Product Optimisation
1. Write descriptive product titles: Include your main keyword, brand, and key features naturally (e.g., "Handmade Ceramic Coffee Mug - Blue Glazed Stoneware")
2. Craft detailed product descriptions: Write for humans first, include keywords naturally, and focus on benefits not just features
3. Use high-quality images with SEO-friendly filenames: Name files "blue-ceramic-mug.jpg" instead of "IMG_001.jpg"
4. Add alt text to all images: Describe what's in the image for screen readers and search engines
5. Optimise product URLs: Keep them short, descriptive, and keyword-rich rather than using random product numbers
Technical SEO
6. Improve site speed - Use compressed images, choose a fast theme, and minimise apps that slow loading
7. Make your site mobile-friendly: Most Shopify themes are responsive, but test on actual devices
8. Create an XML sitemap: Shopify generates this automatically, but submit it to Google Search Console
9. Fix broken links: Regularly check for 404 errors and redirect old URLs to relevant pages
10. Use structured data: Shopify includes basic schema markup, but consider apps for enhanced rich snippets
Content Strategy
11. Start a blog - Write helpful content related to your products to attract organic traffic
12. Optimise your homepage: Include your main keywords and clearly explain what you sell
13. Create category pages with unique content: Don't just list products; add descriptions and buying guides
14. Write unique meta descriptions : Compelling 150-160 character summaries for each page
15. Use header tags properly: Structure your content with H1, H2, H3 tags that include relevant keywords
Navigation & User Experience
16. Improve internal linking - Link related products and blog posts to help users and search engines navigate
17. Optimise your site structure: Create logical categories and subcategories that make sense to users
18. Add breadcrumb navigation: Help users understand where they are on your site
19. Create a search-friendly footer: Include important links and keywords naturally
Ongoing Maintenance
20. Monitor your performance: Use Google Analytics and Search Console to track rankings, traffic, and identify issues
In all honesty folks, the way to make progress is definitely straightforward systems and consistency. SEO is a (never-ending) marathon you will thank yourself for starting. Focus on creating genuinely helpful content and a great user experience, and the technical optimisation will support those efforts.
If you do feel totally stumped, get in touch for a free audit.
