Let me guess. You built a killer eCommerce store, added some great products, and expected the sales to roll in—only to be met with crickets. Sound familiar?
You’re not alone. Most eCommerce shops struggle with one major problem: traffic. Or, more specifically, getting the right traffic. That’s where an eCommerce SEO specialist (aka your new best friend) comes in.
I’ve seen businesses go from invisible to unstoppable just by tweaking their SEO for eCommerce sites. And today, I’m going to show you exactly how to do it.
What is Ecommerce SEO (and Why Should You Care)?
Ecommerce SEO is the process of optimizing your online store to rank higher in search engine results—so when people search for products you sell, your site actually shows up.
Let’s be real: if your store isn’t on page one of Google, it might as well not exist. Studies show that 75% of users never scroll past the first page (yikes). That’s why an effective eCommerce SEO strategy is a game-changer.
And before you ask, “But Neil, how much does search engine optimisation cost?”—it depends. You can do a lot yourself for free, or you can hire an eCommerce SEO company to do the heavy lifting. Either way, this guide will give you actionable steps to start boosting your rankings today.
Step 1: Conduct an Ecommerce SEO Audit (Before You Waste Time)
Before you start tweaking things, you need to know what’s broken. An eCommerce SEO audit helps you pinpoint issues holding your store back.
Here’s what to check:
- Site Speed: If your pages take longer than 3 seconds to load, you’re losing sales. (Fact: Amazon found that every 100ms delay costs them 1% in revenue.)
- Mobile-Friendliness: Over 60% of searches happen on mobile. If your store isn’t mobile-friendly, Google will punish you.
- Indexing Issues: Are all your pages showing up in Google? Check Google Search Console to make sure.
- Duplicate Content: If you’re copy-pasting manufacturer descriptions, Google sees it as thin content. Rewrite your product descriptions!
- Broken Links & 404 Errors: Dead links hurt your rankings. Use Screaming Frog or Ahrefs to fix them.
Pro tip: If you don’t want to do this manually, hire an eCommerce SEO service to audit your site for you.
Step 2: Optimize Your Ecommerce Product Pages Like a Pro
SEO for eCommerce product pages is where the magic happens. Here’s how to do it right:
1. Nail Your Keywords (But Don’t Overdo It)
Use tools like Google Keyword Planner or Ahrefs to find the best keywords. For example, if you sell running shoes, “best running shoes for flat feet” might be a goldmine.
2. Write Unique, Conversion-Focused Descriptions
Forget boring, generic descriptions. Write product copy that:
- Solves a problem
- Uses natural language (like your customers would)
- Includes your keywords (without stuffing them in like a maniac)
3. Use High-Quality Images (And Optimize Them!)
Big, beautiful images help sell—but they also slow down your site if they’re not optimized. Use tools like TinyPNG to compress images without losing quality.
4. Add Customer Reviews (Because Trust = Sales)
Did you know 93% of shoppers say reviews impact their buying decisions? Displaying real reviews helps boost trust—and rankings.
Step 3: Fix Your Ecommerce Site Structure (So Google Loves You)
A messy site structure confuses Google and your customers. The goal? Make it simple and logical.
Best Practices for SEO E-commerce Site Structure:
- Categories → Subcategories → Product Pages (keep it clean!)
- Every product should be no more than three clicks from the homepage
- Use breadcrumb navigation to help users (and Google) navigate easily
Step 4: Build High-Quality Backlinks (Without Getting Penalized)
Backlinks are SEO gold—but only if they’re high-quality. Here’s how to earn them:
- Guest Posting: Write for reputable blogs in your niche and link back to your store.
- Influencer Collaborations: Partner with influencers who will link to your site.
- Broken Link Building: Find broken links on other sites and offer your content as a replacement.
Step 5: Content Marketing for Ecommerce (Your Secret Weapon)
Want more traffic and sales? Start a blog.
Content marketing is one of the best eCommerce SEO tips because it helps you rank for long-tail keywords that buyers are searching for.
Blog Post Ideas:
- “The Ultimate Guide to [Your Product]”
- “How to Use [Your Product] Like a Pro”
- “Best [Product] for [Specific Use Case]”
FAQs
1. How long does it take to see SEO results for an eCommerce store?
SEO takes time. You might start seeing improvements in 3-6 months, but big results often take 6-12 months (or more if your competition is fierce).
2. What is the best platform for SEO e-commerce?
Shopify and WooCommerce are great choices. Shopify is easier for beginners, while WooCommerce offers more flexibility (but needs more technical work).
3. Should I hire an eCommerce SEO company?
If you have the budget and want faster results, hiring an eCommerce SEO service can be worth it. Just vet them properly—some agencies promise the world but deliver peanuts.
4. How much does search engine optimisation cost?
It depends! DIY SEO is free, but professional services can range from $500 to $5,000+ per month depending on your needs.
5. What’s the biggest mistake eCommerce stores make with SEO?
Ignoring technical SEO and product page optimization. Many store owners think just adding keywords is enough—it’s not. You need fast load times, good UX, and a solid site structure.
Final Thoughts
Ecommerce SEO isn’t just a “nice-to-have”—it’s a must if you want consistent, free traffic that actually converts.
It might seem overwhelming at first, but start with small changes. Fix your site structure, optimize product pages, and build backlinks. Over time, these little tweaks will compound into massive results.
And remember—SEO is a long game. But the sooner you start, the sooner you’ll see results. So, what are you waiting for? Go optimize your store and start ranking like a boss!
