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Showing posts from August, 2021

Unpack the features of Dawn, Shopify’s flexible, mobile-first theme

Everything you need to know about Shopify’s latest theme. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/3mPscb8

August 2021 Top 10: Our Most Popular Posts

Our mission since 2005 is to publish independent content to help ecommerce merchants. What follows are the 10 most popular articles that we published in August 2021. Articles from early in the month are more likely to make the list than later ones. The post August 2021 Top 10: Our Most Popular Posts appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3jvQmp1

Ecommerce Product Releases: August 31, 2021

Here is a list of product releases and updates for late August from companies that offer services to online merchants. There are updates on social commerce, cybersecurity, global tax management, omnichannel advertising, and buy now, pay later. The post Ecommerce Product Releases: August 31, 2021 appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3kJ9L59

Snacking on 7-Figures: How FireCreek Snacks Escaped Bankruptcy and Pivoted Online

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In this episode of Shopify Masters, we chat with Dustin Riechmann of FireCreek Snacks. Dustin shares how the company moved online, escaped bankruptcy, and found ideal partnerships for expansion. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/3yGfg9P

5 Ways Apple’s Email Privacy Impacts Marketing

As early as September 2021, Apple's mobile email apps may hide a recipient's internet protocol address, making it difficult or impossible to measure open rates and track user behavior. The post 5 Ways Apple’s Email Privacy Impacts Marketing appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3kz4IEl

20 Free Web Design Tools from Summer 2021

Here is a list of new web tools and design elements that can enhance an ecommerce site. There are page builders, design collaboration tools, gradient generators, video apps, coding tools, fonts, and more. All are free, though some also offer premium versions as well. The post 20 Free Web Design Tools from Summer 2021 appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3DvmTDp

Quora and Reddit: Dos and Don’ts for Ecommerce Marketers

Quora and Reddit provide opportunities for merchants to engage with prospects while demonstrating expertise. I'll offer tips for using both platforms in this post. The post Quora and Reddit: Dos and Don’ts for Ecommerce Marketers appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3jqWbnC

Hyve Founder: Bacteria Is Helpful for Home Cleaning

Shreya Patel is a biologist and healthcare administrator who seeks to change how folks clean their home. Products that kill bacteria do more harm than good, she says. And that's why she launched Hyve, a direct-to-consumer seller of household cleaning goods. The post Hyve Founder: Bacteria Is Helpful for Home Cleaning appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3jkPTFS

Selling Like Hotcakes: 13 Profitable Food Business Ideas for 2021

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If you’ve decided to get into the food business as a first-time merchant, it’s a great choice—but you’re probably left wondering what comes next. With so many possibilities, the options are endless, but we’ve put together a few ideas to get you started. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/3sN6CVy

Last-mile Delivery Attracts New Services, Providers

With the holiday shopping season approaching, retailers and carriers are rolling out new delivery services. Smaller third-party providers are also entering the market, as last-mile delivery remains the most troublesome part of the package handling process. The post Last-mile Delivery Attracts New Services, Providers appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/2UOzxvI

‘Five Forces’ That Make or Break Consumer Brands

Creating a consumer brand involves identifying competitive advantages, gaps, and unmet needs. But how is that done? One solution is Michael E. Porter's five competitive forces. The post ‘Five Forces’ That Make or Break Consumer Brands appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3mB7v2s

Product Photography, Part 3: Artificial Lighting Basics

Quality product photography has less to do with a camera and lenses and more with lighting and its use. Thus if you're looking to improve product photos, learn about proper lighting. This is the third post in my series on helping ecommerce merchants take better product photos. The post Product Photography, Part 3: Artificial Lighting Basics appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/2WoCDXE

Ask an Expert: Is Disavowing Spammy Backlinks Still Necessary for SEO?

“Ask an Expert” is an occasional feature where we pose questions to ecommerce practitioners. For this installment, we’ve turned to Bill Sebald, a longtime search engine optimizer, who addresses the effect of low-grade or spammy inbound links on organic search rankings. The post Ask an Expert: Is Disavowing Spammy Backlinks Still Necessary for SEO? appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/2Ws7iDT

Like a Glove: How Mack Weldon Found Its Fit in DTC Menswear

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In this episode of Shopify Masters, we chat with Brian Berger, the founder and CEO of Mack Weldon, the menswear brand sold directly to consumers. Brian shares with us the strategies behind a sold out launch and how to identify the right partners for your business. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/3kl6atS

9 Ways to Reduce Customer Acquisition Costs

Customer acquisition costs can make or break an ecommerce business. Spending too little could result in no new customers. Spending too much could bankrupt the company. Computing the CAC is straightforward: divide total promotional costs by the number of new customers. The post 9 Ways to Reduce Customer Acquisition Costs appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/2XGTAxe

10 Moments In “Born For Business” That Had Us Rooting For Entrepreneurship

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Born For Business is a docuseries chronicling the lives of four entrepreneurs with disabilities. We binged the whole thing and we’ve got thoughts and feelings on the top moments that had us rooting for the cast and their journeys. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/3yfoitY

23 Search Engine Alternatives to Google

Google Search dominates global search with a market share of approximately 90%. However, alternative search engines offer many benefits, such as enhanced privacy, niche content and users, and new growth areas. Here is a list of alternative search engines. The post 23 Search Engine Alternatives to Google appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3kf5R3z

How to Start a Successful Podcast for Ecommerce

A podcast can help with customer acquisition and retention. It can provide reusable content. And it's one of the simplest ways to launch content marketing. As with any marketing effort, podcasting is a process to be planned and executed, starting with clear objectives. The post How to Start a Successful Podcast for Ecommerce appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3B6ZSot

Apparel Merchant Is the ‘Godfather of Memewear’

Ardon Lukas wore a shirt to this interview from his online apparel store, Shirtwascash. It was a velvet tank top with a photo of Elon Musk smoking marijuana during a podcast. "I see my role as broadening people's perspectives," he told me. The post Apparel Merchant Is the ‘Godfather of Memewear’ appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3AZsWy8

The Essentials of High-performing Emails

Creative content is the cornerstone of a successful email campaign, driving opens, clicks, and purchases. In this post, I'll review the essential creative components of high-performing campaigns. The post The Essentials of High-performing Emails appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3mizofC

Shopper Privacy Could Boost Contextual Ad Targeting

Consumer privacy concerns could prompt advertisers to find alternatives to tracking-and-behavior-based ads, giving contextual targeting a boost. Contextual targeting is not new, although it's becoming more sophisticated. It is based on a tried and true concept: Place your ad next to relevant content. The post Shopper Privacy Could Boost Contextual Ad Targeting appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3y1M1xM

Smart Lockers Are Upending Parcel Delivery

The growth in ecommerce has fueled the demand for sophisticated delivery options. Consumers are not always at home or at work to accept packages. Many seek contactless alternatives. Smart lockers are fueling much of the innovation in parcel pick-up. The post Smart Lockers Are Upending Parcel Delivery appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3szWfnR

Product Photography, Part 2: Selecting Tripods

How do you create flawless product photos? It's often as simple as using the right tripod. A tripod allows you to level horizontal lines and keep your camera fixed and steady during shoots. This is the second post in my series aimed at helping ecommerce merchants take better product photos. The post Product Photography, Part 2: Selecting Tripods appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3AUF2bT

15 Tools to Protect Content from Theft, Plagiarism

If you publish original content on the web, there’s a good chance you’ve encountered pirates stealing and reposting your text, images, or video. Here is a list of tools to help protect and defend your original content. The post 15 Tools to Protect Content from Theft, Plagiarism appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3jVZXUW

Lifecycle Marketing in Practice

Lifecycle marketing connects a business and its customers, providing the proper communications at the proper time. Done well, it helps retain buyers and provide a better overall shopping experience. Instead of thinking about lifecycle marketing as email or text messages, view it as a relationship. The post Lifecycle Marketing in Practice appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3yQUvsE

Influencer Marketing, Part 5: Choosing Influencers

Choosing an influencer is everything. The right spokesperson can yield big profits. The wrong one can bring disaster. This post is "Part 5" in my influencer marketing series. I've covered what it is, why to use it, setting goals, and picking the right channel. Now it is time to choose influencers. The post Influencer Marketing, Part 5: Choosing Influencers appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/2VW3gDp

Ecommerce Product Releases: August 15, 2021

Here is a list of product releases and updates from mid-August from companies that offer services to online merchants. There are updates on branded mobile apps, headless commerce, small business grants, purchase protection, acquisitions of Amazon sellers, and buy-now-pay-later purchasing. The post Ecommerce Product Releases: August 15, 2021 appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/37KYsmU

‘Intrepreneurship’ Has Rewards, Says Company Founder

Bryan DeLuca has a name for folks who build brands within large corporations. He calls them "intrepreneurs." He should know. Having co-founded and then sold a successful ecommerce business, DeLuca worked for a traditional retailer, creating brands within the company. The post ‘Intrepreneurship’ Has Rewards, Says Company Founder appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3AIwpAK

The Road to Success: Business Plan Examples to Inspire Your Own

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Suffering from writer’s block when it comes to your business plan? Check out these examples for inspiration. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/3CJr1iY

The Entrepreneur's Guide to Small Business Finance

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Funding is one of the most important financial choices you’ll make in your business. Learn about your small business financing options, plus essential small business finance skills for successful entrepreneurs, including building a budget, tracking spending, and creating financial statements that are easy to understand. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/2U0CMuB

Is Your Supply Chain Vulnerable?

The combination of pandemic lockdowns and rising freight prices has forced some companies to focus on supply chain vulnerabilities. Many commerce businesses have experienced some form of supply chain disruption in the past 18 months. The post Is Your Supply Chain Vulnerable? appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3CFQY2P

Driven by Covid-19, India’s Ecommerce Surges

Owing to its large population, India has always been an attractive ecommerce market, even if a relatively small percentage of its residents have access to the internet or adequate income. But ecommerce is now surging in India. The post Driven by Covid-19, India’s Ecommerce Surges appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/2VFKKiS

Charts: Plastic Waste from Ecommerce Is Flooding the World

In a seminal report titled "Amazon's Plastic Problem Revealed," Oceana, a nonprofit ocean-advocacy organization, described the amount of plastic packaging waste generated worldwide by ecommerce generally and Amazon specifically. "Amazon has a plastic problem," the report stated. The post Charts: Plastic Waste from Ecommerce Is Flooding the World appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3xCyGvE

15 Mobile Payment Systems for Merchants

Mobile payment systems provide flexibility to consumers and merchants while unifying online and offline operations. Here is a list of mobile payment services for merchants. There are point-of-sale systems, digital wallets, mobile hardware, software for mobile and web applications, and more. The post 15 Mobile Payment Systems for Merchants appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3CBSzGX

The Recipe for Differentiation in the Crowded Nutrition Industry

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In this episode of Shopify Masters, we chat with Albert Matheny, the founder of Promix. Albert shares how Promix started as a way to solve the problems he identified in the nutrition space and the lessons he’s learned from building a business from scratch. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/37Asn0M

Ecommerce Conversion Rates beyond the Averages

The percentage of visitors that convert to paying customers helps businesses track the performance of marketing campaigns, landing pages, design and navigation, and the checkout process. Email signups, survey responses, and social media shares are important conversions, too. The post Ecommerce Conversion Rates beyond the Averages appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/2Xcys1K

CommerceCo Recap: Winning the Digital Shelf

Consumers with access to physical stores, ecommerce sites, online marketplaces, apps, and social selling seek consistent and frictionless shopping experiences. This makes it tough for brands to maintain product messaging. Call it the dilemma of the digital shelf. The post CommerceCo Recap: Winning the Digital Shelf appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3lI8VYs

Breaking Down Google Ads New ‘Strikes’ Policy

Google Ads recently introduced a pilot program to combat repeat policy violations. Beginning in September, advertisers who continually violate ad policies will suffer consequences. The system will use "strikes" to assign penalties. The post Breaking Down Google Ads New ‘Strikes’ Policy appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3jyWqf2

Greenbelly Founder, an Accountant, Thrives with Backpacking Meals

Chris Cage founded Greenbelly, a maker of high-nutrition meal bars for backpackers, after having left his accounting job and traveling the world. That was in 2014. Fast forward to 2021, and the business is thriving. The post Greenbelly Founder, an Accountant, Thrives with Backpacking Meals appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3lDwPV2

Product Photography, Part 1: Choosing Backdrops

Choosing a backdrop is the first step in product photography. Pairing a product with the right background is crucial when trying to convince shoppers to make a purchase. This post is the first in a series aimed at helping merchants take better product photos. The post Product Photography, Part 1: Choosing Backdrops appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3xsm9KU

5 Content Marketing Ideas for September 2021

In September 2021, content marketers can offer courses, suggest gifts, celebrate holidays such as Grandparents’ Day and the Mid-Autumn Festival, or provide how-to help. Content marketing is the act of creating, The post 5 Content Marketing Ideas for September 2021 appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3jk7WuG

12 Woodworking Projects and How to Sell Them Online

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Many successful ecommerce success stories started with a hobby. One hobby you can turn into an online business idea is woodworking. And you don’t need to be a skilled artisan to turn some woodworking projects into products. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/3jog7pN

The History of the Shopping Cart

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The story of the shopping cart’s rise to ubiquity is filled with light-bulb ideas, artistic interpretations, and even a well-known psychological theory on social behavior. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/3Adm9k6

July 2021 Top 10: Our Most Popular Posts

Since 2005 we’ve published thousands of articles, webinars, and podcast episodes to assist ecommerce merchants. What follows are the most popular articles that we published in July 2021. Articles from ... The post July 2021 Top 10: Our Most Popular Posts appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3iqmMRg

The History of the Shopping Cart

from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/3fy7sQG

What Online Shoppers Expect in 2021

For many consumers, the pandemic-induced shift to online shopping is permanent. That's the good news for ecommerce companies. The not-so-good news is those consumers have heightened expectations. Here are seven of them. The post What Online Shoppers Expect in 2021 appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3yoGqTh

The Founder’s Zodiac: Lifelong Learning Resources for Every Entrepreneur Type

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Some of the most successful entrepreneurs don’t have a formal education—they took the leap and made up the rest along the way. Outside the walls of traditional classrooms, free entrepreneur resources are plentiful. But which learning format is best for you? Take our quiz to discover your entrepreneur personality type and get tailored tips for lifelong learning. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/3lHb9aH

Warehouse Automation Starts with Picking, Sorting, Packaging

Your fulfillment warehouse is growing fast. More orders are arriving in increasingly varied dimensions and quantities. You may be considering additional employees and space. An alternative is improving productivity by automating some manual tasks. The post Warehouse Automation Starts with Picking, Sorting, Packaging appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/2WSzeAP

17 Sustainable Packaging Providers

Recycled cardboard, cornstarch peanuts, containers made from mushrooms or seaweed, minimal reusable mailers — there are plenty of sustainable packaging options to limit your business’s carbon footprint and drive eco-friendly customer loyalty. Here is a list of sustainable packaging providers. The post 17 Sustainable Packaging Providers appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3ymFJtw

Uphill Growth: The Charitable Bike Brand that’s on Track to 7-Figure Sales

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The Bike Project is a community that intakes used bikes, restores and resells them while donating bikes to refugees. The organization allows newcomers to have a more cost-effective and active way to commute  while  adjusting to life in the UK. In this episode of Shopify Masters, we speak to founder Jem Stein on how the community was inspired by a friendship and it scaled while maintaining impact goals as well as profitability. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/3C9dO2v

Ecommerce Product Releases: August 2, 2021

Here is a list of product releases and updates for late July from companies that offer services to online merchants. There are updates on customer chat, cross-border selling, live-streaming, social commerce, design tools, and local selling. The post Ecommerce Product Releases: August 2, 2021 appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3idQ4Cl

Win More Customers with the SOSTAC Model

Developed more than 25 years ago, the SOSTAC framework can help marketers better understand their business, their customers, and the actions needed to grow sales and profits. Digital advertising can seem easy. But a business that grows in complexity and scale often becomes more challenging to market. The post Win More Customers with the SOSTAC Model appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/37cHg9B