SEO on Shopify Plus: The Basics You Can’t Ignore

Introduction

Paid ads can drive fast traffic —
but organic search is still one of the most profitable, sustainable sources of ecommerce growth.

Here’s the problem:
Most Shopify Plus stores aren’t doing the basics right.
And that leaves thousands (sometimes millions) of dollars of free traffic on the table.

In this post, we’ll walk through the must-have SEO fundamentals every Shopify Plus merchant needs to master.

The Non-Negotiable SEO Basics for Shopify Plus

1. Page Titles and Meta Descriptions

Every product, collection, and page needs:

• A unique, descriptive page title (~60 characters)

• A clear, enticing meta description (~160 characters)

Why it matters:
This is what shows up in Google results — and it's often the first impression customers get.

Quick Tip:
Focus on what the product solves, not just the product name.

2. Clean URL Structures

Shopify automatically generates product and collection URLs,
but you should keep them clean and keyword-rich.

Bad:
/products/sku-123456

Good:
/products/waterproof-hiking-backpack

Quick Tip:
Avoid unnecessary words or random characters.

3. Image Alt Text

Every product image should have descriptive, keyword-relevant alt text.

Why it matters:

• Helps Google understand your content

• Improves accessibility for all shoppers

• Can drive additional traffic via Google Images

Quick Tip:
Describe what’s in the photo like you're explaining it to someone over the phone.

4. Internal Linking Between Products and Collections

Your site should naturally guide visitors between related products, bundles, and collections.

Why it matters:
Internal links:

• Help Google understand site structure

• Keep users browsing longer

• Boost related product visibility

Quick Tip:
Every collection page should link to its bestsellers, and every product page should suggest complementary products.

5. Fast Load Speeds (Especially on Mobile)

Google rewards fast sites.
Shopify Plus merchants have an advantage — but only if they keep themes clean, apps lightweight, and images optimized.

Quick Tip:
Use Shopify's built-in analyzer, or tools like Google PageSpeed Insights, to spot and fix speed issues.

Bonus: Shopify Plus SEO "Quick Wins"

• Create an FAQ page (great for SEO-rich content)

• Launch a blog (even 1-2 posts per month helps authority)

• Optimize collection descriptions (not just product pages)

Small, steady improvements compound into serious traffic over time.

Final Thought

SEO isn't glamorous.
It’s not flashy.
It doesn’t give instant gratification.

But if you invest in SEO fundamentals now,
you’ll be building a traffic machine that feeds your business for years.

Start simple. Stay consistent. Watch organic traffic — and sales — grow.

Call to Action

Want to find out if your store’s SEO foundation is holding you back?
Take the free Merchant Success Plus Assessment and get a personalized action plan.