How to do SEO for Ecommerce Websites in 2025 [For Beginners]

After years of working directly with ecommerce SEO, one thing stands out: trends come and go, but mastering the basics is what consistently drives success.

In 2025, it’s about matching user intent, optimizing site structures, and building authority. New tools, techniques, and ranking factors have also been introduced, and beginners need to take note.

In this guide, I’ll show you the fundamentals of optimizing an ecommerce site for search engines in 2025. No fluff, no filler, just practical knowledge I’ve picked up from working on real online stores.

By the end, you’ll be able to create an SEO plan tailored for your store, even if you’re completely new.

Why SEO Still Matters in 2025

I often get asked, “Why bother with SEO in 2025? Isn’t social media now the top channel for ecommerce?” Social media is great for brand awareness and customer engagement, but organic search still drives a large part of online shopping.

There is another reason: sustainability. Paid ads can be costly. They might generate immediate traffic, but when you stop running them, the visitors disappear.

SEO, when done right, is a long-term investment that continuously brings in free traffic.

The initial effort of optimizing your ecommerce site keeps paying off month after month, sometimes for years.

With more searches coming from mobile devices and voice commands, the challenge is real.

Customers using voice commands like “Hey Alexa, find me affordable running shoes” are ready to buy. Ranking for those queries translates directly into revenue.

Keyword Research and Intent

I always tell beginners that keyword research is the guide for your SEO efforts. If you get it wrong, your efforts might target the wrong audience.

Brainstorming Keywords

I like to keep it simple at first:

• Use Google’s autocomplete to see what phrases appear when I type a seed keyword like “running shoes.”
• Look at Amazon’s search suggestions as I type.
• Visit competitors’ sites to see which words they use in product titles and descriptions.

These methods help you build an initial list of keywords.

Then, I use a dedicated keyword research tool such as SEO.AI, Ahrefs, SEMrush, or a free option like Ubersuggest to check search volume, competition, and related queries.

Long-Tail Keywords

Keywords with more specific phrases like “lightweight running shoes for marathons” tend to offer great results.

They usually have lower search volume but less competition and higher conversion rates. People using these specific terms mostly know what they want and are closer to making a purchase.

Many beginners focus only on high-volume, generic keywords. However, it often makes more sense to start with more targeted terms. Build success in those small areas, gain confidence, and then work on the broader markets.

Buying Intent vs. Informational Intent

When selling online, you’re not just attracting casual visitors.

You want people who are ready to buy.

A search like “best laptop for graphic design under $1000” shows clear purchase intent. By contrast, a search like “how to design a logo in Photoshop” is more about learning.

Still, having a blog or resource section can attract visitors at the top of the funnel who may convert later.

On-Page Optimization: Category & Product Pages

After completing keyword research, the next step is placing those keywords in strategic positions. Category and product pages are vital for an ecommerce site’s revenue, so they deserve extra care.

Crafting Unique Product Descriptions

A common mistake is using the manufacturer’s default description. Avoid that.

Search engines value original content that naturally includes your keywords, and your customers benefit from clear and engaging information.

• Write in a way that addresses common buyer questions like materials, sizing, and functionality
• Include your main keyword in the page title, first headline, and naturally throughout the content
• Avoid overusing keywords; always write with people in mind

Category Page Optimization

These pages serve as the main entry point for visitors looking through sets of products. To optimize them:

1. Use a clear and descriptive headline that includes a relevant keyword.
2. Write a short introduction (around 100–200 words) that summarizes the key features of the products in that section.
3. Create a tidy URL structure (for example, “/running-shoes/men/” instead of something like “/product-category-123/”).

These pages can rank well too. Search engines often show them when people search using broader terms like “men’s running shoes.”

Descriptive URLs

Good URLs make a difference. Changing a messy URL into a clear one can boost click-through rates. For example:

Before: www.example.com/cat12/pid765/?ref=ABC

‍After: www.example.com/running-shoes/men/lightweight

Keep URLs short, relevant, and easy to read. This benefits both visitors and search engines.

Technical SEO for 2025

Now we move on to the behind-the-scenes elements that help search engines crawl and rank your site.

Prioritizing Site Speed

Fast loading times are essential for a good user experience. In 2025, few people will wait more than a couple of seconds.

A slow site causes visitors to leave and can hurt your rankings.

Google still relies on metrics that focus on how fast your site loads, how interactive it is, and whether its layout stays steady during loading.

Quick tips for improving speed:

• Compress images using tools like TinyPNG.
• Use a content delivery network (CDN) for faster global loading.
• Reduce the size of CSS and JavaScript files.
• Choose a reliable web host that is optimized for ecommerce.

Mobile-First Design

Making sure your site works well on mobile devices is essential. Without mobile optimization, you could be missing out on a large portion of your potential audience.

Since Google indexes sites primarily based on their mobile version, your phone experience matters the most.

Focus on:

• Responsive design so pages adapt to different screen sizes
• Buttons that are easy to click
• Images that load quickly
• Minimal pop-ups on mobile to keep the experience smooth

Internal Linking and Navigation

Internal linking connects the various parts of your ecommerce store. A clear navigation structure helps search engines index your pages and helps visitors find products they might be interested in.

A simple internal linking strategy is to include “Related Products” or “You Might Also Like” sections on product pages. You can also write blog posts that mention relevant products and include links to product pages.

Structured Data Markup

Using structured data (via schema.org) can help search engines display extra details like star ratings, prices, and stock status in search results. These elements can increase click-through rates.

Although using schema markup can be challenging for beginners, many modern ecommerce platforms, such as Shopify or WooCommerce, offer plugins that take care of these details.

You can also check your pages using Google’s Rich Results Test to make sure everything is set up properly.

Building Authority Through Backlinks and Reviews

Once your on-page and technical aspects are taken care of, it’s time to work on off-site factors. This means earning links from other websites and gathering reviews.

Start With Simple Methods

Here are some practical ways to build quality backlinks for your ecommerce site:

• Ask suppliers or partners if they can add a link to your store when listing retailers
• Request reviews from actual customers on appropriate platforms—positive reviews can appear in rich snippets when structured data is used correctly
• If you sponsor local events or charities, see if you can get a link from their sponsor page

Guest Posts and Content Collaborations

Writing posts for industry blogs is still a useful technique in 2025. Focus on sites that are relevant to your niche and offer valuable, in-depth content for their readers.

This approach can help you secure quality links, even if you’re just starting out.

Working together with bloggers or influencers on a piece of content can also earn you a strong backlink and direct traffic to your site.

These connections might lead to further collaborations, including product endorsements.

The Review Link-Building Strategy

For product reviews, consider reaching out to bloggers or YouTubers who regularly cover products in your area.

Offer your product in exchange for an honest review. If they like it, they are likely to include a link back to your site. Just be sure your review process is transparent and based on genuine opinions.

Stories from the Field (Case Studies)

Real-life examples often provide the best insights:

1. Edelweiss Bakery grew organic traffic by 214% in four months. Their team improved on-page elements, handled technical audits, restructured the site, and built backlinks. They secured 230 new backlinks during that period, turning a simple local website into a successful online store.
2. Learning with Experts improved keyword research, performed site audits, and refined on-page content. As a result, they saw a 59% increase in organic sessions and a 94% revenue boost in five months. They focused on target keywords, reorganized their site, and began producing content around those terms.
3. CMA Exam Academy focused on basic SEO improvements, including technical fixes and expanded content, leading to a 125% revenue increase. They relied on consistent efforts with fundamental best practices rather than advanced tactics.

Practical Tools and Resources

It isn’t possible to manage every aspect of SEO by hand, given the volume of data involved. Fortunately, 2025 offers plenty of user-friendly tools:

Here are some essential SEO tools every ecommerce site should use:

• Google Search Console – A direct way to see how Google views your site
• Ahrefs or SEMrush – Platforms to assist with keyword research, backlink tracking, and overall site audits
• MozBar – A browser extension for quickly checking page authority and structure
• PageSpeed Insights – A tool to review your site’s speed and performance metrics
• Screaming Frog – Useful for scanning your site to identify issues like broken links or duplicate tags

Basic SEO Tasks

This table helps prioritize where to invest your time.

Begin with tasks that are simple yet have a significant impact, like on-page optimization, and then take on more complex tasks such as outreach for links.