Roll out the red carpet (or, should we say, the baking mat?) for the latest and greatest in eCommerce search engine optimization (SEO) trends! As online shopping continues to rise like a perfectly baked soufflé, staying ahead of the curve and, of course, the competition is essential. And just like in baking, the right ingredients can make all the difference. Because every store vies for attention, you need the secret ingredient to stand out. For many, it’s no surprise that SEO is the secret ingredient that can set you apart.
Whether you’re an eCommerce expert or just starting to mix up your digital marketing strategy, we’re here to ensure you’re off to a great start as we prepare for 2024. So, preheat your ovens, and let’s get started on a few trends to keep in your back pocket (or recipe book) for the new year.
Why Is SEO Important for eCommerce?
Think of SEO as the yeast that makes your online store rise above the competition. Without it, you're just another cookie in the jar. But with the right SEO strategies, you can ensure your store is found by the right people at the right time. Why does this matter? First off, visibility is key, and without it, no one can find you. And what’s great about SEO is that it allows you to not only attract traffic but potential customers that are more likely to convert. As Tim Dugan, Vice President of SEO at Zero Gravity Marketing, always says, "Embrace the latest trends in SEO as your allies, not just in rankings but in creating meaningful connections with your audience." In essence, SEO is a piece of cake you don’t want to miss – it connects customers to a product, ensuring you’re feeding your website a steady flow of traffic, sales, and (hopefully) sustainable growth.
SEO Trends Every eCommerce Store Owner Should Know
Trend #1: Embrace E-E-A-T (Experience-Expertise-Authoritativeness-Trustworthiness)
Just like a cake needs the right balance of ingredients, your website needs a mix of E-E-A-T. More than just an acronym, this is the backbone of quality content in the SEO world. Search engines like Google prioritize websites that demonstrate expertise in their field, authoritativeness with peers, and trustworthiness in their content. For eCommerce brands, this means highlighting product expertise, collecting and showing testimonials and product reviews, and ensuring all transactions are secure. This is like offering your customers a small taste test of what you have to offer – and who doesn’t like that?
Trend #2: Target Your Audience Over Rankings
While securing the top spot on search engines is oh-so-sweet, producing content that resonates with your audience is more important. In the end, this is what will make the biggest impact. You want to develop a content strategy that addresses their needs, answers their questions, and solves their problems. Think of it as finding the perfect recipe for your target market – once you find the perfect mix, they'll return for seconds!
Trend #3: Social Media Platforms Are The New Search Engines
Social media is more than fun pet videos and entertaining memes. Platforms like Instagram and Pinterest have become search engines in their own right, especially when it comes to products sold through eCommerce brands. Integrating SEO strategies with your social media can help get your products seen more organically. Just like sprinkles add flair to a cupcake, integrating your SEO strategy with social media can give your brand that extra dash of visibility.
Trend #4: Think Multi-Channel
Don't put all your eggs (or egg substitutes for our vegan friends) in one basket. Relying on one channel for your brand can result in brands missing out on a ton of potential customers. Diversifying your SEO strategy across multiple channels, whether organic search, paid ads, or social media, ensures you reach your audiences on all channels and at all touchpoints. A multi-channel approach is the icing on the cake.
Trend #5: New SERP Features = New Opportunity
Say goodbye to the search engine results pages (SERPs) top 10 blue links. With new SERP features rolling out, there's much more room on the plate for opportunities. From featured snippets to image packs to local listings and video results, there’s a lot more real estate to claim. Optimizing for these features will ensure you get the cherry on top of your SEO sundae.
Trend #6: Diversify To Offset Volatile PPC Costs
As mentioned above, relying on just one channel is like forgetting the frosting on your freshly baked cake. The same can be said for only relying on Pay-Per-Click (PPC). Because costs and competition always fluctuate, incorporating other strategies like SEO and content marketing can provide additional efforts and traffic when PPC costs are out of this world.
Trend #7: Create A Positive User Experience (UX)
Ever had a slice of cake that just doesn’t make your mouth water? That’s what it’s like to come to a website with a poor user experience. Without the right ingredients, or in a website’s case, elements to guide the user, visitors cannot find what they’re looking for and won’t convert. To avoid this, ensure your site has a few key ingredients whisked in to its user experience – it should be mobile-friendly, easy to navigate, and load quickly.
The Future Of eCommerce SEO
Staying on top of trends in SEO eCommerce is a constant battle, but keeping on top of them will ensure your online store remains a slice above the rest. For a deeper dive into eCommerce SEO or help creating a strategy for your brand, check out our eCommerce SEO agency. Looking for Shopify SEO specifically to sweeten your online store's success? Get in touch with our team today to get started.
