Getting your Shopify store to rank higher in search engines is an ideal way to generate more organic impressions, clicks, and conversions. But what is Shopify search engine optimization (SEO)? Put simply, Shopify SEO includes content and website improvements that are specifically aimed at elevating your Shopify page rankings in search engines results pages (SERPs) so your audience can find them when they enter search queries related to your products and services.
Optimization Techniques to Boost your Shopify Store SEO
Optimize Shopify Store Structure
One of our first SEO tips for Shopify is to optimize your Shopify store structure. Site structure, also known as site architecture, is a vital component of SEO for Shopify. It comprises everything from a seamless user experience to internal linking conventions that improve the flow of your site and keeps users engaged for longer. A proper site structure includes a well-planned layout, with an easy-to-navigate home page and well-defined categories and product pages.
Nevertheless, be sure to keep your pages as simple and to the point as possible. Try to group similar products into collections, and then utilize those collections to further develop internal links, enhance your on-site navigation, and create engaging content your users will find valuable while browsing your store.
Optimize the Titles of Shopify Products
Your product titles should clearly state what your product pages are about, and are very important for Shopify SEO. We recommend conducting thorough keyword research before creating titles to ensure that you incorporate keywords and keyword search phrases into your titles. Aim for keywords with low competition and high search volumes to get the most out of your keyword/title optimization strategy.
Optimize Product Descriptions
Similar to optimized product titles, optimizing Shopify product descriptions for SEO can further indicate to Google what your pages are about, all while attracting customers and encouraging them to engage with your pages by providing content that is relevant to their search queries.
Think of your product descriptions like virtual salespeople – you need them to answer important questions and objections raised by shoppers. Descriptions also play a vital role in getting your site ranked and noticed while users look up specific terms they’re searching for using search engines. For that reason, you need to make sure your descriptions include relevant keywords, aren’t unnecessarily stuffed with keywords, and are written with your customers in mind.
Optimize Product Images
Image optimization reduces the size of your images without compromising quality, enabling your pages to load faster and your customers to check-out sooner. To optimize your images for Shopify stores, name them descriptively using simple language, choose your product angles and image dimensions wisely, select the right kind of files (we recommend using .JPG files), and optimize your thumbnails.
Optimizing your images reduces the waiting time for users who visit your store, thereby improving customer experience and decreasing the chances customers will get frustrated with slow page load times and bounce from your site.
Optimize Shopify SEO To Drive Organic Traffic and Conversions
The tactics above are important for optimizing your Shopify store to generate higher rankings in Google, and by extension to produce more organic clicks and impressions. SEO is a long-game, and needs to be done consistently over a stretch of weeks and months to create a significant impact on your bottom line. These tips will get you started, and help you maintain best practices in your business for years to come.
