If you’ve built your online store on Shopify but aren’t seeing much traffic, it’s likely that your SEO needs work. The good news? Shopify is one of the most SEO-friendly eCommerce platforms available — but only if you know how to optimize it properly.
This complete Shopify SEO checklist for beginners will walk you through every essential step to boost your store’s search rankings in 2025. From keyword research and on-page optimization to technical fixes and performance tips, we’ve got it all covered.
Why SEO Matters for Your Shopify Store
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) helps your store rank higher in search engines like Google, Bing, and DuckDuckGo — driving free, targeted traffic to your product pages.
Benefits include:
- Increased organic visibility
- Lower customer acquisition cost
- Long-term traffic sustainability
- Higher trust and credibility
Shopify SEO Checklist: 2025 Edition
Let’s break this down into core sections:
Basic SEO Setup
Before diving into optimization, start with the foundation:
- Custom Domain Name
Use a branded domain (e.g., yourstore.com instead of yourstore.myshopify.com). - SSL Certificate
Shopify provides this by default. Ensure HTTPS is active for trust and rankings. - Google Search Console Integration
Submit your sitemap at yourstore.com/sitemap.xml. - Bing Webmaster Tools Setup
Don’t ignore Bing — it still drives quality traffic.
Keyword Research
SEO starts with targeting the right keywords — what your customers are actually searching for.
- Use tools like:
- Google Keyword Planner
- Ubersuggest
- Ahrefs
- SEMrush
- Look for:
- Long-tail keywords (e.g., “organic cotton baby clothes”)
- Commercial intent (e.g., “buy”, “discount”, “best”)
- Low competition for faster rankings
Example: Instead of “shoes,” use “women’s vegan running shoes”.
On-Page SEO for Products and Pages
Apply these tips on your homepage, product pages, collections, and blog posts:
Product Titles
- Include main keyword
- Be descriptive but natural (avoid keyword stuffing)
Meta Titles and Descriptions
- Title: Under 60 characters, include focus keyword
- Description: Up to 160 characters, clear CTA
Product Descriptions
- Minimum 300 words
- Use primary and related keywords
- Mention product benefits, specs, and use cases
Image Optimization
- Use descriptive alt tags (e.g., “black leather backpack for men”)
- Compress images (Shopify handles some of this, but TinyPNG can help further)
- Name files properly (e.g., vegan-running-shoes.jpg)
URL & Slug Optimization
Shopify automatically creates slugs based on your product or page title. You can edit them under the Search engine listing preview.
Best practices:
- Keep it short and keyword-rich
- Use hyphens (-) instead of underscores
- Avoid stop words (a, the, and)
Example: /collections/mens-travel-backpacks instead of /collections/page-1234
Internal Linking Strategy
Link between your pages to improve crawlability and SEO relevance.
- Link blog posts to products or categories
- Add “Related Products” or “You May Also Like” widgets
- Use keyword-rich anchor text
Blog for SEO
Blogging is one of the best SEO strategies on Shopify.
- Create guides, tutorials, product reviews, and trend posts
- Target long-tail keywords
- Include internal links
- Use H2 and H3 headers with keywords
- Add alt tags and compress blog images
A blog post like “How to Choose the Right Backpack for Travel” can rank and drive traffic to your product.
Technical SEO Optimization
Don’t skip the backend elements:
- Fast Load Times: Shopify themes are already optimized, but remove unused apps and scripts to stay fast.
- Mobile-Friendly Design: Most free and paid Shopify themes are responsive. Always test on mobile.
- Structured Data (Schema): Shopify automatically adds product schema. Use SEO apps like JSON-LD for SEO to enhance this.
- 404 Pages & Redirects: Use Shopify’s URL redirect feature for deleted products or changed URLs.
- Canonical Tags: Shopify includes canonical tags by default to avoid duplicate content issues.
Optimize Shopify Navigation
Clean, organized navigation helps users and search engines alike:
- Limit menu levels (avoid too deep hierarchies)
- Use clear categories with keyword-rich names
- Keep header navigation focused on conversion
Install an SEO App
Consider using one of these popular SEO tools from the Shopify App Store:
- Smart SEO
- Plug in SEO
- SEO Manager
- Yoast SEO for Shopify
These help automate meta tag generation, identify broken links, optimize image alt tags, and more.
Track Your Progress
- Google Analytics 4: Monitor organic traffic, bounce rates, and conversion metrics
- Search Console: Track impressions, clicks, and keyword rankings
- Heatmaps (like Hotjar): Understand user behavior on-page
Bonus Tips
- Add customer reviews for rich snippets and trust
- Optimize “About Us” and “Contact” pages with keywords
- Translate your store (if global) using Shopify Markets for SEO in other languages
- Use FAQs to target question-based search terms
SEO Mistakes to Avoid
- Duplicate product descriptions from suppliers
- Ignoring product images’ alt tags
- Forgetting to add meta descriptions
- Not updating sitemap after big changes
- Keyword stuffing
Final Thoughts
Shopify gives you a strong foundation for SEO, but success comes from consistent, smart optimization. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to scale, this SEO checklist will help you attract more traffic and convert more customers — without relying solely on ads.
Start optimizing your Shopify store today — use this checklist and grow your organic traffic like a pro! Contact Us Today!
