As 2024 brought several technological advancements, Shopify has further enhanced its features and functionalities to rank as one of the leading e-commerce platforms right now. However, the biggest problem is yet to be solved—getting traffic to the online store. Most new merchants struggle to attract new visitors to their stores. The biggest reason behind this is the lack of proper SEO strategies. That’s why having a Shopify SEO checklist handy before starting a new eCommerce business has become a necessity. 

Unlike Social media ads or Google ads, SEO strategies focus on driving organic traffic to your Shopify website instead of paid ones that even require a significant investment. For this particular reason, we believe Shopify SEO is probably the best digital investment for store owners. So, if you’re also the one struggling with your store’s poor performance or thinking of setting up a new store, here’s a complete SEO checklist for your Shopify store. 

This guide will help you with all the necessary information required to create robust SEO strategies to drive traffic to your online store. By following this checklist, you can improve your store’s SERP ranking, stand out from your competitors, and attract new customers. So, let’s get started!

What is Shopify SEO?

Shopify SEO is a process of optimizing your online store to increase visibility and ranking on the SERP (Search Engine Ranking Page). The aim is to make your store pop up higher in search results when people look for products you sell. This involves optimizing your site’s content, structure, and even back-end details like metadata. 

As with website and web pages, Shopify SEO can be implemented in two ways for your online e-commerce store: On-page SEO and off-page SEO.

On-page SEO is about making direct changes to your site to boost its search ranking. This includes writing content that’s relevant to what people are searching for, having catchy titles and clear descriptions, and using the right HTML tags. 

On the other hand, off-page SEO is about using indirect techniques like content marketing, podcasts, link building, social media, reviews, etc., to increase the visibility of your website. 

Why is Shopify SEO Important?

If you’re still unaware of what Shopify SEO can do to your online store, read these statistics to understand its impact:

• 87% of shoppers tend to start their search for the product online. (Source: Retail Dive)
• Online stores get more than 80% of successful sales. (Source: Shopify) 
• The average conversion rate for Shopify stores is around 1.6%. (Source: Littledata)
• Shopify stores that focus on SEO tend to see a higher conversion rate, with organic traffic converting at 3.6%. (Source: Shopify)
• SEO professionals understand the importance of link building, with 42% dedicating equal time to creating both internal and external links. (Source: Databox)
• Mobile users are a major driver of traffic to Shopify stores, with some data suggesting that as much as 79% of traffic comes from mobile devices. (Source: Shopifyandyou)

19-Point Shopify SEO Checklist to Follow in 2024

SEO for your Shopify store is an ongoing process that needs attention from the start and throughout your site’s life. Here’s a straightforward guide to keep your store’s SEO in check:

1. Go for a Custom Domain

Instead of using the default “myshopify” URL, a custom domain looks slick and boosts your click-through rates (CTRs), which is great for SEO. You can purchase one directly through Shopify or any domain provider and set it up under ‘Settings’ > ‘Domains’ in your Shopify dashboard.

2. Pick a Fast-loading Theme

Speed is king, especially after Google’s recent updates emphasizing page experience. Choose a theme that’s fast and responsive over one that’s just flashy.

3. Set Up Analytics

Your Shopify Analytics gives you a sales overview, but you’ll want more details. Tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console are free and essential. They’ll show you where your visitors come from and what they do on your site. Remember to submit your Shopify sitemap to Google Search Console and add your Google Analytics tracking code to your store.

4. Use Shopify SEO Apps

Increase your conversions and sales through Shopify SEO best practices and the use of different apps. For instance, ‘Plug In SEO’ is like Yoast for WordPress—it checks if you’re following SEO best practices. ‘SEO Pro’ is great for more complex tasks like schema markup, and ‘Smart SEO’ offers a lot of bang for your buck.

5. Research Keywords

Start by pinpointing keywords that are closely related to what you’re selling. These are the terms people use when they’re looking for products like yours. 

Use a keyword tool to find relevant keywords for your products. Some keywords will be easy to rank for, while others might be more competitive. Your job is to figure out which ones are golden opportunities for your store.

6. Optimize Your URLs

Make sure your URLs are short and sweet. They should be short, include your target main keyword, and skip any filler words. You can optimize your URLs in Shopify’s Search Engine Listing Preview, which you’ll find at the bottom of any page in the CMS.

7. Optimize Your Titles and Descriptions

When you’re in the Search Engine Listing area, consider optimizing your title tags and meta descriptions.  According to Shopify SEO experts, you should keep the titles under 60 characters and descriptions under 160 characters. Include your keywords and make them compelling—these bits of text help Google understand your content and can entice people to click.

8. Use A For Your Product Descriptions

Don’t let skimpy content on your product pages drag you down. Invest time writing rich, original descriptions with keywords and related terms. A content optimization tool can guide you to the most impactful keywords to use.

9. Describe Your Images Using ALt Text

Google can’t see pictures, so use descriptive file names and alt text filled with keywords to tell Google what’s in your images. This helps your images show up in search results.

10. Create Blog Content To Target Long-Tail Queries

To reach people who are just starting to look for what you offer, write blog posts optimized for longer, specific phrases they might search for. This not only helps you rank for more keywords but also draws in potential customers earlier in their shopping journey.

11. Create a User-Friendly Navigation

A well-structured navigation menu not only pleases Google’s bots but also enhances the shopping experience. Make sure it’s straightforward, your products are neatly categorized, and it’s consistent throughout your site. Include easy ways for customers to reach out for support.

12. Smart Use of Internal Links

Internal links keep visitors engaged on your site. They also help search engines understand your site’s structure and spread ranking power from your homepage to other pages. Be thoughtful about which pages you link to from your main menu.

13. Implement Structured Data

Adding structured data, or schema, helps search engines display rich snippets like ratings in search results. If you’re comfortable with coding, you can manually add this to your theme’s code. Otherwise, consider using a schema generator tool.

14. Add Product Reviews

Good reviews convince shoppers to buy and send positive signals to search engines. Use the Shopify Product Reviews app to collect and display reviews, which can help your products stand out in search results.

15. External Link Building

Gaining links from other websites is crucial for SEO but can be challenging. Focus on creating content that others want to link to, and consider reaching out to related businesses for link exchanges.

16. Focus on PR

Public relations can be a powerful tool for earning quality backlinks. If you’re new to PR, you can connect and ask for help from your network, which can lead to valuable exposure and links back to your site.

17. Conduct Website Audits

As your store evolves with added or removed pages and varying backlink profiles, it’s crucial to perform regular audits. This helps identify high-performing pages and those that need improvement, keeping your site aligned with search engine preferences.

18. Fix Broken Links

Changes in inventory or product lines may lead to page removals, resulting in broken links. These are detrimental to your site’s ranking as they suggest neglect. Regularly check and repair broken links to maintain a healthy, active site.

19. Analyze and Adapt

Utilize analytics to gather data on user behavior and traffic sources. This information is invaluable for refining your SEO strategies, including keyword focus, content updates, internal linking, and meta-tag optimization.

Conclusion

Investing in SEO is a strategic move that can reduce customer acquisition costs over time. Adhering to this Shopify SEO checklist can significantly enhance your store’s visibility. 

By following the outlined checklist, you’re likely to earn higher rankings and increased traffic, giving you an edge over the competition.

FAQs

Can You do SEO with Shopify?

Yes, Shopify is equipped with SEO-friendly features that allow you to optimize your store for search engines, enhancing your visibility and traffic.

How do I Check my SEO on Shopify?

You can check your Shopify store’s SEO by using tools like Google Search Console or Shopify’s built-in analytics to monitor search performance and identify areas for improvement.

What is the Best SEO Tool for Shopify?

The best SEO tool for Shopify varies based on your needs, but popular options include Yoast SEO, AVADA SEO Suite, and SEO Manager, each offering unique features to boost your store’s search rankings.

Is Shopify 2.0 Better for SEO?

Shopify 2.0 offers enhanced SEO features, such as improved site speed and mobile responsiveness, which are crucial for better search engine rankings.

How do I Improve my SEO Score on Shopify?

Improving your SEO score on Shopify involves optimizing site structure, fixing broken links, enhancing page speed, and ensuring high-quality content with relevant keywords. 

How to Rank on Google with Shopify?

To rank on Google with Shopify, focus on optimizing your site structure, improving user experience, conducting keyword research, and building quality backlinks to increase your store’s visibility.