Avoiding Common SEO Mistakes within Shopify: A Guide for the Non-Technical Store Owner

So you've setup your Shopify store and stocked it with top-notch products. Now you're ready to rake in the sales! But hold your horses, there's a snag: your site's SEO is about as effective as a kangaroo on a pogo stick...

No worries though - we're here to help you avoid the most common SEO blunders that even the savviest of Shopify store owners sometimes make.

This guide is designed especially for the non-technical store owners who do their own SEO. It's time to roll up your sleeves and dive into the nitty-gritty of Shopify SEO. Trust us, it's not as scary as facing a spider in your boot, and it'll be worth it when the customers start hopping in!

Mistake #1: Ignoring Keyword Research

Ignoring keyword research is like ignoring a croc in a swimming hole – it's just not going to end well.

So, what's this keyword research business all about? Imagine you're throwing a barbie and you need to know what everyone wants on their snag. You wouldn't just guess and hope for the best, right? Keyword research is similar. It's about finding out exactly what terms your potential customers are plugging into search engines when they're looking for products like yours. It's really about getting into the heads of your customers and understanding their lingo.

Why is it super important, you ask? Well, imagine trying to find a needle in a haystack. That's your website without proper keywords - virtually invisible in the vast digital paddock that is the internet. By using the right keywords, you make your website more visible to the folks who are actually interested in your products. It's like adding a flashing neon sign pointing straight to your store.

The most common mistake made by Aussie store owners who do their own SEO is choosing keywords that are as generic as a meat pie at the footy or as complicated as explaining cricket to a non-Aussie. Too generic, and you're competing with every Tom, Dick, and Sheila out there. Too complicated, and your customers won't be able to find you even if they used a GPS. The trick is to find that sweet spot – keywords that are specific to your products and your audience, but not so obscure that they leave your customers scratching their heads.

So, grab a cuppa and get cracking on that keyword research!

Google's Keyword Planner is like your trusty swagman's kit for keyword research. It'll show you what potential customers are actually typing into that search bar when they're on the hunt for products like yours.

So, if you're peddling handmade leather shoes, instead of going with something generic like "shoes" or overly complicated like "foot-garments handcrafted from bovine dermis", you might find that "artisanal leather footwear" is the phrase that gets your customers' hearts racing. Now you're not just another shoe shop in the digital outback, you're a destination!

But don't stop there! Another ripper tool is Google Search Console. This little beauty lets you see what keywords your website is showing up for, but not necessarily ranking well. It's like having insider knowledge on a horse race. You might discover that you're on the second page for "custom leather boots" and with a bit of tweaking, you could be right up there with the frontrunners.

Remember, using these tools isn't about finding the most popular keywords and stuffing them into your site. It's about understanding your customers, speaking their language, and making it easy for them to find your top-notch products. So, put on your thinking cap, fire up those tools, and start your journey to the top of the SEO ladder!

Mistake #2: Neglecting Meta Titles and Descriptions

Meta titles and descriptions are the little snippets of text that show up in search engine results. The meta title is like the headline of a newspaper article – it tells you what the page is about at a glance. The meta description is like the blurb on the back of a book – it gives you a bit more detail and entices you to dive in.

Now, why are these so important for SEO? Well, search engines like Google use these bits of text to understand what's on your webpage. If your meta title and description are clear and relevant, Google's going to know that your page is relevant too. It's like giving a clear answer in a trivia quiz – you're more likely to get the points.

But it's not just about the search engines. These little snippets are also the first thing potential customers see when they're searching for products or services like yours. A unique, compelling meta title and description can make the difference between someone clicking on your site or scrolling past. It's like the difference between a flat beer and a frothy one – one's definitely more appealing!

So, what happens if you don't put any effort into your meta titles and descriptions? Well, you might find that your website isn't showing up in search results, or that when it does, people aren't clicking on it. It's like throwing a party but forgetting to send out the invitations – you're not going to get many guests.

So, take the time to write unique and relevant meta titles and descriptions for all your pages. Make them as enticing as a sausage sizzle and as clear as a bell. Your SEO rankings will thank you for it, and so will your customers!

Mistake #3: Using Duplicate Content

Using duplicate content is a bit like telling the same yarn at every pub in town. It might get a laugh the first time, but by the third round, folks are going to start rolling their eyes.

Duplicate content is when you've got the same block of text popping up in more than one spot on your site. This could be something like product descriptions, blog posts, or even meta tags. It's a bit like cloning a sheep – sure, it's possible, but it doesn't make for a very interesting flock.

So, why's it bad for SEO? Search engines like Google are a bit like the judges at a baking contest. They're looking for the best, most original scones, not the ones that are all made from the same mix. If they catch a whiff of duplicate content, they might think you're trying to pull a swifty and rank your site lower as a result. It's like getting caught bowling underarm in a cricket match.

But there's another reason to avoid duplicate content: your customers. They're not silly, and they'll recognise copy-and-pasted content faster than a dingo snatches a sausage. Personalising your product and collection descriptions shows that you care about your products and your customers. It's like taking the time to wrap a gift instead of just handing over the present in a plastic bag.

So, get creative with your content! Describe your products in a way that makes them sound as irresistible as a lamington at morning tea. Make your collection descriptions as inviting as a warm beach on a summer's day. Your SEO and your customers will thank you for it.

One way to avoid duplicate content is to always write original descriptions for your products and collections. Think about what makes each one special and tell that story. Don't just say a shirt is "blue" - describe it as "the vibrant blue of a summer sky".

Another approach is to regularly review and update your content. This not only helps to keep things fresh and engaging for your customers, but it also signals to search engines that your site is active and relevant.

But what if you've got a lot of content and aren't sure if some of it is duplicated? There are resources out there that can help you identify any duplicate content on your site. These tools compare the content on your site to other sites on the web, helping you to quickly identify and rectify any issues. Tools like Copyscape can help you ensure uniqueness.

Mistake #4: Ineffective Use of Internal and External Links

Let's start with internal links. These are the links that connect one page of your site to another. They're like the threads in a spider's web, linking everything together. Having a good network of internal links helps search engines understand the structure of your site and find all your content. It's like leaving a trail of breadcrumbs through the bush – it makes it easy for Google to follow along and see what's what.

External links, on the other hand, are links that point to other websites. These are important because they help to establish the credibility and relevance of your content. It's like name-dropping a famous mate at a party – it shows you're connected and in the know.

Now, why are these links so important for SEO? Well, they're one of the ways that search engines determine how valuable your site is. A site with a good network of internal and external links is like a well-connected bloke in a small town – everyone knows them, and they're likely to be a source of reliable information.

So, what happens if you don't use your links effectively? Well, your site might be harder for search engines to navigate, which could impact your SEO rankings. It's like keeping your shop's best products hidden away in the back – customers might never find them.

Additionally, if you don't link to relevant external sites, or if the sites you do link to are low-quality, it could affect how search engines view your site. It's like having a dodgy mate vouch for you – it doesn't do you any favours.

In short, using internal and external links effectively is like laying out a welcome mat for both search engines and customers. It guides them through your site, helps them find what they're looking for, and shows that you're a reliable source of information. So, don't neglect your links!

If you have a blog article on your website, for example, about the latest fashion trends, why not link to some of the products or collections that fit those trends? It's an easy to way to show your customers how your products can fit into their wardrobe.

But don't stop at your own site. If a well-known fashion blog has featured your products, why not link to that post? It adds credibility to your brand and shows your customers that you're recognised in the industry.

Just remember, the links you use should always be relevant and add value for your customers.

Mistake #5: Not Tracking SEO Performance

Not tracking your SEO performance is a bit like going on a road trip without checking your fuel gauge. You might think you're cruising along just fine, but you could be running on empty without even realising it.

Tracking SEO performance involves keeping an eye on various metrics to see how well your site is doing in search engine rankings. There are plenty of tools out there that can help with this, from Google Analytics to more specialised SEO platforms like SEMrush and Moz.

These tools can give you detailed information about things like organic traffic, bounce rate, conversion rate, and more. They can show you which keywords are driving traffic to your site, which pages are most popular, and where your visitors are coming from. It's like having a bird's eye view of the outback – you can see everything that's going on.

Now, why is this so important? Well, if you're not tracking your SEO performance, you're basically flying blind. You won't know if your efforts are paying off or if there are areas where you could improve. It's like trying to improve your cricket score without ever looking at the scoreboard.

Furthermore, tracking your SEO performance can also help you spot any issues before they become major problems. For example, if you notice a sudden drop in traffic to a particular page, you can investigate and fix the issue before it affects your overall SEO ranking. It's like spotting a kangaroo on the road ahead – better to swerve now than deal with the consequences later.

Yet, a lot of store owners forget to do this. Perhaps they're too busy with other aspects of running their business, or they assume that once they've set up their SEO, they can just forget about it. But SEO isn't a set-and-forget kind of thing. It's more like keeping a campfire going – you need to keep adding wood and stoking the flames.

So, make sure you're tracking your SEO performance regularly. It'll give you the insights you need to keep improving and stay ahead of the competition. Remember, SEO is a journey, not a destination. Keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel, and you'll be just fine!

Conclusion

Navigating the vast outback of SEO may at times feel like a daunting expedition, but sidestepping these common pitfalls can chart a clear course to success. Kick things off by taking a hard look at your current practices, and be prepared to finesse them as you journey on. Your store is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered, and your potential customers are explorers on the hunt for what you offer. It's time to bridge that gap and make the connection! Remember, in the world of SEO, every step taken towards improvement is a step closer to your customers. Forge ahead, and success will follow.

Need more guidance? Reach out to use for tailored support. Your online success is our passion, and we're here to help you navigate the world of SEO, one simple step at a time.