The Shopify Solutions Podcast

4/24/24 - Episode 131Episode SummaryIn this episode, Scott Austin introduces a scorecard tool for assessing your Shopify store's performance. The episode outlines how this scorecard helps store owners identify strengths and weaknesses, enabling informed decision-making for improvements. It emphasizes the importance of setting clear metrics and regular updates to foster systematic growth and enhance customer satisfaction.SHOW LINKSAdding GA4 Tracking to your Shopify Store - https://jadepuma.com/blogs/the-shopify-solutions-podcast/episode-102-adding-google-analytics-4-to-your-shopify-storeGA4 Implementation Checklist - https://jadepuma.com/blogs/blog/ga4-implementation-checklist-for-shopify Google Looker Studio - https://lookerstudio.google.com/Shopify Weekly Scorecard Template - https://jadepuma.com/weekly-scorecardShopify Monthly Scorecard Template - https://jadepuma.com/monthly-scorecardVIDEO - https://jadepuma.com/blogs/the-shopify-solutions-podcast/episode-131-scorecard-for-your-shopify-store  HELP THE PODCASTLeave a review - https://ratethispodcast.com/solutions 

4/10/24 - Episode 130Episode SummaryIn this episode, Scott Austin talks to JT, owner of ReptiChip.  JT has grown the revenue of his Shopify store 5X in the past year and a half.  Listen to him tell how has done this. SHOW LINKS Reptichip - https://reptichip.com/VIDEO - https://jadepuma.com/blogs/the-shopify-solutions-podcast/episode-130-5xing-a-shopify-store  HELP THE PODCASTLeave a review - https://ratethispodcast.com/solutions

 3/27/24 - Episode 129Episode SummaryIn this episode, Scott Austin discusses strategies for maximizing business gains from participating in various events such as industry trade shows, local community events, pop-up shops, workshops, and more. He emphasizes the importance of not just selling but also using these opportunities to better understand customers and collect email addresses. Austin suggests that rather than primarily talking about the brand and products, engaging in listening and asking questions can provide valuable insights into product-market fit. He provides a list of questions aimed at deepening understanding of customer needs and preferences. Additionally, he explains the psychological advantages of an "Enter to Win" campaign over discount offers for collecting email addresses, highlighting how excitement, anticipation, and the perception of winning a valuable prize can significantly increase participation and engagement. Austin outlines practical steps for setting up an email collection process using tools like Klaviyo and Shopify, and concludes by reiterating the dual goals of understanding customers better and efficiently collecting email addresses at events.SHOW LINKS Klaviyo - https://jadepuma.com/klaivyo (Affiliate Link)Adding the Event to your Klaviyo form - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4iveBpSt6A TRANSCRIPT - https://jadepuma.com/blogs/the-shopify-solutions-podcast/episode-129-getting-the-most-out-of-events HELP THE PODCASTLeave a review - https://ratethispodcast.com/solutions  

3/13/24 - Episode 128Episode SummaryThis podcast episode offers a comprehensive guide on creating simple yet effective videos for e-commerce content marketing, emphasizing the importance of video content in 2024. The host, a proponent of video marketing for every e-commerce store, demonstrates how to craft a video using Clip Champ, a free Microsoft software ideal for beginners due to its simplicity and intuitive interface. The episode details the process of creating a promotional video for an Airbnb cabin, starting from scripting to the final touches, utilizing features like text-to-speech for voiceovers and basic editing techniques to enhance visual assets. The host showcases how to effectively use transitions, background music, and motion effects to make static photos engaging, and introduces ways to incorporate text for additional information. The tutorial is designed to motivate e-commerce store owners to overcome hesitations about video production by demonstrating an accessible, easy-to-follow method that doesn't require advanced equipment or software, encouraging them to start incorporating video content into their marketing strategies.SHOW LINKSThe Video We Made - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfTSHHiB-KEClipChamp video editting software - https://clipchamp.com/en/TRANSCRIPT & VIDEO - https://jadepuma.com/blogs/the-shopify-solutions-podcast/episode-128-making-your-first-video HELP THE PODCASTLeave a review - https://ratethispodcast.com/solutions  

2/28/24 - Episode 127Episode SummaryIn this podcast episode, the focus is on strategies for Shopify store owners to incorporate customers from third-party channels like Amazon, Etsy, and eBay into their email marketing lists. The episode emphasizes the significance of email marketing in e-commerce, stating that established brands should aim to generate a significant portion of their revenue from email through both automated flows and targeted campaigns.The challenges of marketing to customers on third-party platforms are discussed, highlighting the inability to directly email these customers. Strategies for enticing customers to join a Shopify store's email list include offering compelling incentives such as welcome gifts, educational content, or warranty registration. The importance of making the call to action clear and simple is stressed, with suggestions on how to effectively communicate offers through pack-ins, stickers, dedicated landing pages, QR codes, and friendly URLs.The episode also covers the necessity of adhering to third-party platform policies to avoid policy violations, briefly outlining the guidelines set by Amazon, Etsy, and eBay regarding customer engagement and data collection.The takeaway is a call to action for listeners to start engaging their customers more effectively by testing out these methods, with optimism about the potential for quick and positive results. The episode provides actionable insights for Shopify store owners looking to expand their email marketing efforts by integrating customers from various selling platforms.SHOW LINKSShopify QR Code Generator - https://www.shopify.com/tools/qr-code-generator TRANSCRIPT & VIDEO - https://jadepuma.com/blogs/the-shopify-solutions-podcast/episode-127-building-your-list-through-other-channels HELP THE PODCASTLeave a review - https://ratethispodcast.com/solutions  

2/14/24 - Episode 126Episode SummaryThis episode discusses the importance and effectiveness of video content in e-commerce, using a case study of a company known for its aggressive video marketing strategy. It highlights how this company has successfully used video content to showcase product features, create a strong brand identity, and significantly increase its marketing reach and sales. The episode emphasizes the power of well-produced video content in engaging potential customers, driving traffic, and boosting conversions for online stores.TRANSCRIPT & VIDEO - https://jadepuma.com/blogs/the-shopify-solutions-podcast/episode-126-video-content-in-e-commerce HELP THE PODCASTLeave a review - https://ratethispodcast.com/solutions  

1/31/24 - Episode 125Episode SummaryIn this podcast episode, Scott Austin critiques Bearskin Tactical's marketing by reviewing 62 promotional emails he received from them in a month. He notes their aggressive marketing, with emails sent out twice daily, often featuring engaging visuals and emojis. However, he disapproves of their deceptive sales tactics, where the company advertises fake sales with inflated list prices that never change.Austin acknowledges the effectiveness of Bearskin Tactical's approach in terms of customer engagement and expanding their product line. He commends their email copywriting, creative use of urgency, and product presentation strategies, including the use of animated graphics and tiered pricing discounts.Yet, he advises against duplicating their dishonest sales strategy and stresses the importance of honest marketing. He suggests having unique landing pages for each campaign for SEO benefits and challenges listeners to consider increasing the frequency of their honest email campaigns to enhance their marketing efforts.TRANSCRIPT & VIDEO - https://jadepuma.com/blogs/the-shopify-solutions-podcast HELP THE PODCASTLeave a review - https://ratethispodcast.com/solutions  

1/17/24 - Episode 124Episode SummaryThis episode offers advice on improving SEO traffic for e-commerce sites. The episode emphasizes the importance of creating a dedicated page for discount codes, with a focus on optimizing for relevant keywords. It suggests including high-quality content, current and valid coupon codes, and clear information about the use of discount codes. The podcast also discusses the strategy of building separate, optimized pages for different discount programs such as military, student, or first responder discounts. Finally, it highlights common mistakes in discount code pages using the example of a top Shopify brand.DISCOUNT CODE LINKhttps://<your shop url>/discount/<your discount code>?redirect=/<your campaign / collection / product url >TRANSCRIPT - https://jadepuma.com/blogs/the-shopify-solutions-podcast/episode-124-add-this-page-for-seoSHOW LINKSAllbirds Example - https://www.allbirds.com/pages/truth-about-allbirds-coupons HELP THE PODCASTLeave a review - https://ratethispodcast.com/solutions  

1/3/24 - Episode 123Episode SummaryIn this episode, Scott, discusses the significance of email marketing for e-commerce brands, particularly those using Shopify and Klaviyo. He emphasizes that well-executed email strategies can contribute significantly to a brand's revenue, potentially accounting for one-quarter to one-third of it. The discussion revolves around two types of emails: campaigns (bulk emails for events like sales) and flows (triggered emails sent to individuals based on specific actions like making a purchase).Scott highlights the importance of post-purchase email flows as a tool to convert one-time buyers into repeat customers. He suggests various post-purchase email ideas, initially covering basic notifications already provided by Shopify like order confirmation, shipping and delivery notifications, and requests for reviews.The focus then shifts to more strategic email flows that brands should set up using their email tool. These include personalized thank you notes, delayed shipping notifications, reminders of warranties or guarantees, cross-sell recommendations, replenishment reminders, subscription options, and suggestions for product replacements or upgrades.Additionally, Scott proposes ideas for engaging customers beyond direct sales, such as educating them about products, sharing maintenance tips, suggesting product customizations, and offering ideas for different uses or upcycling of products. He also touches on incorporating brand stories, sustainability practices, and community involvement in emails.For implementation, Scott advises keeping each email focused on a single topic and call to action, creating product-specific flows, managing multiple flows for ease, and not worrying about sending too many emails if they offer value. He underscores the necessity of content creation in email marketing and the iterative process involved in developing effective content.The episode concludes with Scott reiterating the importance of post-purchase emails in growing a business and enhancing customer engagement, emphasizing the need to tailor these strategies to fit the brand's voice and customer demographics.TRANSCRIPT - https://jadepuma.com/blogs/the-shopify-solutions-podcast/episode-123-49-ideas-for-post-purchase-email-flowsSHOW LINKSKlaviyo Sign-Up - https://jadepuma.com/klaviyo (affiliate link)  HELP THE PODCASTLeave a review - https://ratethispodcast.com/solutions  

12/20/23 - Episode 122Episode Summary:This episode discusses the use of AI, particularly a new feature called GPTs, in improving the efficiency and accuracy of customer support for e-commerce brands. The host, a proponent of AI, describes GPTs as custom versions of ChatGPT that provide consistent experiences and are easy to create without coding knowledge. These tailored AI systems can be fed specific data sources, such as a company's website, to ensure high-quality, accurate information.The episode details a practical application where GPTs are used for customer support. By restricting the AI to a company's website, it can quickly provide relevant answers, enhancing the customer experience. This is particularly useful for smaller e-commerce brands that outsource their customer support, often resulting in slow and inadequate service due to lack of brand-specific knowledge. The GPTs can also be restricted to certain websites or incorporate uploaded files like product manuals for more precise information.The process of setting up a GPT is explained through a step-by-step demonstration, showcasing how to create a customer support representative AI. The host emphasizes the importance of the AI's tone and the ability to tailor it to specific needs, such as being professional and empathetic for products related to recovery from injuries.A limitation of the GPTs is mentioned: ChatGPT's query throttles, which restrict the number of queries. The quality of the GPT's responses depends on the quality of the content provided. The host advises regularly updating the website with new information from customer queries to ensure the GPT remains effective.In conclusion, the host recommends using GPTs for brands on the paid plan of ChatGPT, emphasizing their ability to leverage existing content for accurate customer support responses.TRANSCRIPT - https://jadepuma.com/blogs/the-shopify-solutions-podcast/episode-122-using-ai-in-customer-supportSHOW LINKSChatGPT - https://chat.openai.com/ HELP THE PODCASTLeave a review - https://ratethispodcast.com/solutions  

 12/6/23 - Episode 121Key topics include:Importance of Color Palette: Emphasizes the role of a consistent color palette in brand recognition and emotional connection with the audience. Colors distinguish a brand from competitors and are integral to the brand's identity​​.Color Theory Basics: Explains primary, secondary, and tertiary colors, and the concept of color relationships like complementary, analogous, and split complementary colors​​.Color Schemes: Discusses different color schemes such as triadic, tetradic, and monochromatic, highlighting their applications and effects on brand aesthetics​​.Emotions and Meanings of Colors: Describes how various colors evoke specific emotions and associations, influencing customer perception and brand messaging​​.Crafting a Color Palette: Offers a step-by-step guide on creating a brand's color palette, considering brand personality, target audience, and industry trends. It suggests using tools like ColorHexa for color selection and stresses the importance of a minimalist approach to color choices​​.Implementing the Color Palette: Covers practical aspects of applying the color palette to a Shopify store, including theme customization, notification settings, and consistency across customer-facing apps. It advises against frequent changes to maintain brand consistency and trust​​.This episode provides a comprehensive understanding of how to effectively choose and implement a color palette to enhance a Shopify brand's identity and customer appeal.TRANSCRIPT - https://jadepuma.com/blogs/the-shopify-solutions-podcast/episode-121-creating-a-color-palette-for-your-shopify-brand SHOW LINKSColorHexa - https://colorhexa.com Branding Crash Course - https://jadepuma.com/products/branding-crash-course HELP THE PODCASTLeave a review - https://ratethispodcast.com/solutions  

11/22/23 - Episode 120This 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:Avoiding pop-ups during sales events and instead focusing on the shopping experience.Creating a sense of urgency and indicating the end date of sales to motivate customers.Including holiday theming and messaging to enhance the festive atmosphere.Improving site navigation and product filtering options for better user experience.Clearly indicating sale items and discounts to avoid customer confusion.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-campaignsHELP THE PODCASTLeave a review - https://ratethispodcast.com/solutions  

11/8/23 - Episode 119The 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-rightSHOW LINKSChama Valley Meat Co - https://chamavalleymeatco.com/ OrthoBracing - https://orthobracing.com/ The Game Steward - https://www.thegamesteward.com/ Youth & Earth - https://youthandearth.com/ HELP THE PODCASTLeave a review - https://ratethispodcast.com/solutions  

10/25/23 - Episode 118Introduction: 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 LINKSChatGPT - https://chat.openai.com/ PhotoShop - https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop HELP THE PODCASTLeave a review - https://ratethispodcast.com/solutions  

10/11/23 - Episode 117Bundles 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-storeSHOW LINKSShopify Bundles App - https://apps.shopify.com/shopify-bundles HELP THE PODCASTLeave a review - https://ratethispodcast.com/solutions  

9/27/23 - Episode 116Scott 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-templatesSHOW LINKSChama Valley Meat Co - https://chamavalleymeatco.com/  ChargeTech - https://chargetech.com/ Shopify Dynamic Sources Documentation - https://shopify.dev/docs/themes/architecture/settings/dynamic-sources HELP THE PODCASTLeave a review - https://ratethispodcast.com/solutions  

9/13/23 - Episode 115Overview:Shopify has been continuously improving its platform, and the latest release allows for more robust filtering options.The episode aims to guide you through implementing powerful filters on your Shopify store using free tools.Tools Needed:Shopify Search & Discovery App: This free app by Shopify helps in setting up filters.Shopify Flow: Another free app that automates various tasks, including setting metafield values based on conditions.Steps to Implement Filters:1. Define Your Taxonomy:Decide what you want your filters to be (e.g., types of meat like beef, yak, lamb).2. Use Metafields:Go to Shopify settings and then to custom data to define metafields.Metafields can be set to have a dropdown menu of options, ensuring consistency.3. Enable Faceted Filtering in Theme:Go to your Shopify theme and enable faceted filtering, which will look to the Shopify Search and Discovery app for what filters to present.4. Set Up Filters in Search and Discovery App:Use the metafield values you've defined to set up filters.5. Automate with Shopify Flow:Create a flow that automatically sets metafield values based on certain conditions (e.g., if the product title contains "beef," set the metafield value to "beef").6. Use Metafields in Collections:You can now also create collections based on metafield values, ensuring consistency across your store.Additional Tips:The episode also discusses some technical details, like how to structure data in Shopify Flow, especially when you have multiple options for a metafield.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-storeSHOW LINKSGet a Store Audit - https://jadepuma.com/products/shopify-store-audit Shopify Flow - https://apps.shopify.com/flow Shopify Search & Discovery - https://apps.shopify.com/search-and-discovery HELP THE PODCASTLeave a review - https://ratethispodcast.com/solutions  

8/30/23 - Episode 114The 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 LINKSGet a Store Audit - https://jadepuma.com/products/shopify-store-audit Jaimie's Website - https://jaimieleeugc.com/ HELP THE PODCASTLeave a review - https://ratethispodcast.com/solutions  

8/16/23 - Episode 113The 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 Trademarks: Elizabeth delves into the fundamental concepts of trademarks, explaining what they are and why they are essential for businesses.Benefits of Trademarks: Registering a trademark can provide a brand with exclusive rights to its name, logo, and other identifying features. This prevents other entities from using similar marks that could confuse consumers.Trademark Registration Process: Elizabeth outlines the steps involved in registering a trademark, from conducting a thorough search to ensure the mark isn't already in use, to filing the necessary paperwork and awaiting approval.Common Mistakes: The podcast highlights some common pitfalls brands might encounter during the trademarking process, such as not conducting a comprehensive search or choosing a name/logo that's too generic.Expert Insights: Elizabeth offers insights from her professional experience in the field of trademark law. She provides advice on best practices and shares her experiences.VIDEO & TRANSCRIPT - https://jadepuma.com/blogs/the-shopify-solutions-podcast/episode-113-trademarks-for-your-brandSHOW LINKS Get a Store Audit - https://jadepuma.com/products/shopify-store-auditElizabeth's Website - https://www.elizabethpottsweinstein.com/ Elizabeth's YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@ElizabethPW USPTO - https://www.uspto.gov/ Trademarkia - https://www.trademarkia.com/ HELP THE PODCASTLeave a review - https://ratethispodcast.com/solutions   

8/2/23 - Episode 112In 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-decisionsSHOW LINKSFine Linen and Bath - https://flandb.com/ OrthoBracing - https://orthobracing.com/ HELP THE PODCASTLeave a review - https://ratethispodcast.com/solutions  Apply for Shopify Store Consult Podcast Episode - https://jadepuma.com/pages/podcast-consult-application