SEO optimization is an important aspect for any online store. The right set of measures helps to attract targeted traffic and effectively convert it, which directly affects the success of the business. In this article, we have collected current SEO recommendations for beginners in the field of e-commerce, important metrics and the main trends in search engine optimization.
Where to start? Minimum steps before launching an online store
First of all, you need to take care of the technical component of the site so that it is convenient for both users and search engines. Tip: Avoid redundant filters and parameters for content generation. It is better to place each product and section on static pages. In addition, you should:
- Check all buttons related to placing an order.
- Configure important service files such as robots.txt, sitemap.xml and .htaccess.
- Connect analytics tools to collect site data.
- Ensure website optimization for mobile devices.
- Unique meta tags on all pages of the site.
- Use page markup using JSON-LD or schema.org.
Common mistakes made by newbies
Some common mistakes that novice online store owners often make: Creating several identical sites. This can lead to the imposition of an affiliate filter, which excludes all sites belonging to one company from search results, leaving only one of them. If an additional website is being created, it is important that it has unique content, contact information and design. Promotion throughout the country from the very beginning. Often newcomers set overly ambitious goals - to try to promote the site throughout the country. This may be too complex and costly in the initial stages. It's better to start by promoting in your home region and then expand your reach. Product catalog instead of an online store. Some owners create a website with a catalog of products, but without prices and the ability to buy. With this approach, the site will not be included in commercial requests, and may also receive a penalty from search engines for over-optimization or fall under the “Baden-Baden” filter.
Filter "Baden-Baden" from Yandex
The Baden-Baden filter targets sites with meaningless content that is created solely to increase the number of keywords. Nowadays, it is not recommended to limit editors to a rigid list of key phrases, as this may negatively affect the naturalness of the text. Instead, it is recommended to use so-called LSI phrases - terms that naturally complement the main query and are often found in searches on similar topics.
How has keyword selection changed in Google?
Voice search on Google has become increasingly popular in recent years. Roughly 20% of all company searches were made through voice assistants, and 70% of those were made using spoken language. This means that when selecting keywords, it is important to consider how users formulate their queries in real life in order to integrate such phrases into the content.
Metrics for assessing website performance
To analyze the performance of an online store, you can use both free and paid tools:
- Free services such as Google Analytics or Yandex.Metrica, if configured correctly.
- Paid services such as Mixpanel, Cloudflare or Clicktale for more detailed analytics.
- For end-to-end analytics, you can use systems like Roistat or PrimeGate.
To check the mobile adaptability of a website, it is convenient to use Google Search Console or Yandex.Webmaster tools for testing mobile pages.
Key Ranking Factors
Today, search engines take many factors into account when ranking websites. Among them:
- Supply (competition, availability of goods and services).
- Content (quality and relevance of content).
- Behavioral factors (time on site, page clicks).
- Link profile (quality of external links).
- Intent (user's goal when searching for a query).
Future Changes in SEO
Voice search. This trend is actively developing, and search engines, including Yandex and Google, will increasingly focus on voice queries. User-friendliness of sites. Search engines continue to focus on usability. In the near future, the importance of user experience will increase, which will make the Top 10 list even more competitive. Sites that offer a complete and useful answer to the query will be prioritized. Mobile version. Without a mobile version, the site loses users. Google is already actively testing the Mobile First index, and its main release is planned for the near future. Although Yandex does not yet have a strong influence on rankings from the mobile version, this may change in the future. Quick answers in search results. Recently, search engines have introduced extended answers that occupy a zero position in the search results and provide brief information on the request. Such answers receive more traffic, and being included in this block increases organic traffic to the site. To discuss the topic of SEO or receive advice, you can contact the SEO studio "SEO COMPUTER" by email info@seo.computer. id 4428
