The Shopify Solutions Podcast

11/22/23 - Episode 120 This podcast episode by Scott Austin focuses on analyzing Black Friday marketing strategies of Shopify stores. Scott begins by searching for "Black Friday deals Backpack 2023" on Google and examines the results, particularly focusing on Shopify stores appearing in the search. He first discusses an AdWords result, critiquing the use of a pop-up for email sign-ups, which he believes should be avoided during high-traffic events like Black Friday. He suggests directly ushering customers into the shopping experience. Scott notes that while the site he examines has good merchandising elements, such as a gift guide, it lacks a holiday theme and urgency in its Black Friday sales messaging. Next, he looks at stores appearing in Google shopping ads and finds that many do not mention Black Friday in their product descriptions. He suggests that they could improve by being more specific about their sales and adding thematic elements to create a festive atmosphere. Scott also reviews organic search results for Shopify stores, noting the difficulty for these stores to rank high on Google. He finds that these stores generally lack filters and sorting options, which could help customers find the best deals or products more easily. Throughout the episode, Scott offers constructive criticism and suggestions for improvement, such as: He concludes by expressing surprise at the general lack of optimization in the Black Friday campaigns of the Shopify stores he reviewed, suggesting that there is significant room for improvement in their online marketing strategies. VIDEO & TRANSCRIPT - https://jadepuma.com/blogs/the-shopify-solutions-podcast/episode-120-lets-review-some-black-friday-campaigns HELP THE PODCAST Leave a review - https://ratethispodcast.com/solutions

11/8/23 - Episode 119 The podcast episode discusses the selective use of product recommendations on Shopify. Unlike Amazon, which has a vast catalog, Shopify stores should use recommendations sparingly. Scott Austin suggests using them for complementary products, like Ortho Bracing's ice packs for therapy machines, and for upselling, as with Chama Valley Meat Co.'s bundled meat products. He recommends manual over automatic recommendations due to Shopify stores typically having less data. For stores with product lines or franchises, like The Game Steward's board games, custom code can highlight related products. The key takeaway is to use recommendations to enhance, not distract from, the customer's shopping experience. VIDEO & TRANSCRIPT - https://jadepuma.com/blogs/the-shopify-solutions-podcast/episode-119-shopify-recommended-products-done-right SHOW LINKS https://chamavalleymeatco.com/https://orthobracing.com/https://www.thegamesteward.com/https://youthandearth.com/HELP THE PODCAST Leave a review - https://ratethispodcast.com/solutions

10/25/23 - Episode 118 Introduction: Scott Austin introduces the topic of AI for Image Generation and mentions that there will be an accompanying video for the podcast. Importance of AI in E-commerce: Scott emphasizes the significance of content creation for building e-commerce brands. He believes AI is a valuable tool for content creation strategies. Recent Advancements: He notes recent improvements in graphics and image generation from AI. Tools for AI Image Generation: Scott covers two main tools: Dolly three from Openai: This tool allows users to create specifications for image generation. It's now integrated with Chat GPT, making image generation even easier. Adobe Photoshop: Adobe has incorporated AI tools into its suite, enhancing graphic design capabilities. Practical Use Cases: Scott provides several examples of how he uses these tools in his agency: Creating graphics for podcast episodes. Generating images for specific client needs, such as campers by a campfire or a snake on coconut substrate. Producing images for e-commerce, like store owners in front of their shops or families during Easter. Challenges with AI Image Generation: While AI can produce impressive results, it's not always perfect. Scott mentions instances where the AI didn't follow specific instructions or produced images that were slightly off in terms of realism or context. Conclusion: Scott concludes by highlighting the potential of AI in image generation, especially for e-commerce. However, he also emphasizes the need for human intervention to ensure the images align with specific requirements. VIDEO & TRANSCRIPT - https://jadepuma.com/blogs/the-shopify-solutions-podcast/episode-118-ai-images-in-your-shopify-store SHOW LINKS https://chat.openai.com/https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshopHELP THE PODCAST Leave a review - https://ratethispodcast.com/solutions

10/11/23 - Episode 117 Bundles are combinations of products sold together, often at a discount. There are various types of bundles such as Pure, Mixed, Cross-Category, and more. They offer numerous benefits to businesses, including convenience, increased sales, inventory movement, and enhanced shopping experiences. Shopify has introduced a new Bundle App, which is free and aids in managing bundle inventory. However, it comes with some limitations, like a three-option limit. For stores new to bundling, the Shopify Bundles app is worth considering. It's essential to focus on customer needs and use personas to design impactful bundles. VIDEO & TRANSCRIPT - https://jadepuma.com/blogs/the-shopify-solutions-podcast/episode-117-bundles-in-your-shopify-store SHOW LINKS https://apps.shopify.com/shopify-bundlesHELP THE PODCAST https://ratethispodcast.com/solutions

9/27/23 - Episode 116 Scott Austin discusses the benefits of using dynamic sources in Shopify's Online Store 2.0 theme to create more maintainable pages for products and collections. Dynamic sources allow for the connection of theme settings to various data entities, reducing the need for multiple unique templates and making it easier to manage content across the store. He provides examples of how dynamic sources can be utilized, such as automatically updating page titles or color schemes. Scott also mentions some limitations, like not every theme setting having a dynamic source and the need for code edits in certain scenarios. He encourages listeners to explore dynamic sources to simplify store maintenance, despite the learning curve involved. VIDEO & TRANSCRIPT - https://jadepuma.com/blogs/the-shopify-solutions-podcast/episode-116-structured-data-and-templates SHOW LINKS https://chamavalleymeatco.com/https://chargetech.com/https://shopify.dev/docs/themes/architecture/settings/dynamic-sourcesHELP THE PODCAST https://ratethispodcast.com/solutions

9/13/23 - Episode 115 Overview: Tools Needed: Shopify Search & Discovery AppShopify FlowSteps to Implement Filters: 1. Define Your Taxonomy: 2. Use Metafields: 3. Enable Faceted Filtering in Theme: 4. Set Up Filters in Search and Discovery App: 5. Automate with Shopify Flow: 6. Use Metafields in Collections: Additional Tips: The episode concludes by emphasizing that small stores can now have a rich browsing experience with filters without needing a paid app, thanks to these free Shopify tools. VIDEO & TRANSCRIPT - https://jadepuma.com/blogs/the-shopify-solutions-podcast/episode-115-easy-yet-powerful-filters-in-your-shopify-store SHOW LINKS https://jadepuma.com/products/shopify-store-audithttps://apps.shopify.com/flowhttps://apps.shopify.com/search-and-discoveryHELP THE PODCAST https://ratethispodcast.com/solutions

8/30/23 - Episode 114 The episode delves into the world of digital creators and how they are shaping the future of online commerce. The host, Scott Austin, interviews Jaimie Lee, a prominent digital creator. They discuss the evolution of digital content, the role of influencers in the e-commerce landscape, and the tools and platforms that are empowering creators to monetize their content. VIDEO & TRANSCRIPT - https://jadepuma.com/blogs/the-shopify-solutions-podcast/episode-114-digital-creators SHOW LINKS https://jadepuma.com/products/shopify-store-audithttps://jaimieleeugc.com/HELP THE PODCAST https://ratethispodcast.com/solutions

8/16/23 - Episode 113 The podcast episode features host Scott Austin and guest Elizabeth Potts Weinstein discussing the importance and intricacies of trademarks for brands. Here's a summarized overview: Basics of TrademarksBenefits of TrademarksTrademark Registration ProcessCommon MistakesExpert InsightsVIDEO & TRANSCRIPT - https://jadepuma.com/blogs/the-shopify-solutions-podcast/episode-113-trademarks-for-your-brand SHOW LINKS https://jadepuma.com/products/shopify-store-audithttps://www.elizabethpottsweinstein.com/https://www.youtube.com/@ElizabethPWhttps://www.uspto.gov/https://www.trademarkia.com/HELP THE PODCAST https://ratethispodcast.com/solutions

8/2/23 - Episode 112 In this podcast episode, Shopify expert Scott Austin shares insights on improving customer decision-making in e-commerce. He critiques a client's buyer's guide, noting it lists product specifications without aiding decision-making. Scott suggests reducing the number of products presented, highlighting key differences, and using language that resonates with customers. He cites an example of a "staff pick" feature that guides customers towards the best product for their specific needs. His approach aims to enhance the customer experience and boost sales. VIDEO & TRANSCRIPT - https://jadepuma.com/blogs/the-shopify-solutions-podcast/episode-112-help-your-customers-make-decisions SHOW LINKS https://flandb.com/https://orthobracing.com/HELP THE PODCAST https://ratethispodcast.com/solutionshttps://jadepuma.com/pages/podcast-consult-application

7/19/23 - Episode 111 In this podcast episode, the host, Scott Austin, discusses how to effectively tell a brand's story on its 'About' page using 10 Shopify stores as examples. These include All Birds, Asphalt, Blend Jet, Chubby, Grub Club, Nix, New Era Cap, PipCorn, Pura Vida, and WP Standard. Each brand uses different strategies to convey their story and values. For instance, All Birds emphasizes their environmental focus, Asphalt discusses their commitment to high-quality clothing, and Blend Jet shares their origin story and core values. Scott identifies seven common themes across these pages: use of multiple types of content, telling the origin story, telling a bigger story, stating how long they've been in business and where they're located, showing the owners and/or team, showing a timeline, and explicitly stating their core values. He encourages listeners to consider these elements when creating their own 'About' pages. VIDEO & TRANSCRIPT - https://jadepuma.com/blogs/the-shopify-solutions-podcast/episode-111-enhancing-your-brand-with-your-about-page SHOW LINKS https://www.allbirds.com/pages/our-storyhttps://www.asphalte.com/en-us/h/pages/abouthttps://blendjet.com/our-storyhttps://www.chubbiesshorts.com/pages/about-ushttps://mygrubclub.com/pages/about-ushttps://knix.com/about-ushttps://www.neweracap.com/pages/our-storyhttps://www.pipsnacks.com/pages/our-storyhttps://www.puravidabracelets.com/pages/storyhttps://wpstandard.com/pages/about-usHELP THE PODCAST https://ratethispodcast.com/solutionshttps://jadepuma.com/pages/podcast-consult-application

7/5/23 - Episode 110 Host Scott Austin discusses the importance of a compelling welcome series in email marketing. He emphasizes that a well-crafted welcome series is crucial for brand building, customer engagement, and retention. Scott advises against focusing solely on revenue generation in the welcome series, instead suggesting it should be used to tell the brand's story and differentiate it from competitors. He provides practical tips on creating a welcome series, including reusing existing content and planning an ideal series. He concludes by suggesting 20 potential topics for welcome series emails and provides a link to 67 more ideas. FULL LIST OF CONTENT IDEAS - https://jadepuma.com/blogs/the-shopify-solutions-podcast/episode-110-make-a-compelling-welcome-series SHOW LINKS https://jadepuma.com/klaviyoHELP THE PODCAST https://ratethispodcast.com/solutionshttps://jadepuma.com/pages/podcast-consult-application

6/21/23 - Episode 109. In this podcast, Scott Austin talks with Andrew Maff of BlueTuskr. Andrew explains how Shopify store owners can get started with Google advertising. SHOW VIDEO - https://jadepuma.com/blogs/the-shopify-solutions-podcast/episode-109-getting-started-with-google-ad-in-your-shopify-store SHOW LINKS https://www.bluetuskr.com/andrew@bluetuskr.comHELP THE PODCAST https://ratethispodcast.com/solutionshttps://jadepuma.com/pages/podcast-consult-application

6/7/23 - Episode 108. In this podcast, Scott Austin discusses the importance of email as a revenue driver for Shopify stores, particularly focusing on the use of Klaviyo for email marketing. Klaviyo divides emails into two types: flows and campaigns. Flows are automated email sequences triggered by customer behaviors and events, like signing up for a newsletter or making a purchase. These allow stores to automate large parts of their email marketing, ensuring customers receive timely and relevant content. Campaigns are one-time send emails used for newsletters, sales promotions, and broad communication. These emails are not based on specific customer actions but can be tailored to specific segments of the email list based on criteria like purchase history or geography. Austin advises stores to first focus on flows due to their automated nature. However, he emphasizes the importance of campaigns, noting that they can account for half of the email revenue in a mature Klaviyo implementation. He also details the process of setting up an email campaign using the example of a "Free Gift with Purchase" promotion, illustrating how this can be more economically beneficial for a store than a traditional percentage-off discount. The podcast covers everything from selecting the free gift and calculating potential profit margins, to establishing campaign timelines, creating landing pages and setting up on-site promotions. It also provides detailed instructions on how to use Shopify's automatic discounts and the best practices for creating and scheduling campaign emails in Klaviyo. SHOW LINKS https://jadepuma.com/klaviyohttps://jadepuma.com/blogs/the-shopify-solutions-podcast/episode-37-create-a-marketing-calendar-for-your-shopify-storehttps://reptichip.com/pages/reptichete-giveawayhttps://www.yo-yo.com/yoyodayHELP THE PODCAST https://ratethispodcast.com/solutionshttps://jadepuma.com/pages/podcast-consult-application

5/24/23 - Episode 107. In this episode, the host, Scott Austin, consults with Dave Jordan of ClubTech Golf and provides his advice on how to improve the store and business. SHOW VIDEO - https://jadepuma.com/blogs/the-shopify-solutions-podcast/episode-107-consult-with-clubtech-golf SHOW LINKS https://clubtechgolf.com.au/https://boostcommerce.net/?utm_source=jadepumaFlex ThemeHELP THE PODCAST https://ratethispodcast.com/solutionshttps://jadepuma.com/pages/podcast-consult-application

5/10/23 - Episode 106. In this episode, the host, Scott Austin, emphasizes the importance of consistent branding across all customer touchpoints, especially emails, for Shopify stores. He highlights the benefits of incorporating branding elements in emails, such as reinforcing brand identity, building trust, and gaining a competitive advantage. The episode discusses the challenges of maintaining consistency in branding due to the use of various tools for customer engagement. Scott provides a solution for creating consistent branding in Shopify email notifications using Klaviyo, an email marketing platform. The process of customizing email notifications involves four steps: In summary, implementing consistent branding across Shopify email notifications requires some effort but significantly contributes to the overall brand-building process, helping stores stand out from competitors. SHOW TRANSCRIPT - https://jadepuma.com/blogs/the-shopify-solutions-podcast/episode-106-add-rich-branding-to-your-shopify-notification-emails SHOW LINKS https://www.klaviyo.com/partners/signup?utm_source=0010V00002PzS9BQAV&amp%3Butm_medium=partnerhttps://help.shopify.com/en/manual/orders/notifications/email-variablesHELP THE PODCAST https://ratethispodcast.com/solutionshttps://jadepuma.com/pages/podcast-consult-application

4/26/23 - Episode 105. In this podcast episode, Scott Austin provides an update on using images in Shopify stores in 2023. He emphasizes the importance of images for effective communication and design, and discusses different image file types such as raster (JPG, PNG, and WEBP) and vector images (SVG). He advises against using GIFs due to large file sizes and suggests using HTML5 video format for animations. Scott recommends using SVG for graphics like logos and icons, JPG for photos, PNG for graphics when SVG is unavailable, and WEBP for better compression. He also explains where images are stored in the Shopify Admin and provides best practices for image management. Image editing software discussed in the episode includes Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Premiere Pro, as well as open-source tools like GIMP, BIMP, Inkscape, and Canva. Scott wraps up by highlighting Shopify's improvements, such as support for more file types and image optimization services, allowing users to focus on growing their businesses. SHOW TRANSCRIPT - https://jadepuma.com/blogs/the-shopify-solutions-podcast/episode-105-all-about-images-in-your-shopify-store SHOW LINKS https://jadepuma.com/blogs/the-shopify-solutions-podcast/episode-39-video-in-your-shopify-storeFlex ThemeSOFTWARE https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/plans.htmlhttps://www.gimp.org/downloads/https://alessandrofrancesconi.it/projects/bimp/https://inkscape.org/release/https://www.canva.com/HELP THE PODCAST https://ratethispodcast.com/solutionshttps://jadepuma.com/pages/podcast-consult-application

4/12/23 - Episode 104. In this podcast episode, Scott Austin discusses Shopify Plus, explaining that upgrading to this plan is primarily an economic decision for most stores. He highlights the features that come with Shopify Plus but emphasizes that the financial impact is more significant. The episode provides a mathematical breakdown of when upgrading to Shopify Plus can save a store money, considering factors such as the number of Shopify stores and potential app fee savings. Scott shares a decision-making tool in the form of an Excel file to help businesses calculate which Shopify plan is most cost-effective for them. While he acknowledges that some stores may need to upgrade to Plus for specific features, he believes this is the case for only about 5% of businesses. SHOW TRANSCRIPT - https://jadepuma.com/blogs/the-shopify-solutions-podcast/episode-104-should-you-upgrade-to-shopify-plus SHOW LINKS https://jadepuma.com/blogs/blog/shopify-plan-calculatorHELP THE PODCAST https://ratethispodcast.com/solutionshttps://jadepuma.com/pages/podcast-consult-application

3/29/23 - Episode 103. In this episode, I talk about the rapidly exploding developments happening in AI. I show how you can use AI in your Shopify store today and give some best practices to get the most out of it. SHOW TRANSCRIPT - https://jadepuma.com/blogs/the-shopify-solutions-podcast/episode-103-harnessing-the-power-of-chatgpt-for-your-shopify-store SHOW LINKS https://chat.openai.com/https://jadepuma.com/blogs/the-shopify-solutions-podcast/episode-96-how-to-kickstart-creating-copy-for-your-shopify-storehttps://orthobracing.com/blogs/resources/best-hinged-knee-braceHELP THE PODCAST https://ratethispodcast.com/solutionshttps://jadepuma.com/pages/podcast-consult-application

3/15/23 - Episode 10. In this episode, I explain the steps you need to take to create a Google Analytics 4 property and connect it to your Shopify store using the newly updated Google sales channel in Shopify. SHOW TRANSCRIPT - https://jadepuma.com/blogs/the-shopify-solutions-podcast/episode-102-adding-google-analytics-4-to-your-shopify-store SHOW LINKS https://analytics.google.com/https://jadepuma.com/blogs/the-shopify-solutions-podcast/episode-16-getting-shopify-data-from-google-analyticshttps://jadepuma.com/blogs/the-shopify-solutions-podcast/episode-63-google-tools-for-your-shopify-storeHELP THE PODCAST https://ratethispodcast.com/solutionshttps://jadepuma.com/pages/podcast-consult-application

3/1/23 - Episode 101. In this episode, I explain the best practices for building a wholesale store in Shopify. SHOW TRANSCRIPT - https://jadepuma.com/blogs/the-shopify-solutions-podcast/episode-101-wholesale-in-your-shopify-store SHOW LINKS Bold Custom Pricing appHulk Form BuilderFlex Themehttps://jadepuma.com/blogs/shopify-tutorials/restricting-access-in-your-shopify-storehttps://www.mojoin.com/shopify-add-buy-again-button/HELP THE PODCAST https://ratethispodcast.com/solutionshttps://jadepuma.com/pages/podcast-consult-applicationhttps://apps.shopify.com/linear-shopping-experience