Bigcommerce SEO Tips

When I started working with BigCommerce, I quickly realised that while it shares similarities with platforms like WordPress and Shopify, it also has its own unique SEO challenges - and opportunities. Over time, I’ve refined a clear approach to BigCommerce SEO that tackles the platform’s limitations and capitalises on its strengths. In this guide, I’m going to walk you through the BigCommerce SEO tips I use to help online retailers improve rankings, drive more organic traffic, and boost conversions.

Why SEO is important for Bigcommerce stores?

While the cost of digital advertising continues to climb, SEO remains the most profitable long-term channel. Many of our clients benefit from a 5-10 ROI on their SEO investments. As consumer behaviour evolves, with 70% of shoppers start product searches on Google and over 100 billion visual searches occurring annually, a brand’s visibility on the first page of results is no longer just a luxury (The #1 spot receives ~28.5% of all clicks) so strong rankings are the difference between capturing a global audience and fading into digital obscurity.

The problem is Bigcommerce has limited SEO Tools and Plugins

One of the first things I noticed when working with BigCommerce is the lack of SEO plugins compared to WordPress or WooCommerce. While platforms like WooCommerce let you install tools like Yoast SEO or All in One SEO, BigCommerce limits you to built-in functionality.

That’s why understanding BigCommerce SEO is essential - you need to know how to make the most of what the platform offers. I focus on configuring metadata manually, optimising site structure, and using the built-in SEO fields effectively. These BigCommerce SEO tips might not be plugin-based, but they’re just as powerful when used correctly.

So how can you optimise Bigcommerce stores for better rankings? 

BigCommerce offers built-in SEO features tailored to e-commerce, such as automatic meta tag generation, product-specific optimisation, and schema markup all of which cover the pillars of SEO which are Technical SEO, Onsite and Offsite

Technical SEO TIPS For BigCommerce

Technical SEO is where most of my projects start. BigCommerce gives you a head start with mobile-optimised templates and HTTPS, but there are several BigCommerce SEO tips I apply to ensure the site is performing at its best:

1.Optimise for Core Web Vitals (INP & LCP)

Google’s focus has shifted heavily toward Interaction to Next Paint (INP). While BigCommerce uses the Akamai Image Manager to automate image resizing, I take it a step further:

• Priority Hints: I manually add fetchpriority="high" to hero images to ensure the Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) happens instantly.
• Lazy Loading: I ensure all "below-the-fold" images and product carousels are set to lazy load, reducing the initial page weight.

2.Leverage One-Click AMP for Mobile

One of BigCommerce’s "secret weapons" is its native Google AMP (Accelerated Mobile Pages) support. By toggling this on for Product and Category pages, we create near-instant loading experiences for mobile searchers, which is a massive ranking signal.

3.Advanced Schema Markup (Beyond the Basics)

BigCommerce includes built-in JSON-LD, but it often lacks the depth needed for "Price Drop" alerts or "In Stock" badges in search results. I validate and extend your schema to include:

• AggregateRating: To ensure star ratings appear in SERPs.
• Offer Schema: To pull live pricing and availability into Google’s "Shopping" organic tab.

4.Use the Robots.txt Editor to Control Crawling

One of my go-to BigCommerce SEO tips is using the Robots.txt Editor to block unnecessary pages like cart, internal search, and filter URLs. This prevents crawl waste and improves your overall indexation. It’s a simple but often-overlooked tactic that makes a big difference in large stores.

5.Integrate Google Shopping and Social Listings with BigCommerce’s Channel Manager

BigCommerce makes it easy to push product listings to platforms like Google Shopping, Facebook, and Instagram. One of my favourite BigCommerce SEO tips is to keep these integrations active and updated. The more consistent your product data is across platforms, the stronger your presence will be.

6.Take Advantage of Sitewide SSL for Enhanced Security and Trust

Security isn’t just for protecting data - it also matters for rankings. One important BigCommerce SEO tip is making sure your SSL certificate is active across your whole site. Even though BigCommerce enables this by default, I always double-check it during audits.

7.Use Built-In JSON-LD Structured Data to Boost Rich Snippets

If there’s one BigCommerce SEO tip I repeat constantly, it’s this: take full advantage of the JSON-LD structured data that BigCommerce includes on product pages. I always run tests using Google’s Rich Results Testing Tool to ensure everything’s implemented correctly and to fix any warnings that might limit visibility.

8.Simplify Redirects with BigCommerce’s Built-In Redirect Manager

Redirects protect your SEO when URLs change or products are removed. One of my most practical BigCommerce SEO tips is to keep your Redirect Manager clean and up-to-date. I create 301 redirects for any retired product pages or changed URLs to preserve equity and improve user experience.

9.Optimise Default Metadata for Better Coverage

Metadata can’t be an afterthought. A key BigCommerce SEO tip I apply is setting up metadata templates for product and category pages, then manually updating high-priority pages. This hybrid approach ensures SEO coverage across your entire catalogue while still targeting top pages individually.

By combining these BigCommerce SEO tips with manual audits, I make sure every technical box is ticked.

Onsite Content 

Unlike blog-heavy platforms, BigCommerce stores rely on well-optimised product and category pages to rank. That’s why one of my core BigCommerce SEO tips is to invest time in writing keyword-focused, user-friendly product descriptions. I make sure titles, meta tags, and image alt text are all optimised too.

For category pages, I always include:

• Keyword-rich category descriptions
• Internal links to subcategories and key products
• Unique metadata per page
  

These BigCommerce SEO tips not only improve visibility but help customers find products faster.

10.Create a Custom 404 Page for Better UX and SEO

404 pages are often forgotten, but they’re valuable for SEO and user retention. One simple BigCommerce SEO tip I use is creating a branded 404 page with navigation, helpful links, and a search function. This reduces bounce rates and keeps users engaged.

Site Structure

Site structure is one of the most overlooked ranking factors. Some of my favourite BigCommerce SEO tips for site architecture include:

• Using short, descriptive URLs
  
• Adding breadcrumbs for better navigation
  
• Linking from blog posts to product and category pages
  
• Flattening the hierarchy to make key pages easier to reach
  

This makes your site easier to crawl and more intuitive for shoppers.

Some example tips which are unique to BigCommerce revolve around:

11. Manage Faceted Navigation URLs to Prevent Duplicate Content

Faceted URLs are a known issue on e-commerce sites. One of the more advanced BigCommerce SEO tips I apply is auditing filter URL parameters and blocking or canonicalising where needed. It’s a critical move if you want to avoid duplicate content penalties.

12. Optimise Your Blog Structure for SEO Impact

Because BigCommerce blogs are hosted on a subdomain by default, another important BigCommerce SEO tip is to interlink blog content with main site pages. This helps distribute authority and improves internal linking signals. If possible, I sometimes recommend migrating the blog to a subdirectory setup for stronger domain authority impact.

13. Clean Up URL Strings

BigCommerce often adds .html or /products/ to URLs by default. I suggest you audit your URL Structure settings to ensure we are using the cleanest possible strings (e.g., store.com/category/product-name/). Short, keyword-rich URLs consistently perform better in 2026 search results.

14. Product Reviews 

I always push for reviews on product pages. They improve content depth and help you rank for long-tail search terms. One of my go-to BigCommerce SEO tips is making sure those reviews are crawlable and marked up with the correct schema to show up in search.

15. Mobile Optimisation

Mobile usability is huge. While BigCommerce offers responsive templates, I still review every page manually on mobile. One of the most important BigCommerce SEO tips I give clients is to test mobile navigation, image scaling, and form usability across multiple devices.

16. Leverage BigCommerce’s Akamai Image Manager for Faster Loading Times

Every BigCommerce SEO tip I apply has one goal: to drive qualified traffic that converts. That’s why I also focus on conversion rate optimisation - testing product page layouts, CTAs, trust signals, and even checkout flows. Because getting traffic is only half the job - converting it is the rest.

17. Local SEO

If an e-commerce store has a physical location, local SEO becomes important. This involves optimising for local searches and ensuring that the store’s location information is correctly represented on the site and in local business directories.

18. Conversion Rate Optimisation (CRO)

For e-commerce stores and online retailers, driving traffic is just one part of the equation; converting that traffic into sales is equally important. SEO strategies on BigCommerce often involve CRO techniques to enhance product pages and checkout processes.

Summary

In summary, while the core principles of SEO apply, BigCommerce SEO has a unique focus on product and category pages, technical aspects related to e-commerce, and the overall structure of the online store. Using this guide, we hope that these platform-specific tips will help you maximise BigCommerce’s unique features and improve your site’s visibility and user experience on search engines.

By implementing these BigCommerce SEO tips, you're not just ticking off the essential SEO tasks—you're taking the right steps toward positioning your BigCommerce store for success. From improving your crawling control to integrating with Google Shopping and ensuring your site is secure, each tip enhances your overall SEO strategy. By fine-tuning these elements, you can boost your visibility, attract more qualified visitors, and ultimately drive more conversions for your business.

Let’s Talk About Your BigCommerce SEO

At Bidmark, I specialise in SEO strategies for e-commerce stores, and BigCommerce is one of the platforms I work with most. If you’ve been struggling with low rankings, poor visibility, or underperforming product pages, let’s fix it together. Get in touch today and I’ll help you implement these BigCommerce SEO tips in a way that actually moves the needle for your business.

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