SEO Isn’t as Simple as They Made It Sound…
Let me start by saying I’m no SEO expert, and I acknowledge that as you read this. I’m just trying my best to support my wife’s small online business, which features all handmade products. With no budget for a professional, I’m diving headfirst into SEO to help her make a few sales through organic search. Honestly, I’m a little anxious that I might end up complicating things more than helping. That said, I’m reaching out for guidance from those who really know their stuff.
My wife’s business is off to a decent start. We’ve managed to snag the top spot on Google for one of our main keywords and its variations, which is great! However, it’s just the home page that’s seeing about 70% of our total impressions. The collection and product pages, where we really want to attract customers, are barely being noticed. According to search visibility data, we’re only appearing in 0.04% of searches for merchant listings—essentially invisible in the shopping tab.
We have a home page along with three primary collections, featuring around 70 products spread across these categories. Here’s everything I’ve done so far to boost our SEO:
- Implemented Schema markup on the home, collection, and product pages
- Added rich snippets (like reviews) for our products
- Connected to Google Merchant Centre, with all products and reviews approved
- Created descriptive slugs for collection pages linked to their H1s, which match primary keywords; each collection has a keyword-rich intro, product listings, an outro highlighting the benefits, featured reviews, links to other collections, and an FAQ section (including FAQPage schema)
- Designed product pages with descriptive slugs linked to H1s matching primary keywords, rich product descriptions, shipping details, reviews, links to similar products, and relevant sub-collections
- Launched a blog (with just two posts so far) and drafted a list of potential topics, though I admit this is currently on the back burner—I’ll make it a priority if it’s crucial
- Optimized all images to small WebP files with relevant alt tags; our site is pretty fast (96 performance on desktop, 70 on mobile), although the mobile score has plateaued and I can’t justify paying someone to fix the render delays
- Ensured all pages, collections, and products have solid URLs, meta titles, and descriptions
- Established internal linking across the site—home, blog, product, and collection pages are all interlinked
I may have tried other tactics, but that’s the gist of it. I know backlinks are important, but they seem daunting to acquire. We’ve reached out to local businesses for potential collaborations, but so far, no luck.
I’d really appreciate any thoughts, suggestions, or insights. The home page is ranking well, but I can’t figure out why our collections and product pages aren’t catching any traction. Is it mainly about backlinks and blogging, or am I overlooking something obvious or making critical mistakes?
By the way, we’re using Shopify—any tips specific to that platform would be especially helpful!
Thank you for your time!
2 responses to “SEO is simple, they said… Just follow these steps, they said…”
First off, it’s great that you’re actively trying to help your wife’s business and already have taken considerable steps in implementing SEO best practices! It sounds like you’ve made a strong foundation, and the fact that you’re seeing some success on the home page is a positive sign.
That being said, here are some thoughts and suggestions that might help improve your collection and product page rankings:
Content Optimization: While you’ve already implemented rich content on your collection and product pages, it’s important to ensure that the content is not only keyword-rich but also tailored to the user’s intent. Identify long-tail keywords that potential customers might use when searching for specific products. Tools like Google Keyword Planner or Ubersuggest can help with this.
Blog Prioritization: Since you’ve started a blog, consider making it a priority. Quality blog content can drive traffic and can establish your site as an authority in your niche. Write about topics that resonate with your target audience—use guides, how-to articles, product usage ideas, and beautiful imagery. You might find that a well-optimized blog can bring organic traffic that leads back to your collection or product pages.
Use of Internal Links: While you mentioned you have internal links, ensure they are strategically placed not just for the sake of it but to enhance the user experience. Link relevant blog posts to specific products or collections to guide visitors through their journey on your site.
Meta Titles and Descriptions: Ensure these are compelling and include a call-to-action. Sometimes a clear and inviting meta description can significantly improve click-through rates from search engine results.
Visual Appeal and User Experience: Since your wife’s business is in handmade products, make sure the visual aesthetics of the collection and product pages match the quality of the products. High-quality images, customer lifestyle shots, and a cohesive design can enhance the appeal and potentially increase conversion rates.
Gathering Reviews and User-Generated Content: Reviews on product pages enhance credibility and can improve SEO through fresh content. Encourage customers to leave reviews. You can also consider prompting for social media mentions or using a hashtag related to your products, as these can create additional content and backlinks.
Backlink Strategy: Although it seems daunting, backlinks don’t have to be impossible! Start by reaching out to bloggers, influencers, or local businesses. Create shareable content like infographics or helpful guides that others would want to link to. Participating in community groups on platforms like Facebook or Reddit related to your niche can also help build connections.
Local SEO: If the products can be tied to a specific location, ensure you’re using local SEO practices. Register on Google My Business and other local directories.
Regular Monitoring and Adjustments: Use tools like Google Search Console to monitor how your pages are performing. Keep an eye on search queries and make adjustments as needed.
Patience and Persistence: SEO is a long-term game; sometimes, it takes a while to see results, especially for new sites. Keep testing, iterating, and learning as you go.
Lastly, don’t hesitate to ask your question in SEO forums, or communities, or reach out to micro-influencers who might be willing to provide feedback on your website or collaborate in exchange for products. Best of luck on this journey! The fact that you’re already putting in the work to learn will definitely pay off over time.
Thank you for sharing your experience and the detailed steps you’ve taken to improve your wife’s business SEO; it’s inspiring to see such dedication! Given what you’ve outlined, your foundational work seems solid, but let’s explore a couple of areas that might help elevate your collections and product pages in search visibility.
1. **Content depth**: While you’ve included rich snippets and descriptive content, boosting the depth and uniqueness of your collection and product pages may further engage customers and search engines. Consider adding more lifestyle images, user-generated content, or even short videos that showcase the products in use. This not only enhances user experience but also keeps visitors on the page longer, which can positively influence your rankings.
2. **Keyword Variation**: Since you’ve achieved strong rankings with primary keywords, try to brainstorm related long-tail keywords that potential customers might use. Tools like Ubersuggest or Google Trends can help you find these. Incorporate them naturally into your product and collection descriptions, FAQs, and even your blog posts.
3. **Blog Strategy**: As you’ve mentioned your blog is currently on the back burner, reviving it could be a game-changer. Regularly posting can drive organic traffic and improve the authority of your site. Consider writing posts that not only promote your products but also educate your audience or tell compelling stories about your creations.
4. **Backlinks**: I understand that backlink acquisition can feel daunting, but local collaborations can also involve community events or sponsorships where you can get featured. Partner