Improving SEO on Shopify

Running a Shopify store is a great way to sell products online, but getting people to find your store through search engines can be challenging. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) helps your store appear in Google searches, bringing in more customers without spending money on ads.

This guide will cover the key steps to improve SEO on Shopify, making it easier for your store to rank higher in search results and attract more visitors.

Why SEO Matters for Shopify Stores

SEO is important because most online shoppers start by searching on Google. If your Shopify store appears on the first page of search results, you have a better chance of getting clicks and sales. Unlike paid ads, SEO brings in free traffic over time, making it a cost-effective way to grow your business.

1. Choose the Right Keywords

Keywords are the words or phrases people type into Google when searching for products. If you choose the right keywords, your store has a better chance of appearing in search results.

How to Find the Best Keywords

• Use free tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ubersuggest, or Ahrefs Keyword Generator to find keywords related to your products.
• Look at what competitors are ranking for and try to target similar terms
• Focus on long-tail keywords (phrases with three or more words) since they are easier to rank for and attract more targeted buyers. For example, instead of targeting "shoes," try "comfortable running shoes for men.

2. Optimize Shopify Product Pages

Every product page should be optimized for search engines. Here’s how to do it:

• Title Tags: Make sure your product titles include the main keyword and describe the product clearly.
• Meta Descriptions: Write a short and compelling description (150-160 characters) that includes the keyword and encourages clicks.
• URL Structure: Keep product page URLs clean and simple. Avoid long, messy URLs with random numbers.
• Alt Text for Images: Add keywords to image descriptions to help search engines understand what the image is about.

3. Improve Site Speed

A slow website can hurt your rankings and drive customers away. Google favors fast-loading sites, so making your Shopify store faster should be a priority.

Ways to Speed Up Your Shopify Store

• Use a lightweight Shopify theme that doesn’t have too many unnecessary features.
• Compress images before uploading them using tools like TinyPNG or ImageOptim.
• Remove unnecessary Shopify apps that slow down your site.
• Enable browser caching to make pages load faster for repeat visitors.
• Use a Content Delivery Network (CDN) to speed up loading times for visitors from different locations.

4. Create High-Quality Content

Adding a blog to your Shopify store can help attract visitors and improve SEO. Writing useful content related to your products builds trust and encourages people to visit your site.

What to Write About?

• Product guides – Explain how to use your products and their benefits.
• Comparison posts – Compare different products to help buyers choose the best one.
• Customer stories – Share testimonials and real experiences from buyers.
• Industry trends – Talk about trends related to your products and how customers can benefit.

5. Get Backlinks from Other Websites

Backlinks (links from other websites to yours) help increase your store’s authority in Google’s eyes. The more high-quality backlinks you have, the better your chances of ranking higher.

Ways to Get Backlinks

• Contact bloggers or influencers to review your products and link to your store.
• Write guest posts on other websites related to your industry.
• Get listed on business directories and review sites.
• Share valuable content that people want to link to, such as in-depth guides or research studies.

6. Improve Shopify Store Navigation

Google favors websites that are easy to navigate. If your store is well-organized, both customers and search engines will have an easier time finding important pages.

How to Improve Navigation

• Keep your main menu simple, with clear categories for products.
• Use breadcrumb navigation so customers can easily go back to previous pages.
• Avoid too many dropdown menus that can slow down your site and make navigation confusing.

7. Optimize for Mobile Users

Most online shopping happens on mobile devices. If your Shopify store isn’t mobile-friendly, you could be losing potential customers.

Tips for a Mobile-Friendly Store

• Use a responsive Shopify theme that adjusts to different screen sizes.
• Keep buttons and text large enough to be clicked easily on a phone.
• Test your site on different devices to make sure everything looks good and loads fast.

8. Improve Internal Linking

Internal links help Google understand the structure of your website and improve SEO. They also keep visitors on your site longer.

How to Use Internal Links

• Link to related products on product pages (e.g., "You may also like this").
• Add links to your blog posts that direct readers to your products.
• Make sure every important page is linked from somewhere on your site.

9. Encourage Customer Reviews

Reviews not only build trust but also help with SEO. Google often shows product reviews in search results, making your store more attractive to potential buyers.

How to Get More Reviews

• Send follow-up emails asking customers to leave reviews.
• Offer a small discount on the next purchase in exchange for a review.
• Display reviews prominently on product pages.

10. Submit Your Sitemap to Google

Shopify automatically creates a sitemap that lists all your important pages. Submitting it to Google helps search engines index your store faster.

How to Submit Your Sitemap

• Go to Google Search Console (https://search.google.com/search-console/).
• Click on Sitemaps in the left menu.
• Enter your sitemap URL (https://yourstore.com/sitemap.xml).
• Click Submit and wait for Google to process it.

Final Thoughts

Improving SEO on Shopify takes time, but the effort pays off in the long run. By choosing the right keywords, optimizing product pages, improving site speed, and building quality backlinks, your store can rank higher and attract more customers.

If you want expert help with SEO for your Shopify store, SEO Raft offers professional SEO services to improve your rankings and bring in more organic traffic. Contact SEO Raft today and take your Shopify store to the next level!