If you're running an online store, you know that driving traffic to your website is crucial for success. And when it comes to traffic, organic search is one of the most important sources. But how can you improve your search engine optimization (SEO) and drive more traffic to your BigCommerce store? In this article, we'll cover everything you need to know about BigCommerce SEO strategies that will help you attract more organic traffic to your online store.

Understanding the Importance of SEO for BigCommerce Stores

SEO refers to the process of optimizing your website to improve its visibility and ranking on search engine results pages (SERPs). And when it comes to e-commerce, SEO is crucial for attracting organic traffic to your online store. Why is this important? Well, organic traffic is free, targeted, and more likely to result in sales than other forms of traffic.

But, did you know that SEO is not just about increasing traffic to your website? It also helps to build trust and credibility with your customers. When your website appears at the top of the search results, it gives customers the impression that your brand is trustworthy and authoritative.

The Role of Organic Traffic in E-commerce Success

According to a study by Ahrefs, over 40% of e-commerce traffic comes from organic search, making it the most significant source of traffic for online stores. Furthermore, organic search has a conversion rate three times higher than social media and direct traffic. This means that optimizing your BigCommerce store for SEO can have a significant impact on your sales and revenue.

However, it's important to note that SEO is not a one-time fix. It requires ongoing effort and maintenance to ensure that your website stays at the top of the search results. This is because search engines are constantly updating their algorithms to provide the best results to their users.

Key SEO Ranking Factors for BigCommerce

Ranking on the first page of search results is crucial for attracting organic traffic. And to do that, you need to optimize your site for the right SEO ranking factors. Here are some of the key factors to consider:

• Site speed:

   

  Fast loading times and efficient code can improve your site's ranking and user experience. A slow website can lead to high bounce rates and a decrease in search engine rankings.

• Keyword optimization:

   

  Using relevant keywords in your content and meta tags can help search engines understand what your site is about. However, it's important to avoid keyword stuffing, which can lead to penalties from search engines.

• Mobile-friendliness:

   

  Mobile-first indexing means that having a responsive design that works well on mobile devices is crucial for SEO. This is because more and more people are using their mobile devices to browse the internet and make purchases.

• Backlinks:

   

  Links from other high-quality sites can improve your site's authority and reputation. However, it's important to focus on quality over quantity when it comes to backlinks.

• User experience:

   

  A website that is easy to navigate, visually appealing, and optimized for conversions can help improve your ranking and decrease bounce rates. This is because search engines take into account factors such as time on site and click-through rates when ranking websites.

By focusing on these key SEO ranking factors, you can improve your BigCommerce store's visibility and attract more organic traffic. However, it's important to remember that SEO is a long-term strategy that requires ongoing effort and maintenance. By staying up-to-date with the latest SEO trends and best practices, you can stay ahead of the competition and achieve long-term success for your online store.

Optimizing Your BigCommerce Store for Search Engines

Nowadays, having an online store is not enough to get customers. You need to ensure that your store is visible to potential customers. This is where Search Engine Optimization (SEO) comes into play. SEO is the process of optimizing your website to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs). In this article, we will discuss some specific strategies for optimizing your BigCommerce store for search engines.

Conducting Keyword Research for Your Products

The first step in any SEO strategy is to conduct keyword research. This involves identifying the search terms and phrases that people use to find products like yours. To conduct keyword research, you can use free tools like Google Keyword Planner or paid tools like Ahrefs. Once you have a list of keywords, you can use them strategically in your product titles, descriptions, and meta tags.

It is important to note that you should not just use any keyword that comes to mind. You need to ensure that the keywords you use are relevant to your products. For example, if you sell shoes, you should not use keywords like "books" or "phones".

Crafting Compelling Product Titles and Descriptions

Your product titles and descriptions should not only be optimized for search engines but also informative and engaging for potential customers. Use descriptive language that accurately represents your products, and incorporate your keywords where appropriate. However, avoid keyword stuffing or using misleading information to try and attract clicks, as this can harm your ranking in the long run.

Remember, your product titles and descriptions are the first things potential customers will see when they come across your products. Therefore, they should be compelling enough to make customers want to click and learn more about your products.

Optimizing Product Images for SEO

Images are an important part of any e-commerce site, but they can also impact your SEO. Be sure to use descriptive alt text that includes your keywords, and use high-quality images that load quickly. You can also use image compression tools to reduce file sizes without sacrificing quality.

Additionally, you can use descriptive filenames for your images. Instead of using generic filenames like "IMG_1234", use filenames that describe the image, such as "blue-nike-running-shoes". This will not only help with SEO but also make it easier for you to organize your images.

Leveraging BigCommerce SEO Tools and Features

BigCommerce has built-in SEO tools and features that can help you optimize your store. For example, you can customize your URL structure, edit meta tags, and use tools like the SEO Checklist to ensure you've covered all the basics. Take advantage of these tools to improve your store's ranking and visibility.

Another feature that can help with SEO is the use of canonical tags. Canonical tags tell search engines which version of a page is the original version. This is useful if you have multiple pages with similar content, as it can prevent duplicate content issues that can harm your SEO.

In conclusion, optimizing your BigCommerce store for search engines is essential if you want to attract more customers and increase sales. By conducting keyword research, crafting compelling product titles and descriptions, optimizing product images, and leveraging BigCommerce SEO tools and features, you can improve your store's ranking and visibility in search engine results pages.

Enhancing Your Store's User Experience (UX)

Optimizing your BigCommerce store for SEO is only part of the equation. You also need to focus on providing a great user experience (UX) that encourages browsing and conversions. Here are some key strategies for enhancing your store's UX:

Improving Site Navigation and Structure

Your website's navigation should be easy to use and intuitive for both desktop and mobile users. Use clear categories and subcategories to help visitors find what they're looking for, and consider using a search bar to make it even easier to browse your products.

One way to improve your site's navigation is to ensure that your categories and subcategories are organized in a logical and intuitive way. For example, if you sell clothing, you might have categories for men's and women's clothing, and then subcategories for shirts, pants, and accessories. This makes it easy for visitors to find what they're looking for without having to sift through irrelevant products.

Another important aspect of site navigation is the use of breadcrumbs. Breadcrumbs are a trail of links that show visitors where they are on your site and how they got there. This is especially useful for visitors who arrive on your site through a search engine or social media link and may not be familiar with your site's structure.

Ensuring Mobile-Friendliness and Responsive Design

As we mentioned earlier, mobile-friendliness is key for SEO and UX. Make sure your site is optimized for mobile devices and that all pages load quickly and look great on smaller screens.

One way to ensure that your site is mobile-friendly is to use responsive design. Responsive design automatically adjusts your site's layout and content to fit the screen size of the device being used to view it. This means that your site will look great and be easy to use on any device, whether it's a desktop computer, tablet, or smartphone.

In addition to responsive design, you should also consider using mobile-specific features like click-to-call buttons, which make it easy for visitors to call your business directly from their mobile device.

Reducing Page Load Times for Better Performance

Finally, page speed is crucial for providing a great user experience and improving your SEO. Use tools like GTmetrix or Google PageSpeed Insights to identify areas where you can improve load times, such as optimizing images or using a Content Delivery Network (CDN).

One way to reduce page load times is to optimize your images. This means compressing your images so that they take up less space on your server and load more quickly for visitors. You can also use a CDN to distribute your site's content across multiple servers, which can improve load times for visitors who are located far away from your server.

Another way to improve page speed is to minimize the use of third-party scripts and plugins. While these tools can add functionality to your site, they can also slow down your site's load times if they're not optimized properly. Make sure to only use scripts and plugins that are essential to your site's functionality, and remove any that are not necessary.

Building Quality Backlinks to Your BigCommerce Store

Getting backlinks (links from other websites to your own) is one of the most effective ways to improve your site's authority and ranking. The more high-quality backlinks you have, the more likely you are to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs) and attract more traffic to your BigCommerce store. Here are some strategies for building quality backlinks to your store:

Creating Shareable Content for Link Building

One of the most effective ways to get backlinks is to create high-quality, shareable content. This could be anything from blog posts to infographics to videos. When you create content that people want to share and link to, you can attract valuable backlinks that improve your site's ranking and visibility.

When creating shareable content, think about what your target audience would find interesting and valuable. For example, if you sell athletic gear, you could create a blog post about the benefits of cross-training or an infographic that compares different types of running shoes. Be sure to include original research, compelling visuals, and actionable tips that readers can use to improve their fitness routines.

Once you've created your content, promote it on social media and reach out to other bloggers and influencers in your niche to see if they would be willing to share it with their followers. If your content is truly valuable and relevant, you may be able to attract backlinks from high-authority sites that can boost your site's ranking and visibility.

Reaching Out to Influencers and Bloggers

Another way to get backlinks is to reach out to influencers and bloggers in your niche. These individuals have large followings and can help promote your brand to a wider audience. If you have a product that you think they would be interested in, send them a sample and ask if they would be willing to write a review. If they do, this can provide a valuable backlink and exposure for your brand.

When reaching out to influencers and bloggers, be sure to personalize your message and explain why you think your product would be a good fit for their audience. You could also offer to collaborate on a piece of content, such as a guest blog post or a social media campaign, that can help both of you attract more followers and backlinks.

Utilizing Social Media for Backlink Opportunities

Finally, use social media to promote your content and products. This can help attract inbound links and shares from people in your network, which can help improve your site's authority and reputation in the eyes of search engines.

When using social media for backlink opportunities, be sure to engage with your followers and participate in relevant conversations. Share your own content as well as content from other influencers and bloggers in your niche. Use hashtags and keywords that are relevant to your brand and products to help attract more followers and backlinks.

In conclusion, building quality backlinks to your BigCommerce store requires time, effort, and a strategic approach. By creating shareable content, reaching out to influencers and bloggers, and utilizing social media, you can attract valuable backlinks that can improve your site's authority and ranking in search engine results pages.

Conclusion

Improving your BigCommerce store's SEO is an ongoing process that requires time, effort, and attention to detail. By focusing on the right strategies, such as conducting keyword research, optimizing your product pages, and building high-quality backlinks, you can improve your site's ranking and attract more organic traffic to your online store. And by enhancing your store's user experience and providing excellent customer service, you can turn that traffic into loyal customers and sustainable business growth.