So you’ve started your Shopify store (or you’re planning to), and now you’re wondering, “How do I get people to actually find my products on Google?”
That’s exactly where SEO Search Engine Optimization comes in. And trust me, I’ve been there. When I started working on Shopify and other eCommerce platforms, SEO felt like a giant puzzle. But once I understood the basics and created a repeatable checklist, things became clear and traffic started to grow.
So today, I’m going to share with you a detailed, beginner friendly Shopify SEO checklist that’s useful even for advanced users. Whether you’re new or you’ve already dabbled in Shopify, this guide will help you cover the important stuff without feeling lost.
Why Should You Care About Shopify SEO?
Let’s be real Shopify makes it super easy to create an online store. But Google? Google won’t magically send you traffic unless you optimize your site.
SEO is how you tell Google:
“Hey, I sell this awesome product show it to the right people!”
When your store is optimized, you show up on Google when potential customers search for things you sell. More traffic = more sales.
Shopify SEO Checklist (Beginner-Friendly + Battle-Tested)
1. Do Keyword Research First
Before you optimize anything, know what your customers are searching for.
My advice:
Use tools like:
- Google Keyword Planner (free with a Google Ads account)
- Ubersuggest
- Ahrefs (paid, but powerful)
- Even plain old Google Auto-Suggest!
Pick keywords that match your product and check if people are actually searching for them.
Example:
If you sell leather wallets don’t just target “wallet” (too broad). Go for:
“Men’s slim leather wallet” or “best minimalist leather wallet”
2. Optimize Page Titles and Meta Descriptions
Every page on your Shopify store (product, collection, blog, homepage) has a Title Tag and Meta Description.
- Your Title should clearly mention your main keyword.
- Your Meta Description should describe the page and invite clicks.
💡 Example:
Title: Minimalist Leather Wallets | Free Shipping | [Your Brand]
Meta Description: Discover stylish minimalist leather wallets designed for everyday use. Free shipping on all orders!
In Shopify:Online Store → Preferences for homepage,
andProducts → Edit SEO for product pages.
3. Structure Your URLs Properly
Simple and clean URLs are easier for both users and Google.
Good URL:yourstore.com/products/minimalist-leather-wallet
Bad URL:yourstore.com/products?id=8293&ref=abc
Shopify handles most of this well by default, but always double check when creating new products or pages.
4. Use Meaningful Alt Text for Images
Google can’t “see” images it reads the alt text. Make sure every image describes what it shows.
Example:<img alt="Slim minimalist leather wallet for men" src="wallet.jpg">
This not only helps with SEO but also improves accessibility.
5. Improve Site Speed
Slow websites are a dealbreaker for both Google and your customers.
How to speed up your Shopify store:
- Use compressed images (tools: TinyPNG, Squoosh).
- Minimize apps that load unnecessary scripts.
- Choose a lightweight Shopify theme.
- Use Shopify’s built-in
webpimage format when possible.
You can test your speed using:
PageSpeed Insights
6. Fix Broken Links and 404 Errors
Broken links make both customers and Google unhappy.
Check for them regularly using:
- Google Search Console (Coverage report)
- Broken Link Checker tools (free or paid)
If you remove a page or change its URL, always set a 301 redirect in Shopify:Online Store → Navigation → URL Redirects.
7. Optimize Product Descriptions
Your product pages should:
- Use the main keyword naturally.
- Clearly explain the product’s features and benefits.
- Avoid generic descriptions copied from manufacturers.
Pro Tip:
Write like you’re helping a friend pick the perfect product!
8. Create Collection Pages with SEO in Mind
Most stores focus too much on products and forget collections.
But collection pages are SEO goldmines.
- Use keyword-rich collection titles.
- Write a short, helpful description at the top or bottom of the page.
- Optimize title tags and meta descriptions (just like products).
9. Use Blog Content to Attract Traffic
This is where many Shopify beginners miss out.
Writing helpful blog posts around your niche is a great way to:
- Answer customer questions.
- Rank for long-tail keywords.
- Build trust and brand authority.
Example:
If you sell gym gear write posts like:
“Top 10 Home Gym Essentials for Beginners”
“How to Choose the Right Resistance Bands”
10. Set Up Google Search Console & Analytics
You can’t improve what you don’t measure.
- Connect your store to Google Search Console (to monitor search performance and fix issues).
- Install Google Analytics 4 (GA4) to track visitors, sales, and behavior.
11. Add Structured Data / Schema Markup
This one’s a bit more advanced, but super powerful.
Structured data helps Google understand your store better, and can even give you rich results (like star ratings and price) in search.
Apps like JSON-LD for SEO or SEO Manager can help automate this.
12. Make Sure Your Store is Mobile-Friendly
Most Shopify themes are mobile responsive, but always test on:
- Real devices.
- Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test tool.
More than 60% of traffic is mobile these days, so don’t ignore this!
13. Internal Linking = Hidden SEO Superpower
Link related products, collections, and blogs to each other.
Example:
On a blog about “Best Wallets for Men,” link to your actual product page.
It helps Google crawl your site and keeps visitors browsing longer.
14. Focus on Backlinks
Once your on-site SEO is solid, start building backlinks.
- Reach out to bloggers.
- Get featured in gift guides.
- Partner with influencers.
- Submit your store to relevant directories.
The more trustworthy sites link to yours, the higher you rank.
Final Thoughts
I’ve worked on a bunch of Shopify stores (and other platforms like WooCommerce and Magento too) and the truth is, SEO is a long game.
But following this checklist will give your store a strong foundation, whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your strategy as an advanced user.
If you treat SEO as part of your store’s daily care (just like adding new products or handling orders), you’ll start seeing real, steady growth.
