Choosing the right ecommerce platform is a bit like picking the perfect pair of shoes. It needs to fit just right, be comfortable, and help you get where you want to go. But when it comes to SEO, some platforms might leave you limping along the way. As we look ahead to 2025, it's time to spotlight those ecommerce platforms that might not make the cut if you're aiming for stellar SEO performance.
We'll explore the challenges these platforms pose for SEO, offer insight into why they might not be the best choice, and provide practical tips to help you make informed decisions. Ready to step into the world of ecommerce with your SEO game on point? Let's get started!
1. Wix: Easy to Use, But Is It SEO-Friendly?
Wix has made a name for itself as an easy-to-use website builder with a plethora of templates and drag-and-drop features. For small businesses or individuals looking for a quick setup, it might seem like a dream come true. However, when SEO enters the chat, things get a bit murkier.
One of the main issues with Wix is its limited ability to customize URLs. SEO experts often emphasize the importance of clean, keyword-rich URLs for better rankings. Unfortunately, Wix tends to add extra characters or numbers that can make URLs look messy and not exactly SEO-friendly.
Moreover, Wix’s page load speed can be slower than other platforms. Since Google considers site speed an important ranking factor, this could be a significant drawback. Additionally, while Wix has improved its mobile optimization, it still lags compared to some of its competitors. With mobile-first indexing becoming the standard, this could pose problems for SEO in the coming years.
So, if you're considering Wix, weigh the convenience against these potential SEO hurdles. While it's great for straightforward site creation, those serious about SEO might find themselves needing more flexibility.
2. Squarespace: Beautiful Designs, but SEO Limitations
Squarespace is often praised for its visually stunning templates and user-friendly interface. It's a fantastic option for artists, photographers, and anyone looking to showcase their work. However, the beauty of Squarespace doesn’t always translate to SEO prowess.
One of the challenges with Squarespace is its limited SEO customization options. For instance, altering meta tags or descriptions can be a bit tricky, and you're often left working within the confines of what the platform allows. While Squarespace has made strides over the years, it still doesn't offer the depth of SEO control that more specialized platforms do.
Another factor to consider is Squarespace's reliance on JavaScript. This can sometimes hinder search engines from properly indexing your site, as search engines may struggle to read JavaScript-heavy content. This could mean your beautifully designed site isn't getting the visibility it deserves.
If you're set on using Squarespace, it's wise to invest in additional SEO tools or services to help bridge these gaps. Otherwise, you might find your beautiful site is more of a hidden gem than a widely recognized masterpiece.
3. Weebly: Simplicity at a Cost
Weebly is known for its simplicity and ease of use, making it a popular choice for small businesses and hobbyists. However, when it comes to SEO, simplicity might come at a cost.
One of Weebly's main drawbacks is its limited SEO tools. While it offers basic functionalities like title tags and meta descriptions, it lacks the advanced options that more SEO-centric platforms provide. This could be a dealbreaker for anyone looking to optimize their site thoroughly.
Furthermore, Weebly's mobile optimization isn't always up to par. With the increasing importance of mobile-first indexing, this could be a significant disadvantage. It's crucial to have a site that performs well on mobile, both in terms of speed and user experience.
While Weebly might work for those just starting out or those who value ease of use over SEO intricacies, it might not be the best choice for those aiming for robust SEO performance. If you're serious about scaling your business, you might need to look elsewhere or consider additional SEO plugins and strategies.
4. Big Cartel: Great for Artists, Not for SEO
Big Cartel is a platform designed with artists and creators in mind. It offers a straightforward, no-fuss way to sell art, music, and other creative products. However, its simplicity can be a double-edged sword, especially when it comes to SEO.
One of the main SEO limitations with Big Cartel is its lack of customization options. The platform doesn't offer much flexibility in terms of modifying URLs, meta tags, or other SEO-critical elements. This can make it difficult to optimize your site effectively for search engines.
Additionally, Big Cartel's site architecture isn't always conducive to SEO best practices. It can be challenging to create a well-structured site that search engines can easily crawl and index. This lack of structure can hinder your site's visibility in search results.
While Big Cartel is an excellent choice for artists who want a simple platform to sell their work, those looking to leverage SEO to drive traffic might need to consider additional tools or even a different platform altogether.
5. Volusion: Once a Leader, Now Lagging Behind
Volusion used to be a big player in the ecommerce space, offering a comprehensive set of tools for online stores. However, in recent years, it has started to fall behind, especially in terms of SEO capabilities.
One of the main issues with Volusion is its outdated infrastructure. While the platform offers basic SEO tools, it lacks the advanced features that many of its competitors now provide. This can make it difficult for store owners to fully optimize their sites and compete in a crowded market.
Volusion's site speed is another area of concern. With Google placing a heavy emphasis on site speed as a ranking factor, a slow-loading site can significantly impact your SEO efforts. Additionally, Volusion's mobile optimization isn't as robust as other platforms, which can be a drawback given the rise of mobile-first indexing.
If you're considering Volusion, it's essential to weigh these SEO limitations against the platform's other features. While it might offer some attractive functionalities, its SEO shortcomings could hinder your store's success in the long run.
6. Magento: Power at a Price
Magento is a powerhouse in the ecommerce world, known for its flexibility and scalability. It's a popular choice for large businesses with complex needs. However, this power comes at a price, particularly when it comes to SEO.
One of the main challenges with Magento is its complexity. While it offers a wealth of customization options, these can be overwhelming for those without technical expertise. This complexity can make it difficult to implement SEO best practices effectively.
Furthermore, Magento's site speed can be an issue. The platform is resource-intensive, which can lead to slower loading times. As we've discussed, site speed is a critical factor for SEO, and a slow site can negatively impact your rankings.
While Magento is a strong choice for large businesses with the resources to invest in SEO and site optimization, it might not be the best fit for smaller businesses or those without a dedicated SEO team. If you're considering Magento, be prepared to invest in additional SEO resources to get the most out of the platform.
7. PrestaShop: Open Source, Open Challenges
PrestaShop is an open-source ecommerce platform that offers a high degree of customization. It's a popular choice for businesses that want to tailor their online store to their specific needs. However, this flexibility can also present challenges, particularly when it comes to SEO.
While PrestaShop offers some SEO tools, they can be somewhat limited compared to other platforms. For example, customizing URLs or meta tags might require additional modules or plugins, which can add complexity to the process.
Additionally, PrestaShop's site speed can be a concern. Like Magento, it's a resource-intensive platform, which can lead to slower loading times. This can negatively impact your SEO efforts, as site speed is a crucial ranking factor.
While PrestaShop offers a lot of flexibility, it might not be the best choice for those looking to optimize their site for SEO without investing in additional tools or resources. If you're considering PrestaShop, be prepared to invest in additional SEO plugins or services to get the most out of the platform.
8. OpenCart: Open for Business, But Is It SEO-Ready?
OpenCart is another open-source ecommerce platform that's known for its simplicity and ease of use. It's a popular choice for small to medium-sized businesses that want to set up an online store quickly. However, when it comes to SEO, OpenCart can present some challenges.
One of the main issues with OpenCart is its lack of built-in SEO tools. While it offers basic functionalities like title tags and meta descriptions, it lacks the advanced options that more SEO-centric platforms provide. This can make it difficult to fully optimize your site for search engines.
Additionally, OpenCart's site structure can be a concern. The platform's default settings might not always align with SEO best practices, and customizing your site's structure can require additional modules or plugins. This can add complexity to the process, particularly for those without technical expertise.
While OpenCart is a great option for small businesses looking for a straightforward ecommerce solution, it might not be the best choice for those looking to leverage SEO to drive traffic. If you're considering OpenCart, be prepared to invest in additional SEO plugins or services to get the most out of the platform.
9. Zen Cart: A Classic Choice with Classic Challenges
Zen Cart is a classic open-source ecommerce platform that has been around for years. It's known for its flexibility and customization options, making it a popular choice for businesses with specific needs. However, this flexibility can also present challenges, particularly when it comes to SEO.
One of the main SEO limitations with Zen Cart is its lack of built-in tools. While it offers basic functionalities like title tags and meta descriptions, it lacks the advanced options that more SEO-centric platforms provide. This can make it difficult to fully optimize your site for search engines.
Additionally, Zen Cart's site speed can be a concern. The platform is resource-intensive, which can lead to slower loading times. As we've discussed, site speed is a critical factor for SEO, and a slow site can negatively impact your rankings.
While Zen Cart is a strong choice for businesses with specific needs, it might not be the best fit for those looking to optimize their site for SEO without investing in additional tools or resources. If you're considering Zen Cart, be prepared to invest in additional SEO plugins or services to get the most out of the platform.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to choosing an ecommerce platform, SEO should be a top consideration. While platforms like Wix, Squarespace, and Weebly offer ease of use, they come with significant SEO limitations. Others like Magento and PrestaShop offer more flexibility but require additional resources to optimize effectively. Ultimately, the best platform for your business will depend on your specific needs and resources.
For those looking to enhance their SEO efforts, Pattern can help you navigate the complexities of SEO and ecommerce. Unlike most SEO agencies, we focus on driving real results, not just rankings. We create programmatic landing pages that target hundreds or even thousands of search terms, helping your brand reach more potential customers. Our conversion-focused content doesn't just attract visitors—it turns them into paying customers. We've been in-house growth leaders ourselves, so we understand how SEO fits into a broader performance marketing strategy. With Pattern, we don't make SEO a guessing game—we make it a growth channel that drives sales and lowers your customer acquisition costs.