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Search engine optimization (SEO) is critical in helping websites beat their competition in search engines like Google. This is especially important for eCommerce sites, where lower SEO rankings can lead to less traffic and lost conversion opportunities. In this tutorial, we will discuss the importance of eCommerce SEO for beginners and first-time business owners. You will also find some eCommerce marketing best practices to grow your online business without having to hire an eCommerce SEO agency. Download Checklist: How to Start an Online Business

What Is eCommerce SEO?

eCommerce SEO is a set of strategies and techniques to optimize your online store’s visibility and rankings on the search engine results pages (SERPs). When implemented properly, it helps attract more traffic to your product pages and, ultimately, boost conversions.

Why Is eCommerce SEO Important?

When building an online store from the ground up, nobody knows about your brand yet. Having your site appear on the top of the search engine results pages will increase brand awareness and drive traffic to your eCommerce site. That’s why having a well-defined eCommerce search engine optimization strategy is instrumental for creating an SEO-friendly website. Apart from helping you get more traffic and sales, on-page SEO also enables you to deliver a flawless user experience.

Boost Organic Traffic

eCommerce is a competitive industry filled with globally acknowledged online stores like Amazon, eBay, and Craigslist – not to mention niche marketplaces that dominate the local search engine rankings. As such, implementing effective eCommerce SEO strategies can help your online store rank higher on the SERPs. This increased visibility leads to more organic traffic to your eCommerce website.

Increase Conversion Rates

Appearing in search results for relevant keywords helps your website attract visitors who are actively looking for the products or services you offer. It’s easier to convert them into paying customers, resulting in higher conversion rates and increased sales.

Enhance User Experience

SEO goes beyond keyword optimization. It includes faster page loading times, mobile-friendliness, and easy navigation, all contributing to a positive user experience. A well-optimized eCommerce site keeps visitors engaged. It encourages them to explore your products further, giving you more opportunities for conversions.

How to Build an eCommerce SEO Strategy

From researching target keywords to performing on-page SEO, this section provides a step-by-step guide on how to create a successful eCommerce SEO campaign.

1. Set the Foundation With eCommerce Keyword Research

Whether you’re starting an online business or looking to optimize an existing one, knowing what potential customers are looking for online is the key to successful SEO efforts. It enables you to create content that answers their questions or fulfills their needs.

Types of Keywords

Before getting to the research part, you need to understand the different types of keywords:

  • Main keywords. Short and generic keywords that describe your products or services. A main keyword contains one or two words with a high search volume. For example: “shoes” or “digital camera.”
  • Secondary keywords. Longer and specific phrases that are less competitive and more geared toward a certain audience. For example: “the best running shoes for beginners” or “Canon EOS digital camera reviews.”
  • Informational keywords. Used to look for answers or solutions to a problem. For example: “how to shoot videos using a phone” or “benefits of drinking green tea.”
  • Transactional keywords. Terms indicating the user is ready to make a purchase or take a specific action. They often contain words like “buy,” “order,” “discount,” or “coupon.”
  • Navigational keywords. Used to look for a specific website or web page. They usually include the name of a company, website, or product, such as “Amazon,” “Facebook login,” or “iPhone support.”
  • LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing) keywords. Terms that help search engines understand the full context of a web page. Incorporating them can improve your content’s relevance and boost your eCommerce website ranking. For example: the LSI keywords for “software” can be “mobile app” or “computer programming.”

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