Mobile SEO

[DOGUE1]

Hello, 

I am struggling on how to improve mobile SEO. Our store is quite low and I am unsure how to improve/.

Are there any apps that can assist/provide options, all I am able to find are SEO audits which say the mobile score is low but make it difficult to improve. 

Thanks in advance!

[LitExtension]

Hello @DOGUE1, you're right, many SEO audit tools are great at pointing out what's wrong (like a low mobile score) but often fall short on how to fix it, especially in a user-friendly way. According to Mobile SEO optimization experts on our team, you can try the following methods:

Use a Mobile-Friendly (Responsive) Theme. Most current Shopify themes are responsive, but older or heavily customized themes may have issues with responsiveness. You can try out Mobile-specific themes if you want to target the mobile market. Consider themes with good Mobile UX, best display on phones, and completely remove redundant scripts that are not optimized for Mobile. In addition, Theme companies also have their own CS team. If you like a theme and want to optimize SEO in that theme, perhaps contacting their CS to find the optimal solution is also a feasible option.

Optimize Page Load Speed on Mobile. What you can do yourself is Image Optimization. Optimize images according to WeBP. Many Shopify apps can do that, or you can optimize before uploading to your Store with free tools. The goal is a clear image to look at, and at the same time, the capacity is not too high: About 50-100KB is good. 1 heavy image may not be a problem, but 10 or 15 heavy images can be a big problem for Mobile SEO. Try to optimize static images of the website first, then Product images.

Consider using the AMP App for Shopify. AMP can significantly boost speed but offers less design flexibility and requires careful setup. It's a specific strategy, not a universal requirement.

In summary, you should start by using PageSpeed ​​Insights to get specific recommendations. Focus on optimizing images and testing theme responsiveness first, as these often yield significant results. Then, explore apps that target the specific pain points identified.

While mobile audit scores offer guidance, focusing solely on them won't automatically lead to better sales or mobile search visibility. Prioritize enhancing the real user experience on mobile devices. Optimizing for smooth scrolling, quick site responsiveness, and excellent usability (ensuring good contrast, for example) will have a more direct impact on engaging customers and succeeding in the mobile marketplace.

Hope this information helps improve your Mobile SEO! If you find it useful, please like and accept the solutions.

[goldi07]

Hello @DOGUE1 mobile SEO can be a pain to decode, especially when tools just tell you "your score is low" without clear fixes. Let’s break it down into real solutions, not just reports. I’ll also recommend a few apps that actually help, not just audit.

Core Areas to Improve Mobile SEO
Here’s where most stores struggle — and what you can do about it:

1. Page Speed / Load Time
. Why it matters: Google uses mobile-first indexing, so if your site is slow on mobile, it tanks your SEO.

. Fixes:

. Compress images (especially hero & product images).

. Use Shopify’s native WebP format when possible.

. Reduce apps or custom code that loads scripts (like pop-ups or trackers).

Apps to Help:
. TinyIMG – Compresses images, lazy loads, adds alt text.

. Booster SEO & Image Optimizer – All-in-one that includes speed boosts.

2. Responsive Design + Viewport Scaling
. Why it matters: If buttons are too close or text is unreadable on mobile, it hurts UX and rankings.

.Fixes:

. Use a mobile-first theme (Dawn is good, but heavily customized themes can break layout).

. Test with Chrome DevTools and Shopify's Theme Inspector for Chrome.

3. Meta Titles + Descriptions
. Why it matters: Shorter SERP displays on mobile mean you need to be punchy and clear.

Fixes:

. Keep meta titles under 60 characters.

. Include target keywords early.

. Write compelling, click-worthy meta descriptions.

4. Structured Data / Schema
. Why it matters: Helps Google understand your product info (ratings, price, stock).

Fixes:

. Add JSON-LD structured data for products.

. Shopify adds this natively, but some apps clean it up.

App:
Smart SEO – Adds structured data and bulk-optimizes metadata.

5. Tap Targets + Core Web Vitals
. Why it matters: Buttons and links must be tap-friendly.

Fixes:

. Enlarge touch targets (32px or larger).

. Avoid placing buttons too close together.

. Test with Google’s PageSpeed Insights.

Recap: Best Apps That Actually Help Mobile SEO

App    |  What it Does
TinyIMG   |   Compress images, lazy load, SEO metadata
Booster SEO  |   Speed boost, meta optimization, broken link fixes
Smart SEO  |    Structured data, meta titles/descriptions
Vitals    |      Page speed booster, lazy loading, upsells, reviews

Thank you 😊

[SEOAnt-Jeffery]

Hi @DOGUE1

If you want to improve mobile SEO, consider the AMP page; it can concentrate all crucial details from your store to make users know your store's basic highlights immediately. For more details about AMP, you can check this guideline from Google. Thank you~

[mageplaza-cs]

Hi @DOGUE1 

I am from Mageplaza - Shopify solution expert.

Improving mobile SEO for your Shopify store is critical, as Google prioritizes mobile-first indexing, and poor mobile performance can tank your rankings. Below is a step-by-step action plan with practical fixes and recommended apps to address common issues:

1. Fix Core Web Vitals (Speed & Performance)

Google’s Core Web Vitals (loading speed, interactivity, visual stability) heavily impact mobile SEO.
Common issues:

• Large, unoptimized images

• Render-blocking JavaScript/CSS

• Slow server response times

How to fix:

• Optimize images: Use apps like Crush.pics (automates compression) or SEO Image Optimizer (alt-text and compression).

• Lazy load images: Install Lazy Load by Plug in SEO to defer off-screen images.

• Minify code: Apps like Boom! Mobile Speed Optimizer remove bloat from CSS/JS files.

• Enable AMP: Use AMP by Shop Sheriff to create mobile-accelerated pages.

Free Tools:

• Run a Google PageSpeed Insights test to identify bottlenecks.

• Use Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test to check rendering.

2. Mobile-First Design & UX

A poor mobile user experience (UX) increases bounce rates, hurting SEO.
Common issues:

• Non-responsive themes

• Tiny buttons/text

• Pop-ups blocking content

How to fix:

• Use a mobile-optimized theme: Switch to themes like Dawn (Shopify’s default) or Symmetry.

• Simplify navigation: Use collapsible menus and sticky headers. Apps like Mega Menu Builder help.

• Disable intrusive pop-ups: Replace full-screen pop-ups with subtle banners using Privy.

• Test mobile UX: Use Hotjar to record user sessions and identify friction points.

3. Technical SEO Fixes for Mobile

Common issues:

• Missing meta tags

• Broken links

• Poor structured data

How to fix:

• Automate meta tags: Use Plug in SEO to fix missing titles/descriptions and broken links.

• Add structured data: JSON-LD for SEO ensures Google understands your product schema.

• Fix mobile redirects: Use SEO Suite to audit redirect chains and ensure mobile URLs are clean.

4. Content Optimization for Mobile

Mobile users scan content quickly. If your content isn’t digestible, they’ll leave.
How to fix:

• Shorten paragraphs: Use bullet points and subheadings.

• Optimize font sizes: Ensure text is ≥16px for readability.

• Local SEO: Optimize for “near me” searches with Local SEO by Secomapp.

5. Leverage Apps for Mobile SEO Workflow

App	Purpose
SEO Manager	Auto-generates meta tags, fixes broken links, and tracks rankings.
Speed Boost	Optimizes images, defers JavaScript, and caches pages.
Structured Data	Adds rich snippets for products, reviews, and FAQs.
Mobilespeed	Mobile-specific speed optimization (lazy load, AMP).

 

6. Monitor & Iterate

• Track mobile rankings with Ubersuggest or Semrush.

• Use Google Search Console to monitor mobile usability issues.

Example Workflow:

1. Run a PageSpeed Insights test → Identify “Largest Contentful Paint (LCP)” or “Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS)” issues.

2. Use Crush.pics to compress images + Boom! Mobile Speed Optimizer to minify code.

3. Test fixes with Google Mobile-Friendly Test.

4. Use Plug in SEO to audit meta tags and redirects.

5. Deploy Hotjar to watch how mobile users interact with your site.

Why This Works

Shopify stores often fail mobile SEO due to:

• Bloated themes (e.g., legacy themes like Brooklyn).

• Unoptimized images (PNGs instead of WebP).

• Lack of structured data.

By focusing on speed, UX, and technical SEO with the right apps, you can boost mobile rankings in 4-8 weeks. Most stores see a 20-40% improvement in organic traffic after fixing Core Web Vitals alone.

Need more specific advice? Share your store URL (privately), and I’ll help diagnose! 

Best regards!