In the highly competitive world of e-commerce, technical SEO is the backbone of your online store’s success.
By following best practices and optimising your website’s technical aspects, you’ll improve your search rankings, drive targeted traffic, and ultimately, boost sales and revenue. So, let’s crack on with 23 steps to nail technical SEO for your Aussie e-commerce store, shall we?
1. Secure your site with HTTPS
Switch to HTTPS for a secure browsing experience and to build trust with your customers. Search engines also give preference to HTTPS sites in their rankings.
2. Optimise your site’s loading speed
No one likes a slowpoke site! Improve your website’s loading speed by compressing images, minifying code, and leveraging browser caching.
3. Make your site mobile-friendly
With most Aussies shopping on their mobile devices, ensure your website is mobile-responsive for a top-notch user experience.
4. Create a logical site structure
Organise your website with a clear hierarchy of categories and subcategories, making it easier for both users and search engines to navigate.
5. Use descriptive and keyword-rich URLs
Keep your URLs short, sweet, and descriptive, incorporating target keywords for better SEO performance.
6. Implement canonical tags
Avoid duplicate content issues by using canonical tags to point search engines to the original, preferred version of a page.
7. Create a comprehensive XML sitemap
Help search engines crawl and index your site by providing an XML sitemap that lists all your web pages.
8. Generate a user-friendly HTML sitemap
An HTML sitemap makes it easier for users to navigate your site and find the content they’re looking for.
9. Use 301 redirects for broken links
Fix any broken links on your site by implementing 301 redirects to relevant pages, ensuring a smooth user experience and avoiding any negative impact on your SEO.
10. Optimise your robots.txt file
Control how search engines crawl your site by properly configuring your robots.txt file.
11. Set up hreflang tags for international audiences
If your e-commerce store targets multiple countries, use hreflang tags to indicate the language and regional targeting of each page.
12. Implement structured data markup
Help search engines better understand your content by adding structured data markup (also known as schema markup) to your product pages, reviews, and other relevant content.
13. Optimise your title tags and meta descriptions
Create unique, keyword-focused title tags and compelling meta descriptions for each page to improve search rankings and click-through rates.
14. Use header tags to structure your content
Break up your content with header tags (H1, H2, H3, etc.) to make it more readable and to help search engines understand the structure and hierarchy of your content.
15. Optimise your images
Compress images, use descriptive file names and alt tags, and implement structured data for image-rich results in search engines.
16. Create high-quality, engaging content
Craft top-notch content that appeals to your target audience, incorporating target keywords and focusing on addressing the needs and concerns of your Aussie customers.
17. Avoid keyword stuffing
Don’t overdo it with keywords! Use them naturally and strategically throughout your content.
18. Ensure proper pagination for large product catalogs
Implement rel=”prev” and rel=”next” tags to guide search engines through paginated content.
19. Monitor crawl errors and resolve issues
Keep an eye on your Google Search Console for any crawl errors and resolve issues promptly.
20. Regularly audit your website for technical SEO issues
Stay on top of your game by conducting regular technical SEO audits to identify and fix any issues.
21. Remove or update outdated content
Keep your site fresh and relevant by removing or updating any outdated content, ensuring that your information is accurate and up-to-date.
22. Set up Google Analytics and Google Search Console
Monitor your site’s performance and gather valuable insights by setting up Google Analytics and Google Search Console accounts.
23. Stay informed about the latest SEO trends and best practices
Keep your finger on the pulse by staying up-to-date with the latest SEO trends, algorithm updates, and best practices to maintain your website’s competitive edge.
In conclusion, acing technical SEO for your Aussie e-commerce store involves a combination of best practices, ongoing maintenance, and staying informed about the latest developments in the SEO landscape. By following these 23 steps, you’ll not only improve your website’s search rankings and user experience but also set the stage for long-term success in the highly competitive world of e-commerce.
Remember, technical SEO is just one piece of the puzzle. Combine it with a solid content strategy, high-quality backlinks, and a strong focus on user experience to truly make your e-commerce store stand out from the pack. And, if you need a hand, consider partnering with an experienced SEO agency or specialist who can guide you through the process and provide invaluable insights and expertise.
By embracing these best practices and strategies, you’ll be well on your way to mastering technical SEO for your Aussie e-commerce store. Keep striving for excellence, and you’ll not only build a strong foundation for ongoing business growth but also unlock the door to lasting success in the dynamic and competitive world of online retail.
