Are you leveraging your BigCommerce store’s blog to its full potential? A well-optimized blog can drive organic traffic, establish authority, and engage customers. However, while BigCommerce offers a built-in blog, it comes with limitations that can hinder your content marketing efforts.

In this post, we'll explore the key drawbacks of BigCommerce’s blog functionality and offer actionable solutions to overcome them.

The Limitations of BigCommerce's Blog Functionality: Digging into the Drawbacks

A. SEO Woes

1. Subdomain Problem
BigCommerce hosts its blog on a subdomain (blog.yourstore.com) instead of a subdirectory (yourstore.com/blog). This negatively impacts SEO because Google treats subdomains as separate entities, weakening domain authority and reducing the impact of blog content on store rankings.

2. Lack of URL Customization
BigCommerce limits the ability to fully customize URLs, including canonical URLs, which can lead to duplicate content issues and reduced SEO effectiveness.

3. Limited SEO Tools
The built-in blog lacks essential SEO features such as metadata optimization guidance, keyword analysis, and advanced schema markup support, making it harder to compete in search rankings.

B. CRO Challenges

1. No Integrated CTAs
Unlike other platforms, BigCommerce’s blog does not provide built-in tools for adding calls-to-action (CTAs) like email signups, lead magnets, or promo banners, making it harder to convert visitors into customers.

2. Difficult Product Integration
Displaying product recommendations within blog content requires manual coding or third-party apps, making it cumbersome for store owners to link content to sales.

C. Limited Functionality

1. Categorization Constraints
The platform offers limited blog categorization and tagging options, making it challenging to organize content efficiently and improve user navigation.

2. Layout Restrictions
Customizing the blog layout requires advanced coding or developer assistance, restricting design flexibility for store owners.

3. Duplicate Content Issues
BigCommerce’s blog system can generate duplicate content due to auto-generated archive pages and URL structures, leading to potential SEO penalties.

D. Monetization Limitations

1. Lack of Easy Affiliate Linking
For store owners who want to monetize via affiliate marketing, BigCommerce does not offer built-in affiliate management tools, making it harder to track and manage links.

2. Challenges with Sponsored Content
Without built-in sponsorship tracking or monetization tools, partnering with brands for sponsored posts requires extra manual effort and third-party solutions.

Addressing the Limitations: Solutions and Workarounds

A. For SEO

1. Migrate to a Subdirectory
For better SEO performance, consider migrating your blog to a subdirectory (yourstore.com/blog). This requires technical expertise and hosting adjustments but significantly improves SEO.

2. Use Third-Party SEO Apps
BigCommerce’s app store offers SEO tools like FavSEO and ReloadSEO that help optimize metadata, conduct keyword research, and improve rankings.

3. Optimize Blog Content
Implement keyword research, internal linking, and high-quality content strategies to maximize search visibility.

B. For CRO

1. Use Page Builder Apps
Apps like Shogun or PageFly allow you to add customizable CTAs, buttons, and promotional sections to your blog posts without coding.

2. Add Custom Code Snippets
For those comfortable with coding, using custom HTML/CSS can enhance CTA placements and user engagement.

C. For Improved Functionality

1. Utilize App Store Solutions
Apps such as Blog Sync and Content Management System Enhancer offer advanced blog categorization, tagging, and layout customization.

2. Hire a Developer
For full customization, working with a BigCommerce development agency can provide tailored solutions that align with your store’s branding and marketing goals.

Conclusion: Taking Control of Your BigCommerce Blog

While BigCommerce’s blog feature offers a basic solution for content marketing, its limitations can hinder SEO, conversions, and monetization. However, by leveraging third-party tools, custom development, and strategic SEO practices, you can transform your blog into a powerful asset for your eCommerce store.

Take control of your BigCommerce blog! Explore the solutions mentioned in this post, or reach out to professional bigcommerce development company for expert assistance in optimizing your BigCommerce store for maximum impact.