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

I'm chatting chat with Stephanie Long, AKA "Mrs. SEO," about her groundbreaking new venture, Junction Jack , a vetted SEO marketplace.  Stephanie shares her journey of creating a trusted space for businesses to connect with top-notch SEO experts.  From addressing the frustrations of businesses burned by unqualified "experts" to her emotional story behind the name Junction...

In this episode, I reflect on my incredible experience at BrightonSEO 2024 in San Diego. From a first-class upgrade to exciting networking events, unique industry insights, and fun-filled conference highlights, this trip was unforgettable.  I share tips for making the most of events like BrightonSEO, why networking can redefine your perspective, and the importance of stepping out of your comfort z...

In this episode, I (Crystal Waddell) reveal the must-have tools that fuel my entrepreneurial journey and business success. Add these to your Black Friday 2024 deals list! This episode contains affiliate links, which means I could receive payment if you make a purchase after clicking on one of the links. Not all links are affiliate links and these are all products I use and fully recommend! From cl...

Lydia Bagarozza and Bridget Sicsko, co-founders of Visibility on Purpose join me to explore the synergy between PR and SEO, sharing actionable tips for small business owners to enhance visibility and credibility.  From pitching to publications to leveraging backlinks, learn how these strategies can drive traffic, build authority, and create lasting impact. Perfect for entrepreneurs ready to step i...

In this episode of the Simple and Smart SEO Show, I (Crystal Waddell) sit down with personal brand strategist Dianne Wilson to talk about all things branding, storytelling, and SEO.  Key Takeaways : Authenticity Sells : Embracing your quirks, imperfections, and real stories resonates with audiences and helps create lasting connections. SEO Loves Stories : Integrating stories into your brand increa...

In this episode of The Simple and Smart SEO Show , I sit down with e-commerce SEO expert Freddie Chatt. Freddie shares valuable insights from his journey into SEO, emphasizing key strategies for e-commerce success, including optimizing collection pages, managing conversion rates, and strategic link building.  Key Takeaways Collection Pages Drive Commercial Traffic: Freddie explains that optimizing...

In this episode of the Simple and Smart SEO Show, host Crystal Waddell (that's me!) sits down with PPC strategist Charley Brennand to explore the role of storytelling and empathy in digital marketing.  Charley shares her journey of overcoming underestimation and the valuable lessons she’s learned about making paid advertising accessible, especially for those considered “underdogs.”  Listen as...

In this episode of the Simple and Smart SEO Show , Crystal Waddell is joined by Simon Lesser, co-founder and CEO of Dragon Metrics, a powerful all-in-one SEO software platform.  Simon shares the journey behind Dragon Metrics, and explains how DM competes with larger tools like Ahrefs and SEMrush. Key Takeaways: Founding Story of Dragon Metrics : Simon Lesser "quit his way to the top" by...

In this episode, I (Crystal Waddell) get a chance to talk with analytics expert Dana DiTomaso to discuss Google Analytics 4 (GA4), its use cases and importance for small business owners. Key Takeaways: Set up GA4 immediately: The best time to set up analytics was yesterday, but it's not too late. Prioritize implementation and start gathering valuable data​. Execution over analysis paralysis:...

I'm sharing a personal update, the importance of balancing life and work, and learning when to step back. Key Takeaways: Recognize your limits: It's important to identify when to step back and take time for personal matters. Future-proofing the podcast: To ensure the podcast continues, guest hosts may be invited to share their insights in future episodes. Resilience in challenges: Even w...

In this episode of the Simple and Smart SEO Show , Crystal Waddell is joined by Amanda Jordan , Director of Digital Strategy at Rickety Roo, to dive deep into the world of local SEO.  Whether you're a local business owner or part of a franchise, Amanda's insights will help you refine your SEO tactics and strategies for better visibility and results. Key Takeaways : Local SEO Is All-Encom...

I interview Nathan Hirsch, founder of ECom Balance to discuss the importance of standard operating procedures (SOPs), effective hiring practices, and leveraging SEO for business growth.  Key Takeaways: SOPs are essential for scalability : Nathan emphasizes the importance of creating detailed SOPs for every part of the business and regularly updating them to maintain efficiency. Hiring the right pe...

⚠️ SMART, advanced episode! 🤓 In this episode of the Simple and Smart SEO Show , Crystal Waddell welcomes back Crystal Carter, Head of SEO Communications at Wix, to dive deep into the concept of entities and their impact on SEO. Takeways: Consistency is Key: Your digital presence and how you describe your business should remain consistent across all platforms. Inconsistent messaging can confuse s...

In this episode, I sit down with Nicolas Garfinkel to explore the future of SEO through the lens of predictive models and machine learning.  Key Takeaways: The Importance of Data in SEO: Nicolas emphasizes the need for data-driven approaches in SEO, highlighting how relying on intuition alone isn't enough in today's rapidly changing environment. Predictive SEO Models: Nicolas introduces...

Episode Summary: In this episode, I sit down with Keshia Taylor to uncover how local SEO can drive business success without relying on social media.  Key Takeaways: Introduction to Kechia Taylor: Kechia is a permanent makeup artist, educator, and franchisor with over 20 years in the beauty industry. She discusses her journey from being a brow expert to becoming a successful business owner and fran...

Join me as I sit down with the brilliant Jamar Ramos, a seasoned expert in SEO and multi-channel marketing. Key Insights: The Role of SEO: Jamar emphasizes the importance of SEO but clarifies that it’s just one piece of the puzzle. "SEO is just what you do on the technical side of the website. It has to be about multi-channel marketing," he states. Customer Satisfaction Over Domain Autho...

Dolly DeLong joins me to explore the real-world application of SEO for entrepreneurs and talk about the upcoming SEO Audio Summit. Key Takeaways: Introduction to Dolly DeLong: Dolly DeLong introduces her dual roles as a Middle Tennessee family photographer and a systems and workflow educator. She shares her experience of separating her photography and education businesses to better serve her audie...

Join me as I recap an eventful summer, blending personal adventures and business breakthroughs.  Over the last decade, I've struggled with taking time off - this year, I took more time off and made more money than last year. Let's go SEO! Key Takeaways: Business Achievements: Launched 2025 photo props, doubling sales from last June. Website traffic nearly doubled, showing successful SEO...

I'm talking with veteran SEO expert Erin Sparks, host of the "Edge of the Web" podcast.  Erin shares insider knowledge on building trust with Google and mastering SEO foundations. Key Topics: The Evolution of SEO : Discover how SEO has transformed since 2004, emphasizing accountability and digital strategy. Erin explains the shift from traditional marketing to a data-driven approach...

In this Follow Through Friday episode, Crystal Waddell (that's me!) revisits her discussion with Holly Homer and  walks listeners through her process of improving a dedicated page on her e-commerce website for senior athlete posters.  She shares practical tips on reusing content, internal linking, and leveraging quick SEO wins to create a user-friendly page while managing time constraints. Cr...

This week I'm interviewing Holly Homer, co-founder of PageWheel and the creative force behind KidsActivities.com. Episode Highlights: Introduction to Holly Homer : Holly shares her remarkable journey from starting one of the first mom blogs to creating a sustainable business that supports her family. Streamlining Digital Product Creation : Discover how PageWheel can generate sales pages, than...

In this Follow Through Friday episode, I revisit episode 136 with SEO expert Edwin Romero. I review his approach to strategic SEO and his "guided selling" method, and apply his advice to optimizing collections, blogs, and deleting affiliate links. Additionally, I introduce the Brand Resume Visibility Audit , a resource to enhance your omnichannel presence. Key Takeaways: Guided Selling A...

In this episode of the Simple and Smart SEO Show, I chat with Edwin Romero, an SEO expert I met at Brighton SEO in San Diego.  We explore several key aspects of SEO: The importance of targeting high-intent, long-tail keywords over high-volume, short-tail ones to boost conversions.  The necessity of personalized SEO strategies and a deep understanding of customer needs. Our discussion extends to th...

Crystal shares insights from installing Clarity on her own websites, using its user experience data to improve customer journeys and increase conversions. This is the Follow Through Friday Episode For Episode 134 with Celeste Gonzalez . Key Takeaways : Microsoft Clarity Setup : Crystal installed Microsoft Clarity on both her Wix and Shopify websites, noting differences in ease of integration. Beha...

This episode of the Simple and Smart SEO Show features Crystal Waddell and special guest Celeste Gonzalez of Rickety Roo discussing the importance of user experience in SEO and the benefits of using Microsoft Clarity.  *takes breath* We talk about so many SEO-adjacent topics: strategies for boosting conversions,  the significance of focusing on the user,  and the utilization of tools like heat map...