SEO Mistakes To Avoid In E-commerce: Keys To Optimize Your Online Store

SEO mistakes to avoid in an e-commerce that can negatively impact your online visibility. Some common mistakes include choosing the wrong platform and an unresponsive website. Additionally, incorrect use of keywords, intrusive pop-ups, broken links and duplicate content should be avoided. It is also essential to pay attention to the appropriate CMS, prioritize the “on page” part before link building, consider international strategies and avoid direct copying of content from the manufacturer. Likewise, local SEO must be taken into account, increasing conversions and having specialized training in digital marketing and e-commerce.

Common SEO mistakes in e-commerce

To guarantee the success of an online business, it is essential to avoid a series of SEO mistakes that can harm the visibility and performance of an e-commerce. Next, we will analyze the main mistakes to avoid in this regard:

Choosing the wrong platform

Choosing an appropriate platform to manage an e-commerce is crucial. Opting for a platform that does not support business needs can result in performance issues, lack of key functionality, and difficulties in search engine rankings.

Poor website adaptability

A poorly adaptable or ‘responsive’ website can harm user experience and SEO performance. It is essential to ensure that the design and structure of the site adjust correctly to different devices and screen sizes.

Incorrect use of keywords

The proper use of keywords is essential to position an e-commerce in search engines. Avoiding excessive or irrelevant use of keywords, as well as not using variations of them, is essential for a solid SEO strategy.

Use of intrusive pop-ups

Intrusive pop-ups can negatively impact the user experience and be penalized by search engines. It is important to use them moderately and only at appropriate times, avoiding interrupting the user’s navigation.

Neglect of broken links

Broken links create a poor user experience and can negatively impact SEO. It is essential to constantly monitor internal and external links to fix any broken links quickly and efficiently.

Duplicate content

Having duplicate content in an e-commerce can cause penalties in search engines and harm positioning. It must be ensured that each page has unique and original content, avoiding copying directly from the manufacturer’s website or duplicating product descriptions.

Importance of choosing the right CMS

Choosing the right CMS to manage an e-commerce website is essential to ensure its functionality, performance and success in search engines. A CMS or Content Management System allows you to easily create and manage the content of a website.

Choosing the right CMS involves considering various factors, such as scalability, flexibility, customization capacity, and compatibility with the specific needs of e-commerce. A good CMS facilitates SEO optimization, allowing the implementation of meta tags, friendly URLs and efficient navigation structures.

Additionally, an SEO-optimized CMS will make it easier to manage keywords, meta descriptions, titles, and internal links. It will also allow correct structuring of content and the creation of canonical URLs to avoid duplicate content.

It is important to select a CMS that has an active development community and offers regular updates and technical support. This will ensure the correct functioning of the website, as well as the resolution of any technical problems that may arise.

Having an adequate CMS is key to improving the positioning and visibility of an e-commerce in search engines, which translates into greater traffic, sales and success in the online world.

Pay attention to the on-page part before the blog posts and link building

Before embarking on creating blog posts and link building to improve the SEO of your e-commerce, it is essential to pay attention to the on-page part of your website. 

• Optimize the structure and layout of your page, ensuring it is intuitive and easy for users to navigate.
• Make sure title tags, meta descriptions, and headings are properly optimized with relevant keywords.
• Review and improve your page loading speed, as slow loading times can negatively affect SEO.
• Use friendly and readable URLs for search engines, including relevant keywords in them.
• Optimize each product page with unique and descriptive titles, using specific keywords.
• Add relevant and original content to product descriptions to provide valuable information to users and improve ranking.
• Avoid duplicate content on your website as it can hurt your search engine rankings.

By paying attention to the on-page part before starting your blog post and link building strategies, you will be laying the solid foundations for successful SEO in your e-commerce.

Also Read: Local SEO-Get to Know Its Whereabouts And What Are Its Benefits?

International SEO strategy when expanding a business to international markets

When expanding a business to international markets, it is essential to consider an international SEO strategy. This involves adapting to the particularities of each country or region, taking into account aspects such as language, user search preferences and cultural differences.

First, it is important to conduct specific keyword research for each target market. This will allow you to understand how local users search for products or services related to the business and adjust the content so that it is relevant and easily found.

Additionally, it is essential to optimize the URL structure and meta tags of each page to reflect the target market and improve visibility on local search engines.

Another aspect to consider is the adaptation of the content to the language and culture of each market. This involves translating and localizing website content, including product descriptions, shipping and payment policies, and any other elements that may affect user experience and brand trust.

Additionally, it is important to take into account legal and regulatory differences in each country when configuring the technical aspects of the site, such as domains and regional settings in search tools.

Avoid copying content directly from the manufacturer’s website

When it comes to creating content for an e-commerce, it is crucial to avoid the temptation to directly copy the content provided by the manufacturer. Although it may seem like a quick and easy way to describe products, this can have a negative impact on your website’s SEO.

Remember that search engines favor original and unique content. Copying content from other websites, especially that of the manufacturer, may be considered duplicate content, which may result in a penalty from search engines.

Instead of copying and pasting, it’s important to invest time and effort into creating original and engaging product descriptions. Think about the unique features of your products and highlight them in your content. Use relevant and attractive keywords to capture the attention of search engines and your potential clients.

Also, keep in mind that original content is an opportunity to differentiate yourself from the competition. By creating unique and engaging descriptions, you are creating a value proposition that can influence users’ purchasing decision.

Do not include product URLs in category folders

One of the most common SEO mistakes in e-commerce is including product URLs within category folders. This can negatively affect the positioning of the website in search engines.

When creating the structure of an e-commerce website, it is important that URLs are clear and logically structured. It’s advisable to use relevant keywords in URLs, but placing product pages within category folders can make navigation difficult for both users and search engines.

Instead, use simple, direct URLs for each product page, which will make indexing easier and improve the user experience. This way, each product will have its own URL that is easily accessible and optimized for search engines.

Avoiding this mistake and maintaining a clear and consistent URL structure is essential to improve the SEO of an e-commerce and increase its visibility in search engines.

Also Read: 6 essential things to keep in mind when starting your e-commerce business

Focus on local SEO for physical stores

If you have a physical store and you also sell through your e-commerce, it is essential to pay attention to local SEO. This will allow you to increase the visibility of your business in search engines for those users who are in your geographic area.

One of the best practices is to make sure you have your Google My Business listing set up correctly, including accurate information about your location, opening hours, and reviews from satisfied customers. Additionally, you should optimize your metadata with relevant local keywords so that search engines can identify your store location and display it in local search results.

• Use names of streets, neighborhoods, or geographic areas in your title tags and descriptions.
• Implement local schema markup on your website to make it easier for search engines to understand information like your address and phone number.
• Optimize your category and product pages with local keywords.
• Consider including testimonials and reviews from local customers on your website to increase the trust of users in your geographic area.

Keep in mind that local SEO is especially important if you compete with other brick-and-mortar stores in your area. By focusing on local aspects, you will be able to stand out from the competition and attract more potential customers to your physical store.

Importance of conversions in addition to website traffic

In the world of e-commerce, it is not enough to focus solely on generating traffic to your website. The key is to convert that traffic into sales. It is essential to understand that the number of visits does not guarantee the success of an online business, but rather the ability to transform those visits into customers.

To achieve this, it is necessary to implement effective conversion strategies. This involves optimizing the purchasing process, improving the usability of the website, offering a satisfactory user experience and providing clear and relevant information about the products or services offered.

• Use appropriate and attractive calls to action (CTA) that encourage the user to take a specific action, such as purchasing a product, subscribing to a mailing list, or completing a form.
• Optimize the design and structure of the website to facilitate navigation and access to relevant information.
• Offer discounts, promotions or special offers to encourage purchase.
• Implement comments and reviews from satisfied customers that generate trust and credibility in users.

In addition, it is important to track and analyze conversions to identify areas for improvement and adjust the strategy based on the results obtained. Do not underestimate the importance of conversions in the success of your e-commerce, since they are the most relevant indicator to measure the profitability and real impact of your online business.

Improving positioning through content in product descriptions

The content in product descriptions plays a crucial role in the positioning of an e-commerce. It is essential to create unique and descriptive descriptions for each of the products offered.

• Use relevant keywords in your descriptions to make them easier to find by search engines.
• Highlight the unique features and benefits of the product to attract the attention of potential customers.
• Includes detailed information on size, color, materials and any other relevant specifications.
• Make sure the content is original and not copied from other websites, to avoid penalties and improve search engine trust.
• Use a readable format, with short paragraphs and bullet points, to make the content easier to read and understand.

Additionally, it is advisable to periodically update product descriptions, adding relevant information and keeping the content fresh. This shows search engines that the website is active and offers up-to-date content.

Having quality product descriptions not only improves search engine rankings, but also provides customers with a clear understanding of what they are purchasing, increasing the chances of conversion and building trust in the brand and website.

Also Read: Different Types of SEOS You Need To Know

Importance of page loading speed

One of the fundamental aspects for the success of an e-commerce is the page loading speed. In today’s digital environment, where users have less and less time and patience, a slow page can result in a bad user experience and, consequently, a decrease in conversions.

Page loading speed directly affects search engine positioning. Search engines like Google take this factor into account and prioritize websites that load quickly in search results. Therefore, optimizing loading speed is essential to achieve greater online visibility.

There are various techniques to improve the loading speed of an e-commerce page. Some of them include image optimization, file compression, using good hosting infrastructure, using caching, and minimizing code. It is important to carry out an in-depth and periodic analysis of the loading speed, identify possible bottlenecks and apply the necessary measures to optimize it.

Impact of customer feedback on rankings and sales

Online customer comments have a significant impact on the ranking of an e-commerce in search engines and the sales obtained. These user opinions and ratings not only provide valuable information to other potential buyers, but also influence the trust and credibility of the online store.

Search engines, such as Google, consider customer comments and reviews as an important factor in ranking a website in search results. The more positive reviews an e-commerce has, the higher its visibility and ranking. On the other hand, negative opinions can have a detrimental effect on ranking.

In addition to their impact on SEO, online comments also play a crucial role in users’ decision-making process. Online shoppers rely on other customers’ experiences to evaluate the quality of a store’s products and customer service. Positive reviews build trust and can drive sales, while negative reviews can deter potential buyers.

Therefore, it is essential to proactively manage customer feedback, encouraging positive reviews and responding appropriately to negative comments. This will help improve search engine rankings and generate greater trust in online store visitors, which will translate into increased sales and success in e-commerce.

Using SEO-friendly and relevant URLs

One of the fundamental practices to improve SEO in an e-commerce is the use of friendly and relevant URLs. These URLs concisely and clearly describe the content of the page, making it easy for both search engines and users to understand.

To achieve user-friendly URLs, it is important to avoid using special characters, numbers, or confusing text strings. Instead, use relevant keywords that reflect the content of the page.

In addition, it is essential to structure URLs hierarchically, following a logic of categories and subcategories that allows easy navigation. This helps search engines understand the structure of the website and improves user experience.

Likewise, it is advisable to include the main keywords in the URLs, as this provides relevant information to search engines about the topic of the page. It is important to remember that keywords should be relevant to the content and avoid generic or overly long links.

Also Read: Trigger Marketing: everything you need to know

Avoid excess duplicate content

Duplicate content is one of the serious errors that must be avoided in an e-commerce. When you have too much duplicate content, search engines have a hard time determining which page to display in search results. This can lead to a decrease in the visibility and positioning of the online store.

It is important to ensure that each product page has unique and relevant content. Avoid directly copying the content from the manufacturer’s website and creating unique descriptions for each product. Additionally, you should pay attention to categories and avoid including product URLs within category folders, as this can generate duplicate content.

A good practice is to use friendly and relevant URLs, which contain keywords related to the product. This helps differentiate pages and improve indexing by search engines.

Importance of an adequate internal link architecture

The internal link building architecture is essential for the SEO of an e-commerce. Through a well-designed link structure, the navigability of the website is improved and the flow of authority is distributed efficiently.

For a correct link architecture, it is necessary to establish clear and coherent hierarchies. This involves having a main page from which the different categories and subcategories of products emerge. Each of these pages must be linked within its corresponding category and have internal links to specific product pages.

It is also important to avoid creating broken links, as they can make it difficult for search engines to index pages and harm the user experience. Regularly monitoring links and fixing any broken links is critical to maintaining a strong internal architecture.

Another relevant aspect is the use of relevant keywords in the anchor text of internal links. This helps search engines understand the topic of linked pages, thus improving their ranking in search results.

Also Read: Examining the ways social media changed consumer behavior

SEO and user experience through internal linking

Internal linking is a fundamental SEO strategy that improves the user experience within an e-commerce website. Through internal links, a coherent and simple navigation structure is created for users, allowing them to easily find the information they are looking for.

The key to effective internal linking is to use relevant and descriptive keywords in your link texts. This helps search engines understand the topic of the pages you are linking to, thus improving your ranking in search results.

Additionally, internal linking contributes to the indexing of all pages on a website, ensuring that each one is detected and evaluated by search engines. This increases the visibility of all content and improves domain authority.

It is important to note that excessive or unnecessary linking can result in a confusing and overloaded user experience. Therefore, it is recommended to establish a hierarchical and coherent link structure, prioritizing links to important and relevant pages.

I hope all this information is helpful to you, if you have any questions or want to add something, I would love to read it below in the comments. Regards and until next time.