How to Set Up SEO-Friendly Redirects in Shopify

Setting up SEO-friendly redirects in Shopify is crucial for maintaining your store’s search engine rankings and ensuring a seamless user experience. Redirects help you guide visitors from outdated or broken URLs to new, relevant pages without losing the SEO value you’ve built over time. This guide will take you through the steps to set up redirects in Shopify while integrating important SEO practices.

What are Redirects and Why are They Important? #

Understanding Redirects #

Redirects are instructions that tell browsers and search engines to direct traffic from one URL to another. There are several types of redirects, but the most common ones used in SEO are:

• 301 Redirects: Permanent redirects that transfer about 90-99% of link equity (ranking power) to the redirected page.
• 302 Redirects: Temporary redirects that do not transfer link equity.

Importance of SEO-Friendly Redirects #

1. Preserve SEO Value: Redirects ensure that the SEO value of the original page is passed to the new URL, helping maintain search engine rankings.
2. Enhance User Experience: Redirects prevent visitors from landing on 404 error pages, improving user experience and reducing bounce rates.
3. Maintain Traffic Flow: Properly set up redirects ensure that traffic continues to flow to your new URLs without disruption.

Setting Up Redirects in Shopify #

Step 1: Identify URLs That Need Redirects #

Start by identifying which URLs on your site need to be redirected. Common scenarios include:

• Deleted products or collections.
• Changed product or collection names resulting in new URLs.
• Site redesigns where URLs change structure.

Step 2: Create a Redirects Plan #

Before setting up redirects, plan your new URL structure. Ensure that the new URLs are SEO-friendly, descriptive, and include relevant keywords.

Step 3: Implementing Redirects in Shopify #

Using Shopify Admin #

1. Log in to your Shopify Admin panel.
2. Navigate to Online Store > Navigation.
3. Click on URL Redirects.
4. Add a URL Redirect:
   • Redirect from: Enter the old URL path (e.g., /old-page).
   • Redirect to: Enter the new URL path (e.g., /new-page).

Using Shopify Apps #

For more complex redirect needs, consider using apps like ShopFillip. ShopFillip offers advanced features for managing and automating redirects, making the process more efficient.

Step 4: Test Your Redirects #

After setting up the redirects, it’s crucial to test them to ensure they work correctly:

1. Use Redirect Checkers: Tools like HTTP Status Code Checker can help you verify that the redirects are working and returning the correct status codes.
2. Manually Test URLs: Visit the old URLs to ensure they redirect to the correct new URLs.

Best Practices for SEO-Friendly Redirects #

Use 301 Redirects #

Always use 301 redirects for permanent URL changes. This type of redirect passes the most SEO value from the old URL to the new one.

Update Internal Links #

After setting up redirects, update any internal links on your site to point directly to the new URLs. This reduces the reliance on redirects and improves site performance.

Monitor Redirects #

Regularly monitor your redirects to ensure they remain relevant. Remove any unnecessary redirects to keep your site clean and efficient.

Create a Custom 404 Page #

Despite your best efforts, some users may still encounter 404 errors. A custom 404 page can help retain these visitors by offering helpful links and search functionality.

Promoting Your Shopify Store with ShopFillip #

ShopFillip is an essential tool for Shopify store owners looking to streamline their SEO efforts. It simplifies the process of setting up and managing redirects, ensuring that your store maintains its SEO value and provides a seamless user experience.

Key Features of ShopFillip #

1. Automated Redirects: Automatically create redirects for deleted or renamed products and collections.
2. Bulk Redirect Management: Easily manage and edit multiple redirects at once.
3. Comprehensive Reports: Gain insights into your redirects’ performance and identify areas for improvement.

How ShopFillip Enhances Shopify SEO #

Using ShopFillip, you can ensure that your Shopify store’s SEO remains intact even when making significant changes. The app’s automated features save time and reduce the risk of errors, while its reporting tools help you track and optimize your SEO efforts.

Conclusion #

Setting up SEO-friendly redirects in Shopify is a critical task for maintaining your store’s search engine rankings and ensuring a smooth user experience. Additionally, leveraging tools like ShopFillip can further enhance your Shopify SEO strategy, making it easier to manage and optimize your store. Remember, keeping your redirects up-to-date and monitoring their performance is key to a successful SEO strategy in Shopify.