The Unofficial Shopify Podcast

"ChatGPT is not that sophisticated yet. So for marketers, what that means is there are real ways right now for arbitrage in this short period of time before ChatGPT gets good enough to say, no, we're only showing the proper result."Mac King from Domaine breaks down why merchants are seeing ChatGPT and Perplexity show up as referral sources in their analytics—and what to do about it. We talked about the terminology wars (GEO vs AEO vs AI search optimization), why AI engines favor content from Google's 10th page, and the Reddit strategies that actually work without getting banned.SPONSORSSwym - Wishlists, Back in Stock alerts, & moregetswym.com/kurtCleverific - Smart order editing for Shopifycleverific.comZipify - Build high-converting sales funnelszipify.com/KURTLINKSDomaine AI Commerce Suite: https://www.meetdomaine.com/insights/domaine-news/domaine-launches-ai-commerce-suiteMac King on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mackenziepking/Mac King on Twitter: https://x.com/MacKing/Profound (tracking tool): https://www.tryprofound.com/Shopify Knowledge Base app: https://apps.shopify.com/shopify-knowledge-baseSEOFOMO newsletter: https://seofomo.co/Commerce GPT newsletter: https://www.yotpo.com/commerce-gpt/WORK WITH KURTApply for Shopify Helpethercycle.com/applySee Our Resultsethercycle.com/workFree Newsletterkurtelster.comThe Unofficial Shopify Podcast is hosted by Kurt Elster and explores the stories behind successful Shopify stores. Get actionable insights, practical strategies, and proven tactics from entrepreneurs who've built thriving ecommerce businesses.

Jamil Bhuya has scaled businesses across three wildly different industries: restaurants, beauty, and now Shopify agencies. That multi-industry perspective gives him a unique superpower—he can spot the conversion killers that store owners become blind to. We talked about why fresh eyes matter more than fancy tools, the psychology behind purchase objections, and how being too close to your business destroys your ability to see what customers actually need.SPONSORSSwym - Wishlists, Back in Stock alerts, & moregetswym.com/kurtCleverific - Smart order editing for Shopifycleverific.comZipify - Build high-converting sales funnelszipify.com/KURTLINKSOther Half Studio: https://otherhalf.studioJamil on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/jamil-bhuyaWORK WITH KURTApply for Shopify Helpethercycle.com/applySee Our Resultsethercycle.com/workFree Newsletterkurtelster.comThe Unofficial Shopify Podcast is hosted by Kurt Elster and explores the stories behind successful Shopify stores. Get actionable insights, practical strategies, and proven tactics from entrepreneurs who've built thriving ecommerce businesses.

We're seeing 10x more bots than humans on client stores. Fraudsters are buying your cheapest items to test stolen credit cards. Your SEO agency wants 150 new collections.This week, we dig into the actual problems hitting Shopify stores right now. Not theory, not best practices, but the real BS we're fixing for clients. We break down why your analytics are lying, how to stop credit card testers, and whether more granular SEO collections are brilliant or idiotic.Plus: The free Shopify app that caught a critical launch mistake, proof that ChatGPT drives revenue, and beta access to our new Promo Party app.SPONSORSSwym - Wishlists, Back in Stock alerts, & moregetswym.com/kurtCleverific - Smart order editing for Shopifycleverific.comZipify - Build high-converting sales funnelszipify.com/KURTLINKSShopify Launch CheckMicrosoft ClarityFraud ControlCheckout BlocksBeta test Promo Party: Contact Kurt via newsletter or LinkedInWORK WITH KURTApply for Shopify Helpethercycle.com/applySee Our Resultsethercycle.com/workFree Newsletterkurtelster.comThe Unofficial Shopify Podcast is hosted by Kurt Elster and explores the stories behind successful Shopify stores. Get actionable insights, practical strategies, and proven tactics from entrepreneurs who've built thriving ecommerce businesses.

"I'm not very good at success. That's something I learned as part of this."Ben Knegendorf went from forklift operator at Walmart to selling his stake in an indoor golf business for $720,000. Then he watched most of it disappear through lifestyle creep, speculative investments, and financial ignorance. His second exit was different - and his brutal honesty about where the money went offers real lessons for entrepreneurs facing their first big payday.SponsorsSwym - Wishlists, Back in Stock alerts, & moregetswym.com/kurtCleverific - Smart order editing for Shopifycleverific.com/unofficialZipify - Build high-converting sales funnelszipify.com/KURTLinksBen Knegendorf: https://www.benknegendorf.com/Dropship Breakthrough: https://dropshipbreakthru.com/Ben's 2022 Episode: https://unofficialshopifypodcast.com/episodes/ben-knegendorf-dropships-FLGufeLEJohn Murphy's Episode: https://unofficialshopifypodcast.com/episodes/john-murphy-ebikegeneration-IcHgGRVaWork with KurtApply for Shopify Helpethercycle.com/applySee Our Resultsethercycle.com/workFree Newsletterkurtelster.comThe Unofficial Shopify Podcast explores the stories behind successful Shopify stores. Get actionable insights, practical strategies, and proven tactics from entrepreneurs who've built thriving ecommerce businesses.

Also available on YouTube: youtu.be/gGdS45JY2YoAndrew Le and Tu Pham acquired Edit Order, a distressed Shopify app with a terrible reputation, for just 2x revenue in 2015. Ten years later, they've transformed it into Cleverific—a multi-million dollar order editing powerhouse.Guests:Andrew Le - Co-founder & Lead Developer, CleverificTu Pham - Co-founder, Marketing & Design, CleverificWebsite: https://cleverific.com/SponsorsSwym - Wishlists, Back in Stock alerts, & moregetswym.com/kurtCleverific - Smart order editing for Shopifycleverific.comZipify - Build high-converting sales funnelszipify.com/KURTWork with KurtApply for Shopify Help - ethercycle.com/applySee Our Results - ethercycle.com/workFree Newsletter - kurtelster.comThe Unofficial Shopify Podcast explores the stories behind successful Shopify stores. Get actionable insights, practical strategies, and proven tactics from entrepreneurs who've built thriving ecommerce businesses.

Also on YouTube: youtu.be/56r_UJZbtLg"We want to make sure that merchants who are starting their business who don't know what are all the jobs they need to take care of for shipping to merchants who are thriving and understand the space and have complex workflows, we can solve this problem for everybody."Vibhor Chhabra, Director of Product at Shopify, breaks down how Shopify Shipping has evolved into something completely different from what you might remember. We covered the new carrier integrations (including FedEx), bulk label printing for up to 250 orders, automatic shipping insurance up to $200, and why Amazon is now a fulfillment partner through SFN. Plus how shipping transforms from a cost center into a competitive advantage.SPONSORSSwym - Wishlists, Back in Stock alerts, & moregetswym.com/kurtCleverific - Smart order editing for Shopifycleverific.com/unofficialZipify - Build high-converting sales funnelszipify.com/KURTLINKSEmail: vibhor.chhabra@shopify.com (feedback welcome)Shopify Shipping: https://www.shopify.com/shippingWORK WITH KURTApply for Shopify Helpethercycle.com/applySee Our Resultsethercycle.com/workFree Newsletterkurtelster.comThe Unofficial Shopify Podcast explores the stories behind successful Shopify stores. Get actionable insights, practical strategies, and proven tactics from entrepreneurs who've built thriving ecommerce businesses.

Also available on YouTube: youtu.be/0HHJ5tONfVoMost Shopify store owners are doing growth completely wrong. They're trying to lower ad costs, make prettier websites, and rush customers to buy. Devyn Merklin from X-Scale flips all of this on its head with counter-intuitive strategies that actually work.In this episode, you'll discover why the biggest mistake seven-figure brands make is racing to the bottom on customer acquisition costs instead of learning to outbid competition. Devyn shares how one brand tripled subscription revenue from $6K to $22K MRR in just 45 days using gamification instead of discounts.You'll learn the psychology behind giveaway strategies that actually build qualified prospect lists, why ugly websites convert better than pretty ones, and the empathy-driven approach to customer journey optimization that most brands completely miss.Sponsors:Swym (getswym.com/kurt) – Wishlists & back in stock alertsCleverific (cleverific.com/unofficial) – Smart order editingZipify (zipify.com/KURT) – High-converting sales funnelsKey takeaways include the LTV vs CAC mindset shift that separates big brands from struggling stores, the month 4 subscription churn fix that prevents customer dropout, and why your landing pages are probably bleeding money without you knowing it.If you're tired of following conventional wisdom that doesn't work, this episode reveals the contrarian strategies that actually drive results.Guest: Devyn Merklin, X-Scale (thexscale.com)Links:Apply to work with Kurt: ethercycle.com/applyKurt's newsletter: kurtelster.comFree growth mastermind: thexscale.com

Also on YouTube: YouTube: youtu.be/p1PO9o9Se5o"I'm not very good at success. That's something I learned as part of this. I actually think probably most of us aren't very good at success."Jayden Clark thought he'd cracked the code on dropshipping success. Then his seven-figure business nearly broke him. We talked about why he sold for £500K instead of holding out for millions, the SEO and paid ad strategies that drove his rapid growth, and how a 90-minute massage changed everything.SPONSORSSwym - Wishlists, Back in Stock alerts, & moregetswym.com/kurtCleverific - Smart order editing for Shopifycleverific.com/unofficialZipify - Build high-converting sales funnelszipify.com/KURTLINKSFounders Clubhouse: https://foundersclubhouse.co.uk/kurtWoodlark Garden Luxury: http://woodlarkgardenluxury.co.uk/Ben Knegendorf's episode: https://unofficialshopifypodcast.com/episodes/ben-knegendorf-dropships-FLGufeLEWORK WITH KURTApply for Shopify Helpethercycle.com/applySee Our Resultsethercycle.com/workFree Newsletterkurtelster.comThe Unofficial Shopify Podcast is hosted by Kurt Elster and explores the stories behind successful Shopify stores. Get actionable insights, practical strategies, and proven tactics from entrepreneurs who've built thriving ecommerce businesses.

Also on YouTube: youtu.be/nckQhAvYA-Q"We'll have done over 500 million in total sales. We'll do 310 million in the next 18 months."Curtis Matsko went from art festivals to a top 50 Shopify store by doing everything conventional wisdom says not to do. His company controls every step from raw material procurement to customer delivery, achieving top 50 Shopify status while maintaining 50% repeat customer rates on non-consumable goods.Today he owns the biggest leather factory in North America and has some very strong opinions about banking, business clichés, and why most Shopify owners are doing it wrong.Most valuable insight: Meta doesn't know when you run out of inventory - they just think your ads stopped working and charge you more.Listen now on The Unofficial Shopify Podcast.SponsorsSwym – Wishlists, Back in Stock alerts, & moreCleverific – Smart order editing for ShopifyZipify – Build high-converting sales funnelsLinksGuest:Curtis Matsko - LinkedInPortland Leather Goods - WebsitePortland Leather Goods - InstagramWork with Kurt:ApplyClient ResultsJoin the Newsletter

Also Available on YouTube: youtu.be/_nqN9HyOpxMWhat happens when a 23-year-old refuses to play the ecommerce advertising game? Colby Stevens built Shine Supply into a $7M detailing brand using nothing but Instagram ASMR videos, authentic storytelling, and a "people over profit" philosophy.No paid ads until last month. No Amazon. No selling out to scale.Instead: 80,000 Instagram followers, hundreds of photo reviews, and a community that buys because they believe in the brand, not just the product.Colby breaks down the exact strategies that grew their family's Shopify store - from Klaviyo automation that actually works to the review incentive system that drives social proof. Plus why they turned down millions in Amazon revenue to stay true to their dealers.Key Takeaways:How to build 80k Instagram followers organicallyThe ASMR video strategy getting thousands of viewsReview incentive system that drives social proofWhy they refused millions in Amazon revenueKlaviyo automation that actually convertsBuilding authentic brand community on ShopifyFair warning: you'll want to detail your car after this one.Sponsors:Swym - Wishlists, Back in Stock alerts, & moregetswym.com/kurtCleverific - Smart order editing for Shopifycleverific.com/unofficialZipify - Build high-converting sales funnelszipify.com/KURTGuest Links:Shine Supply - Colby's detailing brandshinesupply.comShine Supply Instagram - 80k followers, zero adsinstagram.com/shinesupplyMentioned Tools:Shopify - Ecommerce platformshopify.comKlaviyo - Email marketing automationklaviyo.comLoox Reviews - Photo review systemloox.appWork With Kurt:Apply for Shopify Helpethercycle.com/applySee Our Resultsethercycle.com/workFree Newsletterkurtelster.comThe Unofficial Shopify Podcast is hosted by Kurt Elster and explores the stories behind successful Shopify stores. Get actionable insights, practical strategies, and proven tactics from entrepreneurs who've built thriving ecommerce businesses.

Available on YouTube: [youtu.be/wDlijQtbLJo](https://youtu.be/wDlijQtbLJo)What if your brand could sell a million orders before shipping a single product?Bryant Garvin, marketing lead at Ozlo Sleep and former CMO of Groove Life, did exactly that. In this episode, he shares how performance branding, differentiated product, and a viral video formula helped Ozlo launch with massive traction. From his early work at Purple Mattress to Groove Life’s rise, Bryant breaks down what it takes to turn pre-orders into a brand-building machine.Sponsors:Swym – Wishlists, Back in Stock alerts, & moreCleverific – Smart order editing for ShopifyZipify – Build high-converting sales funnelsLinks & Resources:Bryant Garvin on LinkedInOzlo SleepPurple MattressGroove LifeWork with KurtWorkApplyNewsletter

Watch the video interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/TMVqWfaddG8Shopify store owners: what if one simple question could improve your ad spend, creative, and segmentation?In this episode of The Unofficial Shopify Podcast, Matt Bahr, founder of Fairing, unpacks what 20 million post-purchase surveys taught him about attribution—and why most brands still get it wrong. Learn how to track what really works, identify new channels like AppLovin and CTV, and use surveys to improve more than just marketing.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why last-click attribution is broken—and what to use insteadThe one survey question every brand should askHow Fairing’s data reveals the rise of AppLovin and CTVWhat zero-party data can do for your segmentation and CROHow top brands like Bombas and Thrive use surveys to drive actionSponsors:Swym – Wishlists, Back in Stock alerts, & moreCleverific – Smart order editing for ShopifyZipify – Build high-converting sales funnelsResources mentioned:FairingShopify App ListingLLM BenchmarksMatt Bahr on LinkedInWork with Kurt:ApplyClient ResultsJoin the Newsletter

Also on YouTube...What’s really holding your Shopify store back? After 10,000 UX audits, Oddit co-founder Shaun Brandt has answers, and most stores are making the same 7 mistakes. Menus that bury the merch. Popups that hijack the screen. Product pages with zero context.This episode is a takedown of bad ecommerce decisions, packed with fixes that actually make you more money. Whether you’re running a $50k side hustle or an eight-figure brand, the solutions are simple and the impact is real.If your conversion rate’s stuck, this is your episode.Sponsors:Swym – Wishlists, Back in Stock alerts, & moreCleverific – Smart order editing for ShopifyZipify – Build high-converting sales funnelsLinksOdditShaun Brandt on LinkedInShopify Blog: What Is Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO)?Work With KurtApplyResultsNewsletter

Available on YouTube: youtu.be/qdpFmuFD8yEShopify merchants are getting pitched AI SEO “solutions” left and right—none of them proven. So I called Jason Berkowitz, an SEO who actually knows the game, to answer the real question: what should you actually do to rank in an AI-powered world? (Spoiler: most of it’s nonsense.) We break down what’s real, what’s trash, and why good SEO still wins—even in a sea of chatbots and grifters.SponsorsZipify – Build high-converting sales funnelsCleverific – Smart order editing for ShopifyViralsweep – Create sweepstakes, contests, and giveawaysLinksJason Berkowitz / Break the WebShopify Global Product CatalogChatGPT Product Search BetaWork With KurtGrow your Shopify store with me: https://ethercycle.com/applySee client results: https://ethercycle.com/workJoin my newsletter for Shopify insights: https://kurtelster.com/

Sara Olsher started Mighty + Bright as a handmade calendar to help her toddler cope with divorce. A decade (and one breast cancer diagnosis) later, it’s a full-time Shopify business helping kids, adults, and neurodivergent folks navigate tough life stuff with visual structure. In this episode, Sara shares how she bootstrapped the brand, embraced customer feedback, and scaled with purpose—not just ad spend.You’ll learn:How personal chaos sparked a viral product lineWhy bootstrapping kept her business healthy and profitableThe power of customer-led product developmentHow one TikTok collab outsold her entire kids’ lineSponsorsZipify – Build high-converting sales funnelsCleverific – Smart order editing for ShopifyAddress Validator – Reduce delivery address errors & costsLinks and Resources:Sara OlsherMighty + BrightApps, Tools, & ServicesStoreHero – Profit-focused ad tracking and analyticsOctane AI – Shop quizzes for ShopifySensible Forecasting – Inventory planningBundles.app – Inventory syncing for Shopify bundlesiPaKey – Packing and fulfillment scanner toolWork with Kurt:→ Grow your Shopify store→ See client success stories→ Join Kurt’s newsletter

Also on YouTube: youtu.be/4lOLw1k4ocAShopify VP of Retail, Ray Reddy, joins to walk through what’s new in POS V10.Faster checkoutsSplit fulfillmentCustom brandingBetter searchIf you sell in person, this episode is for you.Show LinksShopify POSShopify Editions (Summer 2025)Ray Reddy on LinkedInSponsorsZipify – Build high-converting sales funnelsCleverific – Smart order editing for ShopifyBoost AI Search & Filter – Frictionless Product Discovery with AIWork with KurtGrow your Shopify store with meSee our recent client winsJoin my newsletter

Watch on YouTubeShopify unveiled a sweeping AI-first vision at Editions.dev 2025, and it's got their partners buzzing. In this episode, we go beyond the keynote to bring you on-the-ground reactions from developers, partners, and skeptics alike.Featuring interviews with:Anne Thomas (Design Packs)Ezra Firestone (Zipify)Jamil Bhuya (Otherhalf Studio)Karl Meisterheim (Liquid Weekly)We dig into:Horizon's AI-generated blocksShopify’s global product catalog pushThe looming idea of a multi-store global cartSome call it the future of commerce. We call it required listening.SponsorsZipify – Build high-converting sales funnelsCleverific – Smart order editing for ShopifyViralsweep – Create sweepstakes, contests, and giveawaysLinksShopify Editions Summer '25Editions.devRelated ResourcesWill Premium Themes Get Horizon Blocks? (ed.codes)TUSP Facebook Group PostUnderstanding Shopify Catalog API (Sherocommerce)Liquid WeeklyFor more unfiltered Shopify wisdom:kurtelster.compaulreda.comethercycle.comHelp the showAsk a question in The Unofficial Shopify Podcast Facebook GroupLeave a reviewSubscribe wherever you get your podcasts

What if your Shopify brand could sell 16 million cans and hit $28M in its first full year? Aaron Nosbisch did just that with BRĒZ, a microdose drink brand that taps into the decline of alcohol, the rise of wellness, and a smarter ecommerce playbook. In this episode, he breaks down the entire journey—from ignored category to household name.Show LinksAaron Nosbisch: https://twitter.com/AaronJNosbischBRĒZ: https://drinkbrez.comLucyd: https://www.wearelucyd.comSponsors:Zipify – Build high-converting sales funnelsCleverific – Smart order editing for ShopifyViralsweep – Create sweepstakes, contests, and giveaways.Work with Kurt:Grow your Shopify store: https://ethercycle.com/applyJoin the newsletter: https://kurtelster.com/Subscribe for more Shopify founder stories.

Also on YouTube: https://youtu.be/fXKVcwl8FS8How a BOGO Deal Bootstrapped Neven Eyewear to MillionsJonathan Strauss lost a $500 pair of sunglasses jet skiing—and turned that wipeout into Neven Eyewear. What began as a desperate liquidation promo turned into a DTC breakthrough. In this episode, Strauss reveals how a buy-one-get-two offer saved his brand, what’s changed with Meta ads, and why scaling a bootstrapped Shopify store takes more grit than cash.Learn:Why BOGO x3 worked when nothing else didHow Neven ships worldwide with no VC moneyThe backend tech powering their crazy offerWhat most brands get wrong about Meta adsSponsored by:Zipify – Build high-converting sales funnelsCleverific – Smart order editing for ShopifyAddress Validator – Reduce delivery address errors & costsLinks:Neven Eyewear → neveneyewear.comSight for Sound → neveneyewear.com/pages/sight-for-soundJudge.me Reviews → apps.shopify.com/judgemeGlasson 360 Viewer → apps.shopify.com/glassonShopify → shopify.com

Still trying to crack the SEO code in 2025? Jeff Oxford has worked on 300+ eCommerce sites, and he’s here to share what actually works for Shopify merchants now. From why your $300 product may be killing your rankings to how AI tools can scale your SEO ops, Jeff cuts through the noise. This episode delivers a tactical, no-fluff breakdown of SEO strategy in a search landscape increasingly shaped by AI, user behavior, and smarter content.Sponsors:Zipify – Build high-converting sales funnels: zipify.com/KURTCleverific – Smart order editing for Shopify: cleverific.com/unofficialAddress Validator – Reduce delivery address errors: addressvalidator.comLinks & Resources:Jeff Oxford – 180marketing.comKurt Elster – kurtelster.comTools & Services Mentioned:AhrefsClaude (Anthropic)Google Search ConsoleReplitScreenshotOne APIShopifyUbersuggestWork With Kurt:Apply to work with Kurt: ethercycle.com/applySee our client success stories: ethercycle.com/workGet my newsletter: kurtelster.com