How to Build Backlinks That Boost Your Shopify Store's SEO

The most powerful ranking factor you're probably ignoring

If you want your Shopify store to rank higher in search engines, there's one thing you absolutely can’t afford to skip: backlinks.

Backlinks are links from other websites that point to your site. And to Google, they act like votes of confidence. The more high-quality, relevant backlinks you have, the more trustworthy and authoritative your site becomes.

It’s not enough to just optimize your pages — you need other sites to validate your content by linking to it.

Why Backlinks Matter for SEO

Backlinks are one of Google’s top three ranking factors. They help:

  • Increase your domain authority

  • Boost individual page rankings

  • Get your content indexed faster

  • Send referral traffic from other sites

The tricky part? Not all backlinks are created equal.

What Makes a Backlink Valuable

Here’s what separates a powerful backlink from a weak one:

Relevance
Is the linking website related to your niche? A backlink from a solar energy blog to your solar kit store is way more valuable than a link from a random cooking site.

Authority
Is the site that’s linking to you trusted by Google? Getting a link from a well-known site (even a mid-size one in your niche) is worth way more than dozens of spammy links from low-quality blogs.

Context
Is the link placed inside helpful, relevant content? A link from within a blog article is stronger than one hidden in a sidebar or footer.

Anchor Text
This is the clickable text that links to your site. Ideally, it includes your brand name, product type, or a keyword — but naturally, not spammy.

Page Target
You want links pointing to:

  • Your homepage (to build brand authority)

  • Your collection pages

  • Your blog posts (great for attracting natural links)

  • Occasionally, your product pages (especially top sellers)

Link Building Strategies for Shopify Stores

You don’t need hundreds of backlinks — just a few good ones from the right places.

Here’s how to start:

1. Submit to Relevant Directories
There are niche-specific directories and marketplaces for almost every industry. List your store on these platforms to build links and get exposure.

2. Reach Out for Product Reviews
Send your product to influencers, bloggers, or YouTubers in your niche. In exchange for a review or feature, you’ll often get a valuable backlink and new traffic.

3. Guest Posting
Offer to write a valuable article for a blog or site in your niche. In return, you usually get an “author bio” with a link to your store — or even an in-content link.

4. Use HARO (Help A Reporter Out)
Sign up at helpareporter.com. Journalists request quotes for articles, and if they use yours, you get a backlink. It's free and super effective.

5. Promote Your Blog Content
Once you publish a solid blog post (like a buying guide or comparison article), email relevant bloggers or site owners and ask if they’d consider linking to it as a resource.

6. Build Relationships
Link building is easier when you’re active in your community. Comment on blogs, reply to tweets, show up at events — and over time, people will link to you naturally.

What Not to Do

Avoid spammy link tactics like:

  • Buying links from shady sites

  • Using link farms or networks

  • Spamming blog comments or forums

Google’s algorithm is smart. Focus on earning links through real relationships, value, and useful content.

Link Building Checklist

  • Submitted store to at least 5 relevant directories

  • Reached out to 3–10 bloggers or influencers

  • Wrote or pitched a guest post

  • Created at least one link-worthy blog post

  • Signed up for HARO and responded to at least one query

  • Built internal links from blogs to collections/products

  • Avoided spammy tactics or cheap backlinks

Final Thoughts

Link building is often the missing piece in an otherwise solid SEO strategy. It's what gives your store the authority it needs to rise above competitors in search results.

Even one good backlink can move the needle. Make link building part of your weekly or monthly routine — and watch your rankings climb.

Want Help?

If you need support with link building, keyword strategy, or optimizing your Shopify store for SEO, I’ve got your back.

Download the Ultimate SEO Checklist
Book a Free SEO Audit
Join the Ecommerce SEO Course + Discord Community

Next up: Technical SEO — how to improve site speed, fix crawl errors, and get indexed fast.

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