Shopify SEO Guide
1. Technical SEO Foundations
- Enable SSL (HTTPS) — Shopify provides free SSL
- Submit XML sitemap to Google Search Console (yourstore.com/sitemap.xml)
- Set canonical URLs to avoid duplicate content (collections vs products)
- Optimize page speed: compress images, use Shopify CDN, minimize theme JS
- Ensure mobile responsiveness — use Google Mobile-Friendly Test
- Fix 404 errors — set up 301 redirects for deleted pages
2. On-Page Optimization
| Element | Best Practice |
|---|---|
| Page Title | Include primary keyword, keep under 60 chars |
| Meta Description | 160 chars, include keyword + CTA |
| H1 Tag | One per page, matches main keyword intent |
| Product URLs | /products/keyword-rich-slug (no stop words) |
| Image Alt Text | Descriptive, include keyword naturally |
| Internal Links | Link collections → products, blog → products |
3. Content Strategy
- Write unique product descriptions (≥300 words for key products)
- Create buying guides and comparison blog posts
- Target long-tail keywords: "best [product] for [use case]"
- Build collection pages around keyword clusters
- Add FAQ sections with structured data markup
4. Link Building
- Submit to niche directories and product review sites
- Reach out to bloggers for product reviews
- Create shareable infographics or tools
- Partner with complementary stores for cross-linking
- Use HARO (Help a Reporter Out) for press mentions