How do I do SEO for an online store?

What is SEO, and why is it important for your online store?

SEO stands for "Search Engine Optimization". In essence, it's about making your online store and your products visible when people search on Google. Think of it as having the best location on Main Street. If no one can find your store, you get no customers. On the web, Google is your street, and SEO is the key to getting your store to the front.

It's important because most online shopping journeys start with a search. If you can appear at the top of search results, you get more visitors – and thus a greater chance of sales.

The foundations of online store SEO for beginners

You don't need to be a technical expert to get started well with SEO. Here are the most important points you should focus on as an online store owner:

1. Keywords: Find the right words

Keywords are the words and phrases your potential customers type into Google when looking for products like yours.

  • Think like your customer: What words would you use if you had to find your own product? Is it "handmade jewelry", "personalized gifts", or "organic dog food"?
  • Use Google's suggestions: When you start typing in Google's search field, suggestions appear. These are good indications of what people are searching for. Also look at the bottom of the search results page under "Related searches".
  • Placement of keywords: Use your chosen keywords naturally in your product titles, product descriptions, category descriptions, and any blog posts.

2. Product descriptions and category pages: Write for both people and Google

Your texts are crucial. They need to convince the customer to buy, but also tell Google what the page is about.

  • Unique and detailed descriptions: Avoid copying texts from suppliers. Write unique, informative, and engaging texts that highlight the product's benefits.
  • Include keywords naturally: Weave your keywords into the text, but make it readable and natural. Avoid repeating the words too many times – it looks spammy and hurts more than it helps.
  • Use titles and meta descriptions: Most online store systems let you specify a specific "SEO title" (or "page title") and a "meta description" for each page. This is the text that appears in Google's search results. Make sure your SEO title contains your most important keyword, and that your meta description is a short, engaging text that entices people to click.

3. Images: Optimization of visual content

Your images aren't just for customers; Google can also "read" them if you help.

  • Alt text (Alternative text): This is a short description of the image, which screen readers use for visually impaired people, among others. Google also uses it to understand the image's content. Describe precisely what the image shows, and include a relevant keyword. E.g., "Red handmade ceramic vase with flower motif".
  • File name: Name your image files something descriptive, e.g., "red-ceramic-vase.jpg" instead of "IMG_1234.jpg".
  • File size: Large images make your online store slow. Make sure your images are optimized in size so they load quickly. Many online store systems handle this automatically, but it's good to be aware of.

4. Link building: Get others to link to you

When other credible websites link to your online store, Google sees it as a recommendation. This signals that your online store is relevant and authoritative.

  • Quality over quantity: A link from a large, recognized blog or newspaper is worth much more than ten links from unknown, irrelevant sites.
  • How do you get links? Write content worth linking to (e.g., unique guides, interesting blog posts). Collaborate with influencers or other businesses. Get mentioned in the media.

5. Technical SEO: Keep your online store healthy

Although it sounds "technical", much of this is often something your online store platform takes care of.

  • Fast loading time: No one likes a slow website. Google also penalizes slow pages. Make sure your online store loads quickly.
  • Mobile-friendliness: Most people search today on mobile phones. Your online store must look good and work perfectly on a mobile.
  • HTTPS (Security): Check that your online store has a small lock icon in the browser's address field. It means it's secure (HTTPS), which is a requirement from Google.
  • Sitemap: A sitemap is like a map of your online store that helps Google find and index all your pages. Your online store system often automatically generates a sitemap.

GoShup.com and your SEO

One of the big advantages of choosing a user-friendly platform like GoShup.com is that many of the technical SEO challenges are already solved for you. GoShup.com is built to be fast, mobile-friendly, and secure (with HTTPS), and it automatically generates a sitemap. This means that as an online store owner, you can focus on what really matters for SEO: creating good content, writing fantastic product descriptions, and choosing the right keywords.

Get started: What you can do today

You don't need to do everything at once. Start small and see it as an ongoing process.

  1. Choose 1-2 products/categories: Start by optimizing a couple of your most important products or categories.
  2. Review your texts: Read through your existing product and category descriptions. Are they unique? Do they use relevant keywords naturally?
  3. Add alt texts: Go through your images and make sure they have descriptive alt texts.
  4. Update your SEO titles and meta descriptions: Make sure they're engaging and contain your most important keywords.

Final advice

SEO is a marathon, not a sprint. It takes time to see results, so be patient. Keep optimizing, creating good content, and always think about what your customers are searching for. The better you are at answering their needs, the higher Google will place you. Good luck!