Big W has appointed search marketing agency First Rate to handle search engine optimisation (SEO) as it looks to boost traffic to its new transactional retail website.

The Woolworths-owned discount department store chain launched its e-commerce site in May in a bid to take advantage of the growing online retail market.

Head of Big W Online Sally-Anne Newson said the appointment of a search marketing agency was “vital to the success of our online store to ensure we reach the right target audience through search engine optimisation” .

First Rate will be tasked with SEO for the site in a bid to “help Big W dominate the online retail scene”, First Rate Head of Marketing & Business Development Tom Skotidas said.

“We are working with Big W to ensure the brand appears at the top of Google results whenever people search for products stocked by Big W.

“Their e-commerce launch represents a pioneering moment in the Australian retail industry. First Rate will be using our leading SEO methodology to grow Big W’s online traffic and sales, and turn their launch into an Australian e-commerce success story,” Skotidas said.

Big W’s online store has more than 4,000 products available, and claims it is the first discount department store retailer to offer the volume and range of products online.

Newson said the Big W online store aims to extend the retailer’s reach across the country.

“In today’s busy environment, people want to be able to shop when they want, where they want and how they want. At bigw.com.au, customers can purchase leading brands at everyday low prices from the comfort of their own home,” Newson said