You can’t deny that online shopping has become increasingly popular in the last couple of years. In 2018 alone, global eCommerce sales have exceeded 2.8 billion dollars. Due to the enormous demand, more and more online stores are popping up, fueling the competition between businesses each day. Thus, it has become more important than ever to come up with strategies that help your business stand out from the crowd.
One of the ways to do this is through search engine optimization, as almost 85% of consumers perform searches on Google before purchasing. Businesses who come at the top in search results are in a better position to win against competing brands who rank lower. This is proven by the fact that roughly 33% of clicks are earned by the top results. Did you know that 75% of the clicks go to the websites that appear in the first page of Google results?
To help you improve your search engine optimization efforts, and especially if you want to make your first sale online, here are some of the most effective tactics that can drive more traffic to your site, and eventually help your transform visitors into customers:
1. Start with keyword research
The first step you should take is spending enough time researching the keywords that you want to rank for. It is essential that you appear in a good position for related keywords.
One thing you could do for boosting your keyword research is to make use of Google Adwords. Use this tool wisely and spend time understanding which are the best keywords that you should focus your SEO efforts on.
2. Use long-tail keywords
The new trend for keywords is the usage of longer ones instead of focusing on just one word. Make use of phrases and clauses instead of just a specific word.
With this in mind, you should practice inserting extended keywords across your site’s content. This can also set you apart from competitors who still choose to focus on single-word keywords, allowing you to rank higher on long-tail keywords.
3. Simplify your website architecture
User experience is another key factor when it comes to search engine optimization. Your site’s architecture, in fact its navigability, is another significant aspect that could make your website rank higher in search result pages.
Sites that have complicated and non-user-friendly navigation schemes end up having huge bounce rates, as well as shorter visits. This sends a negative signal to search engines, thus lowering the site’s ranking.
Make sure that you focus on your site’s ease of navigation. Use well-structured navigation schemes designed to ensure that your users move around your site effortlessly.
4. Use tools to find and fix errors
In order to further guarantee a great user experience for your potential customers, you should make sure that your site is free from errors. To achieve this, you need to seek the help of dedicated tools that can scan your site for errors and vulnerabilities. There are many tools available online that can browse your site and find errors, and your role is to address these errors, so your eCommerce store becomes safe and impeccable.
5. Optimize your website for mobile
One of the most significant SEO developments in 2018 relates to the shift to mobile technology and leads to a movement called mobile-first indexing. Sites are now ranked not using their mobile websites and not using their traditional desktop sites.
While it sounds complicated, there are easy ways for you to do it. Adopting a responsive web design gives your site the ability to automatically adjust to the screen from which the site is being accessed. This way, there is no need to come up with multiple versions of your site.
6. Speed up your website for better conversions
Studies have shown that the speed of an eCommerce site affects conversion rate. This means that sites that load quickly are more likely to win customers as opposed to slow-loading sites. Improve your site’s speed to improve your conversion rate.
Do your best to ensure that your site remains nimble. Remove large objects, and make sure that you have invested in the right hosting service.
7. Implement minimalism in web design
Your site’s aesthetic also plays a vital role in growing your online sales. One of the trends when it comes to site design is going minimalistic. Numerous businesses were able to pull off excellent minimalistic sites, and you are free to implement this in your website. Simple can be beautiful and it can help you win customers.
8. Create better meta descriptions
A meta description refers to the summary of your site that appears below your site’s name in search results. While search engines do not scan through your meta descriptions, your potential customers see them. Whether a user will click on the link to your site or not also depends on your meta descriptions.
Make sure you come up with great meta descriptions that improve your site’s chances of being clicked on and bring more traffic to your website.
9. Add a blog
Since content is king when it comes to search engine optimization, it would be great for your site to have a lot of space for valuable content. Aside from the necessary information in your pages, you should also set up a blog where you can publish related materials that contain the keywords you want to rank for. For SEO purposes, regularly come up with optimized blog posts, and get acquainted with the best practices in content creation.
10. Drive social signals
Finally, don’t forget to use the power of social media. Include a social media strategy in your SEO efforts, to help spread the word about your business. With the massive potential of social media in driving traffic towards your site, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be serious about developing strategies that involve your social media channels.
Work on your SEO strategy with these proven tactics
Search engine optimization is essential for business owners. Boosting your eCommerce site’s ability to generate traffic, which is the first step in having huge sales, starts with using the above-listed tips. So, implement these tactics now and see the difference they can make!
Author: Suzy Viola is a social media marketing specialist and photographer. She loves sharing her knowledge and interest to everyone that leads her to become a freelance writer. And Oh! She’s a traveler too.
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