Posts

Showing posts from October, 2021

8 Ideas to Get Your Small Business Started on TikTok

Image
TikTok is the place to be if you’re running a business, but you might not know where to start. Here are some ideas for content to post on TikTok to start converting views to sales, with advice from someone who’s done it. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/31dF7dX

11 Free Websites to Learn Code in 2022

Learning code has never been easier. Many free resources can help a beginner master a programming language or build a new web project. For online merchants, a better understanding of code means less reliance on third-party developers. Here is a list of resources to learn code in 2022. The post 11 Free Websites to Learn Code in 2022 appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3GGLp6m

21 Years In, 2BigFeet Charts Opportunities, Growth

Where can you find a size 24 men's shoe? At 2BigFeet.com. Brandon Eley co-launched the business in 2000, before Google AdWords and long before Facebook and Shopify. "We've seen a lot of changes in 21 years," he told me. "Keyword stuffing was legitimate search engine optimization back then." The post 21 Years In, 2BigFeet Charts Opportunities, Growth appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3GBYhKH

Ecommerce Briefs: Walmart; Amazon Logistics; Holiday Shopping

"Ecommerce Briefs" is my occasional series on news and developments that impact online merchants. In this installment, I'll focus on Walmart's ecommerce activity, Amazon's parcel delivery, and consumers' holiday shopping intentions. The post Ecommerce Briefs: Walmart; Amazon Logistics; Holiday Shopping appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3bjJjL5

Turning Questions into Sales: How to Create an Effective FAQ Page For Your Store

Image
FAQ pages do more than just answer questions about your business. They alleviate purchasing anxieties, improve SEO, and reduce customer support queries. Learn how to create your own FAQ page in this guide and you’ll see the benefits of higher sales and more satisfied shoppers. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/3vTlFON

4 Reasons to Use Dynamic Search Ads

Dynamic search ads access your website content and deploy artificial intelligence to generate headlines, bids, and targeted search terms automatically. These easy-to-deploy text ads are like the Swiss Army knife of digital promotion: They work well in many situations. The post 4 Reasons to Use Dynamic Search Ads appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3pHGImH

The Birds, the Bees, and the Business of Selling Sex Toys Online

Image
The past two decades have seen a rise in body and sex positivity and more open conversations about sex, elevating adult brands from fringe to celebrated. This shift coincided with mass adoption of the internet and Web 2.0—niche communities found each other and anyone could sell sex toys online to customers shopping from the privacy of their homes. With the right tools, a unique product or idea, and plenty of research, creative entrepreneurs can find fulfillment in the sex toy industry. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/3nypR2Y

Product Photography, Part 11: Image Editing

Editing is a critical step in producing product photos that engage ecommerce shoppers. If you can’t make what you’re selling stand out, consumers will not likely buy it. This is the 11th installment in my series on helping ecommerce merchants create better product images. The post Product Photography, Part 11: Image Editing appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/2ZwWsy6

The Trade-offs of Third-party Add-ons

Third-party apps and add-ons can enhance an ecommerce platform. Examples include exit popups, customer reviews, product recommendations, and marketing automation. But third-party add-ons can create more problems than benefits. The post The Trade-offs of Third-party Add-ons appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3miz7ZH

Brought Back to Life: How Pantee Uses Deadstock to Upcycle the Fashion Industry

Image
With an eye towards building a sustainable fashion brand,  Amanda and Katie McCourt set out to scale a brand that turns “deadstock” t-shirts into underwear. Through hours of research, customer interviews, and an uber successful Kickstarter campaign, the two sisters built Pantee. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/3jxGdYk

15 Popular Pinterest Accounts (for Marketing Inspiration)

High-traffic accounts on Pinterest use influencers and brands to engage followers and drive monthly views. Here is a list of 15 of the most popular. There are curated topical style boards, product tags to shop, rich pins with product information, video pins, and more. The post 15 Popular Pinterest Accounts (for Marketing Inspiration) appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3jwtuVF

13 Independent Businesses We’re Shopping This Spooky Season

Image
To get in the Halloween spirit, we’ve rounded up 13 spooktacular products (all treats, no tricks) from independent businesses that we’re loving–and shopping–this season. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/3BejXsD

These Nightlife Entrepreneurs Just Wanna Dance With Somebody After A Year of Staying Home-o

Image
Philip Villeneuve and Armand Digdoyo give a whole new meaning to “entrepreneurs by day  and  night.” In 2016, they founded YoHomo to curate event listings for Toronto’s Queer community. Eventually, they also started throwing their own parties. Then came weekly playlist curations, artist features and interviews, brand campaigns, and a merchandise line. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/3Cf42vt

Here’s Why PayPal Should Acquire Pinterest

PayPal is in the early stages of an agreement to acquire Pinterest, according to published reports. Pundits have disparaged the deal. But they miss the point. The post Here’s Why PayPal Should Acquire Pinterest appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3EgGpTB

Conversion Lessons from the Luggage Industry

The pandemic challenged online luggage merchants to find unique ways to entice consumers to purchase items they might not put to immediate use. Led primarily by independent, direct-to-consumer manufacturers, successful mid-priced luggage and travel-bag sites are setting the pace for conversion practices. The post Conversion Lessons from the Luggage Industry appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3Cbhws2

Gas Station Coffee Spurs Golden Ratio Founder

Solving a personal hardship may be the most common motivator for starting a business. Clark Nowlin's hardship was acidity in coffee. It wrecked his stomach. Golden Ratio Coffee is Nowlin's answer. It's a producer of low-acid coffee. The post Gas Station Coffee Spurs Golden Ratio Founder appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3B5RmWi

Ask Nik: How do I optimize my product pages for high conversions?

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

Product Photography, Part 10: Lines as Design Elements

The design elements of a photo include lines, color, shapes, light, texture, and negative space. The use of such elements in product photography can make or break its appeal to shoppers. This is the 10th installment in my series to help ecommerce merchants take better product images. The post Product Photography, Part 10: Lines as Design Elements appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3C4xWm2

Build your Brand: 8 Ecommerce Blog Examples for Better Content Marketing

Image
Looking for inspiration on how to harness blogging for your business? Here's a close look at 8 standout blogs run by ecommerce stores and ideas you can adapt for your own content marketing strategy. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/2tgk31S

7 Types of Entrepreneurs and the Motivations That Inspire Them

Image
There are all kinds of reasons to start a business, but we found that what motivates you may influence the kind of business you start. We asked entrepreneurs why they started their business and found there were seven types of entrepreneurship based on life motivations—and industries best-suited to those motivations. Find out which one fits you best. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/3pjc7vh

Digital Creators Need Email Marketing

A list of engaged email subscribers is among the best promotional tools for creators who sell digital products. For many of those creators, it could also be a path toward earning a living. The creator economy has a problem. The post Digital Creators Need Email Marketing appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3G23gEd

My 3 Rules for Social Media Success

Roughly 4.2 billion people worldwide use social media. In 2021, all ecommerce businesses should attempt to connect with prospects on those platforms. This is my first post to help merchants utilize social media for brand awareness and sales. The post My 3 Rules for Social Media Success appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3lWjJSl

Navigating Email Marketing without Open Rates

Apple rolled out iOS 15 on Sept. 20, 2021. The release provides users of iOS devices — iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch — the ability to load remote content privately, blocking the sender's ability to track opens. I've addressed iOS 15 twice. The post Navigating Email Marketing without Open Rates appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3DScst2

How an Eco-Friendly Laundry Brand Eliminated Big Retail From Their Business Model

Image
Jonathan Propper built Dropps over the last three decades with the resolve to create a better laundry detergent for both people and the planet. From selling in brick and mortar clothing shops to leveraging TikTok for customer education, Jonathan shares what he’s learned about how to scale, market, and develop a product that sells. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/2Xog3zl

13 Examples of Sustainable Ecommerce

Here is a list of sustainable ecommerce sites, for inspiration. These sites create change through environmental, economic, and social action and awareness. The post 13 Examples of Sustainable Ecommerce appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3lR7g2o

Stablecoin, CBDCs Could Improve Ecommerce

Digital currencies have the potential to expand ecommerce, lower transaction fees, eliminate chargebacks, and prevent fraud. So far, however, volatility and its fear have stopped most merchants and brands from accepting cryptocurrencies. But this could be changing. The post Stablecoin, CBDCs Could Improve Ecommerce appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3FVZr3q

Putting the pieces together: 26 CNC Projects That Sell

Image
CNC machines are giving  startup entrepreneurs the ability to mass produce custom goods in their garages, basements, and bedrooms. Explore our list of CNC project ideas and find out how you can build your own CNC business. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/3aLqDUf

Ecommerce Product Releases: October 17, 2021

Here is a list of product releases and updates for mid-October from companies that offer services to online merchants. There are updates on email marketing, digital payments, subscription tools, social commerce, Amazon integration, WooCommerce, and live video shopping. The post Ecommerce Product Releases: October 17, 2021 appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3jc4t1X

Your 24/7 Salesperson: How to Create a Product Buying Guide for Your Store

Image
Buyer’s guides are the fastest way to influence buying decisions and make sales. These landing pages expose people’s struggles, show how your product helps, and acts as a 24/7 sales team that creates new business opportunities for you. Learn how to create one in this guide. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/3BRuhYA

Amid Facebook Ad Turmoil, Supply.co Retrenches

Patrick Coddou is a direct-to-consumer pioneer, having launched Supply.co in 2015. The company designs, manufactures, and sells premium shaving products — all to great success. Until April 2021. That's when Apple launched iOS 14.5, upending Facebook's ability to hyper-target ads. Coddou's company relied on sales from those ads. The post Amid Facebook Ad Turmoil, Supply.co Retrenches appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3j5tVGk

Are Stablecoin and CBDC the Future of Digital Currency?

Stablecoin and central bank digital currency may offer the benefits of buying and selling with cryptocurrencies without the worrisome price swings. Blockchain-driven transactions could benefit the ecommerce industry. The post Are Stablecoin and CBDC the Future of Digital Currency? appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3lJSfiZ

Latin America Fintech, Ecommerce Awash in Startup Funding

During the pandemic, Latin America became a hot market for tech startups, with foreign venture capital flooding the region. Latin America now hosts 23 private "unicorn" companies — valued over $1 billion — according to Crunchbase. Overall, these companies have raised more than $15 billion. Roughly two-thirds of them are based in Brazil, but data indicates other countries are catching up. The post Latin America Fintech, Ecommerce Awash in Startup Funding appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3FLyob1

How to Make and Sell Stickers Online in 2021

Image
Starting a sticker business offers endless possibilities for creating and sharing small pieces of art. Learn how to take your shop from idea to production to selling your stickers online with this detailed guide. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/3lCHAGu

Influencer Marketing Part 7: Your First Campaign

You've hired your first influencer and have received a draft of her initial promotion — a review of your product for her social media followers. This is "Part 7" of my influencer marketing series. The post Influencer Marketing Part 7: Your First Campaign appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/30eHWuK

12 Things to Sell on Shopify (Other than Physical Products)

Image
What can you sell on Shopify? If you dream bigger than physical products, the answer is: almost anything. Many founders are using Shopify in creative ways to sell everything from services to event tickets to virtual classes. Get inspired by other founders who built online businesses without ever having to manage inventory.   More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/3AwaJYp

Google Ads Promotion Extensions Can Boost Holiday Sales

The Google Ads promotion extension attaches a clickable discount offer to search ads and could boost sales for some merchants this Christmas season. Click-through rates and conversion rates vary greatly from one business or one ad to the next. Thus one cannot say definitively that using a promotion extension would drive more traffic or sales. The post Google Ads Promotion Extensions Can Boost Holiday Sales appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3aLPeIJ

Product Photography, Part 9: Advanced Composition

I discussed in my previous post two compositional rules that could make your product photography more engaging. I'll expand on that subject in this article. This is the ninth installment of my series to help ecommerce merchants take better product images. The post Product Photography, Part 9: Advanced Composition appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3av38i1

Finding Sweet Success with Sugar Free Beverages

Image
One fateful dinner party led Cristina Ros Blankfein and Jennifer Ross to ideate the zero sugar beverage products behind Swoon. In this episode of Shopify Masters, Cristina shares with us their approach to finding and working with flavor scientists, manufacturers, and trade shows. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/3BB0Vxk

Is Last-mile Delivery Ripe for Disruption?

Competition, profit-taking, and emerging technologies may contribute to rapid and disruptive changes in last-mile package delivery worldwide. For online sellers, the "last mile" describes the final leg of a product's journey to a customer. The post Is Last-mile Delivery Ripe for Disruption? appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3lv1zHj

13 WordPress Plugins for Customer Support

Offering support throughout your shoppers’ purchase experience is a good way to ensure their return. If you have a WordPress site, there are a variety of customer-support plugins to help. Here is a list of plugins for customer support on WordPress. The post 13 WordPress Plugins for Customer Support appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3uYzBqq

Google Ads Updates Search Terms Report, Keyword Match, More

Google Ads released a slew of updates in September to provide advertisers more clarity into ad auctions, performance metrics, and more. This transparency is welcome, especially as the holiday season is around the corner. The post Google Ads Updates Search Terms Report, Keyword Match, More appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3070ltn

What's the Best Ecommerce Platform for Your Business? Here's How to Evaluate Your Options

Image
Find out how to choose an ecommerce platform that will meet your business needs now—and in the future. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/3bkpAKN

Mental Conditioning Is Vital for Entrepreneurs, Says Consultant

Lauren Johnson says high-performing entrepreneurs have similar characteristics as professional athletes. Both have mental traits that lead to inevitable success. She first observed those qualities when working for the New York Yankees, teaching mental performance to accomplished baseball players. The post Mental Conditioning Is Vital for Entrepreneurs, Says Consultant appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3lpyyfS

How to Create an Operational Plan You’ll Actually Use

Image
You may have a strategic plan that charts out your direction for the next few years. But what about an operational plan? More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/3AnYjS2

How to Create a Successful Affiliate Program That Sells

Image
Affiliate marketing spend is expected to reach $8.2 billion by 2022, up from $5 billion in 2017. Want in on the action? Learn how to set up an affiliate program for your store that increases brand awareness and sales. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/3uRcgH0

Getting Started with In-house Fulfillment

Many emerging ecommerce businesses start in someone's garage or kitchen. They store, pack, and ship from a home base and control all the activities.  But even established sellers sometimes opt for fulfilling in-house. The post Getting Started with In-house Fulfillment appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3afRW8P

3 Rule-breaking Product Pages, Designed for Conversions

Most ecommerce platforms have a standard layout. Their product page designs are relatively conventional, with a left-to-right display and a dominant image. Calls-to-action almost always appear near the top, especially on mobile. But the norm isn't always the best. The post 3 Rule-breaking Product Pages, Designed for Conversions appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3aaFbwr

The Founder’s Zodiac: How to Deal With Failure, Based on Your Sign [QUIZ]

Image
Failure can actually be a good thing—hear us out. Look no further than any successful entrepreneur who started from nothing and built an empire. Along every path, our business idols have failed over and over. What sets them apart is how they have leveraged those lows to achieve higher highs. Here, we’ll explore ways to fail gracefully, based on your unique personality type. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/2Ykeao1

Product Photography, Part 8: Composition Essentials

Photo composition refers to the arrangement of an image's items and elements. For product photography, composition has one goal: create an image that draws a shopper closer to purchase. The post Product Photography, Part 8: Composition Essentials appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3l8BAVU

Ecommerce Copywriting 101: How to Write Words That Sell

Image
There’s much more to copywriting than listing your product’s best features. The secret to high-performing copy? Listen to your best prospects. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/3BeFLFk

5 Content Marketing Ideas for November 2021

Comparisons, top 10 lists, customer stories, an old mystery, and Thanksgiving leftovers are all topics that could influence your company's content marketing in November 2021. Content marketing is the act of creating, publishing, and promoting content with the express purpose of attracting, engaging, and retaining customers. The post 5 Content Marketing Ideas for November 2021 appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3mpEh4N

The Secret Recipe to Scale a DTC French Bakery

Image
In This episode of Shopify Masters, Anthony Rosemond of Pastreez shares their recipe for success, which includes a dash of email marketing, a splash of memorable packaging, and a healthy serving of maximizing profit margins. More from Shopify Blog - Company https://ift.tt/3DbLA6R

6 TikTok Tools for Shopping

TikTok is the latest social media platform to focus on ecommerce. TikTok unveiled its shopping platform at its inaugural World event, with new tools to help brands and merchants sell to TikTok's users. The release is a culmination of recent efforts to integrate shopping into TikTok. The post 6 TikTok Tools for Shopping appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/2ZMPyV6

Facebook Could Dominate Ecommerce

Facebook is among the top social media networks in the world. It is also a leading advertising and communication platform. And it could soon dominate ecommerce. The post Facebook Could Dominate Ecommerce appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/2WI8qUe

Ecommerce Product Releases: October 3, 2021

Here is a list of product releases and updates for late September from companies that offer services to online merchants. There are updates on augmented reality tools, conversational commerce, social commerce, small business financing, fraud protection, and buy-now, pay-later. The post Ecommerce Product Releases: October 3, 2021 appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/2WDZ3F2

PPE Provider Thrives on Influencers (and Hollywood)

Roman Zrazhevskiy's company, Mira Safety, sells protective gas masks. It launched in 2018. The masks protect against tear gas, chemicals, and, yes, viruses. Still, reaching prospects was a challenge. The post PPE Provider Thrives on Influencers (and Hollywood) appeared first on Practical Ecommerce . from Practical Ecommerce https://ift.tt/3B2jhau