However, it’s fair to say, putting together an effective eCommerce SEO strategy is not an easy task. The Google search algorithm is always evolving, which means certain SEO techniques that worked last year could suddenly become outdated. Not to mention the amount of work that is required to simply get any SEO strategy for eCommerce websites up and running is extensive.

Yet when you consider the numerous benefits of eCommerce SEO, it is worth putting in the effort. For help with this, here’s an SEO eCommerce guide that details the strategies required for generating tons of organic traffic.

On-Page SEO for eCommerce

When it comes to SEO and eCommerce, it is imperative to maximise your on-page optimisation.

Before you do anything, any eCommerce SEO expert will detail the importance of keyword research. You want to find the right search terms that will drive your target audience to your website. When done, it’s time to begin your on-page SEO plan.

Below are a few on-page SEO strategies for eCommerce sites.

Create Detailed Product Descriptions

When thinking about the SEO best practices for eCommerce, product descriptions are a key component. Not only can they entice visitors into making a purchase, but they’re also prime real estate for implementing keywords and pleasing the search engines.

As a result, you want to avoid simply uploading product descriptions that are provided by your product manufacturer (if applicable). Duplicate content is something you always want to avoid too.

Include Content on Category Pages

To make the most of your eCommerce SEO content, ensure you flesh out category pages with detailed descriptions. As well as helping customers get a better idea about your product categories, it gives Google further signals and contextual relevance – so they better understand what each page is about and rank it accordingly.

Title Tags and Meta Descriptions

If you’re putting together an SEO online shop strategy, you should know the importance of incorporating your target keywords when possible. This is particularly the case for your title tags and meta descriptions.

These, of course, are what show up in search engine results. So along with playing by Google’s rules, you again have to go with a balancing act and also grab the attention of viewers. To enhance the click-through rate, consider using phrases such as “Price match guarantee” or “Free shipping”.

on page seo

Off-Page SEO Techniques for eCommerce Website

While the bulk of your efforts will be focused around on-page strategies, it’s vital not to forget the importance of off-page SEO in eCommerce. There are various off-page SEO techniques you can implement, but we’ll focus on three of the main ones.

Link Building

When it comes to search ranking, two factors sit above all others: content and link building.

While internal linking plays a big role in any SEO for eCommerce website strategy, external links are the key to growing your web presence. Trying to get other sites to link directly to your product pages can be tricky, however. This is why it’s advised to develop your blog and produce informative, linkable content. You could also send out your products to review sites.

Generate Reviews

Reviews are one of the best methods to build trust between your business and prospective customers. Along with having reviews directly on your eCommerce store, you should also request for customers to leave them on third-party platforms. Positive reviews on the likes of Google, Yelp, and social media channels help to further reassure customers. Review signals are also appreciated by search engines.

Social Media Activities

Social media marketing is one of the best ways to promote any business, including your online store. Simply throwing out a Tweet or Facebook post about a product could see it appear in front of a potential customer for the first time. Of course, there are various ways you can maximise social media’s potential, from competitions, providing customer support, to sharing original content.

Enhancing the User Experience for Customers

You’ve pleased Google with your SEO efforts. That’s great. However, you also have to place a strong focus on your actual customers. Are they getting the information they desire about your products? Can they navigate your website effortlessly? Is your website mobile-friendly?

If you want to operate one of the top SEO eCommerce sites in your niche, an enhanced user experience is imperative. Here are a few pointers to help in that regard.

Utilise Visual Content

High-quality written content is the foundation for the best eCommerce SEO plans. That has been established. However, this should also be complemented by visual content. Images of your products, for example, help to visualise them better than any words could manage.

You also don’t want to stop at images. Video content is one of the best ways to enhance the user experience. Your customers might be hesitant to make a purchase based on the pictures and product description alone, simply because they’re unsure if the product is accurately represented. A video of the product eliminates this issue immediately.

Maximise Page Speed

As far as eCommerce SEO best practices go, page speed is near the top of the list. Nobody wants to be left waiting for a webpage to load. In fact, a delay of just a couple of seconds could see prospective customers turn to your competition instead. Slow loading speeds are also penalised by Google, which will negatively affect your search ranking.

Be Mobile-Friendly

At this stage, it’s a given, but you have to ensure your website is optimised for mobile. The majority of traffic these days is from mobile devices, so your site needs to supply a quality mobile user experience.

Avoid Popups

This is a quick point, but one to keep in mind: don’t use popups on your website. It’s not just because they’re annoying for the user, either. Google has been cracking down on sites with intrusive popups for years now, so it could end up harming your eCommerce SEO optimisation.

As evidenced by the points above, SEO for eCommerce sites is far from a straightforward process. To help remove this time-consuming and complicated burden, we have the perfect managed SEO campaign for you. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with our experts today!