E-Commerce Strategy – Increase Branding and Reduce SEO

Focusing too much on search engine optimization (SEO) instead of branding hurts businesses in the long run.

As we have consistently seen with Google’s updates, a website’s position in search engines is never truly secure. While some businesses do not experience a significant change in ranking after an update, others enjoying the first page find themselves dropping deeply into distant pages. However, companies that have created strong brands are not solely relying on product keywords to get seen.

Problem with Focusing on SEO Strategies

Relying on search engine optimization (SEO) is a problem small e-commerce businesses face since it does not guarantee long-time success, as search engines continuously change their algorithms. It also requires constant tweaking of the website, fighting furiously for high-competition keywords and becoming susceptible to forces outside its control. Long-tail keywords are also now becoming in demand as competitors continuously search for ways to increase their traffic.

It can be a mistake for smaller businesses to focus solely on SEO when starting, thinking that this is what they need to be found. Instead, concentrating their efforts on branding and customer service can spark a chain of word-of-mouth advertising – the best form of advertisement since it is free! Martin Taylor from Smoking Chilli Media, an SEO Kent company, says, “Since it’s more and more difficult to find “new” buyers for your sites, it’s more important than ever to ensure that your website is familiar to your clients because repeat business is a lot more beneficial than one time customers.”

Increasing Budget for E-Commerce Store Branding

Focusing more on branding can help the business gain a lasting impression on its current customer base and encourage word-of-mouth advertising. A loyal customer base stays strong whenever Google, or another search engine, changes its algorithm and will search for the business’s name instead of high-competition keywords. The company needs to become the keyword.

Tips for Branding Your Website

Branding online can be done by increasing its advertisement efforts, being highly interactive on social media websites and creating the ultimate customer service experience. The goal is for potential consumers and present customers to gain a positive mental image of the business, to understand what the company represents, and to feel confident that the company is sensitive to their needs.

Some tips for branding include looking good, getting noticed and building trust. While these are excellent tips, businesses should focus on their unique strengths and create a dialogue with customers. Social websites, such as Facebook and Instagram, can help companies enter dialogue with potential customers and customers and make it easier for them to spread the word about the company or its products. The website should have a unique voice and image. Just pasting photos with manufacturer descriptions is no longer the way of the future.

Even though SEO is an essential aspect of e-commerce businesses, it should be focused on something other than as the primary tactic for gaining new customers. By focusing on those within its current reach, its branding efforts can encourage word-of-mouth advertisement to increase its online presence.