Shopify SEO Checklist

Your Shopify store could be missing 78% of organic traffic by neglecting key SEO steps. Optimized Shopify stores see 2-3x more organic traffic within six months. This Shopify SEO Checklist delivers a step-by-step guide to technical, on-page, and content optimization tactics to boost rankings, attract customers, and drive sales in 2025.

Technical SEO Setup

1. Site Structure

• Enable HTTPS:
  Shopify provides this by default – verify it’s active in Settings > Security.
• Set Preferred Domain:
  Choose www or non-www in Online Store > Domains to avoid duplicate indexing.
• Verify Search Console:
  Connect Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools for performance tracking.

2. Core Settings

• Disable Password Protection:
  Ensure your store is public (Settings > Password).
• Add XML Sitemap:
  Shopify auto-generates /sitemap.xml—add it to robots.txt.
• Set Canonical URLs:
  Prevent duplicate content issues (Shopify handles this automatically for products).

3. Site Speed

• Compress Images:
  Use apps like Crush.pics to reduce file sizes without quality loss.
• Minimize Apps:
  Uninstall unused apps to reduce code bloat.
• Lightweight Theme:
  Choose fast themes like Dawn or Prestige (test with PageSpeed Insights).

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On-Page Product Optimization

1. Product Pages

• Titles:
  Include primary keyword + brand (e.g., “Vegan Face Moisturizer – EcoGlow”) within 60 characters.
• Descriptions:
  Write 300+ words with bullet points, using keywords naturally.
• Image Alt Text:
  Use descriptive formats like “Blue Winter Jacket – BrandName”.
• URL Structure:
  Keep clean (e.g., /products/blue-winter-jacket), avoiding special characters.

2. Collections

• Unique Descriptions:
  Write custom 100-200 word descriptions for each collection, avoiding generic “Shop now” text.
• Optimize Titles:
  Use “[Category] – [Brand] | [Location]” (e.g., “Skincare – EcoGlow | NYC”).
• Faceted Navigation:
  Noindex filtered pages to prevent duplicate content (use theme editor).

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Content & Keyword Strategy

1. Blog SEO

• Target Buyer-Intent Keywords:
  Focus on “best [product]” or “how to use [product]” terms.
• Add FAQs:
  Include structured data for FAQ snippets using the Schema App.
• Internal Linking:
  Link blog posts to product pages or collections to boost crawlability.

2. Keyword Implementation

Place primary keywords in:

• H1 title
• First 100 words of content
• 1-2 H2/H3 subheaders
• Meta description (≤160 chars)

3. Content Upgrades

• Video Demos:
  Add product videos for a 30%+ conversion lift.
• Ultimate Guides:
  Create in-depth guides for high-value keywords (e.g., “Ultimate Guide to Vegan Skincare”).

Mobile & Core Web Vitals

• Test Mobile Usability:
  Check Google Search Console for errors.
• Fix CLS (Cumulative Layout Shift):
  Set fixed image dimensions; avoid dynamic ads above content.
• Improve LCP (Largest Contentful Paint):
  Enable lazy-loading for images and preload critical resources.

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Off-Page SEO Tactics

1. Link Building

• Product Reviews:
  Send free samples to bloggers for backlinks.
• Guest Posts:
  Contribute to industry blogs with links to your store.
• Shareable Tools:
  Create tools like an “ROI calculator” to earn links.

2. Local SEO (For Physical Stores)

• Claim Google Business Profile:
  Verify and optimize your GBP.
• Embed Google Map:
  Add to contact page for local signals.
• Local Citations:
  List in directories like Yelp or Yellow Pages.

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Monitoring & Optimization

1. Tracking

• Set up GA4 for e-commerce tracking to measure sales impact.
• Monitor “Performance” in Google Search Console for keyword trends.

2. Monthly Tasks

• Check Broken Links:
  Use Screaming Frog to find and fix 404s.
• Update Descriptions:
  Refresh outdated product pages.
• Analyze Exit Pages:
  Improve high-exit pages with better CTAs or content.

Final Thoughts

Product pages drive sales, but blogs fuel discovery – optimize both for maximum impact. Redo this Shopify SEO Checklist quarterly to stay ahead of Google’s algorithm updates. Consistent SEO efforts can transform your Shopify store into a traffic and sales powerhouse. Boost your brand with the Best Digital Marketing agency!