Product category pages target high-volume search queries. Optimizing these pages for organic search rankings can be difficult because these pages are typically generated dynamically based on available inventory.
Here’s how to improve the organic rankings of your e-commerce site’s category pages.
Category page SEO
1. Start with the title and meta description
title tag and meta description It is the basis of content optimization. The title tag is the most influential on-page element of the page’s keyword theme. Meta descriptions are not ranking signals, but when Google uses meta descriptions in listing snippets, they can influence click-throughs in search results.
Title tags and meta descriptions are located within the HTML code. Most content management systems provide access to both.
- Try to keep it concise, descriptive, and helpful.
- Include your main keywords.
- Avoid keyword stuffing as this sends negative signals to Google.
2. Make your headline relevant and informative
Next, optimize your heading tags, starting at the top of the visible page. H1, H2 etc. — Helps search engines understand the context of content in a particular section.
Google uses H1 headings to create organic search snippets for your pages. H2 and H3 subheadings highlight supporting themes such as related product subcategories and filters.
3. Include product details
The purpose of category pages is not only to attract traffic, but also to entice visitors to buy your products. It’s not enough to list products on your page. Provide enough details about each product listed for visitors to make a decision and for search engines to understand its purpose.
Important product details on category pages typically include:
- price.
- Average rating.
- Colors available.
- Specifications such as size and material.
4. Provide helpful text
The text on your category page should be useful not only to search engines, but also to people. You don’t have to dominate the page.
Note that product category pages tend to rank for purchase intent queries. Therefore, the text should help searchers evaluate your product. Think about what works for your shoppers.
Depending on your product, it may include helpful text such as:
- Related FAQs.
- How to use the item.
- A brief description of the products in the category.
- price.
- Social proof such as customer reviews.
- Examples of product usage by buyers.
5. Links to other internal sections
Product category pages are typically located at the top of your e-commerce site structure. So if you add a link, Other internal sections Efficiently distribute link fairness.
For example, Home Depot links to related categories, searches, and products on each category page.
Home Depot links to related categories, searches, and products on each category page. Click on the image to enlarge.
6. Emphasize category navigation
Categories help shoppers find products. However, navigation affects each page’s indexing, authority, and relevance in organic search. Therefore, including related words will help your rankings.
Make sure your main category pages are linked from your site’s primary navigation with clear and descriptive anchor text. However, don’t stuff your navigation with keywords. Keyword-focused navigation links are repetitive and difficult to navigate.
Secure search engine can crawl Faceted navigation before optimization. Otherwise, the effort is in vain.
7. Use breadcrumbs
breadcrumbs Help humans and search engines understand the structure of your site. ( breadcrumb list Schema.org markup types are also useful for search engines. ) Breadcrumbs spread link fairness across main categories and subcategories.
For example, Ikea has detailed breadcrumb navigation on its product category pages.
IKEA inserts detailed breadcrumb navigation on product category pages. Click on the image to enlarge.
