The Unofficial Shopify Podcast

In this episode, we discuss: Kurt's run-in with a Karen How to optimize your main menu navigation for higher conversions A spicy website teardown of Chicago condiment institution Marconi Foods Links Mentioned Main Menu examples: KeySmart , Hoonigan , Proven Winners Direct Teardown: Marconi Foods Sponsors Get powerful marketing automation with Klaviyo's revenue-driving email platform Try Bold Produ...

Years ago, Dan Demsky wanted to buy a merino wool t-shirt for travel to lighten his load... and he couldn't find one. It haunted him. He knew this product should exist, and after a business coach told him he shouldn't do it, he spent 18 months on research and development that resulted in a crowdfunding campaign that raised $380K USD. That brand was Unbound Merino, purveyors of quality merino wool...

In this episode, we have an uncomfortable and necessary conversation about racism. If you disagree with anti-racism or feel that this conversation doesn't belong in our show, then unsubscribe. George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, David McAtee, and countless others should be alive. Links Mentioned National Bail Fund Network Bombas Sponsors Get powerful marketing automation with Klaviyo's re...

Through his love of vintage clothing, Rory Westbrook founded True Vintage out of his bedroom while still a student at the University of Portsmouth. Growing quicker than he could have anticipated, True Vintage has consistently doubled their annual revenue year-over-year since inception. Using a combination of digital marketing strategies (including brand collaborations with Tommy Hilfiger and Urban...

In this episode, you'll hear how a designer and entrepreneur from the UK turned a personal tragedy into a compelling story and business that has helped thousands of men live better lives. Ollie Aplin is the co-founder of MindJournal, the global men's journaling movement a mission to help guys feel happier and healthier. We ask him: Why journaling and why journaling for men? Why launch on Kickstart...

This episode is also available with video on YouTube . Last week at Shopify Re-Unite, a webinar keynote, Shopify's leadership team revealed new and upcoming features. Paul and I attended and will give you the run down today. After that, we do a teardown of Pit Vipers, a store that is equal parts impressive and ridiculous. Links Mentioned Carcaine Supply Proven Winners Direct Shopify Re-Unite Re-Un...

Using accounting as a useful business tool is harder than it sounds. Most of us don't really know what we should be looking at or how to interpret it. In today's episode, you'll learn some counter-intuitive wisdom and financial truths you can start using immediately to accelerate you light years ahead of the competition. Key Takeaways: How cash conversion cycle (CCC) is the most important key perf...

Stefan Gehrig, a former Research Scientist, started King Kong Apparel in 2011 when he was heavily involved in the still-niche sport of CrossFit. Since then, starting with a single (relatively crappy) gym bag he has scaled to a Shopify Plus store that sells tens of thousands of bags, backpacks and meal prep bags per year. We talk: How they built a community of brand evangelists What they'd do diffe...

The world is changing, and a core part of that change is everyone and everything finally getting online. Ecommerce is booming. Let's talk through it: We discuss Shopify's Q1 2020 financial report The wild projects we're working on right now Predictions Shopify's newest features Our number one Facebook ads tip from a man who spends $30K/day on ads AN ALLBIRDS TEARDOWN!! Links Mentioned Shopify's Q1...

In this episode, Shopify merchants will hear how they could be better using humor in their marketing copy (especially email!) to improve conversions. How humor boosts conversions How to approach voice of customer research How can store owners and marketers write funnier copy without offending customers or coming off the wrong way? How do you know you're succeeding with humor? What are some big opp...

Our guest today has a long track record with ecommerce: both successes and failures. We're joined by Ryan Daniel Moran, founder of Freedom Fast Lane and Capitalism.com, to discuss what he believes are the fundamental appraoches that create the enduring ecommerce success stories. Key Moments: How the Income Store affected him Why the pandemic can be good for you The dangers of short term decisions...

In this listener Q&A episode, we answer nine merchant's pressing questions regarding marketing their Shopify stores. We even try something new and call a few experts on the phone to get their answers. Tik Tok: is it time? Starting a loyalty program SEO Apps VS DIY SEO VS Using a consultant for SEO What gear, setup and software do you use to do remote podcast with video? Pros and cons of affiliate...

Today we're joined by long-time Shopify Partner and SEO app developer Rhian Beutler to discuss your SEO questions. In this Shopify SEO Crash Course, you'll hear the answer to: Do those ‘seo’ apps really work? The latest Google Algorithm changes you need to know What does Mobile Indexing First mean for your store? How to approach Google's technical recommendations What happens if you have to pause...

As we look for more ways to generate quality organic traffic to our stores, SEO will come to mind. In this episode, you'll will hear how to get more search engine traffic to your store. We're joined by an SEO Expert who has been called an "SEO genius" by Entrepreneur.com and a "brilliant entrepreneur" by Inc Magazine. If you've read the Backlinko blog or watched their YouTube channel, you'll recog...

Today we're joined by a Business owner sharing experience of surviving 3 recessions in 25 years. This episode is about actionable advice. What's the upside of a recession, if any? What strategies do you advise for surviving a downturn in the economy for any business? What are the biggest mistakes stores & businesses are going to make during the pullback? What's different about this downturn from t...

On this episode, we're joined by Laura Petrielli-Pulice, a fashion designer who has designed for celebrities and icons of art and culture including Lady Gaga, Nicki Minaj, Beyonce, Katy Perry, and Dita Von Teese. Her clothing has graced the pages of highly respected fashion magazines such as Vogue, W, Interview Magazine, and more. Pulice was also runner-up on the Bravo fashion competition show Sty...

Your story is the ultimate way to create an emotional connection with your customers so that they not only become raving fans, they share your story with their friends. In this episode, professional sitcom writer and showrunner Michael Jamin will teach you how to find your mission statement, create your customer avatar, cast a "voice" for your brand, then how to apply that to your marketing so you...

In this episode, we learn what it means to have an accessible website, why you should care, and how you can benefit. You'll hear the answers to: What does an accessible website mean? Is that the same thing as the ADA? What can merchants get out of having an accessible website? Doesn’t Shopify take care of web accessibility for me? Ilana Davis works with Shopify merchants to remove friction from th...

“We had no idea writing the word “SHITI” on a napkin and taping it to an old cooler would have such a following behind it” In 2016, Trevor and Austin Zacny founded SHITI® Coolers with a basic mission: To keep using that same damn Coleman with the rusted lid and squeaky hinges in hope there were more people out there just like them. A simple SHITI sticker was enough to represent the lifestyle they...

In today's listener Q&A episode, you asked, we answered: Should you advertise on Pinterest? What's the deal with financing apps? Remarketing strategies with a new store What is the best sales funnel for a high ticket item? How to launch into another market SEO for products with variants ...and more. Links Mentioned Sezzle - Use referral code SZXRLQJ to get one month free, no strings attached. Work...

Jake Starr, a former firefighter, started Recycled Firefighter in 2013 when he noticed decommissioned fire hoses being thrown into the landfill, took some home, and turned it into an iPad case he sold on Etsy. "I feel bad for whoever bought it." Today, Jake's Shopify Plus store has sold thousands of wallets, backpacks, tool rolls and more made from recycled canvas fire hose material. He owes his s...

Last Spring, a listener invited me to lunch with the Courtrights, a couple who ran a business that invested in Shopify stores– hundreds of Shopify stores– and offered a guaranteed rate of return to investors. On January 14th, the SEC announced that, "it filed an emergency enforcement action and obtained a temporary restraining order and asset freeze against Illinois resident Kenneth D. Courtright,...

Our guest today is Thomas "Tommy" Tartaglia, the self-described World's Okayest Exerciser, who sold more than $100k in t-shirts with "World's Okayest Exerciser" printed on it last year on Shopify. You'll hear: Why Amazon is a double-edged sword How offline events helped jumpstart their business The synergistic warehouse space they established How planning was game changing for...

In this Listener Q&A episode, we talk: Post-purchase email marketing Content strategies when you can't run ads Migrating sales from Amazon to Shopify Never miss an episode Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts Join Kurt's newsletter Help the show Ask a question in The Unofficial Shopify Podcast Facebook Group Leave a review Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts What's Kurt up to? See our rec...

One of the hardest parts of ecommerce entrepreneurship is manufacturing your first product, but as retail and technology has changed, it's also become easier than ever. Today we'll pull back the curtain on finding a manufacturer with a man who has decades of experience. Our guest today, Charles Kaliman, has helped big box retail stores launch new brands and find manufacturing supply chains. He col...