Learn how to master ecommerce keyword research with our comprehensive guide. Discover effective strategies for SEO success in online businesses.
If you have an online store, you know how important it is to get people to visit your website. One of the best ways to do this is by using the right keywords. In this guide, we'll talk all about ecommerce keyword research and how it can help your business succeed.
First things first, let's talk about what ecommerce keyword research is and why it matters. Basically, it's the process of finding the words and phrases that people type into search engines when they're looking for products like yours. By targeting the right keywords, you can help your online store show up higher in search results and get more visitors.
Now, you might be wondering, "What is SEO for ecommerce?" SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization, and it's a set of strategies used to improve your website's visibility in search results. While the basics of SEO apply to all websites, there are some specific things to keep in mind when optimizing an online store. For example, you'll want to focus on keywords related to your products and categories, as well as terms that show someone is ready to make a purchase.
Did you know that e-commerce sales are expected to account for 22% of all retail sales worldwide by 2023 [Statista]? With more and more people shopping online, it's never been more important to make sure your store is easy to find.
Before you start researching keywords, it's important to know who your target audience is. Think about the kind of people who are most likely to buy your products. What are their interests? What problems are they trying to solve? Understanding your customers will help you choose keywords that match their search behavior and preferences.
One way to learn more about your audience is by looking at your social media followers and customer feedback. See what questions people are asking and what language they use to describe your products. You can also use tools like Google Analytics to get insights into your website visitors, such as their age, location, and interests.
Now that you know your target audience, it's time to start looking for keywords. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do keyword research for e-commerce:
When choosing keywords, it's important to think about search intent. For example, someone searching for "running shoes" might just be researching different options, while someone searching for "buy Nike Air Max" is probably ready to make a purchase. As an e-commerce site, you'll want to focus on keywords that show commercial intent.
To make the most of your keyword research, avoid these common mistakes:
In recent news, Google announced several updates to its shopping search features [Search Engine Journal], making it even more important for e-commerce sites to optimize their keyword strategies.
Search intent refers to the reason behind a user's search query. There are four main types of search intent:
When choosing keywords for your e-commerce site, focus on those with transactional and commercial investigation intent. These are the people who are most likely to become customers.
Another helpful strategy is to look at the keywords your competitors are targeting. By seeing what works for them, you can identify opportunities to improve your own keyword list.
There are a few ways to research competitor keywords:
As you analyze your competitors, look for gaps in their keyword strategy that you could fill, or niche areas where you could establish yourself as an authority.
While you can do keyword research manually, tools can help speed up the process and provide valuable data. Here are a few popular options:
To use these tools, start by entering a seed keyword related to your product or industry. The tool will then generate a list of related keywords and data on their search volume, competition level, and other metrics. Use this information to identify the most promising keywords for your site.
For example, let's say you sell organic dog treats. You might start by searching for "dog treats" in a keyword tool. The results show that this keyword has a high search volume but also high competition. However, you also see related terms like "organic dog treats" and "healthy dog treats" with lower competition but still decent search volume. These could be good keywords to target.
In addition to broad keywords, don't forget to include long-tail keywords in your strategy. These are longer, more specific phrases that often have lower search volume but higher conversion rates.
For example, "shoes" is a broad keyword, while "women's size 8 black leather pumps" is a long-tail keyword. While fewer people might search for the latter, those who do are more likely to make a purchase.
Keyword research tools can help you find long-tail keyword ideas. Look for phrases that include modifiers like size, color, material, or brand name. You can also use Answer the Public to see questions and phrases related to your seed keywords.
While the general principles of keyword research apply to all e-commerce sites, there are some specific considerations for different platforms. For example, if you have a Shopify store, you might be wondering "How to do keyword research for Shopify store?"
One key difference with Shopify is that you don't have as much control over your site structure and URLs as you would with a platform like WordPress or Magento. However, you can still optimize your page titles, meta descriptions, and product descriptions for your target keywords.
Shopify also offers some built-in SEO features, like automatically generating sitemap.xml files and customizable image alt text. Be sure to take advantage of these when optimizing your store.
Another type of e-commerce business that requires a slightly different approach to keyword research is dropshipping. If you're wondering "How to do keyword research for dropshipping," keep reading!
Dropshipping businesses often have a wider product range than traditional e-commerce stores, as they don't need to hold inventory themselves. This means that keyword research for dropshipping may involve casting a wider net and targeting a variety of different niches.
When doing keyword research for dropshipping, it's important to look at data from your suppliers to see what products are popular and in demand. You can also use tools like Google Trends to see what product categories and search terms are trending upwards.
As you choose keywords for your dropshipping store, consider the specific characteristics of the products you're selling. Are there certain sizes, colors, or styles that are particularly popular? Be sure to include these modifiers in your keyword list.
It's also a good idea to look for keyword opportunities related to the benefits or uses of your products, rather than just the products themselves. For example, instead of just targeting "yoga mats," you could also target keywords like "eco-friendly yoga mats" or "best yoga mats for hot yoga."
If you have a Shopify store, there are a few specific tools and strategies you can use to optimize your keyword research.
First, be sure to install the SEO Checker & SEO Doctor app from the Shopify App Store. This tool will scan your store and provide recommendations for improving your SEO, including suggestions for keywords to target.
You can also use Shopify's built-in analytics to see which search terms are driving traffic to your store. Go to Analytics > Reports > Acquisition > Search engine and look at the "Search keywords" report to see what terms people are using to find your site.
When optimizing your Shopify product pages, be sure to include your target keywords in the following places:
However, avoid overusing keywords or stuffing them into places where they don't sound natural, as this can actually hurt your SEO. Instead, focus on creating high-quality, informative product descriptions that naturally incorporate your keywords.
Another important factor to consider in your keyword research is mobile optimization. With more and more people shopping on their smartphones, it's crucial that your e-commerce site is easy to use and navigate on mobile devices.
When choosing keywords, think about how they might be typed or phrased differently on mobile. For example, someone searching on their phone might use shorter, more concise phrases or rely more on voice search.
You can use the Mobile-Friendly Test tool from Google to see how well your site performs on mobile devices and get suggestions for improvement. You should also make sure your site loads quickly and has a responsive design that adapts to different screen sizes.
By optimizing for mobile search, you can improve your chances of ranking well for mobile-specific keywords and phrases. This is especially important for local searches, as many people use their phones to find businesses and products nearby.
Once you've identified your target keywords, it's time to start incorporating them into your e-commerce site. Here are a few key places to focus on:
Remember, the goal is not to stuff your pages with keywords, but rather to use them strategically and naturally to create a better user experience. Focus on providing value and answering your customers' questions, and the SEO benefits will follow.
In addition to placing your keywords in strategic locations, there are a few other techniques you can use to optimize your pages:
By using these techniques in combination with your keyword research, you can create a comprehensive and effective SEO strategy for your e-commerce site.
Keyword research is not a one-time task, but rather an ongoing process of testing, measuring, and refining. As you implement your keyword strategy, be sure to track your rankings and traffic to see what's working and what's not.
Use tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console to monitor your site's performance and identify areas for improvement. Look at metrics like:
If you're not seeing the results you want, don't be afraid to adjust your strategy. Try targeting different keywords, optimizing your content, or building more high-quality backlinks. The key is to stay agile and adaptable, always looking for ways to improve your SEO and drive more qualified traffic to your site.
In addition to tracking your overall site performance, it's important to evaluate the specific keywords you're targeting. Use tools like SEMrush or Ahrefs to see where you rank for each keyword and how much traffic and revenue it's generating.
If a keyword is underperforming, consider whether it's truly relevant to your business and audience. You may need to adjust your targeting or optimize your page content to better match the search intent.
On the other hand, if a keyword is driving a lot of traffic and sales, look for opportunities to double down on that success. Can you create more content around that keyword theme, or optimize your product pages even further to improve your rankings and conversion rates?
By regularly evaluating your keyword performance and making data-driven decisions, you can continuously improve your e-commerce SEO and drive more revenue for your business.
Ready to take your e-commerce keyword research to the next level? Check out our other resources and guides at Swiftbrief.com to learn more about SEO, content marketing, and online sales strategies. With the right approach and tools, you can unlock the full potential of your online store and achieve e-commerce success.
This piece was created with a professional brief
In content marketing, being intentional pays. That's why we always share the behind the scenes of our pieces.
Delegate content at scale
Swiftbrief makes it easy to create and manage all your content briefs in one place
NewNewNew
New
Test
TestTestTestTest
This is a test question
This is a test answerThis is a test answerThis is a test answerThis is a test answerThis is a test answerThis is a test answerThis is a test answerThis is a test answerThis is a test answerThis is a test answerThis is a test answer
