How to Create a Blog for Your BigCommerce Store: Step-by-step

In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of creating a blog on BigCommerce using simple and straightforward language. 

Key Takeaways

7 Steps to Create a Blog for Your BigCommerce Store: 

• Step 1: Access Your BigCommerce Backend
• Step 2: Locate the Blog Section
• Step 3: Create Your First Blog Post
• Step 4: Add Content to Your Blog Post
• Step 5: Enable Your Blog
• Step 6: Include Your Blog in the Site Menu
• Step 7: Optimize Blog Images

Is BigCommerce good for blogging?

Yes. While BigCommerce primarily focuses on e-commerce functionality, it does offer a good built-in blogging feature. The built-in blog allows you to create and manage content directly within your BigCommerce store.

Here’s why it’s beneficial for blogging:

• SEO Benefits: Regular blog posts can significantly improve your site’s search engine optimization (SEO). Search engines love fresh content, relevant keywords, and informative articles.
• Product Promotion: Use the blog to promote your products, highlight their features, and share updates. It’s an excellent way to engage potential customers.
• Industry Insights: Share industry news, trends, and insights related to your niche. Position yourself as an authority in your field.
• Customer Engagement: Blogs allow you to connect with your audience on a deeper level. Respond to comments, answer questions, and build a community.

However, if you require more advanced blogging capabilities (such as complex layouts, extensive categorization, or multimedia integration), consider using a dedicated blogging platform like WordPress alongside your BigCommerce store. WordPress offers a wider range of themes, plugins, and customization options for bloggers.

Read more: 13+ Best BigCommerce Themes and Templates for 2024

How to Create a Blog for Your BigCommerce Store

Creating a blog for your BigCommerce store is an excellent strategy for engaging with your audience, driving traffic, and enhancing your store’s SEO. Below, we’ve outlined a detailed, step-by-step guide to help you set up your store’s blog efficiently.

Step 1: Access Your BigCommerce Backend

To begin, you need to log into your BigCommerce store:

• Navigate to the BigCommerce Login Page: Access your store’s admin area by logging in with your credentials.
• Head to the ‘Home’ Dashboard: Once logged in, you’ll find yourself on the Home dashboard, which is your starting point.

Step 2: Locate the Blog Section

BigCommerce comes with a built-in blog that you need to locate:

1. Go to ‘Storefront’: From the dashboard, select the ‘Storefront’ option.

2. Find the ‘Blog’ Section: Scroll down to locate the ‘Blog’ option, typically situated just below the ‘Web Pages’ section.

Step 3: Create Your First Blog Post

Now it’s time to start blogging:

• Toggle the Blog to ‘On’: If your blog section is set to ‘Off’, toggle it to ‘On’ to activate it.
• Initiate a New Blog Post: Click on the plus sign (+) to create a new post.

• Title Your Post: Name any title relevant to your content.

Step 4: Add Content to Your Blog Post

Filling your blog post with content is crucial:

1. Compose Your Post: Enter the text for your blog post. Be as detailed and informative as possible.

2. Author and Tags (Optional): You can add an author name and utilize tags to categorize your posts, enhancing discoverability.
3. Choose a Summary Thumbnail Image: Select an engaging image to serve as your post’s featured image. This could be anything relevant to your post’s content.
4. URL and Meta Description: The system automatically generates a URL. Adding a meta description, while optional, is good for SEO.
5. Publish Your Post: Once you’re satisfied with your content and settings, click ‘Publish’ to go live.

Step 5: Enable Your Blog

After publishing, ensure your blog is visible:

• Toggle Visibility: Activate your blog’s visibility setting to allow public access.

Step 6: Include Your Blog in the Site Menu

Make sure visitors can find your blog:

• Check Visibility in ‘Web Pages’: Your blog should be listed with a checkmark in ‘Web Pages’ if it’s visible.
• Adjust Theme Settings for Visibility: Ensure your theme is configured to show web pages in the navigation menu. This setting varies by theme but is generally found under ‘Storefront’ > ‘Themes’ > ‘Theme Styles’ > ‘Header and Footer’.
• Ensure Web Pages are Not Hidden: Disable any options that hide links to web pages to include your blog in the site’s menu.

Step 7: Optimize Blog Images

Make your blog visually appealing:

• Access Theme Customizer: Go to the global settings for your blog through the theme customizer.
• Adjust Featured Image Size: Change the default size of featured images (e.g., to 800×600 pixels) to ensure they’re appropriately displayed.
• Save and Publish Changes: After adjusting the image size, save and publish your changes to update your blog’s appearance.

How Do I Change My Blog Name On Bigcommerce?

To update your blog name in BigCommerce:

1. Log in to your BigCommerce store admin panel.
2. Navigate to Store Settings › Store Profile.
3. Locate the Name field under the Store Information section.
4. Edit the name to your desired blog name.
5. Click Save to apply the changes.

Keep in mind that changing the blog name won’t disable the blog; it simply affects how it appears in your store’s navigation and other relevant areas.

How To Write A Good Blog Post For Your Bigcommerce Store

Here are some essential tips to help you write effective blog posts for your BigCommerce store:

1. Inform, Entertain, and Engage

• Informative Content: Share valuable insights related to your products or industry. Be a thought leader by providing unique perspectives. For instance, if you sell cameras, write about different lighting and exposure techniques—something that potential camera buyers would find interesting.
• Entertaining Content: Use relatable anecdotes, case studies, or even humor. Remember, engaging content keeps readers coming back.
• Engagement: Encourage interaction. Ask questions, invite comments, and prompt readers to share their experiences. Provide ways for your audience to reach out and interact with your brand.

2. Appeal to Different Audiences

• Persona-Based Blogging: Repurpose content for different buyer personas. For example:
  • Write about a beard trimmer for busy executives, emphasizing its fast charging capabilities.
  • Create another post focusing on versatility for young, hip college guys experimenting with facial hair styles.
• Target specific niche audiences when marketing on social media using tailored content.

3. Optimize Your Content for Search Engines (SEO)

• Keyword Research: Use long-tail keywords and phrases relevant to your content. Tools like Google Keyword Planner can help you discover what your audience is searching for.
• Meta Descriptions: Craft compelling meta descriptions for each post. These snippets appear in search results and influence click-through rates.
• Internal Linking: Link to relevant product pages within your blog posts. This improves navigation and SEO.
• Mobile-Friendly: Ensure your blog is responsive. Google prioritizes mobile-friendly sites in search rankings.

4. Calls to Action (CTAs)

Encourage Action: Include CTAs throughout your blog posts:

• Sign Up for Newsletter: Invite readers to subscribe for updates.
• Free Ebook: Offer valuable resources in exchange for sign-ups.
• Surveys or Polls: Engage readers and gather insights.
• Discount Codes: Provide incentives for sharing or subscribing.

5. Product Integration

• Buy Now Buttons: Leave a “Buy Now” button within your blog posts, linking directly to relevant product pages.
• Product-Centric Posts: Write about specific products, their benefits, and use cases. Include an “Add to Cart” button at the end of the article.
• Discounts: End your article with a discount code related to the topic discussed.

6. Collaborate with Influencers

• Partner with influencers or industry experts. Guest posts, interviews, or joint content can add credibility and expand your reach.
• Influencers can authentically promote your products within their content, driving traffic and conversions.

Is BigCommerce SEO-friendly?

Yes, BigCommerce prioritizes SEO (search engine optimization) to enhance your online visibility:

• Optimized URLs: Auto-generates SEO-friendly URLs for products, categories, and other pages.
• Unique URLs: Ensures each unique page has only one URL to avoid duplicate content penalties.
• Microdata (Rich Snippets): Enhances search result listings with additional information like ratings, pricing, brand, and stock levels.
• 301 Redirects and URL Rewrites: Automatically manages URL changes to maintain search engine recognition.
• Content Delivery Network (CDN): Ensures fast site loading speed, which directly impacts search rankings.

These features help improve your site’s visibility in search results, attract organic traffic, and contribute to a successful e-commerce strategy.

Does BigCommerce Use WordPress?

No. However, while BigCommerce itself is not WordPress, there is a powerful integration called BigCommerce for WordPress. BigCommerce for WordPress is a free WordPress plugin that allows you to scale your e-commerce capabilities further than ever before. It leverages the best aspects of both platforms:

• WordPress: Manages content, design, and user experience.
• BigCommerce: Handles complex e-commerce systems, catalog management, payments, and order processing on the backend.

This integration is often referred to as headless commerce, where each platform focuses on what it does best.

Final thought

By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily set up and manage your store’s blog, even if you’re a beginner. Remember, the key to a successful blog is consistent, high-quality content that resonates with your audience. With patience and dedication, your BigCommerce blog can become a valuable asset to your business, driving traffic and fostering a loyal community around your brand. Start your blogging journey today and unlock the potential of content marketing for your store.

Read more: An Ultimate Guide To BigCommerce Analytics