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Let us guess - your Shopify store isn't getting the organic traffic it deserves, despite having great products and competitive prices.
You're not alone.
A shocking 96.5% of pages get zero organic traffic from Google.
That's right - most online stores are essentially invisible to potential customers.
However, while your competitors chase the latest marketing fads and burn through their ad budgets, you're about to explore some SEO tools that can significantly improve your Shopify store's visibility and sales.
At Boring Marketing, we've managed over $100 million in marketing spend, and we can tell you this - the right SEO tools are essential for e-commerce success.
In fact, organic search drives 23.6% of e-commerce orders.
The problem?
Most generic SEO tools aren't built for Shopify's unique architecture and requirements. They miss crucial e-commerce elements like:
- Product schema markup
- Collection page optimization
- Variant handling
- Internal linking structure
This gap between generic SEO tools and Shopify's specific needs costs you sales.
But don't worry - we've done the boring work of testing dozens of tools to find the ones that actually work for Shopify stores.
Let's dive into the most effective SEO tools that understand your Shopify store's unique needs.
Plug in SEO functions like an SEO monitor for your store, helping you catch and fix common optimization issues. Think of it as a quality control system that continuously scans your store for SEO problems that could be hurting your visibility in search results.
It's built specifically for Shopify's architecture, focusing on the essential elements that matter for e-commerce SEO. This means it understands the unique challenges of product pages, collection structures, and variant handling - areas where generic SEO tools often fall short.
The tool balances functionality and usability, making it particularly suitable for those who want effective SEO without the complexity. Instead of drowning you in technical jargon and endless options, it presents clear, actionable fixes for your store's most pressing SEO issues.
Key Features:
- Automated SEO audits that scan your store for common issues
- Keyword suggestions based on your product catalog
- Meta tag optimization with real-time preview
- Mobile optimization checks
Pros:
- User-friendly interface even for SEO beginners
- Comprehensive reports in plain English
- Integrates seamlessly with Shopify
Cons:
- Advanced features locked behind paid plans
- Limited keyword research capabilities
- Some advanced customization options are missing
Pricing:
- 14-day Free Trial
- Small Store ($29.99/month)
- Medium Store ($49.99/month)
- Large Store ($79.99/month)
Reviews and Ratings: 4.7/5 (Based on 2,500+ reviews on Shopify App Store)
Best For: Small to medium-sized Shopify stores looking to establish strong SEO foundations without technical expertise
Our verdict: Getting the SEO basics right can lead to significant improvements in organic traffic. This tool helps handle those fundamentals effectively, making it a solid choice for stores just starting their SEO journey.
SEO Manager stands out in the Shopify ecosystem for its robust technical capabilities and data-driven approach.
The tool's strength lies in its comprehensive approach to technical SEO automation. Rather than just handling basic meta tags, it implements advanced structured data, manages complex redirect chains, and provides detailed JSON-LD markup - elements crucial for e-commerce visibility. For stores with large product catalogs, this automation saves significant time while maintaining SEO quality.
It specialises in tackling e-commerce-specific SEO challenges. The tool understands how Shopify's architecture handles collections, products, and variants, ensuring proper indexing and hierarchy. Its bulk optimization features are particularly valuable for stores with seasonal inventory or frequent product updates, allowing quick adjustments while maintaining SEO best practices.
Key Features:
- Advanced JSON-LD structured data
- Bulk SEO optimization tools
- Automated redirect management
- Rich snippet optimization
- Template-based meta tag system
Pros:
- Deep Shopify integration
- Powerful automation capabilities
- Regular updates aligned with Google's requirements
- Comprehensive reporting system
Cons:
- Steeper learning curve for advanced features
- Some advanced features require higher-tier plans
- Initial setup requires careful configuration
Pricing:
- Starter ($9/month)
- Essential ($29/month)
- Professional ($59/month)
Reviews and Ratings: 4.8/5 (Based on 1,700+ reviews on Shopify App Store)
Best For: Medium to large Shopify stores needing advanced technical SEO capabilities and automation features
Our verdict: The tool effectively handles complex technical SEO requirements while providing the automation necessary for larger stores. Its focus on e-commerce-specific challenges makes it particularly valuable for growing Shopify businesses.
Pro Tip: While tools are essential, sometimes the most effective SEO wins come from simple optimizations. For instance, we recently helped an e-commerce client achieve remarkable results through a straightforward category page optimization:
- 220 new commercial keywords in the top 3
- 45% increase in organic traffic
- All within 5 months
The secret? Optimizing category page content - an often overlooked opportunity that 90% of e-commerce sites miss. Strategic content placement at the bottom of category pages can significantly improve rankings for product-related keywords without affecting user experience.
Screaming Frog is one of the most powerful technical SEO tools available. Unlike Shopify-specific apps, this desktop software crawls your entire store like search engines do, providing a comprehensive view of your site's technical structure.
Think of it as an X-ray machine for your online store. It examines everything from broken links and redirect chains to duplicate content and missing meta descriptions. For instance, when analyzing large Shopify stores with multiple collections and products, it can quickly identify issues like improper canonical tags or incomplete product schemas that might be affecting your search visibility.
The tool's real strength lies in its flexibility. While most SEO tools give you predetermined reports, Screaming Frog lets you customize your crawls to focus on specific technical aspects of your store. This means you can dig deep into particular issues, whether it's analyzing your internal linking structure or checking for broken product images.
Key Features:
- Comprehensive site crawling
- Technical SEO analysis
- Data extraction capabilities
- Custom search functions
Pros:
- Extremely detailed technical insights
- Customizable crawls
- Powerful data analysis
Cons:
- Significant learning curve
- Not Shopify-specific
- Can be resource-intensive
Pricing:
- Free (upto 500 URLs)
- Paid ($259/year)
Reviews and Ratings: 4.7/5 (Based on 90+ reviews on G2)
Best For: Advanced users and SEO professionals who need deep technical insights and customizable crawling capabilities
Our verdict: While not specifically designed for Shopify, this tool excels at uncovering technical SEO issues that could be holding back your store's performance. However, be prepared to invest time in learning how to interpret and act on its detailed reports.
In e-commerce, images can make or break your site's performance. A single product page often contains multiple high-resolution photos, and without proper optimization, these images can significantly slow down your store's load time - a critical factor for both SEO and user experience.
Booster SEO & Image Optimizer addresses this specific challenge in the Shopify ecosystem. The tool automatically handles image compression and optimization, finding the sweet spot between visual quality and file size. For stores with extensive product catalogs, this automation can save countless hours of manual image optimization work.
Beyond just compressing images, it also tackles the often-overlooked aspects of image SEO, such as generating relevant alt text and implementing proper structured data. This matters because search engines rely on these elements to understand and properly index your product images, potentially helping your products appear in Google Image search results.
Key Features:
- Automated image compression
- Alt text generation
- Structured data implementation
- On-page SEO optimization
Pros:
- All-in-one solution
- User-friendly interface
- Automated optimization processes
Cons:
- Occasional app conflicts
- Can slow down site if not configured properly
- Limited customization options
Pricing:
- Free
- Pro ($39/month)
- Premium ($69/month)
Reviews and Ratings: 4.9/5 (Based on 9,000+ reviews on Shopify App Store)
Best For: Shopify stores with large product catalogs and image-heavy content looking for automated optimization solutions
Our verdict: While image optimization might seem like a minor technical detail, it plays a crucial role in both site performance and search visibility. Proper implementation can lead to noticeable improvements in page load times, which often correlates with better user experience and search rankings.
Google Analytics serves as your store's digital dashboard, providing insights into who your visitors are, how they found you, and what they do on your site.
While primarily known for tracking visitor numbers, Google Analytics goes much deeper for e-commerce stores. It can track specific product performance, showing which items attract the most views and generate the most sales. This data becomes particularly valuable when analyzing the effectiveness of your SEO efforts - you can see exactly which search-optimized pages are driving actual purchases, not just traffic.
The platform recently transitioned to Google Analytics 4 (GA4), introducing more advanced features like enhanced e-commerce tracking and improved user journey mapping. For Shopify stores, this means better ability to understand complex customer behaviors, like how many times someone visits before making a purchase or which product categories attract the most engaged visitors.
Key Features:
- Detailed traffic analysis
- User behavior tracking
- Conversion monitoring
- E-commerce reporting
Pros:
- Comprehensive data
- Free to use
- Integrates with other Google tools
Cons:
- Complex interface
- Requires proper setup
- Can be overwhelming
Pricing: Free
Reviews and Ratings: 4.5/5 (Based on 6,000+ reviews on G2)
Best For: All Shopify store owners who want to understand their traffic sources, user behavior, and conversion patterns
Our verdict: While not strictly an SEO tool, Google Analytics provides essential data about how your search traffic converts into sales. This information helps guide optimization efforts toward pages and products that actually drive revenue.
Avada SEO tackles the fundamental aspects of Shopify store optimization through an integrated approach. The tool has gained traction in the Shopify ecosystem by focusing on both technical SEO elements and performance optimization in one package.
At its core, the tool handles essential SEO tasks automatically. It generates and optimizes meta titles and descriptions, creates ALT tags for images, and implements JSON-LD structured data markup across your store. For store owners dealing with hundreds of products, this automation saves significant time while maintaining consistency in SEO implementation.
The tool's approach to image optimization deserves specific attention. Rather than just compressing images, it provides a complete image optimization workflow - from automatic resizing and format conversion to implementing lazy loading. This comprehensive approach to image handling helps maintain fast page load speeds even for stores with extensive product catalogs.
Key Features:
- Automated meta tag optimization
- JSON-LD structured data implementation
- Image optimization and lazy loading
- Broken link monitoring
- Sitemap generation and management
Pros:
- User-friendly interface
- Comprehensive optimization features
- Automatic implementation for new products
- Regular feature updates
Cons:
- Some advanced features limited to paid plans
- Image optimization caps on basic plans
- May require initial setup time
Pricing:
- Free
- Pro ($34.95/month)
- Enterprise ($99/month)
Reviews and Ratings: 4.9/5 (Based on 7,000+ reviews on Shopify App Store)
Best For: Shopify stores seeking an all-in-one solution for basic to intermediate SEO needs with strong focus on performance optimization
Our verdict: The tool provides solid coverage of essential SEO elements with useful automation features, making it particularly suitable for stores that need comprehensive SEO functionality without complexity.
Ahrefs provides this crucial market intelligence, offering detailed insights into what's working in your industry and where opportunities lie.
The tool's keyword research capabilities go beyond basic search volumes. For Shopify stores, this means being able to identify specific product-related keywords that actual buyers are using. For instance, you can discover seasonal trends in product searches, analyze which feature-specific terms drive the most traffic, or find gaps in competitors' keyword coverage that your store could target.
Its backlink analysis features help understand why competitors might be ranking better for certain terms. This is particularly valuable in e-commerce, where building quality backlinks can be challenging. The tool shows which content types and products tend to attract natural links in your niche, helping inform both content and product positioning strategies.
Key Features:
- Comprehensive keyword research
- Competitor analysis
- Backlink monitoring
- Content gap analysis
Pros:
- Extensive data
- Powerful competitor insights
- Regular feature updates
Cons:
- Expensive for small businesses
- Steep learning curve
- Not Shopify-specific
Pricing:
- Lite ($129/month)
- Standard ($249/month)
- Advanced ($449/month)
- Enterprise ($14,990/month)
Reviews and Ratings: 4.8/5 (Based on 500+ reviews on G2)
Best For: Established Shopify stores ready to invest in comprehensive SEO research and competitive analysis
Our verdict: While the price point puts it out of reach for many smaller stores, Ahrefs provides valuable competitive insights that can inform strategic decisions about product offerings and content creation.
Smart SEO by Sherpas has established itself as a reliable solution in the Shopify ecosystem by focusing on comprehensive technical optimization with minimal manual intervention. The tool's development team regularly updates features based on Google's evolving requirements for e-commerce sites.
The tool's strength lies in its intelligent handling of structured data and meta information. It automatically generates and maintains JSON-LD markup for products, including crucial elements like pricing, availability, and reviews. For stores with large catalogs, this automation ensures consistent implementation of technical SEO elements across all products while maintaining unique, relevant content.
The tool handles hreflang tags and language-specific meta information automatically, making it particularly valuable for stores serving multiple markets. Its bulk editing features allow quick optimization of entire product collections while maintaining language-specific nuances.
Key Features:
- Automated meta tag optimization
- JSON-LD structured data
- Multilingual SEO support
- Bulk editing capabilities
- SEO health monitoring
Pros:
- Shopify-specific optimization
- Easy to implement
- Regular feature updates
- Strong multilingual support
Cons:
- Some advanced features in higher tiers
- Initial setup time required
- Limited customization in basic plan
Pricing:
- Free
- Pro Plan ($9.99/month)
- Business ($19.99/month)
- Premium ($29.99/month)
Reviews and Ratings: 5/5 (Based on 1,400+ reviews on Shopify App Store)
Best For: Shopify stores looking for reliable technical SEO implementation, especially those operating in multiple languages
Our verdict: The tool effectively handles technical SEO fundamentals with useful automation features, making it particularly suitable for stores wanting consistent optimization across their product catalog.
Google Search Console provides direct insights into how Google views and interacts with your Shopify store. Unlike third-party tools that make educated guesses, this tool gives you actual data straight from Google about your store's search performance.
For e-commerce sites, this information is particularly valuable when troubleshooting visibility issues. For instance, if new products aren't appearing in search results, Search Console can show whether Google has indexed these pages and if there are any technical barriers preventing them from ranking. The tool's Coverage report specifically highlights which parts of your store Google can and cannot access, helping identify structural issues that might be limiting your visibility.
The Performance report offers detailed data about which search terms bring visitors to your store, including average position, click-through rates, and total impressions. This helps identify which products and categories naturally attract search traffic, and which might need additional optimization. The Mobile Usability and Core Web Vitals reports are especially relevant for e-commerce, as they directly impact both search rankings and conversion rates.
Key Features:
- Search analytics
- Index coverage
- Mobile usability reports
- Core Web Vitals monitoring
Pros:
- Direct Google insights
- Free to use
- Essential data
Cons:
- Limited recommendations
- Technical interface
- Basic features
Pricing: Free
Reviews and Ratings: 4.7/5 (Based on 400+ ratings on G2)
Best For: Every Shopify store owner serious about SEO - understanding how Google interprets your site is fundamental
Our verdict: While the interface may be basic and the learning curve steep, the direct insights from Google make this tool indispensable for monitoring and improving search performance.
SEOptimer takes a middle-ground approach to SEO analysis, making it particularly interesting for growing e-commerce stores. While not specifically built for Shopify, its broad analysis capabilities can highlight improvement opportunities that platform-specific tools might miss.
The tool's audit system examines five key areas of your online store: technical SEO, content, user experience, mobile optimization, and social media presence. This comprehensive approach helps identify issues that might affect not just search rankings, but overall store performance. For instance, it might flag slow-loading product images while also suggesting improvements to your product descriptions' readability.
It’s USP is how it presents complex SEO concepts in an accessible way. Rather than just listing technical issues, it provides context about why each factor matters for your store's performance and offers step-by-step guidance for improvements. This educational approach can be particularly valuable for store owners who want to understand SEO better while implementing improvements.
Key Features:
- Website audits
- Keyword research
- Backlink analysis
- Competitor tracking
Pros:
- User-friendly interface
- Comprehensive toolkit
- Regular updates
Cons:
- Not Shopify-specific
- Some features overlap with other tools
- Limited advanced features
Pricing:
- 14-day Free Trial
- DIY SEO ($29/month)
- White Label ($39/month)
- White Label & Embedding ($59/month)
Reviews and Ratings: 4.5/5 (Based on 800+ reviews across review platforms)
Best For: Mid-sized Shopify stores looking for a balance between comprehensive features and user-friendly interface
Our verdict: The tool offers a solid middle ground for stores that have outgrown basic SEO apps but don't yet need enterprise-level solutions. Its straightforward approach to SEO analysis makes it accessible while still providing meaningful insights.
Implementing the right tools at the right time is crucial for sustainable growth. Here's a practical framework to build your SEO toolkit:
Foundation Layer (Start Here):
- Google Search Console - Your direct line to Google
- Google Analytics - For understanding user behavior
- One primary Shopify SEO tool (AVADA SEO or SEO Manager)
Growth Layer (Month 3-6):
- Dedicated image optimization tool
- Technical SEO audit tool (like Screaming Frog)
- One comprehensive research platform (Ahrefs or SEMrush)
Scale Layer (Month 6+):
- Advanced competitive analysis tools
- Custom tracking solutions
- Specialized optimization tools
Success in SEO is about implementing the right tools effectively and consistently monitoring results.
However, the SEO landscape has evolved significantly with AI and automation changing the game. Traditional SEO approaches often fall short in today's competitive e-commerce environment.
For stores looking to accelerate their SEO implementation, Boring Marketing’s 15-Day SEO Sprint offers a structured path forward.
This sprint helps you:
- Identify quick-win optimization opportunities
- Set up proper technical SEO foundations
- Discover untapped keyword opportunities your competitors miss
- Implement AI-powered content optimization
- Create a sustainable organic growth strategy
In just 15 days, you'll have a clear roadmap for sustainable organic growth, leveraging the same methodical approach that's helped other Shopify stores achieve significant traffic increases.
Book a call to learn how our data-driven SEO approach can help your Shopify store grow sustainably.
1. Does Shopify have an SEO tool?
While Shopify includes basic SEO features in its platform, these are fundamental at best. For effective SEO, most stores need additional tools to handle advanced optimization, analytics, and automation.
2. Is SEO worth it on Shopify?
Yes. With 43% of e-commerce traffic coming from organic search, SEO is crucial for Shopify stores. Unlike paid advertising, SEO provides sustainable, long-term traffic growth with better ROI over time.
3. Do Shopify tags improve SEO?
Product tags themselves don't directly impact SEO. However, when used strategically to organize your store and improve internal linking, they can contribute to better site structure and user experience, which indirectly benefits SEO.
4. Does SEO increase sales?
Yes, when done correctly. SEO drives qualified traffic by targeting users actively searching for your products. Studies show that organic search traffic typically converts at a higher rate than most other channels because of higher purchase intent.
5. Does alt text on Shopify help SEO?
Yes. Proper alt text helps search engines understand your images, improves accessibility, and can help your products appear in image search results. For e-commerce, this is particularly important as product images play a crucial role in search visibility.
