Voice search isn’t the future anymore—it’s the now of e-commerce. By 2025, over 50% of searches will be done through voice, according to searchengineinsight.com. That means if you’re a reseller relying on old-school SEO tactics like cramming random keywords or stuffing meta tags, you’re going to lose customers to competitors who’ve adapted to how people actually talk (and shop).
Let’s be real: Voice commands sound way different than text searches. You’d type “vintage leather jackets women size 8,” but you’d ask Alexa, “Where can I find a black leather jacket that fits like a glove and won’t break the bank?” This shift toward natural, question-based queries isn’t just a trend—it’s a goldmine for resellers who know how to optimize for it.
But here’s the thing: Voice search optimization (VSO) isn’t some buzzword. It’s actionable. It’s about structuring your website, content, and product listings to match how real humans (your customers) interact with their smart speakers and phones. Ability to rank for phrases like “best budget mirrorless camera under $1,000” could mean the difference between selling a refurbished Sony A7III in a week or letting it gather dust for a month.
In this guide, I’ll break down the six key strategies you need to dominate voice search—and turn more passive listeners into paying customers. Plus, I’ll share a real-world example from a reseller who doubled sales after implementing these tactics. Let’s dive in.
1. Focus on Conversational, Long-Tail Keywords: Think “How,” “Why,” and “What”
Here’s the deal: Voice search queries are sloppier, chatty, and way less transactional than text. People don’t bark “Nike ZoomX Vaporfly Next%” into Google Assistant—they ask, “Hey, what are the lightest racing shoes for marathon training under $200?”
Why it matters:
Long-tail keywords with questions and modifiers like “fast,” “cheap,” “best,” or “where to find” are your bread and butter. These phrases are less competitive and align with natural speech patterns.
How to implement:
- Use free tools like AnswerThePublic.com or Serpstat to find questions people ask about your niche.
- Example: If you resell vintage mid-century furniture, target queries like:
- “How much should I spend on a used Eames chair?”
- “What’s the most durable outdoor Adirondack chair for under $150?”
Pro tip:
Revamp product descriptions with these phrases. Replace “Vintage Dining Chairs, Set of 4” with “Looking for Durable Vintage Dining Chairs That Won’t Break the Bank? Try This 1960s Danish Set.”
2. Build a Robust FAQ Section: Become the Answer Machine
Voice assistants like Alexa are basically giant question-answer bots. When someone asks, “What’s the easiest way to clean a vintage fur coat?” Google wants to serve a concise, direct answer. If that answer is your FAQ section, congrats—you’ve just gotten a free ticket to voice search visibility.
Why it matters:
FAQ pages are gold for VSO because they naturally address common customer pain points. If your page answers “Is this pre-owned Apple Watch compatible with iOS 16?” in a single, focused paragraph, it’s far more likely to get pulled into a voice search snippet.
How to implement:
- Create a dedicated FAQ page for each category (e.g., “vintage watches,” “luxury handbags”).
- Use a Q&A format with bolded questions and bullet points instead of walls of text.
- Example:
Q: “What’s the return policy for used makeup palettes?”
A: “We accept returns within 14 days of purchase if the product is unopened and in original packaging. Opened items aren’t returnable due to hygiene.”
Pro tip:
Include the same keywords in your FAQ that you’re targeting in product titles. A reseller of used Nintendo Switch consoles could answer “Does the pre-owned Switch sold here include a charger?”—and naturally repeat “pre-owned console” in the answer.
3. Optimize for Featured Snippets: Be the Voice Assistant’s Best Friend
A featured snippet is the box at the top of Google that says “People also ask” and spills out instant answers. If you own one, you’re basically in the VIP section of voice search—since 40.7% of voice device answers come from featured snippets (singlegrain.com).
Why it matters:
Getting featured means when someone says, “Siri, how do I test if a used smartphone camera works?”, your step-by-step guide shows up—as Apple reads it aloud. That’s visibility and credibility.
How to implement:
- Structure content with subheadings for each question.
- Use bullet points or numbered lists.
- Keep answers under 50 words.
Case in point:
A luxury watch reseller could create a snippet for “How to spot a fake Rolex.” The page would include bullet points like:
- Check the serial numbers on the case back and bracelet for smooth engraving.
- Original Rolexes have a cyclops lens over the date that magnifies it 2.5x.
This format makes it easy for Google to extract the info as a snippet.
Pro tip:
Target keywords with the phrase “how to” or “what is” for higher snippet odds.
4. Use Schema Markup: Teach Google What You’re Selling
Schema markup is like giving Google a cheat sheet for your website. It tells search engines exactly what your product is, how much it costs, and whether it’s in stock—using code that’s invisible to users.
Why it matters:
Without schema, Google might misinterpret your “Red Air Jordan 1 High OG Chicago” sneaker listing as a blog post. With schema, it’s labeled clearly as a product. This accuracy is key for voice search, where users often say, “Hey Google, find red retro Jordans under $200,” and expect real-time prices and availability.
How to implement:
- Use Google’s Structured Data Markup Helper to tag:
- Product names
- Prices and price currencies
- Availability status (in stock vs. backorder)
- Categories (e.g., “men’s sneakers”)
Pro tip:
If you’re not tech-savvy, plugins like Yoast SEO or RankMath often have built-in schema tools. Just fill in the blanks, and the plugin formats it correctly.
5. Speed Up Your Mobile Site: Because No One Wants to Wait
Here’s a rude awakening: 27% of voice searches happen on mobile, and if your site takes longer than three seconds to load, you’re losing customers (singlegrain.com). Imagine someone asking “Ok Google, what’s the cheapest used iPhone 13 on Amazon?” sees your link, and immediately clicks away because the site is sluggish.
Why it matters:
Fast sites improve user experience, reduce bounce rates, and rank higher in voice results.
How to implement:
- Compress images with tools like TinyPNG or Squoosh.
- Remove unnecessary applets and scripts that slow down your page.
- Use a mobile-first design: Avoid flash animations, pop-ups, or tiny text.
Pro tip:
Test your site speed with Google’s Mobile Speed Test. Aim for a score over 90.
6. Double Down on Local SEO: Own the “Near Me” Game
When someone asks, “Where can I buy vintage sneakers near Las Vegas?” and your local SEO is strong, your store appears. This is non-negotiable for resellers with brick-and-mortar locations or those serving specific regions.
Why it matters:
30% of all mobile voice searches are location-based (medium.com). If you don’t own keywords like “resell skateboards near Portland,” you’re losing sales to the Amazon Local guy.
How to implement:
- Create a Google My Business listing with:
- Accurate business hours, photos, and address.
- Reviews: Encourage satisfied customers to leave 5-star reviews.
- Add location-specific keywords to your URLs and product titles. For example:
- Vintage Fender Stratocaster for sale in Chicago
- Used mountain bikes near Portland
Pro tip:
Create a “Us” section on your website that highlights your local roots. People love buying local—it builds trust.
Mixing Theory with Practice: A Real-World Example
Let me tell you about a friend who resells curated plants. Last year, she was struggling to attract local customers because her SEO was stuck in 2018. After optimizing for voice search:
- She added a product page titled “Best Low-Maintenance Houseplants for Beginners” and included FAQs like “How often should I water my snake plant?” (Targeting conversational keywords.)
- Used schema markup to show prices and availability (e.g., “In Stock: ZZ Plant – $29).
- Speedloaded her mobile site by compressing product images from 3MB to 600KB each.
- Created a Google My Business listing with photos of her plant workshop and asked customers to review her delivery service.
Result? Her organic voice search traffic tripled in six months, and she’s now the go-to for plant lovers in Austin.
Final Thoughts: Voice Search Optimization Isn’t Optional Anymore
Here’s the bottom line: Voice search is reshaping how customers find products. If you’re still optimizing like it’s 2020—stuffing product titles with keywords like “2nd hand vintage” and assuming robots will understand—you’re going backward. But if you embrace strategies like designing FAQ pages, using schema, and building trust through local SEO, you’ll stay ahead of the curve.
Think of voice search as your most curious customer: They want answers fast, clear, and in plain English. Give that to them, and they’ll keep coming back.
Your homework? Start with one strategy. Maybe implement schema markup for your 10 top-selling items, or rewrite your product descriptions to sound like actual speech. Then track your rankings in tools like Ahrefs or Semrush and see the difference.
Voice search isn’t just a tech thing. It’s a sales thing. And in 2025, that difference will separate the struggling resellers from the ones making bank.
