Simple and Smart SEO: A podcast for Shopify sellers who want to expand beyond Etsy!

In this episode of the Simple and Smart SEO Show , Crystal Waddell (that's me!) welcomes back Ashley from Deviation to dive deep into the evolving world of search.  We break down digital silos across marketing teams, explore the power of unified metrics, and discuss why brand search and intent-rich content are key to dominating the search-everywhere era.  From creating demand via social media...

In this Black Friday-themed episode of the Simple and Smart SEO Show , Crystal Waddell welcomes John Hogan, co-founder of Grid and Pixel .  We dive deep into how e-commerce businesses, especially those on Shopify, can use personalized and fully automated email flows to drive more revenue.  Learn the secrets to converting visitors with targeted popups, the importance of various email flows (includi...

In this episode of The Simple and Smart SEO Show , I'm stitting down with Ashley Liddell, co-founder of Deviation , to explore the concept of “Search Everywhere® .”  From Sephora’s “Black Beauty Is Beauty” campaign to understanding the evolution of search across platforms like TikTok, Pinterest, and Reddit, Ashley shares his journey to building a unique SEO agency.  We discuss the fragmentati...

📌 Episode Summary: In this episode, Crystal continues her conversation with Deonnah Carolus, the founder of E-Commerce Savvy, diving deeper into launching and scaling Shopify stores with the help of AI tools.  Deonnah shares practical insights on using Shopify’s built-in features versus third-party themes, optimizing SEO for long-term visibility, setting realistic timelines for launching a store,...

In this episode of the Simple and Smart SEO Show , Crystal Waddell (That's me!) is joined by Shopify expert and founder of e-Commerce Savvy, Deonnah Carolus.  They dive into the recent changes at Shopify, talk AI integration, theme changes like Horizon, and practical insights for e-commerce sellers.  Whether you're new to Shopify or an experienced seller looking to stay ahead, this episo...

In this must-listen follow-up episode, Crystal Waddell is joined again by Marketing Director Garrett Sussman to unpack the fast-evolving world of SEO, GEO (Generative Engine Optimization), and the iPull Rank conception of "Relevance Engineering."  From the power of Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) to how AI is rewriting what it means to be "searchable," this episode dives d...

In this episode of the Simple and Smart SEO Show , Crystal Waddell is joined by Garrett Sussman , Director of Marketing at iPullRank , to unpack how AI is transforming SEO, e-commerce, and online visibility.  From the recently announced Shopify + OpenAI partnership to the rise of product recommendations in ChatGPT, this conversation explores what business owners need to know to stay competitive on...

In Part 2 of this conversation, Ana de la Cruz , SEO Lead at Chartis, returns to The Simple and Smart SEO Show with Crystal Waddell for a deep dive into the human side of AI. Ana unpacks how experimenting with chatbots taught her the inner workings of LLMs, what semantic triples really mean for SEO, and how the Japanese philosophy of Ikigai helps her balance learning, creativity, and life. Crystal...

In this episode of The Simple and Smart SEO Show , Crystal sits down with Ana de la Cruz , SEO Lead at Chartis, to explore her journey from Univision Radio to leading SEO strategy at a global media agency.  Ana shares how curiosity, reinvention, and kindness shaped her path — and introduces us to the emerging concept of “Vibe Coding,” where AI and human creativity meet. Here’s what you’ll learn: H...

In Part 2 of this engaging conversation with content marketing expert Andy Crestodina , we dive deeper into the evolving world of SEO, AI's growing role in content creation, and the power of collaboration.  Andy shares insights on balancing human judgment with AI tools like Surfer SEO, creating successful local events, and leveraging original research to differentiate your brand.  Whether you...

In this episode of the Simple and Smart SEO Show , Crystal Waddell (me!) sits down with Andy Crestodina, co-founder of Orbit Media, to explore SEO, AI, and content marketing.  Andy shares his insights on how search behavior is shifting, the importance of training AI to recognize and recommend your brand. 🔑 Key Takeaways: AI Search vs. Traditional Search : Traditional search finds options, while A...

In this episode of the Simple and Smart SEO Show, Crystal Waddell (me!) sits down with Jamie Trull for part 2 of our interview to dive deep into the concept of Hidden Profit .   Jamie shares her journey of shifting focus from revenue to freedom, explaining how small optimizations can lead to big financial wins.  They discuss the importance of aligning business goals with life priorities, overcomin...

Today I welcome financial educator and profit strategist Jamie Trull .  We talk about the transformative power of understanding business finances, pricing strategies, and how SEO can drive real results.  From doubling prices overnight to lowering ad spend through smarter targeting, Jamie shares tangible strategies and inspirational insights. Plus, a sneak peek into her brand new book, " Hidde...

In this powerful continuation of the conversation with Heather Physioc, we explore how AI is reshaping the SEO landscape and why human-centered strategy still matters.  Heather shares her framework for applying "Jobs to Be Done" thinking in SEO, especially for small businesses and creators.  From empathy maps to AI content sourcing, this episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating mod...

In this episode of The Simple and Smart SEO Show , host Crystal Waddell welcomes Heather Physioc, Chief Discoverability Officer at VML, for a deep dive into the evolving world of search and digital strategy.  Heather shares her insights on why Google isn't the only search engine that matters, how AI is reshaping the search journey, and why content needs to serve users at every stage—from disc...

Ross Simmonds breaks down how AI overviews and LLMs are changing search—and what small businesses can do to keep winning.  We dig into why brand and owned channels matter more than ever, how to diversify beyond Google, which third-party domains LLMs love to cite, and a simple focus formula for content distribution.  Key Takeaways The SERP is shifting to answers and transactions; fewer clicks to yo...

In this episode of the Simple and Smart SEO Show , host Crystal Waddell sits down with Ross Simmonds — founder of Foundation Marketing and distribution.ai , keynote speaker at Brighton SEO, and passionate content strategist.  Ross shares how he started out online running a fantasy football blog and now advises global brands.  His message: most creators need to stop obsessing over new content and s...

In this final installment of the Shopify Series: From Strategy to Action , Crystal Waddell takes you inside one of her favorite tools— Surfer SEO —and shows you exactly how to use it to optimize your Shopify store pages for maximum visibility.  From product descriptions to collection pages, homepage copy, and blog posts, you’ll learn step-by-step strategies to integrate Surfer SEO into your workfl...

(Shopify From Strategy to Action Series, Episode 4!) In this episode, we're getting real about Shopify page templates — and why they might be quietly holding your SEO back. 😬 From homepage headers to collection and product page tweaks, Crystal shares how to update your templates to help your content rank and convert. 👀 If you’ve ever wondered:  “Do I really need to mess with my templates?”...

Want more organic traffic and faster conversions on your Shopify store?  In this episode of the Simple and Smart SEO Show, Crystal Waddell breaks down the visual side of SEO with a focus on image optimization. From renaming image files and writing strategic alt text to compressing files and picking the best formats, Crystal walks you through four essential steps to get your images SEO-ready.  You’...

In this episode, Crystal breaks down the must-have SEO tech stack for Shopify sellers who want to show up in search results, build authority, and grow sustainably without feeling overwhelmed. You’ll learn about the core apps that make SEO easier, free tools to track and audit your progress, and optional power tools if you’re ready to take things to the next level. Whether you’re just getting start...

In this kickoff episode of my Shopify SEO from Strategy to Action summer series, we start with the most important piece: your mindset. If you've ever thought: "SEO is just for techies!" "Shopify isn't good for SEO." "I don't even know where to start." This episode is for you! 🎯 What you'll learn: Why your mindset is the #1 SEO success factor The t...

Join PPC Pro Austin Becker and me in this episode of The Simple and Smart SEO Show. We’re diving into strategic blogging, PPC attribution, and the underrated power of Pinterest — a must-listen for creative entrepreneurs, Shopify sellers, and busy business owners who want to grow without burnout. Here’s what you’ll learn: How to use Google's "People Also Ask" to create blog content t...

In this episode of The Simple and Smart SEO Show , we’re diving into real-world e-commerce strategies to compete with platforms like Amazon, Walmart, and Etsy — without relying solely on Google .  If you’re a Shopify seller or creative entrepreneur, this episode is a must-listen for understanding ad budgets, search impression share, and seasonal sales cycles that actually scale your business susta...

In this episode of the Simple and Smart SEO Show , Crystal Waddell sits down with e-commerce marketing expert Austin Becker (Part 1 of 3). We talk about the evolution of Austin’s career, from selling quirky side-hustle products to founding a thriving e-commerce digital marketing agency.  You’ll learn actionable insights on Google Shopping, product feed optimization, Amazon's advertising domin...