What Are the Services of SEO? (And What Shopify Stores Actually Need)

Is Your Shopify Store Ready?

If you're running a Shopify store, chances are you’ve been told SEO is important — but no one’s actually explained what SEO services are or which ones you need.

Let’s fix that.

In this guide, I’m breaking down:

• What an “SEO Service Provider” actually includes (without the fluff)

• What works specifically for Shopify and ecommerce

• Whether you should DIY your SEO or outsource it

• How to find a legit Shopify SEO manager (not another agency that ghosts you)

• And how to get SEO coaching or done-for-you help —depending on where you're at

Let’s dive in.

Why SEO Is Critical for Shopify Stores (And Why It’s Often Ignored)

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is how your products show up in Google when people are actively searching for them.

It’s organic, long-term traffic based on actual search queries — and once it’s working, it compounds.

But here’s the problem: Most Shopify store owners are focused on product pages, Instagram, ads, and fulfillment.

SEO gets shoved to the bottom of the to-do list.

Until it’s too late.

That’s why understanding the right SEO services — and how they apply to ecommerce — is key if you want to build traffic that actually converts.

“The goal about being online and domain is to own. First you protect it… then you scale it by earning information and putting it down.”

— Favour Obasi-ike, SEO Strategist & Podcaster​

Types of SEO Services For Shopify Sellers

The Core Services of SEO (That You Actually Need)

Let’s cut through the jargon. Here are the essential SEO services that matter, especially for Shopify stores:

SEO Service	What's Included	Why It Matters for Shopify
Technical SEO	Site speed, mobile-friendliness, crawlability, sitemaps	Helps Google crawl your site and reduces bounce rate
On-Page Optimization	Titles, meta descriptions, headers, alt text, internal links	Makes your product pages easier to rank
Keyword Research	Search volume, intent matching, product/collection keywords	Targets actual customer search behavior
Content Strategy	Blog topics, FAQs, collection page copy	Attracts long-tail traffic and solves buyer problems
Link Building	Backlinks from relevant, reputable websites	Boosts your domain authority and Google trust
SEO Strategy	Audit, roadmap, KPI tracking	Gives you a clear plan that evolves with your store

✅ Technical SEO

Before you touch content or keywords, your site has to be crawlable and indexable.

Technical SEO covers:

• Fixing crawl errors and broken links

• Submitting sitemaps to Google

• Improving site speed

• Making sure your store is mobile-optimized

🛍️ Shopify-specific tip: Apps can slow your site down — clean code = better rankings.

✅ On-Page Optimization

This is the part most people think is SEO — optimizing your product titles, collections, and content with the right keywords.

But it also includes:

• Title tags & meta descriptions

• Heading structure (H1, H2, etc.)

• Image alt text

• Internal linking

• Keyword placement that feels natural

✅ Keyword Research

Good SEO starts with smart keyword strategy.

Not just high-volume — but relevant, product-driven search terms your customers actually use.

💡 Example: Don’t target “baby toys.” Target “Montessori travel toys for toddlers.”

✅ Content & Blogging

Blogs aren’t dead — they’re how you rank for long-tail keywords and attract top-of-funnel shoppers.

Content that solves a problem builds trust and traffic.

“You don’t wanna be a seller. You don’t wanna keep selling things. You wanna tell them stories that they can remember.”

— Favour Obasi-ike, from The Future of SEO: Stay Ready​

✅ Link Building (aka Off-Page SEO)

Backlinks from trusted sites show Google you’re legit.

It’s one of the most overlooked — but most powerful — ranking factors.

✅ Custom SEO Strategy

Here’s the truth: SEO services are worthless without a custom strategy.

Cookie-cutter packages don’t work. You need a roadmap tailored to:

• Your products

• Your audience

• Your stage of business

• Your current traffic

Real Results from Real Shopify Sellers

Actual Google Search Console Data Results From SEO Squad.

Here’s what Sarah, one of my SEO Squad members, said about getting serious with SEO:

“Since working with Crystal, I’ve 5x’d my traffic! I had no idea how SEO worked and wasn’t getting seen at all. But just 6 weeks after following her strategy, my products started showing up on Google and the traffic started pouring in!”

— Sarah, Handmade Travel Toys for Kids

This kind of organic traffic growth is such a motivator for a Shopify store owner.

More visibility = more add-to-carts, more sales, and more peace of mind.

DIY or Done-For-You: What’s Best for You?

Which SEO Path is Best For Your Shopify Store?

Feature/Need	DIY with SEO Squad	Done-for-You SEO
Monthly Cost	$$ (budget-friendly coaching)	$$$ (starting at $1500/month)
Best for	Learning SEO, new stores, hands-on owners	Scaling brands, time-poor entrepreneurs
Strategy Support	Custom coaching, accountability	Full execution + strategy + reporting
Implementation	You do the work	I do the work
Level of Involvement	High — learning and doing	Low — you get results without the legwork
Typical Results Timeline	4–8 weeks with consistent effort	4–6 weeks depending on competition

🤓 DIY SEO + Coaching (Perfect for Growing Stores)

You might want to DIY if:

• You’re under $10k/month in revenue

• You like learning and want to understand how SEO works

• You’re ready to build sustainable traffic but don’t know where to start

→ That’s where the SEO Squad comes in.

It’s my group coaching + accountability community for business owners who market their own brand.

You get my strategy, my feedback, and my eyes on your site — without the $1500/month price tag.

“SEO is gonna turn into thought leadership… If you want domain authority, it’s still gonna point back to your website.”

— Favour Obasi-ike, SEO Strategist & Podcaster​

🧠 Done-for-You SEO (Perfect for Scaling Brands)

You might want to outsource if:

• You’re scaling and time-poor

• You need fast wins and strategic execution

• You want someone else to do keyword research, audits, and implementation

→ Book a call to chat about monthly SEO services (starting at $1500/month).

What to Look for in a Shopify SEO Manager or Agency

Before you hire anyone, here’s your no-fluff checklist:

✅ Do they understand ecommerce SEO, not just blogs and local businesses?

✅ Can they show Shopify-specific results (not just traffic — rankings and product visibility)?

✅ Do they provide a custom strategy (not just generic monthly reports)?

✅ Are they transparent about timeline, deliverables, and ROI expectations?

✅ Can you talk to them like a human and not feel dumb asking questions?

If not — run.

Final Thoughts: What to Do Next

SEO isn’t magic. But with the right strategy and execution, it’s one of the most powerful growth tools for your Shopify store.

“I’m here to bridge the gap between SEO strategy and real-world business success.”

— Crystal Waddell, Simple & Smart SEO Podcast​

Want to DIY with expert support?

👉 Join the SEO Squad and get personalized coaching, feedback, and a roadmap to diagnose your website and generate tailored SEO marketing services to execute for your business.

Ready to outsource and scale?

👉 Book a discovery call — Shopify website SEO services start at $1500/month.

“As people get more comfortable with SEO and tools like AI, the shift is going to be swift. If you're not prepared, it'll be hard to catch up. So the only way to pivot with the market is to build your business to be ready for it.”

— Crystal Waddell, Simple & Smart SEO Podcast​