Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is crucial for any e-commerce website. Optimising e-commerce sites for search engines is the most cost effective long-term way to drive more traffic and increase sales. To ensure that your e-commerce site continues to beat your competitors, it’s vital to stay on top of the latest trends.
Getting SEO right in 2021 has never been more critical. Trends that affect consumer behaviour shift rapidly. Google continues to roll out algorithm updates, competition grows, and the rules change. If you’re not careful, you could see your website slip down the rankings.
In this article, you will find out the top SEO trends to be aware of in 2021. This guide to e-commerce SEO will help ensure that you stay top of the game—ever relevant in 2021.
The Growth of E-Commerce in 2021
A significant factor affecting SEO trends for 2021 was the global health pandemic in 2020. Due to stay-at-home orders, fear of catching COVID-19, and a general shift to online shopping, the growth of e-commerce soared.
According to statistics, online retail for non-food items grew by a whopping 157.2 percent in November 2020 compared to the previous year. There was also tremendous growth in all sectors of online shopping, including food sales.
With more and more consumers shopping online, the trend looks set to continue. A survey conducted in December 2020 found that most Brits are worried about the high street’s demise. Official figures show that 87 percent of UK consumers now shop online. In 2021, it seems that shopping habits will change for good.
The Top E-Commerce Trends for 2021
To stay ahead of the competition, it’s never been more crucial to have a robust SEO strategy to remain competitive. What are the all-important trends for 2021 that you must know?
Here are five trends to look out for in 2021.
1. User and search intent is crucial in 2021
Search intent should identify precisely what an internet user is looking for when writing a query in Google. For e-commerce sites, this trend means that it’s essential to pay attention to search results. In this respect, SERP analysis will be a significant factor in SEO for 2021.
To ensure you stay ahead of the competition, it is imperative to cater to your visitor’s online needs. Three things will set you apart from the competition:
Provide content addressing your visitors’ needs rather than talking about your products.
Ensure your website loads fasts.
Don’t force users to register or pay money to find content.
These three things will help you deliver a high-quality user experience for your e-commerce site.
2. Voice search will be more relevant in 2021
With the rise of virtual assistants such as Alexa and Google Assistant, optimising e-commerce websites is crucial. Search engine algorithms are increasingly better at recognising natural speech. And as results improve for voice searches, so will the trend for using this feature increase.
To stay on top of this trend, e-commerce sites will need to create content that caters to voice search. This includes making content scannable, focusing on long-tail keywords, and anticipating specific questions. Of course, it is still vital to optimise your e-commerce website for local SEO searches, especially if you have a physical and online presence.
3. Optimise for mobile search
The trend for online shopping using mobile devices looks set to break records in 2021. A 2020 report found that 66 percent of online shoppers use a mobile device. And more people are likely to check out product reviews on a mobile device while in a physical store rather than ask a shop assistant for advice.
It’s clear that e-commerce sites that are not optimised for mobile will lose potential customers. Part of an SEO strategy for 2021 should be making the mobile experience as pleasant as possible. Consumers are looking for quick, accurate, and concise answers to their queries. Also, make sure that all clickable elements are easily accessible on small screens.
Additionally, Google prioritises websites that perform well on mobile searches. In many cases, the mobile version of the e-commerce site is more likely to be indexed before the desktop version.
4. Long-form content continues to be important in 2021
In 2021, creating long-form content will continue to be a vital element of an e-commerce SEO strategy. Longer articles that provide value to users offer plenty of opportunities for search engines to index. Additionally, long-content continues to get more shares and be a significant factor in a website’s ranking.
Creating long-form content also helps you to target a user’s search intent. You can predict many questions that readers will have and address those in your content. Besides, having a FAQ page also helps target mobile and voice searches to rank higher for specific keywords.
When creating longer content, it’s essential to follow the best SEO practices. This includes writing high-value content and using H2 and H3 headings to make content easy to read and scannable on mobile devices.
5. Augmented reality is an emerging hot trend
Many e-commerce stores can benefit from incorporating augmented reality (AR). This feature allows consumers the option to preview or virtually try on an item before purchasing. They use their mobile device’s camera, and then AR superimposes the product on them.
Augmented reality is quickly becoming an essential feature for e-commerce because it boosts user’s experience. For example, suppose someone is searching for accessories, makeup, or furniture. In that case, they can see exactly how the product looks in its surroundings. There is no second-guessing, and consumers feel more confident about their purchase.
AR also has many benefits for e-commerce companies. First, consumers are more likely to choose the right product the first time. This results in fewer returns and happier customers. Additionally, incorporating AR in e-commerce boosts sales. Some e-commerce companies report that they increased sales by 40 percent on some products. Also, customers are willing to pay more if they can ‘try’ a product through augmented reality.
E-commerce and SEO in 2021 — In Conclusion
To dominate the search results for an e-commerce site in 2021, it’s crucial to focus on providing value to consumers. Ensure your site offers a mobile-friendly browsing experience optimised for voice search. Also, don’t forget the best on-page SEO practices of creating high-value content that addresses the user’s search intent. This way, you can dominate search results, drive more traffic to your e-commerce site, and increase sales.