Shopify gives you a strong SEO starting point, but ranking takes deliberate work. Use this checklist to cover the essentials.
Technical foundations
- Set a clear, keyword-aware title and meta description on every page.
- Use a logical structure: Home → Collections → Products.
- Ensure your sitemap is submitted in Google Search Console.
- Add relevant structured data (Product, Breadcrumb) to support eligible search appearances.
- Fix broken links and set 301 redirects for any changed URLs.
Google retired FAQ rich results starting May 7, 2026; see Google’s update. Keep helpful answers for customers. Our guide to useful website FAQs explains how to choose, write and place them.
Product & collection pages
- Write unique product descriptions — never paste the manufacturer's copy.
- Optimize collection pages for category keywords (these often rank best).
- Add descriptive alt text to product images.
- Use clean, readable URL handles.
Site speed (huge for ecommerce)
- Choose a fast, lightweight theme.
- Compress and lazy-load images.
- Remove unused apps — each one adds scripts and slows your store.
- Aim for a Largest Contentful Paint under 2.5 seconds.
Content & authority
- Publish helpful content (buying guides, comparisons, how-tos) that targets what shoppers search.
- Earn links and citations from relevant, trustworthy sites.
- If you're a local brand, build local SEO signals too.
Track and improve
- Connect Google Search Console and GA4.
- Monitor which queries bring traffic and double down.
- Review Core Web Vitals monthly.
Need help?
We bake SEO into every Shopify build and offer ongoing SEO services. Get a free quote and we'll audit your store's SEO for free.
