How to make SEO promotion for Shopify websites

 How to make SEO promotion for Shopify websites

If you’re running a Shopify store, it’s hard to understand which promotion channel needs your attention the most. Where should one Consider this: 26% of Internet users find Shopify sites through search engines, and a whopping 91% of this traffic is organic, compared to just 9% that’s paid. That’s a huge potential for boosting your site’s visibility and sales through effective SEO for Shopify for sure.

At IM4U, we know how crucial to do it to get this right. That’s why we’re here to guide you through the maze of Shopify SEO optimization. By the end of this article, you’ll have clear answers to some key questions that could transform your approach to SEO on your Shopify site:

• What are the must-follow steps on a Shopify SEO checklist?
• Which Shopify SEO tools should you be using to get ahead?
• Why might you consider hiring a Shopify SEO consultant?

Is Shopify a good CMS for SEO promotion?

Absolutely, Shopify is a robust platform regarding SEO optimization. One of the main reasons is its user-friendly design, which aligns well with SEO for Shopify stores. It provides built-in features such as customizable headings, titles, and meta tags, which are essential for SEO on Shopify. Additionally, Shopify supports SEO-friendly practices like auto-generated canonical tags to prevent duplicate content issues, and it effortlessly creates XML sitemaps. That guarantees that search engines can crawl and index your site efficiently.

Comparatively, some other CMS platforms may require manual adjustments or additional plugins to reach the same level of SEO readiness. For instance, platforms like WordPress are highly customizable for SEO through various plugins. At the same time, Shopify simplifies the process by integrating many essential SEO functions natively. This integration saves time and reduces the complexity of applying SEO on Shopify. That is what makes it an excellent choice for business owners who want to focus more on their business and less on the technicalities. Its streamlined approach to Shopify SEO optimization allows even beginners to implement SEO strategies effectively without needing extensive technical know-how.

SEO basics checklist for beginners

Starting with SEO for Shopify requires some preparation. It might seem complex to keep in mind everything all at once, but it doesn’t have to be. By following a basic Shopify SEO checklist, you can lay a solid foundation for your site’s search engine optimization. Here are some initial steps every Shopify store owner should take to ensure they’re on the right track for effective Shopify SEO optimization. After these actions you can move on to a more complex one:

• Set up Google Analytics and Google Search Console. Before diving into further optimizations, make sure these tools are integrated with your Shopify store. They are vital for tracking your site’s performance and understanding how visitors interact with it.
• Check your Shopify store’s visibility settings. Make sure your store is visible to search engines. You can find this setting under “Preferences” in your Shopify admin. Ensure the box that says “Enable search engine indexing” is checked.
• Optimize your Shopify site structure. Simplify your store’s navigation by organizing your products into categories that make sense both to users and to search engines. A well-structured site encourages longer visits and easier indexing by search engines.
• Perform a Shopify SEO audit before starting over. If you have already tried to adopt SEO on Shopify but did not notice any improvement, you need to establish the culprits. Request our free SEO website audit and receive precise diagnostics for your project from a Shopify SEO consultant. 

By starting with these fundamental steps, you’re setting your store up for more advanced Shopify SEO optimizations and better overall visibility.

On-page SEO checklist

On-page SEO for Shopify is critical in optimizing your store for higher search engine rankings and enhancing user experience. This aspect of SEO focuses on the elements you can control within your website, such as its structure and HTML. To make the most out of your on-page Shopify SEO optimization, here’s a detailed checklist for maximizing your Shopify store’s potential:

• Optimize your title tags. Each page should have a unique and descriptive title that includes the main keywords for that page. The title should be engaging and under 60 characters to ensure full display in search results. Check the preview to see if everything looks right. 
• Craft Meta descriptions that sell. Each page should have an attractive meta description that acts as an ad for your content. Include relevant keywords and a call to action. Keep it under 160 characters so it doesn’t get cut off in search results.
• Use structured data markup. Implement schema markup to improve your Shopify pages with rich snippets. This can refine how your pages are represented in search results, potentially increasing click-through rates (up to 25%).
• Optimize your URLs. Your URLs should be clean, semantic, and keyword-rich. Shopify allows you to edit your URLs, so take advantage of this feature to include 1-2 keywords that reflect the page content.
• Internal linking. Create a network of links within your site to help users navigate and increase the time they spend on your site. Use descriptive anchor text that gives an indication of the linked page’s content.

Each of these elements is managed directly on your website and involves modifications to content or structure that you can control—hence, they are considered part of on-page SEO. By diligently applying this advanced on-page Shopify SEO optimization, you can significantly improve your site’s search engine visibility and, therefor, ranking.

Content checklist

Effective content is the cornerstone of successful SEO for Shopify stores. It’s not just about filling pages with text; it’s about crafting content that engages, informs, and converts your audience. High-quality content tailored to the interests of your audience can significantly enhance your Shopify SEO optimization. With our focused content Shopify SEO checklist that will help you establish steady SEO promotion of your e-commerce through the search engine:

• Keyword research. Before writing any content, perform thorough keyword research to understand what your target audience is searching for. Use these insights to guide your content creation, focusing on keywords with high search volumes and low competition. 
• Focus on content quality. Every piece of content on your site, from product descriptions to blog posts, needs to be well-written, informative, and provide value to your readers. Benchmark standards are formulated in Google’s E-E-A-T guidelines for content creation.
• Use blog posts to your advantage. Regularly update your blog with posts that address common questions, provide useful tips, or share insights relevant to your industry. This not only helps with SEO on Shopify but also increases your chances of getting into SERP snippets for certain search queries.
• Incorporate long-tail keywords. These are less competitive and more specific phrases that visitors are likely to use when they are closer to a point-of-purchase. Long-tail keywords can drive more targeted traffic to your site.
• Create a content calendar. Plan your content publication strategically. This can help you maintain a consistent schedule, which is key to keeping your audience engaged.

Technical SEO checklist

Even though e-commerce CMS might seem pretty independent to you in terms of technicality, it’s not really true. Without proper technical support, your shop is risking being uncrawlable and unappealing to visitors. This involves addressing the backend elements of your site that influence how search engines crawl and index your pages. A well-optimized technical SEO for Shopify setup helps improve your site’s rankings. Here’s a technical SEO checklist specifically designed for Shopify stores to help you maximize your Shopify SEO optimization:

• Optimize Shopify’s Robots.txt file. Shopify automatically generates a robots.txt file for your store, but you should review and modify it if necessary. It needs to be configured to allow search engine bots to crawl important pages while excluding pages that should not be indexed, such as cart, tags, and admin pages.
• Improve site speed. Shopify stores can sometimes become slow due to heavy themes or excessive apps. Optimize images using Shopify’s built-in tools, remove unnecessary apps, and choose a fast, responsive theme to keep your site running smoothly. Shopify’s Online Store 2.0 themes are optimized for speed and flexibility.
• Secure HTTPS across all pages. Security is vital, and Shopify provides a free SSL certificate for all your store’s pages. Double-check to make sure every page loads with HTTPS, which is important for user trust and SEO for the Shopify store.
• Mobile optimization. With Google’s mobile-first indexing, your Shopify store needs to be fully optimized for mobile, and it is non-negotiable. Regularly test your site on various devices to check if it displays correctly and is easy to use.

By following this technical SEO checklist, your Shopify store will not only meet the current SEO standards but also be prepared for future updates. Remember, technical SEO on Shopify makes it easier for search engines to access, crawl, interpret, and index your website effectively.

Off-page SEO checklist

Unlike on-page SEO, which focuses on optimizing elements within your site, off-page SEO involves strategies executed outside of your website to improve its authority and visibility. However, e-commerce is not a regular informational resource or expertise service. Building a backlink profile not that easy, but still possible with Shopify SEO optimization. So, this is what should you do to enhance the off-page SEO of your Shopify store:

• Build quality backlinks. These can significantly boost your store’s credibility and search rankings. 91% of sites don’t receive organic traffic due to lacking backlinks. Consider guest blogging, partnerships, and PR opportunities to secure these.
• Engage on social media. While social media signals do not directly influence rankings, active social media engagement can increase brand visibility and drive traffic to your store. 
• Influencer collaborations. Partner with influencers who resonate with your brand to tap into their audience. This can potentially improve your Shopify SEO through secondary backlinks from social shares.
• Encourage customer reviews. Reviews not only build trust with potential customers but can also attract more traffic from search engines. Encourage satisfied customers to leave positive reviews on your business listings and even directly on your Shopify site.
• Monitor your brand mentions. Request a link from sites that mention your brand but do not link to your site. This can convert mentions into valuable backlinks.

Each of these strategies helps to extend the reach of your store beyond its immediate digital boundaries, leveraging the broader internet ecosystem to support your SEO on Shopify efforts.

Local SEO checklist

Local SEO for Shopify is indispensable for physical stores with an online presence or any Shopify store targeting a specific geographic area. Effective local SEO strategies can dramatically increase your store’s visibility to nearby customers and drive foot traffic as well as online sales.

• Incorporate local keywords. Use local keywords in your Shopify SEO efforts by including city or region names naturally in your titles, meta descriptions, and content.
• Local landing pages. If your business operates in or serves multiple areas, create dedicated geo pages that include location-specific information.
• Encourage local reviews. Reviews are a significant factor in local Shopify SEO rankings. Offer your customers to leave positive reviews on your Shopify e-commerce and digital listings. 

Shopify useful tools for SEO

Shopify’s SEO Manager

SEO Manager is a powerful app available in the Shopify store that helps you take control of how search engines see your shop. It provides features such as keyword suggestions, real-time feedback on your Shopify SEO practices, and alerts for any issues that might affect your store’s SEO. It’s particularly useful for easily editing titles and meta descriptions and handling redirects and sitemaps—all essential for good Shopify SEO optimization.

Plug in SEO

Plug in SEO is one of the top-rated Shopify SEO tools that checks your store for search engine optimization issues that can affect your store’s performance. It identifies problems related to page titles, headings, meta descriptions, speed, blog post structure, and more. The tool also provides simple instructions on how to fix these issues.

SEO Image Optimizer

Images can significantly impact site speed and performance, which are critical factors for SEO on Shopify, often already struggling with loading speed. SEO Image Optimizer automates the process of compressing images and includes alt text to all images by following a set pattern.

Smart SEO

Smart SEO is another useful tool to reduce the time spent on SEO tasks. It automatically generates meta tags and alt tags for your images, helping you manage your SEO optimization Shopify more efficiently. Additionally, Smart SEO supports multi-language SEO, which is a huge plus for stores aiming to reach a global audience. 

ReloadSEO

ReloadSEO is an all-in-one SEO tool that not only performs audits and optimization but also provides content analysis. It offers insights on keyword density, content length, and readability. ReloadSEO is particularly valuable for content-driven SEO for Shopify, helping you fine-tune your content strategies for better rankings.

IM4U will help you to promote your Shopify store

Ready to turbocharge your Shopify SEO and watch your store soar in search rankings? At IM4U, we specialize in crafting bespoke Shopify SEO services that breathe new life into your digital presence. Receive a free, comprehensive SEO audit for your Shopify store, complete with personalized insights and actionable steps from Shopify SEO consultant. Don’t miss out on the chance to get expert advice developed for your unique needs. Contact us today, and let’s start turning those search engine results into real business results together. Make the move towards powerful Shopify SEO optimization.