So, you’ve got your Shopify store up and running, and you’re ready to start getting noticed in search engine results. If you’ve been wondering, How do I make sure my store shows up when people search for what I sell?—you’re in the right place! This is where SEO keywords come into play. By adding the right SEO keywords to your Shopify store, you’ll attract more traffic, increase sales, and establish a stronger online presence. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the process of adding SEO keywords to your Shopify store. And, if you need a little help or want to take things to the next level, you might want to look into Shopify SEO services—but we’ll talk more about that later!
What Are SEO Keywords, and Why Do They Matter for Shopify?
Before we dive into how to add SEO keywords to your Shopify store, let’s cover the basics. SEO (Search Engine Optimization) keywords are the words or phrases that people type into search engines like Google when they’re looking for products, services, or information. If you sell “handmade soap,” then keywords like “organic soap” or “natural skincare products” would be relevant to your store. Optimizing your Shopify store with these SEO keywords helps search engines understand what your store is about, leading to higher rankings and more traffic.
Where to Add SEO Keywords in Shopify
Shopify makes it fairly easy to add SEO keywords, but it’s not just about slapping keywords anywhere. You need to strategically place them where they’ll have the most impact. Here’s a breakdown of the most important areas where you can add keywords to optimize your store:
- Page Titles
- Meta Descriptions
- Product Descriptions
- Image Alt Text
- URLs
- Collection Pages
- Blog Posts
Optimizing Page Titles for SEO
The page title is one of the first things search engines see when crawling your site. It’s also one of the first things users see in search engine results. That’s why your page titles should be clear and concise and include your target SEO keywords.
For example, if you’re selling organic candles, a good page title would be:
“Organic Soy Candles – Handmade Natural Candles | [Your Store Name]”
To edit page titles on Shopify:
- Go to Online Store > Pages.
- Click the page you want to edit.
- Scroll down to Search Engine Listing Preview.
- Update your Title field with your SEO keywords.
Remember, your page titles should be around 50-60 characters long. Make it catchy, and don’t stuff it with too many keywords—that can backfire!
Writing Compelling Meta Descriptions
The meta description is a short blurb that appears under the page title in search engine results. It doesn’t directly impact your SEO ranking, but it does play a huge role in enticing users to click on your link. Meta descriptions should be engaging and concise and include your main SEO keywords.
For example: “Discover our range of organic soy candles, handcrafted for a long-lasting and eco-friendly burn. Perfect for any occasion. Free shipping on orders over $50!”
To edit meta descriptions on Shopify:
- Go to Online Store > Pages.
- Click on the page or product you want to edit.
- Scroll to the Search Engine Listing Preview section and add your keywords in the Description field.
Keep your meta descriptions between 150-160 characters and make them action-driven to encourage clicks.
Product Descriptions: The Heart of Shopify SEO
Product descriptions are key for both SEO and conversions. Search engines scan product descriptions to understand what your products are, while customers read them to decide whether they want to buy. Your descriptions should be informative and engaging and naturally incorporate your SEO keywords.
For instance: “Our handmade organic soap is crafted with 100% natural ingredients, designed to moisturize and nourish your skin. Perfect for sensitive skin types, our soap contains no artificial chemicals or fragrances.”
To optimize product descriptions for SEO:
- Go to Products in your Shopify dashboard.
- Select a product and scroll down to the Description box.
- Insert your keywords naturally—avoid keyword stuffing!
Adding Keywords to Image Alt Text
Image alt text is often overlooked but is crucial for Shopify SEO services. Alt text helps search engines understand what your images are about, improving your chances of ranking in image search results. It’s also important for accessibility.
For example, if you’re selling leather wallets, you could use alt text like:
“Black leather wallet for men with cardholder and money clip.”
To add or update image alt text in Shopify:
- Go to Products or Pages.
- Click on the product or page, then find the Images section.
- Click on an image and add relevant alt text.
Remember to describe the image while including a keyword naturally.
Optimizing URLs with SEO Keywords
Your product and page URLs should be simple and include keywords relevant to the content. Shopify automatically generates URLs based on your product title, but you can edit them for SEO.
For example, instead of: /products/handmade-organic-soap-1
You can clean it up to/products/handmade-organic-soap
To change URLs on Shopify:
- Go to Online Store > Pages or Products.
- Scroll down to Search Engine Listing Preview.
- Update the URL and handle it with a short, keyword-rich URL.
Optimizing Collection Pages
Collection pages group similar products together, and optimizing these pages can give your SEO a big boost. Make sure the titles, descriptions, and meta descriptions for these pages include relevant keywords. For instance, a collection page for handmade soaps could include SEO keywords like “natural soap,” “organic skincare,” or “sensitive skin soap.”
Learn about “Who Is Shopify’s Target Market?” on our blog page today!
Writing Blog Posts with SEO in Mind
Shopify has a built-in blogging platform, which is perfect for driving more traffic to your store through content marketing. Blog posts give you a chance to target long-tail keywords (phrases that are longer and more specific) and provide value to your customers. For example, a post titled “How to Choose the Best Organic Soap for Your Skin Type” could help drive traffic. Make sure to use your primary and secondary keywords in your blog post titles, headings, and body content.
Semantic Keywords: A Subtle But Powerful SEO Trick
When adding SEO keywords to Shopify, don’t just focus on the primary keyword like “Shopify SEO services.” You should also incorporate semantic keywords—terms that are related to your main keyword but not identical.
For example, if you’re optimizing for Shopify SEO services, you can also use phrases like:
- Shopify SEO tips
- Shopify SEO optimization
- Improve Shopify search rankings
- Shopify SEO experts
These help you rank for more search queries and create a natural flow in your content, which is favored by search engines like Google.
Shopify SEO Apps to Simplify the Process
Managing SEO on Shopify can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re just starting out. Luckily, there are plenty of SEO apps designed to help streamline the process and optimize your store for search engines. Some popular options include:
- SEO Booster: This helps you identify SEO issues and fix them quickly.
- Plug-in SEO: Provides a comprehensive toolkit for managing keywords, meta descriptions, and more.
- Smart SEO: Automates the process of adding meta tags and alt text to your Shopify store.
These apps make it easier to ensure your site is fully optimized and ready to rank.
Don’t Forget Mobile Optimization!
One thing that’s often overlooked in Shopify SEO is mobile optimization. Google uses mobile-first indexing, which means it looks at the mobile version of your site when determining rankings. Make sure your Shopify store is responsive, loads quickly on mobile devices, and is easy to navigate on a smaller screen.
Need a Hand? Shopify SEO Services Might Be the Answer
SEO can be a lot to handle, especially if you’re juggling other aspects of running a business. If you’re looking for expert help to make sure your store ranks higher, Shopify SEO services might be the way to go. These services handle everything from keyword research to optimizing your store for search engines, saving you time and effort. With the right SEO strategy in place, you’ll start seeing more traffic, better search rankings, and, ultimately, more sales.
Final Thoughts: Ready to Improve Your Shopify SEO?
Adding SEO keywords to Shopify might feel like a daunting task at first, but once you get the hang of it, it becomes second nature. Whether it’s tweaking your title tags or optimizing your product pages, every step you take will make your store more visible to potential customers. And don’t forget—if this all sounds like too much to handle, you can always invest in Shopify SEO services to help boost your store’s performance. Professionals can take the guesswork out of SEO and help you reach your goals faster. Boost your Shopify store’s visibility and drive more traffic with expert Shopify SEO services from Click Typhoon. Our team specializes in optimizing your store to rank higher, attract the right audience, and increase sales. Take the next step toward success by contacting Click Typhoon today!
