Many merchants think (perhaps due to all of the agency ads they get) that they absolutely need a marketing agency to conjure up their store’s SEO strategy. However, I am here to say that it is a lot simpler than merchants may think. 

This blog will be one of many that I write that breaks down how to have the best SEO strategy for a Shopify store.

First, I will begin with the basics, then next week, I will elaborate some more, and ultimately, I will set up a completely optimized store with one app.

Step 1: Set up Google Search Console

Of course, to make sure one’s site is at the top of the search rankings in Google, you need to create a free account here: https://search.google.com/search-console/welcome?utm_source=about-page 

Google Search Console allows you to monitor your site’s traffic, track search performance, and find any issues that could prevent your site from ranking.

I normally would not recommend this, but seeing as Bing is increasing in popularity, I would suggest you create an account with Bing Webmaster as well here: https://www.bing.com/webmasters/about. 

Step 2: Create a Google Analytics Account

You need to know who is visiting your site and how they are interacting with it once they are there. 

Step 3: Submit sitemap

Luckily for merchants, every Shopify store automatically comes with a sitemap of the store. It will be under yourdomain.com/sitemap.xml. If you cannot find it, use this Shopify guide to help you: https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/promoting-marketing/seo/find-site-map

Step 4: Check your site is indexed

Your store needs to be “indexed” by Google in order for it actually to show up on search. You can test if it is by searching yourself through Google. If you cannot find your site, then that means it is not indexed. Keep in mind, though, it usually takes a week to index after you have submitted your sitemap to Google. 

Also keep in mind that if you are not on a paid plan for Shopify, your site will not be indexed. If you have any pages that are password protected, remove the protections so Google can see them. 

Step 4: Optimize the store for SEO

-Meta Description

Often, this is what potential customers first read about your store. Make sure it is both descriptive and drives customers to your site. 

- Optimize URL’s 

A few things to keep in mind when generating url links for your store:

Use hyphens instead of underscores

Ex. yourdomain.com/men-fashion instead of yourdomain.com/men_fashion

Include target keywords

Ex. yourdomain.com/men-long-sleeve instead of yourdomain.com/specific-product-name 

Other Google best practices can be found here:    https://developers.google.com/search/docs/crawling-indexing/url-structure

-Alt text for images

Make sure the images on your store have a descriptive name. 

 Also, make sure their alt text explains what the image is. 

Step 5: Use Shopify apps to enhance what you know

It is best to use an app once you already know the basics of SEO, that way, you know exactly what you are doing and what you are doing it for. In a later blog, I will point out apps that I particularly like. 

Stay tuned for next week…