Do you want your Shopify store to be the first thing people see on Google? SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, is key. It's a must-have for your marketing plan. Most of your rivals are only doing the basics. This allows you to outperform them with strategic SEO tactics.

These advanced Shopify SEO strategies, while powerful, are straightforward to implement.

Strategy 1: Become a Topical Authority

Topical authority is essential. It means Google considers your website the primary authority on a topic.

Let's say you sell leather handbags. You want Google to think of your site first when people search for "leather handbags."

Many people try to become a topical authority for a category that is too big. Something like "supplements" is too broad. It would take a considerable amount of time to establish authority for such a broad topic.

Instead, focus on a smaller part of your overall store. Think about sub-collections. Build authority around specific types of leather handbags, such as crossbody bags or totes.

How to Build Topical Authority

Once you know which collection to focus on, write helpful blog content and add internal links.

Here's how to find blog topics:

1. Google your primary keyword.

2. Look at the "People also ask" section.

3. Write blogs that answer each question.

You can also use a tool like ChatGPT to brainstorm blog ideas. Use a prompt like this:

"I sell collagen supplements. I want to build topical authority for 'collagen supplements for sagging skin.' Give me a list of blogs I could write."

Remember to validate that these blogs have search volume with a tool like Ahrefs or SEMRush.

Next, use a keyword research tool to find more specific topics. Filter for keywords related to your main subject. For example, search for "collagen supplements" and include keywords such as "sagging" or "skin."

Here are some blog ideas that can come up for "collagen supplements for sagging skin":

• Do they work for sagging skin?

• Will they help sagging jaws?

• Can collagen restore skin elasticity?

• Do they help crepey skin?

• How do they combat sagging skin?

• Benefits of collagen supplements for aging skin?

• Different types and their skin benefits?

• The role of diet and nutrition in boosting collagen production?

• Collagen-rich foods for skin?

• Can collagen be absorbed through the skin?

You don't need to write hundreds of blogs. You simply need to cover the topic more effectively than your competitors.

Connect the Dots with Internal Links

Internal links are essential for Google and your users. If you don't add them, your blog posts will be like islands, unconnected to the rest of your site.

Here's a plan for building internal links:

• Money Link: Link from every blog post to your main collection page. This should be the first link in the blog.

• Link to Other Blogs: Link to 3-5 other blogs in the same topic area.

• New Blog? Link Back: When you publish a new blog, add 3-5 links to it from older blogs on the same topic. This helps Google find and index the new blog.

• Link Direction: Links should point to the collection page or other blog posts. Don't link from the collection page back to the blog posts. This can confuse users.

• Use Good Anchor Text: Use relevant words in your links. Don't use the exact words every time. Mix it up with different phrases, including your brand name, to create a unique and engaging message.

Strategy 2: Create Sub-Collections

Most stores don't consider SEO when creating collections. You can get ahead by building sub-collections.

Let's revisit the example of the collagen supplement. Collagen does more than just help with sagging skin. It can also:

• Boost skin health

• Relieve joint pain

• Strengthen bones

• Boost muscle mass

• Promote heart health

If you sell collagen supplements, they likely have many of these benefits. Don't just focus on one.

Create sub-collections for each benefit. If you have a collection for "collagen supplements for sagging skin," make copies for "collagen supplements for joint pain," "collagen supplements for bone strength," and so on.

The products in each collection are the same. Only the collection name and the SEO are different.

Optimize each collection for its specific keywords. Then, build topical authority around each one, just like you did for the first collection.

Now, you can attract more customers who want collagen for different reasons. Even if you're a skincare brand, you can promote the benefits of collagen for joint pain, bone strength, and more.

Add these sub-collections to your main menu. Use a drop-down menu to list each benefit under "Collagen."

Strategy 3: Manipulate Anchor Text

Many people think a page can only rank for one keyword. That's not true. If you do SEO right, your page can rank for many keywords.

You likely have a main keyword you want to rank for. But if you do a good job, you should also rank for other related keywords.

If you rank number one for "collagen supplements," you might also rank for:

• Collagen for skin

• Collagen peptides for skin

• Marine collagen supplements for skin

• Bovine collagen supplements for skin

• Vegan collagen supplements for skin

Being on page one isn't enough. You need to be number one for all these keywords.

You can boost your rankings by manipulating your anchor text. By now, you should have links pointing to your collection page. Each link should have different anchor text.

Now, it's time to make a change.

1. Find your target page in SEMrush or Ahrefs.

2. Filter for keywords you rank for in positions 3-12 (or even 15).

3. Look at the list of keywords.

4. Locate the links on your blog posts that direct users to the target page.

5. Change the anchor text to use some of those secondary keywords.

Think of your internal links as a road map. The anchor text is the road sign. By changing the road signs (anchor text), you can tell Google to move your page up in the rankings for those secondary keywords.

The Big Picture

To rank above your competitors and make more money from organic traffic, focus on these big things:

1. Build Topical Authority: Demonstrate to Google that you're the expert.

2. Create Sub-Collections: Optimize for different keywords related to your product.

3. Manipulate Anchor Text: Rank for more keywords by changing your link text.

Ready to take your Shopify store to the top of Google? Give these advanced SEO strategies a try!