There is no doubt that customer reviews can help to drive sales, but can they also help your ecommerce marketing SEO results? A decade or so ago, when ecommerce was still growing, reviews were limited to on-site reviews on product pages. As the ecommerce industry continued to grow, external platforms, technology, and many other features paved the way for a far more interactive way for customers to share their experiences. Today, reviews play a vital role in online shopping, helping customers make informed purchasing decisions and helping them find products online.
In this guide, we take a look at some of the most effective ways to use customer reviews to your advantage. Keep reading to find out how you can use reviews to drive your ecommerce SEO results.
Using Customer Reviews to Boost Your Ecommerce SEO Results
Ecommerce SEO comprises a number of strategies, each helping your store be found in the SERPs. Due to the competitive nature of the ecommerce market, SEO has become more important than ever to ensure that you don’t get left behind. One strategy to include within your broader strategy is user-generated content – especially customer reviews. Here’s how reviews help to bring in more organic traffic.
User-generated content increases ranking
Search engines are very fond of user-generated content. One of the primary reasons is that it provides a more holistic view of online stores. This helps to increase trust, which, in turn, helps to establish reputation and authority. Reviews on trusted external platforms such as Google Reviews and Yelp can be particularly useful. To get the most from reviews, make sure that you always respond quickly and carefully. Angry or ignored responses to negative reviews can end up doing plenty of harm to your ranking and reputation.
Fresh content is equally important
For reviews on your store, fresh content can help to increase your ranking. Search engines like to see ecommerce content that is updated regularly, often ranking this content above product pages that have not been updated in a long time. Along with optimised product content, regular reviews are an excellent tool. To encourage reviews, you could look at offering rewards in the form of points for reviews. You could also ask customers to leave a review after they have made a purchase, in an automated email.
Local reviews are especially helpful for SEO
Reviews work well for local SEO – especially for stores that have physical and online shops. Even if you only have an online presence, you can still capitalise on local SEO to attract customers within your delivery zone. Local searches include phrases such as ‘near me or in [location]. Customers searching for online stores in their area are presented with a list of stores in their area, featuring ratings and reviews. Once again, responding promptly and professionally is essential to maintain your rating.
Investing in Ecommerce SEO
Investing in ecommerce search engine optimisation means incorporating a wide range of organic strategies. From user-generated reviews to various other campaigns designed to increase your ranking, a well-rounded ecommerce SEO approach is the best way to boost traffic and grow your business.
