Search Engine Optimization plays a huge role in how customers find your online store through search engines. Simply put, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the process of optimizing aspects of your site so that search engines understand what you're offering (through tags & description) and place you high on the search results page. SEO is the online equivalent of the billboard or advertisement banners that we pass by on the streets. The big difference is that while the billboard can only be seen by those who pass by that particular street, SEO can potentially expose you to millions of people when done right.

Combining Woocommerce, the most popular shopping cart plugin and SEO is the most essential thing to the success of your Woocommerce store in bringing you new customers and growing your store. Woocommerce provides you easy-to-use controls to build and manage your online store but on its own, it won't help you get high up on search engines. In this article, I'll share tips to help you optimize your Woocommerce store and get it ready for higher ranking on search engines.

Product Titles

The most important part of woo-commerce SEO from a search engine point of view is the product page title. When search engines show your product in the search results page, the first thing shown is the title. Write short, descriptive titles that describe the product in as little words a possible. Avoid general terms that are too broad or that could have multiple meanings. Ensure that your title has important keywords such as brand, model, or make to quickly distinguish it from a bunch of other items like it.

Product Description

Many online store owners use a very little amount of text to describe their products because they assume people will just get it. When it comes to product description, the more the better. Just be sure to break the text into shorter 2 – 3 sentence paragraphs and use bullet points wherever necessary. As far as product information goes, you need to answer questions like:

  • What material is the item made of,
  • What size and color does the item come in,
  • Who is best suited for this item

Think of the questions a visitor may have and add it as part of the product description.

Categories and Navigation

The other factor that impacts your Woocommerce SEO is the structure of your site's navigation. Aim for simple, intuitive navigation that is easy for visitors to understand. When setting up categories try to keep the levels shallow so that users don't get lost trying to track down an item.

Category names, just like product titles, should be descriptive. Woocommerce allows you to enter a description of the category so go ahead and add helpful text there as well. Product categories help search engines understand the grouping of your store so it's important to have them laid out nicely.

Conclusion

Woocommerce SEO, when done right, is like having a 24-hour salesperson on the streets inviting customers to your site. Take some time and optimize your online store today and start enjoying the benefits of more sales and business growth.