Starting a shopify store, your ultimate goal is to attract more visitors to your Shopify store and convert them into paying customers. Driving traffic to your Shopify ecommerce store is essential for growing sales and expanding your business. But with so many strategies available, knowing which ones to prioritize can be challenging. This comprehensive guide outlines the best strategies to set up shopify stores to effectively increase Shopify store traffic, giving you the insights you need to supercharge your store’s visibility and profitability.
1. Optimize Your Shopify Store for SEO
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the key to driving organic traffic to your Shopify store. By optimizing your site to rank higher in search engines like Google, you can attract visitors who are actively looking for the products you offer. Here's how to get started:
a. Keyword Research
Use tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, or Ubersuggest to identify keywords that your potential customers are searching for. Focus on long-tail keywords (phrases with three or more words), as these typically have lower competition and higher conversion potential.
b. On-Page Optimization
Optimize product pages, blog posts, and your homepage for your target keywords. This includes:
- Meta Titles & Descriptions: Create compelling, keyword-rich meta titles and descriptions for each page.
- Product Descriptions: Use natural, keyword-focused product descriptions that are informative and persuasive.
- Image Alt Text: Ensure all product images have descriptive, keyword-optimized alt text to improve your store's visibility in Google Images.
c. Improve Site Speed
Fast-loading websites rank better and offer a better user experience. Use Shopify’s analytics dashboard and built-in tools or third-party apps to compress images, minimize code, and reduce loading times.
d. Mobile Optimization
Since more than 50% of online traffic comes from mobile devices, ensure your Shopify store is fully optimized for mobile viewing. A mobile-friendly site leads to better rankings and a seamless shopping experience for your customers.
e. Content Marketing
Start a blog and write valuable content that incorporates your keywords. Share product guides, how-to articles, and industry news that your audience will find useful. Blogging not only improves SEO but also positions you as an expert in your niche.
Gymshark – Scaling through Influencer Marketing and SEO
Background:
Gymshark, a fitness apparel brand, started as a small Shopify store and quickly grew into a multimillion-dollar business. The company’s founders focused on building a strong brand identity and growing organically, targeting fitness enthusiasts and influencers.
Challenges:
- Competing with larger, established fitness brands.
- Gaining visibility and building brand awareness on a limited budget.
Strategies Used:
- Influencer Marketing:
Gymshark leveraged the power of social media influencers early on. They partnered with fitness influencers who had significant followings and credibility within the fitness community. Instead of simply paying for posts, Gymshark sent free products to influencers, who in turn posted about the brand organically. These influencer shout-outs not only brought immediate traffic to their Shopify store but also helped build brand trust. - Content Marketing and SEO:
Gymshark created valuable content related to fitness, training, and lifestyle. Their blog posts, workout videos, and guides focused on long-tail keywords that fitness enthusiasts were searching for. Over time, this content helped their Shopify store rank for relevant search terms and brought in a steady stream of organic traffic. - Flash Sales and Social Media Engagement:
To capitalize on their growing audience, Gymshark ran flash sales, which created urgency and excitement among customers. They announced these sales on their social media channels, driving significant traffic spikes to their Shopify store. Social proof, in the form of user-generated content from customers wearing Gymshark products, also contributed to increased traffic and engagement.
Results:
- In the first year of implementing influencer marketing, Gymshark’s website traffic increased by over 50%.
- SEO and content marketing efforts paid off, with organic traffic contributing to 30% of total sales after two years.
- Gymshark now generates millions in revenue and has grown into one of the most recognized fitness brands globally, thanks to their aggressive influencer strategy and content marketing efforts.
2. Leverage Social Media Marketing
Social media platforms can be a powerful traffic-driving tool. Whether it’s Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Pinterest, or X, being active on social media helps boost brand awareness and directs traffic to your Shopify store.
a. Choose the Right Platforms
Not all social media platforms are equally effective for every business. Determine where your target audience spends their time. For example:
- Instagram and Pinterest are great for visually-driven products like fashion, home decor, and beauty.
- TikTok works well for engaging videos that showcase your product in action.
- Facebook offers robust advertising options and tools for creating a community around your brand.
b. Engage with Your Audience
Engagement is key on social media. Regularly respond to comments, run polls, ask questions, and share user-generated content. Building a community around your brand encourages loyalty and brings repeat visitors back to your store.
c. Influencer Marketing
Collaborate with social media influencers who align with your brand. Influencers can reach thousands (or even millions) of potential customers and drive significant traffic to your store. Look for micro-influencers with niche audiences if your budget is tight.
d. Shoppable Posts
Platforms like Instagram and Facebook offer shoppable posts, which allow users to browse and purchase your products directly from the platform. These posts can dramatically reduce friction in the buying process and drive traffic to your Shopify store.
e. Run Contests and Giveaways
Host contests and giveaways on social media to create buzz around your brand. To enter, ask participants to follow your page, tag friends, or visit your Shopify store. This is a cost-effective way to increase traffic and build your social following simultaneously.
3. Implement Email Marketing
Email marketing remains one of the most cost-effective and direct ways to increase Shopify store traffic. Once someone subscribes to your email list, you have a direct line to their inbox, allowing you to nurture relationships and drive repeat visits.
a. Build Your Email List
Create multiple ways for visitors to subscribe to your newsletter:
- Use pop-ups that offer a discount or free shipping on their first purchase.
- Offer exclusive content or products in exchange for an email sign-up.
- Place sign-up forms in prominent positions on your site.
b. Segment Your Audience
Divide your email list into segments based on user behavior and preferences. Send personalized emails that resonate with each group. For example, you can segment by:
- Past purchases
- Browsing behavior
- Geographic location
c. Send Engaging Email Campaigns
Email campaigns are an opportunity to remind customers about sales, new arrivals, or exclusive deals. Be consistent, but avoid spamming. Include clear calls-to-action (CTAs) that lead directly to your Shopify store.
d. Automated Email Flows
Set up automated email sequences to follow up with customers at critical points in their journey:
- Welcome emails for new subscribers.
- Abandoned cart emails to recover lost sales.
- Post-purchase emails to cross-sell or upsell products.
Blume – Growing Traffic through SEO, Paid Ads, and Email Marketing
Background:
Blume is a clean skincare and self-care brand that targets Gen Z and millennial customers. Starting a shopify store with a mission to disrupt the beauty industry by focusing on natural ingredients and body positivity.
Challenges:
- Building trust in the highly competitive skincare market.
- Driving consistent traffic without relying too much on one traffic source.
Strategies Used:
- SEO Optimization:
Blume started by optimizing their product pages for specific skincare-related keywords like "acne treatment" and "natural skincare products." They ensured each product page had detailed descriptions, high-quality images, customer reviews, and educational content that addressed common skin concerns. This helped their pages rank well on search engines, bringing in organic traffic from users searching for natural skincare solutions. - Facebook and Instagram Ads:
Blume ran highly targeted ads on Facebook and Instagram to reach their ideal customer base—primarily young women looking for clean beauty products. Their ad creatives focused on user-generated content, showcasing real customers’ before-and-after results with their products. This authenticity resonated with their audience and drove high engagement and traffic. - Email Marketing:
Blume built a strong email list through pop-ups offering first-time purchase discounts in exchange for email addresses. They segmented their email list to send personalized recommendations and promotions to different customer groups, increasing repeat traffic and conversions. Their automated email flows—like abandoned cart recovery and post-purchase follow-ups—ensured that no traffic was lost during the customer journey.
Results:
- Blume saw a 60% increase in organic traffic within six months of launching their SEO campaign.
- Paid ads on social media platforms drove over 30% of their total site traffic, with a high return on ad spend (ROAS).
- Email marketing campaigns generated a 25% increase in returning customer traffic, as customers were regularly engaged with personalized offers and content.
4. Paid Advertising
Paid ads can drive targeted traffic to your Shopify store quickly, especially when combined with organic efforts. Here are the top platforms and ad strategies to consider:
a. Google Shopping Ads
Google Shopping Ads show your product images, price, and store name to shoppers searching for related products. Since these users are already in a buying mindset, Shopping Ads can lead to high conversion rates.
b. Facebook & Instagram Ads
Both platforms allow you to create highly targeted ads based on demographics, interests, and behaviors. Create visually appealing ad creatives that grab attention and feature strong CTAs to bring traffic to your Shopify store.
c. Retargeting Ads
Retargeting ads focus on people who have visited your site but left without making a purchase. These ads can remind them of the products they viewed, encouraging them to return and complete their purchase.
d. A/B Testing
Run multiple versions of ads to test what works best. Try different headlines, images, ad formats, and targeting options to find the winning combination.
5. Collaborate with Other Brands
Partnering with complementary brands can help expose your Shopify store to new audiences. Here’s how collaboration can boost your traffic:
a. Product Bundles
Create product bundles with another brand to offer greater value to your customers. Both brands can promote the bundle, driving traffic from two separate audiences to your Shopify store.
b. Co-Host Events or Webinars
Collaborate with other brands to co-host virtual events or webinars. This allows you to share audiences, drive engagement, and build relationships with potential customers who may not have discovered your store otherwise.
c. Guest Blogging
Guest blog on another brand's website and include a link back to your Shopify store. This not only helps you reach new readers but also provides backlinks that improve your SEO ranking.
6. Start a Referral Program
Word-of-mouth marketing is incredibly powerful, and a referral program can help you tap into that by incentivizing your customers to share your store with friends and family.
a. Offer Incentives
Offer rewards to both the referrer and the referred customer. This could be discounts, store credit, or free products, providing a win-win situation for everyone involved.
b. Use Apps to Manage Referrals
Shopify dashboard offers several apps to help manage your referral program. These apps can track referrals, automatically apply discounts, and handle payouts, making it easy for you to implement and scale your program.
7. Leverage Content and Video Marketing
High-quality content and videos can significantly boost your Shopify store’s visibility and credibility.
a. Product Demonstration Videos
Create videos that showcase your products in action. Highlight key features, demonstrate how to use them, and show the benefits. Videos are highly shareable and help potential customers see your products in context.
b. Create Engaging Blog Content
Publishing blog posts about your products, industry news, and related topics can help you rank for relevant search terms. Consistently providing valuable content not only helps with SEO but also keeps visitors returning to your store.
c. Utilize YouTube and TikTok
Both platforms are powerful for video marketing. Use YouTube for longer content like product tutorials and behind-the-scenes videos, while TikTok is ideal for short, creative videos that quickly showcase your product.
8. Analyze and Optimize Your Efforts
Consistent monitoring and optimization are crucial for long-term traffic growth. Use Shopify analytics to guide your strategy and make informed decisions.
a. Shopify Analytics
Shopify analytics dashboard offers in-depth data on customer behavior, traffic sources, and sales performance. Use this data to identify which strategies are working and where improvements can be made.
b. Google Analytics
Track your website’s overall performance using Google Analytics. Monitor traffic sources, user behavior, and conversion rates to refine your marketing efforts and focus on the most effective channels.
c. A/B Testing for Your Website
Run A/B tests on product pages, landing pages, and checkout flows to see which variations lead to higher conversion rates. Simple changes like button colors, product images, or copy can make a big difference.
Bonus Tip: Outsource Your Fulfillment to Focus on Growth
As traffic grows, managing your Shopify store’s operations can become time-consuming. Instead of spending hours handling logistics, you can outsource your fulfillment to a partner like TradeSpace Fulfillment based Calgary. TradeSpace helps Shopify sellers like you across Canada to manage inventory, pick and pack orders, and ship so you can focus on growing your business. Several brands have unlocked growth by offloading their fulfillment to us - join them and grow your business at TradeSpace.
