Why Search Engine Optimization Matters for BigCommerce Stores

Running a BigCommerce store is more than just uploading products and launching promotions. Without proper search engine optimization (SEO), your products may never appear in front of the right customers. SEO is what drives organic traffic, improves rankings, and helps you compete without paying for every click.

In this post, we’ll explore how SEO works specifically for BigCommerce, the common limitations store owners face, and whether default options are enough.

What Is BigCommerce SEO?

BigCommerce SEO refers to the strategies and technical configurations that help your store’s pages appear higher in search engine results (primarily Google). It includes both on-page SEO (like keywords, meta tags, and content) and technical SEO (like site speed, structured data, and crawlability).

With thousands of eCommerce stores competing for the same audience, good SEO is no longer optional—it’s essential for sustainable growth.

Key Components of BigCommerce SEO

1. Optimizing Product and Category Pages

BigCommerce allows custom meta titles and descriptions for all product and category pages. To maximize visibility:

• Use long-tail keywords like “best waterproof hiking shoes for men”

• Ensure product descriptions are unique, not manufacturer copy

• Add relevant keywords in H1/H2 tags, URLs, and alt texts

2. Mobile-First Performance

Google prioritizes mobile-friendly websites. BigCommerce themes are generally responsive, but you should:

• Run regular Google PageSpeed Insights tests

• Minimize JavaScript where possible

• Compress images and enable lazy loading

3. Schema Markup and Structured Data

BigCommerce supports basic schema, but adding product schema, review schema, and breadcrumb markup improves click-through rates and helps search engines understand your content better.

4. Sitemap and Robots.txt Configuration

BigCommerce automatically generates a sitemap, but check that it:

• Includes all product and category pages

• Excludes non-essential pages (login, cart)

• Is submitted to Google Search Console

Similarly, edit robots.txt to prevent bots from crawling duplicate or low-value pages.

Is Built-in BigCommerce SEO Enough?

BigCommerce offers solid out-of-the-box SEO features, including customizable URLs, SSL, and sitemap support. However, many store owners find these native features too limited for serious search performance.

Here’s why:

• Product search on BigCommerce is keyword-based, which doesn’t capture user intent well.

• Limited control over internal search can reduce conversion potential.

• SEO tools focus mostly on static content, while search behavior inside the site is often overlooked.

So, is it worth relying only on built-in SEO?

For small stores, it might be sufficient in the early stages. But as your catalog grows or competition intensifies, the need for smarter SEO and product discovery becomes clear.

A Smarter SEO Boost: Introducing Expertrec

Expertrec isn’t just a search engine—it’s a conversion-driven SEO tool. It enhances your BigCommerce store’s internal search with AI-powered vector and semantic search, leading to better engagement, faster product discovery, and improved organic signals like:

• Reduced bounce rates

• Higher time on site

• Better click-through rates on SERPs

Here’s how Expertrec specifically helps BigCommerce SEO:

✓ Semantic Understanding of Queries

Instead of matching only keywords, Expertrec’s engine understands search intent. So, a search for “dress for office party” may show cocktail dresses, even if they don’t use that phrase exactly.

✓ Fast, Filterable, and Indexable Results

Expertrec makes it easier for Google to crawl and index internal search pages, improving site structure and discoverability.

✓ Supports Structured Data Automatically

Search results generated by Expertrec are optimized with structured data (like product, review, and availability schema) to make content more Google-friendly.

✓ Personalized and Multilingual Search

For global BigCommerce stores, Expertrec supports multilingual search indexing, which is crucial for international SEO. It also personalizes search based on user behavior—something standard BigCommerce search lacks.

✓ No-Code Setup and Full Control

With a simple integration, store owners can launch advanced search features without writing code. Control everything from the Expertrec dashboard.

Book a Demo

Technical Deep Dive: How Expertrec Enhances SEO Architecture

While most SEO plugins optimize static content, Expertrec improves the dynamic, user-generated search paths within your store.

• Each internal search result page is crawlable

• Expertrec can inject SEO-friendly canonical URLs

• Facilitates custom landing pages for popular search terms

• Enables faceted search with crawlable filters, improving long-tail keyword coverage

This leads to better site architecture, which is a critical Google ranking factor.

Final Verdict: Should You Invest in SEO Beyond BigCommerce Defaults?

If you’re serious about growing your BigCommerce store organically, relying on native SEO features alone won’t cut it. While BigCommerce provides a solid foundation, it lacks the intelligence to drive contextual product discovery and optimize for user behavior.

By integrating Expertrec, you move beyond keyword matching to deliver a semantic, faster, and more accurate search experience one that improves both SEO and conversions.

Book a Demo

FAQs About BigCommerce Search Engine Optimization