If you run an online store, you probably want to make sure people can easily find your products when they search online. That’s where SEO, or Search Engine Optimisation, comes in. Here are 10 ways to boost your eCommerce site’s SEO and get more people to visit your store.

10 ways to improve SEO for ECommerce

1. Choose the right keywords

Keywords are the words or phrases people type into Google when they’re looking for something. For your online store, you need to pick the right keywords that match what you’re selling. For example, if you sell running shoes, use keywords like “buy running shoes” or “best running shoes.” Make sure to use these keywords in your product titles, descriptions, and other important areas on your site.

2. Write unique product descriptions

Don’t just copy and paste product descriptions from the manufacturer. Write unique descriptions for each product. This helps search engines understand what each product is about and why it’s valuable. Make your descriptions clear, engaging, and full of relevant keywords.

3. Use high-quality images

Images are a big part of online shopping. Use high-quality, clear images of your products to make them look appealing. But it’s not just about the look; naming your image files properly is key too. Instead of using random file names like “file123,” which don’t provide any useful information, try to be descriptive.

For example, if you’re selling a leather jacket, name your image file “leather-jacket.jpg” and use alt text like “black leather jacket for men.” This helps search engines understand what the image is about, which can improve your SEO. Our SEO team often sees eCommerce sites using random image names that offer no value. This not only makes it harder for search engines to index your images but also misses out on potential traffic. So, be sure to use clear, descriptive names and alt text for your images.

4. Optimise your site’s speed

Nobody likes a slow website. If your site takes too long to load, visitors might leave before it even finishes. Check your site’s speed and make sure it loads quickly. You can do this by optimising images, using a good hosting service, and minimising unnecessary plugins or scripts.
Google PageSpeed Insights and GTmetrix are two main tools for testing your website’s speed.

Google PageSpeed Insights evaluates your site’s performance on both mobile and desktop devices, offering specific recommendations to improve speed and user experience. It’s great for understanding how your site performs on Google’s criteria.

GTmetrix provides a detailed breakdown of your site’s speed, including load times and bottlenecks. It combines data from Google Lighthouse and WebPageTest to give you actionable insights.

5. Make your site mobile-friendly

More and more people shop on their phones these days. Make sure your eCommerce site looks great and works well on mobile devices. A mobile-friendly site improves the user experience and helps your SEO. Google also prefers sites that are mobile-friendly.

6. Improve your site’s navigation

A well-organised site helps visitors find what they’re looking for quickly. Use clear categories and subcategories to make it easy for users to browse through your products. Another great tool for improving navigation is breadcrumbs. Breadcrumbs show users their current location within your site’s hierarchy and allow them to easily navigate back to previous pages. This not only improves user experience but also helps search engines understand the structure of your site. A good navigation structure, including breadcrumbs, also helps search engines crawl your site better, leading to improved SEO and more efficient indexing.

7. Create engaging content

Content isn’t just for blogs. Create engaging content like how-to guides, product reviews, or buying guides related to your products. This not only helps with SEO but also provides value to your customers. For example, if you sell kitchen appliances, you could write a guide on “How to choose the best blender for smoothies.”

8. Get quality backlinks

Backlinks are links from other websites to your site. They help improve your site’s authority and ranking. Try to get backlinks from reputable sites in your industry. You can do this by guest blogging, partnering with influencers, or getting featured in industry-related articles.

9. Use social media

Social media is a great way to drive traffic to your site. Share your products, special offers, and engaging content on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. This can help increase your visibility and bring more visitors to your site.

TikTok is also on the rise as a powerful social media platform. With its growing user base and viral content potential, TikTok offers a unique way to reach a younger audience. By creating engaging and creative content related to your products, you can leverage TikTok to boost your site’s traffic and connect with a wider audience. Don’t miss out on this emerging trend. Incorporating TikTok into your social media strategy can be a game-changer for driving more visitors to your site.

10. Monitor and adjust your SEO

SEO isn’t a one-time thing. It’s important to regularly check how your SEO efforts are performing and make adjustments as needed. Use tools like Google Analytics to track your site’s traffic, see what’s working, and find areas for improvement.

Bonus tips

Customer reviews can help boost your SEO by providing fresh content and showing search engines that your products are popular. Plus, reviews can help build trust with potential buyers. Additionally, make sure your URLs are clean and include relevant keywords. For example, instead of a URL like “www.example.com/product123,” use “www.example.com/running-shoes.”

Schema markup helps search engines understand your content better. This can improve your search visibility and help with rich snippets, like star ratings or product prices. And if you have old blog posts or product pages, update them with fresh information and keywords. This can help improve their ranking and keep your content relevant.

If you have a physical store or want to attract local customers, make sure to optimise for local SEO. This includes adding your business to Google My Business and using local keywords.

Improving SEO for your eCommerce site doesn’t have to be complicated. By choosing the right keywords, writing unique product descriptions, and making sure your site is fast and mobile-friendly, you can boost your search engine ranking and attract more customers. Regularly update your content, get quality backlinks, and use social media to drive traffic to your site. Keep an eye on your SEO performance and make adjustments as needed. With a bit of effort, you can make your online store more visible and successful.