5 Great eCommerce SEO Strategies for Philadelphia Online Retailers

Philadelphia’s ecommerce market is fiercely competitive. How do you stand out? The answer is search engine optimization (SEO), which drives organic traffic, visibility, and engagement.

This article shares five best practices of a Philadelphia SEO agency to follow:

• Keyword optimization
• User experience (UX) for local shoppers
• Philadelphia-centric content
• Google Business Profile (GBP) optimization
• Local backlink building

Read below to learn how to execute every tactic and drive online sales and conversion from the local market. Let’s go!

Want to learn more about the Digital Authority Partners approach to SEO? Watch this video!

1. Use Local Keywords

Local SEO keywords are strategic geo-based terms and phrases that users will likely use when searching for your products and services. A few examples include “shoe sale near me,” “shop Rittenhouse Square jewelry,” or “Philadelphia souvenirs nearby.” 

Using them in your content and meta tags helps you connect with the local audience, rank for the targeted keywords, improve the user experience (UX), and boost engagement.  

Conduct keyword research with these strategies:

• Research and utilize commonly used local terms, phrases, and slang. 
• Analyze local search trends and behavior to identify keywords that resonate with the city’s audience.
• Incorporate specific modifiers such as “Philadelphia,” “Philly,” or the names of neighborhoods and landmarks into your keyword research. For example, a business selling cheesesteak-related products might target “best cheesesteaks in Philadelphia” or “authentic Philly cheesesteaks.”
• Integrate local keywords naturally into different types of content, such as product descriptions. Highlight unique features or benefits that resonate with the Philadelphia audience and align them with their preferences or interests.
• Craft compelling meta titles and descriptions with relevant Philadelphia keywords to improve click-through rates (CTR) from search engine results pages (SERPs).
• Match the meta tags with the page’s content while incorporating local terms to attract the attention of Philly shoppers.
• Structure URLs to include relevant keywords where appropriate to improve the page’s relevance to local searches. Keep them concise, descriptive, and easy to read.

These tips help companies conduct adequate keyword research and seamlessly incorporate local terms and phrases into the website’s content, meta tags, and URLs. These enhance online visibility and attract targeted traffic from the area.

2. Enhance User Experience (UX) for Local Shoppers

Good UX provides many benefits. Optimized site navigation encourages visitors to explore more pages, signaling to search engines the relevance and value of the site’s content. 

Mobile responsiveness broadens your reach by attracting many smartphone, tablet, and laptop users. It also ensures a consistent and enjoyable experience across devices. 

In addition, fast page load speeds enhance user satisfaction and contribute to higher search engine rankings, as search algorithms prioritize websites that offer a swift and smooth browsing experience. 

Other ways to improve your ecommerce website’s UX include the following: 

• Incorporate images featuring iconic Philadelphia landmarks such as the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, or the Philadelphia Museum of Art to evoke a sense of local pride and connection.
• Highlight references to popular Philadelphia events such as the Mummers Parade, the Philadelphia Flower Show, or local sports events such as Eagles games to resonate with the city’s cultural fabric.
• Showcase testimonials from satisfied customers in the area to build trust and credibility among local shoppers.
• Offer promotions for local holidays such as Founders’ Day or Philly-themed discounts such as “Philly Specials” or “City of Brotherly Love deals.”
• Infuse references to the city’s culture in the product descriptions. For example, describe a food item as “tasting just like the famous Philly cheesesteaks” or a clothing item as “perfect for strolling through Kennett Square.” This adds a personalized touch that resonates with local shoppers.

3. Write Philadelphia-Centric Content

Craft content that taps into Philadelphia-centric trends in fashion, home goods, and other relevant ecommerce niches to resonate with the local audience. For example, blog posts featuring the latest streetwear trends in Philly or guides to decorating homes with an East Coast flair can capture the interest of city shoppers. 

Additionally, blogging about Philadelphia events or highlighting city initiatives enhances your content’s relevance to local searches and community engagement. 

Consider these content marketing best practices when creating a local-centric copy:

• Collaborate with Philadelphia-based influencers in fashion, home decor, or relevant niches to showcase products and trends that resonate with local audiences.
• Develop visually appealing lookbooks featuring fashion and home goods styled in settings that reflect Philadelphia’s unique culture.
• Highlight local artisans and makers through interviews, product features, or collaborations, promoting their creations alongside your offerings.
• Create curated gift guides tailored to Philadelphia occasions and events, incorporating products from the ecommerce store.
• Engage in local online forums, social media groups, and community events to connect with shoppers, share valuable content, and establish the brand as a trusted community member.

Consistently producing valuable and locally relevant content positions you as an authoritative voice within the Philadelphia community, driving organic traffic and customer engagement.

4. Optimize Google Business Profile (GBP) for Ecommerce

One of the best SEO tips for small businesses is creating and optimizing your Google Business Profile (GBP). 

This free tool allows you to manage your online presence across different Google platforms, such as Maps and local search. It also improves UX by showcasing customer reviews and updates about promotions or events. (Speaking of maps, check out our article on the 5 SEO Business Strategies That Put You on Philadelphia’s Map.)

Lastly, it enhances rankings by establishing your relevance to the targeted local keywords, boosting credibility, and increasing engagement. 

Optimize the GBP with these strategies:

• Fill out all sections of the GBP, including product listings, contact information, and business details. Provide comprehensive product descriptions, including any local offerings or promotions.
• Upload high-resolution images of products, storefronts, and team members.
• Incorporate local keywords in the GBP listing’s description, product titles, and attributes to improve relevance for local searches. Highlight any unique features or benefits that appeal specifically to Philadelphia shoppers.
• Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews on the listing. Respond promptly and courteously to all customer reviews, demonstrating a commitment to customer satisfaction.
• Use the post feature to share updates about new products, promotions, or events tailored to the Philadelphia market. Use this to showcase local content, such as events the business is participating in or special offers exclusively for locals.

5. Build Local Backlinks

Acquiring backlinks from local websites, blogs, and directories is a significant step to enhance SEO performance of ecommerce sites. Inbound links signal the relevance and authority of your business, improving its rankings in local search results. 

Furthermore, backlinks from reputable local sources drive targeted traffic to the ecommerce site. They strengthen the site’s online presence and promote trust and credibility among city consumers. 

A Philadelphia SEO agency usually acquires quality links through the following:

• Collaborate with other businesses in the city through joint promotions, events, or co-branded initiatives, leveraging their websites to obtain backlinks to the ecommerce site.
• Pitch guest blog posts or articles to local blogs, magazines, or online publications, offering valuable content that includes a link to the ecommerce site.
• Sponsor local events, charity drives, or community initiatives, securing backlinks from event websites or promotional materials.
• Participate in networking events, conferences, or meetups related to the industry or niche, connecting with local influencers, bloggers, and website owners who might be willing to link to the site.
• List the business in relevant local directories and online listings, such as Chamber of Commerce websites or industry organizations, to acquire authoritative backlinks and improve local visibility.

Summing Up

These ecommerce SEO strategies are crucial to sustaining online visibility, competitiveness, and success in Philadelphia’s market. They help you remain responsive or agile to evolving consumer trends and search engine algorithms while effectively targeting the local audience. 

How can you tailor your ecommerce search optimization strategy to appeal uniquely to Philly’s market? Work with an experienced Philadelphia SEO agency to help your business expand its local reach and engage with customers. 

Contact Digital Authority Partners (DAP) today to schedule a free consultation with experts.