Creating SEO-Friendly URL Structures and Blog Posts in BigCommerce

Are you struggling to gain visibility in search engines with your BigCommerce store? You’re not alone. While BigCommerce offers robust e-commerce features, maximizing your SEO potential requires strategic URL structuring and content optimization.

Understanding URL Structure in BigCommerce

Your URL structure serves as both a navigational tool for users and a ranking signal for search engines. A well-crafted URL can significantly impact your store’s search visibility.

Configuring URL Settings in BigCommerce

BigCommerce allows you to customize your URL structure through the admin panel:

1. Navigate to Store Setup > Store Settings > URL Structure
2. Select from four options: SEO Optimized, Short, Long, or Custom
3. For products, the recommended setting is SEO Optimized (Category), which includes the first category in product URLs

This creates URLs in the format /category/product instead of generic paths like /products?id=12345, immediately signaling to search engines what your page contains.

URL Formatting Best Practices

For maximum SEO benefit in BigCommerce:

• Use hyphens between words: Choose /blue-womens-t-shirt rather than /blue_womens_t_shirt or /bluewomenstshirt
• Include keywords early: Structure URLs like /womens-running-shoes/ with primary keywords at the front
• Keep URLs concise: Shorter URLs tend to rank better and are more user-friendly
• Remove unnecessary parameters: Clean URLs without query strings perform better

According to BigCommerce’s own SEO guidelines, “Placing your primary keyword in the URL and keeping it simple can improve search rankings.”

Handling Product Categories and Duplicate Content

BigCommerce intelligently addresses a common e-commerce SEO challenge: products appearing in multiple categories. The platform will not generate duplicate URLs for the same product when it’s listed under multiple categories, instead using the first category in the URL structure.

For example, a t-shirt in both “Women’s” and “Sale” categories will have a single URL: /womens/blue-t-shirt rather than creating duplicate content with /sale/blue-t-shirt. As noted by Orbit Media, “BigCommerce will not generate duplicate URLs for the same product page if it is listed under multiple categories.”

Canonical Tag Implementation

BigCommerce automatically generates canonical tags to indicate the preferred version of duplicate pages to search engines. This built-in feature helps prevent dilution of SEO equity across similar pages.

Creating SEO-Optimized Blog Content

The BigCommerce blog can be a powerful SEO tool when used strategically.

Blog URL Structure

Apply the same SEO principles to your blog URLs:

• Use descriptive keywords
• Keep URLs concise
• Maintain consistent formatting

Example of a well-structured blog URL: /eco-friendly-packaging-guide vs. /blog?post=12345

Content Optimization Strategies

For blog posts that drive traffic and conversions:

1. Conduct thorough keyword research: Target terms your potential customers are searching for using tools like Google Keyword Planner
2. Structure content with proper H1-H6 tags: Organize information logically for both readers and search engines
3. Write comprehensive content: Aim for 1,000+ words for detailed guides while maintaining readability
4. Include multimedia elements: Add relevant images with descriptive alt text (e.g., recycled-mailers.jpg)
5. Implement strategic internal linking: Connect blog posts to relevant product pages, enhancing navigation and SEO

Consider this example: A sustainable packaging store could create a comprehensive guide titled “Eco-Friendly Packaging Solutions for E-commerce Businesses” that naturally links to their recyclable mailer products while targeting valuable search terms.

Meta Description Optimization

Create compelling meta descriptions under 160 characters that include primary keywords and clear calls-to-action. While not a direct ranking factor, well-crafted meta descriptions improve click-through rates, which indirectly benefits SEO.

For instance: “Discover our top 5 eco-friendly packaging solutions that reduce waste and impress customers. Sustainable options for every budget.”

Managing URL Changes and Redirects

When updating your URL structure:

1. Create 301 redirects for any changed URLs to preserve SEO equity
2. Access redirect management through the BigCommerce control panel
3. Monitor for broken links after implementing changes

According to BigCommerce’s technical SEO guide, proper redirect management is crucial when modifying your site structure to maintain search rankings and user experience.

Measuring SEO Performance

Track the impact of your URL and blog optimizations through:

• Google Search Console: Monitor indexing status and search performance
• BigCommerce Analytics: Track traffic and conversion patterns
• Third-party tools: Consider dedicated SEO platforms for deeper insights

Set up regular reporting to track keyword rankings, organic traffic growth, and conversion rates from your optimized pages.

Implementing BigCommerce-Specific SEO Features

BigCommerce offers several built-in SEO tools:

• Schema.org markup: Automatically included to enhance rich snippets in search results
• Mobile optimization: Essential for search rankings as Google prioritizes mobile-first indexing
• Page speed enhancements: Configure image compression and caching options

While BigCommerce provides solid foundational blog capabilities, stores seeking advanced content marketing features might benefit from AI-powered content automation solutions that integrate with the platform’s native features to scale SEO efforts more efficiently.

Conclusion

Optimizing your BigCommerce store’s URL structure and blog content requires attention to technical details and ongoing content creation efforts. By implementing these best practices, you’ll create a solid foundation for improved search visibility that drives more organic traffic to your store.

Remember that SEO is a long-term strategy – consistency in applying these URL and content optimization techniques will yield compounding benefits over time. Start with properly configured URL structures, then build a content strategy that leverages BigCommerce’s built-in tools while addressing your customers’ specific search queries.