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

In part 3 of my interview with Andrew Ansley, we unpack the evolution of SEO from pre-2022 tactics to today's entity-driven, user-focused strategies.  Learn why stuffing keywords is dead, how RankBrain and BERT changed the game, and why helpful, structured content (plus user metrics) is the new key to ranking.  Andrew also demystifies topical authority, shares how to recover if your site’s in...

In this episode of The Simple and Smart SEO Show , Crystal Waddell sits down with AI and SEO expert Andrew Ansley to discuss the intersection of artificial intelligence, SEO strategies, entrepreneurship, and modern parenting.  Here’s what you’ll learn: How to leverage AI tools (like ChatGPT and Claude) to organize your business and creative projects. The critical skills kids need for the future—an...

In this conversation on AI-powered SEO workflows, Andrew Ansley joins The Simple and Smart SEO Show to share how smart marketers are using tools like Claude, ChatGPT, and automation platforms to save time and scale without hiring. From building SOPs in under an hour to organizing AI projects for sharper output, Andrew reveals how today’s marketers can combine soft skills with machine intelligence...

In Part 2 of our conversation about Local SEO, Darren Shaw of Whitespark returns to The Simple and Smart SEO Show to break down advanced Google Business Profile (GBP) strategies that actually move the needle.  From the controversial truth about citation consistency to actionable tactics for leveraging Google reviews and optimizing your GBP for maximum visibility, Darren shares insider tips you won...

In this value-packed episode of the Simple and Smart SEO Show , host 💁‍♀️ Crystal Waddell sits down with local SEO legend Darren Shaw of 🏢 Whitespark.  Discover why your website is the #1 data source for your Google Business Profile, how to optimize for the local 3-pack 📍, and what SEO myths to stop believing 🚫.  Whether you’re a home-based biz, a service provider, or an online shop, these act...

In this week's episode of the Simple and Smart SEO Show, Crystal Waddell sits down with Shreya LaCock from SEO for Hire to pull back the curtain on SEO careers, personal branding, and the future of hiring in a world powered by AI! 🚀 Together, they explore the different roles inside an SEO agency 🏢, the green flags to look for when hiring SEO help ✅, and why personal branding is no longer o...

Shreya LaCock, marketing specialist at SEO For Hire, shares the inside world of SEO recruitment and agency hiring.  From spotting green flags in potential SEO agencies to navigating gender gaps in job applications, Shreya brings both personal experience and professional wisdom. Y ou’ll also hear what makes an onboarding process successful, the overlooked “honeymoon phase” of hiring, and how to mak...

In this can't-miss episode of the Simple and Smart SEO Show , Crystal Waddell reconnects with digital strategist and SEO pro Favour Obasi-ike.  Whether you're podcasting on Wix, exploring RSS feeds, or wondering how to rank better using voice search, this episode is full of insights you can apply today to stay ahead tomorrow. 🔑 Key Takeaways: Own Your Platform : Hosting your podcast on...

This episode is a full-circle moment!  Crystal reconnects with the person who first planted the seed that SEO could actually drive traffic—without the middleman of social media.  Meet Favour Obasi-ike: a podcasting pioneer, SEO strategist, and founder of We Don’t Play Podcast .  Together, Crystal and Favour take a nostalgic ride through their Clubhouse days, unpack the magic of Pinterest SEO, expl...

In this insightful and refreshingly practical episode of the Simple and Smart SEO Show , Crystal sits down with Alyssa Corso—SEO strategist and healthcare content pro—to talk all things content refresh .  Alyssa breaks down her favorite ways to optimize existing content without burning it all down. Whether you're running a blog in a Your Money or Your Life (YMYL) niche or just wondering if up...

In this episode of the Simple and Smart SEO Show , Crystal Waddell chats with SEO consultant and BrightonSEO speaker Alyssa Corso about a topic every content creator should understand— SEO content decay .  Alyssa shares how content naturally loses visibility over time and outlines a strategic process for updating content to improve performance and generate real business results . From identifying...

In this jam-packed Part 2 episode, I continue my insightful chat with David Green, founder of Devslove.com .  We dive deep into Google Ads, strategic ad spend, and the realities of running paid campaigns for small businesses.  David shares expert insights on choosing the right platform, retargeting strategies, and why SEO and AI-driven search are shaping the future of digital marketing.  Plus, we...

In this episode of The Simple and Smart SEO Show , I'm sitting down with David Green, founder of Devs Love, to talk about the major shifts happening in digital marketing!  Fresh after BrightonSEO, David shared insights from his strategic planning retreat, where AI disruption was front and center.  We discuss how AI levels the playing field for small agencies, the shift in Google Search, and w...

Welcome back to another Follow Through Friday on the Simple and Smart SEO Show ! 🚀  If you caught my conversation with Katie Stone , SEO lead at Lead Hub, you know we went deep on local SEO, Google Search Console Insights, and keyword strategy.  (Missed it? No worries! Listen Here! ) Ready to make your SEO work for you ?  👇🏽 Let’s dive in. 👇🏽 💎 Key Takeaways: 1️⃣ Google Search Console = Your...

In this special solo episode of The Simple and Smart SEO Show , host Crystal Waddell reflects on her conversation with branding expert Mordy Oberstein .  She shares key insights on defining your brand identity, optimizing SEO for conversions, and making smart business decisions that foster growth.  Crystal also provides real-world examples of how she applied these lessons to her e-commerce busines...

In this guest-hosted episode of The Simple and Smart SEO Show , Celeste Gonzalez (Director of Roo Labs at Rickety Roo) and Melissa Popp (Content Strategy Director at Rickety Roo) dive deep into local SEO strategies .  They explore the power of problem-solving content for small businesses and how local companies can stand out against larger competitors. The discussion covers how to identify local p...

In this episode of The Simple and Smart SEO Show , host Crystal Waddell sits down with Katie Stone, SEO Lead at LeadHub , to discuss local SEO strategies, keyword research, and essential SEO tools .  Katie shares her insights from Brighton SEO , her journey in the industry, and practical tips for leveraging Google Search Console, Screaming Frog, and keyword gap analysis to gain a competitive edge....

In this episode of Simple and Smart SEO , Crystal Waddell sits down with the one and only Mordy Oberstein—Head of Brand at Wix, founder of Unify Brand Marketing , and self-proclaimed SEO contrarian (with a soft spot for brutal honesty).  If you think SEO is just about keywords and backlinks, Mordy is here to obliterate that notion faster than an algorithm update can tank your rankings. They dive i...

In this Follow Through Friday episode of the Simple and Smart SEO Show , Crystal Waddell reflects on her marketing strategies and shares three key action items to optimize marketing efforts without extra workload.  She dives into integrating marketing channels, dedicating time for learning, and repurposing content efficiently.  If you're looking for smart ways to strengthen your marketing str...

In this episode of the Simple and Smart SEO Show , I sit down with marketing strategist and agency owner Raycheal Proctor from Unlimited Mixed Marketing.  We chat the transformative power of omni-channel marketing, discussing how different channels can work cohesively to elevate visibility and results.  Raycheal shares her journey from classical musician to marketing maven and offers invaluable ad...

In part two of these special guest-hosted episodes of The Simple and Smart SEO Show, Sara Jensen and Shea Karssing explore how AI is reshaping SEO, the importance of human creativity in marketing, and the long-term value of offline brand-building.  Dive into practical tips for 2025, such as creating quality content, embracing conversational tones, and leveraging AI as a tool, not a replacement.  L...

In this episode of the Simple and Smart SEO Show , host Crystal Waddell dives into breaking news about the TikTok ban in the U.S. and its implications for businesses reliant on the platform.  Crystal emphasizes the importance of diversifying business strategies, leveraging AI tools to enhance creativity, and staying authentic in branding efforts. Along the way, she shares personal insights on over...

In this exciting first-ever guest-hosted episode of the Simple and Smart SEO Show , Sara Jensen and Shea Karssing from Brighter Messaging step in to share their expertise. They discuss two pressing topics in the world of SEO and digital marketing: why relying solely on AI for content creation is risky and what their predictions are for visibility in 2025. Sara and Shea explore the nuances of maint...

In this episode of the Simple and Smart SEO Show, host Crystal Waddell walks listeners through practical steps for optimizing their business.  Drawing inspiration from RJ Licata's insights on marketing strategy and ruthless prioritization, Crystal shares actionable advice on evaluating your marketing plan, focusing on impactful priorities, building strong networks, and auditing your digital f...

In this episode of the Simple and Smart SEO Show, host Crystal Waddell chats with marketing consultant RJ Licata, founder of Me First Marketing.  RJ shares his journey from corporate marketing roles to entrepreneurship, diving deep into the importance of prioritization, strategy, and betting on yourself in today's fast-paced business environment.  Whether you're navigating the world of S...