Did you know that organic search generates 43% of all website traffic? SEO generates more traffic than organic social media and 70-80% of search engine users focus only on organic results. Think about it: a 67% drop in organic traffic occurs if your e-commerce site is on the second page of search results. Search engine optimization is not just a luxury, but a vital necessity for the success of an online store.
Search engine optimization helps your website achieve a top position in search engine results. This top ranking is vital, as studies show that the first organic search result in Google has an average click-through rate of 28.5%, while the second and third have click-through rates of 15% and 11%, according to a Forbes report. Thus, it is crucial to reach the top positions of search results to attract the necessary traffic to your online store.
Although SEO is a profitable strategy to be implemented in websites and search engines, some people do not recognize its importance for e-commerce websites. Regardless of the nature of your business, a solid SEO strategy is essential to attract visitors to your website and turn them into loyal customers.
Search engine optimization determines the best, most popular and most useful websites based on customer search terms. Focusing on SEO is essential, as it contributes to your search engine rankings and, by extension, your store’s online visibility.
Ranking an e-commerce website is difficult and requires constant efforts to optimize keywords, ensure usability of the site and check technical aspects such as lagging images and others.
Let’s now take a look at some recent changes in SEO for the e-commerce industry and understand why it’s more critical than ever in the new world of online marketing.
1. Organic visibility is the best way to be visible in your customers’ shopping experience:
Google or any other search engine serves as the main access point to your website. According to a Forbes report, Google’s first page results attract 71% of all online search traffic, and this figure is growing, and will reach 92% in the coming years. It’s clear that if your website doesn’t appear in the top Google search results, it’s virtually invisible to potential customers.
A recent study shows that the first organic Google search result has an average click-through rate of 28.5%, while the second and third have click-through rates of 15% and 11% respectively. These figures underline the importance of achieving a top position in search results, as even a small difference in rankings can make a significant difference in traffic to your website.
In addition, the introduction of features such as “Featured Snippets” and others, such as “People also ask for”, “Near Me” and “Close By”, once again highlight the importance of SEO. These features represent Google’s attempt to provide users with quick and instant responses, which means that sites that appear in these sections enjoy great exposure and an increased likelihood of attracting relevant traffic.
Thus, it is clear that search engine optimization is essential to ensure your visibility within the online customer shopping experience and to maximize your potential to attract customers and increase sales.
2. Increase sales by driving traffic to your website:
Data shows that 81% of people search online before making a purchase. This shows that online presence and visibility is vital for any business, especially online shops.
When a user searches for a specific product or service and finds your website in the top positions of the search results, there is an implicit trust that your business is relevant and trustworthy.
Moreover, presence in the top search results is associated with an image of authority and credibility in your field of activity. Clichés such as “the first result is always the best” or “if you’re not on the first page, you don’t exist” reflect the reality that most users rely on the first search results to guide their purchasing decisions.
3. SEO is more cost-effective than other marketing efforts:
Search engine optimization (SEO) is proving to be superior to other marketing efforts from a cost perspective. In contrast to paid search campaigns, which involve significant expenditures for traffic, clicks, impressions and conversions, SEO strategies have zero cost in these areas.
Paid campaigns, such as influencer marketing and pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, often only last for the duration of their activation. In other words, the results from these campaigns are only visible during the time the budget is allocated and spent. In addition, paid campaigns are often left out of the equation when your marketing budget is limited, which can compromise the visibility and performance of your online business.
In contrast, an effective SEO strategy can continue to deliver results even in circumstances where the marketing budget is tight. In other words, once you’ve done proper search engine optimisation and achieved a solid position in search results, no further direct investment is needed to maintain that position.
However, it is important to mention that maintaining a strong SEO presence involves constant attention and updates in line with search engine algorithmic changes, such as those released by Google. Frequent Google algorithm updates, such as BERT, the EEAT principle or Featured Snippets, require e-commerce brands to always stay abreast of new trends and adapt their SEO strategies accordingly. In this sense, SEO becomes an ongoing process, which requires constant monitoring and a flexible approach to stay on top of search rankings and achieve sustainable results.
4. Working with an experienced SEO agency for the ecommerce industry is essential:
Agencies specializing in SEO for ecommerce thoroughly understand the complexities and specific requirements of this industry. They are familiar with the unique needs and challenges of online stores and have the ability to create customized strategies to address them.
The experience and knowledge of SEO agencies allows them to successfully navigate the competitive landscape of the internet. They understand how search engine algorithms work and what needs to be done to achieve a top position in search results. They also have the expertise needed to identify and exploit growth opportunities and avoid pitfalls that could slow your website’s progress.
Working with an experienced SEO agency can bring multiple benefits. These can include increasing traffic to your website, improving online visibility, increasing conversions and ultimately increasing revenue. In addition, SEO agencies can provide advice and guidance on best practices in the field, so you can make informed decisions and maximize the effectiveness of your online marketing strategies.
In conclusion, without a well-developed SEO strategy, your chances of success in the world of e-commerce are minimal. But, we must be patient and understand that SEO is a long-term game that requires careful planning and consistent execution. A collaboration with an experienced e-commerce SEO agency can be the key to achieving the desired results.
Online marketing agency re7consulting is one of those agencies that specialise in SEO for online shops, with extensive experience and an impressive track record of success. Our team of SEO experts understands the specific needs of the e-commerce industry and we are ready to create custom strategies to take your business to the next level.
