Balancing SEO and Usability for Your Shopify Store

shopifyThese days, building an online store requires careful, nuanced planning. You want to provide an enjoyable experience for your users but you also want your site to be appealing to search engine algorithms. Fortunately, it’s possible to strike a fine balance between usability and SEO. So, how do you appease Google without selling your customers short?

  1. Use Keywords in Moderation

There was a time when simply cramming relevant keywords into the body of your text would send your site to the top of SERPs. Those days are long gone. Search engine algorithms can detect keyword stuffing, and the penalties can be severe. That’s a major reason why having a skilled Shopify SEO agency in Los Angeles optimize your site’s content is a prudent move.

Amandeep Singh, an SEO expert and web developer, says this on keyword optimization, “Incorporate keywords and phrases throughout your content naturally and in varied instances. Add keywords to your title tags, headers, image alt tags, and URLs. That way, you’re still signaling site crawlers that your website is highly relevant to the keyword, and you’re still providing high-quality content that’s readable.”

Any SEO agency worth its salt will tell you that robust, engaging content is far more valuable than keywords. Write quality content first, and use keywords when they genuinely fit.

  1. Keep Your Content Fresh

working on laptopA stale website is prone to declining search engine rankings. Your audience is always going to be growing and changing, and it’s up to you to keep your content current and relevant. You don’t need to completely overhaul your website every month, but do keep adding new content on a consistent basis. Running a blog is an easy and effective way to accomplish this.

If you’re not confident in your ability to produce engaging content, or if you simply don’t have the time, don’t hesitate to contact a reputable Los Angeles Shopify SEO company to purchase quality, optimized content. It’s a small investment that’s always worthwhile. Besides the SEO benefits, regular content establishes your brand as an authority, and it keeps your customers returning time and time again.

  1. Don’t Overcomplicate Things

It’s true that a robust website loaded with quality content is going to rank higher in SERPs but there’s a fine line between a rich site and a convoluted site. Approach your website from a user’s standpoint. Is it easy to find specific pages? Can you browse seamlessly without getting lost in a maze of irrelevant pages? Are your links and button laid out in an intuitive way?

Envision your online store as a real brick-and-mortar boutique. If you walked into a store, and everything was just placed on shelves with no rhyme or reason, you’d probably get overwhelmed and leave. An ecommerce site should have clearly defined sections where everything is in its place. Think of your subcategories like the store’s aisles, and make sure each product is exactly where a shopper would expect it to be.

  1. Test Your Site on Multiple Platforms

testing site on mobileThese days, if your online store isn’t responsive across all types of devices – smartphones, tablets, and computers – you’re missing out on a huge audience. In fact, it’s not a bad idea to also cater to the growing crowd of people using smart TVs, smartwatches, and smart wristbands too. Impulse shopping is a very real thing, and it’s becoming more and more common for people to shop using mobile devices.

If you’re not a web developer, building a responsive Shopify website can be challenging. Fortunately, Shopify tends to work well across all platforms. However, there are always tweaks and improvements to be made, so don’t hesitate to call a Shopify SEO Los Angeles agency for assistance.

  1. Hire a Professional

The most obvious and the most effective way to create a balanced ecommerce website is to simply hire the best SEO company in your area. The right Los Angeles SEO agency for your Shopify site will have the technical skills and first-hand experience required to really find that sweet spot. Because SEO is an ever-evolving landscape, it’s always a good idea to have professionals maintaining and updating your site as needed.

Why Choose Coalition?

We’re known for our exceptional level of expertise on the Shopify platform. Let’s take a quick look at a case study that shows our success with one of our clients, TimeScape, a Minnesota-based boutique specializing in premium watches and watch winders. Comparing August of 2015 with December of 2015, we helped the company grow transactions by an astonishing 600%, for a 556% increase in revenue ($424 vs. $2,800).

Call for More Information

Our work with TimeScape is only one of many examples of how we help put both startups and existing online stores on the fast track to long-term success. For further evidence of our accomplishments, we encourage you to give us a call at (310) 827-3890, or simply send us a message and we’ll be happy to provide you with additional data. The right Los Angeles Shopify SEO team can be a serious game changer. Partner with Coalition today to significantly boost your ROI.

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