Did you know that leveraging eCommerce SEO can potentially triple your conversion rate? Typically, eCommerce sites see conversion rates of around 2.5-3%, but those ranking on the first page of Google achieve an impressive 10.18%.
This highlights a crucial point: optimising your eCommerce website with effective SEO strategies can significantly enhance both visibility and conversions.
However, to implement SEO successfully, you’ll need to select a platform that excels in this area. Wondering which eCommerce platform is best for SEO?
In this blog, we’ll explore the pros, cons, and comparisons of top platforms to help you make the right choice. Let’s dive in!
Which eCommerce platform is best for SEO?
When deciding which eCommerce platform is best for SEO, it’s essential to consider the top contenders that excel in executing effective SEO strategies.
Below is a rundown of the 10 best eCommerce platforms for SEO in 2024 that you should definitely explore:
1. Shopify
Shopify is one of the most used eCommerce platforms in the world. It stands out as a key player in the e-commerce SEO arena, largely due to its intuitive interface and robust features.
Why this e-commerce platform is best for SEO?
Shopify makes SEO setup a breeze, especially for newcomers. It automatically takes care of technical elements like canonical tags and mobile optimisation.
Speed is another feather in its cap; with a global Content Delivery Network (CDN), pages load rapidly, a boon for search engine rankings. Additionally, Shopify’s built-in blogging capabilities are helpful for generating organic traffic through effective content marketing.
Notable features
The platform has an extensive app store filled with SEO plugins, allowing users to customise their stores beyond the basics. Its integration with Google Analytics provides a wealth of data, enabling detailed tracking of SEO performance.
Suitable for
Shopify caters to businesses of all sizes. It’s particularly advantageous for those looking for an intuitive platform that offers solid SEO features without the hassle of complicated setups.
Potential drawbacks
However, Shopify does come with its limitations. Compared to open-source solutions like WooCommerce, it offers less flexibility for technical SEO customisation.
Users may find themselves constrained, particularly when it comes to editing robots.txt files. While the app ecosystem is vast, relying heavily on these apps can lead to escalating costs.
2. WooCommerce
WooCommerce is an open-source WordPress plugin that appeals to those who desire total control over their e-commerce SEO.
Why this e-commerce platform is best for SEO?
WooCommerce shines in terms of SEO customisation options thanks to its seamless WordPress integration. This allows merchants to fine-tune site structure, meta information and access an extensive library of SEO plugins for a tailored experience.
Its open-source nature fosters a supportive community, rich with SEO resources.
Notable features
A key advantage of WooCommerce is its flawless integration with WordPress, enabling users to manage both content and SEO from one platform.
The control over technical aspects—such as .htaccess editing—allows for advanced SEO configurations. Furthermore, WooCommerce’s flexible architecture makes it easy to integrate various SEO tools and analytics platforms.
Suitable for
When it comes to assessing which e-commerce platform is best for SEO-focused content marketing or best suited for content-heavy websites, WooCommerce is the right choice.
It’s ideal for those who need detailed control over their SEO strategy, are comfortable navigating WordPress, or are willing to invest time to get acquainted with it.
Potential drawbacks
The very strength of WooCommerce’s customisation can be a double-edged sword. It typically requires a steeper learning curve and more technical know-how than Shopify, particularly for novices.
Additionally, businesses are responsible for their own hosting and maintenance, which can add to the technical demands.
3. BigCommerce
BigCommerce is recognised for its extensive SEO tools and scalability, making it an excellent choice for businesses eyeing growth.
Why this e-commerce platform is best for SEO?
BigCommerce is praised for its built-in SEO features that aim to boost organic search rankings. These include automatic sitemaps, optimised product pages, SEO-friendly URLs, and easy integration with various marketing tools.
Standout features
A noteworthy strength of BigCommerce lies in its focus on page speed, achieved through CDN integration, which enhances both user experience and SEO.
It also supports faceted search, allowing users to filter products without creating duplicate content issues, and offers integration support for over 40 payment gateways. The user-friendly dashboard provides insightful SEO reports, enabling businesses to track their performance effectively.
Suitable for
BigCommerce primarily serves mid-to-large-sized businesses looking for a comprehensive solution. It’s especially beneficial for those managing extensive product catalogues and requiring advanced SEO functionalities without extensive custom development efforts.
Potential drawbacks
While generally known for its speed, some users have experienced occasional slow loading times, which could negatively affect SEO and user experience.
Additionally, customisation options—especially in terms of themes—may feel limited compared to platforms like WooCommerce. Users have also indicated that scaling for very high-volume sales might incur higher costs than alternative platforms.
4. Magento (Adobe Commerce)
Once acquired by Adobe, Magento continues to be a formidable eCommerce platform, celebrated for its vast customization capabilities. It’s particularly favoured by larger enterprises and those with distinct technical demands.
Why this e-commerce platform is best for SEO?
Magento gives users extensive control over technical SEO aspects, allowing for in-depth optimisations. Its open-source framework offers unmatched flexibility, enabling businesses to tailor their SEO strategies to their specific needs.
With its robust architecture, Magento is highly scalable, making it adept at managing extensive product catalogues and complex e-commerce workflows.
Notable features
One of Magento’s standout features is its advanced indexing control, which empowers businesses to dictate how search engines crawl and index their sites.
It also provides powerful tools and features for managing product variations and attributes, which are essential for optimising product pages efficiently.
Designed for performance, its architecture, paired with its open-source nature, permits custom enhancements to further boost site speed.
Suitable for
Magento is the ideal choice for large enterprises, organisations with complex SEO needs, or those equipped with in-house development teams capable of navigating its complexities. It’s perfect for businesses that require a highly customisable platform to enact intricate SEO strategies.
Potential drawbacks
However, the depth of Magento’s customisation comes with a steep learning curve. Setup, configuration, and ongoing maintenance demand significant technical expertise, making it less accessible for beginners or those lacking development resources.
Furthermore, Magento can be resource-intensive, often necessitating dedicated hosting and potentially leading to higher costs compared to other platforms.
5. Wix
For beginners looking for the answer to the question, “Which eCommerce platform is best for SEO?” Wix is probably the platform for you.
Wix has gained popularity as an e-commerce platform, especially among beginners and smaller businesses, due to its user-friendly nature and design-centric approach.
Why this e-commerce platform is best for SEO?
Wix excels in accessibility and ease of use, even for individuals with minimal technical skills. It features built-in SEO tools and automatic optimisations, making it straightforward to lay down a basic SEO foundation.
Its easy drag-and-drop interface simplifies the website development process, appealing to those looking for a hassle-free experience.
Standout features
Wix offers a diverse selection of visually striking templates, most of which are mobile-responsive, ensuring a pleasant user experience across devices.
Its SEO Wiz tool creates personalised SEO plans tailored to individual businesses, guiding users through essential optimisation steps. Additionally, Wix’s built-in social media integration facilitates content sharing and brand promotion.
Suitable for
Wix is perfect for startups, small businesses, bloggers, and individuals who want an easy-to-navigate platform with fundamental SEO features. It’s particularly well-suited for those who prioritise visual aesthetics and a straightforward approach to establishing an online presence.
Potential drawbacks
While Wix shines in ease of use, it lacks the customisation options for advanced SEO that platforms like WooCommerce or Magento offer. Businesses seeking granular control over technical SEO elements might find Wix’s capabilities restrictive.
Furthermore, its design-centric focus can lead to slower loading times if not optimised properly, which may negatively impact SEO performance.
6. Squarespace
Renowned for its elegant designs, Squarespace has become a favoured choice as an SEO-friendly eCommerce platform, especially for businesses that prioritise aesthetics and brand image.
Why this e-commerce platform is best for SEO?
Squarespace stands out with its visually stunning templates, typically optimised for mobile, which enhance user experience and support better SEO practises. It features an intuitive interface for managing essential SEO elements like meta titles and descriptions.
Additionally, Squarespace offers secure hosting, which can be indirectly helpful to Search Engine Optimisation.
Standout features
The platform’s built-in blogging feature serves as an asset for content marketing, enhancing SEO efforts. Squarespace simplifies SEO management with features like automatic SSL certificates and responsive design, making technical aspects more accessible to users.
Suitable for
Squarespace is the right choice for creative professionals, artists, and businesses seeking a visually captivating online store with straightforward SEO tools.
It’s particularly well-suited for those who value design and ease of use without needing to dive into complex technical configurations.
Potential drawbacks
However, Squarespace’s design prowess may come at the expense of limited customisation for advanced SEO, especially when compared to platforms like WooCommerce or Magento.
Businesses that require complete control over technical SEO elements may find Squarespace’s options somewhat confining. Users have also noted limited third-party app integrations, which might hinder functionality for specific SEO needs.
7. PrestaShop
Lauded for its flexibility and robust SEO tools, PrestaShop stands out as a self-hosted, open-source platform that offers businesses enhanced control over their SEO configurations.
Why this e-commerce platform is best for SEO?
PrestaShop is preferred for its extensive customisation capabilities regarding meta tags and URLs, which allow businesses to fine-tune their SEO strategies.
Its lightweight framework ensures swift loading times, an essential factor for search engine rankings. Even those without a deep technical background find the platform’s user-friendly interface welcoming.
Notable features
One of PrestaShop’s standout capabilities is its multilingual support, making it an excellent choice for businesses aiming at an international audience.
It also features advanced options for managing meta tags, automatic XML sitemap generation, and integration with Google Analytics to facilitate comprehensive SEO tracking and analysis.
Suitable for
PrestaShop is ideal for businesses that want full control over their SEO strategies and appreciate the flexibility that comes with a self-hosted platform.
It’s particularly well-suited for those comfortable managing their own hosting and technical configurations, or those willing to invest in developer assistance.
Potential drawbacks
However, the self-hosted nature of PrestaShop means that businesses must handle their own hosting, security, and website maintenance. This can be quite demanding for those lacking technical expertise.
While the platform offers an array of SEO-friendly features, effectively optimising them often requires a deeper understanding of SEO principles.
8. OpenCart
OpenCart is an open-source e-commerce website platform that empowers developers and allows tech-savvy businesses to have complete control over their SEO strategies.
Why this e-commerce platform is best for SEO?
OpenCart’s open-source framework provides a high degree of customisation, enabling businesses to exercise full control over their SEO implementations.
It offers powerful tools for managing meta tags, URLs, and sitemaps, allowing for detailed optimisation of every component of an online store.
Notable features
The flexibility of OpenCart facilitates seamless integration with a variety of SEO extensions and tools, enhancing its functionality. Additionally, its active community serves as a valuable resource, offering support and insights for overcoming SEO challenges.
Suitable for
OpenCart is particularly well-suited for developers, tech-savvy businesses, or those with in-house web development teams capable of harnessing its open-source nature for tailored SEO solutions. It’s an excellent choice for those who prioritise control and flexibility over sheer ease of use.
Potential drawbacks
However, the extensive customisation capabilities of OpenCart come with a steep learning curve. Effective SEO implementation and maintenance often require coding knowledge and technical SEO expertise.
Its open-source nature can also lead to limited built-in support, meaning users may need to rely on community forums or engage paid developers for troubleshooting and guidance.
9. Ecwid
Renowned for its hassle-free integration with existing websites, Ecwid is an excellent choice for businesses eager to introduce e-commerce capabilities without overhauling their entire site.
Why this e-commerce platform is best for SEO?
Ecwid makes it very easy to add an online shopping store to your current website, making it particularly appealing for those who prefer not to start from scratch.
It offers customisable metadata and SEO-friendly URL structures, enabling users to optimise product pages and categories with ease.
Notable features
Ecwid ensures a secure, mobile-friendly shopping experience, which enhances user satisfaction and positively impacts SEO.
Its compatibility with various social media platforms facilitates product promotion and brand visibility, indirectly benefiting SEO through increased exposure and potential backlink opportunities.
Suitable for
Ecwid is perfect for businesses that already have a website and want to integrate e-commerce features without migrating to an entirely new platform.
It’s particularly advantageous for smaller businesses or those focusing primarily on social media sales channels while still seeking basic SEO functionalities.
Potential drawbacks
While Ecwid excels in integration, its SEO capabilities may not match those of dedicated e-commerce platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce. Businesses that require advanced SEO configurations or elaborate customisation might find Ecwid’s options somewhat limiting.
Additionally, since it relies on the host website’s SEO performance, businesses must ensure their existing site is already optimised.
10. Shift4Shop
Formerly known as 3dcart, Shift4Shop is a platform that puts a strong focus on its wide range of SEO tools, aiming to simplify the optimisation journey for its users.
Why this e-commerce platform is best for SEO?
Designed with SEO in mind, Shift4Shop includes built-in features such as customisable meta tags, optimised product pages, and tools for managing technical SEO elements like robots.txt files and sitemaps.
Its user-friendly interface makes it a great platform for businesses that lack extensive technical know-how.
Notable features
Shift4Shop comes equipped with built-in blogging capabilities, which are crucial for content marketing and attracting organic traffic.
Additionally, it offers detailed analytics tools that allow businesses to monitor their SEO performance and pinpoint areas for enhancement.
Suitable for
Shift4Shop is an all-in-one eCommerce solution, best for businesses looking for a platform with a strong emphasis on SEO. It’s particularly well-suited for those who appreciate user-friendliness and a platform that simplifies implementing basic to intermediate SEO strategies.
Potential drawbacks
Although Shift4Shop provides a robust set of SEO tools, its options for advanced SEO customisation may be more limited compared to open-source platforms like Magento or WooCommerce.
Some users have noted that achieving very high traffic levels might necessitate upgrading to more expensive plans.
Features to consider when choosing an eCommerce platform for SEO
Deciding which eCommerce platform is best for SEO can be quite a daunting endeavour for any online business owner.
But don’t worry; here are essential criteria to guide you in finding the optimal choice for your SEO objectives:
I. Customisable URLs
Having the ability to modify URLs and weave in relevant keywords is crucial for enhancing both search engine crawlability and user experience.
Platforms such as Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, BigCommerce, Squarespace, and PrestaShop all provide this important feature.
II. Mobile optimisation
Considering a large portion of internet traffic now comes from mobile devices, responsive design or mobile-optimised themes have become indispensable for SEO success.
Platforms like Shopify, Wix, Squarespace, and Volusion shine in this area, ensuring that your site looks great on any device.
III. Site speed optimisation
Fast loading times are essential—not only for a pleasant user experience but also for favourable search engine rankings.
Look for platforms that offer features like caching, image optimisation, and CDN integration. Shopify, BigCommerce, and Volusion are lauded for their impressive speed.
IV. Meta tag & header tag control
The ability to tailor meta titles, descriptions, and header tags is vital for targeted keyword optimisation, significantly boosting visibility in search results. Platforms like Shopify, BigCommerce, Magento, and WooCommerce grant you this essential control.
V. XML sitemap generation
Automatic generation of sitemaps simplifies the process of submitting your website’s structure to search engines, making indexing a breeze. Platforms such as Shopify and BigCommerce include this useful feature.
VI. SSL certificate integration
Secure browsing through HTTPS not only serves as a ranking factor but also builds trust with your customers. Be sure to choose a platform that offers SSL certificates or supports HTTPS protocols. All the platforms mentioned here prioritise security features.
VII. Blogging capabilities
Regularly updated blogs play a pivotal role in enhancing your content marketing efforts, providing ample opportunities for keyword optimisation and driving traffic to your site.
Platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce (which is built on WordPress), and BigCommerce come equipped with integrated blogging features.
VIII. Schema markup
Search engines understand and display product information better when schema markup is implemented. Many platforms, including Shopify and BigCommerce, offer themes that come with built-in schema markup or allow for easy implementation.
IX. Technical flexibility
Think about your comfort level with technical details. If you need granular control over SEO settings, open-source platforms like WooCommerce, Magento, and OpenCart offer extensive customisation options, though they may require some coding knowledge or developer support.
X. Theme & plugin ecosystem
Platforms that have a wide variety of SEO-friendly themes, plugins, and apps provide greater flexibility when it comes to implementing specific strategies and integrating with your favourite tools. Shopify and WooCommerce, in particular, have extensive ecosystems to explore.
XI. Access to Robots.txt & .htaccess
The ability to edit the robots.txt file for crawl control and the .htaccess file for redirects and other technical configurations is essential for advanced SEO. WooCommerce, being built on WordPress, grants this access, while platforms like Shopify may have some constraints.
XII. Handling growth
Make sure the eCommerce website platform you choose can handle increased traffic, larger product catalogues, and higher order volumes as your business scales, all without compromising performance or SEO effectiveness. Magento and BigCommerce are well-regarded for their scalability.
XIII. Integration capabilities
Integrating SEO, analytics, and marketing tools seamlessly ensures a smooth workflow and informed decisions. Platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, and BigCommerce typically offer a broad range of integrations.
XIV. Cost considerations
Lastly, take the time to evaluate pricing plans, transaction fees, app costs, and potential developer expenses in relation to your budget and the platform’s SEO features. With this assessment, you can estimate the potential return on investment (ROI).
XV. Content management system (CMS)
A solid CMS simplifies the processes of content creation, editing, and optimisation, bolstering your SEO efforts with features like easy formatting, efficient image handling, and content scheduling.
Platforms like WooCommerce (based on WordPress) and BigCommerce excel in this regard, making content management a breeze.
Why SEO matters for e-commerce?
SEO is vital for any e-commerce website because it has a direct influence on its visibility and discoverability in the expansive online marketplace.
Here are several key reasons why prioritising SEO is vital for e-commerce businesses:
Driving organic traffic & increasing sales
Search engine optimisation (SEO) is your primary key to attracting potential online customers who are searching for products or services similar to yours.
By implementing effective SEO strategies, you can significantly boost organic traffic, which in turn can lead to higher conversion rates and increased sales.
Building brand awareness & credibility
Ranking high on search results enhances your brand visibility and makes your website seem like a trustworthy resource to consumers. Ranking at the top of search results puts your brand in the spotlight and enhances its credibility.
After all, 90% of online users do not make a brand choice before conducting a search, underscoring the importance of SEO in shaping brand perception.
Cost-effectiveness & long-term growth
When compared to paid advertising, SEO offers a more budget-friendly approach to attracting customers. While paid campaigns necessitate ongoing investment, the advantages of SEO are often long-lasting and sustainable, resulting in a constant flow of organic traffic over time.
Enhancing user experience
Your website’s SEO goes beyond search engines; it involves optimising various aspects to meet search engine algorithms, which usually translates to a better user experience.
A website that is user-friendly—complete with fast loading times, intuitive navigation, and mobile responsiveness—keeps visitors engaged and encourages conversions.
Elements such as customisable URLs and mobile optimisation, which are vital for SEO, also contribute positively to the overall user experience.
Gaining a competitive advantage
Effective implementation of SEO can provide you with a competitive edge by enhancing your website’s visibility compared to your rivals. By ranking higher for relevant keywords, you can capture a larger share of potential customers, establishing your brand as a leader in your industry.
Utilising SEO tools to analyse competitor performance can reveal areas for improvement and opportunities for outranking them. Ultimately, SEO is not merely a technical checklist; it’s a foundational component of a successful e-commerce strategy.
Final thoughts
When it comes to determining which eCommerce platform is best for SEO, doing your homework by researching and comparing the available options can be immensely beneficial.
Ultimately, though, the “best” e-commerce platform for SEO is a subjective choice, one that hinges on your unique business needs, technical skills, budget constraints, SEO strategy, and long-term objectives.
So, take a moment to reflect on your goals, identify the features you find most essential, and select a platform that aligns with your requirements.
