BigCommerce SEO Services: A Guide to Growing Your Online Store
As more businesses move online, BigCommerce has become one of the leading eCommerce platforms, empowering stores of all sizes to showcase products and manage orders. But launching a store is just the beginning. For customers to find you, BigCommerce SEO services play a crucial role in getting your store noticed, drawing organic traffic, and converting visitors into customers.
In this guide, we’ll dive into everything you need to know about BigCommerce SEO services, from why SEO matters to actionable steps you can take to boost your rankings. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to improve existing efforts, we’ve got you covered.
Why SEO Matters for Your BigCommerce Store
Imagine this: You’ve put hours of effort into creating an online store, uploading products, and designing a beautiful homepage. But months go by, and you barely see any visitors. Without SEO (Search Engine Optimization), even the best products and most appealing sites can remain hidden from potential buyers.
In short, SEO for BigCommerce helps search engines like Google understand what your store offers, making it more likely for people searching for your products to find you. With proper SEO, you can compete with larger brands, attract the right audience, and grow your business faster than you might think.
Step 1: Optimize Your BigCommerce Site Structure
A well-structured website makes it easy for both users and search engines to navigate and find information. Here’s how to create an SEO-friendly site structure for your BigCommerce store:
- Organize Categories and Subcategories: Group your products into clear, relevant categories. For instance, if you’re selling outdoor gear, organize by “Camping Equipment,” “Hiking Gear,” etc., to create a logical structure.
- Simplify URLs: BigCommerce has built-in SEO settings to create clean URLs. Rather than a link like
example.com/products/12345
, aim for something likeexample.com/camping-tents
—this improves search engine understanding. - Internal Links: Include links between relevant pages on your site. This can guide customers to more products, keep them engaged, and helps search engines index your pages better.
Step 2: Target the Right Keywords
Finding the right keywords for your BigCommerce store is essential for connecting with your target customers. Here’s a straightforward way to start:
- Keyword Research: Begin by identifying phrases potential customers might search for. Use tools like Google Keyword Planner or SEMrush to uncover keywords related to your products.
- Long-tail Keywords: Instead of just targeting “camping gear,” aim for more specific phrases like “best waterproof camping tents” or “lightweight hiking backpacks.” Long-tail keywords typically have less competition and attract more qualified traffic.
- Product Descriptions: Make your product descriptions unique and informative. Avoid copying manufacturer descriptions, which can lead to duplicate content penalties from Google.
Pro Tip: Use keywords naturally. Overloading keywords (known as “keyword stuffing”) can harm your rankings. Write for humans first!
Step 3: Boost Your Site Speed
Page speed is a ranking factor, and it’s crucial for user experience. If your store is slow, potential customers might leave before seeing your amazing products. Here’s how to optimize your BigCommerce store for speed:
- Optimize Images: Large images can slow down your page. Use BigCommerce’s built-in tools or a plugin to compress images without sacrificing quality.
- Limit Plugins: While plugins add functionality, too many can slow down your site. Only keep the essential ones.
- Enable AMP for Mobile: Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP) can boost mobile loading times, an important factor since many shoppers browse on their phones.
Real-life Example: One BigCommerce store owner we worked with noticed that after optimizing their site speed, their bounce rate dropped significantly, and their sales doubled within a month. Fast-loading sites aren’t just good for SEO—they keep customers engaged too!
Step 4: Create Engaging Content
Content is king in the world of SEO. The more value you provide to your visitors, the more Google rewards you with visibility. Here’s how to incorporate content marketing into your BigCommerce SEO strategy:
- Start a Blog: Create articles that answer questions related to your products. For example, if you sell camping gear, write about “Essential Camping Tips for Beginners” or “Top 5 Camping Gear Essentials.”
- Product Guides and Tutorials: Offer how-to guides for using your products. Not only does this help with SEO, but it also builds trust with potential buyers who appreciate your expertise.
- Use Schema Markup: Schema markup helps search engines understand your content better. It’s a code that BigCommerce lets you add to each page, enhancing your chances of appearing in rich snippets on Google.
Anecdote: One BigCommerce store selling skincare products started writing blog posts on skin health tips and saw their traffic grow by 50% in just three months. With a blog, you’re building a relationship with readers who can become loyal customers.
Step 5: Encourage Customer Reviews
Customer reviews are a powerful SEO tool. Not only do reviews provide fresh, unique content on your product pages, but they also help with trust and conversions. BigCommerce supports reviews, so make sure you’re encouraging customers to leave feedback.
- Ask for Reviews Post-Purchase: After a customer buys a product, send a follow-up email asking for a review. Make it easy for them by linking directly to the product page.
- Respond to Reviews: Engaging with customers shows that you care and also gives you an opportunity to add keywords naturally.
- Highlight Positive Reviews: Use rich snippets (structured data) to make your reviews stand out on search engine results, which can boost click-through rates.
Step 6: Build High-Quality Backlinks
Backlinks (links from other sites to yours) are a major ranking factor. They signal to Google that your site is trustworthy and authoritative. Here’s how to start building backlinks for your BigCommerce store:
- Collaborate with Influencers: Reach out to bloggers or influencers in your niche and offer to send them a sample of your product in exchange for a review or feature on their site.
- Guest Posting: Write informative articles for other websites in your industry. In return, they’ll often let you include a link back to your store.
- Partner with Complementary Businesses: If you sell camping gear, collaborate with a travel blog or outdoor activity site. This way, you can both benefit from shared audiences.
Ready to Boost Your BigCommerce SEO?
With the right BigCommerce SEO services, your store can start attracting organic traffic, growing your brand, and boosting sales. From optimizing your site structure to building backlinks, each step plays a role in helping your business stand out online.
Taking action on these steps might feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it all at once. Start with one area, implement changes, and monitor the results. Many businesses find that outsourcing their SEO to experts can save time and increase effectiveness. SEO specialists bring the expertise needed to make your BigCommerce store stand out in a crowded online marketplace.
If you’re ready to elevate your eCommerce game, consider investing in professional BigCommerce SEO services to help you reach your business goals.