 

Customers want immediacy and instant answers, that much we know. Voice search is a method that can provide it for them. By searching certain questions we will get fast answers. Or just with a simple command like “Ok, Google”, “Hey Siri”, or “Alexa” a digital assistant will find answers and follow instructions. 

Now, let’s talk about what we care about: the importance of Voice Search in eCommerce. Neglecting this tool means losing out on possible customers. It is said that in 2022, 55% of all American families will own a smart speaker that carries a voice shopping feature. Amazing, right? 

Adding a voice search feature has many benefits, and we’ll tell you some of them: 

  • Easier way to search for products 

Customers don’t want to waste time typing, facilitate their purchase journey. It’s effective and time efficient; the average person types between 30 to 35 words per minute, while a voice search processes close to 100 words per minute. As a result, a swifter process that allows customers to shop whilst doing another activity, like cooking, cleaning, or even driving. 

  

  • Voice Search Shopping is smart and fast 

As we know, artificial intelligence and machine learning are key in this process; they make voice search features smart, causing them to learn from a customer’s shopping habits and behavior. They can even suggest other products that it “thinks” they may need and like or remind consumers about products they left behind once. This is an advantage for brands, because with the right data they can push important products. It also shows products in milliseconds! 

  

  • More accessibility for all kinds of customers 

Don’t just rely on search engines and their voice search features to search traffic for your website. Improve the shopping experience within your own eCommerce website. Businesses like Domino’s Pizza have developed their own voice recognition technology to optimize their ordering system (both on desktop and mobile). Their voice search assistant “Dom” helps customers order in an easier and faster way, reducing errors and improving customer satisfaction. 

Having this option is also a great step towards inclusivity for all, especially the visually impaired. 

  

Now, we’ll help enlighten you with some advice on how to make the most of this feature for your eCommerce website: 

  

  • Optimize your eCommerce website for faster speed. 

How? By removing broken links, reducing the size of your images, reducing redirects, and using caching. If your page takes forever to load, search engines like Google will probably ignore it. 

Make sure to also have a responsive eCommerce website, remember that most users nowadays search through mobile. Remember it’s all about the customer experience, no matter whether they’re on desktop or mobile. 

 

  • Remember that voice search is more conversational. 

Keep it natural and conversational! When optimizing keywords, try to think of combinations of longer keyword sentences and filler words rather than short keywords (which would normally work for regular searches). Remember people are more likely to ask real questions they would ask another person, more like a day-to-day conversation. 

So, add question keywords like “what’s the best Italian restaurant near me?”, and long-tail keywords like “homemade coffee filters”, too. 

  

  • Have a FAQ page ready. 

Being ahead of time with ready-made answers like a FAQ page will be seen as favorable by search engines, which will help your eCommerce website become a valued brand that is trustworthy. 

FAQ pages save time for customers and websites, by listing common questions in one place. FAQ pages also boost sales because customers have all their primary questions answered, which in the end decreases any doubt regarding a purchase1 that they may have. 

And most importantly, a FAQ page raises a brand’s website’s visibility on search engines, especially Google. 

  

One thing’s clear: online shopping is here to stay and voice search is redefining the shopping experience overall. And whether it’s to rank better, increase your digital presence, or sell more, you should optimize your eCommerce website to fulfill your potential customer’s needs. 

When we offer new options and technologies to consumers, they see value in this, they see a business that is investing to better their experience, which impacts a brand’s image and differentiates them from others. 

We’d love to hear your opinion on voice search! Leave us a comment.