Keyword research is the backbone of SEO for Shopify stores. It helps you attract targeted traffic, improve your product visibility, and create content that matches what your customers are searching for. Here’s a quick summary of the 7 best tools for Shopify keyword research:
- Google Keyword Planner: Free tool for search volume, competition, and location-specific data.
- Ahrefs: Advanced keyword analysis with features like Keyword Explorer and Content Gap analysis.
- Semrush: Comprehensive tool for tracking rankings, finding keyword gaps, and local search optimisation.
- Keyword Surfer: Free Chrome extension for real-time keyword data directly in Google Search.
- AnswerThePublic: Visualises question-based queries to understand customer intent.
- Moz Keyword Explorer: Prioritises keywords with unique scoring and competitor analysis.
- ConvertMate: Simplifies keyword discovery to align with Shopify SEO goals.
Why it matters:
- Targeted Traffic: Focus on keywords your customers are actively searching for.
- Cost-Effective: Organic traffic saves on ad costs.
- Competitive Edge: Stay ahead by analysing search trends and competitors.
- Improved User Experience: Align content with search intent for better engagement.
Quick Comparison:
| Tool | Best For | Free Option | Local Data (Australia) | Unique Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Keyword Planner | Search volume and trends | Yes | Yes | Location-specific keyword insights |
| Ahrefs | Advanced SEO analysis | No | Yes | Content Gap and SERP overview |
| Semrush | Comprehensive SEO suite | No | Yes | Keyword Magic Tool and Position Tracking |
| Keyword Surfer | Quick, free insights | Yes | Yes | Real-time search volume in SERPs |
| AnswerThePublic | Question-based keyword ideas | Yes (limited) | Yes | Visualisation wheel for search queries |
| Moz Keyword Explorer | Prioritising profitable keywords | Yes (limited) | Yes | Priority Score for keyword ROI |
| ConvertMate | Simplified keyword discovery | No | Yes | Focused on Shopify-specific keywords |
Use these tools to refine your Shopify product pages, optimise content, and boost organic traffic. Start with Google Keyword Planner or Keyword Surfer if you’re on a budget, and consider Ahrefs or Semrush for in-depth analysis.
1. Google Keyword Planner
Google Keyword Planner is a must-have for Shopify store owners aiming to improve their SEO. This free tool, part of Google Ads, helps you discover search volumes and keyword ideas tailored to your products, making it easier to target the right audience.
Features Shopify Stores Can Leverage:
- Search Volume Insights: Monitor monthly search volumes for product-related terms to spot seasonal trends and demand shifts in Australia.
- Competition Metrics: Check bid ranges and competition levels to assess keyword difficulty – ideal for refining product titles and descriptions.
- Location-Specific Data: Filter search data by Australian cities or states to focus on high-demand areas.
How to Use It for Shopify SEO
The tool shines when it comes to finding long-tail keywords. Instead of competing for general terms like “women’s shoes”, you can target more specific phrases like “leather ankle boots size 8”, which often face less competition and attract buyers ready to purchase.
Tips for Shopify Integration:
- Start with your main product categories.
- Export keyword data monthly to stay on top of seasonal trends.
- Prioritise keywords that indicate buyer intent.
- Use location filters to align with Australian search habits.
How to Apply Keywords to Your Store
Incorporate your keyword research into your Shopify store by:
- Adding top-performing keywords to collection titles.
- Updating product descriptions with relevant terms.
- Crafting blog content that targets these keywords.
Additionally, Google Keyword Planner’s cost data can help you decide which products to highlight on your homepage or navigation. This ensures your store layout matches what your potential customers are actively searching for.
2. Ahrefs
Ahrefs is a keyword research tool designed to improve product visibility. Its features are particularly helpful for eCommerce SEO, making it a great choice for Shopify store owners. Here’s a closer look at what it offers.
Key Features for Shopify Stores
- Keywords Explorer: Evaluate keyword difficulty, search volume, and click metrics. You can even focus on Australian-specific data and trends, helping you identify seasonal demand spikes.
- SERP Overview: Analyse the top-ranking pages for your target keywords to fine-tune your product pages.
- Keyword Ideas: Find related terms, questions, and phrases that Australian customers frequently search for.
How Shopify Stores Can Use Ahrefs
Ahrefs’ Parent Topic feature is especially useful for organising your store’s collections and categories. For instance, if you sell organic skincare, it can help you decide whether to target broader terms like natural beauty products or specific ones like organic face serum Australia. These insights can improve your store’s layout and drive more sales.
Tips for Product Page Optimisation
When working on your product pages, use Ahrefs to analyse metrics like keyword difficulty, search volume, and click potential. These data points will guide your strategy and help you attract more traffic.
Boosting Collection Pages
Ahrefs’ Content Gap analysis is a handy tool for identifying keywords your competitors rank for. Use this to ensure your category pages are targeting the most effective search terms.
Technical Insights
Make the most of Ahrefs by exporting keyword data regularly, keeping an eye on competitor trends, and updating meta descriptions and product details based on high-performing keywords. This ongoing process will help maintain your store’s visibility and relevance.
3. Semrush
Semrush offers a range of tools tailored to help eCommerce businesses thrive on Shopify. Its features are designed to improve keyword strategies and boost store visibility.
Product Research Tools
The Keyword Magic Tool is a go-to resource for finding profitable product keywords. It provides detailed metrics and differentiates between informational and transactional queries, helping you target buyers at various stages of their journey.
Position Tracking Features
Semrush’s position tracking lets you monitor keyword rankings across Australia, which is especially helpful for:
- Tracking the performance of product pages
- Measuring visibility for collection pages
- Understanding seasonal ranking shifts
eCommerce-Specific Analysis
The Keyword Gap tool compares your store’s keyword profile against competitors in your niche. This helps uncover overlooked opportunities and refine product listings. Semrush also offers location-specific insights and tools to improve your content strategy.
Local Search Optimisation
Effectively target Australian markets with tools designed for:
- Analysing regional keyword trends
- Gaining competitive insights
- Understanding seasonal shopping behaviours
Enhancing Product Pages
Semrush’s content optimisation tools can improve product descriptions and metadata. By integrating primary, secondary, and long-tail keywords, you can better align with customer search intent and improve visibility.
Performance Metrics
Track the success of your keyword strategy using detailed analytics:
| Metric | What to Track | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Search Volume | Monthly searches | Measures potential traffic |
| Keyword Difficulty | Competition level | Helps prioritise focus areas |
| CPC | Cost per click | Indicates commercial value |
| SERP Features | Rich snippets presence | Identifies optimisation opportunities |
Technical Implementation
Semrush’s site audit tool ensures your Shopify store meets essential technical SEO standards. It checks for fast page load speeds, mobile responsiveness, strong internal linking, and proper schema markup. These technical foundations are key to supporting a successful keyword strategy and preparing your store for further growth.
4. Keyword Surfer
Keyword Surfer is a free Chrome extension that provides real-time keyword data right within Google Search. It’s an excellent tool for Shopify store owners who need quick and easy keyword insights.
Keyword Data at a Glance
This extension shows search volume directly in Google search results, making it easier to:
- Spot product-related keywords with high potential
- Track search trends for seasonal products
- Find related search terms along with their search volumes
These insights work well alongside the SERP metrics covered below.
SERP Analysis Tools
When researching keywords for your Shopify products, Keyword Surfer analyses the search engine results page (SERP) and provides helpful metrics like:
| Metric | What It Does | Why It’s Useful |
|---|---|---|
| Word Count | Checks the content length of top pages | Guides you on how long product descriptions should be |
| Related Keywords | Suggests similar terms | Helps you broaden your keyword strategy |
Local Data for Australia
If you’re targeting audiences in places like Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane, Keyword Surfer offers localised data tailored to Australian search trends. This makes it easier to focus on specific regions.
Lightweight and Fast
Keyword Surfer is designed to be efficient, offering:
- Minimal impact on your browser’s performance
- Fast loading times for search results
- Instant data updates without needing to refresh
- Easy integration into your existing workflow
Budget-Friendly Option
For Shopify merchants looking to save money, Keyword Surfer delivers solid keyword research features without the cost of premium tools. The free version covers the basics, making it a handy choice for those on a tight budget.
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5. AnswerThePublic
AnswerThePublic helps decode what customers are searching for by focusing on question-based queries. It organises and visualises search data, showing how people phrase their product-related questions.
Question-Based Search Insights
This tool categorises keywords into different types of questions, making it easier to understand customer intent:
| Question Type | Example Query | Shopify Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| What | “What size running shoes should I buy” | Highlight product specifications |
| How | “How to style leather boots” | Provide usage tips |
| Where | “Where to buy sustainable clothing” | Direct customers to purchase locations |
| When | “When do winter coats go on sale” | Address timing-related concerns |
| Why | “Why choose organic cotton shirts” | Explain purchase motivations |
Visualising Search Data
AnswerThePublic displays data in a visualisation wheel, which helps you spot trends, identify content gaps, and find long-tail keyword opportunities. This visual format simplifies keyword research and makes patterns easy to interpret.
Content Planning Made Simple
The platform suggests real customer queries to inspire content for product descriptions, FAQs, blogs, and category pages. This ensures your Shopify store answers the exact questions your customers are asking.
Exporting Data
You can export your findings in various formats:
- CSV files for detailed analysis
- PNG images of visualisations
- PDF reports for easy sharing
- Integration with spreadsheets for broader use
Free vs Paid Features
The free version allows up to three searches daily. For unlimited searches, team collaboration, and advanced reporting, the paid plan starts at A$99/month.
Combining Tools for Deeper Insights
While AnswerThePublic doesn’t show search volumes, it pairs well with other tools like Moz Keyword Explorer. Use it to validate the potential of the keywords you discover and refine your Shopify content strategy even further.
6. Moz Keyword Explorer
Moz Keyword Explorer simplifies Shopify SEO with its unique Priority Score. This score combines search volume and competition to help you determine the ROI of specific keywords. It provides data-driven insights that fit seamlessly into your Shopify SEO strategy.
Key Features for Shopify Stores
Moz Keyword Explorer offers several tools designed specifically for eCommerce:
| Feature | How It Helps Shopify Stores |
|---|---|
| Keyword Difficulty Score | Rates competition on a scale of 1–100, helping you pick achievable targets |
| Monthly Search Volume | Shows estimated search volumes with useful ranges for context |
| SERP Analysis | Lets you analyse top-ranking pages for your chosen keywords |
| Organic CTR | Estimates how likely users are to click on your site based on its search ranking |
This tool works well alongside others, offering a clear view of keyword potential to improve product and content optimisation.
Advanced Keyword Suggestions
Moz categorises keyword suggestions into four groups:
- Similar Keywords: Variations of your main keyword
- Broadly Related: Terms that your audience might also search for
- Questions: Common customer queries tied to your products
- Newly Discovered: Recently trending keywords updated regularly
Keyword List Organisation
Keep your keywords organised by sorting them into categories like product types, seasonal promotions, collections, or landing pages.
Competitive Analysis
The SERP analysis feature provides insights into competitor pages. Use this information to refine your product descriptions and category pages, giving you an edge.
Pricing and Integration
Moz offers pricing plans to suit different budgets and business sizes. It also integrates with analytics tools and supports multi-format exports, making it easy to include in your Shopify SEO workflow.
Reporting Tools
Generate detailed reports to track keyword rankings, search volume trends, competitor activity, and click-through rate estimates. These insights can help you fine-tune your content strategy and optimise your product pages.
7. ConvertMate
ConvertMate takes keyword research to the next level with a simplified yet effective approach tailored for Shopify store owners. This tool is designed to help merchants identify keywords that increase product visibility and support an SEO strategy grounded in data. By streamlining keyword discovery and aligning search terms with eCommerce goals, ConvertMate helps drive both visibility and conversions.
Alinga‘s Shopify SEO Services
At Alinga, we use proven keyword research techniques to boost your Shopify store’s SEO performance and help drive organic traffic and conversions.
We offer a range of SEO and marketing solutions tailored for Shopify stores, combining strategic insights with tested methods to deliver results.
Key Areas of Our eCommerce SEO Services
Technical SEO Optimisation
We focus on improving your store’s technical foundation to enhance organic performance, including:
- Analysing and improving site structure
- Optimising for mobile to improve search rankings
- Enhancing page speed
- Implementing schema markup
Content Strategy Development
Using keyword research, we create actionable content strategies that focus on:
- Optimising product pages
- Improving category pages
- Developing blog content
- Refining meta data
Additional Marketing Services to Maximise Results
We also integrate SEO with other marketing strategies to boost your Shopify store’s performance:
| Service Area | Key Features |
|---|---|
| Merchandising | Customised product placement, AOV focus |
| Email Marketing | Klaviyo integration, automated campaigns |
| Content Creation | UGC development, shoppable videos |
| Conversion Optimisation | A/B testing, user journey improvements |
With 20 years of experience in eCommerce, we understand the needs of the Australian market. Data shows Shopify Plus merchants see an average 126% year-over-year growth. We aim to help every store we work with tap into this growth potential.
Our team of SEO specialists designs tailored strategies to align with your business goals. Whether you’re in Gold Coast, Brisbane, Byron Bay, or other regions, we provide ongoing support to ensure your Shopify store stays competitive in search rankings and drives meaningful results.
Through our Support & Success growth retainers, you’ll have direct access to our SEO experts. They monitor your store’s performance, adjust strategies based on market changes, and keep you ahead of algorithm updates and evolving SEO practices.
Conclusion
Keyword research plays a key role in improving Shopify SEO. Using the right tools can help store owners discover search trends and optimise content to boost organic visibility.
To get the most out of these tools, focus on refining your technical SEO, content strategy, and marketing efforts. Together, these areas create a strong foundation for growing your store’s presence through organic search.
For Shopify merchants aiming for growth, keyword research should prioritise results that are measurable and actionable. Consistent updates and application of insights are key.
Here are three essential steps to get started:
- Identify your main keywords: Focus on terms closely tied to your products.
- Understand search intent: Make sure your keywords align with what your customers are looking for.
- Optimise product pages: Use your findings to enhance product descriptions and metadata.
A well-rounded approach combining technical SEO, content improvement, and product page optimisation ensures your store remains competitive and achieves better search rankings.
Are you thinking about transitioning to Shopify? Alinga makes transferring effortless, safe, and easy. We manage every aspect, from data and product transfers to design copy and SEO maintenance, so your store operates seamlessly. Don’t allow your fear of technology to restrict you. You can have confidence in Alinga to offer an effortless transition to Shopify and to prepare your business for significant growth. To start the transformation, contact us right away!
