What’s behind the United States’ impressive 69% share of the herbal product market in North America?
Well, it’s a combination of factors, really. Americans, just like Europeans, are increasingly prioritizing their health and well-being. With rising living standards and a growing consciousness of health matters, they’re looking for treatments that offer effectiveness without the baggage of undesirable side effects. This change in thinking is paving the way for the herbal product market to grow.
Just take a look at the screenshot below. It’s evident that people are actively searching for products enriched with herbs and seeking information, including details about their shelf life, for example.
Another evident reason why more people are switching from regular pharmaceuticals to herbal products is caused by the adoption of stress and anxiety-relieving treatments. Natural remedies such as aromatherapy and ayurvedic panchakarma have played a crucial role in driving this growth.
According to data from the 2020 Journal of General Internal Medicine, herbal products have made their way into the lives of over 20% of the U.S. population. That’s a substantial portion of the nation actively incorporating herbs into their health and wellness routines.
In a world where people care more about their health, the United States seems to be a great spot for herbal product businesses. People like natural remedies and have been interested in the benefits of herbs for the last five years – just see below
But, as an online business owner, who is passionate about herbal remedies and even probably truly believes in the quality of your products, how can you make your herbal e-commerce become visible online and attract more buyers? It’s true that there is so much competition out there, and it’s really challenging to stand out, especially if you don’t have a big marketing budget. So, what’s your solution?
One word: SEO.
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Actually, there are 6 main things to bear in mind when trying to increase the online visibility of your online herbal store, and you’re going to explore each of them right now.
One of the fundamental steps in optimizing your herbal product’s online presence is understanding who you want to reach. Who are your potential customers? Are they people searching for scientific evidence supporting the effectiveness of such products, or do they lean towards alternative medicine? This distinction becomes crucial when you begin researching keywords and creating content.
“How do I do that?”, you may be wondering now. Here’s the answer.
To define your target audience correctly, think about:
Once you’ve gained insights into your target audience, use this information to research relevant keywords and develop content that resonates with them. By aligning your SEO efforts with the preferences and needs of your audience, you can enhance the visibility of your herbal products and better serve your customers.
📌 Remember, the more accurately you define your target audience, the more effective your SEO strategy will be in reaching the right people with the right information about your herbal products.
When it comes to SEO for herbal products, you should remember to follow the principles of Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness (E-E-A-T), especially if your content falls under the category of YMYL (Your Money or Your Life) – and let’s be honest, it probably does.
In short, YMYL pages and YMYL content refer to information that can significantly impact a person’s health, finances, or overall well-being. Since herbal products can directly impact a person’s health, your content will most probably fall into the YMYL category. And that’s why you should do literally everything within your power to convince Google that your website is a trustworthy source of information.
So, apart from working on improving your E-E-A-T because it benefits your SEO, think also about handling the below:
📌 Remember: By focusing on E-E-A-T principles and recognizing the potential YMYL nature of your content, you can not only improve your SEO but also build trust with your audience, which is vital in the herbal products industry where consumer confidence is paramount.
When it comes to doing SEO for herbal products and ensuring transparency with your target audience, one essential practice is to always provide a comprehensive list of ingredients. Whether you’re creating product descriptions, blog posts, or any form of content related to herbal products, including a clear and detailed list of ingredients is a must.
Of course, not all lists of ingredients are equal. To ensure none of your customers is left confused, follow these 5 tips on how to present ingredients:
TIP #1 Make sure the list of ingredients is clear and easily accessible to your website visitors.
TIP #2 Use a standardized format for listing ingredients. Typically, ingredients are listed in descending order of quantity, with the primary ingredient first.
TIP #3 Include both the common names and scientific names of herbal ingredients, especially if they are less commonly known.
TIP #4 Highlight any potential allergens in the ingredients.
TIP #5 Commit to keeping the ingredient list up-to-date. If there are any changes in the formulation of your herbal product, make sure the online description reflects those changes promptly.
One effective way to engage your audience and boost the visibility of your herbal products is by creating blog posts that not only describe the herbs but also educate readers on their safe and effective use. These informative and advisory blog posts can serve as valuable resources for your audience while subtly promoting your herbal products.
“Are there any guidelines on how to write informative and advisory blog posts for my e-commerce with herbal products?” you may ask now. Sure there are, just look.
If you want to create an Informative Blog Post, do the following:
STEP 1
Select the herbs that are relevant to your product line. Focus on those you offer.
STEP 2
In your blog posts, provide detailed descriptions of each herb, including its history, traditional uses, and potential health benefits. Include information about active compounds, if applicable.
STEP 3
Explain various methods of using the herb, such as teas, tinctures, topical applications, or culinary uses. Highlight safety precautions and dosage recommendations.
STEP 4
Strategically incorporate links to the herbal products you offer within the blog post. Ensure these links are relevant to the content and provide easy access for readers to explore and purchase.
EXTRA STEP
If possible, share some real-life examples of your customers who used your product to illustrate the positive impact of the herb when used correctly.
If you want to create an Advisory Blog Post, do the following:
STEP 1
Create advisory blog posts that focus on safety when using herbal products. Discuss potential interactions with medications, allergic reactions, and contraindications.
STEP 2
Offer clear dosage recommendations based on scientific research or traditional use. Encourage readers to consult with healthcare professionals if they have specific concerns.
STEP 3
Write in a user-friendly, approachable tone that resonates with your target audience. Avoid medical jargon to make the content accessible to a wide range of readers.
When customers share their thoughts about your herbal products, it shows others that your products work and can be trusted. User reviews are like recommendations from friends – they prove that your products help others. Also, they build trust in your brand.
That’s why you should encourage your customers to leave reviews. How can you do that?
For example, you may ask your customers to leave reviews by sending them a friendly email with a review link. You can even offer them discounts as a thank you.
Apart from collecting the reviews, you should make sure they have a special place on your pages. Put the reviews on your product pages so that everyone can see them. Show both good and not-so-good reviews – after all, there is no product that suits everyone, right? Keep an eye on what people say and respond kindly.
Another amazing thing that makes your review section great is the star rating. Putting it on your product pages makes it easy for the customers to see how good your products are, without reading the actual reviews. It’s quicker this way, simply.
While focusing on herbal product-specific strategies is crucial, it’s equally important to remember that your herbal product website is an e-commerce, so it should work like one. This means that in addition to specialized herbal product SEO techniques that you’ve just learned, you should also adhere to the SEO for e-commerce website best practices to maximize your online visibility and attract the target audience. That’s why you should take good care of:
You’ve just learned that by incorporating regular e-commerce SEO practices alongside your herbal product-specific strategies, you create a strong foundation for online success.
So, if you struggle to get your herbal products noticed in the vast sea of similar online businesses, remember to: get to know your customers, and create informative and advisory blog posts, always staying credible and trustworthy. Also, don’t forget to present the lists of ingredients in a neat and organized way. And finally, allow your customers to share their thoughts about your herbal products on your website.
That’s basically it.
Now it’s time for you to take action. Use all the tips and suggestions you’ve just learned in your SEO strategy for herbal products. And if you happen to be in doubt or need assistance with outranking your competition, see what our e-commerce SEO services can do for your online business. Our SEO team is here to help you use all proven strategies, optimize your website, and achieve the results your brand deserves.