10 Tips to Optimize Shopify Landing Pages for SEO
October 4, 2024
Want to boost your Shopify store’s visibility? Here’s how to optimize your landing pages for search engines:
- Do keyword research
- Craft compelling titles and descriptions
- Create high-quality content
- Improve page load speed
- Optimize for mobile
- Use header tags correctly
- Optimize images
- Link pages together
- Create SEO-friendly URLs
- 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.
Related video from YouTube
Shopify SEO basics
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:
- Google Keyword Planner: It’s free and packed with data
- Google Search Console: Shows you what’s already working for your site
- Ahrefs and SEMrush: Paid tools with more bells and whistles
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:
- Page titles: Put your main keyword near the start. Keep it under 70 characters.
- Meta descriptions: Add keywords naturally. Aim for 320 characters max.
- H1 headers: Use your primary keyword in your main page title.
- Product descriptions: Sprinkle in keywords, but keep it natural. Aim for at least 250 words.
- 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:
- Include your main keyword
- Explain the page’s value
- 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:
- User experience: 61% of users won’t come back to a bad mobile site. 40% will go to a competitor instead.
- 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:
- Use responsive design: Shopify themes are responsive by default, but test thoroughly.
- Speed it up: Aim for load times under 3 seconds. Use Google’s PageSpeed Insights to check.
- Simplify navigation: Use a sticky header with key links. Ten Thousand does this well.
- Streamline forms: Fewer fields, mobile-friendly inputs. Check out Kit & Kin’s smooth mobile checkout.
- Make it readable: Larger fonts (14-16px) and plenty of white space.
- Optimize images: Compress files, use lazy loading.
- Add mobile features: Click-to-call buttons for easy contact.
- 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.
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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)
- H1: Main keyword
- H2: Secondary keywords
- 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:
- Products > All products
- Pick a product
- Click an image
- Hit "Add ALT text"
- Type and save
Making images smaller
Smaller images = faster loading = happy users and search engines. Here’s how:
-
Pick the right format:
- Photos? JPG
- Graphics or logos? PNG
-
Shrink ’em down:
- Aim for under 500kB per image
- Try TinyPNG or Shopify’s built-in tools
-
Size matters:
- Full-width: 2000 x 2000px
- Hero: 4000 x 4000px
- Content: 1000 x 1000px
-
Name files smartly:
- Not "IMG001.jpg"
- Try "mens-red-sneakers-side-view.jpg"
-
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:
- Using numbers or dates
- Keyword stuffing
- Using special characters
- Forgetting redirects
- 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:
- Use review apps: Install Judge.me, Ali Reviews, or Loox. They make review collection a breeze.
- Ask for feedback: Send post-purchase emails. Maybe throw in a small discount as a thank-you.
- Show off those stars: Put ratings and snippets front and center on product pages and search results.
- 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:
- Start a UGC campaign: Get customers sharing. Create a catchy hashtag to track it all.
- Show it off: Put customer photos on product pages or make a UGC gallery.
- Market with UGC: Use customer pics in cart recovery emails or social ads.
- 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:
- Search engines evolve: Google’s algorithms change often.
- Competition increases: With nearly 5 million Shopify stores, standing out is tough.
- 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:
- Shopify’s free SEO checklist
- Shopify Help Center’s SEO docs
- Shopify Blog’s SEO articles
These cover:
- Getting a custom domain
- Setting up Google Analytics
- Submitting your sitemap
- Using mobile-friendly themes