Online commerce is always moving, so standing out amidst the digital noise requires more than just having a great product; it demands a strategic approach to Search Engine Optimization (SEO). For ecommerce websites, SEO is really essential. While many businesses focus solely on social media or paid ads, which both have great benefits, they also require constant effort and a steady stream of income in order to pay for the ads. With this case, SEO presents an opportunity for sustained organic growth. In our latest article, we will share our best ecommerce SEO strategies, offering insights into driving organic traffic and boosting sales.
On-Page SEO for Online Store Optimization
Ecommerce Keyword Research
Any SEO starts with keyword research and ecommerce is no different. Choose keywords wisely, avoiding the pitfalls of targeting overly competitive terms or those that fail to attract the right audience. Use tools like Google Keyword Planner to gauge search volume, keyword difficulty, and buyer intent. A well-crafted keyword matrix can be your compass, guiding you towards the most effective keywords for each page.
Leveraging Unconventional Sources for Keyword Gold
Google Keyword Planner and Beyond: Dive deep into Google Keyword Planner to unearth search volume and Cost Per Click (CPC) data. But don’t stop there; consider creating a keyword matrix for a comprehensive overview of keyword effectiveness.
Amazon: A Treasure Trove of Intent: Amazon is not just an ecommerce giant; it’s a goldmine for high buyer intent keywords. Use the Amazon Keyword Tool to automate the extraction of valuable autofill suggestions.
Competitor Research: Learn from the best by examining competitors who outperform you in search results. Explore their pages for potential keywords, but exercise caution and ensure relevance rather than blind emulation.
Ahrefs – Your Swiss Army Knife: Ahrefs isn’t just a tool; it’s your SEO ally. Leverage its features for keyword research, competitive analysis, and insights into your site’s ranking performance.
Optimizing Product Pages: The Heart of Ecommerce
Elevate your product and category pages to SEO ecommerce success by strategically placing your target keywords in crucial areas:
– In the URL: Craft SEO-friendly URLs with your primary keyword for an edge in competitive niches.
– Title Tag (H1): Make the keyword prominent at the beginning of the title tag to reinforce your page’s central theme.
– Body Copy: Introduce at least a 300-word text snippet with the keyword repeated 2-3 times for Google’s favor.
– Image Alt Text: Enhance visibility in Google image results by incorporating your keyword into image alt text.
– Metadata: While not a direct ranking factor, including keywords in metadata improves click-through rates, indirectly influencing rankings.
Technical SEO for Ecommerce
Ecommerce SEO is not solely about keywords; it involves various technical details that dictate your site’s performance, including:
Website Architecture
Construct a website architecture that is both simple and scalable, adhering to the golden rule of no page being more than three clicks away from any other. Utilize keyword research to create relevant URLs and subdirectories, fostering easy navigation for users and search engines alike.
Page Speed
In a world where attention spans wane, site speed is paramount. Google’s PageSpeed Insights Tool offers insights and suggestions for improving load times, ensuring a seamless user experience and preventing potential customers from abandoning ship due to slow-loading pages.
Redirects, Internal Links, and HTTPS
– Redirects: Use them judiciously, ensuring a seamless transition between old and redirected URLs to prevent SEO hiccups.
– Internal Linking: Forge an interconnected web within your site, guiding users and enhancing engagement while indirectly influencing SEO.
– HTTPS: Embrace secure URLs, aligning them with your keywords for an added boost in SEO prowess.
Eliminating Technical SEO Obstacles
– Duplicate Content: Google frowns upon duplicity; ensure uniqueness across your content to avoid SEO penalties.
– Hreflang: Leverage HTML attributes to signal language and geographical targeting, steering clear of potential global SEO pitfalls.
– Canonicals and Sitemaps: Guide search engines with canonical URLs, and fortify your SEO strategy with a meticulously crafted sitemap.
Mobile Responsiveness for Your Customers
Over 60% of Google searches occur on mobile devices, underscoring the importance of mobile responsiveness. Ensure your website not only caters to mobile users but is responsive, guaranteeing a smooth experience that aligns with SEO success.
Link Building Strategies: The Backbone of SEO
In the eyes of Google, content and links continue to reign supreme. Backlinks from authoritative sites wield unparalleled influence, and mastering link-building strategies is crucial for SEO success.
Resource Page Link Building
Identify resource pages in your niche and reach out, aiming to secure valuable backlinks that bolster your site’s authority.
Partnering with Influencers
Forge alliances with influencers in your industry, leveraging their high domain authority for strategic backlinks.
Broken Link Building
Scour websites for broken links using tools like Check My Links, offering a helping hand to webmasters and gaining quality backlinks in return.
Stealing Competitor’s Links
Uncover your competitors’ link sources using tools like Ahrefs, seizing opportunities to acquire highly valuable backlinks.
Guest Posting
Engage in guest posting to build relationships, showcase industry expertise, and secure high-quality links that elevate your SEO profile.
Measuring SEO Success Requires a Data-Driven Approach
SEO success isn’t instantly quantifiable like PPC; it requires patience and a keen understanding of key metrics:
Ahrefs Rank Tracking
Employ Ahrefs’ rank tracking feature to monitor fluctuations, compare against competitors, and gauge overall search visibility.
Google Analytics
Install a free SEO dashboard on Google Analytics, tracking increases in search traffic and pinpointing landing pages for strategic SEO adjustments.
Fueling Ecommerce Sales through SEO
There are various traffic sources available, yet search traffic stands out as the reliable, free, and sustainable option. To propel your site into your audiences’ eyes and to improve your return on investment (ROI), mastering ecommerce SEO is indispensable.
A well-executed SEO campaign can exponentially boost sales without an incessant drain on resources. Relevant Audience’s expert team is here to guide you towards your goals. Contact us today for more information.
