Hey @DarylMaguire95
Over time, I’ve found that Shopify is adding to the platform many of the core features found in most Shopify SEO apps. So, the apps have been adding features that aren’t all that effective or helpful; they’re more buzzwordy. At best, they are automation tools to get ‘okay’ results; at worst, they’ll hurt your SEO. And I run an SEO app on Shopify! Meaning, don’t just go install a bunch of Shopify SEO apps.
I have a large guide on Shopify SEO with lots of details on how to improve your SEO without using another app in Shopify. If you specifically scroll down to the Shopify SEO Apps section, I also mention SEO tools outside of Shopify that don’t impact your site load times.
For example and using the SEO techniques you mentioned:
- Site speed - more apps on Shopify can often negatively impact your site speed. Many of the apps that claim to improve site speed, do so against Google’s guidelines and can put your site at risk.
- Track rankings - I wouldn’t trust a Shopify SEO app to do this. If you want to track your rankings, use Google Search Console or something like Rank Tracker that’s free. If you want to pay for a tool, try SEMRush.
- Image optimization - Shopify already optimizes your images for you. Paying for and using another app for this isn’t necessary.
- Structured Data - all themes have a base set of product structured data as it’s required to be in the theme store. Depending on your site, you may need some advanced options which JSON-LD for SEO can provide for you.
- Competitor analysis - I don’t know of a Shopify SEO app that does this and if they do, not sure how well they do it. A true competitor analysis isn’t something that can be done using software alone. You’re better off working with a consultant who can use a variety of tools and their experience to provide you with some actionable advice.
Hope that helps