This is my journey as an E-commerce Consultant
Archive for May, 2007
Tech Crunch UK – All about the startups 2.0
1830 days
Tech Crunch which is a blog that coveres web 2.0 and mobile start ups is re-launching again in the UK around June.
TechCrunch, founded by Michael Arrington on 11 June 2005, is a weblog dedicated to obsessively profiling and reviewing new Internet products and companies. In addition to new companies, we profile existing companies that are making a commercial or cultural impact on the new web space.
They are looking for representation for their conference in San Francisco in sept. I so wish I could go! But I am not a start up……yet…..
Optimising a Channeladvisor Store
1830 days
Channeladvisor is a great listing tool for larger companies who need an automated solution for eBay and Amazon (and Overstock in the US). To add value it also has a store/website attachment with cname capabilities so you can run a website and ebay all together. Channeladvisor also provides feeds to shopping comparison sites such as Google Base, Shopzilla and Kelkoo but to name a few.
The channeladvisor store is by far the weakest point in channeladvisor as a ‘one solution e-commerce’ system and you have limited obvious SEO control.
(For all of this I am going to assume you are already logged into channel management)
Header Information:
HTML Titles: These are important and within channeladvisor you can specify the main page title in stores>store name and logo.
Meta Keywords: Pick 10 keywords to focus on that cover you main products. For example Rubbergirls-Blue-Boutique sells lingerie and shoes so the main keywords focused on are:
Leg Avenue, Dreamgirl, Vollers, Axfords, Sensual Mystique, Pleaser, Demonia, Hustler, Vacari, Bridal Lingerie, Wedding Lingerie, Nuptial Lingerie, Sexy Costumes, Fetish Lingerie, Corset
Place these keywords in your categories also as you have the opportunity to add in keywords for each category ( store>manage categories – click on the category name)
Meta Description: Its not just HTML titles and keywords a search engine picks up on it is also the meta description. Make sure you add a main page description in store name and logo AND a description for you categories.
This is the main listing in Google for the above website:
RubberGirls Blue Boutique | Bridal Corsetry | Hen Night Fancy …
Rubbergirls Blue Boutique Provides excellent pricing for gothic, alternative and exotic clothing and footwear. Our brands include Leg Avenue, …
www.rubbergirls-blue-boutique.co.uk/ – 61k
Header Image: Make sure you use the alt functionality for your header image too
Item Details :
Rockabilly Demonia EMO Shoes Polkadot Goth: DAI20/BW RubberGirls …
Black With white polka dot flat shoe!- Available in Sizes UK 4-10 Shipping for these shoes is £3.50/£6.00 as they are a light item!
www.rubbergirls-blue-boutique.co.uk/
Within channeladvisor you store title precedes the HTML title and becomes searchable on google. You can make sure you repeat a main keyword in your item titles, in fact you could possible squeeze more keywords in there! this title formation look familiar? Its the same title format as you would use in ebay. Tanked full of keyword goodness.
Keyword Links:
Google along with many other search engines like keyword links like Cybergoth Hair Extensions. Make sure you name your categories and sub categories appropriately with a good keyword and go to store>manage store layouts>home page layout and make sure you choose the option to display all your sub categories on the main page. Instant keyword links. ( P.S Make sure you have added an image to each or your categories or it could look a little dull)
Shopping Comparison:
To get ahead with google use google services! Google base is a free classifieds and syndicated everyday from automatically from channeladvisor (Console> Shopping comparison)
Other shopping comparison feeds can be used but they are pay per click
Track your results:
See what is going on with google analytics, sign up for an account and make sure you enter the information in store>store tracking. If you know what’s going on you can improve your SEO campaign
Every piece of software is what you make it and channeladvisor is no different.
P.S Rubbergirls Blue Boutique is MY store and also designed by me, if you want to know how I changed the layout then email me at liz@kidsontalks.com and if I have the time I will tell you.
Keyword Ranking Experiment – Change
1831 days
I have increased the number of keyword text on both the home pages of both sites after I checked how my site would look to a search engine. Homepage keywords are very important and also how a search engine spider views your website.
Check yours out now!
Lil bit on web usability….
1831 days
Design a clear and simple navigation system.
According to Web usability expert, Jakob Nielsen, a good navigation system should answer three questions:
- Where am I?
- Where have I been?
- Where can I go?
Keep it constant: Navigation system should be in the same place on every page
Make the content easy to scan – most users only scan read websites
Put the most important content at the top of the page
Avoid text inside images – search engines can no read it and if you have McAfee or Norton Anti Virus, a lot of images can be blocked.
Use the alt and title functionality for images that are links to other pages
Be careful with font colour and background contrast. If your user can not read the text it won’t be effective.
Things to remember when you design your e-commerce store
1831 days
On the item detail:
1. Easy display of shipping costs for the item
2. Explanation of options and where to enter them if you have not got a drop down system.
3. Order delivery/processing times clearly displayed with the item
4. Display of accepted payment methods on the item in the form of an image
5. Clear, precise image – show all colour options if available and practical
On the site as additional pages:
1. Clearly state your terms and conditions including returns and replacement. Use laymen’s terms .
2. Describe in detail the shipping options and prices
3. Contact details, including an email form
4. External Links page for affiliates and shop directory back links
5. Size/Options chart if needed
6. Build and FAQ’s section from customer questions
Site Structure
1. Three clicks to products, use category sub tree’s
2. Search functionality
SEO
1. Write keyword rich titles
2. Include the titles in the URLs/HTML header if possible
3. Submit inventory to Google base, its free so why not!
4. Identify 10 core keywords for your site/products and try to use them as often as possible in the correct context. No random keyword spamming!
You can do so much more but these are the simple basics to setting up an e-commerce store. Remember your customer over your SEO techniques. Accessibility is everything!
