5 Shopify SEO mistakes to avoid and how to resolve them

Ignoring keyword research

One of the biggest mistakes we see store owners make is guessing what people search for instead of actually checking. They’ll often try to show up for really broad terms like “women’s shoes” when they could be getting way more sales from specific searches like “comfortable running shoes for flat feet.”

The good news is, that you don’t have to guess – tools like Google Keyword Planner or Ahrefs can show you exactly what people are searching for. Just make sure you’re checking these tools regularly because what people search for changes all the time.

Not optimizing your product descriptions

The second commonly made mistake with a Shopify SEO strategy is using generic or duplicate product descriptions for similar items. This can heavily impact your SEO rankings, so don’t just copy the manufacturer’s description of the items you are selling. Aim to write unique and engaging product descriptions that include your keywords naturally all while providing valuable information that addresses common customer questions. 

Skipping image optimization

Sure, you need good product photos – that’s a no-brainer for online stores. But here’s what most people don’t realize: those big, beautiful images could actually be hurting your sales if they’re making your site load super slow. Plus, if you’re just uploading photos with names like “IMG_12345” or leaving out those photo descriptions, you’re missing out on easy ways to get more people to find your products.

The fix is pretty simple, before you upload any photos, run them through TinyPNG to make them smaller without looking blurry. Then, give each photo a name that actually describes what it is (like “blue-leather-crossbody-bag” instead of “DSC12345”). Don’t forget to add descriptions to your photos – not only does this help people find your products through Google Images, but it also helps shoppers who use screen readers to browse your store.

Neglecting the speed of your site

While load speed is a crucial ranking factor for SEO, too many store owners ignore it until it’s too late. You know that feeling when you click on a website and it takes forever to load? That’s exactly what might be happening to your customers – and trust me, they’re not sticking around to see what you’re selling. Usually, this happens because stores get weighed down with too many apps or messy code.

The good news is that you can fix this. Use PageSpeed Optimizer to figure out what’s causing the slowdown. Then get ruthless about your apps – if you’re not using it, lose it. Compress those big files eating up space, and think about using a content delivery network to make everything zip along faster. Just make it a habit to check your site’s speed every month or so to catch problems before they get worse.

Overlooking meta titles and descriptions

The fifth and final common pitfall with Shopify SEO is failing to customize meta titles and descriptions for content. These two components are vital for attracting clicks from search engine results, but failing to optimize them will result in missed opportunities for engagement. Never opt for using artificial intelligence to generate meta titles or descriptions as it often will not take the action-oriented approach required in order to drive conversions. 

Create unique and compelling meta titles and descriptions for all your pages, keeping titles under 60 characters and descriptions under 160 to avoid truncation. All language in these texts should be action-oriented to entice the users to click on your store, so ensure your content clearly communicates the value of your page. 

Conclusion

The bottom line is that getting your store’s SEO right can make a huge difference in how many people find your products through Google. Start with the basics,- figure out what your customers are actually searching for, create your own unique content (instead of copying others), and make sure your site runs smoothly. Small things like good page titles and a clean, organized store layout go a long way too. Just remember that what works today might not work tomorrow, so keep testing and don’t be afraid to switch things up when you need to stay ahead of your competition.