Billions of people are either searching for something on Google or scrolling through Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook. There are approximately 16.4 billion searches on Google every day. On average, people spend around 143 minutes or 2 hours and 23 minutes per day on social media. 

As a business owner or marketer, the big question is no longer just about being online, but how you show up online.

And that brings us to one of the most common debates: SEO vs. SMO.

What should you focus on? Should you invest in search engine optimization to rank on Google, or pour your efforts into social media optimization and go viral?

The short answer is that you need both. But in the right balance.

Let’s get into it.

What is Search Engine Optimization (SEO)?

As far as SEO is concerned, what we're talking about here is how you can make sure that more people find your website when searching on Google. In the traditional market, we can think of it like placing a huge banner or billboard about a shop in a bustling market. This is what SEO is all about. It is that big, bright sign that tells people, “Here we are!” and invites them in.

Whenever someone searches for something, like “handmade jewelry” or “Shopify SEO expert,” Google shows a list of websites. That list is called the search engine results page (or SERP). Now, most people click on the top few results. So if your website is way down the list, chances are, they won’t even see it. That’s why search engine optimization services are so important and hyped. It pushes your site up where people look. For example, if you’re selling handmade rings on Shopify, you’d want to be found when someone searches for handmade rings on Google.

If you’ve been running an eCommerce store, especially on the Shopify platform, eCommerce SEO services can help you a lot. This particular service, for example, can help you in optimizing product pages with the right set of targeted keywords. 

Here’s what SEO typically involves:

Keyword research: Finding the right phrases people use to search for your product.

On-page SEO: Optimizing product pages, blogs, and content with relevant keywords.

Technical SEO: Making sure your site is mobile-friendly and has a clean structure.

Backlink building: Getting other trustworthy websites to link to yours.

Social Media Optimization (SMO)

Let’s talk about SMO, short for Social Media Optimization. SMO is the process of making your brand known on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and LinkedIn.

In simple words, it's how you get people to find out about your business via social media. The key is to show up where your customers hang out, post stuff they'll care about, and get them curious enough to click, visit, and even buy.

Having said that, if you work with a Shopify SMO company in India, their job is to create the kind of content that people simply will not scroll past. The type of content we're talking about is eye-catching product shots, fun little videos, quick how-tos, or even a relatable meme that makes your followers want to share it with their friends.

Here’s what a good SMO looks like:

• Optimize your profiles
  Start by telling people who you are and what you do on social media. Use a clean profile picture, write a clear bio, and include contact info that works.

• Create content that people want to share
  The posts you share should be the kind people want to share with their friends, if it's a giveaway, a helpful tip, or a behind-the-scenes look. 

• Use hashtags that matter
  On social media, hashtags are like search keywords. By using the right hashtags - like #ShopifySMOservices, #socialmediamarketing, or even something niche to your industry - new people will discover you.

• Talk to your audience
  The whole point of social media is to build relationships. Be active on social media, answer DMs, and take part in the conversation. It builds trust, and trust leads to clicks.

• Drive people to your site
  The end goal is to get traffic into your store. It doesn't matter whether you're offering a new product or running a flash sale; make sure you use strong calls-to-action (CTAs) and clear links to direct people to the right page, which in most cases is your Shopify store.
  

SEO vs. SMO: The Core Difference

Here is what the core difference between SMO (Social Media Optimization) and SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is. 

If you’re running a Shopify eCommerce store, you must research Shopify SEO services. To appear on the first page, you need to have an SEO team with you. The more you appear on Google, the more sales you will make.

Take a look at the table:

Which One Should You Focus On in 2025?

In 2025, everyone wants quick solutions, quick money, and quick results. And we don't read these days, we just scan with our eyes. Because of the hustle and bustle in our lives, our attention span is short. And the competition is very high. So, choosing a single option is not the right approach.

But, you have to balance the SEO and the SMO, based on your requirements. SMO, as we discussed in the previous section, is the most efficient way to create awareness. And SEO is the most effective way to build long-term visibility. However, when combined, you can create an effective strategy that focuses on both short-term gains and long-term results.

Here are some things you might want to consider based on the stage of your business:

• If you're launching your first store and want to build hype fast, SMO is your best choice.

• If you want long-term, steady organic growth, SEO will do that for you.

• You might get better results if you combine both of them, especially if you are already getting some traction.

Why Shopify Stores Need a Combined Strategy

The truth is that if you're running a Shopify store, relying on just one strategy (SEO vs. SMO) will not help you go far or fast. 

As a Shopify SEO agency, we can help you with SEO and SMO. You can call us your long-term business partner when it comes to search engine optimization. As a result, you will be able to be found by people who are actively searching for what you have to offer. No matter if you have product pages, blogs, or landing pages, you need Shopify SEO services to help your website show up on Google, compete higher in search engine results, and get more conversions.

The right Shopify SEO expert will make sure that your store is optimized from top to bottom in terms of structure, speed, content, and keyword density.

On the other hand, social media marketing (SMO) can help you reach more people in less time. You can reach your audience through social media, where most of them spend most of their time. A Shopify SMO agency in India will help you build your brand, start conversations, and get people to keep coming back.

How to Build the Right Strategy (SEO vs. SMO) for Your Store?

To grow your Shopify store, you need more than just a nice-looking website if you are serious about doing this. SEO and SMO go hand in hand, which is why you need a smart, balanced strategy that covers both.

• Make sure your site is optimized for search engines (SEO). SEO is the foundation of your business. 

• There is no doubt that keyword research is equally important. Without knowing what people are typing on Google about your business or industry, you cannot do anything in terms of SEO or SMO. 

• A good Shopify SEO agency will also improve your site's performance and mobile usability. 

• And a technical structure (H1 to H6, broken links, tags, and other technical things) to ensure your store ranks higher on Google. 

• In the end, the purpose is to bring in qualified traffic - people who are looking for what you are selling and who already have high intent.

Next, add Social Media Optimization (SMO) to the strategy. SMO is the perfect option to showcase your brand's personality and build a community around it. A strong Shopify SMO agency in India can help you plan content for Instagram, Facebook, X, or LinkedIn. But to do that, you'll have to figure out where your audience is spending most of their time. After that, you will only focus on sharing short/long videos, UGC (user-generated content), or educational posts. Shopify SMO experts know what works to get people back to your site.

The key is balance:

• Use SEO to build long-term discoverability.

• Use SMO to create brand awareness and engagement in real time.

• Monitor performance on both fronts—track keyword rankings, Google traffic, social shares, likes, comments, and click-through rates.

• Adjust your content and promotion tactics based on what’s working.

The Final Say

There. You have it. In the end, understand that choosing one option is not the thing. And also, SEO vs. SMO are not even in the battle. In reality, they are teammates. While SEO helps your content show up when someone searches on Google, SMO helps that same content get noticed, liked, and shared on social media. When used together, they create a complete system that supports both visibility and engagement.

You will miss out on a lot if you only focus on one thing. If your SEO team performs SEO properly, your brand, your service, or your product will be on top of the search results. On the other hand, social media marketing services will help you keep your brand active. Or, you can say, with SMO, your brand becomes more visible on SM platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn, where your audience hangs out every day.

FAQs

1. Is SEO still relevant in 2025 for Shopify stores?
Yes. Even though AI has come a long way, SEO is still an important part of digital marketing. If you work with a top Shopify SEO agency, you can achieve more than you think. 

2. What’s the main goal of SMO?
With SMO, you can create brand awareness. You can make your brand more visible on social media networks. In other words, with SMO, you stay in front of your audience daily.

3. Can I rely only on social media to grow my business?
Yes. Social media is powerful, but not enough on its own. Platforms change quickly, and reach can drop without warning. This is why you should combine SMO with SEO to give you a safer, more stable growth path.

4. How long does SEO take to show results?
Typically, 3–6 months for noticeable results. It depends on your competition, keywords, and how consistent your efforts are.

5. What’s the cost difference between SEO and SMO services?
SMO usually involves regular content and ads, so the costs can add up monthly. SEO may have high upfront costs (for audits, fixes), but it often delivers long-term ROI without recurring ad spend.