Shopify is one the most popular platforms for selling your business’s products and services online. If you want more out of your website and to supercharge its organic traffic, you will need a comprehensive search engine optimization (SEO) strategy.
As you explore different elements of Shopify SEO, you’ll likely encounter apps designed to enhance your online store. Explore their uses and decide whether they can help your business.
What you need to know about Shopify SEO apps
Shopify is a leading content management system (CMS) suited specifically for ecommerce businesses. It is among the best platforms for creating a captivating website that speaks to your branding and attracts new customers to your offers.
To start driving traffic, you need to build your Shopify site with SEO in mind so it appears on search engine results pages (SERPs) and is easily discoverable.
Many Shopify-specific apps are available to help your business optimize its web pages and boost your rankings, but are they necessary to achieve meaningful results? The answer is probably not.
Are Shopify SEO apps worth it?
While businesses can improve their Shopify SEO strategy with an app, they are unnecessary to boost search engine rankings. Shopify is built for SEO and has several features to make your site appear higher on SERPs.
Paying for an app may not be worth the investment if your business understands SEO basics. Following SEO best practices and capitalizing on the platform’s existing optimization features will likely be enough to boost your business’s visibility.
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Shopify’s built-in SEO features
Shopify’s built-in SEO tools handle:
- Canonical tags: These tags are automatically included on your site’s pages to prevent duplicate content from showing up in SERPs. They help ensure the user accesses the original or most valuable version of a website page.
- Robot.txt files: Shopify adds these files to help search engine crawlers determine which pages to index and which to ignore.
- Sitemap.xml: The platform generates a list of your site’s pages that search engines can use to easily understand your site’s structure.
- Title tags: Shopify automatically creates title tags with your store’s name. These tags help search engines and users quickly identify what the page is about and if it is relevant to them.
You will also improve your Shopify site’s SEO by adding or updating the following:
- Schema markup: Incorporate this structure data into your site’s HTML to provide search engines with additional context for your content.
- Unique page titles: Adding descriptive page titles is crucial. They are often the first thing a user sees in the search listing, and they help your page rank higher on SERPs.
- Meta descriptions: These brief snippets appear below the page name on search results and should offer valuable context for what the reader and search engine can expect from the page.
- Content: Include original, high-quality content on your site to achieve the greatest results from SEO. Your content is essential for incorporating valuable keywords and attracting organic traffic.
- Customer reviews: Adding reviews to your site is one of the best ways to boost SEO. Search engines look at reviews as social proof, validating that your website is trustworthy and deserves higher rankings.
Top Shopify SEO apps
1. Tapita SEO & Speed Optimizer
Free to install. Additional charges may apply.
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Increase speed and rankings with Tapita. Tapita features tools like speed boosters, image optimizers, SEO audits, meta templates, Schema integration, and more. Plus, get valuable expert support and advice for better conversion which could ultimately result in improved revenue.
2. Tiny SEO Image Optimize, Speed
Free plan available.
| Features for Improved Site Speed | Key SEO Tools |
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Improve your store’s performance with TinyIMG, the smart SEO image optimizer and page speed booster. It uses tools like redirects, sitemaps, lazy loading, image alt text, JSON-LD, 404 error handling, and AI-generated meta tags. TinyIMG also uses advanced automation and SEO reports to increase site speed and search engine rankings to maximize your success.
3. Sherpas: Smart SEO
Free plan available. Free trial available.
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Smart SEO is a powerful Shopify app equipped with meta tags, image quality, and page speed tools. It simplifies complex tasks and automates content. Put effort into optimizing your website, climbing rankings, generating more traffic, and increasing sales revenue with Smart SEO.
4. Ilana’s JSON‑LD for SEO (TM)
$399/year. Free trial available.
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Boost your SEO efforts by placing reviews, pricing, and performance information in search results to attract qualified traffic and increase conversion. Integrate structured data for Google Rich Results and Merchant Center platforms. Easily optimize Schema.org data, get data accounts, six months of tracking, unlimited support, and Shopify SEO training.
5. Booster SEO & Image Optimizer
Free plan available. Free trial available.
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| SEO Toolbox | Monitoring Tools |
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With Booster SEO, you can improve your rankings, traffic, and page speed. It is an all-in-one solution that features multiple image inputs, and AI AutoPilot for seamless transaction resolution, and is designed specifically for Shopify. Aided by 30+ experts with decades of experience, Booster improves your on-page SEO for increased visibility and success.
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6. Avada SEO Speed Image Optimize
Free plan available. Free trial available.
| On-Page SEO Focus | Technical SEO Expertise |
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| Additional Tools | Monitoring and Reporting |
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Overcome ranking challenges with Avada’s intelligent SEO optimizer. It starts with a thorough SEO analysis, addresses technical issues, and speeds up the page with graphic optimization, lazy insertion, and brevity. The app also provides detailed reporting that allows you to monitor progress.
7. SearchPie SEO & Speed Optimize
Free plan available.
| Core Features | Website Enhancement |
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| SEO Toolbox | Monitoring Tools |
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Improve your store’s visibility with SearchPie, an advanced SEO tool. Increase sales, drive traffic, and control search volume with Keyword Explore, AI-powered meta tag generation, and expert assistance. Handle URLs, AMP, Schema, and snippets with ongoing support for smoother SEO implementation and quick issue resolution.
8. SEO Image Optimizer Wizard
Free.
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Enhance your store’s SEO with an image optimizer that simplifies optimization, increases site speed, and provides actionable insights. With the Optimizer Wizard, you can properly design and press images, calculate correctly, and rank your site to key standards. Get customized recommendations and valuable insights to discover and improve in the online marketplace.
9. AI ChatGPT description: ST
Free.
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Power your online business with ChatGPT AI’s instant product description generation. Using advanced algorithms, it delivers higher ratings faster, saving time and increasing customer understanding. ChatGPT AI increases conversions by automating robust presentations, enabling merchants to focus on important tasks, driving sales, and improving e-commerce performance.
10. Schema Plus for SEO
$14.99/month. Free trial available.
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| Support Options | Schema Coverage |
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Developed by old Google engineers, SchemaPlus integrates a complete Schema (JSON-LD) to the latest Google standards. Using advanced technology and 24/7 support to increase visibility and capture rates through fine details, SchemaPlus optimizes your online presence by helping you fix Google Search Console errors from incorrect or missing Schema.
Tips for boosting Shopify SEO
Search engines and SEO are constantly evolving, so seeking new ways to make your site more discoverable to your target audience is essential for continued success. Explore some of the top tips for getting more out of your Shopify SEO practices:
Leverage AI
Artificial intelligence (AI) is not going anywhere anytime soon, and your business can benefit from integrating it into your content creation strategy.
You can leverage generative AI tools to help you draft content for your site, such as product descriptions and blog post outlines. It is also handy for keyword research and improving website load time.
Remember that these solutions are not foolproof, and relying too much on AI can result in website copy that feels impersonal and doesn’t resonate with your readers.
Share different types of content
Another helpful SEO tip is diversifying the types of content you share on your website. Varied content helps keep your website’s visitors engaged and lets you naturally implement more relevant keywords for better placement on SERPs.
Prioritize user experience
Remember that user experience (UX) directly affects your site’s SEO.
In addition to using the right keywords, writing appealing copy, and nailing your meta descriptions, you must create pages your visitors will enjoy browsing. Ensure your site is easy to navigate, features high-quality images, and has quick load times and a streamlined checkout process to maximize SEO.
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Boost Your Shopify SEO: Apps vs. professional agency support
Shopify is built with powerful SEO apps that help improve your store’s ranking on SERPs. While these Shopify SEO apps are helpful, they are not necessary. By putting the SEO best practices in place, businesses can easily leverage Shopify’s built-in capabilities to increase organic traffic effectively.
Partnering with an agency, like SEO.com, could be advantageous if you want a more tailored approach or do not have the time or knowledge to handle SEO in-house. Unlike apps, an agency provides comprehensive strategies, continuous support, and ongoing optimization to ensure your Shopify site stays competitive.
Whether you choose to use Shopify apps or seek the expertise of an agency, the key is to stay proactive and use the SEO best practices for sustained online success.
