🛒 The Ultimate Shopify SEO Checklist (26 Steps to Boost Rankings)

Running an online store comes with unique SEO challenges. Without a strategy, you may face:

Following a Shopify SEO checklist helps you fix these issues, making your store stronger, easier to find, and better to shop.

Benefits include:

1. Invest in a Custom Domain
Branded domains build trust and improve click-through rates. Go to Shopify Admin → Settings → Domains, then connect or buy a custom domain.
👉 Keep it short, memorable, and keyword-rich.

2. Enable SSL (Secure Sockets Layer)
SSL (https://) is free with Shopify and builds credibility. If you see errors, check your DNS or hosting provider.
👉 Test by typing https:// before your URL to confirm security.

3. Optimize Site Speed
Google favors faster sites. Compress images, use a lightweight theme, and limit heavy apps.
👉 Run PageSpeed Insights and address “Core Web Vitals.”

4. Choose a Responsive Theme
Over 70% of eCommerce traffic is mobile. Select a Shopify theme marked “responsive” and test across devices.

5. Install Essential SEO Apps
Shopify’s built-in SEO is limited. Add apps like:

6. Set Up Google Search Console & Analytics
These tools track keywords, traffic, and indexing. Add your domain to GSC, verify ownership, and link GA4 through Admin → Customer Events.

7. Perform Keyword Research
Identify keywords your customers search for. Use Search Atlas, Ahrefs, or SEMrush to find terms with volume and intent. Focus on long-tail phrases like organic dog treats online.

8. Structure SEO-Friendly Navigation
Use a simple hierarchy: Home → Collections → Products. Keep URLs clean and add internal links between collections and blogs.

9. Create SEO-Friendly URLs
Keep them short, keyword-rich, and human-readable. Example: /collections/mens-dress-pants.

10. Write Compelling Title Tags
Use the format: [Keyword] – [Benefit] | [Brand]. Keep titles under 60 characters.

11. Write Engaging Meta Descriptions
Add your keyword, highlight benefits, and include a CTA. Stay under 160 characters.

12. Use Header Tags (H1, H2, H3) Properly
Each page should have one H1. Use H2s for sections and H3s for details.

13. Optimize Product Descriptions
Write unique copy with keywords, features, and benefits. Avoid copy-pasting supplier text.

14. Perform a Crawl of Your Site
Use tools like Search Atlas or Screaming Frog to identify broken links, duplicate tags, and thin content.

15. Submit Your Sitemap to Google
Shopify auto-generates a sitemap at /sitemap.xml. Submit it in GSC → Indexing → Sitemaps.

16. Optimize Images
Rename files with keywords and add descriptive alt text. Keep file sizes under 200 KB.

17. Add Structured Data (Schema)
Use apps or add JSON-LD to enable rich snippets (prices, ratings, stock).

18. Build Internal Links
Link blogs to products and collections to distribute authority across your site.

19. Create a Blog for Content Marketing
Answer customer questions, target keyword clusters, and funnel readers to product pages.

20. Format Content for Readability
Use short paragraphs, bullet points, visuals, and clear subheadings.

21. Create Specialized Landing Pages
Target low-competition keywords with focused landing or collection pages.

22. Build Backlinks
Gain links through guest posts, influencer reviews, and partnerships.

23. Analyze Competitor Backlinks
Research competitors’ referring domains to identify partnership opportunities.

24. Write Guest Posts
Contribute content to niche blogs in exchange for backlinks and exposure.

25. Write Press Releases
Announce new products, partnerships, or milestones to earn authoritative backlinks.

26. Optimize for Mobile Experience
Test checkout on mobile, compress images, and remove intrusive pop-ups.

Keep SEO Ongoing
Revisit descriptions quarterly, monitor competitors, and publish fresh content consistently.