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Showing posts from July, 2021

Entrepreneur Loses $6 Million, Bounces Back

Shakil Prasla recently made a big mistake. An astute ecommerce operator and owner, Prasla purchased in late 2020 Covid-related protective gloves at roughly twice the ultimate selling price. His company, Gloves.com, lost $6 million. The post Entrepreneur Loses $6 Million, Bounces Back appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3lcHd5O

Investment Robust in Retail, Ecommerce Technology

The pandemic has posed obstacles for both brick-and-mortar and online merchants. Among the challenges are labor shortages, inventory problems, delivery conundrums, and the need for more personalization. New providers are addressing those needs, and venture capitalists and other investors are eager to fund them. The post Investment Robust in Retail, Ecommerce Technology appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3x7oZVz

Organic Marketing Ideas for Entrepreneurs on a Shoestring Budget

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Lacking capital to run paid ads? You don’t need a big marketing budget to promote your business. Learn ways to promote your online store on a budget when you have ample grit and drive. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/2V2C05P

Getting Investors to Buy Your Inventory

When it comes to funding inventory, retail businesses can be creative, using loans, credit cards, supplier terms, and even advances from family. Whatever the method, raising the money can be a challenge. The post Getting Investors to Buy Your Inventory appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3ybFRMp

Shopify’s Entrepreneur-in-Residence: 'No, Influencer Marketing Isn’t Overhyped'

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David Gaylord is a former chief of staff at Shopify who now serves as Shopify’s Entrepreneur-in-Residence. His main hustle is scaling his company, Bushbalm. As his business has grown, David has learned a few counterintuitive lessons about influencer marketing—and today, he's sharing them with us. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/3zH4Xmz

4 Favorite Blogs from Ecommerce Companies

Publishing a blog on an ecommerce site builds community, creates trust, and gives consumers a reason to return. Sales would likely follow. But online merchants with long-term, quality blogs are rare. What follows are four of my favorites. The post 4 Favorite Blogs from Ecommerce Companies appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3f3bEHN

Bigger Is Not Always Better: Why This Indigenous-Led Business Isn’t Interested in World Domination

For founders Destiny and Kelsey, Bangin’ Bannock is more than a bag of flour dry mix. It’s a way to create conversation, connection, and community”—Indigenous values that trace back millennia. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/3BNfcYn

Influencer Marketing, Part 4: Choosing Social Networks

Social networks are the primary channels of influencer marketing campaigns. Knowing who you're trying to influence is the first step in choosing the network. The post Influencer Marketing, Part 4: Choosing Social Networks appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3iRbOmz

The Full-funnel Product Detail Page

Once found only at the bottom of a sales funnel, the ecommerce product detail page is evolving to address the entire buyer journey, from awareness to sale. Consider a free theme on Shopify called "Simple." Its product detail pages are sales-focused, with eight sections. The post The Full-funnel Product Detail Page appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3fgu5Jl

15 Analytics Plugins for WordPress

With the right analytics plugin, a WordPress merchant can track prospects and customers, get advanced stats to improve site performance, and fix what’s broken. Here is a list of analytics plugins for WordPress. The post 15 Analytics Plugins for WordPress appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3zATBAr

A Scientist’s Approach to Hydration—and Recurring Revenue

from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/2UMuBYk

How to Advertise on Snapchat: A Complete Guide for 2021

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Want to connect with Gen Z shoppers and drive mobile sales? Learn how to run engaging Snapchat ads that find new customers, plus tips and examples from brands doing it right. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/3kQ6rXA

Setting up an Accessible Shopify Store

Ecommerce has come a long way in accommodating consumers with disabilities. I've addressed over the years many accessibility aspects of online shopping, from screen readers to lawsuits. Shopify, the focus of this post, is a rare ecommerce platform that supplies Voluntary Product Accessibility Templates. The post Setting up an Accessible Shopify Store appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/36WNNoz

Keyword Sleuthing, Freelancers Propel Niche Publisher

Merchants know that content marketing can engage and retain customers. However, identifying a topic that prospects want to consume — read, watch, listen — and then producing it is often difficult. But not for Kyle Boureston. The post Keyword Sleuthing, Freelancers Propel Niche Publisher appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3BC9Z5u

Amazon’s Review System Is Not Broken

Amazon’s review model has been through many upgrades and bolt-ons. For several years it was easy for sellers to buy reviews and entice customers to leave 5-star feedback. No more. The post Amazon’s Review System Is Not Broken appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3rzPDW3

6 Things to Do before Selling an Ecommerce Business

When it comes time to sell your ecommerce business, you may find you are not fully prepared for prospective buyers or your business isn't the smooth running machine you thought. The individuals considering your company may be looking for a new source of income or an addition to a portfolio of related businesses. These prospective buyers need assurances and info, to evaluate the potential. The post 6 Things to Do before Selling an Ecommerce Business appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3kGsbVL

Customer Acquisition: If the Math Doesn't Work, Your Marketing Doesn't Work

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If you want to grow your business consistently and profitably, you need to think of customer acquisition not as an outcome but as a process .  Here's an in-depth look at how to calculate customer acquisition cost and seven strategies to test.  More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/2JBqQfZ

The Overlooked Benefit of B2B Ecommerce

An oft-overlooked benefit of B2B ecommerce tools is the value to internal sales and customer service teams. Both gain efficiencies from digital tools, resulting in happier customers that spend more money. Ecommerce gives users — internal and external — the ability to help themselves. The post The Overlooked Benefit of B2B Ecommerce appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3Br8K9m

20+ Small Business Lending Statistics (Plus How to Choose the Right Financing Option For You)

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Looking to finance your small business but don't know where to start? This comprehensive guide explores every financing option available to small businesses, including the advantages and disadvantages of each type of loan) We even share 20+ statistics about approval rates and loan sizes to help you make the right decision for your business.  More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/3BlMY6R

Combining Data from Google Analytics and Other Sources

Google Analytics provides data from a website or app on engagement, conversions, and transactions. However, many online merchants need data from other sources, such as search engines, social media, affiliates, and more. Some of these sources can be connected or imported into Google Analytics. Others cannot. The post Combining Data from Google Analytics and Other Sources appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3BjYwrf

The Science Behind Building a Profitable Business

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In this episode of Shopify Masters, John Cascarano, lawyer turned serial entrepreneur shares his methodical process of building businesses and how offering customization and gifting helps to scale businesses. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/2W1n8VD

16 Tools to Manage Your Reputation

Reputation management is essential for any brand. Your company's future may depend on what’s been said about it in posts, comments, reviews, and rankings. Fortunately, there are affordable tools to help. Here is a list of tools to manage your brand’s reputation. The post 16 Tools to Manage Your Reputation appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3zaT3kC

What’s the Future of Social Media Advertising?

Many businesses recognize the need for social media advertising. But describing social media ads is a bit like counting raindrops in a thunderstorm. The trends are many, fast-moving, and often gone in a flash. At least one industry practitioner believes social advertising is growing in acceptance despite tracking concerns. The post What’s the Future of Social Media Advertising? appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/36Od3xg

6 Steps to Prepare Email Marketing for iOS 15

Apple's iOS 15 release this fall will likely change email marketing. Among the updates is the ability for Apple Mail users to load external images privately, thereby blocking email marketing platforms from tracking opens. I addressed the release last month. The post 6 Steps to Prepare Email Marketing for iOS 15 appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3BlTmuG

Sustainable Packaging Is a Competitive Advantage

Consumers concerned about waste in landfills and oceans are demanding sustainable product packaging. Environmentally responsible packaging can be just as cost-effective as conventional methods but may require a change in thinking. The post Sustainable Packaging Is a Competitive Advantage appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3kwu3Ao

Hustle Exec: Ecommerce Firms Should Acquire Content Providers

Adam Ryan joined The Hustle in August 2016, four months after its launch. He was a part-time employee responsible for generating advertising revenue. By February 2021, when HubSpot acquired it, he was president. Ryan is now an investor and consultant, advising companies on content strategies that engage prospects. The post Hustle Exec: Ecommerce Firms Should Acquire Content Providers appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3krwCU4

Ecommerce Product Releases: July 15, 2021

Here is a list of product releases and updates for mid-July from companies that offer services to online merchants. There are updates on live-streaming marketplaces, payment services, social commerce, headless commerce, customer experience, multichannel fulfillment, and holiday marketing. The post Ecommerce Product Releases: July 15, 2021 appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3knJLhc

Need More from Pay-per-click Ads? Try Planning

Pay-per-click advertising is essential for many ecommerce and omnichannel retailers. Google, Facebook, and other ad platforms have made it easy to set up a campaign. PPC success, however, often depends on careful planning and preparation, not rushing out to place ads. The post Need More from Pay-per-click Ads? Try Planning appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3eEY5hJ

Introducing Shopify Inbox: Easily Manage Conversations So You Can Turn More Browsers Into Buyers

Turn chat conversations into cart checkouts. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/36HwebW

How Wood Wood Toys Uses Shopify Inbox to Differentiate and Win Sales

from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/3xHybB3

Online Shopping, Post Covid, Retains Consumers

Covid-19 brought a huge increase in online shopping. Many consumers became online shoppers for the first time. It appears that they will continue to rely on ecommerce for a myriad of items. Second-quarter 2021 results demonstrate that online shopping is holding on to much of its gains. The post Online Shopping, Post Covid, Retains Consumers appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3ehO5dW

Craft Your Own Future: 10 DIY Business Ideas

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Exploring your creativity has many benefits—and may even spark a business idea. Once you’ve found and perfected your craft, you can diversify your income by selling handmade goods in your spare time. Browse our picks for 2021’s hottest crafts, or take our quiz to get tailored ideas for crafts to make and sell, based on your creative profile. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/3yWfZUy

Shop Tests Search to Improve Brand Rediscovery, Available To Eligible Merchants In Beta

from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/2UbsNYq

Understanding Dynamic Search Ads in 2021

Ecommerce sites often have hundreds or thousands of product pages. Creating keyword-based ads in Google for each page is laborious and sometimes impractical. That's the purpose of dynamic search ads. Advertisers can tell Google which pages and themes to target on their sites, and Google will dynamically show ads for those targets from relevant search queries. The post Understanding Dynamic Search Ads in 2021 appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3B06aa0

How Many YouTube Subscribers Does It Take to Make Six Figures?

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In this episode of Shopify Masters, Keya James of Tailored Beauty shares her self-taught process of scaling beyond six figures and gaining retail partnerships like Wal-Mart. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/3ee1W4V

How to Track Profit from Products, Customers

Unit economics provides ecommerce and omnichannel retailers with foundational intelligence that can identify break-even points and long-term sustainability. As the name implies, unit economics focuses on the value a single "unit" represents for the business. This unit can either be a product or a customer. Each of these reveals different, actionable information. The post How to Track Profit from Products, Customers appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3ebLHFv

275 Free, Responsive Email Templates

Whether you’re sending out a newsletter, welcome message, product announcement, or holiday greetings, there are plenty of customizable email templates to match your brand and design on any device. Here is a list of responsive email templates. The post 275 Free, Responsive Email Templates appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3yIHZuI

The State of Cannabis Payments in U.S.

How does the cannabis industry flourish when it is banned by federal law, shunned by the credit card networks, and rejected by most banks? How do cannabis retailers accept payments when credit cards and merchant accounts are unavailable? I'll examine those questions and more in this post. The post The State of Cannabis Payments in U.S. appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/2U0XoYP

Happiness, not Profit, Drives Grasshopper Founder

Having sold Grasshopper, the virtual phone service, for $175 million in 2015, David Hauser assessed his priorities. Grasshopper was his third launch and exit, following ReturnPath (email services) and Chargify (subscription management). The post Happiness, not Profit, Drives Grasshopper Founder appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3htl150

How AI Powers Distribution, Logistics

Artificial intelligence is a list of instructions and rules that a computer needs to complete a task. Ecommerce examples include site search, product recommendations, and chatbots — all increasingly rely on AI. But the distribution and logistics industries use AI, too. The post How AI Powers Distribution, Logistics appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3yDzh16

CommerceCo Recap: A Process for SEO Link-building

Link building could be the most daunting search engine optimization task. It requires near equal portions of research, creativity, and outreach resembling cold calls. It's also critical for prominent organic search rankings. The post CommerceCo Recap: A Process for SEO Link-building appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3qWKZRJ

Recovering A Shopify Store That Lost Over 90% Of It’s Traffic

We recently took on a client with a Shopify store that was hit with a massive penalty in the Google 2020 Core Update . The site lost over 90% of it’s traffic and decimated revenue from organic traffic. How We Are Recovering The Site! While it certainly looked daunting, we are now seeing the first signs of a recovery and individual keywords are coming back, as is traffic. In the following video I discuss the approach we’ve taken and how we’re executing it.  It’s not out of the woods yet, but the signs are promising! We also have another article on recovering a site from the same update. SHOPIFYX SEO V2 COURSE ShopifyX SEO V2 - The most comprehensive Shopify SEO course on the planet. Over 100 modules of deep, actionable content to drive free Google traffic to your store. get started The post Recovering A Shopify Store That Lost Over 90% Of It’s Traffic appeared first on EcomX SEO - Shopify SEO Services & Courses . from EcomX S

How to Save Entrepreneurship

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Entrepreneurship is an age-old profession. We can’t let it fade away. We need more people in the garage, in the kitchen, in the evenings, making the world better for others and themselves. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/3yuOlxV

Online Grocery Lessons from Covid-19

Covid-19 greatly changed the grocery industry, perhaps more than any retail sector. Years of projected evolution occurred in three months as the pandemic altered consumers' lives. eMarketer now estimates that 12.4% of total U.S. grocery sales in 2021 will be online. The post Online Grocery Lessons from Covid-19 appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3dSNFub

The Founder’s Zodiac: How to Spark Great Ideas, Based on Your Personality Type

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If that one big idea is the only barrier between you and the life you’ve always wanted, roll up your sleeves. It’s time to do the work! Ideas might strike like lightning when you least expect it, but often they need to be actively summoned. How you best come up with business ideas will depend on your personality type. Take the quiz to discover ideation strategies picked just for you. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/3hnq2fm

11 Platforms for Headless Commerce

Headless commerce separates the frontend from the backend of a brand's web presence, in an API-first architecture. Headless technology can provide significant advantages in design and performance. Here is a list of platforms that facilitate a headless approach for ecommerce merchants. The post 11 Platforms for Headless Commerce appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3xlvCVl

Policy Pages, Done Well, Enhance a Brand

Shoppers search an online store's policy pages for details on shipping, returns, and more. Rarely are these vital pages engaging. But they should be. The post Policy Pages, Done Well, Enhance a Brand appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3hHEwWs

What’s That Scent? The YouTube Creator Who Scaled an 8-Figure Fragrance Company

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In This episode of Shopify Masters, Kamil Banc shares with us how he and his brother Jeremy Fragrance pre-sold one million in sales before launching a fragrance, what it takes to transition from influencer to business owner, and the intricacies of working with family. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/3xjmfpe

5 Content Marketing Ideas for August 2021

In August 2021, ecommerce and omnichannel retailers have many topics to choose from for content marketing, including back-to-school shopping guides, informative ebooks, MTV's 40th birthday, presidential jokes, and items with an international flavor. The post 5 Content Marketing Ideas for August 2021 appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3hhSfV3

Work Less, Make More: 11 Passive Income Ideas to Long-Term Build Wealth

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Tired of trading your time for money? Passive income is your road to financial freedom. Learn 11 tried-and-true strategies that build wealth and generate income in the background. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/3hhaLwF

Ecommerce Product Releases: July 4, 2021

Here is a list of product releases and updates for late-June from companies that offer services to online merchants. There are updates on social commerce, subscription newsletters, payment solutions, email marketing, live-video shopping, last-mile deliveries, and drop shipping. The post Ecommerce Product Releases: July 4, 2021 appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/2TCvbqV

Entrepreneur’s Eczema Inspires New Skincare Company

Felipe Correa is a pro at product development, custom manufacturing, and logistics. He also knows much about skin lotions, as he had eczema when young. And it's his frustrations with eczema that inspired Goodspread, a direct-to-consumer seller of skincare products that launched on June 7. The post Entrepreneur’s Eczema Inspires New Skincare Company appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3694nl2

Tired of Banks Turning You Down? Try This Instead

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The search for business financing can be endlessly frustrating. Is crowdfunding the answer? Kickstarter and Indiegogo can work well—especially if you can offer great rewards and are really good at online marketing. But there's another way to raise money from the crowd that require neither.    More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/2SEOwHx

Shopify Announces Online Store 2.0, More

During its "Unite" event on June 29, Shopify announced significant changes to its ecommerce platform aimed at performance, ease of use, and empowering developers. The company also announced a new revenue-sharing model, giving app and theme creators 100% of revenue up to $1 million each year. The post Shopify Announces Online Store 2.0, More appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/2Tnvg1H