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If you have an ecommerce website, it goes without saying that you need good online visibility.
For that to happen, it’s essential to partner with an agency that understands the unique challenges and opportunities of ecommerce SEO.
This guide will walk you through the key factors to consider.
We’ll discuss:
- 10 red flags to watch out for
- 5 green flags to prioritize
- 7 steps to select the best agency
- And 10 essential questions to ask before making your decision.
By the end of this article, you'll be equipped with the knowledge to choose an agency that aligns with your business goals and drives sustainable growth.
TL;DR:
- Importance of Specialized eCommerce SEO:
- Essential for competitive online visibility.
- Unique challenges and strategies tailored for eCommerce.
- 10 Red Flags to Avoid:
- Guarantees of exact rankings.
- Promises of quick results.
- Use of non-eCommerce-specific tactics.
- Fear-mongering tactics.
- Lack of transparency.
- Ignoring technical SEO issues.
- One-size-fits-all approach.
- No emphasis on link building.
- No client testimonials.
- Limited digital marketing services.
- 5 Green Flags to Prioritize:
- Proven industry experience with notable clients.
- Comprehensive and customized SEO plans.
- Effective communication and regular updates.
- High-quality content creation.
- Focus on ROI and measurable results.
- 7 Steps to Select the Best Agency:
- Define your business objectives.
- Research potential agencies and their reputation.
- Evaluate their SEO strategies.
- Check their technical expertise.
- Assess communication and reporting practices.
- Consider additional digital marketing services.
- Compare pricing and potential ROI.
- 10 Essential Questions to Ask:
- What is their approach to SEO for eCommerce?
- Can they provide case studies or client testimonials?
- How do they handle technical SEO issues?
- What kind of reporting and communication can you expect?
- Do they offer additional digital marketing services?
- How do they measure success and ROI?
- How do they stay updated with search engine algorithms?
- What is their experience in your specific niche?
- Can they share examples of high-quality content they've created?
- What is their approach to link building?
Why Do You Need an eCommerce SEO Agency? [And Not a Generic One]
The ecommerce industry is highly competitive – everyone knows that.
That’s why partnering with a specialized ecommerce SEO agency is crucial for business growth.
- Niche understanding: Unlike generic SEO firms, an eCommerce-focused agency understands the unique challenges online stores face, such as optimizing product descriptions and improving user experience. Besides, their expertise in ecommerce SEO services ensures your business objectives align with the latest search engine algorithms. And that leads to long-term success.
- Niche strategies: These agencies use a holistic approach to address technical SEO issues and implement effective SEO strategies tailored to ecommerce businesses. For example, an Amazon SEO agency will have unique knowledge using this specific platform.
- Niche keywords: A solid agency with know-how in the e-commerce sphere will target actually relevant keywords to skyrocket your search engine rankings. Basically, an ecommerce SEO agency can significantly boost your online visibility, ensuring your products reach potential customers and drive conversion rates.
Not to brag, but we’re a good example here.
Blue Things has a proven history of significantly increasing search rankings for our ecommerce clients.
Take DeuxParDeux, a children's clothing brand.
Our expertise in SEO and link-building strategies helped them increase their organic search rankings by 30%.
Their organic traffic and organic keywords are looking sharp, too:
10 Red Flags to Watch Out For
We’ve been in the industry for years, and unfortunately, not all SEO agencies are honest and capable.
So, here are 10 red flags to watch out for.
1. Promising Exact Results
Be wary of agencies that guarantee specific search engine rankings, like jumping from position 90 to position 5 for a specific keyword in two weeks.
Search engines have a very dynamic nature, which makes it impossible to promise exact positions.
Insider tip: A reliable agency will set realistic expectations and focus on improving your overall online visibility instead.
For example, Blue Things' focus on long-term success is evident in our strategy for the cold-press juicer brand Hurom.
We improved non-branded searches by 160% between April and June 2024.
So, we needed three months for this.
But we had a solid plan, and we’re committed to sustainable growth and search engine visibility.
That brings us to the next red flag.
2. Promising Results in Days
SEO is a long-term investment.
If an agency claims they can deliver significant results in just a few days, they're likely using black-hat techniques that can harm your online business.
An effective SEO strategy takes time to yield sustainable outcomes.
Pro tip: Want to learn more about black-hat tactics to avoid? Read this in-depth article about link farming and its risks.
3. Not Using Ecommerce-Specific Tactics
An effective ecommerce SEO agency should only use tactics tailored to ecommerce stores.
The hard truth is that generic strategies won't address specific needs like optimizing product descriptions and improving conversion rates.
So, make sure the agency has a deep understanding of ecommerce SEO services.
Here’s a good example:
Blue Things specializes in customized SEO strategies for ecommerce stores.
Our approach involves detailed keyword research, content optimization, product page schema, URL optimization, and other SEO methods that are tailored to the specific needs of ecommerce businesses.
This multi-pronged approach is what ensures a boost in your online visibility.
But to get there, you first need to be aware of the existence of e-commerce-specific SEO factors like query string parameters.
The URL below is one we’d definitely want to optimize:
4. Fear-Mongering
Avoid agencies that use fear tactics, such as claiming your website will be penalized without their services.
Legitimate agencies focus on positive strategies like content marketing and content optimization to boost your online presence.
5. Lack of Transparency
Transparency in the SEO process is crucial.
A trustworthy, professional agency should provide regular updates and detailed reports on key performance indicators. They should also have clear SEO packages.
If they’re vague about their methods or results, it's a red flag.
6. Overlooking Technical SEO Issues
Technical SEO is extremely important for ecommerce websites.
If an agency neglects this aspect, your website may suffer from issues like slow loading times and poor mobile optimization.
All this affects user experience and, as a consequence, your search rankings.
Because if your bounce rate is high and visit time is short, you’ve got a solid SEO problem.
Insider tip: Get a competitive edge through technical SEO.
Blue Things addresses technical SEO issues comprehensively.
Our technical optimizations are e-commerce-specific because we want to ensure your website runs smoothly, loads quickly, and complies with search engine guidelines.
7. One-Size-Fits-All Approach
Every ecommerce venture is unique.
An agency that uses a one-size-fits-all approach is unlikely to address your specific business objectives and target audience.
Instead, look for a comprehensive approach that customizes strategies to your needs.
8. No Emphasis on Link Building
Link building is essential for improving your site's authority and search engine rankings.
If an agency doesn't prioritize link-building strategies, it may hinder your site's growth in search visibility.
Insider tip: eCommerce websites need a balanced backlink profile with links to both their product pages and their blog posts. We can help you get started; but if you want to try your own luck, here’s a solid piece on building a high-quality backlink profile.
As a side note, here’s what our link-building reports look like:
9. Ignoring Client Testimonials
Client testimonials and customer reviews provide insight into an agency's success rate and client satisfaction.
If an agency lacks positive reviews or refuses to share references, it may indicate a lack of credibility.
That’s why we have case studies with real results and real screenshots proving those results.
10. Limited Digital Marketing Services
You may need a wide range of digital marketing services, including social media marketing and email marketing, to promote your ecommerce website.
An agency with a wide range of digital marketing solutions is great because it can provide a more integrated and effective digital marketing strategy for your ecommerce business.
5 Green Flags You Need
After reviewing the red flags, let’s move straight into the green flags.
1. Proven Industry Experience
An ecommerce SEO agency that has extensive industry experience is better.
And a slew of notable clients is a strong indicator of their expertise.
Their familiarity with the ecommerce landscape means they can effectively tailor strategies to meet your specific business goals.
For example, we helped Hurom get from 800 to 1300+ featured snippets in just five months.
They also achieved a 160% surge in non-branded keyword clicks year-over-year, along with an 88% increase in organic sessions.
This showcases our ability to drive significant traffic and improve search rankings for different ecommerce niches.
And that brings us to the next section.
2. Comprehensive SEO Plans
You need data-driven, results-oriented SEO plans.
That means starting with a solid ecommerce audit and testing different strategies until you can zero in on the highest-performing ones.
Warning: What you don’t need is an SEO agency that uses the same blueprint over and over again.
So, look for agencies that offer comprehensive SEO management, including on-page and off-page SEO. A
thorough approach to SEO, encompassing technical optimizations and content strategy, ensures all aspects of your site are optimized for better search engine visibility.
3. Effective Communication
Effective communication is key to a successful partnership. A
n agency that prioritizes regular updates and clear, transparent communication about its SEO process and progress helps build trust and ensures alignment with your business objectives.
4. High-Quality Content Creation
Content is king in SEO.
Agencies that focus on creating high-quality, relevant content for search engines and users alike can significantly improve your keyword rankings and attract your target market.
Of course, their content marketing efforts should align with your overall digital strategy.
Like so:
5. Focus on Return on Investment (ROI)
A reputable ecommerce SEO agency should prioritize ROI, aiming to boost your revenue growth and conversion rates.
Their strategies should be designed to deliver measurable results that align with your marketing budget and long-term strategy for sustained business growth.
So, beware of agencies that steal your eyes with empty numbers, like organic visitors or improved page speed. You need
7 Steps to Pick Your Ecommerce SEO Agency
So, now you know what to look for and what to avoid in an ecommerce SEO agency.
But how do you pick the right one for your needs?
Well, follow the straightforward seven steps below.
1. Define Your Business Objectives
Before you start your search, make sure you’ve defined your business objectives.
This will help you correlate them with SEO goals, such as improving search engine visibility or increasing conversion rates.
And you’ll be able to choose an agency that aligns with your vision.
2. Research Potential Agencies
Look for agencies with a solid reputation and a track record of success in the ecommerce industry.
Check for client reviews and case studies that demonstrate their ability to improve search rankings and drive business growth.
3. Evaluate Their SEO Strategy
A good ecommerce SEO agency should have a transparent approach to SEO.
Ask about their SEO strategy, including keyword research, content optimization, and link-building techniques.
Ensure they use methods that comply with search engine guidelines.
4. Check Their Technical Expertise
Technical SEO is crucial for ecommerce stores.
Ensure the agency conducts thorough SEO audits and addresses technical SEO issues.
Their ability to perform technical optimizations will significantly impact your site's performance and search engine rankings.
Insider tip: Not sure what an audit should look like? Here are 8 expert tips to make sure your SEO agency executes the best ecommerce SEO audit.
5. Assess Communication and Reporting
Effective communication is vital for a successful partnership.
Choose an agency that provides regular updates and detailed reports on key performance indicators.
This ensures you stay informed about your SEO campaigns and progress towards your goals.
Blue Things prides itself on effective communication and transparency.
Our clients receive regular updates and detailed reports on key performance indicators, ensuring they are always informed about the progress of their SEO campaigns.
Here’s what one of our reports looks like for key performance indicators established with our client:
6. Consider Additional Services
An agency that offers a comprehensive suite of digital marketing services, such as paid media and content writing, can provide a more integrated approach.
This helps create a cohesive digital marketing strategy that supports your overall business model.
7. Compare Pricing and ROI
Evaluate the agency's pricing structure, whether they charge hourly rates or offer fixed packages.
- Hourly rates are better for short-term projects or when you need specific tasks completed, as they offer flexibility and control over the budget.
- Fixed packages, on the other hand, are better for long-term projects, providing predictable costs and comprehensive services.
Remember: Consider your marketing budget and weigh it against the potential return on investment.
Choose an agency that provides value for money and can deliver long-term success for your ecommerce venture.
10 Questions to Ask Your Ecommerce SEO Agency [Before Hiring]
After reviewing a few different SEO agencies for your ecommerce website, the next step is to create a shortlist.
Set strategy calls with the best ones and ask them the questions below.
Insider tip: You should be very intentional about picking your SEO agency. Don’t be overwhelmed by industry lingo; rather, ask questions that directly tie to your business goals.
1. What is your approach to SEO for ecommerce stores?
Understanding their approach to SEO is crucial. Ask how they tailor their SEO strategy specifically for ecommerce businesses, including their methods for keyword research, content strategy, and conversion rate optimization.
Insider tip: A decent SEO agency should understand, for example, how to conduct a competitor gap analysis using SEO tools like Ahrefs to get insights from your rivals’ SEO strategies.
2. Can you provide case studies or client testimonials?
Requesting case studies or client testimonials helps gauge their success rate and client satisfaction. Look for examples of how they've improved search engine rankings and online visibility for other ecommerce ventures.
3. How do you handle technical SEO issues?
Ask about their process for conducting SEO audits and addressing technical SEO issues to ensure your site runs smoothly and efficiently.
4. What kind of reporting and communication can I expect?
Effective communication and regular updates are essential for tracking progress. Inquire about their reporting process, including how often you will receive updates and what key performance indicators they will track.
5. Do you offer additional digital marketing services?
A comprehensive approach to digital marketing can be beneficial. Ask if they provide additional services, such as social media management or content marketing, to support your overall digital marketing strategy.
6. How do you measure success and ROI?
Understanding how they measure success and ROI is crucial for your business growth. Ask about the metrics they use to track the effectiveness of their SEO campaigns and how they ensure a positive return on investment for your marketing budget.
7. How do you stay updated with search engine algorithms?
Search engine algorithms are constantly evolving. Ask how the agency stays informed about the latest changes and ensures its strategies comply with current search engine guidelines. This is crucial for maintaining long-term search engine visibility.
8. What is your experience in our specific niche?
Experience in your specific ecommerce niche can provide a competitive edge. Inquire about their familiarity with your industry and how they've helped similar online stores improve their search visibility and achieve their business goals.
9. Can you share examples of high-quality content you've created?
Content is a critical component of SEO. Ask for examples of high-quality content they've produced for other ecommerce clients, focusing on how it aligns with relevant keywords and enhances user experience.
Insider tip: Focus on content quality. Blue Things emphasizes high-quality content creation that aligns with relevant keywords and enhances user experience. That’s why all our articles feature in-depth explanations, step-by-step actionable advice, and lots of visuals.
10. What is your approach to link building?
Link building is essential for boosting your site's authority. Ask about their link-building strategies and how they ensure these tactics improve your search engine rankings without violating search engine guidelines.
Skyrocket Your eCommerce Success with Blue Things
Selecting the right ecommerce SEO agency can be a game-changer for your online store.
So, focus on agencies with proven industry experience, comprehensive SEO plans, effective communication, and a strong track record of delivering results.
Remember to also evaluate their approach to SEO, transparency, and additional services while keeping an eye out for potential red flags.
That’s how you’ll make an informed decision that supports your long-term business objectives and enhances your search engine visibility.
And if you want to get started with results-oriented, data-driven SEO strategies, check out these top 30 ecommerce SEO companies.
