Ecommerce Sites often confront with some of the most difficult SEO challenges. Thanks to their huge data, hundreds of pages and their complex link structure. But regardless of these difficulties, they always look for helpful on-page SEO strategies for Ecommerce sites to grow their business. Why? Well, the reason is – the site’s size, in spite of creating obstacles in marketing, acts as their biggest tool for SEO too.

With so many pages and content on the website, Ecommerce sites hold good chances of scoring brownie points in Google’s view. The only question that remains is – how do you do effective SEO for such gigantic sites with hundreds of products/pages listed on it? We’ll discuss that today.

To begin with, on-page optimization strategies of Ecommerce sites perhaps play the most vital role in its overall performance on search engines. Though, there are no one-size-fits-all on-page Seo Strategies for Ecommerce sites, few are common and applicable to all.

Therefore we thought of giving you a quick breakdown of some of the most powerful on-page SEO strategies for Ecommerce sites. By creating an action plan around them, I’m sure; you would boost your SERP’s in a matter of days.

On-Page SEO Strategies for Ecommerce Sites

Here's a list of such powerful on-page SEO strategies for Ecommerce sites:

1.   Keyword Optimization in Meta Elements

Any search engine optimization activity starts with a proper keyword research. And, this is no different. In spite of this being a known fact, a lot of Ecommerce sites do not conduct an extensive keyword research. The bottom line problem is some are unaware of how to do it, others don’t even bother much.

But it is important. With appropriate keywords to get ranked for, things automatically get “Google-friendly.” Once you have a handful of targeted keywords, the first thing to do is – creating meta elements for the page containing the keywords.  

Enlisted below are the two most vital elements of meta elements:

a.      Meta Titles

Meta titles are nothing but the titles of the web pages. And, it is the first thing on your web page that Google bots check and crawl. So, you need to have your keyword in the title.

However, simply using it won’t get maximum results. Try and keep your main web page keyword as the first word. Let’s say, your main keyword is “Solitaire Engagement Rings” for the page, then an ideal Meta title can be:

“Solitaire Engagement Rings – Solitaire Ring | Diamond Engagement Rings”

This is a perfect example of a Meta title. It has the main keyword as the first word. Gives an idea of what the page would be. And, solitaire ring is used twice in the title.

Overall, this title would score way better than something like – “Learn More About Solitaire Engagement Rings.” Lastly, the title length should not exceed 65 characters with space.

b.     Meta Descriptions

We all know that meta description is one of the critical on-page SEO strategies for Ecommerce sites. They are short 165-character descriptions that give a quick overview of the page to Google / people.

How to write these descriptions? Well, it’s dead easy. You just have to write what the page is about while using the main keyword and a couple of relevant keywords in it. If you can include a quick call-to-action asking the users to click on the link, nothing better.

2.     Benefits Driven Content Per Category Page

One of the unique aspects of Ecommerce sites is the number of products and product category pages. There are literally hundreds of them. So, the question is –  how do you get these inner pages indexed, and more importantly ranked on the Big G?

Answer to that is simple – you create benefits driven content on each of these pages. Myntra.com does it, WedNeeds.com does it and even Jabong.com does it. So should you.

It’s nothing but writing content that explains the category further and provides some valuable about the page. Whether your page speaks about Adidas shoes or Lee Cooper jeans, having keyword-rich content acts one of the best on-page SEO strategies for Ecommerce sites.

Assuming that the category pages on your Ecommerce platform are already keyword optimized, you’ll need to create content around those keywords. Typically, 300 word content pieces serves the purpose. However, make sure that it is flowing with juicy and targeted keywords to attract the search bots.

Here is a quick headshot of the Adidas page of Myntra.com – India's leading fashion house. Checkout how they have included information about Adidas on their Adidas page. 

With these content optimization techniques, you’re feeding and attracting Google with a lot of great content. It results in Google giving you what you want – SERP.

Action Tip: An ideal way to write product descriptions – Creating a short table consisting of the information of the products. Then writing a short 35-50 word content piece for it.   

5.   Keep The Content 100% Unique and Original

The good thing with Ecommerce sites is that, you can generate a hell lot of keywords around your products and pages. The bad rather the challenging thing is – every content piece for the products should be unique and original.

If you don’t update your Ecommerce pages with unique content regularly, it might never get ranked. What’s worse is – it can even be penalized by Google Panda slap.

From product descriptions to benefits-driven content, every single page must include content that is:

1.      Compelling

2.      Creative

3.      Keyword rich

4.      Relevant and Unique

The key is to keep creating compelling content is – either hiring an experienced article writing service provider or building an in-house team. The latter is quite difficult though.

6.     Image Optimization

What could possibly the biggest link bait for an Ecommerce site? Any guesses? Okay, time’s up. People love watching images as it gives them unique visual experience. And, search engines like Google and Yahoo love images because they want to return the best results to their searchers. Simple

But, search engines won’t know what your image is about if you do not take the following image optimization for your site:  

a.      Keyword in the file name

b.      Keyword in the image title

c.      Keyword in the Alt Text

d.      URL to the correct image location (if the image on your site, then nothing better).

e.      A proper (25-35 words) description to the image

f.      Images of Ecommerce products should be hosted on your personal site but if you do not own your images, then it is advised to provide proper credit to the image owners.

7.     Avoid Broken Links

I know, this is the same yada-yada stuff but broken links do contribute to a bad on-page SEO. While a proper link might not get you a lot of brownie points in Google’s view but broken links would definitely take some points away from your site.

Use the Google Webmaster tool to figure out what links are broken. And, once you figure out what they are, work on them and either you get rid of them or redirect them but make sure that there are no broken links on your Ecommerce site.

It is said that search engines automatically exit your website if it comes across a broken link. For it, it simply means – website is worthless (non-existent) for the users. 

Here are some quick tools to avoid broken links:

·         Use the broken link checker

·         You can use Domain Hunter+ for Google Chrome

·         Or you can consider Check My Links extension

If these are not sufficient, there are many broken link building tools, tips and tricks that you can follow and get rid of the problem.

8.   Keep the Content Fresh and Updated

A lot of Ecommerce sites forget that content is still the king and 2012 is the year of content marketing. Leveraging content for increasing traffic and sales is perhaps the most essential on-page SEO strategies for Ecommerce sites. And, the difficult-to-implement but easier-to-get-results-with formula is to create massive content that can literally skyrocket your Ecommerce business.

Some of the strategic tools you can use to create on-page SEO strategies are:

1. Blog
2. Adding new products and descriptions
3. Adding more product categories
4. Creating videos and PPTs to attract customers

9.   Proper Internal and External Linking

Last but not the last, internal and external linking on your website needs to be done appropriately at right places. Here is how a good linking strategy is among our best on-page SEO strategies for Ecommerce sites.

It is know that Google loves sites that give value to their readers. It is as simple as that! And, if you intend to provide value to your subscribers, then guide them appropriately by providing them with juicy links.

While doing the both internal and external, make sure of the following:

1.      Direct the link to a relevant page.

2.      Use proper anchor texting while liking.

3.      Although, there’s no limit to the number you can per page, limit it to 2-3 per 100 words.

When you link to external pages, always make sure that you’re linking to resourceful and informative pieces.

To conclude, useful high quality content is still king. Most Ecommerce site developers don’t know it; hence they suffer. So, remember the above mentioned on-page SEO strategies for Ecommerce sites and get a boost to your search engine rankings.

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