Common Shopify SEO Mistakes That Are Killing Your Traffic
Share
Common Shopify SEO Mistakes That Are Killing Your Traffic
Your Shopify store might look great — but if it's not optimized for SEO, no one will find it.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) isn’t just about getting more traffic. It’s about getting the right traffic — people ready to buy.
Unfortunately, many Shopify store owners unknowingly make SEO mistakes that sabotage their visibility on Google. If you’re not getting enough organic traffic, one of these issues might be the culprit.
1. Duplicate Content from Product Variants
Shopify often creates separate URLs for product variants (e.g., color or size), which can lead to duplicate content in Google’s eyes.
Fix it:
Use canonical tags to tell Google which version of the page to index. You can also customize product URLs or use apps like Plug in SEO to handle this.
2. Missing or Generic Image Alt Text
Alt text is not just for accessibility — it also helps your product images rank on Google Image Search.
Fix it:
Write descriptive, keyword-rich alt tags for every product image. For example, replace “IMG_12345.jpg” with “organic cotton black t-shirt for men.”
3. Poor URL Structure
Shopify’s default URLs sometimes include unnecessary folders like /collections/all/products/product-name. This isn’t bad, but cleaner URLs are easier for both users and search engines.
Fix it:
Use short, descriptive slugs like /products/organic-tote-bag instead of long or unclear ones.
4. No Unique Meta Titles & Descriptions
Shopify auto-generates meta titles and descriptions if you don’t manually add them — and they’re often boring or incomplete.
Fix it:
Customize the meta title and description for every product, category, and blog post. Include your main keyword and a strong CTA.
5. Thin or Duplicate Product Descriptions
If you’re using the same product descriptions provided by a supplier or copied across products, Google may consider them “thin” or low-value.
Fix it:
Write unique, keyword-optimized content for each product. Even 100–150 words of unique copy can boost rankings and conversions.
Bonus Mistake: No Blog Content
Google favors sites with fresh, valuable content. If your site is only product pages, you’re limiting your chances of ranking for informational searches.
Fix it:
Start a blog covering buying guides, how-to articles, product comparisons, or customer stories. It builds topical authority.
Final Thoughts
Shopify gives you a solid SEO foundation — but it’s up to you to build on it the right way.
Avoid these common mistakes, and your store will be easier to find, easier to trust, and much easier to scale.
🛠️ Want an SEO Audit for Your Shopify Store?
At RootSyntax, we offer in-depth Shopify SEO audits and implementation plans tailored for your niche.
From fixing technical issues to optimizing every page, we’ll help your store rank — and sell — better.
👉 Schedule Your Free SEO Check-Up today with RootSyntax.