Posts

Showing posts from October, 2020

October 2020 Top 10: Our Most Popular Posts

Since 2005 we've published thousands of articles, webinars, and podcast episodes to, hopefully, help ecommerce merchants. What follows are the most popular articles that we published in October 2020. Articles from early in the month are more likely to make the list than later ones. The post October 2020 Top 10: Our Most Popular Posts appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/35RFsBX

CopySmiths Founder on Content Marketing by the Numbers

Kat McKinnon's agency, CopySmiths, produces hundreds of blog posts per month for, mainly, ecommerce clients. She's developed a formula of sorts for getting those posts ranked in Google's search results. "You need between 1,000 and 1,500 words for a blog article," she told me. "Definitely not 600. Avoid 800, unless you're literally just answering a short question." The post CopySmiths Founder on Content Marketing by the Numbers appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3kLjK8W

Pros and Cons of Composable Commerce

The term "composable commerce" refers to joining multiple components to meet a merchant's specific needs. Example use cases include multiple sales channels, cost control, specialization, and the need for modular construction. The post Pros and Cons of Composable Commerce appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3mzK7ix

Making Purpose Popular: Why This Black-Owned Beverage Brand Pledges 5% of Profits

Image
More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/3e6ysoc

Automobile Sales Are Moving Online

For many consumers, a car or truck is the second largest purchase they will make after buying a home. In July 2020, for example, the average new vehicle price in the United States was $38,378, according to a Kelley Blue Book release. Despite the cost, automobile sales could be moving online. The post Automobile Sales Are Moving Online appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3oDaQfR

6 Ways to Reinvent Customer Delight: Unexpected Extras that Increase Loyalty

Image
Now more than ever, creative gestures can go a long way to bolster customer loyalty. We walk through a few new ways to spark unexpected delight through little extras that will further the connection between your customers and your business. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/2kxibgT

Take the "Selling" Out Of "Upselling": How to Upsell to Customers and Improve the Shopping Experience

Image
  Upselling requires a strategic approach for the best results. Check out our favorite upselling tips and tools to help you grow your bottom line and strengthen your customer relationships. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/35IOW2g

Optimize Facebook Ads with Better Images, Copy

Despite the chatter around its dwindling reach, Facebook remains hugely popular. It has twice the number of users than Instagram, for example, according to Sprout Social. But gaining users’ attention on Facebook via advertising can be difficult. The post Optimize Facebook Ads with Better Images, Copy appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3mu9nqd

My response to negative Amazon reviews

In last month's post, I described instances of giving preference to an Amazon customer rather than one from my own site. I hated that. It is one of the reasons I scaled down my Amazon listings. For me, customer service is paramount. It is one thing an independent retailer can do better than the large box shifters. The post My response to negative Amazon reviews appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/2TrSsbl

To Sell More, Understand Shoppers’ Motives

Does your store sell products or experiences? Think about it for a moment because the two are vastly different. And how you approach shoppers' questions and concerns plays a significant role in closing sales. Focus on what shoppers hope to accomplish with particular products. The post To Sell More, Understand Shoppers’ Motives appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/35Dj3Ij

20 Free Tutorials to Learn WordPress

WordPress is a free content management system to power a simple blog, complex website, or online store. WordPress also supports an active development community that provides instructional tutorials for users at all levels. Here is a list of free tutorials to learn WordPress. The post 20 Free Tutorials to Learn WordPress appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3jxsuhr

Mobile Site Design Impacts Organic Search Rankings

The design of a mobile website impacts its ability to rank in organic search results. Mobile design controls the availability and readability of text, the usability of navigational elements, and even access to entire pages that are critical to organic performance. The post Mobile Site Design Impacts Organic Search Rankings appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/2HEaBQW

Crooks Are Creating Synthetic Shoppers

The ongoing global pandemic has forced the rapid expansion of ecommerce and a general migration toward digital transactions. Unfortunately, Covid-19 also may be fueling an increase in so-called synthetic identity fraud. The post Crooks Are Creating Synthetic Shoppers appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3oqHbXd

Get Ready for Digital-first Credit Cards

In September 2020, Mastercard announced the expansion of its Digital First Card Program. Introduced in 2019, the program is a series of systems, procedures, and technologies that enable credit card info to be downloaded directly to a mobile wallet. The expansion aims to increase awareness and improve access to existing digital card-issuing technology. The post Get Ready for Digital-first Credit Cards appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/2TuJ8n3

Manual Texts Recover 21 Percent of Abandoned Carts, Say LiveRecover Founder

Dennis Hegstad believes the best way to recover abandoned carts is via text messages. But his messages are not automated or bot-driven. Hegstad's company, LiveRecover, sends one-to-one texts from a real person to folks who have left an ecommerce checkout without completing a purchase. The post Manual Texts Recover 21 Percent of Abandoned Carts, Say LiveRecover Founder appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/2Tx3AEd

How to Plan a Creative (and Profitable) Black Friday Cyber Monday Promotion

Image
More than ever, your offer will determine how effective your marketing campaigns are this Black Friday Cyber Monday. The good news is you don’t need to start planning months in advance or slash your prices to have a successful BFCM. With this guide and a few days of planning, you can put together and execute a profitable, creative promotion this holiday shopping season. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/2PHRpns

The Value of Personalized Marketing for Ecommerce

A well-executed personalized marketing program may resemble person-to-person conversations like those a shopper could experience in a brick-and-mortar retail store. It is easy to recognize a genuinely good customer experience when you have it. The post The Value of Personalized Marketing for Ecommerce appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3mi7UDz

Designing Emails to Drive Clicks and Conversions

Email design has evolved to reflect changes in technology and consumer behavior. The goal is to elicit the desired action from the recipient, such as a click or conversion. In this post, I'll address tips on designing high-performing emails for ecommerce. The post Designing Emails to Drive Clicks and Conversions appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3jnfc6S

The Holiday Support Rush Is Already Underway. Here's How to Stay Afloat.

Image
Warm up your support inbox because the holiday rush is underway. Big spikes in the demand for support can really test your systems and processes, but they’re also a tremendous opportunity to make a great first impression and create lifelong customers—so long as you're prepared. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/2jugv8f

Introduction to Google Analytics 4

Google Analytics has come a long way since it launched in 2005. Version 4 is the latest iteration. It enables the blending of online and offline user activity into one reporting stream. The post Introduction to Google Analytics 4 appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/2TfHe9O

How to Launch a Makeup Brand and Sell Online: The Ultimate Guide

Image
The democratization of beauty has opened up an industry once dominated by a few massive brands. And, surprisingly, there’s still room. Trends and niche markets spring up almost daily, ready for the taking. Those with the ability to go quick to market can jump on these trends and fill gaps in the industry. We’ll take you through how to start a makeup line from scratch, with expert advice and real examples from successful beauty brands. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/2t6vfkB

SEO: How to Move Skydivers through the Funnel

What happens when consumers parachute from organic search results and land on the page Google thinks is the most personally relevant? They skip as much as 95 percent of your prepared journey. The post SEO: How to Move Skydivers through the Funnel appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/2TaEvhV

20 Free Courses to Advance Your Design Skills

Here is a list of free, online design courses. There are courses on design thinking, web design, graphic design, user experience design, logo design, color theory, and more. Some of the courses are multi-class programs, while others are short tutorials. The post 20 Free Courses to Advance Your Design Skills appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3dGrK8e

Building A Niche Board Games Business By Crowdfuding A Million Dollars

Image
When Dan Blacklock saw that there wasn’t a convenient way to store and display board games, he began prototyping modular and adjustable shelves. After Dan successfully crowdfunded over $1 million on Kickstarted and CrowdOx, he began building BoxThrone as the go-to business for board game storage. In this episode of Shopify Masters, we chat with Dan about crowdfunding, SEO, and customer experience. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/35dAA9U

Winners on Prime Day 2020? Non-Amazon Sites

Amazon’s delayed 2020 Prime Day event ran for two days — October 13 and 14 — as it did last year. While it does not release total revenue for Prime Day, Amazon touted in 2019 that Prime Day sales exceeded the prior year’s Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales combined. This year Amazon did not make such a claim. The post Winners on Prime Day 2020? Non-Amazon Sites appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/2T7Tfya

A Practical Guide to Starting an Ecommerce Business

There is no single formula for starting an ecommerce business. The process is pragmatic rather than theoretical. In this guide, I'm going to address how to start a successful ecommerce business. Each section may inspire you to take further action, such as reading an article, studying a book, or examining a tool. The sections are not steps to be done in order, but rather concepts to consider. The post A Practical Guide to Starting an Ecommerce Business appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3o42VYO

For Omnichannel Retailers, Hedgehogs Beat Foxes

In his 2001 book "Good to Great," author and researcher Jim Collins sought to explain "why some companies make the leap [from good to great] and others don't." His answer plays out over about 300 pages, and it includes the Hedgehog Concept. The post For Omnichannel Retailers, Hedgehogs Beat Foxes appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/37lUZft

‘Gated’ Product Launch Leads to $250,000 in 1-day Sales

Jordan West launched Little & Lively, a direct-to-consumer children's apparel company, with his wife, Carmen, six years ago in Canada. The business has grown to mid-seven-figures in revenue selling through its website, mostly. He's a master at creating demand for his products before they are available for purchase. The post ‘Gated’ Product Launch Leads to $250,000 in 1-day Sales appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3iZ5d7K

Side Hustles: How to Find Yours and Make an Extra $1,000 A Month (And More)

Image
Th e best side hustles help you build a business for yourself. Here are the 10 most profitable side hustle ideas you can make money from today. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/2Y1xxkn

Plan for the 2020 Holiday Shopping Season: 10 Ways to Prepare for Shipping Demands

Image
Whether it’s Black Friday, Cyber Monday, or the holiday season, an influx of sales means lots of orders to ship. Here’s your complete guide to shipping during a rush. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/2yVVYAr

Ecommerce Product Releases: October 15, 2020

Here is a list of product releases and updates for mid-October from companies that offer services to online merchants. There are updates on voice commerce, social commerce, customer-support texting, cybersecurity, on-demand fulfillment, and holiday shipping. The post Ecommerce Product Releases: October 15, 2020 appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/31crQj7

Getting Unstuck: What to Do When You Don't Know What to Do

Image
Once they start, entrepreneurs have a hard time stopping.  But that doesn’t mean they never get stuck . The good news is that "feeling stuck" doesn't mean staying stuck. In many ways, it’s what entrepreneurs do in these moments when they don’t know what to do—their resourcefulness—that defines them. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/2SUuNA6

Using TikTok to Generate 15,000 Sales in One Day

Image
When Erico Frezza was 29, he started experiencing severe adult acne and took matters into his own hands. Meticulously researching for the next three years, Enrico launched Peace Out Skincare and its first product, the Acne Healing Dot. In this episode of Shopify Masters, we chat with Erico on the skincare product development process, the benefits of using SMS marketing, and how they created a viral sales-generating TikTok video. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/36VPsfz

8 Marketplaces for Themes, Templates, Plugins

Themes, templates, and plugins can simplify the creation and customization of a website. Here is a list of marketplaces to access themes, templates, and plugins. Several of these marketplaces also offer other digital assets, such as graphics, fonts, and videos to create and customize a website. The post 8 Marketplaces for Themes, Templates, Plugins appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3dizJYU

Content Marketing Should Mimic Publishing, Broadcasting

The best content marketing is so good, so useful, so entertaining that it holds an audience's attention like a good newspaper, magazine, or TV show. The process, however, can require a substantial commitment. The post Content Marketing Should Mimic Publishing, Broadcasting appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/33SbXji

Can Walmart+ Compete with Amazon Prime?

Walmart launched its premium subscription Walmart+ on September 15. The service offers unlimited free deliveries on orders over $35, up to a five-cent per gallon discount on gas at Walmart and Murphy fuel stations (Sam’s Club stations will be added shortly), and scan-and-go purchasing at any of its physical stores. The post Can Walmart+ Compete with Amazon Prime? appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/33OajPX

How to Implement a Return Policy That's a Win for Both You and Your Customers

Image
Returns, refunds, and exchanges are all a part of selling online. But with a well-crafted return policy and a system to handle requests, you can encourage new shoppers to buy from you and turn dreaded return requests into repeat business. Here’s how. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/325mip3

Native Deodorant Founder on Scaling to $100 Million in 2 Years

Despite reaching a whopping $100 million in revenue in just two years, Moiz Ali, the founder of Native deodorant, says the initial version was less than stellar. "We had a pretty mediocre product," Ali told me. "We understood that people were looking for [aluminum-free deodorant] and were willing to pay a higher price point for it." The post Native Deodorant Founder on Scaling to $100 Million in 2 Years appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/2Gxx2XL

Feedback from Shoppers Is Gold

A product question from a shopper is an opportunity. Consumer inquiries provide critical keyword search terms. They also help you understand your audience's vernacular to include in product descriptions, calls to action, and checkout funnels. The post Feedback from Shoppers Is Gold appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/36Mls5u

Amazon Best Sellers in the Home Office Furniture Category

The demand for home office furniture has exploded since the beginning of the pandemic. Given how many companies are considering making remote work permanent, the "Home Office Furniture" category on Amazon is worth looking at closely. The post Amazon Best Sellers in the Home Office Furniture Category appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/36Lw4lq

Shopping Ads on Google: What Every New Seller Ought to Know

Image
Shopping ads are some of the most clicked ads Google has to offer. Regardless of your budget or desire to actively manage campaigns, there is a path to success for you with Shopping Ads. Learn how to craft the perfect shopping feed. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/34z080D

Privacy Concerns Will Increase the Value of Content Marketing

Increased emphasis on personal privacy, particularly with changes to Apple's Identifier for Advertisers and the probability of cookie-less browsers in the near future, could increase the need for content marketing. The post Privacy Concerns Will Increase the Value of Content Marketing appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3lpsEsG

The Founder’s Zodiac: What Inspires You to Build, Create, and Grow?

Image
What inspires you to get up every day and dedicate your life to your big idea? Is it the promise of financial freedom, passion for a cause, or something else? We all have different motivations for starting a business—and for sticking with it—even through the bumps. And, well, 2020 has been bumpy . This month, stargazers, we’re navigating inspiration, and the things that make us look, leap, and persevere. Take our quiz and learn how to get inspired as an entrepreneur, based on your personality type. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/2GvGo6c

How 20 Leading Brands Use Facebook to Engage Audiences

According to its March 31 quarter-end results, Facebook has 2.60 billion monthly active users and 1.73 billion daily active users. For brands, Facebook can be a place to engage and inspire. Here is a list of brands that have successfully grown audiences on Facebook. The post How 20 Leading Brands Use Facebook to Engage Audiences appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3d5CUTR

7 Tips for Building a 7-Figure Business

Image
Fashion meets function is at the heart of Klassy Network. Founder Natalie Rogers turned a personal need for stylish glasses that filtered out blue light from screens into a seven-figure business. In this episode of Shopify Masters, we chat with Natalie on the seven tips she has for building a seven-figure business. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/3lenQWM

Finding Specialized Help in the Shopify Experts Marketplace

Image
As a small business owner, you're the expert on your business. But it can be challenging to also be an expert on everything that goes into setting up and growing your business. That's why the Shopify Experts Marketplace exists: to help connect you with highly-skilled professionals who can work with you to bring your business to the next level. In this article, learn how to use the Experts Marketplace to grow your business. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/3njERkc

‘Domain Age Impacts Rankings’ (and 8 Other SEO Myths)

Many myths surround the complex signals that search engines use to determine organic rankings. In this post, I'll debunk nine such myths and share the four factors that matter. The post ‘Domain Age Impacts Rankings’ (and 8 Other SEO Myths) appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3njVI6w

5 Content Marketing Ideas for November 2020

The U.S. presidential election, family-oriented observances, blogging, and even entrepreneurship are all good topics for your business's content marketing in November 2020. Content marketing is the act of creating or curating content, publishing that content, and promoting it with the aim of attracting, engaging, and retaining customers. The post 5 Content Marketing Ideas for November 2020 appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3itwzCR

Google Ads Decreases Search Terms Visibility

In early September, Google Ads announced that the search terms report would disclose fewer user queries. The explanation from Google is to "maintain our standards of privacy and strengthen our protections around user data." The search terms report allows you to see the actual queries from users. The post Google Ads Decreases Search Terms Visibility appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/2EYntjC

How to Use Ecommerce Packaging to Create a Memorable Unboxing Experience

Image
For ecommerce businesses, the shipped package represents the most direct touch point and connection with a customer. It also happens to be one of the most underused marketing opportunities. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/2Hhc3pZ

Real Men Wear Makeup, Says DTC Co-founder

Jon Shanahan wants men to wear makeup. He's a co-founder of Stryx, a direct-to-consumer manufacturer of concealer and tinted moisturizer for males. The company launched in 2017. Shanahan joined shortly afterward, having created his male grooming channel on YouTube. The post Real Men Wear Makeup, Says DTC Co-founder appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3cQPIgJ

ABC Analysis: What to Do With Your Best and Worst Performing Stock

Image
Find out what to do with your best and worst stocks for maximum profitability and sales. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/34ggXNR

Ecommerce Product Releases: October 1, 2020

Here is a list of product releases and updates for late-September from companies that offer services to online merchants. There are updates on social commerce, AI marketing, live streaming, personalization, conversational commerce, and installment payments. The post Ecommerce Product Releases: October 1, 2020 appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3jjs5zK