Optimising your product pages for search engines is crucial for driving organic traffic and increasing sales. Whether you’re a seasoned business or just starting, these unique tips will help you stand out from the competition and improve your SEO game.
1. Implement Structured Data Markup
Structured data markup, such as Schema.org, helps search engines understand your product pages better. By providing detailed information like product price, availability, and reviews, you enhance your chances of appearing in rich snippets, increasing click-through rates.
Here Is An Example Of How To Do This In WordPress
Implementing structured data markup in WordPress can be done using plugins or manually adding code. Here’s an example of how to do this using a popular plugin, Schema Pro, and also by manually adding JSON-LD code.
Using Schema Pro Plugin
- Install and Activate Schema Pro:
- Go to your WordPress dashboard.
- Navigate to
Plugins > Add New
. - Search for “Schema Pro”.
- Install and activate the plugin.
- Configure Schema Pro:
- After activation, go to
Settings > Schema Pro
. - Click on
Add New
to create a new schema. - Select the
Product
schema type from the list. - Choose the conditions for where this schema should be applied (e.g., all product pages).
- Map Your Fields:
- Schema Pro will guide you through mapping your product fields to the appropriate schema fields (e.g., product name, description, price).
- Complete the mapping process and save your settings.
Manually Adding JSON-LD Code
If you prefer to add the code manually, you can do so by adding JSON-LD structured data to your product pages. Here’s a basic example:
- Access Theme Editor:
- Go to your WordPress dashboard.
- Navigate to
Appearance > Theme Editor
. - Select the
header.php
file or use a child theme to ensure your changes aren’t overwritten during updates.
- Add JSON-LD Script:
- Insert the following JSON-LD script into the
<head>
section of yourheader.php
file. Customise the values based on your product details.
<script type="application/ld+json">
{
"@context": "https://schema.org/",
"@type": "Product",
"name": "Sample Product",
"image": [
"https://example.com/photos/1x1/photo.jpg",
"https://example.com/photos/4x3/photo.jpg",
"https://example.com/photos/16x9/photo.jpg"
],
"description": "This is a sample product description.",
"sku": "0446310786",
"mpn": "925872",
"brand": {
"@type": "Brand",
"name": "Acme"
},
"review": {
"@type": "Review",
"reviewRating": {
"@type": "Rating",
"ratingValue": "4",
"bestRating": "5"
},
"author": {
"@type": "Person",
"name": "John Doe"
}
},
"offers": {
"@type": "Offer",
"url": "https://example.com/product/sample-product",
"priceCurrency": "USD",
"price": "29.99",
"priceValidUntil": "2024-12-31",
"itemCondition": "https://schema.org/NewCondition",
"availability": "https://schema.org/InStock",
"seller": {
"@type": "Organization",
"name": "Example.com"
}
}
}
</script>
- Save Your Changes:
- Save the changes to your
header.php
file.
Verifying Your Structured Data
After implementing structured data, it’s important to verify that it’s working correctly:
- Use Google’s Structured Data Testing Tool:
- Go to Google’s Structured Data Testing Tool.
- Enter the URL of your product page or paste the code snippet.
- Check for any errors or warnings and adjust your markup as needed.
By using either the Schema Pro plugin or manually adding JSON-LD code, you can effectively implement structured data markup on your WordPress product pages to enhance their SEO and visibility in search results.
2. Leverage User-Generated Content
Encourage customers to leave reviews, photos, and videos of your products. This user-generated content not only adds valuable keywords to your pages but also builds trust and engagement, which are key ranking factors.
Leveraging user-generated content (UGC) is a powerful strategy to enhance the authenticity and SEO of your product pages. Here’s an example of how to achieve this on a WordPress platform, along with some recommended plugins.
Example
Suppose you run an online store selling skincare products. Encourage customers to share their experiences by leaving reviews, uploading before-and-after photos, and sharing video testimonials. Display these reviews and images prominently on your product pages to provide social proof and additional insights for potential buyers. This not only enriches the content on your pages with relevant keywords but also enhances credibility and user engagement.
Plugins for User-Generated Content on WordPress
WP Customer Reviews
- Description: This plugin allows you to set up a review section on your product pages where customers can leave feedback. It supports moderation, letting you approve reviews before they are published.
- Features: Customisable review forms, anti-spam measures, and schema markup for better SEO.
Taqyeem
- Description: A premium WordPress review plugin that helps you add beautiful, customisable review boxes to your product pages.
- Features: Various rating styles, translation ready, and supports rich snippets for SEO.
Photo Reviews for WooCommerce
- Description: This plugin allows customers to attach photos to their product reviews. It’s particularly useful for visual products like skincare, where seeing real results can influence purchasing decisions.
- Features: Photo reviews, review reminder emails, and integration with WooCommerce.
Smash Balloon Social Photo Feed
- Description: Display user-generated Instagram photos on your product pages. This plugin fetches photos from specific hashtags or user accounts, showcasing real-life usage of your products.
- Features: Customisable feeds, responsive design, and multiple layout options.
Yotpo Reviews
- Description: A comprehensive solution for collecting and displaying product reviews, ratings, and photos from your customers.
- Features: Automated review request emails, in-depth analytics, and integration with various eCommerce platforms including WooCommerce.
Ultimately, you can effectively leverage user-generated content to enhance your product pages, improve SEO, and build a more trustworthy and engaging shopping experience for your customers.
3. Optimise for Voice Search
With the rise of voice-activated devices, optimising your product pages for voice search is essential. Use natural language and long-tail keywords that mimic how people speak to ensure your products are found in voice search results.
How It’s Done
To do this, focus on using natural language and long-tail keywords that mimic how people speak. For instance, instead of targeting the keyword “best running shoes,” you might optimise for “What are the best running shoes for flat feet?” This approach helps your content align with conversational queries users might ask their devices. Additionally, incorporating structured data and concise, informative answers within your content can increase the chances of your product pages being featured in voice search results, driving more organic traffic to your site.
4. Create Detailed FAQs
Include a comprehensive FAQ section on your product pages. Address common questions and concerns using relevant keywords. This not only improves user experience but also increases the likelihood of your page appearing in featured snippets.
The Best Place To Put FAQs On Your Website
The best place to position FAQs is towards the bottom of the product page, just above the footer. Placing FAQs here is effective because it allows customers to browse through product details, images, and descriptions first, addressing their primary interests and engagement areas. As they scroll down, they naturally encounter the FAQs, which provide answers to potential questions or concerns that might arise after reviewing the main content. This placement ensures that users have all the necessary information without interrupting their initial browsing experience. Additionally, FAQs at the bottom keep the page clean and organised while still being easily accessible for those seeking more information, thus improving the overall usability and search engine optimisation of the page.
5. Utilise High-Quality, Unique Images
Search engines value unique content, including images. Use original, high-quality photos of your products and optimise them with descriptive alt text. This improves your chances of appearing in image search results.
While stock images and free image websites are common options, leveraging AI-generated content can offer distinct advantages. Here are a few examples of using AI-generated images from platforms like Discord’s AI art communities and why a small investment in these resources can make your website look unique:
Examples of Using AI-Generated Images
Product Customisation Visuals
- Use AI tools to generate images that showcase customisable aspects of your products. For example, if you sell furniture, AI can create visuals of different fabric patterns, colours, and styles, providing a tailored shopping experience.
Conceptual Imagery
- Create conceptual images that highlight the lifestyle or usage scenarios of your products. If you sell outdoor gear, AI can generate dynamic images of your products being used in various adventurous settings, even those that are hard to capture in real life.
Abstract and Artistic Representations
- Utilise AI to produce abstract or artistic interpretations of your products. This can be particularly effective for brands with a strong design focus or those in creative industries, offering a unique aesthetic that stands out.
Benefits of Investing in AI-Generated Images
Uniqueness and Originality
- AI-generated images are custom-made and unique, ensuring that your website visuals are one-of-a-kind. Unlike stock photos, which can be overused and appear on multiple sites, AI images are tailored to your specific needs and brand identity.
Cost-Effectiveness
- While high-quality stock images can be expensive, AI-generated images often come at a fraction of the cost. Platforms like Discord’s AI art communities frequently offer affordable options, and investing in these can save money in the long run while providing unique visuals.
Creative Flexibility
- AI-generated images offer unparalleled creative flexibility. You can generate visuals that precisely match your vision, whether it’s fantastical environments, innovative product displays, or specific colour schemes. This level of customisation is rarely achievable with traditional photography or stock images.
Time Efficiency
- Generating images with AI is significantly faster than organising photoshoots or sifting through stock image libraries. This efficiency allows for quicker updates and the ability to keep your product pages fresh and relevant with new visuals.
Platforms for AI-Generated Images
- Discord AI Art Communities: Communities on Discord, like MidJourney, offer AI-generated art and images. You can join these communities, request specific visuals, and interact with artists who use AI tools to create custom content.
- DALL-E: An AI image generator by OpenAI that can create detailed images from textual descriptions. This tool allows you to generate unique product visuals based on specific prompts you provide.
- NightCafe Creator: A user-friendly AI art generator that can create stunning images based on various styles and prompts. It’s an accessible option for generating creative and unique visuals for your product pages.
By investing in AI-generated images, you can enhance the uniqueness and appeal of your product pages without breaking the bank. This approach not only distinguishes your brand from competitors but also ensures that your visuals are tailored to your specific needs, improving both SEO and user engagement.
6. Incorporate Video Content
Video content is highly engaging and can significantly boost your SEO. Create product demo videos, tutorials, or customer testimonials and embed them on your product pages. Make sure to include relevant keywords in the video title and description.
The best methods for adding video content involve creating high-quality videos, hosting them on a platform like YouTube, and then embedding them into your product pages. Here’s why this approach works well:
Best Methods for Incorporating Video Content
Host Videos on YouTube
- Why: YouTube is the second largest search engine in the world and is owned by Google, which means videos hosted on YouTube are more likely to appear in Google search results. Hosting videos on YouTube also reduces the load on your website’s server, ensuring faster page load times and better user experience.
- How: Upload your product demo videos, tutorials, or customer testimonials to your YouTube channel. Optimise each video with relevant titles, descriptions, tags, and links back to your website.
Embed YouTube Videos on Product Pages
- Why: Embedding YouTube videos on your product pages can keep visitors engaged longer, reducing bounce rates and potentially increasing conversion rates. It also allows you to take advantage of YouTube’s robust streaming capabilities without affecting your site’s performance.
- How: Use the embed code provided by YouTube to integrate videos directly into your product pages. Simply go to your video on YouTube, click the “Share” button, select “Embed,” and copy the provided HTML code. Paste this code into the appropriate section of your product page in WordPress.
Optimise Video Placement
- Why: Strategic placement of videos can enhance user engagement and ensure they are seen by visitors. Videos should be placed prominently on the product page, such as near the top, alongside product images, or within the product description.
- How: Ensure the video is clearly visible and accessible without requiring users to scroll excessively. A good practice is to position it above or alongside the product description or within a dedicated video section.
Use Relevant Keywords and Transcriptions
- Why: Including keywords in your video titles, descriptions, and tags helps improve SEO. Transcriptions and captions make your videos accessible to a wider audience and can be indexed by search engines, providing additional content for search engine crawlers.
- How: Write detailed and keyword-rich descriptions for each video. Use YouTube’s built-in captioning tool to add transcriptions or upload your own SRT files.
Promote Video Content Across Channels
- Why: Promoting your videos on social media, email newsletters, and other marketing channels can drive traffic back to your product pages and increase visibility.
- How: Share your YouTube videos on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Include links to your videos in email campaigns and encourage subscribers to visit your product pages.
Example of Embedding a YouTube Video
Here’s a simple example of how to embed a YouTube video on a WordPress product page:
Upload Your Video to YouTube
- Ensure the video is optimised with a descriptive title, tags, and a link to your product page in the description.
Get the Embed Code
- Go to your video on YouTube.
- Click the “Share” button below the video.
- Select “Embed” and copy the HTML code provided.
Add the Embed Code to Your Product Page
- In your WordPress dashboard, navigate to the product page where you want to add the video.
- Switch to the HTML editor (or use a block editor if you’re using Gutenberg).
- Paste the embed code where you want the video to appear.
- Save and publish your changes.
Example Embed Code
<div style="text-align:center;">
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/your_video_id" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div>
By following these methods, you can effectively incorporate video content into your product pages, enhancing user engagement, improving SEO, and potentially boosting sales.
7. Enhance Mobile Usability
A mobile-friendly website is crucial for SEO. Ensure your product pages load quickly and display correctly on mobile devices. Use responsive design and test your pages on various devices to improve user experience and search engine rankings.
Example
One effective strategy is to choose a responsive WordPress theme that automatically adjusts layout and design elements based on the user’s device. For instance, themes like “Divi” or “GeneratePress” are known for their mobile responsiveness and customisable options. Another essential step is thorough testing across various devices and screen sizes before launching your product pages. This testing ensures that all elements, including images, text, and interactive features, display correctly and function smoothly on smartphones and tablets. By prioritising mobile usability and conducting comprehensive testing, you can optimise your product pages for a wider audience and enhance both user satisfaction and search engine visibility.
8. Optimise URL Structure
Keep your URLs short, descriptive, and keyword-rich. Avoid using unnecessary characters or numbers. A clean URL structure helps search engines understand the content of your page and improves crawlability.
Example
Instead of using generic URLs like “website.com/product123,” create descriptive URLs that include relevant keywords, such as “website.com/running-shoes-nike-air-max.” This not only helps search engines better understand the content of your pages but also improves click-through rates as users can quickly identify what the page is about. Keep URLs concise, avoid unnecessary parameters or numbers, and use hyphens to separate words for clarity. Additionally, ensure URLs are static and don’t change frequently to maintain consistency and avoid broken links.
9. Implement Internal Linking
Use internal links to guide users to related products and relevant content within your site. This not only keeps visitors engaged but also helps search engines index your pages more efficiently, improving your overall SEO.
Example
If you have a product page for running shoes, include links within the product description to related content, such as blog posts about the benefits of running, guides on choosing the right running shoes, or other products like running socks and athletic apparel. Additionally, create a section titled “Related Products” or “Customers Also Bought” to link to complementary items. This not only helps search engines understand the relationship between your pages but also keeps visitors engaged and encourages them to explore more of your site, potentially increasing sales and improving overall site metrics.
10. Regularly Update Content
Fresh content signals to search engines that your site is active and relevant. Regularly update your product descriptions, add new user reviews, and refresh images to keep your pages current and improve their ranking potential.
Example
Regularly update your content by leveraging your blog or news feed to target new key search terms and relevant subjects. For instance, if you sell fitness equipment, write blog posts about the latest fitness trends, workout routines, or health tips that incorporate new keywords and phrases users are searching for. Link these posts to your product pages where appropriate, such as referencing a new line of yoga mats in an article about home workout setups. This strategy not only keeps your site content fresh and engaging for existing users but also helps attract new visitors through search engines, driving organic traffic to your product pages.
Hi, I’m Dave. I’ve been building websites and helping businesses grow online for over 20 years. If you think we can work together, get in touch today and say hello.