Getting your BigCommerce store to rank well on search engines is challenging. With so many other online stores selling similar products or services to yours, landing on the top page of search results without utilizing BigCommerce SEO is a difficult task.
You see, SEO (search engine optimization) helps you attract the right customers by making your store more visible on platforms like Google. But it isn’t a quick fix—it requires consistent work to improve traffic, sales, and overall growth.
And for you to rank well, you must partner with the right BigCommerce SEO provider. The challenge is finding the right fit for you. With so many options, it’s easy to end up with a service that overpromises and underdelivers, wasting both your time and money.
Let’s talk about what the right SEO professional can do for you and how to find one.
Why You Need a BigCommerce SEO Expert
Not all SEO is created equal, and when it comes to BigCommerce, a one-size-fits-all approach won’t cut it. BigCommerce has its own set of unique features that need specialized attention for effective SEO. An SEO expert who understands the ins and outs of the BigCommerce platform becomes an increasingly crucial part of your ranking success.
For example, BigCommerce has built-in SEO tools like customizable URLs, responsive design, and automatic site maps. But having these features isn’t enough to get you on top—they need to be optimized correctly. A provider who knows the platform can tailor strategies to maximize these features so that your site becomes searchable and stands out.
With a BigCommerce-specific SEO expert, you can expect improved rankings and higher-quality traffic—visitors who are more likely to convert into customers.
They’ll also enhance the user experience on your site, making it faster and easier to navigate. In short, they understand how to make BigCommerce work for you, helping you get more out of the platform while saving you time and effort.
What to Look for in a BigCommerce SEO Service Provider
When choosing an SEO provider for your BigCommerce store, you need to look for a few key qualities to ensure they can deliver results. Here’s what you should prioritize:
Proven experience with BigCommerce
Not all SEO providers are familiar with the BigCommerce platform. Make sure the one you choose has specific experience working with BigCommerce stores. This matters because an SEO provider who’s worked within the platform before will know how to navigate its unique features.
Ask for case studies or examples of other BigCommerce stores they’ve worked on. A solid portfolio offers valuable insight into their expertise and shows you the results they’ve achieved for businesses like yours. This kind of proof is crucial when deciding whether a provider can actually deliver.
Transparent SEO strategy
SEO is a comprehensive strategy that includes technical SEO (like improving site speed), optimizing content for search engines, and enhancing the overall user experience.
A good SEO provider will clearly explain their strategy and how it supports your business objectives. Look for someone who tailors their approach to your specific needs rather than offering a cookie-cutter solution.
Communication & transparency
SEO is a long-term process, so regular updates are essential to keep track of progress. You’ll want a provider who is transparent about the work they’re doing and can communicate clearly about the impact their efforts are having on your store.
Ask how often they provide reports, what metrics they track, and whether they’re open to discussing results with you in plain language.
Up-to-date with SEO trends
Search engine algorithms are constantly changing, which means SEO strategies need to evolve too. The right provider should know what the current trends are so they can adapt their strategies to them.
An adaptive provider ensures that your store remains competitive even as the digital landscape shifts so you can maintain strong rankings over time.
Avoiding Common Red Flags
When selecting a BigCommerce SEO service provider, it’s important to be cautious of agencies that overpromise or use questionable practices. Here are some common red flags to watch for:
Guarantees of specific performance
Be wary of any SEO provider that guarantees specific rankings, traffic, or conversion numbers. SEO is influenced by too many external factors—such as search engine algorithms, competitors, and consumer behavior—for anyone to promise exact outcomes.
Providers that offer guarantees are often overpromising to win your business, which can lead to disappointment or, worse, damage to your website’s reputation.
Low-quality link building
Links from other websites to yours are an important part of SEO, but how those links are built matters. Some agencies may resort to quick, low-quality backlinks, which can result in penalties from Google and hurt your rankings.
Always ask how a provider plans to build links—look for ethical, white-hat strategies that focus on quality, not quantity.
Fly-by-night agencies
Agencies with a short history, poor reviews, or no verifiable credentials are at risk. You want a provider with proven experience, a solid track record, and good references.
Check how long they’ve been in business, review client testimonials, and ensure they have experience working with BigCommerce stores. This will help you avoid unreliable agencies that may disappear after a few months.
Bait and switch tactics
Sometimes, you’ll meet with experienced SEO professionals during the sales process, but once you sign the contract, your account is handed off to junior staff. Make sure the experts you meet are the ones who will be working on your account.
Ask for clarity on who will handle your SEO and ensure they have the right experience. Avoid agencies that pass your work down to less-experienced team members without your knowledge.
Evaluating the Provider’s BiCommerce SEO Process
Before committing to an SEO provider, it’s important to understand their approach. A clear, well-defined process ensures they can deliver meaningful results for your BigCommerce store. Here’s what you should expect:
Initial SEO audit & strategy development
A thorough SEO provider will begin with a detailed audit of your store. This audit identifies your site’s strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for improvement. From there, they should create a custom strategy tailored to your business’s specific goals.
A cookie-cutter approach won’t cut it—your provider needs to understand your business and industry to develop a plan that delivers targeted results.
Keyword optimization & content strategy
The foundation of any SEO campaign is strong keyword research. Your provider should focus on identifying the terms your potential customers are searching for, and then optimizing your store’s content to rank for those terms.
They should also help create high-quality content that engages visitors and encourages them to take action, whether that’s making a purchase or signing up for a newsletter.
Technical SEO for BigCommerce
BigCommerce comes with built-in SEO features, but they need to be fine-tuned. A good provider will optimize the technical aspects of your store, including improving site speed, ensuring mobile responsiveness, and implementing secure browsing with HTTPS.
These are crucial for both search rankings and a positive user experience, and they directly impact how search engines view your site.
Regular monitoring & reporting
SEO isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it process. Your provider should offer regular performance updates and reports so you can see how your site is progressing. They should track key metrics—such as organic traffic, keyword rankings, and conversions—and use that data to make ongoing adjustments to your strategy.
Consistent monitoring ensures your store stays competitive and continues to improve over time.
Matching Your SEO Goals with Your Business Objectives
A successful SEO strategy should directly support your business’s broader goals for the short and long-term.
Short- and long-term alignment
For short-term goals, like increasing traffic to a seasonal promotion, your provider should implement quick wins such as targeted keyword campaigns or optimized landing pages.
For long-term objectives, like building brand authority or steadily increasing organic traffic, they’ll need to focus on sustainable strategies such as ongoing content creation, technical SEO improvements, and high-quality link building. The key is ensuring that the SEO plan evolves as your business priorities change.
Setting realistic expectations
It’s important to set clear expectations around budget, timelines, and results. SEO takes time, and it’s not realistic to expect massive results overnight. Your provider should communicate a realistic timeline for seeing meaningful improvements—usually several months—and explain how each phase of their strategy will impact your business.
Discussing the budget up front is equally important, as it helps the provider craft a plan that maximizes results without exceeding your financial resources.
Protecting brand identity and user experience
Your SEO tactics should always support, not conflict with, your brand identity and the experience you want to offer your customers. A good SEO provider will be mindful of this, ensuring that optimization efforts, such as keyword usage or technical changes, don’t compromise the integrity of your site’s design or brand voice.
The goal is to improve rankings while still reflecting your brand’s unique values and providing a seamless, user-friendly experience for visitors.
ROI and Pricing
When evaluating an SEO provider, pricing is a critical factor—but so is understanding the potential return on investment (ROI). Here’s how to navigate pricing models and ensure you get the most value for your money.
The pricing models
SEO providers typically offer different pricing models: monthly retainers, project-based fees, or hourly rates. It’s important to understand what each model includes and how the pricing aligns with the scope of work.
For example, a monthly retainer might cover ongoing SEO efforts like keyword optimization, link building, and regular reporting, while a project-based fee could be for a one-time audit or a specific campaign.
Make sure the provider offers transparency about what you’re paying for and how they plan to deliver results.
Balance cost and long-term value
While quality SEO services may seem expensive upfront, they offer significant long-term value by steadily increasing organic traffic, improving conversion rates, and boosting revenue. Choosing an experienced SEO provider with a proven track record will often result in a higher ROI over time.
It’s important to balance the immediate cost with the potential for future growth. Spending more on a comprehensive SEO strategy now can lead to much higher returns in the future.
The risk of choosing low-cost providers
It’s tempting to go with a lower-cost SEO provider to save money, but this can end up costing you more in the long run. Inexpensive services may cut corners and use outdated or risky practices like buying low-quality backlinks or producing poor content.
These shortcuts may provide a short-term boost but can damage your site’s reputation and rankings over time. Investing in a reputable provider who follows best practices ensures that your SEO efforts are sustainable and won’t hurt your business down the road.
How to Choose the Right Fit
Selecting the right BigCommerce SEO provider goes beyond technical skills. They should also match your business values and understand the unique needs of your brand.
Cultural fit
A provider who understands your brand, industry, and target audience is much more likely to deliver SEO strategies that resonate with your customers.
For example, if your brand prides itself on customer service and transparency, your SEO partner should reflect those values in their communication style and strategies. They need to understand the tone of your messaging, the products or services you offer, and the challenges of your market.
When there’s a cultural fit, the provider can tailor their approach to ensure that your SEO efforts are effective and consistent with your brand identity.
Consultation and onboarding
Before you commit to any provider, having an initial consultation is key. This meeting allows you to assess their expertise, discuss your specific needs, and ask any questions you may have. It’s also an opportunity to gauge how well they understand your business and whether they’re the right fit.
During the onboarding process, you should feel confident that the provider’s proposed strategy aligns with your goals and that they can clearly explain how their efforts will drive results. This consultation phase sets the foundation for a strong, productive partnership moving forward.
Your BigCommerce Store Deserves Better
Finding the right BigCommerce SEO provider is about driving growth and creating a better experience for your customers. When done right, the impact goes beyond rankings and leads to real results like higher traffic, better engagement, and increased sales.
Here at Epic, we know BigCommerce inside and out. Whether it’s SEO, website design, email marketing, or social media, we’ve got the tools to help your business grow. If you’re ready for a partner who truly understands your goals, let’s build something great together. Get in touch with us and see what’s possible.
