Are you tired of generic e-commerce SEO tips? Then we’ve built a step-by-step SEO checklist for e-commerce that’s practical, current, and effective. Follow this list, and Google’s algorithm will love your e-commerce website.
Whether you run a small Shopify store or a large Magento, WordPress (WooCommerce), or Odoo e-commerce platform, this checklist is tailored to help you increase organic visibility, drive targeted traffic, and boost sales in 2025.
Step 1: Technical SEO Audit
Think of your website like a house. You can have the most beautiful interior (content), but nothing else matters if the foundation (technical setup) is cracked. A technical SEO audit ensures your e-commerce site is crawlable, indexable, and fast—all prerequisites for Google to rank you in 2025.
1.1. Ensure Mobile Friendliness
As of 2024, over 60% of e-commerce traffic comes from mobile, and Google’s mobile-first indexing means your mobile site is what Google sees first.
If your desktop version looks great, but your mobile layout hides the “Add to Cart” button below a fold or behind a pop-up, your conversions and rankings will tank.
How to check:
- Use Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test
- Test on real devices: buttons should be tap-friendly, images should resize, and text must be readable without zooming.
1.2. Use HTTPS Across All Pages
HTTPS has been a confirmed Google ranking signal since 2014. More importantly, customers trust secure websites, especially when entering personal and payment information.
A customer shopping for shoes who sees a “Not Secure” label in their browser will likely bounce. This increases the bounce rate, which can indirectly hurt rankings.
How to fix:
- Install an SSL certificate
- Set site-wide 301 redirects from HTTP → HTTPS
- Update internal links and canonical tags to use HTTPS
1.3. Improve Site Speed & Core Web Vitals
Google’s Page Experience update now includes Core Web Vitals as a ranking factor.
If your product page takes 4+ seconds to load on mobile, users will drop off, especially on paid ads. Google sees that and drops your page down in rankings.
Core Web Vitals to monitor:
- LCP (Largest Contentful Paint): Time it takes for the largest element to load. Ideal: < 2.5s
- FID (First Input Delay): Time before users can interact. Ideal: < 100ms
- CLS (Cumulative Layout Shift): Measures page stability. Ideal: < 0.1
Tools to use:
- PageSpeed Insights
- Lighthouse
- WebPageTest.org
Common Fixes:
- Compress and lazy-load images
- Use a CDN (e.g., Cloudflare)
- Minify CSS, JS, and HTML
- Eliminate render-blocking scripts
1.4. Fix Broken Links and 404 Errors
Broken links waste crawl budget and harm user experience. Google might even consider excessive 404s as a sign of a neglected site.
Let’s say a discontinued product still has backlinks. If the link returns a 404, you’re losing link equity. Redirect it to a newer model or parent category.
How to find them:
- Crawl your site with Screaming Frog or Ahrefs
- Monitor GSC’s “Coverage” report for “Not Found” errors
What to do:
- Set up 301 redirects for removed products (to relevant alternatives or categories)
- Fix internal broken links immediately
- Customize your 404 page with helpful links or product suggestions
1.5. Submit a Clean Sitemap and robots.txt
Your sitemap.xml helps Google discover your pages, and robots.txt tells bots what to crawl.
Checklist:
- Ensure the sitemap is updated and submitted to the Google Search Console
- Disallow search result pages, cart, and filter URLs in robots.txt
- Don’t block CSS or JS files — Google needs to render your page fully
1.6. Implement Canonical Tags
E-commerce sites often suffer from duplicate content due to similar product URLs with filters or tracking parameters.
Canonical tags tell Google which version to index.
Use self-referencing canonical tags on all major pages. For faceted pages (e.g., filter by size or color), canonical back to the main category unless the variation is useful on its own.
1.7. Check Indexing and Crawl Stats in GSC
Use Google Search Console to:
- See how many pages are indexed
- Discover crawl errors and coverage issues
- View crawl frequency and patterns
If only 300 out of your 900 product pages are indexed, something’s wrong—maybe internal links are broken, or the crawl budget is wasted on duplicate filter pages.
Step 2: Conduct Modern Keyword Research
Keyword research isn’t just about volume anymore—it’s about understanding search intent, consumer behavior, and how language is evolving in 2025. With Google’s algorithm becoming smarter through AI models like MUM and BERT, it’s not enough to simply stuff product names into a title tag. You need to strategically target keywords that match what your ideal customer is really searching for.
2.1. Understand Search Intent First
Before selecting any keywords, identify the intent behind them. Keywords can be bucketed into four primary types:
Search Intent | Example Keyword | Stage |
Informational | “how to style leather boots” | Awareness |
Navigational | “Nike official store” | Consideration |
Transactional | “buy men’s running shoes UK” | Purchase |
Commercial Investigation | “best waterproof smartwatch under £100” | Consideration/Purchase |
Google prioritizes pages that match the intent of the query. For instance, if a keyword is informational, a blog post will likely rank higher than a product page.
Someone searching for “how to pick the right mattress for back pain” is not ready to buy. But if you answer their question via a blog, you can link to relevant products—building trust and eventually leading to a sale.
2.2. Use Tools That Provide Real User Data
Here are reliable tools (fact-checked and widely used by SEO professionals) to uncover keyword opportunities:
- Google Keyword Planner (Free): Best for volume and bid ranges
- Ahrefs / Semrush (Paid): Comprehensive tools to find keyword difficulty (KD), search volume, and competitor gaps
- Google Trends (Free): For identifying seasonal spikes and new interest
- AnswerThePublic (Freemium): Visual map of real user questions
- AlsoAsked.com: Great for visualizing People Also Ask question trees
- Google Search Console: See what keywords you’re already showing for organically
2.3. Target Long-Tail, Buyer-Intent Keywords
· Long-tail keywords (3+ words) account for 70% of all web searches and have a higher conversion rate.
· They’re specific, less competitive, and often indicate a ready-to-buy customer.
Broad Keyword | Long-Tail Keyword |
“sneakers” | “Women’s black running sneakers with arch support” |
“Coffee machine” | “buy espresso machine with milk frother under $200” |
“backpack” | “waterproof laptop backpack for college students” |
These keywords may get only 100–300 monthly searches, but they bring high-converting, ready-to-buy traffic.
2.4. Spy on Competitors’ Keywords
Identify what your top-ranking competitors are targeting and find gaps.
Tools to Use:
- Ahrefs/Semrush: Input a competitor’s URL and extract all ranking keywords
- SimilarWeb: Analyze traffic sources and organic keywords
- Google Search: See what meta titles and questions your competitors are optimizing for
If a competitor’s category page for “Women’s Hiking Shoes” ranks for “ankle support hiking shoes,” and you don’t even mention that phrase—you’re missing a golden opportunity.
2.5. Cluster Keywords by Page Type
Group keywords based on what type of page you’ll use to target them. This prevents keyword cannibalization and improves relevance.
Example Clusters:
Product Page
- “buy gaming chair UK”
- “ergonomic gaming chair black”
Category Page
- “best gaming chairs for PC”
- “adjustable office gaming chairs”
Blog Article
- “how to choose a gaming chair for long hours”
- “gaming chair vs office chair for back pain”
2.6. Local Keyword Optimization (If Relevant)
Local intent is critical if your e-commerce business targets specific regions (e.g., the UK, Australia, or Canada).
Target keywords like:
- “buy air fryer online UK”
- “men’s jackets Canada free shipping”
- “Vegan Cosmetics Australia”
Set up country-specific pages and use hreflang tags where needed.
2.7. Don’t Forget Seasonal & Trending Keywords
Search behavior changes with the seasons.
Use Google Trends and historical sales data to plan ahead:
- “Valentine’s gifts for him” (Jan-Feb)
- “Summer sandals 2025” (May-July)
- “Black Friday tech deals” (Oct-Nov)
Create seasonal landing pages ahead of time so Google can index and rank them before the traffic spike.
2.8. Track & Refine Regularly
Keyword research is not one-and-done. Consumer behaviour shifts, and search volumes change.
Set a monthly or quarterly review process:
- Use Google Search Console to monitor real keyword performance
- Prune underperforming pages
- Refresh old content with new trending keywords
Step 3: Optimize Product Pages for SEO & UX
So you’ve done your keyword research—great. But what happens when visitors land on your product pages?
If your pages don’t load fast, lack compelling content, or confuse users, all your SEO work goes to waste. In 2025, Google doesn’t just reward well-optimized pages—it rewards pages that serve users better than the competition. That means balancing technical SEO, on-page elements, and user experience (UX).
3.1 Start with a Search-Optimized URL Structure
URLS should be:
- Short
- Readable
- Keyword-focused
- Unburdened of unnecessary parameters or symbols
Good URL:
www.example.com/mens-running-shoes
Bad URL:
www.example.com/product?id=3842&cat=5&ref=abc123
Google recommends using hyphens (not underscores) in URLs and avoiding dynamic parameters unless necessary.
3.2 Keyword-Rich Title Tags
Your product title tag is still one of the strongest on-page SEO signals.
Best Practices:
- Include the primary keyword (preferably near the start)
- Keep under 60 characters to avoid truncation
- Add a USP (Unique Selling Point) if space allows
Example
Men’s Waterproof Hiking Boots – Lightweight & Breathable | TrailMaster
This helps rank for keywords like “men’s waterproof hiking boots”, while appealing to clicks.
3.3 Write a Compelling Meta Description
Though not a direct ranking factor, a well-written meta description increases CTR, which indirectly boosts SEO performance.
Tips:
- Use the keyword naturally
- Focus on benefits, not just features
- Add urgency or trust elements (e.g., “Free Shipping,” “30-Day Guarantee”)
Example:
Explore our best-selling waterproof hiking boots for men. Durable, lightweight & perfect for any trail. Free shipping on orders over £50!
3.4 Use H1 and Subheadings Wisely
Your H1 should match or closely align with the product name (including a keyword).
Use H2s and H3s for sub-sections like:
- Features
- Reviews
- Technical specifications
- FAQs
This not only improves readability but also helps Google understand page structure.
3.5 Add Unique, Value-Driven Product Descriptions
Do NOT copy manufacturer content. Duplicate descriptions can hurt rankings and fail to persuade shoppers.
What to Include:
- Target keyword + synonyms
- Benefits over features (e.g., “keeps your feet dry in heavy rain” instead of just “Gore-Tex lining”)
- Use bullet points for scannability
Example:
Original: “100% cotton. Machine washable. Comes in multiple colors.”
Optimized: “Soft, breathable 100% cotton t-shirts that keep you cool all day. Easy to wash, shrink-free, and available in 10 vibrant shades.”
3.6 Use High-Quality, Optimized Product Images
Images are crucial for conversions—and they’re also indexable assets.
SEO Best Practices:
- Use descriptive filenames: black-running-shoes-sideview.jpg
- Add keyword-rich alt text: “Men’s black breathable running shoes side profile”
- Compress images for fast load time (use WebP where possible)
- Use multiple angles and zoom-in shots
In 2025, image search continues to grow, and Google Lens integration means your product images can drive search traffic.
3.7 Implement Structured Data (Schema Markup)
Product schema tells Google what your page is about, enabling rich results like:
- Star ratings
- Price
- Stock availability
- Review counts
Use Schema.org Product markup or plugins (e.g., Yoast, RankMath, Shopify apps) to implement it.
3.8 Leverage Customer Reviews & FAQs
Reviews:
- Build trust
- Improve content depth
- Contribute to SEO via user-generated keywords
Use a review widget that displays star ratings in schema format.
FAQs:
- Address common objections
- Improve voice search visibility
- Qualify for featured snippets
Step 4: Create Category Pages That Rank
You’ve optimized your product pages—but are your category pages pulling their weight?
In 2025, e-commerce category pages are no longer just “filters” or navigation tools. They’re powerful SEO assets and traffic magnets that help you rank for broader, high-volume, high-intent keywords—especially those users type in during their early shopping journey.
If done right, category pages can outrank even product pages in Google Search and become your top-performing landing pages.
- Write a 100–150 word intro with primary keywords
- Use H2s for subsections like “Top Picks,” “Best Sellers,” or “Seasonal Favorites”
- Add internal links to related categories and featured products
- Use breadcrumb navigation
For example, Your “Winter Jackets” category should include content targeting “best waterproof winter jackets for men UK” and showcase relevant subcategories like “Parkas” and “Down Jackets.”
Step 5: Build Helpful, Searchable Content (Content Marketing)
In 2025, Google’s algorithm (especially the Helpful Content System) rewards e-commerce sites that educate, solve problems, and build trust with high-quality, user-focused content.
That means it’s time to treat your e-commerce site like a publisher. When you consistently publish helpful content that answers your audience’s questions and aligns with search intent, you:
- Rank for long-tail and informational keywords
- Earn backlinks naturally
- Drive top-of-funnel traffic
- Build authority in your niche
- Improve conversions over time
Here’s how to build an e-commerce content marketing strategy that works.
5.1 Know Your Customer’s Search Intent (TOFU–MOFU–BOFU)
Think beyond just “buy” keywords. Content should address every stage of the buyer journey:
Funnel Stage | Intent | Example Keywords | Content Type |
TOFU (Top) | Awareness / Learn | “how to clean suede shoes” | Blog post, video, guide |
MOFU (Middle) | Consider / Compare | “best hiking boots for beginners” | Comparison, review, list |
BOFU (Bottom) | Ready to buy | “buy Gore-Tex hiking boots UK” | Product page, category page |
5.2 Create Evergreen Blog Content That Educates
Start with blog posts that:
- Answer common questions
- Solve customer pain points
- Offer real value (not just fluff)
- Tie back to your product niche
5.3 Use SEO Tools to Identify Content Opportunities
Use tools like:
- Ahrefs (Content Gap tool, Keyword Explorer)
- SEMRush (Topic Research, Keyword Magic Tool)
- AlsoAsked and AnswerThePublic (for questions people actually ask)
- Google Search Console (to find what you already rank for)
If you sell skincare products and your audience is searching for “how to treat dry skin in winter,” that’s a blog post opportunity—and a chance to recommend your winter hydration cream.
5.4 Optimize Content for Search Engines (But Write for People)
Every blog post or guide should include:
- A descriptive, keyword-rich title tag
- A compelling meta description
- A clear H1 and subheadings (H2, H3) with semantically related keywords
- Internal links to related products or categories
- Alt text on images
- A call-to-action (CTA) that leads to a product, offer, or email sign-up
5.5 Mix Content Types for Maximum Reach
Don’t stop at blog posts. In 2025, smart ecommerce brands use a variety of content formats to engage customers and improve SEO.
Here’s a mix to consider:
- How-to Guides: “How to Choose the Right Laptop Bag for Travel”
- Product Comparisons: “Whey vs Plant-Based Protein: Which is Better?”
- Video Content (YouTube SEO): “5 Must-Have Winter Layers for Trail Running”
- Gift Guides: “Top 10 Gifts for Runners in 2025”
- Buying Guides: “Complete Guide to Buying a DSLR Camera for Beginners”
- Case Studies or Testimonials
Blog posts with embedded videos tend to get up to 70% more engagement, and YouTube results frequently appear in Google SERPs.
5.6 Answer Questions with FAQ-Style Content
Use the People Also Ask (PAA) section of Google for inspiration and create FAQ-style posts or add FAQs at the end of your articles.
This improves:
- Voice search visibility
- Chances of winning featured snippets
- Long-tail SEO coverage
Use FAQ schema markup to help Google recognize your structured answers.
5.7 Promote Your Content for Maximum Visibility
Writing content is only half the job. Promote it to get traction:
- Share on social media (especially Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram)
- Include in email newsletters
- Use internal linking on product/category pages
- Partner with micro-influencers or bloggers for mentions/backlinks
- Repurpose into short-form videos for Reels/TikTok/YouTube Shorts
5.8 Track Performance & Update Regularly
Use tools like:
- Google Search Console (clicks, impressions, rankings)
- Google Analytics 4 (engagement, bounce rate, conversion path)
- Clarity (user behavior)
- SEMRush / Ahrefs (keyword rankings)
Update older content every 6–12 months:
- Refresh stats
- Add internal links to newer products
- Improve readability and formatting
- Address any algorithmic changes or gaps
Updating old posts with fresh insights can lead to a 20–40% traffic boost within 30–60 days.
Step 6: Implement Internal Linking Strategy
Imagine your website as a city.
Your product and category pages are the buildings, but internal links? They’re the roads that connect everything, guiding both users and search engines through your e-commerce site.
Without internal linking, your most important pages are like hidden alleyways with no signs. But with a strong internal linking strategy, you help:
- Google discover and index content faster
- Pass link authority to key product and category pages
- Improve user experience and session duration
- Boost the overall SEO of your site
6.1 Prioritize Link Equity to Money Pages
Your “money pages”—like high-converting category and product pages—should get the most internal links.
Here’s the rule: Link from pages with high authority (like blog posts or the homepage) to pages that matter most to your business.
Example:
If a blog post titled “Best Winter Jackets for 2025” is ranking well and gets traffic, link to:
- Your “Winter Jackets” category page
- Specific product pages mentioned in the post
This passes ranking power (link equity) from your blog post to your product pages.
6.2 Use Descriptive, Keyword-Rich Anchor Text
Anchor text is the clickable text in a hyperlink. It helps users know where they’re going and tells Google what the destination page is about.
Best Practices:
- Use descriptive, keyword-rich phrases
- Avoid generic anchors like “click here” or “read more”
- Vary anchor text naturally
Examples:
Good: “Explore our full range of vegan leather boots”
Bad: “Click here to view products”
Google uses anchor text to understand page context. Strategic linking improves topical relevance and rankings.
6.3 Link Between Blog Posts and Products/Categories
Every time you publish a blog, look for natural ways to link to product or category pages.
Example:
Blog Post: “Top Hiking Trails in the UK”
- Link to “Hiking Backpacks” or “Trail Footwear” category
- Mention specific gear and link to product pages
This improves both SEO and drives conversions from informational content.
6.4 Use Breadcrumbs for Contextual Navigation
Breadcrumbs are navigational links (usually at the top of a page) that show users where they are in the site structure.
Example: Home > Men > Jackets > Waterproof Jackets
Breadcrumbs:
- Improve internal linking structure
- Help search engines understand site hierarchy
- Enhance mobile UX and crawlability
- Qualify for rich snippets in Google results
Make sure you add Breadcrumb structured data (schema.org/BreadcrumbList) to boost visibility in search.
6.5 Interlink Related Products and Categories
Encourage product discovery and support SEO by linking:
- From one product to related products (e.g., “Customers also viewed”)
- Between complementary categories (e.g., “Shop Men’s Running Shoes” → “Running Socks”)
Smart cross-linking keeps users on site longer, reduces bounce rate, and increases AOV (average order value).
6.6 Use Footer and Navigation Wisely
Your site navigation and footer are global elements—meaning they appear across every page. Use them to link to:
- Top-level categories
- Bestsellers or seasonal collections
- Key pages like “Size Guide,” “Returns,” or “Shipping Info”
But don’t overdo it. Avoid linking to too many pages in your footer, or you risk diluting link value.
6.7 Fix Broken Links & Orphan Pages
A broken link is like a dead-end street—bad for users and terrible for SEO.
Use tools like:
- Ahrefs (Site Audit)
- Screaming Frog
- Google Search Console
- Broken internal links (fix or update)
- Orphan pages (pages with no internal links pointing to them)
Orphan pages don’t get crawled or indexed effectively—make sure every important page has at least 2–3 internal links.
6.8 Keep Your Internal Linking Natural
Avoid:
- Stuffing exact-match anchors unnaturally
- Repeating the same anchor text over and over
- Over-optimizing blog posts to pass “SEO juice”
Internal linking should enhance readability and user flow, not feel like a forced SEO tactic.
6.9 Plan Your Internal Linking Structure Strategically
Map out a hub-and-spoke model (also called a topic cluster model):
- Pillar Page (e.g., category page like “Men’s Shoes”)
- → Links out to blog posts like:
- “Best Shoes for Trail Running”
- “How to Clean Running Shoes”
- “5 Signs You Need New Sneakers”
- Each blog post links back to the main category page.
This builds topical authority, helps Google understand relationships between pages, and improves overall site depth.
6.10 Use HTML Links Over JavaScript for SEO
Google is better at crawling JS in 2025, but plain HTML links still provide the cleanest, most crawlable structure.
Ensure all critical internal links (especially in menus, content, and CTAs) are in HTML format to guarantee full indexability.
Step 7: Encourage and Display Customer Reviews
Let’s face it—people trust people more than they trust brands. In 2025, customer reviews are not just a trust signal—they’re an SEO superpower and a conversion catalyst.
Whether you’re selling shoes, skincare, or software, genuine reviews improve your visibility, credibility, and click-through rates.
7.1 Why Customer Reviews Matter for SEO
Google’s algorithms are designed to surface the most helpful and trustworthy content. User-generated reviews signal both.
Here’s what reviews can do:
- Add fresh, keyword-rich content to product pages
- Increase dwell time and engagement
- Improve click-through rates (when review snippets appear in SERPs)
- Build trust and confidence among potential buyers
- Qualify for rich snippets with star ratings
Pages with user-generated content (like reviews) are crawled more often and tend to rank better, according to studies from BrightLocal and Moz.
7.2 Use Review Schema Markup for Rich Snippets
By implementing Review Schema (JSON-LD), you allow Google to display star ratings in your product search listings.
Example in SERP:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ | 4.8 (234 Reviews)
“Men’s Waterproof Hiking Boots | Free Shipping – YourStore.com”
This visual enhancement:
- Makes your listings stand out
- Increases CTR (click-through rate) by up to 35%, according to Search Engine Land
- Helps establish authority and trust
Use schema.org markup and test with Google’s Rich Results Tool.
7.3 Collect Reviews Proactively (Don’t Just Wait)
Don’t assume customers will leave a review—you have to ask, incentivize, and make it easy.
Proven tactics:
- Send post-purchase review request emails (after 7–10 days)
- Offer small incentives (e.g., loyalty points, discounts on next order)
- Add a review CTA inside your customer account dashboard
- Use automated tools like:
- Judge.me, Loox, or Yotpo (Shopify)
- Stamped.io or Trustpilot
- Odoo Review Apps (for Odoo stores)
Always encourage honest reviews—don’t push only for 5-star ratings. Transparency builds trust and complies with guidelines.
7.4 Display Reviews Where They Matter
Your customers don’t want to dig around to see if others liked the product—they expect to see reviews front and center.
Place reviews:
- Directly on product pages (below the fold)
- On category pages with average ratings
- In homepage carousels or featured testimonials
- On a dedicated reviews/testimonials page
7.5 Keep Reviews Fresh and Relevant
Old reviews can look stale. To keep them current:
- Email repeat buyers asking for updated reviews
- Showcase recent ones first
- Use badges like “Verified Buyer,” “Top Reviewer,” or “New Review”
According to PowerReviews, 97% of consumers say recency of reviews impacts their buying decision.
7.6 Monitor for Fake or Spam Reviews
Protect your brand and maintain authenticity by:
- Using CAPTCHA for submissions
- Enabling moderation tools
- Reporting fake reviews to platforms like Google, Trustpilot, etc.
- Displaying a mix of ratings (a page with only perfect scores can seem suspicious)
Step 8: Backlink Building for E-commerce
Backlinks are still the backbone of SEO success in 2025.
While Google’s algorithm has evolved to value user experience and intent, quality backlinks remain one of the top-ranking factors—especially in the competitive e-commerce space.
Think of backlinks as “votes of confidence” from other websites. If authoritative sites link to your product or category pages, Google sees your store as more trustworthy and relevant.
But let’s be clear: not all backlinks are created equal. Random spammy links won’t help—and can even hurt. You need a clean, strategic link-building approach tailored for e-commerce.
8.1 Focus on Link Quality, Not Quantity
In 2025, one backlink from a trusted, high-authority website is more valuable than 100 from shady blogs or directories.
Use tools like:
- Ahrefs
- SEMrush
- Moz
- Majestic To evaluate a site’s Domain Rating (DR), Domain Authority (DA), Trust Flow, and backlink profile before you pursue a link.
Aim for links from websites that are topically relevant to your niche—if you sell fitness equipment, a backlink from a health blog is better than from a general news site.
8.2 Leverage Digital PR Campaigns
Digital PR is one of the best white-hat strategies to earn editorial backlinks from news outlets and authoritative blogs.
Examples of Digital PR tactics:
- Publish original research or surveys related to your niche
- Launch a unique product or initiative (eco-friendly packaging, charity campaigns)
- Pitch your founder’s story or brand journey to journalists
- Use platforms like Help A Reporter Out (HARO) or Featured.com to contribute quotes and get backlinks from media sites.
8.3 Guest Posting with Intent
Yes, guest posting still works in 2025—but only when it’s done with purpose and relevance.
Focus on:
- Niche blogs and ecommerce industry sites
- Submitting high-quality, original content
- Including natural in-context links (no keyword stuffing)
Avoid spammy, low-quality guest post farms.
8.4 Build Local Backlinks
Local backlinks help ecommerce stores that ship within specific regions or countries.
Strategies:
- Get listed on local directories and chambers of commerce
- Sponsor local events, podcasts, or niche communities
- Collaborate with local lifestyle bloggers and publications
Even if your store is online-only, local SEO boosts your trust and can increase region-specific rankings.
8.5 Use Social Proof to Attract Natural Backlinks
If your store has thousands of happy customers, show it off.
- Display testimonials and reviews
- Highlight media mentions (“As seen in Forbes”)
- Promote viral product moments (TikTok, Instagram Reels, etc.)
Social proof builds buzz—and buzz brings backlinks from bloggers and journalists who are covering trending products.
8.6 Track and Monitor Your Backlink Profile
You can’t improve what you don’t measure.
Set up tracking with tools like:
- Google Search Console (Links Report)
- Ahrefs Alerts
- SEMrush Backlink Analytics
Monitor:
- New backlinks
- Lost links
- Anchor text distribution
- Toxic/spammy links (use Google’s Disavow Tool if necessary)
Step 9: Use Tools to Track SEO Progress
In 2025, SEO success in e-commerce demands data-backed decisions, not gut instincts. Whether you’re optimizing category pages, building backlinks, or tweaking page speed, you need tools that show what’s working—and what’s not.
9.1 Google Search Console (GSC)
If you’re not using Google Search Console, you’re flying blind.
GSC provides direct insights from Google about how your store is performing in organic search.
Key things to monitor:
- Performance tab: Clicks, impressions, CTR, and average position
- Coverage tab: Indexed vs. non-indexed pages, crawl errors
- URL Inspection: Check the indexing status of specific product pages
- Enhancements: Detect schema issues (reviews, product data, breadcrumbs)
- Links Report: Internal and external backlinks to your site
Monitor your “Queries” report to discover long-tail keywords you’re already ranking for—but not optimizing.
9.2 Google Analytics 4 (GA4)
In 2025, GA4 is the standard—and it gives you deep insights into how users interact with your store.
GA4 tracks:
- Organic traffic performance
- Conversion rates by channel (SEO vs paid vs direct)
- User journey across devices
- Time spent on product pages
- Cart abandonment behavior
Use GA4’s “Exploration Reports” to segment SEO traffic and analyze how it performs compared to other channels.
9.3 Ahrefs / SEMrush – Track Keywords & Competitors
For serious e-commerce SEO work, you’ll want a pro-level tool like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or SE Ranking.
These platforms allow you to:
- Track keyword rankings over time
- Analyze backlink profiles
- Perform site audits (technical SEO issues)
- Research competitor strategies
- Find new content and keyword opportunities
9.4 Screaming Frog
Screaming Frog is a must-have tool for e-commerce stores with hundreds or thousands of SKUs.
It crawls your site just like a search engine does and identifies:
- Broken links (404 errors)
- Missing meta tags or duplicate title tags
- Canonicalization issues
- Redirect chains
- Thin or missing content
- Page depth (how far a page is from the homepage)
Use Screaming Frog to audit your product and category pages monthly, especially during new launches or seasonal updates.
9.5 Site Speed & Core Web Vitals
Page speed and user experience are SEO ranking signals, especially on mobile.
Use these free Google tools:
- PageSpeed Insights: See performance scores, load times, and suggestions
- Web.dev Measure: In-depth Core Web Vitals analysis
- GTmetrix and Lighthouse: Alternative views of real user speed
Track metrics like:
- LCP (Largest Contentful Paint)
- CLS (Cumulative Layout Shift)
- FID (First Input Delay)
E-commerce sites that load in under 2.5 seconds see significantly higher conversions and lower bounce rates.
9.6 Rank Math / Yoast (for WordPress)
If your e-commerce site runs on WordPress + WooCommerce, Magento, or Odoo, SEO plugins, and modules simplify on-page optimization tracking.
Features to look for:
- Focus keyword optimization
- Internal linking suggestions
- Schema markup integration
- Readability analysis
- Real-time SEO scoring
9.7 Monitor Backlinks with Ahrefs or Monitor Backlinks
Link building is not “set it and forget it.” Track your backlinks to:
- Detect link loss
- Find spammy links (disavow if needed)
- Measure link velocity (how fast you’re earning links)
- Understand which pages attract the most links
E-commerce SEO is an ongoing process—seeing how backlinks impact rankings helps you double down on what’s working.
Final Thoughts
The e-commerce landscape is constantly evolving. To stay ahead of the competition, your store needs to be optimized for keywords, user experience, technical performance, and trust-building.
SEO is a long-term investment, and consistency is key. With the right strategies, tools, and continuous improvement, your e-commerce site can climb the search rankings, attract more organic traffic, and boost conversions.
By following this comprehensive E-commerce SEO Checklist for 2025, you’ll be setting up your store not just for success today, but for sustainable growth in the years to come.
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Get in touch for a free consultation today, and let’s make your e-commerce store the next big thing in search results.