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As technology evolves, so too does the world of ecommerce. The growth of online shopping in recent years has led to a rapidly changing landscape for businesses and customers alike. The impact of this shift is far-reaching, with changes not just to how we shop but also to how businesses market their products and services. One area that has seen significant growth is ecommerce SEO — the fine-tuned process of optimizing a website or online store for search engine results.
Most consumers will disregard a business if they can’t find them online, which makes the importance of ecommerce SEO undeniable. This guide will provide an overview of the key trends in ecommerce SEO in 2023 and best practices to help businesses increase organic search engine rankings.
Related: An Intro Guide to Ecommerce SEO for Beginners
The growing importance of ecommerce SEO in 2023
SEO is becoming more crucial to success in the digital age. The ability of businesses to reach potential customers, gain visibility and build a successful online presence that stands out from competitors increasingly relies on efficient SEO strategies. Statistics show that a whopping 44% of people start their online shopping with a search engine query. The potential to reach these customers through SEO is huge and can potentially lead to increased sales and brand recognition.
Key trends in ecommerce SEO in 2023
While the basics of SEO remain largely unchanged, business owners should be aware of certain new trends and advancements in ecommerce SEO. The following sections will cover some key trends to look out for in 2023 as well as best practices to help businesses maximize their organic search engine rankings:
Changing search behavior:
Consumers increasingly use search engines to find products and services they need. The introduction of artificially intelligent chatbots such as ChatGPT, AI-driven voice search and more personalized search results have changed the way people use search engines. These changes haven’t gone unnoticed, as 51% of ecommerce companies currently use AI to provide a seamless experience for their customers.
AI chatbots run on natural language processing (NLP) algorithms that enable them to understand voice commands and respond accordingly. The introduction of AI-driven voice search has also increased the importance of optimizing content for long-tail keywords and featured snippets. Content should be written in a conversational style tailored to answer user queries directly, as this is what drives higher rankings on search engines.
Local SEO is more important than ever:
If your online store has a brick-and-mortar location, local SEO is essential if you want to compete with other businesses in the same area. With 78% of local searches on mobile resulting in an offline purchase, it is crucial to include local SEO in your digital marketing strategy.
A great example of a brand that has optimized its local SEO is Starbucks. The coffee giant has increased its local SEO visibility through its website, online store and mobile app. The company also uses structured data and rich snippets to ensure its business information is visible on search results.
Increased online shopping:
The Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated the shift toward online shopping. According to a study by McKinsey, ecommerce sales in the U.S. grew by 20% in 2020 compared to the previous year, and this trend is expected to continue in 2023. As more consumers turn to ecommerce, businesses must ensure their websites are easily discoverable through search engines.
Related: 5 Essential SEO Strategies For Entrepreneurs to Boost Their Traffic
Best practices for ecommerce SEO in 2023
To succeed in ecommerce SEO in 2023, businesses need to adopt the following best practices:
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Optimize for mobile: Most searches now take place on mobile devices, so optimizing your website and content for mobile users is important. This includes ensuring the website has a responsive design, fast-loading pages and easy navigation.
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Improve page speed: Page speed is critical to providing a great user experience and improving SEO rankings. The faster the page loads, the higher the chance of success.
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Leverage long-tail keywords: Long-tail keywords are more specific search terms with lower search volumes but higher conversion rates. For example, “buy affordable sneakers online” instead of just “sneakers.” Optimizing for these keywords can help businesses reach their target audience and improve rankings.
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Focus on user experience: The user experience is becoming increasingly important for ecommerce websites. This involves optimizing the website for speed and performance and providing customers with a seamless and enjoyable shopping experience.
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Monitor metrics regularly: To understand how your SEO strategy is performing, businesses need to monitor their metrics regularly. This includes tracking page views, bounce and click-through rates (CTR). The more data businesses have on their website performance, the better they can refine their SEO tactics.
The future of ecommerce SEO
The future of ecommerce SEO is full of uncertainty as search engines become more sophisticated and AI-driven. The algorithms used to determine rankings will become increasingly complex and unpredictable, making it difficult for businesses to stay ahead of the curve.
This thought scares a lot of business owners, but it’s important to remember that, deep down, SEO is still about providing users with the right answers to their queries in a helpful and relevant manner. It’s still about creating great content that is optimized for organic search. The key is to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and incorporate them into your strategy.
Ecommerce SEO is a critical component of any digital marketing strategy in 2023. The growing importance of local SEO, the shift towards online shopping and the unpredictable nature of search engines are all factors businesses need to be aware of if they want to succeed. By adopting the best practices outlined above, you’ll be well on your way to optimizing your ecommerce website for organic search in 2023. Good luck!
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