Understanding SEO Basics

What is SEO?

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) refers to the practice of optimizing a website so it ranks higher in search engine result pages (SERPs). This process involves enhancing the website’s design, content, and functionality to make it attractive to search engines and more accessible and user-friendly to visitors.

Why SEO is important for an e-commerce business?

SEO plays a vital role in e-commerce businesses for several reasons. High rankings on search engines like Google and Bing can lead to increased organic traffic, which often translates into more sales. SEO helps businesses reach their target audience effectively as people who search for specific products or services are more likely to make a purchase. Plus, a well-optimized e-commerce site provides a better user experience, building trust and credibility with customers.

Different types of SEO: On-page, Off-page, and Technical SEO

Understanding the different types of SEO is fundamental to creating a holistic strategy. On-Page SEO refers to all the actions taken directly within your website to improve its position in search rankings. This includes content creation, keyword optimization, and usability.

Off-Page SEO focuses on increasing the domain authority of your website by earning backlinks from other reputable sites. Social media marketing, guest blogging, and influencer marketing are popular off-page SEO techniques.

Technical SEO refers to non-content elements of your website. It includes strategies to improve a site’s backend structure and foundation, such as enhancing page speed, mobile-friendliness, and indexing.

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Unlock the Power of BigCommerce SEO

Maximize your online visibility and drive organic traffic with the ultimate BigCommerce SEO guide.

Discover advanced strategies, proven techniques, and expert insights to optimize your BigCommerce store for search engines and skyrocket your e-commerce success.

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Relevant Statistics about BigCommerce and SEO Impact on Sales

  • E-commerce has been on a rapid growth trajectory, and platforms like BigCommerce have been pivotal in this trend. Understanding the correlation between SEO and sales can help illustrate the potential impact of optimizing your BigCommerce store. (source)
  • As of 2022, BigCommerce powered over 60,000 online stores across 120 countries, a clear indicator of its popularity and reach. (source)
  • Organic search is the primary source of website traffic, with SEO leading to 1000%+ more traffic than organic social media. (source)
  • If your BigCommerce store has a local component, consider this: “Near me” or “close by” type searches grew by more than 900% over two years. Local SEO strategies can help tap into this demand. (source)
  • SEO leads have a 14.6% close rate, while outbound leads (such as direct mail or print advertising) have a 1.7% close rate. This statistic highlights the potential of SEO in driving more sales. (source)
  • The #1 result in Google’s organic search results has an average CTR of 31.7%, and the top 3 results get 75.1% of all clicks. This underlines the importance of aiming for high rankings in search results. (source)
  • Nearly 73% of internet users will access the internet solely via mobile devices by 2025. This fact highlights the importance of mobile optimization for your BigCommerce store. (source)

These statistics paint a compelling picture of the potential SEO has to impact sales for your BigCommerce store. With thoughtful strategies and continuous optimization, you can tap into the power of SEO to drive more traffic, improve user experience, and ultimately, increase conversions and sales.

Remember that SEO is a long-term strategy, and the impact on sales may not be immediate. However, with persistence and continual optimization, the benefits of SEO can be substantial.

Implementing SEO on BigCommerce

BigCommerce offers a range of powerful SEO features right out of the box. Understanding and effectively implementing these features can significantly improve your store’s organic traffic and search rankings. It can be a competitive advantage, as a properly optimized BigCommerce store stands a better chance of attracting and retaining customers. To make the most of these SEO features, you need to fully grasp their potential and how to tailor them to your unique needs.

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SEO Features of BigCommerce

Let’s take a look at some of the key SEO features offered by BigCommerce that can help boost your online visibility and improve your store’s performance.

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.

Keyword Research and Strategy

Keywords play an essential role in SEO as they guide search engines to your website and help your target audience locate your business amidst the competition. Effective keyword research and a well-crafted keyword strategy can significantly enhance your store’s visibility and search rankings.

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Creating a Keyword Strategy for Your Bigcommerce Store

Here are some steps to create a keyword strategy for your Bigcommerce store:

  1. Brainstorm Keywords: Start by listing all the relevant keywords related to your products and services.
  2. Use Keyword Research Tools: Utilize keyword research tools like Google Keyword Planner, SEMrush, and Ahrefs.
  3. Analyze Your Competition: Look at the keywords your competitors are ranking for.
  4. Use Long-Tail Keywords: These are longer and more specific phrases that customers use when they’re closer to a point of purchase.
  5. Optimize Your Website: Incorporate these keywords into your website in title tags, headers, product descriptions, URL, and meta descriptions.

On-Page SEO for Bigcommerce

Bigcommerce provides control over key on-page SEO factors. These include:

  • Title tags and Meta descriptions: The title tag should include your primary keyword and be appealing to users. The meta description should provide a concise summary of the page content.
  • Header tags: Your H1 should typically be the title of your page or blog post and include your targeted keyword.
  • Image optimization and alt tags: File names should be descriptive, and you should always fill in the alt text field with a brief description of the image.
  • URL structure and optimization: URLs should be SEO-friendly: they need to be concise, easy to read, and include keywords where possible.
  • Product descriptions and category pages: Descriptions should be unique, engaging, provide value to your customers, and include relevant keywords. Optimizing your category pages with keywords and useful information can significantly improve your search engine rankings.

Technical SEO for Bigcommerce

Bigcommerce provides a robust suite of features to bolster your store’s technical SEO, including mobile-responsive themes, site speed optimization tools, and automatically generated XML sitemaps and robots.txt files. These features help enhance your website’s visibility and user experience.

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Key Technical SEO Features in Bigcommerce

Some of the key technical SEO features in Bigcommerce include:

  • Mobile-friendly design: Bigcommerce themes are mobile-responsive, ensuring your website looks great on all devices.
  • Site speed optimization: You can optimize your website speed for a better user experience and improved search rankings.
  • XML sitemaps and robots.txt: These files, automatically generated by Bigcommerce, aid search engines in understanding and crawling your site.
  • SSL and HTTPS: Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) is a security protocol that provides a secure connection between a user’s web browser and your website.
  • Structured data and schema markup: Bigcommerce automatically applies schema markup to product pages to enhance SEO.

Off-Page SEO for Bigcommerce

Off-page SEO activities can contribute significantly to your website’s visibility and rankings. These activities often include:

  • Building Backlinks: Backlinks from reputable sites in your industry can enhance your site’s credibility and search rankings.
  • Social Media Signals: Social media activity can indirectly boost your SEO by driving traffic to your website and increasing brand awareness.
  • Online Reputation and Reviews: Online reviews and ratings can impact your SEO and your customers’ buying decisions.

Local SEO, Tools & Plugins, and SEO Success Tracking for Bigcommerce

This part of our Bigcommerce SEO guide covers local SEO, the various SEO tools and plugins available for Bigcommerce, and how to track and measure your SEO success.

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Local SEO for Bigcommerce

If your e-commerce store also has physical locations or targets specific geographic areas, local SEO is crucial. It helps your business appear in local search results, which can lead to increased visibility and traffic from customers in your area.

Google My Business is a free tool that lets you manage how your business appears in Google Search and Maps. By creating and optimizing your business listing, you can attract local customers and tell them the story of your business. Make sure to include your store’s name, address, and phone number, and update this information if it changes.

Other online directories such as Bing Places, Yelp, and Yellow Pages also play a role in local SEO. Make sure your business is listed accurately and consistently across these platforms.

SEO Tools and Plugins for Bigcommerce

Several SEO tools can help optimize your Bigcommerce store, including:

  • Google Analytics: Tracks website traffic and provides insights into how users interact with your site.
  • Google Search Console: Helps monitor your site’s presence in Google search results and identify issues.
  • SEMRush: Provides keyword research, tracks the keyword strategy of your competitors, runs an SEO audit of your site, and looks for backlinking opportunities.
  • Moz: Offers SEO tools that include keyword research, link building, site audits, and page optimization insights.

Bigcommerce also has a marketplace for apps and plugins that can enhance your store’s SEO. Notable apps include:

  • LiveChat: Allows you to chat with customers in real-time, improving user experience.
  • Yotpo Reviews: Collects and displays customer reviews, enhancing your online reputation.
  • InStock Notify: Lets customers sign up for restock alerts, keeping them engaged with your store.

Tracking and Measuring Your SEO Success

Google Analytics and Google Search Console are free tools that can provide a wealth of information about your website’s performance. Google Analytics tracks and reports website traffic, while Google Search Console helps you measure your site’s search traffic and performance. Both tools are essential for tracking and measuring your SEO success.

There are several key SEO metrics that you should monitor regularly:

  • Organic traffic: The number of visitors coming to your site from search engines.
  • Bounce rate: The percentage of visitors who leave your site after viewing only one page. A high bounce rate might indicate issues with user experience.
  • Conversion rate: The percentage of visitors who complete a desired action on your site, like making a purchase.
  • Page load time: The speed at which your pages load. Slower load times can negatively impact user experience and search rankings.
  • Keyword rankings: Where your site appears in search engine results for specific keywords. Higher rankings can lead to more organic traffic.

Regular SEO audits can help you maintain and improve your search engine rankings. These audits involve checking your website for any potential issues and opportunities for improvement. This includes checking for broken links, duplicate content, mobile-friendliness, page speed, and more.

Enhancing Your BigCommerce Store for SEO

In addition to the core SEO strategies discussed earlier, there are several other elements you might consider when optimizing your BigCommerce store for search engine optimization. These elements can further enhance your store’s visibility and user experience.

Interactive Elements

Incorporating elements like infographics, videos, or interactive diagrams could make the content more engaging and easier to digest. It could also potentially increase the time users spend on the page, which can be beneficial for SEO.

User Testimonials and Reviews

If you have testimonials from customers who have seen success with your SEO services, consider adding them. Authentic reviews and testimonials can build trust and provide social proof.

Call-to-Action (CTA)

A clear and compelling CTA can guide users towards the next steps you want them to take. This could be to contact you for a consultation, request a quote, download a resource, or subscribe to a newsletter.

SEO Checklist or Resource Downloads

Offering a downloadable resource, like how-to guides, can provide value to your users and also allow you to collect email addresses for future marketing efforts.

Regular Updates

SEO is an ever-evolving field. It could be beneficial to regularly update the guide with new trends, algorithm updates, or tools. This ensures your content stays relevant and valuable.

Remember, while it’s important to optimize for search engines, the primary focus should be on delivering valuable and user-friendly content to your readers. If you have a great resource that users appreciate, the SEO will follow.

Mastering BigCommerce SEO: Tips, Tricks, and Strategies

BigCommerce has experienced incredible growth over the years due to its unique features, making it one of the most powerful and versatile eCommerce platforms. However, in order to outpace your competitors, you need to partner with BigCommerce SEO experts to gain access to a wealth of incredible tools and features that will power up your lead generation and conversion stats.

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Here are some BigCommerce tips and tricks you can start applying to get ahead of the competition:

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.

Advanced Bigcommerce SEO Tips and Strategies

This final part of our guide covers additional SEO tips and tricks for Bigcommerce, when and how to hire professional help, and a conclusion summarizing the importance of SEO for your Bigcommerce store.

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SEO Tips and Tricks for Bigcommerce

Here are some expert advice and tips:

  • Don’t Overlook the Basics: Ensure that your site has a strong foundation by optimizing the basics – high-quality content, user-friendly website design, optimized meta tags, and appropriate keywords.
  • Utilize the Blog: Bigcommerce allows you to add a blog to your store. Use this to share industry insights, how-tos, and other valuable content that can attract visitors and improve SEO.
  • Regularly Update Your Site: Regularly adding fresh, high-quality content to your site can keep visitors and search engines coming back.
  • Improve Site Navigation: A well-structured site with clear navigation can help search engines index your site quickly and improve user experience.

Case studies provide valuable insights into what works and what doesn’t in SEO. For example, business A might find that adding more long-tail keywords to their product descriptions significantly increased their organic traffic. On the other hand, business B might discover that focusing on earning high-quality backlinks improved their search engine rankings more than they expected.

Hiring Professional Help

If your team lacks the time or expertise to handle SEO, it might be time to hire a professional. An SEO expert or agency can help you create and implement an effective SEO strategy, stay up-to-date with the latest SEO trends and algorithm updates, and ultimately improve your site’s search engine rankings.

When choosing an SEO agency or expert, consider their experience, reputation, transparency, and communication. They should have a proven track record of success in e-commerce SEO, be open about their strategies and tactics, and communicate clearly and regularly about their progress.

There are several SEO agencies and professionals that specialize in Bigcommerce:

  • 1Digital Agency: An eCommerce agency that offers custom and advanced Bigcommerce SEO services.
  • Outerbox Design: A full-service agency that specializes in Bigcommerce SEO and design.
  • Coalition Technologies: A reputable agency with a team of Bigcommerce SEO experts.

Conclusion

Implementing a successful SEO strategy for your Bigcommerce store can take time and effort, but the payoff is well worth it. By focusing on both the technical and content aspects of SEO, optimizing for both on-page and off-page factors, and regularly monitoring and adjusting your strategy, you can improve your search engine rankings, attract more organic traffic, and ultimately increase your e-commerce sales.

Whether you choose to handle SEO in-house or hire a professional, this guide provides a comprehensive roadmap to help you navigate your Bigcommerce SEO journey.

Final Points for Bigcommerce SEO

This final part of our guide covers additional SEO tips and tricks for Bigcommerce, when and how to hire professional help, and a conclusion summarizing the importance of SEO for your Bigcommerce store.

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Working with a BigCommerce SEO Agency

Why consider a BigCommerce SEO Agency?

A specialized BigCommerce SEO agency has a deep understanding of the platform, its unique SEO challenges, and potential opportunities. They can offer a comprehensive strategy that incorporates on-page, off-page, technical, and local SEO specific to BigCommerce.

What services can a BigCommerce SEO Agency provide?

Services typically include SEO audits, keyword research, content creation and optimization, backlink strategies, site speed improvements, local SEO enhancements, and more. They also provide regular reporting and analysis to measure the effectiveness of your SEO efforts and adjust strategies as needed.

The Value of BigCommerce SEO Experts

Why hire BigCommerce SEO Experts?

BigCommerce SEO experts have the knowledge, skills, and experience to navigate the complexities of SEO on the BigCommerce platform. They stay up-to-date with the latest SEO trends and algorithm changes, applying this knowledge to benefit your store.

What can you expect from BigCommerce SEO Experts?

Expect a detailed analysis of your current SEO performance, strategic recommendations for improvement, and hands-on assistance implementing these strategies. BigCommerce SEO experts can also offer training and guidance to your team to maintain and build upon their efforts.

Exploring BigCommerce SEO Services

What are BigCommerce SEO Services?

BigCommerce SEO Services include a range of strategies designed to improve your online store’s visibility in search engine results. These services aim to attract more organic traffic, enhance user experience, and ultimately increase conversions and sales.

How can BigCommerce SEO Services improve your store’s performance?

From performing a thorough SEO audit, identifying and implementing keyword strategies, to enhancing site structure, improving site speed, and creating high-quality, SEO-friendly content – BigCommerce SEO Services can significantly improve your store’s online visibility and performance.

Choosing a BigCommerce SEO Company

Why consider a BigCommerce SEO Company?

A BigCommerce SEO Company brings together a team of SEO professionals, each with their area of expertise, to deliver a holistic and effective SEO strategy. They understand the specific nuances of the BigCommerce platform, applying this knowledge to enhance your store’s SEO.

What to look for in a BigCommerce SEO Company?

Look for a company with proven experience in e-commerce SEO, specifically with the BigCommerce platform. They should be transparent about their strategies, provide regular updates and reports, and communicate effectively. It’s also beneficial if they offer a range of services to cater to all your SEO needs.

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    Comprehensive BigCommerce SEO Checklist

    Keyword Research

    • Identify primary and secondary keywords for your store.
    • Conduct competitor keyword analysis.
    • Consider user intent in your keyword strategy.
    • Regularly review and update your keyword list.

    On-Page SEO

    • Write unique, engaging content incorporating your keywords.
    • Use header tags (H1, H2, etc.) to structure your content.
    • Optimize meta titles and meta descriptions with keywords.
    • Use keywords in your URLs.
    • Implement alt tags for all images.
    • Ensure each page on your website is easily navigable and user-friendly.
    • Leverage structured data (Schema Markup) for product pages.

    Technical SEO

    • Ensure your website is mobile-friendly.
    • Implement SSL for a secure website (HTTPS).
    • Optimize your website’s load speed.
    • Utilize BigCommerce’s CDN for better performance.
    • Regularly check for and fix 404 errors and redirect issues.
    • Utilize an XML sitemap and submit it to search engines.
    • Implement canonical URLs to avoid duplicate content.
    • Implement hreflang tags if your store operates in multiple languages.

    Off-Page SEO

    • Develop a high-quality backlink strategy.
    • Utilize social media channels to promote your store and products.
    • Engage with industry influencers and bloggers.
    • Implement a review strategy to build trust with potential customers.

    Local SEO (If applicable)

    • Optimize your website for local search.
    • Set up and optimize your Google My Business profile.
    • Ensure your business’s name, address, and phone number (NAP) are consistent across all platforms.
    • Encourage and respond to online customer reviews.

    Content Strategy

    • Develop a content calendar and regularly publish high-quality blog posts.
    • Utilize different forms of content, including videos, infographics, and podcasts.
    • Implement internal linking within your blog posts and product pages.
    • Keep content fresh by updating existing pages and blog posts.

    SEO Analytics and Reporting

    • Regularly check your site’s performance using Google Analytics and Search Console.
    • Set up goal tracking in Google Analytics to monitor conversions.
    • Regularly monitor keyword rankings and update your strategy as needed.
    • Conduct regular SEO audits to identify areas of improvement.

    Remember, SEO is a continual process and it’s important to stay updated with the latest trends and changes in the algorithm. Regularly monitor your results and adjust your strategies accordingly.

    Keep in mind, this is a general checklist. Your website may need more specific optimizations depending on its structure, target audience, industry, and competition. For an in-depth analysis and personalized strategy, consider consulting with a BigCommerce SEO agency or expert.

    Top 10 Things to Avoid That Could Negatively Impact Your BigCommerce SEO Rankings

    1. Ignoring Mobile Responsiveness: As mobile searches dominate, Google uses mobile-first indexing. If your site isn’t mobile-friendly, it could hurt your rankings. Make sure your BigCommerce store uses a responsive theme and offers a seamless experience across all devices.
    2. Neglecting Site Speed: Site speed is a crucial ranking factor. Slow loading times can increase bounce rates and negatively affect your SEO. Continually monitor your site’s speed and take steps to optimize it, like reducing image sizes, minifying code, and using a content delivery network (CDN).
    3. Keyword Stuffing: While it’s important to include keywords in your content, excessive or unnatural use (known as keyword stuffing) can harm your SEO. Always aim for a natural and reader-friendly use of keywords.
    4. Duplicating Content: Duplicate content can confuse search engines and hurt your rankings. Each page on your site should have unique content. Ensure that you use canonical tags to prevent duplicate content issues.
    5. Neglecting Meta Descriptions and Title Tags: Meta descriptions and title tags help search engines understand your content. Ignoring these elements can negatively impact how your site is understood and ranked. Make sure each page has a unique and descriptive title tag and meta description.
    6. Ignoring Structured Data (Schema Markup): Schema Markup helps search engines understand your content better and can enhance your visibility in SERPs. Not using it, especially for product pages, is a missed opportunity.
    7. Overlooking Image Optimization: Images can slow down your site and, if not properly tagged, miss out on potential traffic. Always compress images, use descriptive file names, and add alt tags.
    8. Building Low-Quality Backlinks: Building backlinks from low-quality or irrelevant sites can do more harm than good. Focus on earning high-quality, relevant backlinks that add value to your site.
    9. Ignoring Local SEO (If applicable): If you have a physical location or target a specific geographical area, ignoring local SEO could hurt your visibility. Optimize your Google My Business profile, gather reviews, and ensure consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone number) information across all platforms.
    10. Neglecting SEO Analytics: Ignoring SEO analytics means you’re flying blind. Regular analysis helps identify what’s working, what’s not, and where to focus your efforts. Tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console are invaluable for monitoring your site’s performance.

    Remember, SEO is an ongoing process and requires consistent monitoring and adjusting. Avoid these common pitfalls to ensure your BigCommerce store’s success. If needed, consider enlisting the help of BigCommerce SEO experts or an agency to guide you through the process.

    Explore the world of BigCommerce SEO | FAQs

    What is SEO for BigCommerce?

    SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, for BigCommerce involves optimizing your online store to improve its visibility in search engine results. It includes strategies to improve on-page and off-page factors that search engines consider when ranking websites.

    Why is SEO important for my BigCommerce store?

    SEO is essential for any online business. It helps your store rank higher in search engine results, making it more visible to potential customers. This can lead to increased traffic, more conversions, and ultimately higher revenue.

    How can I improve my BigCommerce store’s SEO?

    Improving your store’s SEO involves a variety of strategies, including keyword optimization, content creation, on-page SEO improvements, off-page SEO activities, technical SEO enhancements, and local SEO optimization.

    How do I perform keyword research for my BigCommerce store?

    Keyword research involves finding and analyzing the terms that people enter into search engines. You can use tools like Google Keyword Planner, SEMrush, or Ahrefs to find relevant keywords for your store.

    What is on-page SEO?

    On-page SEO refers to all the measures that can be taken directly within your website to improve its position in search rankings. This includes things like content optimization, keyword optimization, meta tags, header tags, URL structure, and image optimization.

    What is off-page SEO?

    Off-page SEO refers to actions taken outside of your own website to impact your rankings within search engine results pages. This primarily involves improving the perception of your site’s popularity, relevance, trustworthiness, and authority.

    What is technical SEO?

    Technical SEO refers to the process of optimizing your website for the crawling and indexing phase. It involves various settings and optimizations that make your website easy to crawl, understand, and index by search engines.

    How can I speed up my BigCommerce website?

    You can improve your site’s speed by optimizing images, reducing the number of plugins, and utilizing caching. Regularly monitoring your site’s speed and making necessary adjustments can ensure a fast, user-friendly experience.

    What is a backlink, and why is it important?

    A backlink is a link from another website to your site. They are important because search engines use them as a signal of trust and authority, which can improve your site’s ranking in search results.

    What is local SEO, and how does it relate to my BigCommerce store?

    Local SEO is the process of optimizing your online presence to attract more business from relevant local searches. If your BigCommerce store also has a physical location or targets a specific area, local SEO can help increase your visibility in local search results.

    How often should I conduct an SEO audit for my BigCommerce store?

    It’s recommended to conduct an SEO audit for your BigCommerce store at least twice a year. However, if you make major changes to your site or notice a significant drop in traffic or rankings, it may be beneficial to perform an audit sooner.

    Can I handle BigCommerce SEO on my own, or should I hire a professional?

    Whether to handle BigCommerce SEO on your own or hire a professional depends on your resources, expertise, and the complexity of your website. If you lack the time or knowledge to handle SEO effectively, hiring a professional can be a worthwhile investment. They can provide expert guidance and help implement strategies that will improve your site’s SEO performance.

    How do I choose the right SEO professional or agency for my BigCommerce store?

    When choosing an SEO professional or agency, consider factors such as their experience, reputation, transparency, and communication. They should have a track record of success in e-commerce SEO, be open about their strategies, and communicate clearly and regularly about their progress.

    What SEO tools should I use for my BigCommerce store?

    There are numerous SEO tools that can help you optimize your BigCommerce store, including Google Analytics, Google Search Console, SEMrush, Moz, and various BigCommerce apps and plugins.

    What is schema markup, and why is it important for BigCommerce SEO?

    Schema markup is a form of structured data that helps search engines understand the content on your site and provide more informative results to users. It’s important for BigCommerce SEO because it can improve your visibility in search results and increase your click-through rate.

    How does social media influence SEO for my BigCommerce store?

    While social media isn’t a direct ranking factor, it can indirectly influence your SEO. Sharing your content on social media can increase your online visibility, generate traffic to your site, and potentially lead to more backlinks.

    How do I create SEO-friendly content for my BigCommerce store?

    Creating SEO-friendly content involves using relevant keywords, providing valuable and unique information, using header tags for organization, linking to relevant internal and external content, and optimizing your images.

    How does mobile responsiveness impact my BigCommerce SEO?

    Mobile responsiveness is a key ranking factor for search engines. If your website is not mobile-friendly, it could negatively impact your rankings, especially for mobile searches. BigCommerce themes are mobile-responsive, ensuring your website looks great and functions well on all devices.

    What are meta tags and why are they important for BigCommerce SEO?

    Meta tags are snippets of text that describe a page’s content. They don’t appear on the page itself but in the page’s code. Meta tags are important because they help search engines understand what your page is about, and they can influence click-through rates from search results.

    How can I track my BigCommerce SEO success?

    You can track your SEO success by using tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console, which provide valuable data on your site’s traffic, user behavior, and performance in search results. Regularly reviewing and analyzing this data can help you understand the effectiveness of your SEO efforts.

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    December 15, 2023

    Securing a prominent position on Google is crucial for the success of your BigCommerce store. However, boosting your store’s visibility requires strategic optimization and a holistic approach to SEO. That’s where we come in! Here are effective strategies to improve your store’s ranking on Google. Keyword Research and Optimization Start by conducting thorough keyword research […]

    June 23, 2023

    When it comes to the art of blogging for eCommerce, you have to strike a powerful balance between SEO optimization and creative, informative content.  By harnessing the power of content, ecommerce websites can engage their audience, establish thought leadership, and boost their search engine rankings. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the art […]

    April 28, 2023

    If you are a Shopify store owner, you’re probably looking for ways to get your name out there. It seems easy in theory but cutting through the noise and grabbing the attention of your target audience does come with its fair share of challenges. In this guide, I’m going to explain how to promote your […]

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