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If your online store isn’t showing up on Google, you’ve got a problem—and it likely starts with SEO. In the ultra-competitive e-commerce landscape, search engine optimization is more than just a “nice-to-have.” It’s the engine that drives visibility, traffic, and conversions.
But here’s the kicker: most e-commerce brands are unknowingly making costly SEO mistakes that are sabotaging their success.
Let’s fix that.
Below are 7 critical SEO mistakes for e-commerce websites—plus actionable solutions to help you fix them and climb to the top of search results.
Many online store owners think SEO stops at the homepage or blog. But product pages are where sales happen—and they’re SEO goldmines.
Mistake: Using generic product descriptions or duplicate content from manufacturers.
Fix:
Write unique, keyword-rich product descriptions
Use focus keywords like “affordable men’s leather wallet” or “vegan skincare gift set.”
Optimize titles, meta descriptions, and image alt tags for every product
Your product pages should target buyer-intent keywords and clearly answer: “Why should I buy this?”
Choosing keywords based on guesses instead of data is one of the biggest SEO mistakes for e-commerce brands.
Mistake: Targeting short, broad keywords like “shoes” instead of specific long-tail keywords.
Fix:
Use tools like Ubersuggest, Ahrefs, or Google Keyword Planner
Focus on long-tail keywords like “waterproof hiking boots for women” or “organic baby lotion for sensitive skin.”
Include your keywords in titles, URLs, H1s, and product copy
Long-tail keywords bring in more qualified traffic and better conversions.
Google uses site speed as a ranking factor, and customers abandon sites that take more than 3 seconds to load.
Mistake: Ignoring load speed, especially on mobile.
Fix:
Use Google PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix to test your site
Compress images with tools like TinyPNG or ShortPixel
Use a fast, mobile-optimized e-commerce theme
Consider switching to a faster host
A faster site improves both your rankings and user experience—a win-win.
Schema markup helps Google understand your pages better and enables rich results like star ratings, prices, and stock status in the SERPs.
Mistake: Not using structured data for product pages.
Fix:
Use a plugin like Rank Math or Schema Pro for WordPress/WooCommerce
Add schema for products, reviews, FAQs, and breadcrumbs
These small tweaks can dramatically improve your visibility and click-through rate (CTR) on search engines.
Mobile traffic now makes up more than 60% of all e-commerce visits—yet many stores still prioritize desktop design.
Mistake: A clunky mobile experience that frustrates users and tanks your SEO.
Fix:
Use a responsive design that adapts to every screen size
Test your mobile experience using Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test
Make sure buttons, menus, and product images are easy to tap and view on mobile
Mobile optimization isn’t optional—it’s essential for both user experience and SEO performance.
Internal links help search engines crawl your site and pass authority between pages. Without them, your SEO structure falls apart.
Mistake: Only linking to products from the menu or homepage.
Fix:
Add internal links from blog posts to product pages
Link related products on each product page
Use keyword-rich anchor text
Want an example? Check out our guide on 12 digital marketing strategies for e-commerce brands.
It’s not just about keywords. Behind the scenes, technical SEO can make or break your rankings.
Mistake: Broken links, duplicate content, missing meta tags, and poor site structure.
Fix:
Use tools like Screaming Frog or Sitebulb to audit your site
Set up Google Search Console and fix any crawling errors
Create a clear sitemap and robots.txt file
Ensure your site uses HTTPS and has canonical URLs
Technical SEO is the foundation that supports all your on-page efforts.
Think of SEO like a car—it needs maintenance. Running an SEO audit every 3–6 months helps you spot issues early and stay ahead of the competition.
At Skill Digital Solutions, we offer in-depth SEO audits tailored specifically for e-commerce brands. If your store is struggling to rank, let’s talk.
Making these SEO mistakes for e-commerce is easy, but fixing them is even easier once you know what to look for.
When you address these seven issues head-on, your store will:
Rank higher on Google
Attract more qualified traffic
Convert more visitors into paying customers
It’s time to get serious about SEO—and we’re here to help.
Need help fixing your SEO?
Let us optimize your product pages, speed up your site, and build a strategy that gets real results.
Contact Skill Digital Solutions today to get started.