Shopify has become one of the most popular e-commerce platforms globally, helping millions of businesses thrive online. However, simply having a well-designed Shopify store isn’t enough to guarantee success. To ensure your store stands out and attracts more customers, you need to optimise it for search engines. This process, known as SEO (Search Engine Optimisation), is essential for driving organic traffic and boosting your store’s visibility. In this blog, we’ll explore how to improve the SEO of your Shopify store, what SEO services are best, and how to conduct a Shopify SEO audit. We’ll also discuss key optimisations for your product pages and whether it’s better to handle SEO in-house or hire an agency.
How Do I Improve the SEO of My Shopify Store to Increase Organic Traffic?
To increase organic traffic to your Shopify store, it’s vital to implement effective SEO strategies. Here’s how you can improve your store’s SEO:
1. Conduct Keyword Research
Keyword research is the foundation of any SEO strategy. It helps you discover what your potential customers are searching for. Using tools like Google Keyword Planner, SEMrush, and Ahrefs, you can uncover high-volume, relevant keywords for your niche. Incorporating these keywords into your product descriptions, titles, URLs, and meta tags ensures your store ranks for terms your audience is actively searching for.
2. Optimise Your Product Pages
Product pages are critical for driving sales and improving SEO. Focus on the following areas:
- Product Titles: Make sure your titles are descriptive and include target keywords. For instance, rather than just “T-shirt,” optimise for “Men’s Organic Cotton T-shirt – Black.”
- Product Descriptions: Write detailed, engaging descriptions that highlight product features, benefits, and specifications. Use long-tail keywords naturally within the copy, as these are often easier to rank for.
- Image Optimisation: Ensure product images are high-quality and optimised for fast loading. Use descriptive alt text that includes relevant keywords.
- Structured Data (Schema Markup): Implement schema markup to provide search engines with additional information about your products, like price and availability. This can help your products stand out in search results with rich snippets.
3. Focus on Site Speed and Mobile Optimisation
Website speed is a significant ranking factor. Shopify stores with slow loading times often see higher bounce rates, affecting both user experience and SEO rankings. To improve speed, optimise images, use a content delivery network (CDN), and choose a fast, reliable hosting plan. Additionally, ensure your site is mobile-friendly. With the increasing number of mobile shoppers, having a responsive site is essential for SEO.
4. Offer Free Shipping
As online shopping grows, free shipping has become a near-expectation for consumers. In fact, 66% of consumers expect free shipping for all online orders. Offering free shipping can increase conversions and improve the user experience on your site. Consider incorporating the shipping cost into the product price to avoid any surprises during checkout, which may otherwise turn customers away.
5. Use Long-Tail Keywords in Product Descriptions
Long-tail keywords are more specific phrases that are easier to rank for and often indicate a higher likelihood of conversion. For example, instead of targeting broad terms like “watches,” optimise for specific phrases like “waterproof diving watches for men under $200.” These keywords are more likely to match what customers are searching for when they’re closer to making a purchase.
6. Track and Analyse Performance Metrics
Understanding which strategies are driving organic traffic is crucial for optimising your Shopify store’s performance. Regularly analyse key performance indicators (KPIs), such as conversion rates and traffic sources, to identify areas for improvement. Shopify’s built-in analytics, as well as Google Analytics, can provide valuable insights into which pages perform best and where improvements can be made.
What SEO Services Are Best for Shopify Websites?
When it comes to Shopify SEO, there are several services you can utilise to improve your store’s search engine ranking. Here are some of the most effective SEO services:
1. Shopify SEO Audits
A comprehensive SEO audit is the first step to identifying areas of improvement. It involves analysing technical SEO, on-page optimisation, and off-page SEO factors. A typical audit includes:
- Technical SEO Review: Evaluating site speed, mobile responsiveness, and crawlability.
- On-Page SEO Analysis: Reviewing product titles, descriptions, and images to ensure they are SEO-optimised.
- Backlink Profile: Assessing the quality and quantity of backlinks pointing to your site.
- Competitor Analysis: Reviewing competitor websites to uncover opportunities and threats in your SEO strategy.
A regular audit helps ensure that your store remains optimised as search engine algorithms and trends evolve.
2. On-Page SEO Services
On-page SEO focuses on improving individual pages, such as product and category pages, to boost their search engine rankings. This includes optimising product descriptions, page titles, meta tags, and image alt texts. On-page optimisation also involves ensuring that internal links are correctly implemented, guiding visitors and search engines to the most important content.
3. Link Building Services
Link building is another critical component of SEO. By acquiring high-quality backlinks from authoritative websites in your industry, you can improve your site’s authority and visibility. Link building services typically involve outreach to influencers, guest blogging, or other strategies to gain links that signal trustworthiness to search engines.
4. Content Marketing Services
Creating high-quality content is an effective way to drive traffic to your Shopify store. Content marketing services help create blog posts, product guides, videos, and other content that resonates with your audience. By targeting long-tail keywords and addressing customer pain points, content can attract organic traffic and build your brand’s authority in your niche.
What Does a Shopify SEO Audit Include?
A Shopify SEO audit is an in-depth analysis of your store’s SEO performance. Here’s what it typically includes:
1. Technical SEO Review
The audit checks for any technical issues that could affect your site’s visibility, such as broken links, slow loading times, and issues with indexing. These issues can prevent search engines from properly crawling and indexing your store.
2. On-Page SEO Review
An on-page audit ensures that your product pages are optimised for search engines. It checks the quality of your product descriptions, the structure of your URLs, and the use of target keywords across your pages.
3. Content Evaluation
The audit evaluates the quality and relevance of your content. High-quality, informative content that answers customer queries can help boost SEO. This review ensures that your content is optimised for both search engines and user experience.
4. Backlink Profile Review
Backlinks are crucial for SEO success. The audit includes a review of your backlink profile to ensure you’re acquiring quality links from reputable websites. A strong backlink profile can significantly improve your search rankings.
Which Optimisations Should I Do First for My Shopify Product Pages?
When optimising your product pages for SEO, focus on the following areas first:
1. Optimise Product Titles
Product titles should be clear, descriptive, and keyword-rich. Including key terms in the title makes it easier for both search engines and customers to understand what the product is.
2. Craft Detailed Product Descriptions
Write engaging, detailed product descriptions that incorporate relevant keywords. Descriptions should highlight the benefits, features, and unique selling points of each product, while also providing valuable information to customers.
3. Optimise Product Images
Images are crucial for e-commerce stores. Ensure that images are optimised for fast loading and are described with relevant alt text that includes target keywords.
4. Implement Structured Data
Structured data helps search engines understand the content of your product pages. It’s important to implement schema markup to display key information like price, availability, and customer ratings in search results.
Is It Better to Hire a Shopify SEO Agency or Do SEO Myself?
Deciding whether to handle SEO in-house or hire an agency depends on several factors, including your expertise, budget, and time commitment.
Hiring a Shopify SEO Agency:
- Pros: Agencies have specialised knowledge and can execute a comprehensive SEO strategy. They bring experience, expertise, and a structured approach, saving you time.
- Cons: SEO agencies can be costly, and their services may require an ongoing financial investment.
Doing SEO Yourself:
- Pros: Handling SEO yourself can save money, and you have complete control over your store’s strategy. Many tools and resources are available to help you get started.
- Cons: SEO is a long-term process, and managing it yourself can be time-consuming. There’s also a learning curve involved, and mistakes can negatively affect your rankings.
For businesses with limited SEO experience, hiring a Shopify SEO agency is a smart choice. For those with the time and knowledge, DIY SEO can be an effective way to save costs while improving your rankings.
Conclusion
Shopify SEO is a vital aspect of driving organic traffic and increasing your store’s visibility. By conducting thorough keyword research, optimising product pages, improving site speed, and creating quality content, you can boost your store’s SEO performance and attract more customers. Whether you choose to optimise your store in-house or hire an agency, consistency is key to achieving long-term SEO success. By following best practices and regularly analysing your performance, your Shopify store will be well-positioned for growth and success in the competitive e-commerce landscape.
Contact Lezzat for Help with Shopify SEO
If you’re looking to take your Shopify store’s SEO to the next level, Lezzat can help. Our team of experts specialises in Shopify SEO, offering services like comprehensive SEO audits, on-page optimisation, content creation, and backlink building. With a tailored approach, we’ll ensure your store ranks higher in search engine results and attracts more organic traffic. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you grow your Shopify business!
