Did you know the first organic search result gets nearly 40% of clicks, while less than 1% of users go to page two? (AIOSEO, 2025) For new BigCommerce stores, strong SEO isn’t optional, it’s a must for visibility and sales.
BigCommerce offers a flexible platform to build and manage online stores, but to succeed in a crowded market, you need smart SEO.
In this blog, we’ll share simple, effective tips to optimize your BigCommerce store so more customers can find your products.
What Built-in SEO Features Does BigCommerce Offer?
BigCommerce offers a suite of built-in SEO features to help your store rank higher in search results. These tools are designed to be user-friendly, making it easier for new store owners to get started. Here’s what you can use:
- Automated URLs: BigCommerce generates SEO-friendly URLs for product and category pages, simplifying indexing by search engines.
- Customized URLs: You can tweak these URLs to align with your SEO strategy.
- Unique URLs: Each page has a unique URL to avoid duplicate content issues that can hurt rankings.
- Rich Snippets: Built-in microdata enhances search listings with details like ratings, pricing, and stock levels, making them more clickable.
- Automatic Redirects: When you rename products, BigCommerce sets up 301 redirects to preserve SEO value.
- Site Speed Optimization: A Content Delivery Network (CDN) ensures fast loading times, a key ranking factor.
- Robot.txt Editing: Easily control how search engines crawl and index your site.
These features provide a solid foundation for SEO, allowing you to focus on other optimization strategies.
What Are the Key SEO Optimization Tips for BigCommerce Stores?
1. Keyword Research for BigCommerce Stores
Keyword research helps you identify the terms customers use to find products like yours. For new stores, targeting the right keywords is key to competing in a crowded market. Here’s how to do it:
- Identify Your Niche: Pinpoint what makes your store unique and focus on keywords specific to your products.
- Use Keyword Tools: Tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, or SEMrush offer insights into search volume and competition.
- Target Long-Tail Keywords: Longer phrases like “women’s running shoes for flat feet” have less competition and higher conversion rates than broad terms like “shoes.”
- Analyze Competitors: Check which keywords your competitors rank for to find opportunities or gaps.
- Use Keywords Naturally: Incorporate keywords into product titles, descriptions, and content without overstuffing.
Effective keyword research can drive targeted traffic to your store, increasing sales potential.
2. Optimizing Product Pages
Your product pages are the core of your store, and optimizing them is crucial for SEO success. Here are some tips:
- Write Compelling Titles: Keep titles clear, descriptive, and under 60 characters, including primary keywords.
- Create Unique Descriptions: Write original product descriptions to avoid duplicate content. Highlight benefits and use keywords naturally.
- Optimize Meta Tags: Use unique title tags and meta descriptions for each page to improve click-through rates.
- Use High-Quality Images: Include high-resolution images with keyword-rich alt text to aid search engines.
- Encourage Reviews: Customer reviews add fresh content and build trust, boosting SEO.
- Add Schema Markup: Enhance BigCommerce’s built-in microdata with additional structured data for better search visibility.
Optimized product pages attract more clicks and convert visitors into customers.
3. Improving Site Structure and Navigation
A well-organized site structure helps search engines and users navigate your store. For new stores, setting this up early is key:
- Organize Categories: Group products into logical categories and subcategories for easy navigation.
- Use Breadcrumbs: Enable breadcrumbs to show page hierarchy and improve user experience.
- Implement Internal Linking: Link related products and categories to guide users and distribute SEO value.
- Submit a Sitemap: BigCommerce generates a sitemap automatically; submit it to Google Search Console for better indexing.
A clear structure enhances both SEO and user satisfaction.
4. Mobile Optimization
With mobile commerce accounting for 59% of global e-commerce sales in 2025 (Statista), a mobile-friendly store is non-negotiable. BigCommerce offers responsive themes, but you can go further:
- Choose Responsive Themes: Select themes that look great on all devices.
- Optimize Images: Use compressed images and lazy loading to speed up mobile performance.
- Simplify Navigation: Ensure menus are user-friendly on smaller screens.
- Test Across Devices: Use Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test to check performance and make adjustments.
Mobile optimization aligns with Google’s mobile-first indexing, boosting your rankings.
5. Speed and Performance
Site speed impacts user experience and SEO. A 10-second mobile load time increases bounce rates by 123% compared to one second, and most mobile users abandon sites taking over three seconds to load (Site Builder Report, 2025).
Improve your BigCommerce store’s speed with these steps:
- Optimize Images: Compress images using tools like TinyPNG.
- Minimize HTTP Requests: Reduce scripts, images, and CSS files.
- Enable Browser Caching: Store site elements on users’ devices for faster repeat visits.
- Use BigCommerce’s CDN: Benefit from fast content delivery.
- Monitor Performance: Check speed with Google PageSpeed Insights and address issues.
A fast store keeps users engaged and improves search rankings.
6. Content Marketing for BigCommerce Stores
Content marketing attracts organic traffic and builds authority. BigCommerce’s built-in blog feature makes this easy:
- Create Quality Content: Write articles addressing your audience’s needs and interests.
- Optimize for Keywords: Use relevant keywords to boost blog post visibility.
- Promote Content: Share posts on social media and newsletters.
- Link to Products: Include product links to drive traffic to your store.
- Encourage Engagement: Allow and respond to comments to build community.
Regular content creation can significantly enhance your store’s SEO.
7. Using Social Media and Reviews
Social media and reviews build trust and drive traffic:
- Integrate Social Media: Add sharing buttons to product pages for easy promotion.
- Run Campaigns: Use platforms like Facebook and Instagram for targeted ads.
- Encourage Reviews: Prompt customers to leave reviews via emails or incentives.
- Display Reviews: Show reviews prominently on product pages.
- Respond to Feedback: Engage with reviews to build trust.
These strategies enhance credibility and attract more customers.
8. Monitoring and Analytics
Tracking performance is key to refining your SEO strategy. BigCommerce integrates with tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console:
- Set Up Google Analytics: Monitor traffic sources, behavior, and conversions.
- Use Google Search Console: Track search performance and fix indexing issues.
- Analyze and Adjust: Use data to refine keywords and content strategies.
Continuous monitoring ensures your store stays competitive.
Conclusion
Optimizing your BigCommerce store for SEO is critical for success in the 2025 e-commerce market. By using BigCommerce’s built-in features, conducting keyword research, optimizing product pages, and focusing on mobile and speed, you can boost visibility and sales.
SEO requires ongoing effort, but the rewards are worth it. If you need expert help, our BigCommerce development services can optimize your store for maximum performance.
Contact us today to grow your e-commerce business!
FAQs
1. What is the difference between BigCommerce and other e-commerce platforms in terms of SEO?
BigCommerce offers user-friendly SEO features like automated URLs and rich snippets, making optimization accessible. Other platforms may have similar tools, but BigCommerce’s interface is particularly intuitive.
2. How long does it take to see SEO results on a new BigCommerce store?
SEO results typically take several months, depending on competition, keyword difficulty, and optimization quality.
3. Can I use third-party SEO apps with BigCommerce?
Yes, BigCommerce’s app marketplace offers tools for keyword research, on-page optimization, and more.
4. Is hiring an SEO expert necessary for my BigCommerce store?
While BigCommerce simplifies SEO, an expert can develop advanced strategies for better results.
5. How does BigCommerce handle duplicate content issues?
BigCommerce uses unique URLs and canonical tags to prevent duplicate content, with Robot.txt for additional control.