How to fix duplicate content in BigCommerce?

@percy_bauch 

Fixing duplicate content in BigCommerce is important for improving your site's SEO and user experience. Here are some strategies to address duplicate content issues:

1. Canonical Tags: Use canonical tags to indicate the preferred version of a page to search engines. This is especially useful for product pages that might be accessed via multiple URLs. BigCommerce allows you to set canonical URLs for product and category pages in the dashboard.
2. 301 Redirects: Implement 301 redirects from duplicate pages to the preferred page. This is effective for pages that are no longer needed or have similar content. In BigCommerce, you can set up URL redirects under the "Server Settings" and then "301 Redirects" section in the dashboard.
3. Consistent URL Structure: Ensure that your URL structure is consistent. Use either the "www" or "non-www" version consistently throughout your site. Decide between HTTP and HTTPS and apply it site-wide, preferably using HTTPS for security and SEO benefits.
4. Parameter Handling: If your site uses URL parameters for sorting or filtering, ensure they do not create indexable duplicates. Set up URL parameter handling in Google Search Console to guide search engines on how to manage parameters.
5. Unique Content: Ensure that each page has unique meta titles, descriptions, and content. Avoid copying product descriptions from manufacturers. Instead, write unique descriptions that cater to your target audience.
6. Paginated Content: For paginated content, use rel="next" and rel="prev" tags to show search engines the relationship between pages.
7. Meta Tags: Use noindex meta tags for pages that shouldn't appear in search results (e.g., admin pages, login pages, or duplicate category pages caused by pagination).
8. Product Variations: If you have multiple variations of a product, consider using a parent product page with options for variations, rather than separate pages for each variant.
9. Monitoring with Tools: Use tools like Google Search Console, SEMrush, or Ahrefs to identify duplicate content issues. Regularly audit your site to spot and fix any new duplicate content.

Implementing these practices will help reduce duplicate content issues and improve your site’s SEO performance in BigCommerce.