If you own an online store, getting people to find your website is key to making sales. That’s where Ecommerce SEO (Search Engine Optimization) comes in. SEO helps your online store show up in search engines like Google when people look for the products you sell.This guide will explain everything you need to know about Ecommerce SEO – what it is, why it matters, and how to do it step-by-step.
What Is Ecommerce SEO?
Ecommerce SEO is the process of making your online store rank higher in search engines. It involves optimizing your product pages, categories, and blog content so that when someone searches for a product you sell, your website appears at the top of the search results.
If you sell leather handbags, you want your site to show up when someone searches for “buy leather handbags online.”
Key Parts of Ecommerce SEO
To do SEO for an online store, you need to focus on several things:
1. Keyword Research
Find out what words people use to search for your products.
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Use tools like:
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Google Keyword Planner
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Ubersuggest
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Ahrefs
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SEMrush
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Tips:
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Use specific keywords like “red running shoes for women” instead of just “shoes.”
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Add keywords to product titles, descriptions, URLs, and image names.
2. On-Page SEO
This means improving each page on your site so search engines understand it better.
a. Product Pages
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Use unique product titles and descriptions.
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Add your target keyword in:
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Product title
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URL (example:
yourstore.com/red-running-shoes) -
Product description
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Image file names and ALT text
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Use high-quality images
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Add product reviews – they help SEO and trust
b. Category Pages
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Add short, keyword-rich descriptions
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Use clear headings (H1, H2)
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Optimize for long-tail keywords like “affordable gym bags for men”
c. Meta Titles and Meta Descriptions
These are what people see in Google results.
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Keep titles under 60 characters
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Include your main keyword
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Write catchy descriptions under 160 characters
3. Site Structure and Navigation
Make sure your site is easy for both visitors and search engines to explore.
Best Practices:
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Use a clear hierarchy:
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Homepage → Categories → Subcategories → Products
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Add breadcrumbs for easy navigation
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Use internal links (link to related products or categories)
4. Mobile Optimization
More than half of shoppers use their phones. Your store must be mobile-friendly.
Tips:
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Use responsive design
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Make sure pages load fast on mobile
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Keep buttons and menus easy to tap
5. Page Speed
A slow website will lose both customers and rankings.
To improve speed:
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Compress images
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Use a fast web host
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Use caching tools (like WP Rocket)
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Minimize code (CSS, JS)
6. Technical SEO
These are behind-the-scenes things that help Google crawl and index your site.
Key areas:
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Use an XML sitemap
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Add robots.txt to control which pages are indexed
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Fix broken links (404 errors)
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Use HTTPS (SSL certificate) for a secure site
7. Content Marketing
Writing helpful articles or guides can bring more traffic.
Ideas:
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How-to guides (e.g., “How to Choose the Right Hiking Backpack”)
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Gift ideas (e.g., “Top 10 Gifts for Fitness Lovers”)
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Product comparisons
Tips:
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Add keywords naturally
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Link to products in the blog
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Update your blog regularly
8. Backlinks
Getting links from other websites to your store helps increase your ranking.
How to get backlinks:
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Write guest posts on blogs
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Work with influencers
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Ask for reviews from bloggers
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Get listed on directories
9. User Experience (UX)
Google wants to show the best websites. If your store is easy to use, that helps your SEO.
Improve UX by:
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Making checkout easy
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Using clear product filters
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Having a fast, clean design
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Reducing popups and distractions
10. Local SEO (if you have a physical store)
If you have a local shop, local SEO helps nearby customers find you.
Tips:
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Create a Google Business Profile
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Add your store address and phone number to the website
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Get reviews from local customers