When managing a Shopify store, the ability to customize and control your website’s URLs plays a crucial role in your brand’s online presence and search engine optimization. The open path name—or the URL slug—is what customers see in their browser when they visit specific pages, products, collections, or blog posts.
Changing the open path name on Shopify not only helps improve the clarity and relevance of your URLs but also boosts your SEO rankings by making the links more user-friendly and descriptive. However, many store owners find the process of changing these paths confusing, especially if they want to avoid broken links or negative impacts on their traffic.
Understanding how to properly change the open path name in Shopify enables you to refine your store’s navigation and enhance the overall shopping experience. Whether you are updating a product’s URL, altering collection paths, or tweaking your blog post slugs, knowing the right steps can save you time and prevent costly mistakes.
In this post, we’ll explore the detailed process of changing open path names on Shopify, highlighting best practices, potential pitfalls, and useful tips to help you maintain a seamless online store.
Understanding Shopify URLs and Open Path Names
Before diving into the process, it’s important to grasp what Shopify URLs are and how open path names fit into the structure. Shopify URLs are made up of your domain followed by a path name that points to specific resources like products, collections, or pages.
The open path name is essentially the part of the URL after the domain that identifies the content.
For example, in the URL www.yourstore.com/products/classic-t-shirt, the open path name is products/classic-t-shirt. This path tells both customers and search engines exactly what the page is about.
Shopify automatically generates these path names based on the title of your product, collection, or page. However, you can customize them to better suit your branding or SEO strategy.
Knowing the difference between the types of URLs helps you decide which paths you might want to change.
“A clear and descriptive URL path not only improves user experience but also enhances your site’s search engine visibility.”
Types of Shopify URLs
- Product URLs: /products/product-name
- Collection URLs: /collections/collection-name
- Page URLs: /pages/page-name
- Blog Post URLs: /blogs/blog-name/post-name
Each of these URL types can be customized, but the approach varies slightly depending on the content type.
How to Change Product Open Path Names
Changing the open path name for a product is a common need, especially when you want to simplify URLs or include targeted keywords. Shopify allows you to edit the product handle, which directly affects the product URL.
To start, navigate to your Shopify admin panel and go to the Products section. Select the product whose URL you want to change.
Scroll down to the Search engine listing preview, then click “Edit website SEO”. Here you can edit the URL and handle.
Be cautious when changing product URLs because it can affect your SEO and cause broken links if done incorrectly. Always make sure to set up proper redirects if the URL changes to ensure visitors and search engines are directed to the right page.
Steps to Change Product URL
- Go to Products in Shopify Admin
- Choose the product to edit
- Scroll to Search engine listing preview and click “Edit website SEO”
- Modify the URL and handle field
- Save changes and set up redirects if necessary
“Always test your product URLs after editing to ensure they work correctly and do not disrupt user experience.”
Modifying Collection Open Path Names
Collections group similar products together and have their own URLs that follow the structure /collections/collection-name. Changing these open path names can improve navigation and help with SEO targeting specific themes or categories.
Shopify allows you to change the collection handle in a manner similar to products. Access the Collections section from the admin dashboard, select the collection, and edit the URL handle in the SEO preview.
Make sure the new URL is both descriptive and concise.
Changing collection paths requires careful management of internal links within your store to prevent broken navigation. Consider updating menus and links to reflect the new URLs.
Best Practices for Collection URL Changes
- Use keywords relevant to the collection theme
- Avoid special characters or spaces in the URL handle
- Maintain consistency across your site navigation
- Implement redirects from old collection URLs to new ones
| Old URL | New URL | Redirect Required |
| /collections/summer-sale | /collections/summer-essentials | Yes |
| /collections/winter-collection | /collections/winter-gear | Yes |
Changing Page Open Path Names
Shopify pages include content such as About Us, Contact, or custom informational pages. These pages have URLs under the /pages/ directory, and their open path names can be changed easily from the admin panel.
To edit a page path, go to Online Store > Pages, select the page to edit, and scroll down to the SEO settings where you can modify the URL handle. Since pages often serve important informational roles, it’s vital to keep URLs straightforward and easy to remember.
When you change a page URL, verify that any links within your navigation menus or footer are updated accordingly to avoid broken links.
Considerations When Editing Page URLs
- Keep URLs short and relevant to page content
- Update internal links and menus promptly
- Use hyphens to separate words for readability
- Set up 301 redirects to preserve SEO value
“Even small URL changes can impact your site’s SEO if not managed with proper redirects and link updates.”
Adjusting Blog and Article Path Names
Blogs and articles on Shopify follow a different URL structure that often includes the blog name and the post title. Changing the open path name here means modifying the post handle, which affects SEO and user access.
Access your blog posts through Online Store > Blog Posts. Select the post you want to edit and scroll to the SEO section to update the URL handle.
Remember, the blog name remains constant, but the post slug can be customized.
Blog URLs often play a role in content marketing strategies, so ensuring that the path names are descriptive and keyword optimized is essential.
Tips for Blog URL Customization
- Include relevant keywords in the post slug
- Avoid overly long URLs that confuse users
- Check for existing URL conflicts before changing
- Redirect old URLs to new ones to maintain SEO
| Blog Post Title | Default URL | Optimized URL |
| Summer Fashion Trends | /blogs/news/summer-fashion-trends | /blogs/news/summer-style-2024 |
| How to Care for Leather | /blogs/news/how-to-care-for-leather | /blogs/news/leather-care-tips |
Using URL Redirects to Preserve SEO and User Experience
Whenever you change an open path name on Shopify, setting up URL redirects is critical. Redirects ensure that visitors who click on old URLs are automatically sent to the new location, preserving your SEO rankings and preventing frustration.
Shopify provides an easy-to-use URL redirect tool under Online Store > Navigation > URL Redirects. Here, you can add the old URL path and the new destination path, creating a seamless transition for users and search engines alike.
Not implementing redirects can result in 404 errors, which negatively impact your site’s reputation and ranking.
How to Create URL Redirects
- Go to Shopify Admin > Online Store > Navigation > URL Redirects
- Click “Add URL redirect”
- Enter the old URL path (starting with a slash)
- Enter the new URL path (starting with a slash)
- Save the redirect
“Redirects are the safety net that protect your site’s SEO and user experience when URLs change.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Changing Shopify Path Names
Changing open path names might seem straightforward, but several pitfalls can harm your store’s traffic and rankings. Awareness of these common mistakes can save you from costly errors.
Firstly, avoid changing URLs without setting up redirects. This is the fastest way to lose existing SEO equity and confuse returning customers.
Secondly, don’t use overly complex or lengthy URLs as they reduce readability and shareability.
Lastly, double-check all internal links and navigation menus after making changes. Broken links can frustrate visitors and negatively affect your site’s credibility.
Mistakes and Their Consequences
| Mistake | Consequences |
| No URL Redirects | Broken links and lost SEO rankings |
| Using Special Characters in URLs | URL errors and poor user experience |
| Ignoring Internal Link Updates | Navigation issues and higher bounce rates |
- Always plan URL changes carefully
- Test all new URLs before going live
- Communicate changes to your team or marketing partners
Tools and Apps to Facilitate URL Management on Shopify
While Shopify’s built-in tools cover most needs for changing open path names and managing redirects, several third-party apps can simplify the process, especially for large stores with numerous URLs.
These apps offer bulk editing options, automatic redirect generation, and detailed analytics to track URL performance. Using these tools can enhance your workflow and help maintain SEO integrity when making multiple URL changes.
Exploring the Shopify App Store for URL management solutions can save time and reduce human error in your store’s URL customization process.
Popular Shopify URL Management Apps
- SEO Manager: Simplifies SEO tasks including URL editing and redirects.
- Bulk 301 Redirects: Allows mass redirect creation to prevent broken links.
- URL Redirect Manager: Offers an intuitive interface for managing redirects.
“Automating URL management reduces errors and keeps your Shopify store optimized for both users and search engines.”
For further insights on name meanings and their significance, check out What Is the Name of the Person? Find Out Here and what is the entity name?
meaning, examples, and uses for interesting perspectives that can inspire your brand naming strategies.
Conclusion
Mastering how to change open path names on Shopify is an invaluable skill for any store owner looking to enhance their site’s usability and search engine performance. By understanding the structure of Shopify URLs and carefully editing product, collection, page, and blog paths, you can create a streamlined, SEO-friendly website that draws more visitors and encourages engagement.
It’s crucial to approach URL changes with care, ensuring that proper redirects are in place to protect your SEO rankings and maintain a positive user experience. Avoiding common mistakes like neglecting internal link updates or using complex URLs can make the difference between a thriving store and one that suffers from lost traffic.
Using Shopify’s built-in tools alongside specialized apps can further simplify the process and help you manage your URLs efficiently, especially as your store grows. Remember, URLs are more than just links—they are part of your brand’s identity and play a vital role in your online marketing success.
To deepen your understanding of naming and branding, you might find value in exploring What Is the Name on a Mastercard Gift Card? Explained, which offers a unique look at the importance of names in commerce and identity.
