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The Shift: From Offline Hustle to Online Visibility
My wife had always been passionate about fashion. From sourcing vibrant Ankara fabrics to designing trendy two-piece sets, her collections were tailored to the everyday woman looking for style and comfort. But like many entrepreneurs, she had one major limitation: distribution capacity. Her designs were stellar, but her market reach was narrow. She wanted more visibility. She wanted to be found. And that’s where I stepped in. We started by setting up her online store on Shaakara, our growing fashion marketplace platform designed to enable small and medium fashion brands to connect with a larger audience. It was the perfect launchpad for her digital transformation.Starting With Search: What Are People Really Looking For?
The first thing we did wasn’t to upload products—it was keyword analysis. Too many businesses make the mistake of starting with what they want to sell, not what people are already searching for. So we dived deep into keyword research using tools like Google Keyword Planner and Ahrefs. We entered descriptions of her first products, such as “Ankara shorts and tops,” “Top and Shorts Set for Women,” and “2-piece Ankara sets.” What we discovered shocked her. Among over 1,000 search results, 24 key terms stood out with high monthly search volumes in Nigeria alone. These included:- 2-piece shorts and top
- Women’s short-sleeved shirt
- Shorts and shirts for ladies
- Ankara short and top
- Tops for short skirts
- Short skirt and crop top
Implementation: From Discovery to Optimisation
Armed with these keywords, we began uploading products and optimising each listing for search. This meant writing product descriptions that naturally included these high-ranking phrases, improving image naming conventions, and adding meta descriptions that aligned with what people were typing into search engines. We also developed content around style tips, care instructions, and mix-and-match guides using those same search phrases, adding even more value to her store and boosting her SEO authority.Sign up for the Connect Nigeria daily newsletter
The Bigger Picture: This Isn’t Just About Fashion
What we experienced was more than just a personal win; it was a roadmap for any industry. From real estate, agriculture to education, from real estate to healthcare, the same principle applies: if your audience can’t find you online, you don’t exist to them. We live in a world where nearly every buying journey starts with a search engine. A 2025 report by Meltwater revealed that:- Over 18 million Nigerians purchased consumer goods online in 2024.
- More than $6 billion was spent, with fashion alone contributing $1.2 billion.
- Search engines are the #3 most visited websites, the #2 source of brand discovery, and the #2 source of trusted information for products and services.
SEO Isn’t Magic, It’s Strategy
Many businesses still treat SEO like a buzzword or optional add-on. But as we proved with this personal case, SEO is a science that can be applied to any product, in any industry, and in any region. You don’t need a huge advertising budget to win online. What you need is a smart keyword strategy, consistent optimisation, and compelling content that matches what your ideal customer is searching for. That’s what we offer through our Smart SEO Management Service. With expertise as Google ambassadors and digital marketing specialists, we help turn underperforming websites into the #1 sales tool for our clients. Our services include:- Keyword Research & SEO Strategy
- Search Engine Marketing (SEM)
- Ad campaign management across Google, Meta, X, and TikTok
- Brand Positioning & Digital PR
- Marketplace optimisation (like Shaakara.com.ng)
The Call to Action: Your Website Shouldn’t Wait for Visitors
In this age of information, having a website is no longer enough. If your website isn’t actively attracting leads, educating your audience, and ranking for trending keywords, then it’s falling short of its potential. As we head into the critical “Ember Months,” now is the time to act. If my wife could move from offline hustle to a findable fashion brand with just one store and a well-executed SEO plan, imagine what your business can achieve with the right strategy.Register to attend the CN Business Mixer
Are you ready to be found? Contact us today: +234 911 416 6874 – Learn More: https://strumdigi.com.ng/ Let us help you turn your website into your strongest sales engine.
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