E-commerce Tips

Building links to your products and categories isn’t always easy. Brands would seldom want to promote others unless it’s mutually beneficial. Even then, opportunities to do so are scarce. It’s why eCommerce is one of the more challenging verticals to build links to. However, this doesn’t mean it’s impossible. If you’ve exhausted all your old link-building strategies but are still seeing a backlink drought, keep reading. This article is a playbook with proven eCommerce link-building strategies you can draw from to enable your site to climb search engine results ranks. Why Links Are Important for eCommerce Site  Backlinks directly impact your bottom line in many ways. For instance, it builds your authority. The more authoritative search engines deem your site, the more visitors you’ll attract to your online store.  Links are important for your eCommerce for a host of other reasons, too:  According to recent link building statistics, only 2.2% of online content is able to acquire multiple backlinks. You need fresh tactics to stand out from the severely competitive backlinking landscape.  Top eCommerce Link Building Tactics  How effective the eCommerce link building strategies below are for you will vary. It’s best to try each out before settling on one to see which moves you closer to your objectives effectively. 1. Visit HARO  Help a Reporter Out (HARO) is a platform that connects you with journalists looking for the next product they can feature. Typically, businesses send these products to the publication for testing and review.  HARO provides an excellent opportunity for exposure from credible news sites and publications. Hence, it doesn’t only drive traffic but also builds trust among potential customers who see your brand in respected media outlets.  For instance, suppose you sell bedside lamps. Getting featured in an article that compiles the best bedside lamps of the year allows you to leverage the publication’s audience, attracting new customers to your eCommerce. 2. Pitch product reviews If HARO opportunities are scarce or you want more control over the review process, consider contacting journalists or bloggers who have previously covered topics related to your product category or have reviewed your competitors.  More often than not, publications run yearly reviews of top products so you can pitch your product to be included. Product reviews offer social proof and detailed insights into your offerings.  3. Create infographics and shareable assets  Infographics and visual assets enhance your content and serve as linkable assets that others may use in their articles or blog posts. When they do, they’ll link to your website as the source. The strategy is especially helpful if you build links through image-sharing platforms like Pinterest. 4. Launch digital PR campaigns Digital PR involves creating newsworthy stories or events related to your eCommerce business and pitching them to online publications and news outlets. By generating buzz and publicity, you can attract high-authority backlinks. Besides backlinks, it also enhances your brand’s visibility and credibility. A ripple effect happens when news outlets cover your story. It spreads online, leading to more mentions, shares, and links. It’s a strategy even big industry players follow. For instance, Logitech wrote a press release announcing the launch of their latest mouse product. This created a buzz around the brand, attracting reporters to spread the news further. 5. Run discounts  Discounts tailored to specific sectors or audiences allow you to attract highly credible sources. Not all discounts are alike, either. Identify niche websites, forums, or communities related to your products and provide exclusive discounts to their members or readers. In return, these websites often mention your discounts and link to your site. 6. Try affiliate marketing An affiliate marketing program allows other website owners or influencers in your niche to promote your products in exchange for a commission per sale. These affiliates often create content or reviews that link to your eCommerce site. Take a cue from Amazon Affiliates, one of the most popular types of these programs. It helps drive sales and generates natural backlinks as affiliates promote products through their websites, blogs, or social media channels.  7. Practice brand monitoring Brand monitoring differs from social monitoring in that the latter only focuses on brand mentions on social media platforms; brand monitoring encompasses the entire internet and other channels.  When you identify websites, blogs, or social media posts that reference your brand without providing a link, reach out to them and kindly request a link to your eCommerce site. This strategy not only reclaims unlinked mentions but also enhances your link profile. Searching for your eCommerce brand name that doesn’t have links to your website is easier than you think. You’ll need to use the quotes and dash search operators. The quotes tells Google to search for the specific phrase, while the dash instructs the search engine to find results that do not mention a certain keyword or phrase.  A search for your eCommerce brand without a link shows you a list of websites you can reach out to and build links from. 8. Conduct broken-link building  Broken links can impact search engine ranking, so it’s important to keep each page updated. Monitor which product pages become unavailable on competitor websites and offer your equivalent products as alternatives to website owners. This strategy helps fix broken links on other sites and earns you valuable backlinks in return. 9. Perform competitor monitoring Regularly check where more than one competitor is mentioned in articles, blog posts, or industry roundups.  For instance, if you sell crystals, input the name of the name of your competitors with the quotes search operator. This will show you what your competitors have been up to and where they’ve been featured. Reach out to these sources and pitch your brand to be included in the conversation alongside your competitors. Building Quality Links for Your eCommerce Site  It’s impossible to overstate how important backlinks are to your website. As tricky as it is to receive links to your eCommerce, the e-commerce link building strategies mentioned above reveal that it’s a challenge you can overcome. Ultimately,

What are the best SEO practices for your online store? Let’s take a look at the following guide specifically designed to improve e-commerce web positioning on Google. 1. Define the categories and products of your online store that you want to work with First of all, you should select the products from your online store that you want to enhance their positioning. So my recommendation is that you focus on those products where you are most competitive and they represent the 80/20% of your sales. Let’s dive in with real-life examples! In the case of Surfoon, the example that we will use throughout this guide is the category of star products, which are surf skateboards. Once we know which product category we want to work with, we are going to investigate how our potential customers search for our products on Google. 2. Perform a keyword research for representative products Doing keyword research is one of the most important e-commerce best practices for SEO! To perform e-commerce keyword research, we will use tools like Semrush to know the search volume of the representative keywords of our product category that we want to rank. Using this tool we will find out how many searches per month the Surfskates product family has and for which related keywords we should work. Once we know the searches that our keyword has, we will evaluate if we want to work it or not. We will also be able to find out which keywords related to our product we should work with. In the case of surfskates we can detect the following patterns: With this information, we will be able to analyze the Google search results for the keywords we want to position and create the content accordingly. 3. Create content related to keyword research Once we know the users’ search intentions, we must create the pages that respond to the searches of our potential customers. These search intentions will be separated according to the phase of the purchase process: Information, consideration, purchase. In the case of surfskates we can see the following examples for each phase of the buying process: How to choose a surfskate? (Informational) In this case, the potential customer is looking for information on how to choose a surfskate. So he/she will need a blog article to learn how to choose the best one for him/her. Best surfskate brands (Consideration) In this case you already know which surfskate to buy and why but you need to know which brands are the best to practice this sport considering the quality of the brand and the price. Surfskate carver (Purchase) Here the potential customer already knows which surfskate to buy and which brand and in this case will be looking for the best conditions for the purchase of the product. With this you have a clear idea of the pages you should create for your online store and appear in Google searches. 4. Facilitate crawling and indexing of pages Once we have created the pages to be indexed, it is important that they meet the following requirements: Be labeled with the index tag It is important that the page contains the index meta tag, so that Google can enter the page in the search results. Be found in the sitemap.xml The page must be in the sitemap.xml for Google to prioritize its indexation. Linking from different points of the online store You should link the pages you have created from different points of your online store, to make it easier for google robots to find the new URL. This means doing e-commerce link building the right way. 5. Correctly place keywords into the pages Once we have the pages correctly indexed we must help Google understand what is the search intent of each page. Prominent sites to use the keyword will be: Meta title A Meta title, also known as a title tag or page title, is a fundamental element of SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and web design.  It is a descriptive and concise piece of text that is placed in the HTML code of a web page to indicate the title of that page.  This title is not always visible on the page itself, but appears in the title bar of the browser and in Google search results. Meta description The Meta description is a short piece of text that is included in the HTML code of a web page. It is not visible on the page itself, but is displayed in Google search results.  Its main purpose is to summarize the content of the page in a concise and attractive way, providing users with a preview of what they will find when they click on the link.  An effective Meta description should be relevant, contain keywords and encourage users to click on the link, which can improve click-through rate (CTR) and search engine performance. H1, H2, H3 In SEO, H1, H2 and H3 headings are HTML tags used to structure and hierarchize the content of a web page.  The H1 represents the main title of the page and is crucial to indicate the main topic. H2s are used to subdivide important sections within the content, and H3s are used for subcategories within H2s.  Using these headings in a consistent and relevant manner helps search engines understand the structure and hierarchy of the content, which improves the readability and SEO optimization of the page. By using these correctly you will help Google to better understand your website. Conclusion on SEO best practices for ecommerce In short, the goal of SEO for an online store is to achieve organic visibility on Google and consequently to get more sales. To achieve this, you will need to know what are the best SEO practices for ecommerce. You will need to start by doing keyword research on the products you want to position and help Google understand your website so that it can position you in searches related to the products you sell.   Josep Delafou Mayoral SEO

Imagine walking into a vast digital marketplace, where every online store is vying for attention. Some stores are bustling with customers, while others are eerily quiet. What sets them apart? Often, it’s the power of keyword research. It’s the invisible force that pulls customers into one store and not the other, guiding their every click and purchase. Now, if you’re thinking, “Keyword research? Sounds technical and tedious,” Ok, get it. But here’s the twist: it’s less about algorithms and more about understanding human behavior. It’s about tapping into what your customers are really searching for and meeting them right there. And the numbers back this up. A study by Ahrefs revealed that websites that prioritize long-tail keywords can witness up to a 70% surge in traffic. That’s a game-changer! Whether you’re launching your first e-commerce venture or seeking fresh strategies to boost an existing one, this guide promises insights that can transform your online store’s trajectory.  Ready to embark on this journey? Let’s set sail! Understanding the Importance of Keyword Research for E-commerce In the bustling digital marketplace, standing out is a blend of art and science. And keyword research is the compass guiding this journey, especially for e-commerce businesses. Imagine you’re a shopper. When you type “how to fix a watch” into a search engine, you’re on a different mission than if you searched for “buy luxury watch online.” This is the essence of user intent. By understanding and targeting these specific intents with your keywords, you’re not just driving traffic, you’re attracting visitors who are more likely to convert because they found precisely what they were seeking. But it’s not just about understanding your audience. It’s also about optimizing your budget. If you’re pouring money into paid advertising, you want to ensure you’re getting the most value out of every cent. This means bidding on the right keywords. Think about it: some keywords might bring a flood of visitors, but if they’re not converting, that’s a lot of wasted money. On the other hand, high-intent keywords might have fewer searches, but they bring in visitors who are ready to buy. And then there’s the content. Keyword research is like a guiding star for your content strategy. Whether you’re brainstorming blog topics or crafting the perfect product description, knowing the terms your audience uses can make your content resonate more deeply. Plus, search engines love relevant content. The more you optimize your content around specific keywords, the better your chances of climbing the ranks and being seen by even more potential customers. Lastly, keyword research is about staying agile. The digital world is always shifting. New trends emerge, old ones fade, and consumer behavior evolves. By keeping a pulse on keyword trends, you can anticipate these shifts and adapt, ensuring your e-commerce business remains at the forefront. Why is Keyword Research so Important for E-commerce? In the vast ocean of e-commerce, keyword research is your compass. It’s what ensures you’re sailing in the right direction, attracting the right customers, and offering them exactly what they’re seeking. Let’s delve into why it’s such a pivotal aspect of e-commerce: How to Do Keyword Research for E-Commerce Dive Deep with Long-Tail Keywords: Leverage User-Generated Content: Spy on Your Competitors: Seasonal and Trend-Based Research: Wrapping Up Unlocking the nuances of e-commerce keyword research is akin to discovering a secret pathway to success in the digital realm. By pinpointing and targeting the right keywords, you’re not just attracting visitors; you’re drawing in potential customers who are genuinely interested in what you offer. Remember, it’s not merely about quantity but the quality of traffic that truly counts. As you embark on this journey, ensure you’re equipped with the right strategies, tools, and an unwavering focus on your audience’s needs. Happy optimizing! Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About E-commerce Keyword Research Q: Why is keyword research important for my e-commerce business? A: Think of keyword research as the foundation of your e-commerce SEO strategy. It helps you understand what potential customers are searching for, allowing you to tailor your content, products, and ads to meet those specific needs. By targeting the right keywords, you increase your visibility on search engines, drive more relevant traffic to your site, and ultimately boost sales. It’s like having a roadmap that directs interested buyers straight to your virtual doorstep. Q: What tools can I use for e-commerce keyword research? A: There’s a plethora of tools out there, each with its unique strengths. Some of the top contenders include Google Keyword Planner for insights directly from Google, SEMrush and Ahrefs for comprehensive SEO analysis, Ubersuggest for user-friendly keyword suggestions, and AnswerThePublic for understanding user queries. The best tool often depends on your specific needs and budget. Q: How often should I conduct keyword research for my e-commerce business? A: The digital world is dynamic, with trends, market demands, and user behaviors constantly evolving. While there’s no hard and fast rule, I recommend revisiting your keyword research at least every six months. This ensures you stay updated with current search trends and can adapt your strategy accordingly. Q: What is keyword difficulty and why is it important? A: Keyword difficulty refers to how challenging it might be to rank for a particular keyword on search engines. It considers factors like competition, search volume, and current rankings. Understanding keyword difficulty helps you gauge whether it’s worth investing time and resources into targeting a specific term or if your efforts might be better spent elsewhere. Q: How can I incorporate keywords into my e-commerce website? A: Incorporating keywords goes beyond just stuffing them into your content. Place them strategically in product titles, descriptions, meta descriptions, and URLs. Create valuable blog posts around topics related to your keywords. Ensure that your site’s technical SEO, like alt tags and schema markup, also aligns with your keyword strategy. Remember, it’s about creating a seamless and relevant experience for your users. Aryan Shukla E-commerce Growth Marketing Expert – The Frame Agency Aryan, an E-commerce Growth Marketing expert and