product descriptions Archives - Bruce Clay, Inc. https://www.bruceclay.com/blog/tag/product-descriptions/ SEO and Internet Marketing Mon, 14 Oct 2024 18:36:19 +0000 en-US hourly 1 Top Benefits and Drawbacks of Using AI Content Creators https://www.bruceclay.com/blog/benefits-drawbacks-ai-content-creators/ https://www.bruceclay.com/blog/benefits-drawbacks-ai-content-creators/#comments Mon, 14 Oct 2024 18:36:18 +0000 https://www.bruceclay.com/?p=232802 Generative AI brings a lot of benefits, but there are also drawbacks. Find out how to use AI tools in a way that won’t compromise your SEO strategy.

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Woman sits at desk working on computer with various content icons around them.

Constantly creating quality content can feel like a challenging task. It’s at this point that AI content creators become highly beneficial.

Businesses are moving away from inefficient content processes and opting instead for a smoother, more methodical approach made possible through AI-powered tools. Some experts predict that more than 90% of online content in 2025 will be generated by AI.

In this article, I’ll discuss the top benefits of using AI content creators in a way that won’t compromise your SEO strategy.

6 Benefits of AI Content Creators

1. Streamlined Content Creation

AI content creators often include features that automate research, curate relevant data and generate outlines and drafts for different content types.

For example, AI tools can scan various resources for topic ideas. Behind the scenes, they gather info and distill it into blog article topics and webpage inspiration.

This process helps move SEO projects forward faster so websites can begin to compete in the search results sooner.

2. Content Output and Efficiency

A huge benefit of using AI writing is its impact on efficiency. Per PWC, adding AI tools into the mix can result in a 40% productivity boost.

Tasks like performing initial research, brainstorming keyword ideas and creating outlines can become time-consuming.

With AI tools doing the grunt work, marketers can work on the big-picture thinking that propels their projects forward.

These benefits can be even more apparent for marketers and businesses that don’t have sufficient writing resources in-house or aren’t naturally adept at content creation.

Marketers can use text-generating AI solutions to develop first drafts for editing, infusing the content with their expertise.

Check out these related articles on AI content:

3. Improved Quality

The integration of advanced features into these AI tools has introduced a new way to improve the quality of content.

For instance, AI tools like PreWriter.ai can help edit and refine content and suggest ways to improve its quality so that the content creator can add finishing touches.

writing tips report prewriter ai.
Writing Tips report in PreWriter.ai

4. Brand Consistency

It’s not uncommon for businesses to have many teams working on content at once without much collaboration or a single point of contact for editing.

Bring AI into the mix, and teams can scale content creation without sacrificing consistency. AI tools can be trained on brand elements, including tone of voice, knowledge base and more.

AI can also improve brand consistency through image generation. Text-to-image platforms allow content creators to craft engaging materials quickly while keeping brand guidelines in mind.

If time is limited or in-house design resources are scarce, AI-powered platforms offer a solution for achieving great results.

5. Creative Help

Let’s discuss writer’s block. AI tools can spark new ideas and bring a fresh perspective to your projects.

AI comes to the rescue when brainstorming, translating ideas or keywords into engaging outlines and offering unique angles not previously considered. It’s the perfect tool to help streamline your content creation process.

6. Content Diversification

Another benefit of using AI content creators is content diversification for multi-channel promotion.

A well-structured piece from an AI content generator might act as a solid foundation. Writers can then repurpose it across numerous platforms such as email campaigns, audio-visual versions or more — all with the help of AI.

According to Forbes research, 35% of businesses actively use AI in content production.

Forbes graph showing the tops ways business owners use artificial intelligence.
Image credit: Forbes.com

Navigating Potential Challenges in AI Content Creation

AI content creation is evolving but currently has its challenges.

Impact on Search Engines

First is the impact of AI content on search engines. What if our increased dependence on AI means that Google and other search engines increasingly surface generic content?

Content spat out by AI tools without human intervention often lacks the expertise and brand thought leadership that ensures high quality.

AI tools can often fail when it comes to creating content that requires highly specialized expertise. This can lead to factually incorrect outputs or just generic content that further fuels search engine devaluation.

This is something that Google is preparing for as it unleashed its massive updates in early 2024 and updated spam policies on AI content at scale.

Concerns About AI Content Originality

Content that’s generated solely by an AI tool risks resembling existing work on the web too closely, causing concerns about plagiarism and how it can impact rankings.

An often-overlooked step toward avoiding this is ensuring AI-generated content goes through proper vetting and refinement by a human.

Think of it as quality control — editors can easily double-check content to ensure that all factual claims are accurate.

They can also identify areas that need a refresh to infuse expertise.

Though popular grammar platforms offer tools to review content for plagiarism and address grammatical errors, the bottom line is that AI content generators should not bypass the human role in ensuring quality content.

I’ve written more about this on Search Engine Land. Check out these articles:

Choosing AI Content Tools

When you’re ready to assess AI content creators, ensure the tool aligns with your content goals and SEO strategy. Here are some considerations:

  1. Content quality and relevance: AI-generated content isn’t always accurate, but you want to make sure it’s as good as possible, so you spend less time editing than necessary. Ensure the tool can help you produce content that resonates with your target audience while maintaining relevance to your industry.
  2. SEO capabilities: Does the tool help with basic SEO tasks like keywords, meta descriptions and links?
  3. Plagiarism and AI detection: No matter which tool you use, check the content for plagiarism and AI before hitting “publish.” To do this, use your tool’s built-in functionalities or choose a different tool.
  4. Customization and flexibility: It’s critical to tailor your content to your specific needs, tone and style. Ensure that your AI software has customization options and doesn’t just spit out generic, templated text.
  5. Scalability: For businesses with heavy content needs, assess the tool’s capacity to assist with a high volume of content.
  6. Compliance with guidelines: Ensure that any content you use with AI assistance does not violate Google’s guidelines and spam policies on content.

How PreWriter Can Help

We launched PreWriter.ai, our AI-powered writing assistant, to help businesses accelerate their SEO and marketing projects.

We’ve found that PreWriter commonly reduces a four-hour writing task by 60%, resulting in serious efficiency and positive cost impacts.

Here are some ways PreWriter can help businesses as an AI content creator:

  • Time-saving features: One primary advantage of PreWriter is the time-saving features it offers. This tool can auto-generate content outlines, research relevant information, suggest keyword variations and even create content drafts.
  • Keyword optimization: PreWriter helps optimize content by suggesting relevant keywords and analyzing their search volume and competitiveness. This ensures that your content is well-positioned to attract the right audience and generate organic traffic.
  • Incorporation of buyer intent search terms: To fully address buyer intent, PreWriter employs advanced algorithms to identify and understand the search terms used by potential customers. By using these buyer intent search terms throughout your content, you can boost your likelihood of reaching your target audience and converting them.
  • Provides writing tips: With PreWriter, it’s not just about saving time; it’s also about generating quality content. The tool helps content creators incorporate unique and insightful tips into their work. This enhances the overall value and appeal of the content while demonstrating expertise and building trust with readers.

Final Thoughts

Although AI content creators offer big benefits such as efficiency, scalability and creative assistance, they come with challenges that can’t be overlooked.

The key to success lies in striking a balance — using AI to streamline your content processes without sacrificing the human touch.

Marketers must stay vigilant, ensuring human oversight is always part of the content creation process to maintain authenticity and relevance.

Ready to take your content strategy to the next level? Sign up for PreWriter.ai today and start your free trial.

Don’t have the time or resources to scale up your content output? Our experts offer AI content services that can help you double or triple production.

FAQ: How can I ensure AI content creators improve efficiency without sacrificing brand consistency or originality?

In today’s digital landscape, ensuring AI content creators enhance efficiency while maintaining brand consistency and creativity is pivotal. AI content tools promise unparalleled productivity.

However, without proper guidance, they can dilute the essence of brand identity. It’s imperative for businesses to blend technology with their unique voice seamlessly.

By leveraging AI capabilities, companies can expedite content creation, but maintaining originality requires meticulous strategy and oversight. The dual challenge is to adeptly manage efficiency while fostering original expression.

One significant consideration is the calibration of AI-driven tools. Algorithms must be fine-tuned to understand the brand’s tone and style comprehensively. This alignment ensures content resonates with the target audience in an authentic way.

Operating with AI should also involve consistent human interaction; regular input and feedback from human experts are crucial. This collaboration guarantees that the generated content remains relevant and personalized, capturing the nuanced ethos of the brand.

Monitoring is another critical aspect of leveraging AI for content creation. Real-time assessments and analytics can provide insights into how content performs across various channels.

Such data-driven approaches help identify trends and areas of improvement, guiding brands to refine their strategies and remain consistent in their messaging. Regular evaluations help sustain quality and originality throughout the content development process.

Choosing the right AI tools plays a decisive role. With a multitude of platforms available, selecting one that offers customization and scalability is essential.

These features enable businesses to adapt quickly, accommodating the evolving needs of their audience without compromising on originality. Investing in adaptable AI solutions ensures a seamless alignment with brand goals and values.

AI innovation should not overshadow creativity. Encouraging a healthy balance between automated content production and human creativity fosters a more diverse content landscape. This dual mechanism enables brands to leverage AI’s speed while preserving their distinctive voice and originality.

By valuing both AI efficiency and human creativity, businesses can create content that is both compelling and consistent.

Educating teams about AI functions and limitations also supports brand consistency. Training staff to utilize AI tools effectively, while understanding the potential pitfalls, is instrumental.

Ensuring personnel are well-versed in both technology and brand ethos helps maintain consistency and originality over time. Communication and collaboration are key to a successful AI content strategy.

Addressing common pitfalls is necessary. Many businesses face issues with AI content that seems artificial or overly generic. To overcome this, brands need to set clear guidelines and standards for AI-generated content.

By instituting strong quality controls and review processes, businesses can ensure their content remains impactful and true to its origins.

The challenge often lies in late-stage edits. Even with AI, intricate editorial tasks may arise, requiring a human touch. Final reviews by skilled editors perfect the balance between the efficiency AI provides and the nuanced creativity only humans bring. A refined editing process bridges this gap, ensuring high-quality, unique content.

When brands face the problem of maintaining their identity amidst increasing efficiency, it’s pivotal to implement checks and balances.

Crafting a robust content framework that incorporates both AI and human input ensures stable output quality. This strategic approach helps businesses navigate toward improved efficiency without losing sight of their core identity.

Step-By-Step Procedure

  1. Identify and evaluate your brand’s AI content needs.
  2. Research and select AI tools that align with your brand’s tone and goals.
  3. Customize AI algorithms to reflect stylistic nuances of your brand identity.
  4. Develop a content strategy that highlights both AI advantages and human creativity.
  5. Establish a content workflow involving both AI-generated and human-curated content.
  6. Implement a review system that provides regular feedback on AI content quality.
  7. Educate your team on AI capabilities and limitations through bespoke training.
  8. Introduce analytic tools to measure content effectiveness and audience engagement.
  9. Collaborate with marketing and editorial teams to ensure synergy in content creation.
  10. Set editorial standards for AI content to adhere to brand guidelines.
  11. Regularly update AI algorithms to incorporate new brand strategies and market changes.
  12. Monitor AI-generated content for adherence to consistency and originality goals.
  13. Establish checkpoints for human intervention in the content creation process.
  14. Document all adjustments made to AI systems to maintain transparency and understanding.
  15. Share insights across teams to facilitate better understanding of AI content strategies.
  16. Cultivate an organizational culture that values AI-human collaboration equally.
  17. Allocate resources to boost both AI technology and creative talent development.
  18. Innovate continuously to integrate the latest AI trends in content strategy.
  19. Balance AI speed with editorial precision to enhance content quality.
  20. Address any discrepancies in content through robust quality control practices.
  21. Foster a creative environment that encourages critical thinking and innovation.
  22. Set realistic performance metrics to track AI content’s impact on brand measures.
  23. Invest in technology infrastructures that facilitate AI content scalability.
  24. Conduct periodic reviews to assess the success of AI integration in content strategy.

Ultimately, enhancing AI efficiency while preserving brand originality involves an intricate blend of technology and human ingenuity. By being attentive to these dual needs, you ensure a harmonious technological partnership.

Remember, the key is in crafting a strategy allowing AI to complement, rather than replace, the unique touch that defines your brand.

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3 E-commerce SEO Mistakes To Avoid https://www.bruceclay.com/blog/e-commerce-seo-mistakes-avoid/ https://www.bruceclay.com/blog/e-commerce-seo-mistakes-avoid/#comments Thu, 31 Aug 2023 17:20:33 +0000 https://www.bruceclay.com/?p=198646 Master ecommerce SEO pitfalls and bolster your online store's visibility. Optimize website architecture and create compelling content.

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SEO plays a big role in attracting more people to your e-commerce website. But as a beginner, it’s easy to make common mistakes.

In this article, I’ll talk about three e-commerce SEO mistakes and how to avoid them, including:

  1. Bad website architecture
  2. Thin content on category pages
  3. Manufacturer product descriptions

FAQ: How can I avoid making e-commerce SEO mistakes and enhance my online store visibility? 

1. Bad Website Architecture

E-commerce websites have a lot of content to manage. It’s critical that search engines and website visitors easily access the content.

Getting this right can improve user experience as well as the website’s relevance for key search terms, which can lead to more conversions.

This is the concept of SEO siloing – a technique I invented more than two decades ago.

For example, say you sell clothing. Logically, you would split the clothing into men, women, kids – and whatever else the top categories need to be based on research.

Top-level categories on Nordstrom.com website.
Nordstrom.com’s top-level categories organize the products on the website

Within each section, you’d have subcategories that might fall into buckets – for men; this might look like shirts, shorts and jeans.

Men's clothing product subcategories on Nordstrom.com.
Nordstrom.com’s product subcategories for men’s clothing

Within each subcategory, visitors can then apply useful filters to further refine their results.

Having an organized information architecture such as this is just the start. E-commerce websites need to make sure their internal linking practices in each category follow SEO siloing best practices.

The internal linking structure is an important part of making SEO siloing work. That means following directions like only linking up to top-level landing pages between categories and not interlinking between subpages.

You can see an example of what this might look like below for a fictional power tools site with electric power tools and gas-powered tools as two distinct categories.

The electric saws subpage can effectively link up to the top-level landing page in the gas-powered tools silo – but it shouldn’t link to the gas-powered saws subpage.

Illustration of linking practices between categories on a website.
Example of linking practices between categories on a website

The complexities of siloing are far too great to cover in this article alone, but when done right, SEO siloing is a great way for ecommerce sites to create a search engine-friendly and user-friendly website.

For more information on how to get started with siloing, check out: SEO Siloing: What, Why, How

2. Thin Content on Category Pages

Category pages are often filled with product images and product names only from an SEO perspective, which leaves those pages with thin content.

This can be problematic because category pages tend to target the popular queries that people use often (for example, “men’s shorts”).

Adding some keyword-rich content (so long as it is incorporated in a natural and helpful way) is a great way to create more relevance for those category pages in a search.

How you execute this can vary, depending on the website’s unique needs and limitations.

For example, you could add text at the top of the page, highlighting the features and benefits of the category. You could also put text at the bottom of the page.

Or, you could sprinkle the keyword-rich text throughout, including in the heading tags and in callout sections.

Check out how Tiffany.com handles it for their “diamond necklace” category page – using callouts to incorporate text. There’s more than one instance on the page, too:

Keyword-rich text on Tiffany.com category page.
Keyword-rich text on Tiffany.com category page

Or check out Tiffany.com’s “engagement ring” category page, where they insert informative text at the top:

Keyword-rich text on Tiffany.com category page.
Keyword-rich text on Tiffany.com category page

In short: Whenever possible, incorporate text on key pages that are helpful and include keyword-rich content.

3. Manufacturer Product Descriptions

Using the product descriptions provided by the manufacturer might be tempting because it’s quick, but it’s not ideal.

First, know that you have a big opportunity on your product pages to inform and convert. Take the time to write unique descriptions that show off your brand and what makes the products special.

Putting in the work to understand your target audience will help you craft product descriptions that offer key information and move your shoppers to the next step – the shopping cart.

This is another place where you can infuse relevant keywords into the page as well.

Check out my article on how to create an e-commerce webpage that drives organic traffic and conversions for more tips on how to craft product descriptions, including the following:

  1. Write unique and compelling content: Write product descriptions that match your brand and your target audience and are unique from the manufacturer’s descriptions.
  2. Create short and long versions: Cater to those who like to get information fast and those who want to dive deeper.
  3. Use heading tags: Breaking up the page with header tags makes an easier to read for visitors and search engines.
  4. Focus on features and benefits: Features are most commonly covered in product descriptions, but what do they allow your audience to do? This is the sweet spot.
  5. Use bullet points: Bullet points help people scan quickly for what they need.
  6. Include FAQs: FAQs help customers make decisions and can boost visibility in the search results when marked up with schema.

Next, let’s consider Google’s “helpful content” update. The helpful content update is meant to better rank original and quality content.

And Google specifically says this can improve rankings related to e-commerce:

“This ranking update will help make sure that unoriginal, low-quality content doesn’t rank highly in Search, and our testing has found it will especially improve results related to online education, as well as arts and entertainment, shopping, and tech-related content.”

This update no doubt aims to get rid of, among other things, those affiliate sites that offer little value when searching for products on Google.

But regardless of how algorithms may handle product pages, it’s important to always put the potential customer first – what do they need to make a decision?

When you do, you can boost both organic traffic and conversions.

Final Thoughts

Starting out in e-commerce SEO presents many unique challenges. Common mistakes that e-commerce sites make that can negatively impact SEO include the three areas I discussed in this article – but there are more.

By providing helpful content on category pages, writing unique product descriptions and having an SEO- and user-friendly website architecture, you can improve your website’s visibility in the search results, engage more customers, and increase sales.

Interested in adding SEO to your e-commerce site? Talk to us. We can help.

FAQ: How can I avoid making e-commerce SEO mistakes and enhance my online store’s visibility?

In the fast-paced world of e-commerce, ensuring the visibility of your online store is crucial for business success. Avoiding common SEO mistakes can significantly enhance your store’s online presence and attract more potential customers.

One of the cardinal sins in e-commerce SEO is neglecting proper keyword research. Failing to identify the right keywords relevant to your products or services can lead to poor search engine rankings and missed opportunities. To avoid this mistake, invest time in thorough keyword research. Utilize tools like Google Keyword Planner and analyze your competitors’ keywords to uncover high-traffic, relevant terms to target.

Another common pitfall is overlooking on-page optimization. Neglecting to optimize product descriptions, meta titles, and headings with appropriate keywords can negatively impact your store’s visibility. Craft compelling, keyword-rich descriptions that cater to search engines and engage potential buyers. Don’t forget to optimize images by using descriptive alt text to improve accessibility and search engine crawlers’ understanding.

A major misstep many e-commerce websites make is ignoring the importance of mobile optimization. With a significant portion of online shopping occurring on mobile devices, a non-responsive website can drive away potential customers. Ensure your store’s responsive design provides a seamless and user-friendly experience across various screen sizes.

User-generated content, such as reviews and ratings, is vital in e-commerce SEO. Overlooking these can harm your online store’s credibility and search rankings. Encourage customers to leave reviews and ratings and engage with them by responding to positive and negative feedback. This improves your store’s visibility and fosters trust among your audience.

Lastly, a common blunder is ignoring the power of backlinks. Building a strong network of high-quality backlinks from reputable websites can significantly boost your store’s authority in the eyes of search engines. Seek opportunities for guest posting, collaborations, and partnerships to earn valuable backlinks that drive organic traffic to your e-commerce site.

Step-by-Step Procedure: Enhancing Your Online Store’s Visibility through E-commerce SEO

  1. Keyword Research: Use tools like Google Keyword Planner to identify relevant product or service keywords.
  2. Competitor Analysis: Study competitors’ keywords to discover high-traffic terms you might have missed.
  3. On-Page Optimization: Optimize product descriptions, meta titles and headings with chosen keywords.
  4. Compelling Descriptions: Craft engaging product descriptions that appeal to search engines and customers.
  5. Image Optimization: Use descriptive alt text for images to improve accessibility and SEO.
  6. Mobile Responsiveness: Ensure your online store design is responsive and user-friendly on all devices.
  7. User-Generated Content: Encourage customers to leave reviews and ratings for your products.
  8. Feedback Engagement: Respond to customer feedback, building trust and credibility.
  9. Backlink Building: Seek guest post and collaboration opportunities to earn authoritative backlinks.
  10. Quality Over Quantity: Focus on obtaining backlinks from reputable websites rather than low-quality sources.
  11. Content Quality: Create high-quality, relevant content that attracts organic traffic and encourages sharing.
  12. Internal Linking: Interlink your product pages to guide users and distribute SEO value.
  13. Site Speed Optimization: Ensure fast loading times for better user experience and search ranking.
  14. Structured Data Markup: Implement structured data to enhance how search engines display your products.
  15. Social Media Integration: Share your products on social platforms to increase visibility and engagement.
  16. Regular Updates: Keep your product inventory and content up-to-date to maintain relevancy.
  17. Monitoring and Analytics: Use tools like Google Analytics to track traffic, user behavior and site performance.
  18. Adaptation and Improvement: Continuously adjust your SEO strategy based on data insights.
  19. Technical SEO Audit: Conduct regular audits to identify and fix technical issues that may impact visibility.
  20. Stay Updated: Keep up with evolving SEO trends and algorithm changes for ongoing success.

By following these detailed steps, you can proactively enhance your online store’s visibility, attract more organic traffic and drive the growth of your e-commerce business.

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