10 Tips to Optimize Shopify Landing Pages for SEO

October 4, 2024

10 Tips to Optimize Shopify Landing Pages for SEO

Want to boost your Shopify store’s visibility? Here’s how to optimize your landing pages for search engines:

  1. Do keyword research
  2. Craft compelling titles and descriptions
  3. Create high-quality content
  4. Improve page load speed
  5. Optimize for mobile
  6. Use header tags correctly
  7. Optimize images
  8. Link pages together
  9. Create SEO-friendly URLs
  10. Leverage customer content

Quick Comparison:

Tip Impact Difficulty
Keyword research High Medium
Titles/descriptions High Low
Quality content High High
Page speed Medium Medium
Mobile optimization High Medium
Header tags Medium Low
Image optimization Medium Low
Internal linking Medium Low
SEO-friendly URLs Medium Low
Customer content Medium Medium

These tactics will help your Shopify pages rank higher and drive more organic traffic. Focus on the high-impact, lower-difficulty items first for quick wins.

Shopify SEO basics

Shopify

Shopify gives you a head start with built-in SEO features. But you need to know how to use them to boost your visibility.

Shopify’s SEO toolkit

Shopify comes with some handy SEO tools:

  • Auto-generated sitemaps
  • Clean, SEO-friendly URLs
  • Editable meta tags
  • Mobile-responsive themes

Here’s how Shopify stacks up against manual SEO:

Feature Shopify Manual SEO
Sitemap Auto-generated You create and update
URLs Built-in optimization Needs planning
Meta tags Easy-to-edit fields Often needs coding
Mobile design Responsive themes Might need separate version

To get the most out of these tools:

1. Use a custom domain

Don’t settle for "yourbrandname.myshopify.com". Get "yourbrandname.com" instead. It’s better for your brand and SEO.

2. Organize your site well

Group related stuff together. Gymshark does this right with clear "Women’s" and "Men’s" categories. It makes life easier for users and search engines.

3. Write clear product descriptions

Use relevant keywords naturally. If you’re selling hot sauce, sprinkle "habanero hot sauces" in your titles, descriptions, and URLs.

4. Speed up your site

Use Shopify’s speed boosters and optimize your images. Why? Every extra second of load time could cost you 0.3% in conversions.

5. Set up tracking

Install Google Analytics and Search Console. They’ll help you keep an eye on your SEO and traffic.

1. Keyword research and use

Keyword research is crucial for your Shopify landing pages. It’s all about finding what your potential customers type into Google when they’re looking for products like yours.

Keyword research tools

Here are some tools to help you find the right keywords:

Here’s a quick look at these tools:

Tool Price What it’s good for
Google Keyword Planner Free Basic keyword ideas and search volume
Google Search Console Free Seeing your current keyword performance
Ahrefs $99-$999/month Deep dive into keywords and competitors
SEMrush $120-$450/month All-in-one SEO and marketing insights

Where to put keywords

Got your keywords? Great. Now use them smart:

  1. Page titles: Put your main keyword near the start. Keep it under 70 characters.
  2. Meta descriptions: Add keywords naturally. Aim for 320 characters max.
  3. H1 headers: Use your primary keyword in your main page title.
  4. Product descriptions: Sprinkle in keywords, but keep it natural. Aim for at least 250 words.
  5. URLs: Include keywords in your page URLs.

Here’s a pro tip: For product pages, focus on long-tail keywords. They’re often easier to rank for and more specific to what you’re selling.

"Keyword research is finding out what people type into search engines when they’re looking for stuff like what you sell." – Rayne Aguilar, Content Manager at Weglot

2. Better page titles and descriptions

Want more clicks from search results? Nail your page titles and descriptions. Here’s how:

Page titles that pop

Your page title is prime real estate in search results. Make it count:

  • Keep it under 60 characters
  • Front-load your main keyword
  • Be crystal clear
  • Squeeze in your brand name if possible

Instead of "Blue Chair – Furniture Store", try:

"Comfy Blue Lounge Chair | YourBrand Furniture"

See the difference? It’s specific, keyword-rich, and fits the limit.

Descriptions that convert

Your meta description is your 160-character sales pitch. Here’s the formula:

  1. Include your main keyword
  2. Explain the page’s value
  3. Add a call to action

Check out this product page example:

Discover our eco-friendly organic skincare. Natural ingredients, real results. Soothe and protect your skin naturally. Shop now!

It ticks all the boxes: right length, keywords, product info, and a clear CTA.

Pro tip: Match your description closely to your page content. It’ll reduce the chances of Google rewriting it.

Here’s a quick comparison:

Element Do This Not This
Title "Organic Cotton T-Shirts | EcoWear" "T-Shirts for Sale – Click Here"
Description "Shop our soft, sustainable organic cotton tees. Ethically made, great fit. Free shipping over $50!" "We sell t-shirts. Different colors and sizes available."

Nail these elements, and you’ll be well on your way to more clicks and conversions.

3. Creating good content

Quality content is key for a successful Shopify landing page. It’s not just filler—it’s your tool to inform, engage, and convert visitors.

Clear product descriptions

Your product descriptions are your virtual sales pitch. Here’s how to make them work:

  • Highlight benefits, not just features
  • Use simple language
  • Answer common customer questions

Let’s compare:

Poor Description Effective Description
"Our t-shirt is made of cotton." "Our cotton t-shirt keeps you cool all day."
"Available in multiple sizes." "Find your fit: XS to XXL."

Did you know? 98% of shoppers have been turned off by incorrect or incomplete product descriptions. Don’t be that seller.

Using longer content

Short copy has its place, but longer content can be a game-changer for complex products or services. Why?

  • It answers detailed customer questions
  • It boosts SEO
  • It builds trust and authority

Take Shopify’s blog post on starting an online store. It’s over 10,000 words of step-by-step guidance. That’s a resource new entrepreneurs can’t ignore.

"Long-form content gets you more of what you want: more online visibility, more proof of your authority and industry expertise." – Emma Siemasko, Content Marketing Specialist at Grasshopper

But here’s the thing: it’s not about word count. It’s about value. Every sentence should count.

Content Length Average Shares
600 words 200+
2000 words 400+

The bottom line? Don’t fear depth when it’s needed. Your customers—and Google—will love you for it.

4. Making pages load faster

Speed is crucial for Shopify SEO. It impacts user experience and search rankings.

Tools to check page speed

Measure your current speed:

  • Google PageSpeed Insights: Scores out of 100 and gives tips
  • Shopify’s Online Store Speed Report: Built-in for Shopify users
  • GTmetrix: Detailed performance reports

How to speed up pages

Here’s how to boost your Shopify page speed:

1. Optimize images

Images can slow you down. Fix it:

  • Compress images (TinyPNG, Kraken.io)
  • Use the right format (JPEG for photos, PNG for graphics)
  • Enable lazy loading

2. Minimize HTTP requests

Fewer elements = faster load times.

  • Ditch unused apps and plugins
  • Combine CSS and JavaScript files
  • Cut down on sliders and pop-ups

3. Use Shopify’s CDN

Shopify’s Content Delivery Network (powered by Fastly) is free and speeds things up.

4. Choose a fast theme

Some themes are speedier. Check out this comparison:

Metric Top 20% Average Bottom 20%
First Contentful Paint 2.78s 3.8s 5.89s
Time To Interactive 8.98s 22.1s 30.37s

5. Enable browser caching

This stores files on users’ devices, speeding up return visits.

Every second counts. A one-second speed boost can add $8,000 to your revenue.

"Nearly 70% of consumers say that page speed impacts their willingness to buy from an online retailer." – Google/SOASTA Research, 2017

5. Making pages work on mobile

Over half of web traffic comes from mobile devices. For Shopify stores, that number jumps to 81%. Your landing pages MUST work well on smartphones and tablets.

Why? Two big reasons:

  1. User experience: 61% of users won’t come back to a bad mobile site. 40% will go to a competitor instead.
  2. SEO: Google uses mobile-first indexing. A poor mobile experience can tank your search rankings.

Here’s how to optimize your Shopify landing pages for mobile:

  1. Use responsive design: Shopify themes are responsive by default, but test thoroughly.
  2. Speed it up: Aim for load times under 3 seconds. Use Google’s PageSpeed Insights to check.
  3. Simplify navigation: Use a sticky header with key links. Ten Thousand does this well.
  4. Streamline forms: Fewer fields, mobile-friendly inputs. Check out Kit & Kin’s smooth mobile checkout.
  5. Make it readable: Larger fonts (14-16px) and plenty of white space.
  6. Optimize images: Compress files, use lazy loading.
  7. Add mobile features: Click-to-call buttons for easy contact.
  8. Go easy on pop-ups: They’re annoying on small screens. If you must use them, make them easy to close.

Check your mobile optimization:

Tool Purpose
Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test Overall usability
PageSpeed Insights Loading speed
Google Analytics Mobile traffic data

Remember: A mobile-friendly site isn’t just nice to have. It’s essential for keeping customers happy and ranking well in search results.

sbb-itb-4bd9e2f

6. Using header tags correctly

Header tags organize your Shopify landing page content. Here’s how to use them:

Structure headers like this:

  • H1: One per page. For product pages, use your product title.
  • H2: Main sections.
  • H3-H6: Subsections within H2s.

Example for a product page:

<h1>Eco-Friendly Water Bottle</h1>
<h2>Product Features</h2>
<h3>BPA-Free Materials</h3>
<h3>Insulated Design</h3>
<h2>Customer Reviews</h2>
<h3>5-Star Ratings</h3>
<h3>Verified Purchases</h3>

Add keywords to headers (but keep it natural)

  1. H1: Main keyword
  2. H2: Secondary keywords
  3. H3-H6: Long-tail keywords (where they fit)
Header Keyword Type Example
H1 Main Eco-Friendly Water Bottle
H2 Secondary Sustainable Design Features
H3 Long-tail BPA-Free Stainless Steel Construction

Don’t stuff keywords. Keep headers clear for readers.

"Google doesn’t care if you use h1 or h3 or h6s; they will consider the lowest ones on your page to be heading, next lower subheadings, and so on." – Eric Davis, Shopify Expert

You have some flexibility, but stick to standard hierarchy for clarity.

7. Improving images for SEO

Images can make or break your Shopify store’s SEO and user experience. Let’s dive into how to make them work for you:

Writing good alt text

Alt text is your secret weapon for search engines and accessibility. Here’s the lowdown:

  • Keep it short and sweet (under 125 characters)
  • Describe what you see
  • Sprinkle in keywords (but don’t go overboard)

Good alt text looks like this:

"Men's casual red sneakers, size 10, side view"

Adding alt text in Shopify? Easy:

  1. Products > All products
  2. Pick a product
  3. Click an image
  4. Hit "Add ALT text"
  5. Type and save

Making images smaller

Smaller images = faster loading = happy users and search engines. Here’s how:

  1. Pick the right format:

    • Photos? JPG
    • Graphics or logos? PNG
  2. Shrink ’em down:

    • Aim for under 500kB per image
    • Try TinyPNG or Shopify’s built-in tools
  3. Size matters:

    • Full-width: 2000 x 2000px
    • Hero: 4000 x 4000px
    • Content: 1000 x 1000px
  4. Name files smartly:

    • Not "IMG001.jpg"
    • Try "mens-red-sneakers-side-view.jpg"
  5. Lazy loading FTW:

    • Images load as you scroll = faster initial load time

8. Linking pages together

Smart internal linking and collection pages can supercharge your Shopify store’s SEO. Here’s the lowdown:

Smart internal linking

Internal links are your site’s secret weapon. They help users and Google navigate your store, and spread link juice. Here’s how to do it right:

  • Link to relevant stuff in your content
  • Use descriptive anchor text (not "click here")
  • Add related products on product pages
  • Include a "You might also like" section

For example: Selling running shoes? Link to your "Best Running Socks" from your shoe descriptions.

Using collection pages

Collection pages are SEO goldmines. They group similar products and target broader keywords. Why they rock:

  • Hit broader keywords (like "men’s running shoes")
  • Give context to your products
  • Allow for meatier content than product pages

To make your collection pages shine:

1. Add unique descriptions (150+ words)

Don’t just list products. Tell a story about the collection.

2. Use relevant keywords naturally

Weave them in, but don’t stuff.

3. Link to top products

Showcase your best sellers within the collection.

4. Use clear, descriptive titles

"Men’s Running Shoes" beats "Shoes" any day.

Remember: Good internal linking and solid collection pages make your store easier to navigate for both humans and search engines. It’s a win-win.

9. Creating better URLs

URLs matter for your Shopify store’s SEO. They help users and search engines understand your content. Here’s how to make them work for you:

Short, clear URLs

Shopify makes URLs automatically, but you should tweak them. Make them SEO-friendly:

  • Use your main keyword
  • Keep it short (under 60 characters)
  • Use hyphens between words
  • Stick to lowercase

For example:

Good: yourstore.com/products/blue-running-shoes
Bad: yourstore.com/products/item12345-blue-running-shoes-size-9-color-navy

Shopify’s URL structure is:

yourstore.com/collections/collection-name
yourstore.com/products/product-name

Use this structure. Create clear collection names with keywords.

Common URL mistakes

Don’t make these URL blunders:

  1. Using numbers or dates
  2. Keyword stuffing
  3. Using special characters
  4. Forgetting redirects
  5. Duplicate content

Over 80% of Shopify stores customize their URLs. It’s worth the effort.

"URLs with words that are relevant to your site’s content and structure are friendlier for visitors navigating your site." – Google

10. Using customer content

Customer content can supercharge your Shopify store’s SEO. Here’s how:

Adding customer reviews

Reviews are SEO gold. They’re fresh, keyword-rich, and search engines eat them up. To maximize their impact:

  1. Use review apps: Install Judge.me, Ali Reviews, or Loox. They make review collection a breeze.
  2. Ask for feedback: Send post-purchase emails. Maybe throw in a small discount as a thank-you.
  3. Show off those stars: Put ratings and snippets front and center on product pages and search results.
  4. Talk back: Respond to reviews. It shows you’re listening.
Review App Rating Free Plan Paid Plan Starts At
Judge.me 5/5 Yes $15/month
Ali Reviews 4.9/5 Yes $9.90/month
Loox 4.9/5 No $9.99/month

Managing user content

User-generated content (UGC) is more than just reviews. It’s photos, videos, social posts – the works. Here’s how to use it:

  1. Start a UGC campaign: Get customers sharing. Create a catchy hashtag to track it all.
  2. Show it off: Put customer photos on product pages or make a UGC gallery.
  3. Market with UGC: Use customer pics in cart recovery emails or social ads.
  4. Keep it clean: Make sure UGC fits your brand and isn’t inappropriate.

"UGC videos have 12 times more engagement than any other type." – Power Reviews

UGC isn’t just pretty – it’s powerful. Use it wisely, and watch your SEO soar.

Conclusion

Keep improving SEO

SEO for Shopify landing pages is an ongoing process. Here’s why:

  1. Search engines evolve: Google’s algorithms change often.
  2. Competition increases: With nearly 5 million Shopify stores, standing out is tough.
  3. User behavior shifts: Search habits change over time.

To stay ahead:

  • Monitor rankings: Use Google Search Console to track page performance.
  • Update content: Keep your site fresh and valuable.
  • Analyze and adapt: Fix underperforming pages.
  • Stay informed: Keep up with SEO trends and Shopify updates.

SEO success takes time, but it’s worth it. 95% of online stores miss out on 3/4 of their potential search traffic. Don’t be one of them.

Use this checklist to stay on track:

Task Frequency
Keyword research Monthly
Content updates Weekly
Technical SEO check Quarterly
Performance analysis Monthly
Competitor analysis Quarterly

Keep at it, and you’ll see results.

More resources

Shopify SEO tools

Want to boost your Shopify pages’ SEO? Try these:

  • Semrush: Find SEO issues and opportunities with site audits and keyword research.
  • Google Analytics and Search Console: Free tools to track your site’s performance and rankings.
  • SearchPie SEO & Speed Optimizer: Starts at $39/month. Spots SEO problems like broken links and slow pages.
  • TinyIMG SEO & Image Optimizer: Free plan available. Speeds up your site by compressing images.
Tool Main Feature Cost
Semrush Site audits, keywords Paid plans
Google Analytics Traffic tracking Free
SearchPie SEO issue finder From $39/month
TinyIMG Image compression Free plan available

Shopify SEO guides

Need step-by-step help? Check out:

  1. Shopify’s free SEO checklist
  2. Shopify Help Center’s SEO docs
  3. Shopify Blog’s SEO articles

These cover:

  • Getting a custom domain
  • Setting up Google Analytics
  • Submitting your sitemap
  • Using mobile-friendly themes

Related posts

You might also like