How to Change Permalink in Shopify: A Comprehensive Guide

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Understanding Shopify’s Default URL Structure
3. Limitations of Changing Permalinks in Shopify
4. Practical Methods for Optimizing URLs
5. The Importance of URL Redirects and Maintaining SEO Integrity
6. Conclusion
7. Frequently Asked Questions

Introduction

Did you know that 70% of consumers prefer a simple, clean URL when navigating online stores? In an era where every click counts, having an optimized permalink can significantly enhance user experience and boost your store's visibility on search engines. As ecommerce professionals, we understand that while Shopify provides robust functionalities, certain limitations exist when it comes to URL structures. In this blog post, we will explore the intricacies of changing permalinks in Shopify, offering you actionable insights and practical strategies to optimize your ecommerce site effectively.

Throughout this guide, we'll dive into the following key aspects:

• Understanding Shopify’s default URL structure
• The limitations of changing permalinks
• Practical methods for optimizing URLs without altering the core structure
• The importance of URL redirects and maintaining SEO integrity

By the end of this post, you will be equipped with the knowledge to enhance your Shopify store’s URLs, ensuring they are user-friendly, SEO-optimized, and aligned with your brand’s identity. Let's embark on this journey together!

Understanding Shopify’s Default URL Structure

Shopify has a fixed URL structure that categorizes different types of pages. For instance:

• Product URLs follow the structure /products/product-name
• Collection URLs are structured as /collections/collection-name
• Page URLs are formatted as /pages/page-name

This structure is essential for maintaining consistency and functionality across the platform. However, it poses challenges for store owners who wish to customize their URLs for branding or SEO purposes.

The Significance of URL Structure

A well-structured URL provides several benefits:

• SEO Optimization: Descriptive URLs can improve search engine rankings and click-through rates.
• User Experience: Clean and intuitive URLs enhance navigation and instill trust in your visitors.
• Marketing Benefits: Shareable URLs that are easy to remember can boost referral traffic.

In light of these advantages, it becomes crucial for ecommerce brands to consider how they can make the most out of Shopify's URL structure, even if they cannot change it entirely.

Limitations of Changing Permalinks in Shopify

As we mentioned earlier, Shopify's URL structure is inflexible, meaning that certain aspects cannot be altered. Here are some key restrictions:

Fixed URL Paths

Shopify does not allow you to remove or change essential components of the URL, such as /products/, /collections/, or /pages/. This means that while you can modify the last part of the URL, the core structure remains intact.

For example, if your product is named "Fluffy Pink Socks," the URL will always appear as:

/products/fluffy-pink-socks

Workarounds: Redirects and URL Handles

While you cannot change the fundamental structure, there are alternative approaches to optimize your URLs. One effective method is to utilize URL redirects. By setting up redirects, you can guide visitors to a more user-friendly or SEO-optimized URL without altering the original permalink structure.

Creating URL Redirects

To create a URL redirect in Shopify, follow these steps:

1. Go to your Shopify admin and select Online Store > Navigation.
2. Click on URL Redirects.
3. Select Create URL redirect.
4. Enter the old URL in the Redirect from field and the new URL in the Redirect to field.
5. Click Save redirect.

This process ensures that anyone visiting the old URL will be automatically directed to the new one, preserving both user experience and SEO value.

Practical Methods for Optimizing URLs

Though the core URL structure remains unchanged, we can optimize our Shopify URLs for better performance. Here are several approaches to consider:

1. Optimize the URL Handle

You can edit the URL handle of your products, collections, and pages. This is the part of the URL after the main structure. For example, in the URL /products/fluffy-pink-socks, you can change "fluffy-pink-socks" to a more SEO-friendly phrase, like "pink-socks-for-girls."

To change the URL handle:

1. Go to your Shopify admin and select Products > All products.
2. Click on the product you want to edit.
3. Scroll down to the Search engine listing preview section.
4. Click Edit website SEO.
5. Modify the URL and handle field and click Save.

2. Use Descriptive Keywords

When changing the URL handle, it’s vital to incorporate relevant keywords that your target audience might search for. For instance, instead of using “product-123,” opt for a more descriptive handle that reflects the product’s identity and features.

3. Maintain Consistency

Consistency is key when it comes to URL structures. Ensure that all your product and collection URLs follow a similar naming convention. This not only aids in organization but also enhances the overall user experience.

4. Focus on Mobile Optimization

Given that a significant portion of online shopping occurs on mobile devices, ensure that your URLs are short and easy to type. Consider how your URLs will appear on mobile screens and make adjustments as necessary.

The Importance of URL Redirects and Maintaining SEO Integrity

While we cannot fundamentally change Shopify’s URL structure, we can leverage URL redirects to maintain SEO integrity and enhance user experience. Here’s why URL redirects are crucial:

1. Preserving Link Equity

When you change a URL, it's essential to set up a redirect from the old URL to the new one. This action helps preserve the link equity that the original URL may have built up over time, ensuring that the new URL can inherit its SEO value.

2. Enhancing User Experience

Redirects ensure that users who click on outdated links or bookmarks will still reach the intended page, which reduces frustration and enhances the overall experience on your site.

3. Avoiding 404 Errors

Implementing redirects can prevent 404 error pages, which can negatively impact both user experience and SEO. By ensuring that users are directed to relevant content, you maintain a seamless browsing experience.

4. Supporting Marketing Efforts

When running marketing campaigns, you may find it necessary to change URLs for promotional purposes. Using redirects allows you to update links in your marketing materials without losing traffic from existing URLs.

Conclusion

In summary, while Shopify's fixed URL structure presents challenges for ecommerce brands, there are effective strategies for optimizing permalinks and enhancing user experience. By understanding the limitations and leveraging URL redirects, we can maintain SEO integrity and create a seamless shopping experience for our customers.

To further enhance your Shopify store’s performance, explore our PowerCommerce eStore Suite, which offers cutting-edge solutions for storefront optimization, conversion rate optimization, and seamless migrations. Order Now to take your ecommerce business to the next level!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I completely change the URL structure of my Shopify store? No, Shopify does not allow you to change the core URL structure, such as removing /products/ or /collections/. You can only modify the text that follows these fixed components.

2. How can I create a cleaner URL for my Shopify pages? You can create cleaner URLs by optimizing the URL handles for your products and collections and by setting up URL redirects to guide users from old URLs to new, more user-friendly versions.

3. What is the impact of URL changes on SEO? Changing URLs without proper redirects can lead to loss of traffic and SEO ranking. It’s essential to set up redirects to ensure that any existing link equity is preserved.

4. How do URL redirects work in Shopify? URL redirects in Shopify allow you to automatically send visitors from an old URL to a new one, helping to maintain user experience and SEO integrity.

5. Can I remove /pages/ from my Shopify URLs? No, the /pages/ segment is a fixed part of Shopify's URL structure and cannot be removed. However, you can customize the text that follows it by editing the URL handle of the page.