When it comes to running a successful eCommerce store, visibility on search engines like Google plays a huge role. And if you’re using Salesforce Commerce Cloud (SFCC) to power your store, SEO is something you simply can’t ignore.
Salesforce Commerce Cloud is known for its scalability, cloud based architecture, and omnichannel capabilities but how well does it support SEO?
Let’s break down everything you need to know about Salesforce Commerce Cloud SEO, including its built-in features, limitations, and practical tips to improve your store’s rankings.
What is Salesforce Commerce Cloud?
Salesforce Commerce Cloud (formerly Demandware) is an enterprise-level eCommerce platform designed for global brands. It offers:
- Cloud-based scalability
- AI-powered personalization (via Einstein)
- Omnichannel selling (web, mobile, store)
- Integration with other Salesforce products
While it focuses heavily on customer experience and sales optimization, its SEO capabilities also play a key role in driving organic traffic.
Does Salesforce Commerce Cloud Support SEO?
Yes, but it’s not as plug-and-play as some other platforms like Shopify or WordPress with Yoast. SFCC does offer SEO support, but much of it depends on how the store is configured and developed.
It’s more of a “developer-driven” SEO platform, meaning technical implementation matters a lot. But with the right setup, SFCC can be highly SEO-friendly.
Key SEO Features in Salesforce Commerce Cloud
Here are the most important SEO-friendly features you can use within SFCC:
1. Custom URL Management
Salesforce Commerce Cloud allows for custom URL rules. This means:
- You can create SEO-friendly URLs like
/mens/shoes/nike-air-maxinstead of dynamic strings like?pid=1234. - You can automate URL rewrites based on product names, categories, or attributes.
Tip: Avoid using duplicate URLs for the same content across different categories.
2. Meta Tags Control
SFCC gives full control over:
- Meta titles
- Meta descriptions
- Meta keywords (not necessary for SEO today, but still available)
You can dynamically generate these using templates or edit them manually for important pages.
Tip: Use keyword-rich, unique titles and descriptions for every product and category page.
3. Canonical Tags Support
Duplicate content is a common issue in large eCommerce sites. Salesforce allows the implementation of canonical tags to prevent indexing of duplicate pages.
This helps Google understand which version of a page is the “main” one, especially when products are listed in multiple categories.
4. XML Sitemaps & Robots.txt
SFCC allows automatic generation of XML sitemaps that include:
- Product pages
- Category pages
- Content pages
You can also edit the robots.txt file to control which pages search engines should crawl or avoid.
Tip: Submit your sitemap to Google Search Console regularly.
5. Structured Data (Schema Markup)
With SFCC, you can implement JSON-LD structured data for:
- Products
- Reviews
- Ratings
- Breadcrumbs
This helps search engines understand your content better and can improve your visibility through rich snippets.
6. Mobile Optimization
Salesforce Commerce Cloud supports responsive design, which is critical for mobile SEO. With mobile-first indexing now the standard, your mobile experience matters more than ever.
Tip: Test your pages with Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test tool.
7. Fast Load Times
SFCC is built for performance, and site speed directly impacts SEO. You can enhance load times with:
- CDN (Content Delivery Network)
- Image optimization
- Lazy loading
- Minified CSS/JS files
8. Hreflang Support for Multilingual Stores
If your store operates in multiple countries or languages, SFCC supports hreflang tags, which help Google serve the right version of your content based on the user’s location.
Tip: Always use correct hreflang implementation to avoid content duplication issues across regions.
Common SEO Challenges in SFCC
While SFCC is SEO-capable, there are a few limitations and things to watch out for:
1. Heavy Developer Dependency
Many SEO tasks in SFCC require developer involvement such as:
- Adding schema markup
- Editing canonical tags
- Managing URL redirects
Unlike platforms with drag-and-drop SEO apps, most of the setup here is technical.
2. Duplicate Content from Parameters
If your store uses multiple sorting/filtering options (e.g., price, color), they can create different URLs that lead to the same product.
Solution: Implement URL parameter handling in Google Search Console and use canonical tags wisely.
3. Lack of Built-in SEO Plugins
SFCC doesn’t offer built-in SEO apps or plugins like Shopify or WordPress. Everything must be customized or integrated manually.
4. Complex Redirect Management
Setting up 301 redirects for old URLs requires access to the backend or custom scripts. It’s not as easy as just using a plugin.
Salesforce SEO Tips to Rank Better
Here are some practical tips you can apply to improve your SEO on Salesforce Commerce Cloud:
1. Optimize Category Pages First
These usually drive more traffic than individual product pages. Focus on:
- Keyword-rich headings (H1, H2)
- Unique content describing the category
- Internal links to related products
2. Use Descriptive ALT Tags for Images
This improves image SEO and helps with accessibility. Make sure every product image has a descriptive ALT tag.
3. Fix Broken Links & 404 Errors
Use tools like Screaming Frog or Google Search Console to find and fix broken links. A good user experience boosts SEO.
4. Implement Clean, Flat Site Architecture
Avoid too many levels of categories and subcategories. A flat structure helps both users and crawlers reach all content faster.
5. Monitor Site Speed Regularly
Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix to monitor performance. Compress images and minimize unused scripts.
6. Leverage Content Pages (e.g., Blog or Guides)
Content marketing can complement your SEO efforts. Add buying guides, how-tos, or style tips with internal links to products.
7. Use Internal Linking
Link related products, categories, and content pages together to help search engines crawl your site effectively.
8. Enable Breadcrumb Navigation
Breadcrumbs enhance navigation and improve the way your pages appear in Google’s search results.
Conclusion
Salesforce Commerce Cloud is a powerful eCommerce platform, and yes it can absolutely support strong SEO performance.
While it’s not as beginner-friendly as some other platforms, it offers everything you need to succeed: clean URLs, meta tag control, structured data, mobile responsiveness, and performance optimization.
The key is to configure it properly, work closely with developers, and focus on SEO best practices consistently.
If you’re running an enterprise-level eCommerce store, Salesforce Commerce Cloud offers the flexibility and scalability to grow your organic presence over time as long as your SEO setup is done right.
