SEO Is a Marathon, Not a Sprint 

There are many factors that dictate when a business will see the effects of its SEO efforts. However, most online brands have a long road ahead when it comes to positive changes.  

At a minimum, it can take three months before results are seen. However, it often takes longer, from six months to a year plus depending on the type of keywords used, competition, and other factors.  

Why Does SEO Take So Long? 

The process of discovering, crawling, and indexing new content by a search engine naturally takes time, and a website won’t see the effects of this process for hours or even weeks. Additionally, businesses must be mindful of how they roll out new content and updates. Search engines may penalize your website if they perceive that these changes are happening too quickly (which calls your reputation into question).  

What Can You Do to Ensure Your SEO Strategy Is Successful? 

Having a strong marketing company in your corner helps, and SonicSEO.com provides clients with the benefits of our knowledge and experience. From web design to app development, we do it all. And when it comes to our SEO services, we use effective strategies that get results as quickly as possible. Call (505) 821-2000 to schedule a consultation or contact us to learn more.  

Understanding Ranking Factors

Ranking factors are the criteria used by search engines to evaluate search results. Understanding ranking factors is crucial for search engine optimization (SEO), which increases the visibility of your business online. Google Assistant, Siri, and Alexa all pull their information from different sources, which means they use different ranking factors to prioritize search results.

For example, Siri pulls information from Yelp when answering user questions. Alexa also sources information from Yelp, as well as Bing, Microsoft’s proprietary search engine, and Yext, a data management tool. Google Assistant pulls information from your Google My Business listing, which includes contact information, reviews, hours of operation, and more.

What This Means for Voice Search SEO

Because each virtual assistant is deriving their information from different data sources, the answers provided also differ. That means establishing a single SEO strategy for all voice searches will be less impactful than optimizing content to meet the criteria of each virtual assistant.  

When it comes to Siri and Alexa, establishing a solid presence on Yelp is a must. The first step is to ensure your Yelp business profile is not missing any vital information, which can lower your rank. Keyword use is also important, as using relevant keywords improves your chance of being included in search results.  You must also ensure you’re engaging your customers when it comes to reviews. Use social media and other channels to put out a call for reviews and respond to them appropriately when they’re posted.

As for Google Assistant, pay close attention to your Google My Business listing. Once again, make sure the listing includes all relevant information about your business. Also, make sure the information provided is accurate. When it comes to the content itself, the more conversational, the better.

Voice searches are more conversational than text searches, which is why Google is so highly invested in its BERT algorithm. This algorithm provides context to the words and phrases used when a person is searching for something on the internet, which provides a greater understanding of the user’s intentions and ensures more accurate results.  

What This Means for Your Business

Developing the proper SEO tactics for different virtual assistants can give your business the boost it needs. SonicSEO.com is always happy to talk with our clients about marketing endeavors to ensure they meet and exceed your expectations. We stay on the cutting edge of digital technology, including voice searches, to provide the most accurate and effective guidance possible. Contact us today to discuss your strategy.

• Omni-Channel Marketing

While multi-channel marketing refers to interacting with customers over various platforms, omni-channel marketing places the customer at the center of all interactions. Businesses must create a consistent and personalized experience across all platforms, from social media to e-commerce sites. The goal of omni-channel marketing is to forge a stronger bond between consumer and brand.

• Voice Search Optimization

Along with smart speakers like Amazon Echo and Apple HomePod, the steadily rising number of voice searches are also performed on smartphones using virtual assistants like Siri. Certain strategies can improve voice search ranking, such as creating content with user intent in mind. Optimizing content to be more conversational is another method. Use of long-tail keywords, which are longer, more specific keyword phrases, matches the way a person might interact with a smart speaker or virtual assistant. 

• Chatbots

Once visitors arrive at your site, how do you convert their visit into a sales transaction? Chatbots are proving increasingly valuable in this respect. Chatbots offer a deeper level of interaction and can also satisfy basic customer queries. They’re also relatively cost effective when compared to their return on investment.

• Augmented & Virtual Reality

Augmented reality isn’t just for gaming. It can also further customer engagement by allowing a person to interact with a product within the comfort of his or her own home. For example, a makeup company can use augmented reality to invite customers to try different shades and products before buying. Virtual tours are another way to increase awareness of a brand or highlight the experience of using a product.

• Personalized Marketing

As customers become more and more savvy, marketers are opting for a higher level of personalization when it comes to ad campaigns and interaction. This entails an understanding of customer-generated data to determine likely behavior and intent to tailor messaging and offers. Generic, obvious marketing pushes raises the ire of consumers and generally signal a company that has fallen behind in terms of digital marketing.

At SonicSEO, we’re constantly innovating our approach to online marketing. That means our clients will be able to access emerging technology and new marketing methods as they become available. We also emphasize classic, proven strategies like quality content creation to inform and entertain your target audience. If your marketing needs should evolve or your feel your current strategy isn’t enough, we can also help you get started with pay-per-click advertising or voice marketing to diversify your advertising efforts.