This article explores marketing for voice search and ‘near me’ queries to help our business prepare for the future of search.
Voice search is no longer a novelty: it is an integral part of how people search for local shops and services.
Every day, voice assistants such as Google Assistant, Siri and Alexa handle millions of voice commands from mobile devices and smart speakers.
A single spoken request like “Hey Google, where’s the nearest coffee shop?” can decide which business wins the customer.
To secure that spot, you need a clear voice search strategy rooted in strong local SEO, solid technical SEO, fast page-speed and a focus on conversational keywords.
This article shows UK companies how to effectively optimise their sites so that search engines deliver your voice search results-and not the competition’s-when customers use voice search.
The Rise of Voice Search (and “Near Me” Queries) in the UK
The importance of voice search has grown greatly in the last three years. Research shows that almost half of UK households now own smart speakers-and most voice searches relate to local searches or everyday needs.
The shift towards visual and voice search is not just a trend-it’s a fundamental change in how consumers interact with brands. Businesses that adapt swiftly will not only survive but thrive in this new era.
Sarah Thompson, UK digital marketing expert
In fact, analysts tracking the latest voice search trends say that around 76 percent of UK voice search queries carry local intent.
That means people are literally speaking to their phones while walking down the street, asking a device for quick answers about a best coffee shop or “garage open now”.
Key data highlights:
- Voice search usage now accounts for 40 percent of UK online retail enquiries, according to e-commerce surveys.
- Roughly 29 percent of 16–64-year-olds interact with voice assistants at least weekly, a figure rising in every age group.
- Search results containing “near me” have doubled in only two years, and Google Maps logged a 100 percent jump in “shopping near me”.
Put simply, voice search is changing the way people find information online. The fundamental shift from traditional typed searches to spoken, conversational queries gives forward-thinking companies a chance to stay ahead of larger rivals.
Brands that embed natural language processing (NLP) insights, long tail keywords and structured data into content see stronger rank signals across Google and other search engines.
Why “Near Me” Voice Searches Matter for Local Businesses
For small local businesses, a single spoken request often turns into revenue within hours.
Google’s own studies show that the majority of search queries with local intent lead to a store visit or call within 24 hours; many convert to a purchase the same day.
Because voice queries tend to be action-oriented (“find a plumber near me”, “book a table at the best café”), user intent is crystal clear and the window for winning the sale is short.
Consider this: 88 percent of UK “near me” searches happen on smartphones, where loading times, mobile friendliness and concise, voice search friendly copy matter even more.
When search engines read out only one or two voice answers, your website for voice search must supply consistent local business information-otherwise a rival may claim the top spot.
Poor NAP consistency, slow site speed or missing schema markup can remove you from spoken search results altogether.
Optimising Your Business for Voice and Local Search
Below is a practical, five-step blueprint-presented in numbered lists and bullet points-to lift your website’s visibility for voice search SEO while preserving readability and brand tone.
Claim and Complete Your Google Business Profile (GBP)
- Use all fields: category, description, hours, images, menus or services.
- Add conversational phrases like “family-run bakery in York” that match voice queries.
- Monitor insights in Google Analytics to verify improved traffic.
Ensure Consistent NAP and Local Listings
- Align contact details across your site, Facebook, Yell, Bing Places and niche directories.
- Double-check changes with schema LocalBusiness markup so voice enabled devices can read them out.
Create Conversational Content and FAQ Pages
- Write or update a blog post that answers common questions: “Do you offer vegan cakes?”
- Include question-based queries, long tail and short tail keywords naturally.
- Use FAQPage schema so answers qualify for featured snippets and spoken results.
Improve Technical Foundations
- Compress images, enable caching and test page speed-fast-loading, mobile-friendly sites rank better.
- Apply technical SEO checks to maintain clean site structure and crawlability.
Earn Reviews and Use Structured Data
- Encourage happy customers to “Leave a voice review on Google” at checkout.
- Higher ratings lift rich snippets and spoken voice search answers such as “Which is the best coffee shop nearby?”
- Mark up testimonials with schema markup to help search engines trust them.
Tip: Add explicit “How-to” bullet points or numbered lists for services that lend themselves to quick, spoken answers (for example, “3 steps to book a boiler inspection”). This small tweak often secures a coveted voice-assistant slot.
Small UK Business Success Stories in Voice Search
Even though voice-optimisation is relatively new, many small businesses are already seeing the benefits of embracing it. Here are a few real examples of how UK businesses have thrived by tuning into voice and local searches:
Local Restaurant, Manchester
A bistro updated website copy with conversational content like “best brunch spot in Manchester city centre”. Combining that with FAQ schema pushed them into Google’s featured snippets for “brunch near me”-driving a 20 percent lift in voice search traffic and Sunday bookings.
Rowlen Boiler Services, London & Surrey
By targeting eco-focused keywords such as “energy-efficient boiler service near me” and ensuring responsive design, Rowlen enjoyed a 17 percent reduction in bounce rate and an upswing in mobile calls traced to voice search marketing.
Independent Sportswear Retailer, Leeds
After a digital marketing strategy emphasising conversational language-“Where can I buy supportive running shoes near me?”-store footfall rose by 12 percent. Google Business Profile clicks showed a direct connection to “open now” requests on Google Home and Alexa.
These examples prove that any sector can benefit from the growing importance of voice search technology: hospitality, services, retail or even niche e-commerce.
Conclusion: Get Your Business Noticed in the Voice Search Era
The future of voice search is already here, reshaping the digital marketing landscape and how users interact with brands.
By adopting the key strategies outlined-fast loading websites, consistent local data, schema-rich pages and truly conversational answers-you’ll improve visibility, capture relevant results and remain competitive as the market evolves.
Voice-activated discovery rewards businesses that speak the customer’s language. If you start optimisation now, your firm can dominate those lucrative, intent-packed moments such as “Book the best way to service my boiler” or “Find the best coffee shop open late”.
The sooner you optimise, the better your chance to stay competitive, win new customers and unlock measurable ROI from the next wave of voice-commerce sales.
For further reading on advanced keyword strategies, structured data, or how to track progress with analytics tools, see our companion guide: “Advanced Voice Search Optimisation for SMEs.” Embrace voice search today-and let your business be the answer that smart devices recommend tomorrow.
Get Your Business Noticed
Add your details to the Noticed UK Business Directory today and make sure smart speakers and voice assistants call out your name when customers ask for what you do.
It’s quick, it’s free, and it puts you one “Hey Siri” or “Alexa, find…” away from new local sales. Claim your spot now and let your next customer find you-hands-free.
References:
The Future of Search: Visual and Voice in the UK Market
7 Up-to-Date Voice Search Statistics
68 Voice Search Statistics 2025
Voice Search For Brands: 34 Statistics & Trends
Mind-Bottling SEO Stats for 2025