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In today’s digital world, having a strong online presence is crucial for any business. Shopify, a popular e-commerce platform, has made it easier for entrepreneurs to set up their online stores and sell products online. 

However, just having a Shopify store is not enough to guarantee success. Shockingly, about 90% of Shopify stores fail within the first year, even though this stat is not coming from Shopify themselves, but from The Health Journal, it speaks volumes on what you’ll get yourself into when you don’t do the right thing.

And, another silent word behind that statistics is that you’re not guaranteed to succeed in Shopify.

Optimizing your Shopify store for SEO is critical to ensure your website ranks higher in search engine results pages (SERPs) and attracts more organic traffic. In this blog post, we will discuss why optimizing your Shopify Store for SEO is important, the benefits it can bring, and how to do it effectively. 

We will also highlight common SEO mistakes to avoid on your Shopify store. Whether you are a new or seasoned Shopify store owner, optimizing your store for SEO is crucial for long-term success.

What is Shopify SEO Optimization?

Shopify SEO Optimization is similar to website Optimization, but in Shopify or any other e-commerce store, you aim to naturally (without paying for advertisement) improve your store ranking in search engines. Which in the end, converts to more customers, which leads to sales.

Importance of Optimizing your Shopify Store for SEO

As e-commerce competition increases it’s no longer optional to have an effective and attractive Shopify Store, it’s now a necessity. So, here are some benefits of optimizing your Shopify Store for SEO;

1. Increased Organic Traffic

In physical stores, location is always emphasized, because it gives you a headstart to business, and makes customers visit your shop even if you have the worst products. Unlike a store in a bad location, where you will need to do more advertising to promote your products, even if you have the best products.

In an online store, location can be likened to staying in a good position on SERPs (Search Engine Result Pages), and the best location is ranking no.1 on Search Engine’s first page. Even though you can still get traffic through paid ads – like the name said – you have to always pay to get this traffic, which is not the best method of building your brand.

And, Optimizing your Shopify store for SEO means that you are making it easier for potential customers to find your store when they are searching for products or services related to what you offer. This increased visibility will drive more organic traffic to your website. 

The more traffic your store receives, the higher the chances of conversions and sales. In fact, research shows that 89% of people that make purchases online use search engines to enable them to make purchase decisions. That means, most of your potential customers are using Google or Bing to decide on what they will buy, so it’s wise to go where your customers are going.

2. Improved User Experience

I feel the only reason a potential customer will stay in an online store that doesn’t have a good User Experience (UX) is when he/she doesn’t have an option. That would have been the case decades ago, but now, there are lots of people selling the same products as you.

You should know that your customers are not just buying only the products you sell, they also are interested in the way they bought them, and the way you made them feel, which encourages them to come again and again. 

SEO optimization can help improve the overall user experience of your website. This can include improving site speed, navigation, and mobile-friendliness. A positive user experience can lead to increased customer engagement, longer time spent on site, and ultimately more sales.

3. Increased Sales and Revenue

I believe the aim of any Shopify or any other e-commerce store is to increase sales, but building an online store without proper SEO is leaving cash on the table – perhaps plenty of it. I’ll prove it to you, go to your Shopify analytics and view where most of your sales, and conversions are coming from.

I’m sure organic search will be on the top, or else you are still new and channel most of your traffic acquisition on Social Media. And, if you are in this category you should channel your attention to Search Engine Optimization, ASAP.

4. Cost-Effective Marketing

It always boils down to money, and good business is when you spend little for the best product or services. SEO optimization can be a cost-effective marketing strategy, as it can help drive organic traffic to your website without the need for paid advertising. 

By investing in SEO optimization, you can potentially reduce your marketing costs and increase your return on investment (ROI) over time. Yes, you’re still allowed to pay for adverts, but when you are on a budget, SEO will be your lifesaver that keeps bringing those sales.

5.  Competitive Advantage

Optimizing your Shopify store for SEO can also give you a competitive advantage over your competitors. Just imagine you’re selling a “Standard Chair Mariposa” and you’re ranking no1 on Google’s first page (we’re using Google here because it generates most of the search engine’s traffic), potential customers will likely choose you over your competitors even if they might be an authority in your niche.

In addition, by optimizing your store for SEO, you are improving the customer experience, which can help to differentiate your brand from your competitors.

How to Successfully Optimize your Shopify Store for SEO

A. Implement Keyword Research

B. Start Blogging

C. Use Shopify SEO Apps

D. Choose a Canonical URL by Yourself

E. Improve your Store Site Speed

We explained these methods in detail in our article on how to optimize your Store, you’ll also learn the best Shopify Store speed, and other details. 

Common SEO Mistakes to Avoid on your Shopify Store

A. Duplicate content

B. Slow page speed

C. Poor mobile optimization

D. Lack of HTTPS security

E. Poor navigation and site structure

Conclusion

In summary, optimizing your Shopify store for SEO is critical for the success of your online business. It can help increase organic traffic, improve User Experience, increase sales & revenue, reduce marketing costs, and give you competitive advantage in your industry.

However, it’s also essential that you’re using the right hack to navigate through the noise going on in the e-commerce world. Read our guide on the best Shopify Hacks and Tips for Success to help you get quality results in your Shopify Store.