Content & Editorial Guidelines

As a leading resource for ecommerce professionals, eCommerce Fastlane maintains high standards for all published content. These guidelines ensure our readers receive actionable, valuable insights directly impacting their business growth.

Content Quality Standards

Originality and Exclusivity

• All submissions must be 100% original and unpublished elsewhere
• Content must pass Copyscape verification
• We do not accept content that will be published on other platforms
• You must own or have proper rights to all submitted content

Value-Driven Content

• Articles must provide actionable insights for ecommerce professionals
• Focus on solving real problems with practical implementation steps
• Include relevant examples, case studies, or data points to support claims
• Avoid promotional content—educate and inform rather than advertise

Audience Alignment

• Content must speak directly to ecommerce professionals, including merchants, marketers, and founders
• Address specific challenges faced by online retailers across platforms (Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, etc.)
• Content should demonstrate a deep understanding of the ecommerce ecosystem
• Focus on building memorable brands and fostering customer communities

Technical Specifications

Article Structure

• Word count: Minimum 1000 words (800-1200 words ideal for standard posts)
• Reading level: Grade 8 (use Hemingway Editor to verify)
• Format: Google Doc with commenting access enabled
• Quality check: Must be run through Grammarly before submission

Required Elements

• Post Title: Clear, compelling, and keyword-optimized (capitalize each word)
• Meta Description: 160 characters maximum, including primary keyword
• Meta Keywords: 3-5 relevant, comma-separated keywords
• URL Slug: Concise, keyword-rich (example: customer-retention-strategies)
• Featured Image: High-resolution (1200x628px) from approved sources
• Video: Relevant YouTube Video (when applicable)

Content Structure

Article Framework

SEO Requirements

• Primary keyword in title, first paragraph, and at least one H2
• Natural keyword distribution (avoid keyword stuffing)
• Strategic internal linking to relevant eCommerce Fastlane content
• Authoritative external links to credible sources
• Alt text for all images

Link Guidelines

• 1 do-follow link for yourself or your client,
• 1 (or more) internal links at eCommerceFastlane.com for contextual relevance
• 1 (or more) super high authority external link which is not your client which just aids in the authoritativeness of the article.

Voice and Style

Brand Voice

• Conversational yet professional tone
• Write as an experienced peer giving advice
• Use contractions and second-person perspective (you/your)
• Break complex concepts into digestible examples
• Focus on practical, actionable insights

Formatting Guidelines

• Use short paragraphs (3-4 sentences maximum)
• Include bulleted or numbered lists for easy scanning
• Bold important concepts or takeaways
• Use subheadings to organize content logically
• Ensure content is mobile-friendly and scannable

Submission Process

Pre-Submission Checklist

• Write article following all guidelines
• Run through Grammarly for grammar and clarity
• Check originality via Copyscape
• Ensure all required elements are included
• Share Google Doc link with commenting access

Editorial Review

• Our team will review submissions promptly
• Feedback or revision requests will be provided via Google Doc comments
• Once approved, content will be scheduled for publication
• You’ll receive notification when your content goes live

Winning Content Formats

These content types tend to perform exceptionally well with our audience:

• Step-by-step implementation guides
• Data-backed strategy articles
• Real merchant case studies
• App and tool comparisons
• Revenue optimization tactics
• Tech stack tutorials

Link Insertion Guidelines

If you’ve arranged for a link insertion, please provide:

• Target URL: The exact URL you want the link to point to
• Anchor Text: Natural, contextually relevant anchor text
• Contextual Sentence: 1-2 relevant sentences to be inserted around your anchor text
• Preferred Article: If you have a specific article preference for placement

Example of Good Contextual Integration:
“…effective email marketing strategies are crucial for customer retention. By leveraging personalization and automation tools, as highlighted in this [anchor text], businesses can significantly improve customer engagement.”

Publication Terms

• You grant eCommerce Fastlane publishing rights
• Proper attribution will be given for all sources
• We maintain editorial discretion over all content
• Content may be optimized for SEO performance

By submitting content to eCommerce Fastlane, you agree to all terms and guidelines outlined above. We look forward to sharing your expertise with our community of ecommerce professionals.

Contact Our Editorial Team

For submission-related inquiries or to discuss potential topics directly, please reach out to our editorial team here.

We look forward to showcasing your expertise to our engaged audience of ecommerce and retail founders, marketers, and professionals.