How to Change Product URL in Shopify: A Comprehensive Guide.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Understanding Product URLs in Shopify
3. Step-by-Step Guide to Change Product URLs
4. The Importance of Changing Product URLs
5. Best Practices for SEO-Optimized URLs
6. Common Mistakes to Avoid
7. Conclusion and Call to Action
8. FAQs

Introduction

Imagine browsing your favorite online store and stumbling across a product link that looks more like a random string of numbers than a compelling invitation to explore. Long, unclear URLs can make even the most enticing products seem untrustworthy or unappealing. In the world of e-commerce, where first impressions matter immensely, having clean, concise, and meaningful URLs is crucial for both user experience and SEO.

Changing product URLs in Shopify is a straightforward process that can significantly enhance your store's branding and search engine visibility. This post will guide you through the steps to modify product URLs within Shopify, explain why these changes matter, and highlight best practices for SEO optimization. By the end of this article, you'll not only know how to change product URLs effectively but also understand the broader implications of those changes on your e-commerce strategy.

We will cover the following topics:

1. Understanding Product URLs in Shopify
2. Step-by-Step Guide to Change Product URLs
3. The Importance of Changing Product URLs
4. Best Practices for SEO-Optimized URLs
5. Common Mistakes to Avoid
6. Conclusion and Call to Action

Let’s dive in!

Understanding Product URLs in Shopify

A product URL in Shopify is the specific web address that directs customers to a particular product page. These URLs typically follow a standard format: https://yourstorename.myshopify.com/products/{product-url-slug}. While Shopify creates a default URL for each product, store owners have the ability to customize the last part of the URL, known as the URL slug.

What is a URL Slug?

The URL slug is the part of the URL that identifies a specific page in a form that is easy to read and understand. For example, in the URL https://yourstorename.myshopify.com/products/red-dress, "red-dress" is the slug. A well-crafted slug can improve user experience and search engine rankings, making it easier for both customers and search engines to understand what the page is about.

Understanding the structure and importance of product URLs is the first step in effectively utilizing Shopify's capabilities to enhance your brand's online presence.

Step-by-Step Guide to Change Product URLs

Changing a product URL in Shopify is a simple process that can be completed in just a few steps. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Log in to Your Shopify Admin

Begin by logging into your Shopify admin dashboard with your unique credentials. This will give you access to manage your store's products and settings.

Step 2: Navigate to Products

Once logged in, locate the "Products" tab on the left-hand sidebar and click on it. This will take you to the list of all products in your store.

Step 3: Select the Product to Edit

From the list, find the product whose URL you want to change. Click on the product name to open its details page.

Step 4: Edit Search Engine Listing

Scroll down to the "Search engine listing preview" section at the bottom of the product details page. Here, you will see a snippet that shows how the product will appear in search results. Click on the "Edit website SEO" link to modify the settings.

Step 5: Modify the URL and Handle

In the SEO settings, you will find the "URL and handle" field. Click on this field, and the existing URL slug will be highlighted. You can now change it to something more meaningful and descriptive. For example, if your product is a red dress, you could change the slug to "red-dress" instead of a generic string of numbers.

Step 6: Save Your Changes

After modifying the URL slug, make sure to check the box labeled "Create a URL redirect." This step is crucial as it ensures that anyone who tries to access the old URL will be redirected to the new one, preserving any existing traffic and SEO value. Finally, click the "Save" button to apply the changes.

Summary of Steps

1. Log in to Shopify Admin.
2. Navigate to the "Products" tab.
3. Select the product to edit.
4. Click "Edit website SEO" in the Search engine listing preview.
5. Modify the URL slug in the "URL and handle" field.
6. Ensure that "Create a URL redirect" is checked.
7. Save your changes.

By following these steps, you can easily change product URLs in Shopify, setting the stage for better user experiences and enhanced SEO performance.

The Importance of Changing Product URLs

Changing product URLs may seem like a minor adjustment, but it carries significant weight in several areas:

1. Improved User Experience

A clean, descriptive URL helps customers understand what to expect when they click on a link. For instance, a URL like https://yourstorename.com/products/red-dress is much clearer than https://yourstorename.com/products/12345. Customers are more likely to click on links that accurately describe the product, enhancing their overall shopping experience.

2. Enhanced SEO Performance

Search engines like Google consider URLs when ranking pages. A well-structured URL can improve click-through rates and help search engines index your pages more effectively. Including relevant keywords in your product URLs can also boost your visibility in search results, driving more organic traffic to your store.

3. Better Branding

Every element of your e-commerce store contributes to your brand's image. Clean and relevant URLs can enhance your brand’s professionalism and credibility. They communicate to customers that you pay attention to detail, reinforcing positive perceptions of your business.

4. Facilitating Social Sharing

When customers share product links on social media or with friends, having a clean and descriptive URL can encourage more shares. A well-crafted URL is more likely to be clicked on than a long, confusing one, helping your products reach a wider audience.

Summary of Importance

Changing product URLs improves user experience, boosts SEO performance, enhances branding, and facilitates social sharing. These factors collectively contribute to driving traffic and increasing sales.

Best Practices for SEO-Optimized URLs

To maximize the benefits of changing your product URLs, consider the following best practices:

1. Keep It Short and Descriptive

Aim for URL slugs that are concise yet descriptive. A shorter URL is easier to read and remember, making it more user-friendly. Limit the slug to a few relevant words that convey the essence of the product.

2. Include Target Keywords

Incorporating relevant keywords into your URL can help improve search engine visibility. Think about what terms potential customers might use when searching for your product and include those in the slug.

3. Avoid Special Characters and Numbers

Special characters and numbers can make URLs look unprofessional and confusing. Stick to letters and hyphens to separate words. For example, use "red-dress" instead of "red_dress_123."

4. Use Hyphens to Separate Words

Hyphens are preferred over underscores in URLs, as search engines interpret hyphens as word separators. This means red-dress is better than red_dress.

5. Update Internal Links

Whenever you change a product URL, make sure to update any internal links pointing to that product. This helps maintain a seamless user experience and ensures that all links lead to the correct pages.

Summary of Best Practices

For SEO-optimized URLs, keep them short and descriptive, include target keywords, avoid special characters, use hyphens, and update internal links to maintain coherence.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

While changing product URLs can be beneficial, there are some pitfalls to watch out for:

1. Failing to Set Up Redirects

One of the most common mistakes is neglecting to set up URL redirects. If you change a URL without creating a redirect, anyone who tries to access the old URL will encounter a 404 error. This can lead to lost traffic and negatively impact your SEO rankings.

2. Overcomplicating URLs

Avoid making URLs too complex or lengthy. An overly complicated URL can confuse customers and search engines alike, diminishing the effectiveness of your SEO efforts.

3. Ignoring SEO Best Practices

Failing to implement SEO best practices when creating URLs can limit their effectiveness. Always consider how your URLs will impact search engine rankings and user experience.

4. Not Monitoring Performance

After changing URLs, it’s essential to monitor the performance of your product pages. Use analytics tools to track traffic and see if the changes are positively impacting your store's performance.

Summary of Common Mistakes

To avoid pitfalls, always set up redirects, keep URLs simple, adhere to SEO best practices, and monitor performance after changes.

Conclusion and Call to Action

Changing product URLs in Shopify is a simple yet powerful way to enhance your online store's user experience and SEO performance. By understanding the process, recognizing the importance of clean URLs, and implementing best practices, you can significantly improve your store's branding and visibility.

Now that you know how to change product URLs effectively, consider taking the next step in elevating your Shopify store. For a more comprehensive approach to enhancing your e-commerce strategy, explore Praella’s services, such as User Experience & Design, Web & App Development, and Strategy, Continuity, and Growth.

Whether you're looking to refine your user experience or develop a robust web application, Praella is here to help your brand reach new heights. Let's work together to transform your e-commerce journey!

FAQs

How often should I change product URLs in Shopify?

Changing product URLs should be done judiciously. It's best to change them when you are rebranding, improving SEO, or when the current URLs are unclear or unappealing.

Will changing product URLs affect my SEO?

Yes, changing product URLs can affect your SEO. However, if you set up proper redirects and follow best practices, you can maintain or even improve your search engine rankings.

Can I change the primary domain of my Shopify store?

Yes, you can change the primary domain of your Shopify store, but this process is different from changing product URLs. You will need to purchase a new domain and set it as your primary domain in your Shopify settings.

What happens if I forget to set up a redirect after changing a URL?

If you forget to set up a redirect, customers who try to access the old URL will receive a 404 error, which can lead to lost traffic and negatively impact your SEO.

How can I track the performance of my new product URLs?

You can track the performance of your new product URLs using analytics tools such as Google Analytics. Monitor traffic, bounce rates, and conversion rates to gauge the effectiveness of your changes.

By following this guide, you'll not only be able to change product URLs in Shopify but also leverage this knowledge to enhance your brand's visibility and user experience.