How to Choose the Keywords for Ecommerce Brand Success
You need to know how to choose the right keywords for ecommerce brand success. It’s not enough to slap any old word on your website and hope for the best. There’s a lot of strategy involved, and, frankly, a little bit of art, but we’re going to make sure you understand how to choose the keywords for ecommerce brand growth. If you need help choosing keywords, you should hire an ecommerce SEO agency. They can help create more than just keywords and help with a national SEO campaign to get your ecommerce store to the next level.
Why Knowing How to Choose the Keywords for Ecommerce Brand is Crucial
Every single day, over 8.5 Billion searches happen on Google. That means 8.5 billion opportunities for your ideal customer to find you… IF you show up. If you want to grab even a tiny slice of that delicious traffic pie for your own store, you’ll need to show Google what you’re about. This is where your ecommerce keywords come into play.
Keywords act like a virtual address, pointing customers to the specific products or information they seek. When you use relevant keywords that match their searches, you increase the chances of them finding you organically. Doing this will help increase your monthly search volume for the terms you want to be found for.
Step 1. Understand Your Customers
Before you even think about plugging anything into keyword tools or spying on the competition, we have to take a moment for your secret weapon; actually understanding your customers better than your competition does.
You know how sometimes you stumble across a brand or piece of content that feels like it was made specifically for you? That’s because somebody out there put in the effort to get really, really clear on their customer persona, their pain points, desires and even fears. This will help with coming up with an initial list of keyword ideas that are specific to your target audience.
Empathy is Your Superpower: Conduct Keyword Research Using Real Conversations
Sure, AI is super useful. But don’t underestimate the power of actual human insights. You’d be shocked at what you’ll find by taking a few extra steps like:
- Listening in on social media conversations and forums.
- Sending out surveys or polls to your audience.
- Checking customer reviews—yours and your competitor’s.
Are you picking up common themes and pain points that aren’t being addressed? That, my friend, is keyword research gold. It will also help you understand things such as the user intent, search terms, and search intent of your potential customers.
Step 2. Identify Relevant Keywords That Speak Your Customers’ Language
This step is where you dive into keyword research, crafting a list of terms that are a blend of what customers type into the search bar AND how they actually speak. We all have those little quirks in how we search for something. Capturing this will allow you to craft copy that truly resonates. For this, you’ll leverage some stellar tools like Google Search Console, SEOApp.io, Ahrefs, Helium 10, Semrush, and even the Google Keyword Planner.
Brainstorm a List of Seed Keywords
This is as simple as jotting down every term or phrase you can think of that relates to your products or niche. Don’t worry about being comprehensive; think of this as your launchpad. These are generally short-tail keywords that serve as a starting point for your keyword strategy.
Dig into Competitor Research
The Semrush keyword tool lets you deep dive into your competition’s strategies—a powerful way to gather keyword intelligence. Let’s face it, spying on the competition, whether in ecommerce, PPC, or, heck, even the schoolyard, gives you an advantage.
While Semrush does offer a free version, it pales in comparison to what you can achieve with their Keyword Magic Tool, which unlocks a database of millions of keyword suggestions. Trust me, I used the free version for too long.
Use SEO Tools to Broaden Your Keyword List
Let’s dive into more details with a couple more keyword tools and techniques.
- Google Keyword Planner: Sure, some might argue that Google Keyword Planner is better for PPC than finding SEO keywords, but there are some tricks to mining that platform, especially when looking for ideas surrounding YouTube. And since we know more and more customers want video shopping options these days, I like to leverage the platform to give my clients that advantage. It’s also great for looking at Google searches related to your niche.
- Ahrefs: Ahrefs gives you in-depth keyword data. This includes search volume, keyword difficulty, and related terms that might’ve flown under the radar. This is super helpful to figure out which keywords will bring in the most traffic with the least amount of effort.
Step 3: Prioritize Keywords With Search Intent
Once you’ve gathered an extensive list, don’t be afraid to group your findings by Search Intent. What are your potential customers really looking for? Are they in the mood to browse and be inspired by inspirational content? Or are they primed to hit that “buy now” button? Targeting the right long-tail keywords, that match search intent, can increase the chances that you’ll convert a reader into a paying customer. You should be looking for long-tail keywords that have a high monthly search volume but low keyword difficulty.
Search Intent Matters for These Common Types of Queries
Search Intent Type | Customer Goal |
---|---|
Navigational | Seeking a specific website or page, such as your homepage. |
Informational | Looking for details on a specific topic; how-to guides or blog posts are good examples here. |
Commercial | Intending on purchasing but in the research phase comparing pricing or benefits. Think product reviews and best of articles here. |
Transactional | Ready to take the plunge and make a purchase (These users are looking for discounted items and have their credit card ready). |
Don’t be afraid to niche down and become the leading authority for that highly specific need. While chasing every trending term is tempting, this method might get lost.
Remember Backlinko shared, keyword difficulty listed on platforms may not be completely accurate. And don’t forget, when that perfect visitor finds your product page…it’s crucial they are greeted with relevant information, or they are bouncing right back to that Google search bar for someone else. Your product descriptions should use relevant keywords as well.
Don’t assume just because an SEO platform told you this magical long tail term was “low competition”, that it is accurate. You do need to factor this in when mapping things out. But consider this; even with all the right keyword strategies, a potential buyer could bounce because their search experience was not ideal, negating your efforts.
Step 4: Group Similar Keywords Into Clusters
Keyword clusters are incredibly useful and can boost those coveted organic clicks because they take the stress away from needing a different page on your site for every possible phrase. A keyword cluster will help you group keywords long-tail keywords by search intent. You can then use these keyword clusters to create high-quality content for your ecommerce site.
So instead of hyperfocusing on one phrase on one page— think more topically. This allows your site to cast a much wider net. It also allows you to better target specific topics with your blog content and create high-quality content that ranks well in search engine results pages (SERPs).
Here are a few best practices when mapping out Keyword Clusters for maximum effectiveness:
- Avoid Keyword Cannibalization. Be mindful of creating similar pages targeting similar phrases and cannibalizing traffic, like that awkward Thanksgiving with the in-laws…
- Leverage variations on a core term to enhance relevance for various search phrases. It allows your page to appeal to Google’s desire for relevant content that fully answers searcher intent.
- Create targeted content. Clusters not only boost rankings but give content marketers those golden nuggets that become focused, helpful blog posts or page content that answer your reader’s questions in depth. For example, an online organic dog food store might identify “grain-free,” “best,” “puppy,” “large breed,” and “salmon” as relevant modifiers to the core term “dog food.” By strategically combining these modifiers, you create variations like “best grain-free dog food for large breed puppies” or “salmon-based dog food for sensitive stomachs” targeting various subtopics within their niche. This would be considered your main keyword. Other variations could be “best dog food for puppies” or “dog food for large breed dogs”. These keywords all fall under the general product category of dog food but target different search terms within that category.
Mastering how to choose the keywords for ecommerce brand growth is a game-changer for building your online visibility and growing your audience of loyal customers. It’s how you’ll attract those ideal customers who can’t wait to tell everyone about your amazing product, through organic rankings and traffic. This guide helped lay out all the steps. And now, because you’re armed with these strategies and tips, your ecommerce website will start to dominate Google’s search results. Contact us today if you are looking for a full digital marketing agency to take your ecommerce business to the next level.
Is Squarespace Good for Ecommerce? A Deep Dive Review
So, you’re thinking about launching an online store and wondering, is Squarespace good for ecommerce? Choosing the right platform can feel overwhelming, right? You want something that looks amazing but is also easy to manage and helps you drive traffic to make sales. Let’s cut to the chase. Squarespace built its name on stunning design, and it definitely delivers on that front, even with their ecommerce features. But is it enough to build a successful e-commerce store? Let’s take a look into what makes Squarespace tick for online businesses. At SEO Locale we prefer to build new websites in Woocommerce or Shopify, but if you are looking to build your own ecommerce site on Squarespace you may have some success with a DIY on that platform.
Squarespace for Ecommerce: What’s the Deal?
Squarespace is like that friend who always looks effortlessly stylish – they just get it. What Squarespace lacks in ease of use, it makes up for tenfold in looks – which is no small achievement, given that judgments on a company’s credibility are 75% based on the company’s website design. It’s built for people who want a beautiful online presence without needing to code everything from scratch. And yes, that includes your online store. Think sleek customizable templates, gorgeous product displays, and a consistent aesthetic across your site.
But beyond looks, Squarespace has upped its game in recent years, adding powerful Squarespace ecommerce features that let you manage everything from inventory management to shipping, right from your dashboard. But like any platform, it has its pros and cons.
Pros of Choosing Squarespace for Your Online Store
First, let’s talk about what makes Squarespace a contender for ecommerce. Here’s what we liked:
Visually Stunning Templates That Scream “Buy Me.”
Squarespace’s templates are hands down their biggest selling point. They’re modern, sophisticated, and designed to showcase your products in the best possible light. And the best part? All these templates squarespace offers are fully responsive.
This is a must, since more and more people are shopping on their phones. In fact, projections show the US alone will have over 187 million mobile shoppers by 2024. Squarespace takes care of that seamlessly, ensuring your site looks just as good on a smaller screen. Need some inspiration? Check out these popular Squarespace ecommerce templates:
- Hester: Clean, minimal, and perfect for showcasing products.
- Vandam: Bold, dynamic, and ideal for a brand with an edge.
- Alameda: Modern and airy, a great choice for lifestyle brands.
Remember, these templates are just the starting point – you can customize them with your branding, images, and content to create a unique online store.
Built-in Features to Get You Selling Fast
So, Squarespace looks pretty – but can it handle the practicalities of running an online store? You bet. They’ve got you covered with built-in features like:
- Unlimited product listings: List as many products as your heart desires – no restrictions here.
- Payment Gateway Integration: Easily accept credit card payments and even PayPal through Stripe and PayPal integrations, making checkout a breeze.
- Inventory Management: Say goodbye to manual spreadsheets. Squarespace tracks stock levels and even sends low-stock alerts.
- Shipping and Taxes: Configure shipping options based on product weight or location. They even allow for automatic tax calculations, saving you hours of number-crunching headaches.
- Automatic Discounts and Gift Cards: Everyone loves a good deal. Set up automated discounts for specific products or entire orders, and offer gift cards to entice those shoppers.
Built-In SEO Features
You’ve got a stunning online store—great. Now, how do you actually get people to find it? This is where SEO – or search engine optimization – comes in. The higher your site ranks on Google and other search engines, the better. Higher ranking equals more visibility and ultimately more sales.
Squarespace offers some solid built-in SEO tools that help improve your ranking:
- Mobile Optimization: Google loves a mobile-friendly site. Lucky for you, Squarespace has this built-in.
- SSL Certificates: This one’s technical, but essential – it shows search engines that your site is trustworthy. Every Squarespace site automatically gets an SSL certificate.
- Customizable Page Titles and Descriptions: These are like mini-ads for your pages on search results, and Squarespace makes them easy to edit.
While these built-in tools give you a great head start, it’s important to note that for more advanced SEO strategies you’ll need to go beyond the basics, just like with most website builders. An SEO agency can help take you to the next level.
Cons – Where Squarespace Could Up Its Ecommerce Game
Alright, we’ve gushed about the good. But, let’s be real – no platform is perfect. Here’s what we found could use some improvement:
Limited Flexibility
While Squarespace is user-friendly, its simplicity can also be limiting. This especially applies if you need very specific features for your store. For instance, if your business model involves drop shipping or relies heavily on third-party apps, Squarespace’s app store isn’t as extensive as some of its competitors, like Shopify, which is the jack-of-all-trades of online stores.
Can Be Pricey for Growing Businesses
To sell, you’ll need one of Squarespace’s ecommerce plans, priced between $23-$52/mo, billed annually. You can try out the features risk-free with a 14-day free trial or save some cash using a discount code like WBE10 at checkout. While not overly expensive, the cost can add up as your business grows, especially if you need those advanced ecommerce features requiring higher-tier plans.
So, is Squarespace Good for Ecommerce… or Not?
In a nutshell, is Squarespace good for ecommerce? The answer depends on your priorities. If you’re starting out and want an attractive, easy-to-use platform with everything built-in, Squarespace is a strong contender. It’s particularly awesome for creative entrepreneurs and small businesses selling physical products, who prioritize aesthetics without sacrificing functionality.
However, if you’re a fast-growing business needing extensive customization and third-party integrations, or if you anticipate needing complex features down the line, you might want to weigh your options and consider platforms like Shopify that prioritize those aspects. Ultimately, the right platform depends on your business’s specific needs and goals.
Squarespace is an excellent option for individuals and small businesses wanting to launch their online store quickly. While the platform offers users great-looking design options, its strength lies in its ecommerce functionalities including things like unlimited product listings, a payment gateway, and automatic discounts. We would recommend pairing your ecommerce website up with ecommerce SEO to help get it found on Google.
Still, the key factor for figuring out if Squarespace is good for ecommerce ultimately rests in the unique needs and circumstances of your particular business needs.
Is WordPress Good for Ecommerce? Exploring Its Viability
So, you’re thinking about setting up an online shop. You’ve heard of WordPress, but is WordPress good for ecommerce? After all, it’s not exactly known for online stores, right? That’s where things get interesting. WordPress itself isn’t an ecommerce platform.
It’s a powerful content management system (CMS) that, with the right tools, can be molded to fit your needs — including selling online. This is where WooCommerce, a WordPress plugin, enters the scene.
WordPress & WooCommerce: A Powerful Ecommerce Duo
Think of WordPress as the foundation of your house, and WooCommerce as the toolkit that transforms it into a bustling shop. This open-source plugin gives you the power to list products, manage inventory, handle payments, and much more. You’ll be able to do all of this within the familiar WordPress environment.
Why Choose WordPress for Your Ecommerce Venture?
Let’s talk about why WordPress is a good option for many online sellers.
1. Cost-Effective & Flexible
WordPress is free to download and use. You can customize it without spending a dime on the software itself. You will, however, need to factor in expenses for WordPress hosting, a domain name, and potentially some premium themes or plugins. However, compared to some other ecommerce platforms, your startup costs are still relatively low.
WooCommerce Payments, for example, charge a standard 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction for ecommerce businesses based in the US.
2. It’s Your Shop – You Call the Shots
With a WordPress website, you have complete control. This means you have complete control over your customer data, your design, your content, and how you run your business. You’ll never have to worry about a third-party platform dictating your terms or suddenly shutting you down.
3. SEO-Friendly From the Get-Go
WordPress is built with SEO in mind. The CMS platform itself is structured for search engine visibility. With plugins like Yoast SEO, you can fine-tune your website content, optimize product pages for ecommerce SEO, and improve your chances of ranking higher on search results pages. Hire an agency like SEO Locale that offers ecommerce SEO services to get you ranking on Google.
4. A Theme for Every Style
Want a sleek, minimalist shop or a vibrant, colorful storefront? WordPress offers thousands of themes, both free and premium. You can easily add one of these themes so you can customize the look and feel of your online store to match your brand.
There are over 9,000 themes to choose from, with 1,200 geared specifically towards online selling. You’ll have no shortage of options to make your ecommerce store unique.
5. A Plugin for (Almost) Everything
Need to integrate social media sharing? Add customer reviews? Implement email marketing? There’s probably a plugin for that. The extensive WordPress plugin library gives you the flexibility to extend your store’s functionalities way beyond the basics.
Facing the Challenges: The Downsides to Consider
Now for a dose of reality. While WordPress is undeniably awesome for many, there are a few bumps to be aware of:
1. It’s DIY Time (Unless You Outsource)
WordPress provides the tools but requires you, the store owner, to handle setup, maintenance, security issues, and regular backups. If you’re not tech-savvy or prefer a more hands-off approach, you’ll likely need to hire a developer, especially as your site grows more complex. Hiring a developer means ongoing costs.
2. Plugin Overload Can Lead to Trouble
As wonderful as plugins are, relying on too many can make your website slow and clunky. Having a slow website is a big no-no for user experience and SEO. It’s essential to choose high-quality plugins from reputable developers and be mindful of how many your site can handle.
Plus, you’re responsible for keeping them updated to avoid security risks to your shopping cart and other areas of your store that contain sensitive information. If your ecommerce business takes payments directly on your website, then you need to be extra precautious about security.
3. Speaking of Security…
WordPress’ popularity makes it a target for hackers. Keeping your ecommerce site secure is your responsibility, not WordPress’s. This involves regular updates, strong passwords, installing security plugins, and potentially additional security measures such as SSL certificates.
WordFence, a popular WordPress security plugin, stopped a whopping 86 billion unauthorized login attempts in 2021. You want to especially make sure your website is secure if you’re handling sensitive customer information. You’ve got to be proactive when it comes to cybersecurity.
Is WordPress the Right Choice for Your Online Empire?
Ultimately, the question of “Is WordPress good for ecommerce?” depends on your specific needs, technical skills, and long-term goals. Consider these scenarios:
WordPress Might Be Your Ecommerce Soulmate IF… | You Might Want to Reconsider WordPress IF… |
---|---|
You’re on a tight budget and comfortable (or willing to learn) the technical basics of WordPress | You need an all-in-one solution with minimal setup and technical know-how. Hosted platforms like Shopify ecommerce offer convenience (at a higher price tag). |
You crave total control over your website design, functionality, and data. | You prefer simplicity and want a platform where most features are already built-in and security is handled for you. |
You anticipate your business growing and evolving, and want the flexibility to adapt your online store accordingly | You’re wary of handling website maintenance and updates yourself (or lack the resources to hire a developer) |
WordPress: An Ecommerce Powerhouse in Disguise
WordPress, with the addition of WooCommerce and a sprinkle of your own efforts (or the help of a skilled developer), can be a formidable ecommerce platform. WordPress offers an impressive blend of affordability, customization options, and a massive ecosystem of resources and support.
While there’s definitely a learning curve, especially for those new to building ecommerce websites, mastering the basics can empower you to create an online store tailored to your vision. If you are new to creating websites, you may want to consider hiring a web design agency to build your ecommerce site for you.
So, is WordPress good for ecommerce? As with many things, the answer is nuanced: it depends. WordPress, powered by WooCommerce, gives you immense power but expects you to be hands-on. This self-hosted platform thrives on your drive to learn, build, and refine, especially as your ecommerce business takes off.
While WordPress doesn’t charge transaction fees itself, you will incur them from your payment gateway such as Stripe or PayPal. If you don’t want to handle accepting payments, security, backups, and all the other things that go into managing an ecommerce business, then a platform like Shopify might be a better choice for you. You can always hire SEO Locale, we can build WordPress sites.
But hey, isn’t that the spirit of any entrepreneurial journey? There are many ways to sell products online, and choosing the right platform depends on your specific business needs.
Ecommerce Platform Detective: How to Tell What Ecommerce Platform a Site Is Using
You find yourself drawn to a competitor’s sleek online store, wondering, “What platform are they using?” This question might pop into your head more often than you realize. Knowing how to determine an ecommerce platform can give you an edge. Thankfully, the process isn’t as mysterious as you might think. SEO Locale offers ecommerce SEO services, so if you are looking at other websites for what ecommerce platforms they may be on, you may want to look into SEO services that could help your own business.
Why Unmasking the Ecommerce Platform Matters
Identifying ecommerce platforms is a game-changer. It provides competitive intelligence, allowing you to analyze competitors and their technological choices. This understanding offers valuable insights for refining your ecommerce strategies.
It also helps assess platform security and reliability, ensuring a safe shopping experience. For instance, SAAS platforms often handle security, reducing the burden on store owners. Learning how to tell what ecommerce platform a site uses empowers you with otherwise hidden information.
Telltale Signs and Sneaky Tricks
Some ecommerce websites like to keep their chosen platform hidden, while others proudly display it. Uncovering this information may require some digital detective work.
Digging into the Code: View Page Source
Think back to computer science class. Right-clicking on a web page and selecting “View Page Source” might sound technical, but it’s straightforward. Search for familiar names like Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, or BigCommerce within the HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code. You might need to use “Ctrl+F” to find them.
URL Structures: A Breadcrumb Trail
Ever notice how the address bar sometimes hints at a website’s content? The same applies to ecommerce platforms. Watch for telltale patterns in URLs. For example, seeing “/shop” or “/cart” can indicate an ecommerce platform, but don’t rely on this solely. Some platforms allow extensive URL customization.
Favicons and Footers: Tiny Clues, Big Reveals
Favicons, those tiny icons in browser tabs, can hold secrets. Some platforms incorporate their logo directly into the favicon. Also, scroll to the bottom of a webpage; the footer might mention the platform powering the site.
Tools of the Trade: Browser Extensions and More
You don’t have to rely on manual sleuthing. Let’s explore powerful tools for learning how to tell what ecommerce platform a site is using.
Wappalyzer: Your Ecommerce Detective in a Browser Extension
Wappalyzer will change how you browse the web. Available for Chrome and Firefox, this extension acts like an x-ray for websites. With one click, Wappalyzer reveals the site’s underlying technology—the ecommerce platform, content management system (like WordPress), web server, and even analytics tools. If you value speed and ease, this tool is your new best friend.
BuiltWith: Unmasking the Technology Behind Websites
Ever wanted to see the technology behind massive websites? That’s where BuiltWith excels. By entering a site’s URL into their search bar, BuiltWith generates a comprehensive report that’s both fascinating and informative. Since BuiltWith can be quite telling, it’s a valuable resource for understanding how to tell what ecommerce platform a site is using.
Shopify App and Theme Detector: Zeroing in on Shopify Stores
While Wappalyzer and BuiltWith cover a wide range of platforms, Fera.ai’s Chrome extension has a laser focus. This tool not only identifies Shopify sites but also reveals their theme. This is particularly useful for uncovering online shops utilizing a customizable Shopify theme.
Netcraft: Delving into the Server Details
Exploring a website’s server-side can provide crucial answers. Netcraft, an online tool known for network exploration, can shed light on server information, often hinting at the ecommerce platform. Just enter the URL into Netcraft and let it work its magic.
InterNIC: Unraveling Domain Name Details
Let’s get technical with InterNIC, a helpful tool for those curious about how to tell what ecommerce platform a site is using. While mainly used for domain name registration, InterNIC also reveals registration details like nameservers. These details can sometimes indicate specific hosting providers, often associated with certain ecommerce platforms.
Inspect Element: Going Deep into the Code
Right-clicking and choosing “Inspect” or “Inspect Element” in your web browser opens a window to the website’s code (HTML, CSS, Javascript). This method is more time-consuming than using previous tools, but it helps pinpoint clues like class names, IDs, and Javascript file references.
You might find a platform’s signature directly in the code, especially if the store uses a template from an ecommerce platform. You don’t need coding experience to get started; basic knowledge goes a long way.
Putting It All Together
Imagine discovering the perfect ecommerce platform, one you hadn’t even considered. Remember, a site could be using a blend of technologies. If you don’t find obvious signs of a specific platform after your investigation, the site might use a custom solution or be intentionally obscuring its platform information.
This journey into uncovering the secret lives of websites doesn’t stop here. You can deepen your understanding through platforms designed to keep you informed, like W3techs. They compile data on web technologies, providing a bird’s-eye view of trends and platform popularity.
As of March 2019, statistics showed WooCommerce Checkout in the lead, with Shopify rapidly gaining ground. Armed with this knowledge, you’ll master the art of how to tell what ecommerce platform a site is using.
Navigating online stores and understanding how to tell what ecommerce platform a site is using is like being a detective. There’s a world of knowledge to uncover. With practice, you’ll confidently decipher the digital breadcrumbs and become a true ecommerce detective.
How to Get The Most Out Of The Holidays As An Ecommerce Business
The holidays are always a busy time of year, and you might be wondering how you can get the most out of the holiday season as an e-commerce business. The vast majority of people use the internet when they are looking for products and services they require, so you need to think carefully about your online presence if you want to capitalize on the holiday season. What do you need to do if you want to make the most of this year’s holidays?
Take a look at a few important points below, and consider partnering with an eCommerce SEO agency that can help you make the most of the holiday season.
1. Create a Holiday Gift Guide Using the Right Keywords
Countless people are trying to figure out what types of gifts they want to give their family members and friends this holiday season. Therefore, why not help them out? You should put together a holiday gift guide that can help your target market select the best possible gifts for their loved ones.
Of course, you should include the products and services you provide as a part of that gift guide. That way, they will have an easier time moving from your gift guide to your website, where they will purchase the products and services you offer. Consider putting together a holiday gift guide for different situations based on the products and services you provide.
2. Offer Personalized Gifts
Next, you should consider offering personalized gifts. There are only so many gift cards and coffee mugs that someone can receive. It might be time for you to think outside the box by customizing gifts for your customers and clients.
For example, if you sell t-shirts, consider offering some customizable options. If you sell sports equipment, consider monogramming names onto your sports equipment. If you offer ways for your customers and clients to customize gifts to meet the needs of the recipient, you may have an easier time increasing your orders and boosting your profit margins.
3. Upgrade Your Shipping Software
In addition, consider upgrading your shipping software. During the holiday season, you should be prepared to receive a lot more orders. Do you think your current software program is ready for the influx? You do not want orders to be delayed, as the vast majority of your customers will want to have their items by Christmas. If you miss the deadline, customers could show up asking for a refund, and the reputation of your brand will suffer.
Therefore, you should consider upgrading your shipping software. Upgraded shipping software will have an easier time making sure your orders reach the customer on time. In addition, a better shipping software program might find ways for you to reduce your shipping expenses. For example, there might be opportunities for you to secure a better deal if you ship in bulk.
4. Consider Partnering With a Complementary Brand
You may want to expand your target market during the holiday season, and one of the best ways to do so is to partner with a complementary brand. You do not need to partner with a competitor, but you should partner with a brand that offers complimentary products and services. You might be able to get your name in front of some new people.
For example, if your company sells tires, you may want to partner with a local body shop. That way, customers can go from your tire shop to the body shop, handling a wide variety of issues with their cars. Consider reaching out to some local small businesses to see if they might be willing to partner with you.
5. Target Multiple Revenue Streams
You should try to target multiple revenue streams. Even though plenty of people are going to purchase products and services directly from your website, do not forget to target other channels as well. You may want to try some other online marketplaces, and you should consider lifting your product on social media. Make it as easy as possible for people to find your product and services, and ensure you streamline the checkout process. That way, you can keep your cart abandonment rate as low as possible.
6. Test Your Promotions for Specific Categories First
Even though you may want to offer some promotions during the holiday season, you should test your promotions and various categories first. You may want to offer some holiday discount codes, or you might want to include BOGO offers. You might even want to consider matching sales with donations to local nonprofit organizations.
You may want to consider testing your promotions on social media first. See which ones are generating the most traction. Then, you may want to extend your most popular promotions throughout the holiday season.
Work With SEO Locale & Get The Most FromThe Holiday Season
The holiday season is a great time for you to boost your revenue numbers, but you need to work with a professional company that can help you get the most out of this crucial time. At SEO Locale, we are a professional digital SEO company. We can help you get your name out there, making sure your brand is synonymous with exceptional customer service. We can increase your online traffic, boost your conversion rate, and work with you to make sure you have a solid digital marketing plan in place. If you would like to learn more about how we can help you, contact us today!
Understanding the Digital Marketing Needs of Ecommerce vs Service-based Businesses
Digital marketing is an all-encompassing tool for both e-commerce and service-based businesses. While there is no cookie-cutter strategy for either business model, there are certain digital marketing needs that require attention. Online platforms like websites and social media are now indisputably the most effective means of putting your business out for the world to see.
While there is a thin line between the digital marketing needs of e-commerce and service-based businesses, they are tended to in similar ways. After all, most people use their phones to browse businesses they need or looking to shop from. This article will discuss some of the digital marketing needs of these businesses and how they can be addressed effectively.
Website SEO & Visibility
Generally, your website should consist of useful content, be SEO-optimized by one of the best local SEO companies in the United States, and be user-friendly. The goal of any website is to be engaging and interesting to avoid high bounce rates.
E-commerce businesses will benefit from high-quality pictures, infographics, and other visually appealing elements that will draw customers in to try your products. Adding customer reviews to products can help buyers decide on purchasing and increase trust with your customers. This is what differentiates e-commerce businesses from brick-and-mortar stores. The former heavily relies on online presence — however, the rapidly evolving technology also causes physical stores to step up their game and use the internet to their advantage.
Service-based businesses will also find SEO-optimized and user-friendly advantageous for increasing their sales. Content also plays a big role in the digital marketing strategies of this kind of business. By sharing helpful guides, how-tos, and useful tips while promoting their services, businesses can reach more prospects and return clients who will soon become loyal patrons of the business.
The Target Audience
To reach the target audience, there is only one answer for both e-commerce and service-based businesses; visibility. People spend a lot of their time online, and gaining visibility on search engines will help your company thrive.
Research is necessary for finding your target audience. For instance, if your demographics are mostly teenagers, then you might keywords that resonate with teens versus middle-aged adults.
Goals & Revenue
There are many competitors in the market nowadays. To help your business to stay visible at the top of searches, you have to stand out among the rest.
For e-commerce businesses, your product has to be thoroughly described on your website. Imagine face-to-face selling. How will you convince customers to choose and purchase your product?
The equivalent of this in digital marketing for e-commerce businesses is the appeal of your website and offering attractive deals that appeal to customers. These may include cross-selling, offering promotions, or incorporating clear call-to-actions (CTAs) that customers can act on.
Service-based businesses have more competitors in the digital space nowadays, and they must emphasize and highlight what makes them stand out from the competition. They should convey a clear marketing message that will entice new clients to try your services instantly. Most successful businesses resort to videos to sell their services.
You need to include a sincere message to make your future clients understand what you offer that they can’t find in other companies.
SEO Strategy & Keywords
Both e-commerce and service-based businesses employ this digital marketing tactic to rank organically in search engines and reach more people. This is where a reliable digital marketing and SEO company comes in.
SEO strategies include activities that drive more traffic to websites and let them increase their ranking in search engines. Two of these activities are keyword analysis and targeting. By using the most searched keywords you can reach more people — hopefully, the business’ target audience.
This digital marketing strategy also proves to be helpful for customers and clients looking for products and services they need online. If the website of your e-commerce or service-based business is optimized, you’ll reach more potential clients, and they can find what they’re looking for immediately. It becomes a win-win situation.
Your Digital Marketing Needs Matter
As you pinpoint your possible digital marketing needs, you’ll also be able to address certain issues immediately. By employing the right strategies, your business can gain more traction and increased visibility.
Whether you own an e-commerce business selling beauty products or a service-based business like an HVAC company, we can help you start your digital marketing strategy today. Contact SEO Locale today for more information!
Online Shopping Shatters Old Records on Black Friday 2020
Economic Woes Didn’t Stop Online Shoppers
Many experts were wondering how holiday sales would turn out in the wake of the pandemic. With many stores having to change their policies due to the influx of Coronavirus cases, there was significant doubt as to how well the economy would perform. In addition to changing the physical shopping experience, experts also wondered if the economic situation would impact how much households were willing to spend.
Miraculously, statistics indicate that holiday sales did not just exceed expectations–they overcame them.
The small businesses who prepared to switch their business model with eCommerce SEO did exponentially well. We’re excited to see the consumers helping out the small businesses through tough times in 2020. These sales numbers are encouraging a ton of businesses to completely stay up with the times in terms of their digital marketing.
The Lead-Up to the Holiday Weekend
Black Friday and Cyber Monday saw a lot of trouble leading up to the holidays. Coronavirus cases continue to spike in huge cities. Businesses are forced to either close or limit the number of people in the store at a time. Due to some states having to go back down into lockdown, manufacturers had to reduce the number of products they could produce.
All of this was occurring with the fact that households are still suffering financially. Many people are still out of work. Those that are able to return find themselves either working part-time or being forced to stop as businesses are closed again and again.
Despite economic uncertainty, this did not seem to stop holiday sales.
Thanksgiving saw a significant rise in sales. However, the majority of those sales came from online sources. In fact, compared to past Thanksgiving days, this year saw an increase in online sales by 20%. The amount raked in through online stores was $5 billion.
Interestingly, half of the online transactions that took place were conducted on a smartphone.
Those retailers who offered curbside pick-up for those who ordered online sales also had a stronger conversion rate in their sales.
Black Friday saw similar growth. They had an identical increase in online sales. Consumers ended up spending $9 billion despite their financial insecurity. The number of people who used their smartphones to pay for purchases was 40% of the total consumer base.
Small Businesses Flourished
Luckily, small businesses saw a good deal of sales. Their sales increased by 500% compared to what was happening in October. That would continue into Saturday with revenue growth of 300%.
This means that small businesses that made the investment in switching to online sales and service were able to bring in substantial financial growth.
The Smartphone Angle
Perhaps one of the most interesting trends of these holiday sales is that most of them were conducted by a smartphone. This only further confirms that consumers are relying on their smartphones to purchase goods and services over other platforms. Small businesses that want to continue to engage their consumers and bring in sales need to ensure that they have a website that is mobile-friendly or design an app specifically for their company.
Switching to an eCommerce & Online Service
By making your website SEO-friendly and having a mobile site available for smartphone users, your business can have just as much success as some of the other small businesses that made the investment. Building a competitive edge in the market is important moving forward. Businesses panicked in 2020 because their “offline” sales weren’t ready to be online.
SEO Locale is a premier SEO company in Philadelphia that provides top-notch digital marketing services. We’ve been doing digital marketing for decades and can help you pivot your company to a better 2021, contact us today.
Holiday 2020 is Do or Die for Many SMBs
The COVID-19 pandemic hit small businesses the hardest. Big box stores frequently have investors and savings and even help from the government to rely on. Small businesses, on the other hand, don’t have easy access to these resources. Many had to shut their doors. A few managed to hang on, but they’re facing a crisis coming into the holidays. Most business owners was not prepared for online order or eCommerce and struggled once COVID-19 came crashing down on the United States. Here’s why small businesses need to do everything they can to make a sizable profit during Holiday 2020.
The Impact from the Coronavirus
For months, several businesses had to shut their doors to their customers. Lockdowns kept businesses from running their operations. Customers and workers were unable to utilize their services or make an income. Yet some businesses still needed to pay their employees to keep them on board. Others had to keep paying health insurance premiums and other bills even though they weren’t bringing in any profit to cover their expenses.
This has left many small businesses in the red. With the virus still hitting many cities hard, small business owners are hoping that the virus remains contained enough that they can keep their doors open to the public.
Yet many reports have indicated that the majority of shoppers will be doing their holiday spending online. Small businesses that haven’t utilized certain SEO strategies may not see the kind of profit margins that they need to survive the new year.
How Small Business Owners Can Take Advantage of Holiday Sales in 2020
More than ever, it’s important for small business owners to adapt to the times. Consumers are worried about big crowds in stores. Some states may not even allow stores to accept that many customers within them at a time.
To ensure your small business can receive the profit it needs to get back on its feet, you need to have strong traffic on your website. The best way to acquire that traffic is through SEO or search engine optimization.
SEO involves the process of using strategies and tools to increase your ranking on a Google search. Proper honing of your SEO score can land your website on one of Google’s first few search pages. By showing up sooner in a Google search, consumers are more likely to visit your website and make a purchase.
It can be tricky nailing down the particulars of SEO. While experts know a few key strategies that can dramatically increase your SEO score, much of the algorithm is still a mystery. To ensure your website performs as best it can, you need the help of SEO experts.
Contact Us to Increase Your Score
Start preparing for the holiday sales today by contacting us to increase your SEO score. We’re ranked as one of the best national SEO agencies out there. Let us save your business.
What Will Happen to Apparel Stores Since Covid-19 Hit?
COVID-19 shook the entire planet this year. Businesses in all industries have been deeply affected, but the apparel industry is one that has been hit the hardest. Since the pandemic, physical retailers have shut down, and billions of dollars worth of clothing orders have been canceled.
According to the “Impact of COVID-19 Scenario on European and the US Apparel Market” released by Wazir Advisors, apparel consumption in Europe and the US is likely to be 40-45% lower than the 2020 projected consumptions.
As businesses begin to slowly reopen, one thing is clear: the apparel industry will show lasting changes due to COVID-19.
- Will retailers survive?
- What does the future of the apparel industry look like?
- Will retailers convert more marketing efforts online vs traditional?
In this post, we explore what will happen to apparel stores following COVID-19.
Converting to eCommerce
Brick-and-mortar stores suffered as a result of the COVID pandemic. Those who relied on digital selling have faired better. While apparel spending is down by 50%, an online strategy is paramount for any apparel stores looking to rebound after the pandemic. Our client Cut The Shirt decided to shift to all online sales during the pandemic and sales are doing very well regardless of the industry being down. Pivoting your eCommerce digital marketing will be more important than ever,
Even after stores reopen, consumers will be hesitant to enter physical stores and touch clothing in-person. While a digital strategy and eCommerce SEO is not a guarantee for success, brands that sell online will lose less revenue. Prior to the pandemic, the transformation to online retail was already underway. While many apparel retailers were already in the process of creating a digital experience, the pandemic serves as a catalyst to quickly digitize sales to online channels.
Fewer Small Businesses Surviving Post Pandemic
Small apparel retailers face the biggest risk of closing following the pandemic. Small businesses do not have the same resources and reserves as many larger corporations and are failing to survive the effects of COVID-19. As a result of the pandemic, over 100,000 small businesses have closed for good, and many more face corporate mergings post-pandemic.
Small businesses are essential for the economy and provide competition against large corporations, but small apparel companies are facing difficulties similar to those from the 2008 financial crisis. During the pandemic, shoppers were sticking to essentials and turning more to online retail than in-person stores. Smaller boutiques and retailers struggled to get local support and may not survive post-pandemic
There is no doubt that COVID-19 will leave a lasting mark on the apparel industry. Few small businesses will survive the economic downturn from the pandemic and many apparel businesses will shift harder to online sales for direct-to-consumer relationships. The future of apparel stores is not clear, but we can expect a few major changes.
Reality Check: Amazon Versus Your Small Business
Amazon is not the nail in the coffin on small businesses it’s made out to be. Everyone knows that Amazon is excellent for selling products and their innovations continue to enhance the market, but ultimately costing small and large businesses to shut down. Toys “R” Us is the latest victim