19 Shopify Website SEO Checklist and Tools for Optimization

5. Do Keyword Research:

Before you start fine-tuning your website, it’s crucial to figure out which words and phrases people are using to search for products like yours. Think of it like understanding what language your customers speak online.

A tool called a keyword tool helps you find out what words and phrases people are typing into search engines. Some of these will be easier to rank for than others. Here’s what to look for:

• Search Volume: You want keywords with a decent amount of searches each month, so you’re not optimizing for no one.
• CPC: This tells you how valuable a keyword is. Higher CPCs mean people are willing to spend more on those searches.
• Keyword Difficulty: This shows how tough it is to rank for a keyword. Aim for ones where you can realistically get onto the first page of search results.

Each page on your website should target a different keyword or group of keywords. For product and category pages, go for keywords that show people are ready to buy. For blog posts, aim for keywords that answer questions and educate your audience.

Example of Keyword Research for a Shopify Website Using a Keyword Tool:

Imagine you sell skincare products. A keyword tool tells you that “best face moisturizer” gets a lot of searches each month, with a high CPC. That’s a great keyword to target on your product page because it shows people are ready to buy.

6) Optimize Your URLs:

Your website’s URLs are like street signs for search engines. Keep them short and sweet, including your target keyword if possible, and avoid unnecessary words. You can edit your URLs easily in Shopify.

Example:

Imagine you’re driving through a city, looking for a specific store. You spot a sign that reads “Shop” versus another sign that reads “Your-Beauty-Haven.” Which one would you choose?

Likely, you’d choose the second one because it’s clear and concise. That’s exactly what optimizing your URLs is like – making it easy for search engines to understand what your page is about. For example:

• Bad URL: yourstore.com/collections/all-products/12345
• Optimized URL: yourstore.com/skincare-products/face-moisturizer

See how the optimized URL is much cleaner and tells both users and search engines exactly what to expect on the page? That’s the power of URL optimization!

7) Optimized Product Titles and Descriptions:

When you’re writing product titles and descriptions, think of them as your shop’s sales pitch. Use words that not only describe your products accurately but also catch the eye of potential buyers. Make sure to include your target keywords too.

Example:

Now, let’s talk about product titles and descriptions – your online sales pitch. Imagine you’re browsing through a website, looking for the perfect face cream. Which product title would catch your eye?

• Option 1: “Face Cream”
• Option 2: “Hydrating Rose Face Cream – Natural Skincare for Glowing Skin”

Option 2, right? It’s descriptive, compelling, and includes keywords that people might search for. That’s exactly what you should aim for when optimizing your product titles and descriptions. Make them unique, descriptive, and keyword-rich to attract potential customers and improve your search engine visibility.

8) Use A Content Optimization Tool For Your Product Descriptions:

Thin product descriptions can hurt your website’s ranking. Spend time crafting detailed and original descriptions that include keywords, synonyms, and related terms. Content optimization tools can help you find the right keywords to include naturally.

Example:

Let’s say you’re selling a face cream made with natural ingredients. Instead of a generic description like “moisturizing face cream,” you could use a content optimization tool to find related keywords like “hydrating,” “organic,” and “anti-aging.” Incorporating these terms into your product description can improve its SEO power and attract more customers.

9. Image Optimization and Alt Text:

Optimize product images by giving them descriptive file names and adding alt text. This helps search engines understand what your images are about and improves your website’s overall SEO.

Example:

Imagine someone is visually impaired and using a screen reader to browse your website. Without alt text, they wouldn’t know what your product images represent. By adding descriptive alt text like “Hydrating Rose Face Cream – Natural Skincare for Glowing Skin,” you not only improve accessibility but also provide valuable context for search engines.

10. Create Blog Content To Target Long-Tail Queries:

Blogs are a great way to attract people who are still researching products. By writing high-quality blog posts that answer their questions, you can increase your website’s visibility and establish yourself as an expert in your field.

Example:

Suppose you run a Shopify store specializing in skincare products. You could create blog posts on topics like “The Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid for Dry Skin” or “How to Choose the Right Sunscreen for Your Skin Type.” These long-tail queries may have lower search volumes but can attract highly targeted traffic and help build trust with your audience.