Meta keywords might feel like a relic from a bygone era of SEO, but they still hold a bit of relevance, especially when fine-tuning your Shopify store's search engine presence. While not as influential as they once were, understanding how to add them to your Shopify store can give your SEO efforts that extra bit of polish. If you’re running an online store on Shopify and want to know how to add meta keywords, stick around. We're about to break it down for you in a way that's easy and straightforward.
In this article, we'll walk you through the basics of meta keywords, why they matter, and how you can add them to your Shopify store. We'll also touch on some practical tips and examples to make sure you’re all set to apply these skills effectively. So grab your favorite beverage, and let's get started on this SEO journey!
What Are Meta Keywords?
Before we jump into the nitty-gritty of adding meta keywords to your Shopify store, let's clarify what they actually are. Meta keywords are a type of meta tag that lie within the HTML code of a webpage. They’re essentially a list of keywords that describe the content of that page. Back in the day, search engines heavily relied on these tags to understand what a webpage was about.
However, as the internet evolved, so did the algorithms of search engines. They became more sophisticated and started to rely less on meta keywords due to rampant keyword stuffing and misuse. Nowadays, search engines like Google don’t use meta keywords in their ranking algorithms. Yet, they aren’t completely obsolete. Some smaller search engines and tools might still take them into account, and they can also serve as a nice organizational tool for your own use.
So, while they’re not the be-all and end-all of SEO, incorporating meta keywords can still be a small but helpful practice for your Shopify store. Think of them as the cherry on top of your SEO sundae.
Why Meta Keywords Still Matter
Now, you might be thinking, "If search engines don't use them, why should I bother?" Great question! While it's true that major search engines like Google have moved beyond meta keywords, there are still reasons to consider using them.
First, having meta keywords can help keep your content focused. When you're crafting product descriptions or blog posts, having a set of target keywords can serve as a reminder of what the core message is. It's like having a little checklist to make sure you're on track.
Second, meta keywords can aid in internal organization. They can be useful when you’re managing a large site with numerous pages, helping you keep tabs on the focus of each page without having to dive deep into the content every time.
Lastly, while Google might ignore them, other search engines and tools might not. Bing, for instance, doesn't completely disregard them. So, who knows? That extra bit of effort might pay off in ways you didn't expect.
Preparing Your Keywords
Before you start adding meta keywords to your Shopify store, it's crucial to have a clear set of keywords that are relevant to your content. Here’s how you can prepare them:
- Research: Use keyword research tools like Google Keyword Planner, SEMrush, or Ahrefs to identify high-volume keywords relevant to your products or content.
- Relevance: Only pick keywords that are directly related to the content of your page. Irrelevant keywords can confuse both search engines and users.
- Competitors: Check out what keywords your competitors are using. This can give you ideas and help you find keywords you might have overlooked.
- Prioritize: Focus on a mix of high-volume and long-tail keywords. While high-volume keywords can bring in more traffic, long-tail keywords often convert better as they target specific user intents.
Once you have your list, organize them and decide which keywords will be assigned to which pages. Remember, it's not about stuffing as many as you can. Quality over quantity is the way to go here.
Accessing Shopify's Admin Dashboard
The first step in adding meta keywords to your Shopify store is accessing the admin dashboard. It’s the control center for everything related to your store. Here’s how you get there:
- Log in to your Shopify account using your credentials.
- Once logged in, you’ll be directed to the Shopify admin dashboard.
- From here, you can access different sections of your store, such as products, orders, and online store settings.
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with the layout if you’re new to Shopify. It’s designed to be user-friendly, but knowing your way around can make the process a lot smoother. Once you’re comfortable, we can move on to the next step.
Adding Meta Keywords to Product Pages
Let's get into the nuts and bolts of adding meta keywords to your product pages. These are the pages that showcase your products, so having relevant keywords here can be particularly beneficial.
- In the Shopify admin dashboard, click on Products from the left-hand menu.
- Select the product you want to edit. This will take you to the product's details page.
- Scroll down to the Search engine listing preview section.
- Click on Edit website SEO. This will open up fields for you to edit the page title, meta description, and URL handle.
Now, even though Shopify doesn't have a specific field for meta keywords, you can incorporate your keywords into the meta description and product description itself. This is a subtle way of ensuring your keywords are present without overloading your page.
It’s worth noting that while you're here, you should also make sure your meta description is enticing. It’s the snippet that appears in search results, so make it engaging enough to attract clicks. Something like, "Discover our premium quality cotton T-shirts, perfect for any occasion. Available in all sizes and colors," can work wonders.
Implementing Meta Keywords in Blog Posts
If your Shopify store includes a blog, you’ll want to add meta keywords to your blog posts as well. Here’s how you can do it:
- From the Shopify admin dashboard, click on Online Store and then Blog posts.
- Select the blog post you want to edit, or click Create blog post to start a new one.
- Scroll down to the Search engine listing preview section.
- Click on Edit website SEO to add your keywords within the content and meta description.
As with product pages, ensure your keywords naturally fit into the blog content. They should enhance the content, not distract from it. A well-placed keyword can help reinforce the main topics of your post, making it easier for search engines and readers to understand what you're talking about.
And remember, a captivating meta description can make a difference. Encourage readers to click by giving them a taste of what they’ll get: "Learn how to style our latest summer collection with these easy tips and tricks. Read more to find out!"
Meta Keywords for Collection Pages
Collection pages are where you group similar products together, making them another prime spot for keywords. Here’s how you can add meta keywords to these pages:
- Go to the Shopify admin dashboard and click on Products, then Collections.
- Select the collection you want to edit, or click Create collection to start a new one.
- In the Search engine listing preview section, click Edit website SEO.
As with other pages, Shopify doesn't provide a specific field for meta keywords. However, you can still weave them into your collection descriptions and meta descriptions. Think about what customers are searching for when they look for products in this collection. Those are likely your keywords.
For example, if you’re creating a collection of eco-friendly products, you might use keywords like “sustainable,” “eco-conscious,” and “green products.” And don't forget to craft an inviting meta description: "Explore our exclusive range of eco-friendly products designed to help you live sustainably without sacrificing style."
Optimizing Meta Keywords for Pages
Don’t forget about the other pages on your site, like the home page, contact page, or any custom pages you might have. Each of these can benefit from thoughtful keyword placement.
- In the Shopify admin dashboard, go to Online Store and click on Pages.
- Select the page you want to optimize or click Add page to create a new one.
- Scroll to the Search engine listing preview and hit Edit website SEO.
Apply the same principles here as you did with your product and collection pages. Ensure your keywords fit naturally within your content and meta descriptions. For instance, if you have an "About Us" page, think about what terms people might use to find out about your brand. Keywords like “about [Your Brand Name],” “company history,” and “brand story” might be relevant.
And if you’re wondering about the meta description, a sentence like, "Learn more about [Your Brand] and our journey towards innovation and customer satisfaction," could do the trick.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
While adding meta keywords is a relatively straightforward process, there are some common pitfalls you’ll want to steer clear of:
- Keyword Stuffing: Resist the urge to cram as many keywords as possible into your content. This can actually harm your SEO efforts rather than help them.
- Irrelevant Keywords: Only use keywords that are directly related to the page content. Misleading keywords can confuse both search engines and visitors.
- Ignoring Meta Descriptions: Don’t focus solely on keywords and forget about your meta descriptions. These are crucial for enticing users to click on your link in search results.
Remember, the aim is to create a seamless and informative experience for both search engines and users. Keep your content natural and relevant, and you’ll be in good shape.
Testing and Monitoring Your Efforts
Once you’ve added your meta keywords, it’s important to test and monitor their effectiveness. This isn’t a one-and-done task; SEO requires ongoing attention.
- SEO Tools: Use tools like Google Search Console and Google Analytics to monitor your traffic and see how changes affect your rankings.
- Performance Tracking: Keep an eye on which pages are performing well and which aren’t. This can give you insights into whether your keyword strategy is working.
- Adjustments: Be prepared to tweak your keywords if you're not seeing the desired results. SEO is a dynamic field, and sometimes small changes can make a big difference.
Regularly revisiting and refining your keyword strategy can help you stay ahead. SEO is as much about experimenting and learning as it is about following best practices. So don’t be afraid to make adjustments and see what works best for your store.
Final Thoughts
Adding meta keywords to your Shopify store might not be the SEO powerhouse it once was, but it still holds value in helping you structure and organize your content. By following these steps, you can ensure that your keywords are thoughtfully integrated across your site, giving you that extra edge in the competitive ecommerce space.
If you're looking for more robust SEO strategies, consider partnering with Pattern. As an SEO agency focused on results, we specialize in helping ecommerce brands and SaaS startups grow by driving targeted traffic from Google and converting it into paying customers. We craft programmatic landing pages that target an array of search terms, ensuring your brand gets noticed by the right audience. And unlike most SEO agencies that often take months to show results, we operate with a performance marketing perspective, ensuring every dollar you invest delivers real ROI. We're not just about rankings; we're about transforming SEO into a growth channel that lowers your customer acquisition costs and drives sales. Ready to make SEO work for you? Reach out to Pattern and let's turn your SEO efforts into tangible results.