Site-wide HTTPS and SSL

BigCommerce provides site-wide HTTPS and SSL, ensuring the security of your website. This feature is crucial not just for the security of your website, but also for your SEO. Google considers HTTPS as a ranking signal, meaning websites that use HTTPS can potentially rank higher in the search results.

301 Redirects and URL Customization

The platform allows for 301 redirects and URL customization, enabling you to guide search engines and users to the correct pages if the URL changes. It also allows you to create SEO-friendly URLs that can enhance your search visibility.

Steps to Perform a 301 Redirect in BigCommerce

• Identify the URLs to Redirect: Determine the URLs on your BigCommerce store that need to be redirected. This could include outdated or obsolete product pages, category pages, or any other pages that you want to redirect to a different URL.
• Set up the Redirects: In the BigCommerce admin panel, navigate to “Storefront” and select “URL Redirects” from the dropdown menu.
• Add a New Redirect: Click on the “Create Redirect” button to add a new redirect rule. Enter the old URL in the “Redirect From” field and the new destination URL in the “Redirect To” field.
• Choose the Redirect Type: Select the appropriate redirect type from the “Redirect Type” dropdown menu. In this case, choose “301 (Permanent)” as it indicates a permanent redirect.
• Save the Redirect: Click on the “Save” button to save the redirect rule. Repeat this process for each URL that needs to be redirected.
• Test the Redirects: To ensure that the redirects are working correctly, open a web browser and enter the old URL. It should automatically redirect to the new destination URL.
• Update Internal Links: Once the redirects are in place, update any internal links within your BigCommerce store to point to the new URLs. This step helps ensure a seamless user experience and avoids any broken links.
• Monitor and Adjust: Keep an eye on your website’s traffic and search rankings after implementing the redirects. If you notice any issues or unexpected outcomes, make necessary adjustments to the redirect rules.

It’s important to note that 301 redirects should be used when permanently moving content to a new location. This type of redirect signals to search engines that the original URL has permanently moved to the new URL, and search engines will transfer the ranking value to the new URL.

By following these steps, you can effectively implement 301 redirects in the BigCommerce platform and maintain the SEO value of your website while redirecting traffic to the new pages.

Optimized Themes

BigCommerce offers SEO-friendly themes that are optimized for faster loading times. Since page speed is a crucial ranking factor for Google, using these optimized themes can contribute to higher search rankings.

Watch out for duplicate content

When you have an ever-expanding catalog of products, copying and pasting product descriptions sounds like an efficient use of your time. However, in the world of SEO that is heavily frowned upon. Google loves new and unique content, therefore, if your store is offering the same content as the manufacturer or other competitors, it won’t find any valid reason to give your website any preference.

Additionally, your users want information they won’t find anywhere else. They have read these generic product descriptions already so they want your specialized opinion on the subject. Unique content is more likely to be read and shared, giving you incredibly better chances to get backlinks and bring in more traffic.

There are many BigCommerce features that, if properly implemented, will allow you to effortlessly change product descriptions to adapt to new keyword strategies or search trends while keeping your content unique.

Maintain A Proper Internal Linking Structure

Your users should be able to see a clear path that leads them to what they want to obtain from your website. A well-thought-out linking structure will make it easier for your visitors to find what they want and checkout without having to go through any unnecessary steps. Your general link structure must be functional to the kind of audiences you wish to target, which of course depends on your industry.

There are many factors to consider when designing a site´s structure. If you want an intuitive website that offers a seamless experience for your visitors, partner with an experienced team of BigCommerce experts like Genius eCommerce^Ⓡ and let us design the most efficient link structure for your store.

Learn The Technical Aspects Of Running A BigCommerce Store

BigCommerce offers great features out of the box, and many require minimal website development knowledge. However, if you really want to get the most out of your online store, you need to dig deeper into the technical aspects of your website.

Because this platform is completely customizable, it allows you to control almost every single aspect that impacts your SEO and conversion stats. However, it also means that it is very easy to set plugins improperly, install overlapping functionalities, and go overboard with widgets or images. As a principle, you need to keep an eye on your site’s sitemap.xml and robot.txt files, HTML and CSS validation, device responsiveness, URL redirects and crawl issues, canonical tags, and loading speeds.

These factors can quickly become unmanageable if you´re also trying to run a business. It is always better to hire the best eCommerce SEO agency and save time and money. This will guarantee a constant flow of high-quality leads by keeping the technical side of your online store at peak performance.

Keep Your BigCommerce Store Images Optimized

BigCommerce allows you to effectively use visual cues to guide your visitors through the store. However, if your images are not properly sized, your beautiful design might become a complete hindrance, getting in the way of your user’s experience.

The best way to ensure proper navigation and integration across all of your sales channels is to keep a uniform size and resolution for your product images. It not only gives your brand a cohesive and recognizable look, but it also helps keep your website’s load speeds in check. However, you should never neglect aesthetic factors. High-quality images and great-looking websites tend to be more alluring than outdated catalogs and low-resolution pictures.

You must find the right balance to offer the best possible quality to your users while keeping all other SEO factors under control. You also need to make use of alt tags so Google understands what your images convey. It helps your images and pages get featured in image searches, drastically increasing your chances of being found, and also helps people with impaired visibility that use screen readers understand pictures when browsing.

If your BigCommerce catalog contains hundreds or thousands of products, resizing and creating alt tags can become overwhelming. That’s why so many merchants partner with our experienced BigCommerce SEO specialists. They need fast and efficient ways to maximize their website’s performance without sacrificing time and money in the process.

Design a High-Quality Backlink Strategy

Links that point to your store add considerable value to your eCommerce SEO efforts. Backlinks serve as votes of confidence issued by authoritative sites, and Google takes them into account when evaluating a site’s value in searches. However, not all links have a positive impact on your website’s performance. That is why crafting a well-thought-out backlink strategy that only includes high-quality referrals from reputed sources is vital if you want your eCommerce store to outpace your competition and establish your brand as a trusted source of information and solutions.

Finding and securing the right backlinks for your business takes time and research. The best way to secure valuable backlinks is to consistently write engaging and informative content in the form of blog posts, newsletters, social media posts, and other pieces of content that users are willing to consume and share. Genius eCommerce^® is a team of expert BigCommerce SEO strategists with years of experience designing and executing effective content and backlink strategies based on user behavior data.