SEO for Shopify stores: a beginner guide

Paid ads stop the day you stop paying. Search traffic keeps coming. These are the Shopify SEO basics worth doing first.

1. Build around collections

Collection pages often rank better than single products, because shoppers search for categories ("linen shirts", "leather wallets"). Give every collection a clear name, a short intro and sensible products.

2. Write unique product pages

Avoid copying supplier descriptions. Explain who the product is for, what it is made of, sizes and care, and answer common questions. Add clear photos.

3. Edit titles and descriptions

In each page's search listing preview you can edit the title and description. Put the main phrase in the title and write a short, honest summary that makes people click.

4. Keep URLs clean

Short, readable handles ("linen-shirt") are better than long ones. Avoid changing URLs after launch unless you set up redirects.

5. Alt text for images

Describe each product image in plain words.

6. Speed and mobile

Compress images, remove unused apps and keep the theme light. Most shoppers are on phones.

7. Reviews and structured data

Real reviews build trust and can show as rich results in search when set up correctly. Your theme or review app usually handles this, so check it works.

8. Add a blog or guides

Guides such as "how to choose running shoes" or "how to care for linen" attract people earlier in their search, and you can link them to products.

9. Fix errors

Use Google Search Console to find pages that fail to index, broken links and slow pages. Submit your sitemap (Shopify creates one at /sitemap.xml).

Where to start

Do collections, titles and product descriptions first. They give the biggest return for the least effort.

We can build or audit your store: see Shopify development.

Need a hand with this?

Book a free call or send a short brief and Ajex Digital will suggest a sensible first step.