Search engine optimization is five times more profitable in the long term than paid search. What's more, 80 % of Internet users go no further than the first page of search engine results. These figures show that SEO is crucial to business development. What's more, 65 % of marketing experts consider it an important lever.

In this context, the SEO side of Prestashop should not be overlooked, especially with the multiboutique. Indeed, this open source CMS has offered this functionality since version 1.5. Thanks to Prestashop's multi-shop mode, users can now create several e-commerce sites and centralize their management on a single dashboard. Nevertheless, the design of these stores raises the question of SEO. Is it necessary to start from scratch? What work does the user have to do in this strategy? What are the best practices to be aware of? Find the answers and advice from Soledis in this article.

SEO specifics for multi-boutique stores

Differences between SEO for a single store and a multi-shop configuration

Launching an e-commerce business without SEOIt's like opening a physical store and closing the blinds. Passers-by are curious and interested, but they can't see what the owner is offering. The same principle applies to online stores.

As a result, a platform's visibility is vital to its survival. When an e-commerce site is well referenced, it has a positive impact on traffic and sales. Since Internet users use search engines as a source of information, it's in the e-tailer's interest to ensure that his site is well positioned in the SERPs. This is a major challenge for a single store. The reality is quite different in Prestashop multi-boutique.

Unique challenges of multi-boutique SEO

Managing SEO for a multi-boutique setup differs significantly from that of a single boutique. With multiple stores, you face the added challenge of creating and maintaining an effective SEO strategy for each store, while avoiding duplicate content and managing larger webmarketing investments. Yet, thanks to the centralization possible with PrestaShop, you can mutualize certain SEO expenses while benefiting from the experience you gained when setting up your first site.

SEO best practices for PrestaShop

URL structure and content management: the importance of a consistent URL structure and tips for managing duplicate content

The default URLs on Prestashop are not necessarily optimized for SEO. This is why you need to use the "Simplified URL" feature. This CMS generally relies on the name of each product page to generate a URL. The result is a long, unoptimized URL.

In Prestashop's multi-boutique mode, you can customize the URL of each e-commerce store by adding keywords that differentiate them. It's advisable not to include too much information. Keep the URL short, simple and clear, so that search engines like Google take it into account.

Once URLs have been defined, it's time for title tags and meta descriptions. According to a Databox study, 36 % of SEO experts consider the title tag to be the most important element of an SEO strategy. Its optimization guarantees a good position in the SERPs.

Keyword optimization: strategies for targeting relevant keywords for each store

The main objective in SEO is to reach the top position in the SERPs, in order to increase traffic to your store. The first step in achieving this is to define your keywords.

Keyword research and use should be specific to each store. Avoid over-optimization and enrich content with a varied semantic field. With the move towards voice search, consider long-tail queries too.

An analysis of the semantic field is essential to enrich content. In this sense, synonymy enables algorithms to better understand the objectives and activity of the person concerned.

Internal and external link building: techniques for building an effective link network

According to Ahrefs, 91 % of pages lacking organic traffic have no backlinks. To improve online store rankings, experts recommend two to three backlinks per page. The greater the number, the more legitimate the store is considered by search engines. However, the links must come from quality sources. It's also important to create a natural mesh of links between the various pages and each store.

Technical performance: tips for improving loading speed and mobile user experience

According to statistics on this subject, 40 % of Internet users stop browsing a site if it doesn't load in three seconds. This figure demonstrates the importance of loading speed. How can we improve it? First, avoid cheap hosting solutions. These packages are often responsible for slow loading times.

Since storage space is not unlimited, it's crucial to choose the right modules for your Prestashop multi-boutique. Instead of using several modules at once, it's important to choose those that offer complete functionality.The theme is another point not to be overlooked. Choose lightweight templates with a simple design. Those with special effects and animations take longer to load.

Localization and international SEO: best practices for targeting different geographic regions and languages

For stores targeting specific markets, use appropriate domain extensions (.fr, .de, etc.). Make sure your localization and language are consistent with your target market.

For example, a French store would be well advised to use the .fr extension. Otherwise, search engine algorithms identify the target location based on information such as backlinks, server geolocation and site addresses.

Avoiding the pitfalls of multi-boutique SEO

One of the main problems with Prestashop multi-boutique is that e-tailers are tempted to practice duplicate content on certain products sold on its platforms.

However, original content is essential for every e-commerce site, even if the product is similar. Otherwise, duplicate content can be "no-indexed", which means that it is ignored by search engine bots. Soledis has the experts to help its customers avoid being penalized for duplicate content.

A quick recap!

Conclusion

An SEO-optimized multi-boutique generates several advantages for an e-merchant: a better position in the SERPs, increased traffic, high conversion potential and improved brand image. The synergy between these benefits guarantees that your business will be around for years to come. So don't hesitate to invest in Prestashop SEO for your stores.