4 Proven Tips To Improve Your SEO Merchandising Strategy

4 Proven Tips to Improve Your SEO Merchandising Strategy

If your “SEO strategy” is just a checklist of keywords and backlinks, you’re seriously missing out. Because in 2025, visibility alone doesn’t convert, experience does. That’s where a smart SEO merchandising strategy comes in.

You’re not just ranking; you’re selling. You’re curating what people see, click, and ultimately buy — all within Google’s first page and your own product grid. Most agencies will tell you to optimise titles and write blog posts.

That’s the bare minimum. You need to think like a merchandiser, act like a marketer, and execute like an SEO — all at once. If you’re selling online in Singapore and you’re not treating search results like a storefront, you’re already behind.

This isn’t theory. This is how high-performing eCommerce brands are turning search traffic into revenue — with precision, not guesswork. Let’s break down how.

Key Takeaways

  • Prioritise high-intent pages in your internal linking to strengthen rankings where conversions actually happen.
  • Reorder category pages using real-time demand signals like search trends, CTR, and conversion data — not static sorting rules.
  • Optimise your SERP display like a digital shelf by crafting benefit-driven meta tags and using schema markup to boost click-through rates.
  • Use behavioural data to shape your SEO content clusters, aligning your content strategy with actual user journeys and conversion paths.
  • Think like a merchandiser, not just an SEO, by positioning content and products to meet buyer intent, not just fill keywords.

Why You Need an SEO Merchandising Strategy

YouTube video

You don’t just want traffic — you want qualified traffic that buys. And to get that, you need more than keywords and meta tags. You need an SEO merchandising strategy that turns your search presence into a sales engine.

Here’s the hard truth: Most product pages are built for search engines, not for people. They’re stuffed with keywords, missing visual hierarchy, and do nothing to guide the buyer’s journey. You’re not just losing clicks — you’re bleeding conversions. Now let’s get practical.

What SEO Merchandising Really Does

get google ranking ad

An SEO merchandising strategy bridges two crucial things: ranking and revenue. It doesn’t just get you seen — it gets you chosen. That means:

  • Prioritising products based on commercial intent, not alphabetical order.
  • Creating internal link structures that mirror buyer psychology, not just technical SEO logic.
  • Using structured data to surface key buying info (price, availability, reviews) in the SERPs, not buried on your PDP.
  • Reordering collections dynamically based on real-time data — search volume, seasonal demand, and behavioural insights.

If your site’s top-ranking product is your lowest seller, your merchandising is failing your SEO.

What That Means for You in Singapore

You’re competing in a market where customers expect same-day delivery, mobile-first UX, and hyper-relevant search results. If your category page ranks but doesn’t convert, it’s not Google’s fault — it’s your merchandising.

The opportunity? Start treating your SEO real estate like a digital shelf. Curate it. Test it. Refine it. If your PDPs, category pages, and internal links don’t work together to guide a sale, your traffic is wasted.

And yes — this works whether you’re running Shopify, WooCommerce, or custom builds. The platform doesn’t matter. The strategy does. You don’t need more traffic. You need more action from the traffic you already have.

That’s what a proper SEO merchandising strategy delivers — higher conversions, better rankings, and a sharper edge in Singapore’s crowded digital market. Let’s build a site that sells — not just one that shows up. 

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4 Tips to Improve Your SEO Merchandising Strategy

Let’s get one thing straight — ranking isn’t winning. If your site shows up on page one but fails to convert, you’ve just created the world’s most expensive digital window display.

What you need is an SEO merchandising strategy — a system that doesn’t just bring traffic in, but guides that traffic all the way to purchase. It’s the strategic layer your competitors aren’t thinking about, and that gives you the advantage.

1. Prioritise High-Intent Pages in Your Internal Link Structure

SEO Merchandising Strategy - Prioritise High-Intent Pages in Your Internal Link Structure

If your internal linking strategy is just pointing every blog post to your homepage or a generic category, you’re doing it wrong. Links aren’t just for crawling — they’re for conversions.

When you prioritise high-intent pages in your internal link structure, you’re not just boosting SEO. You’re guiding ready-to-buy users exactly where they need to go. Let’s break it down.

What This Actually Means

A high-intent page is any page where a visitor is closer to purchase — typically:

  • Product detail pages (PDPs)
  • Category pages with transactional search terms
  • Comparison pages (“X vs Y”)
  • Solution-based landing pages (especially for B2B)

Your job? Funnel as much qualified internal link equity to these pages as possible. Here’s how to do it right:

  • Audit existing internal links using a tool like Screaming Frog or Ahrefs Site Audit. Find pages with a high number of internal links but low intent — and shift those links toward pages that actually convert.
  • Use anchor text that reflects buyer psychology. “Shop noise-cancelling earbuds” works harder than “click here.”
  • Link from your blog’s top performers. If a how-to guide ranks and gets traffic, embed strategic internal links to your bestsellers or collections.

Real-World Example: Decathlon’s Internal Linking Playbook

Decathlon Singapore is a masterclass in intent-based internal linking. Their blog content, like “How to Choose Running Shoes,” doesn’t just educate — it seamlessly links to relevant categories like “Trail Running Shoes” and “Wide-Fit Options,” all using keyword-rich anchors. 

According to Similarweb, they drive over 500K monthly visits in Southeast Asia, and a chunk of that traffic is routed directly into commerce-ready experiences — not to a content dead-end.  That’s smart linking that sells.

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Here’s what to fix and what to build:

Task Tool Why It Matters
Identify top-converting pages Google Analytics / GA4 Focus links on pages that actually drive revenue
Audit link depth for PDPs Screaming Frog Ensure money pages aren’t buried
Update anchor text for intent Manual / SurferSEO Improves relevance and click-through
Create content hubs around buyer journeys Internal wiki or CMS Consolidates authority and drives consistent internal traffic
Remove dead-end blog posts or rewire them Ahrefs or GSC Reclaim traffic and pass value to sales-driven pages

Bottom line? Every internal link is a directional signal — and in a conversion-first SEO merchandising strategy, you can’t afford to send users in circles. Prioritise the pages that close, not just the ones that rank.

Because if you don’t link like you sell, you’re just giving your competitors the sale.

2. Reorder Category Pages Based on Demand Signals

SEO Merchandising Strategy - Reorder Category Pages Based on Demand Signals

Image Credit: Relex Solutions

Let’s be blunt: your default product sorting is probably costing you sales. If your category pages are organised by “Newest First” or “Alphabetical A–Z,” you’re not merchandising — you’re listing.

And in 2025, that’s a fast way to lose high-intent shoppers to competitors who understand one thing better than most: demand drives revenue. It’s time to stop treating your product grid like a spreadsheet and start treating it like your highest-performing sales rep.

What Demand-Based Merchandising Actually Means

Reordering your category pages based on real-time demand signals means using data — not guesswork — to put your most relevant, high-converting products up front. Here’s what “demand” looks like in practice:

  • Search Volume Trends: Products tied to rising keyword searches should take priority.
  • Click-Through Rate (CTR): Products users engage with most should be pushed higher.
  • Conversion Rate: If a product consistently converts, it needs to be seen first.
  • Stock Levels + Urgency: Low-stock, high-demand items can create urgency — great for conversion if surfaced smartly.
  • Seasonality + Local Behaviour: Are more Singaporeans searching for raincoats in December? Then that’s what they should see first.

Real-World Example: Amazon’s Dynamic Ranking Algorithm

Amazon doesn’t rely on a static sort order. Their algorithm reorders product listings within categories based on what’s trending, what’s converting, and what’s most relevant to you. This isn’t just personalisation — it’s predictive merchandising.

Amazon’s dynamic product sequencing was responsible for a 20–30% uplift in revenue per visitor compared to static catalogue sorting. That’s the benchmark you’re up against. Here’s a clear playbook to start leveraging demand signals in your own category merchandising:

Step Tool/Platform Outcome
Pull product-level performance data (CTR, conversions, sales velocity) Identify your top-performing products by behaviour
Overlay this with keyword trend data Match what people search with what you sell
Reorder category pages based on blended performance score
  • Shopify Collection Sort
  • Boost AI Search
  • Custom logic
Prioritise visibility for high-demand items
Add filters for fast-moving or trending products Let users self-select high-demand items
Review and adjust every 2–4 weeks
  • Internal process or automated via plugin
Stay aligned with shifting consumer behaviour

Reordering category pages isn’t just a “nice to have.” It’s a revenue multiplier. Done right, it shortens the path to purchase, improves user experience, and gives Google stronger behavioural signals (hello, improved dwell time and reduced bounce rates). 

That’s good for SEO, good for UX, and brilliant for revenue. Because if your best products are buried, your conversions will be too. So stop guessing. Let demand guide the sort order — and let your category pages finally start pulling their weight.

3. Optimise Your SERP Display Like a Digital Shelf

SEO Merchandising Strategy - Optimise Your SERP Display Like a Digital Shelf

If your search result looks like every other one on page one, you’re not in the game — you’re in the noise. In 2025, SEO isn’t just about ranking. It’s about how your listing performs once it’s there. 

Think of the search engine results page (SERP) like a digital shelf. Just like in retail, what gets seen — and picked — is what’s packaged better, positioned smarter, and speaks directly to intent.

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psg ads banner

And if you’re not treating your title tags and meta descriptions like your front-of-shelf real estate, you’re leaving money on the table.

What It Means to Optimise the SERP Display

Your SERP snippet is the first impression. It’s your one-line pitch to the searcher. So why waste it with generic copy? Here’s what you should be doing:

  • Write meta titles like product labels: Clear, concise, benefit-led. Include your primary keyword and a reason to click — like “Free Next-Day Shipping” or “In-Stock Now”.
  • Use your meta descriptions like a call-to-action: You’ve got ~150 characters to show value, build trust, and prompt a click. Make them work harder.
  • Leverage structured data (schema markup) to enhance visibility: Add product price, reviews, ratings, availability, and even FAQs. These rich snippets aren’t just pretty — they lift CTR by up to 30%.

Your Action Plan: SERP Merchandising in 5 Moves

Tactic Tool Why It Matters
Rewrite your top 50 title tags and meta descriptions Drives up CTR instantly
Add structured data to key product & category pages Triggers rich results that boost visibility
A/B test titles & descriptions using GSC CTR data Proves what copy converts best
Include urgency triggers: “Limited Stock,” “Ends Today,” “Popular Pick”
  • Manual update
Plays into impulse behaviour on SERPs
Add review and price schema for top-selling SKUs Turns your listing into a decision-ready mini-landing page

Why This Matters in a Competitive Market Like Singapore

Singaporean consumers research before they buy — often comparing 3–5 options in the SERPs alone. According to Google’s own Asia-Pacific retail insights, 70% of users decide what to click based on reviews, delivery speed, or pricing — before they even land on a site.

So if you’re not surfacing that information up front, you’re invisible. Even when you’re ranking. Treat your SERP listing like a digital shelf product. Optimise for impact, not just inclusion. Because in a world where ranking is crowded, your packaging is your pitch. And the brands that win? They don’t just show up — they show off.

4. Use Behavioural Data to Inform SEO Content Clusters

SEO Merchandising Strategy - Use Behavioural Data to Inform SEO Content Clusters

Image Credit: Full Story

Most brands build SEO content clusters based on keyword tools and gut instinct. That might get you to page two — if you’re lucky.

But if you want to build content clusters that actually convert, you need to stop guessing what users want and start listening to what they’re doing. Behavioural data (not just search volume) should be your north star. Because clicks don’t lie.

What Does “Behavioural Data” Actually Mean?

You’re not short on data — you’re just probably not using it strategically. Here’s the kind of behavioural data that should guide your content cluster strategy:

  • Search queries from on-site search: What are users typing once they land on your site?
  • Click paths and user journeys: Where do visitors go after reading a top-of-funnel blog post?
  • Scroll depth and time on page: Which topics hold attention and which ones bleed bounce?
  • Conversion-assisted content: What blog pages were viewed before a purchase or lead submission?
  • Heatmaps and session recordings: What sections are users engaging with most?

This is the intel your competitors aren’t using. Which is exactly why you should.

How to Build a Behaviour-Driven Content Cluster (Step-by-Step)

Step Tool What to Look For
Pull on-site search queries Identify recurring terms or missed intent
Map user journeys
  • GA4’s Path Exploration
  • Hotjar Funnels
Track common entry-to-exit paths
Review assisted conversions
  • GA4’s Conversion Paths report
Surface content that contributes to bottom-line outcomes
Analyse scroll depth + engagement Prioritise topics with high retention
Tag all cluster content by stage of funnel
  • Manual + CMS taxonomy
Ensure content supports each step of the buyer journey

Now, instead of writing 15 disconnected blog posts on “fashion tips”, you’re building a cluster that reflects how real users think and behave:

  • Top of Funnel: “Best Styles for Humid Weather in Singapore”
  • Middle of Funnel: “Lightweight Cotton vs Linen: What to Wear for Comfort”
  • Bottom of Funnel: “Our Top-Rated Breathable Shirts (with Real Reviews)”
  • Support Content: “Why Singaporeans Are Switching to Natural Fibres”

 

All of this is driven by what users are already telling you through their behaviour.

Why It Matters in the Singapore Market

Singaporean shoppers are digitally sophisticated. According to Statista, over 85% of online consumers in Singapore research content before making a purchase — particularly in verticals like fashion, electronics, and finance.

So if your content doesn’t reflect their search-and-browse behaviour, you’re not just irrelevant — you’re invisible. Keyword tools tell you what people think they want. Behavioural data tells you what they actually do.

When you combine the two, you stop publishing guesswork and start producing content that ranks, engages, and sells. That’s the kind of SEO content cluster that builds authority — and moves revenue. Because at the end of the day, Google’s algorithm is built to follow user behaviour. So why aren’t you?

How to Start Your SEO Merchandising Strategy
How to Start Your SEO Merchandising Strategy

Image Credit: Vazoola

If you’ve made it this far, you already know that traditional SEO isn’t enough. Ranking is one thing — but driving intent-led clicks that convert? That’s where SEO merchandising becomes your edge.

You’re no longer just optimising for algorithms; you’re merchandising for humans who are ready to act. Start by auditing your internal links, reviewing behavioural data, and turning your SERP listings into digital storefronts.

But if you want to scale this with precision, speed, and ROI in mind — don’t go it alone. Partner with MediaOne — Singapore’s leading digital marketing agency — and get an SEO merchandising strategy built to move the needle, not just the ranking.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does voice search impact e-commerce SEO?

Voice search is reshaping SEO by favouring natural, conversational queries. E-commerce sites should optimise for long-tail keywords and question-based phrases to align with voice search patterns, enhancing visibility in voice-assisted searches.

What role does schema markup play in e-commerce SEO?

Schema markup helps search engines understand your site’s content, enabling rich snippets like product ratings and availability. Implementing it can improve click-through rates by providing users with detailed information directly in search results. 

How important is mobile optimisation for e-commerce SEO?

With a significant portion of users shopping via mobile devices, mobile optimisation is crucial. A mobile-friendly site enhances user experience and is favoured by search engines, positively impacting rankings.

Can AI-generated content benefit e-commerce SEO?

AI-generated content can assist in creating product descriptions and FAQs efficiently. However, it’s essential to review and personalise such content to maintain quality and relevance, ensuring it meets SEO standards.

How does internal linking affect e-commerce SEO?

Effective internal linking guides users through your site and distributes page authority, helping search engines index your pages more efficiently. Strategic linking can enhance user experience and boost SEO performance.

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About the Author

tom koh seo expert singapore

Tom Koh

Tom is the CEO and Principal Consultant of MediaOne, a leading digital marketing agency. He has consulted for MNCs like Canon, Maybank, Capitaland, SingTel, ST Engineering, WWF, Cambridge University, as well as Government organisations like Enterprise Singapore, Ministry of Law, National Galleries, NTUC, e2i, SingHealth. His articles are published and referenced in CNA, Straits Times, MoneyFM, Financial Times, Yahoo! Finance, Hubspot, Zendesk, CIO Advisor.

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