Ever know how shoppers find your products on Google? The secret is in keywords, a powerful tool every ecommerce business owner needs to succeed online!
What Are Keywords? Simple Definition
Keywords are the words or phrases people type into Google or other search engines when looking for something online.
For example, if someone wants shoes, they might type, “best running shoes for kids.”
“Keywords are ideas and topics that define what your content is about.”
Remember: Keywords help your online store show up when customers search for products you sell.
Why Are Keywords Important for Ecommerce?
Keywords play a vital role in the success of any ecommerce business. By understanding and using the right keywords, you can transform how customers discover and engage with your online store. Let’s break down why keywords matter, with detailed explanations and actionable insights for ecommerce business owners.
1. Bring Visitors: Boost Your Store’s Visibility
When people look for products online, they type specific words or phrases called keywords in Google or other search engines. If your website uses these keywords correctly, your store appears higher in search results.
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Fact: 68% of online experiences begin with a search engine, and most shoppers start their journey on Google!
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Impact: The higher your store ranks, the more people will click and visit your products.
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Tip: Use popular keywords that match what your target audience is searching for. For example, instead of just “shoes,” try “best running shoes for kids.”
Remember: More visibility means more chances to turn visitors into buyers!
2. Attract Real Buyers: Connect with Shoppers Ready to Purchase
Not all website visitors are valuable; some are just browsing, while others are ready to buy. Using specific, transaction-focused keywords helps you connect with people who want to purchase.
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Example:
Browsing keyword: “types of running shoes” (learning phase)
Buying keyword: “buy running shoes online India” (ready-to-buy phase) -
Tip: Include keywords that reflect buyer intent, like “shop,” “buy,” “discount,” or “free shipping.”
“Targeted keywords help attract motivated buyers who are ready to make a purchase.”
3. Build Trust: Show You Understand Your Customer’s Needs
When your product pages, blog posts, or marketing campaigns use the same words as your customers, it shows you understand their needs and preferences.
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Impact: Shoppers are more likely to trust a store that speaks their language and provides relevant, easy-to-find solutions.
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Note: Research keywords by analyzing reviews, competitor websites, and customer questions.
Remember: Building trust starts with relevant and honest communication, keywords make it happen!
4. Track Performance: Measure What Works
Keywords also help you track what brings visitors and sales to your store.
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Tools: Use Google Analytics, Shopify reports, and keyword tracking tools to monitor which keywords are getting clicks and conversions.
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Actionable Step: Check your analytics every month. Which keywords bring the most website visitors? Which ones convert to sales?
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Adjust your content and advertising as needed for continuous improvement.
Tip: Always test new keywords with your target audience and measure results to find what works best.
5. Improve Ads: Get Better Results for Your Budget
Using the right keywords in paid ads (like Google Ads or Meta Ads) ensures your ads reach the most interested audience.
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Impact: Your ads show up when potential buyers search for your specific products. This leads to higher click-through rates (CTR) and better return on ad spend (ROAS).
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Fact: Businesses make an average of $2 in revenue for every $1 spent on Google Ads, when they target the right keywords.
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Actionable Step: Regularly refresh your ad keyword list based on what’s trending and seasonal offers.
Types of Keywords You Must Know
1. Short-Tail Keywords
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Short & Simple (1-2 words)
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Examples: “shoes,” “soap”
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Bring lots of searches, but hard to rank because everyone uses them!
2. Long-Tail Keywords
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Long and Specific (3+ words)
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Examples: “best running shoes for boys,” “organic baby soap online”
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Easier to rank, attract buyers looking for exactly what you offer.
3. Primary Keywords
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Your main topic.
Example: If you sell bags online, “leather bags” is your primary keyword.
4. Secondary Keywords
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Related words that give more details.
Example: “designer leather bags,” “waterproof handbags.”
5. LSI Keywords (Latent Semantic Indexing)
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Words linked in meaning to your main keyword.
Example: If main keyword is “running shoes,” LSI could be “sports footwear,” “athletic gear.”
Note: Just adding lots of keywords (called keyword stuffing) can hurt your rankings! Use keywords naturally.
What Are SEO Keywords?
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SEO (Search Engine Optimization) Keywords are picked and placed inside your website to make Google notice your store when people search.
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They help improve your ranking so more people find you.
Tip: “SEO keywords are terms added to online content to improve search engine rankings for those terms.”
Why Is Keyword Research Important?
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Find the Right Visitors: By targeting the exact words your customers use, you attract high-quality traffic, people who are more likely to buy.
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Understand Customer Needs: You learn what’s trending, what problems people have, and what they want to purchase.
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Win Against Competitors: By finding unique or less competitive keywords, you can rank higher and stand out.
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Increase Sales: Optimized keywords = more visibility = more clicks = more sales!
Remember: Keyword research helps you talk directly to your customers, using their language.
How Do You Do Keyword Research? A Step-by-Step Process
1. Brainstorm and Make a List of Seed Keywords
Start with the basics:
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List all your products or services (e.g., “organic dog food,” “mobile covers,” “handmade candles”).
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Think like your customer: If you wanted this product, what would you type in Google?
Tip: Use categories, product types, and main benefits for ideas.
2. Check Google Search and Amazon Auto-Complete
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Type each seed keyword in Google’s search box, but don’t press enter. Observe what suggestions pop up!
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Do the same on Amazon, Flipkart, or any platform your buyers use.
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These suggestions are real search terms people type every day.
Tip: Look at the “People also ask” section and the bottom of the Google results page (“related searches”) for more ideas.
3. Use Keyword Research Tools for Data and Insights
Use free and paid tools to dig deeper:
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Google Keyword Planner: Shows how many people search certain words each month and how hard it is to rank.
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Semrush/Ahrefs/Ubersuggest: These give you tons of data, keyword difficulty, search volume, competitor rankings, and even long-tail variations.
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Google Trends: See search popularity over time and seasonal patterns.
Data to watch for:
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Search Volume: How many people search this keyword per month?
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Keyword Difficulty: How tough it is to rank on the first page.
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Cost-Per-Click (for ads): Indicates the amount businesses spend to target a specific keyword.
94% of keywords get less than 10 searches per month, but targeting the right ones can still bring you quality buyers.
4. Spy on Competitors
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Search for your product and see which stores appear on the first page.
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Analyze their page titles, descriptions, and headings. What keywords do they target?
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Use tools like Semrush or Ahrefs to uncover which keywords drive traffic to their site.
Note: Competitor research can reveal hidden keyword opportunities that you might otherwise miss.
5. Filter and Select the Best Keywords
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Pick a mix of “easy-to-win” (low competition) and “high-potential” (higher search) keywords.
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Focus on long-tail keywords, longer, more specific phrases (like “buy eco-friendly water bottles online”), which bring less traffic but higher conversion rates.
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Choose keywords that match different stages of the buying journey: informational (“how to choose a laptop”), transactional (“buy laptop online”), and navigational (“Samsung official store”).
6. Organize and Apply Keywords
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Group your chosen keywords by product types, categories, or customer intent.
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Use each set of keywords naturally within:
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Product titles and descriptions
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Category pages
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Blog articles
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Meta titles and descriptions
Tip: Don’t stuff keywords; keep your content clear, simple, and written for people first.
Ecommerce Keywords: Examples and Strategy
Use a mix of broad (“running shoes”) and specific (“best running shoes for kids,” “buy running shoes online”) keywords.
Where to Use Ecommerce Keywords:
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Product Titles and Descriptions
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Category Pages
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Blog Posts
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Meta Titles and Meta Descriptions
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Alt Tags (for product images)
Fact to Remember: Well-chosen keywords can increase click-through rates (CTR) and conversion rates.
Ecommerce SEO Keywords: Best Practices
Tips for Success:
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Always match keywords to buyer intent.
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Use long-tail keywords for easier ranking and targeted visitors.
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Keep your language simple, use the words your customers use.
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Update your keyword list regularly to match trends and seasons.
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Track your results and adjust if needed (use Google Analytics, Semrush, or Shopify reports).
SEO Keyword Optimization = More Visibility + More Sales
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Why Shopify Development Agencies Matter:
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Expert agencies help design your Shopify store so Google loves it and buyers find you faster.
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They customize your Shopify themes, optimize product pages, and set up quick checkouts.
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Agencies make your store mobile-friendly, as most traffic comes from phones.
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They help with technical SEO: faster page loads, correct URLs, alt tags, and more.
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Regular blogs and fresh content help you rank for long-tail keywords, bringing new visitors and converting them into buyers.
“A visually appealing Shopify store is only half the battle; without effective SEO, your products may remain unseen.”
Keyword Strategy for Ecommerce Store Owners
Step-by-Step Plan:
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Choose Your Focus Keyword: What do you sell? (e.g., “handmade candles”)
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Research Keywords: Use Google, Amazon, and keyword tools.
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Select Final List: Go for a blend of popular, specific, and easy-to-rank keywords.
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Optimize Content: Use keywords in natural sentences, product titles, descriptions, and headings.
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Monitor Results: Use Shopify, Google Analytics, and other tools; see what brings visitors and sales.
Note: Check your competitors for inspiration, see which keywords work for them!
FAQ’S
1. What is keyword research in simple words?
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Keyword research means finding the exact words people type in Google or other search engines when they want to buy something online.
Example: If someone wants shoes, they may type “best running shoes for kids.”
2. Why should I care about keywords for my online store?
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Because keywords help customers find your store faster!
If you use the right keywords in your product names, descriptions, and ads, Google will show your store to people looking for your products. This means more visitors and more sales.
3. Is keyword research only for big ecommerce brands?
- No! Even small online stores should do keyword research. Small stores can compete with big brands by using special, less common keywords that are easier to rank for.
4. What is a long-tail keyword, and why is it important?
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A long-tail keyword is a longer phrase (3 or more words) that is very specific.
Example: Instead of “shoes,” use “red running shoes for women.”
They are important because they bring ready-to-buy customers to your store.
5. How often should I check or update my keywords?
- At least every 3 months. You should also update them for festivals, offers, and seasonal trends because people’s searches change over time.
Final Words
The path to ecommerce success begins with understanding keywords, not just as digital words, but as customer connections. Use simple, relevant keywords. Do smart research. Keep your store content user-friendly. And don’t hesitate to ask for professional help; a Shopify development agency is your ally in building stores that attract, engage, and convert.
You have the power to guide shoppers directly to your products. Start using smart keywords today and watch your online sales grow!
Grow your online store with Tameta Tech, your friendly Shopify Development Partner. We make your shop look great, work fast, and bring more visitors. From setup to sales, we’re here to help you win online. Contact Tameta Tech today – Let’s grow your ecommerce together!
