When you picture product filtering, you’re probably picturing it the way Amazon does it. In addition to a search bar at the top of the page, they have a sidebar with several ways to filter results in order to quickly find the products you’re interested in.

Amazon is currently way ahead of the rest of the field when it comes to product filtering. It’s time to close the gap. 

On this episode, you’ll hear:

• A detailed description of product filtering
• Why product filtering matters
• The current state of product filtering across the industry
• How store builders can improve their own filtering systems

If you think you could improve the product filtering on your website, then this is one episode you won’t want to miss.

Resources

• Liquid Web 
• Why eCommerce Product Filtering Is Broken (and How to Fix It)
• The Current State Of E-Commerce Filtering

eCommerce has traditionally been a desktop-first industry. Most eCommerce platforms are constructed for a desktop setting and then modified to work on mobile devices. 

A recent, exhaustive study by the Baymard Institute identified five main problems that can arise when desktop eCommerce stores are translated into a mobile context. With mobile eCommerce growing rapidly in popularity, these are issues any store builder should be aware of. 

On this episode you’ll hear:

• More about this mobile interphase study
• The 5 main problems of doing eCommerce on mobile devices
• How store builders can prevent these problems from occurring

If you build or manage eCommerce stores that are set up for mobile use, then this is one episode you won’t want to miss!

Resources

• Liquid Web 
• Understanding Mobile E-Commerce UX: 5 Overarching Issues

Conversion rate optimization doesn’t always show up in the job description for store builders. Usually, conversion is seen as a marketing or business problem, traditionally outside the scope of the person whose main role is constructing the store itself. 

But store builders are also trained to be problem solvers. As we’ll see in this episode, store builders may have a special perspective on why some stores convert and why others don’t.

On this episode you’ll hear:

• Why Conversion rate optimization (CRO) is really a store builder's duty 
• What tips store builders can roll into their regular development
• What suggestions store builders can share with merchants

If you’re looking for some new ways to leverage your influence as a store builder, then this is one episode you won’t want to miss!

Resources

• Liquid Web 
• 9 Best Practices for Creating a High Converting Pricing Page (With Examples)

As a store builder, there are always demands on your time. As your caseload grows and your business expands, scheduling and organizing your time becomes more important and more difficult to do. 

One way to protect your time is to think of client calls as appointments. Asking clients and associates to schedule appointments puts you back in control of your schedule, and reinforces the fact that your time is valuable. 

On this episode you’ll hear: 

• Why everyone needs appointment solutions
• The questions store builders should be asking
• Some of the top options out there and how to figure out which to use
• Where things get tricky

If you’re looking for more ways to protect the value of your time, then this is one episode you won’t want to miss. 

Resources

• Liquid Web 
• Help your Revenue by Selling Advice Online (Create Your Own Clarity.fm)
• Bookly
• WooCommerce Bookings
• Tyche Softwares

Cart abandonment is not a new problem for eCommerce stores. While we have a much better understanding of why shoppers abandon their carts, it hasn’t been as easy to come up with feasible solutions. 

Today, we’re trying to change that. We’ll analyze cart abandonment at its source and the reasons why traditional approaches don’t really help. Once we do that, it’s pretty clear that some solutions are better than others, and we’re happy to share them with you. 

On this episode we discuss:

• Why cart abandonment is the biggest problem in eCommerce
• The normal approach to deal with cart abandonment
• Fast.co - who they are and what they do differently
• Who can use Fast.co right now?

If you’re looking for some groundbreaking ways to minimize your cart abandonment issues, then this is one episode you won’t want to miss!

Resources

• Liquid Web 
• Fast.co
• Stripe
• Fast Launches One-Click Checkout for Every Device, Platform and Browser
• Fast.co Big Commerce
• Fast Opens Up Payments Technology to WooCommerce, Enabling One-Click Checkout for Millions of New Online Sellers

No one was expecting the year 2020 to be what it was. As we look ahead to a new year, we’re asking what does it mean to go back to normal? How much of what we see now is here to stay?

In fact, 2020 was a great year for eCommerce, and we think eCommerce will continue to be a permanent part of the way people buy and sell for years to come. 

On this episode you’ll hear:

• How COVID-19 may impact eCommerce in 2021
• The eCommerce trends from 2020 we expect to continue 
• Some unexpected trends to keep an eye on

If you’re looking for some early predictions about eCommerce in 2021, then this is one episode you won’t want to miss!

Resources

• Liquid Web 
• https://blog.3dcart.com/future-of-ecommerce-2021
• https://gtm-plus.com/evolution-of-ecommerce-trend-to-expect-in-2021/
• https://searchnode.com/blog/ecommerce-trends/

When the conversion rates for an eCommerce store start dropping, it’s all too easy to blame the store builder. Likewise, it’s all too easy for store builders to say conversion rates aren’t their problem if the tech is working. 

Even if part of the store isn’t broken in the traditional sense, you may be able to find things about the store that just aren’t working and make helpful suggestions for ways to improve its operation. Just because you aren’t the problem doesn’t mean you can’t be part of the solution. 

On this episode you’ll hear:

• Why you should care about dropping conversion rates 
• Where store builders can help merchants improve conversions
• The first things you need to do as a store builder

If you could use help improving the conversion rates of your store, then this is one episode you won’t want to miss!

Resources

• Liquid Web 
• Glew.io

For most businesses, the receipt is simply the end of the transaction. After the receipt is given to the customer, many businesses move on to other things. 

However, entrepreneurs are beginning to unlock the potential of the receipt. When you email a receipt to a customer, it is one of the few emails they are almost sure to open. With that guaranteed customer contact, it’s in your best interest to maximize that interaction. 

On this episode you’ll hear:

• How eCommerce receipts can be strategic
• Some of the best ways merchants can use them
• What do store builders need to prep to make this happen

If you think you can be doing more with your receipts, then this is one episode you won’t want to miss.

Resources

• Liquid Web 

Returns are a natural part of the life cycle for online stores. If your returns system turns into a negative experience for your shoppers, you could lose their business. Likewise, if you can make returning goods a positive experience, you can build trust and loyalty. 

Today we’ll discuss some different ways to improve this process, including an option to outsource it all to a company called Happy Returns. We’ll explain why this solution benefits both you and your customers.

On this episode you’ll hear:

• The standard percentage of returns merchants can expect these days
• What you can do to make it better
• What Happy Returns does and how it works
• The upside of working with Happy Returns

If you are looking for ways to improve your returns process, then this is one episode you won’t want to miss.

Resources

• Liquid Web 
• Happy Returns

Over the last few decades, one of the biggest trends in business involved stores that started in physical locations migrating to an online environment. We are now witnessing the opposite trend, in which stores that started as online-only operations are now looking for ways to do business in person. 

Point of sale services provides both the hardware and software to enable this to happen. It involves a lean, mobile setup that provides online stores with the freedom to connect with customers in physical locations. 

On this episode you’ll hear:

• Why online stores care about POS
• What the options are 
• Why merchants should consider new Cloud POS solutions
• Who we like best and why

If you do business online but would like the freedom to set up shop in person, then you won’t want to miss this episode on point of sale!

Resources

• Liquid Web 
• Oliver
• Vend
• Lightspeed
• Square
• Clover

We are living in the age of analytics. It’s easier than ever to find data about who is shopping at your store and the kind of activity occurring on your site. While the quantity of data is increasing, the quality of analysis sometimes lags behind. 

That’s why we recommend Glew.io. This powerful tool allows you to analyze your data in a variety of ways, giving you the information you need to make informed decisions about your site. 

On this episode you’ll hear:

• Who is Glew.io?
• Why store builders need to know about this service
• What it can deliver to merchants
• Why it is worth the investment

If you are looking for ways to be smarter about your data, then this is one episode you won’t want to miss!

Resources

• Liquid Web 
• Glew.io

Customer segmentation is a process that allows store builders and store merchants to break down their shoppers into different segments based on factors like age, location, and other demographics. Typically, these segments are used to create more targeted and personalized messages that are more effective than one-size-fits-all newsletters. 

However, segments can be used in much more dynamic and strategic ways that create exciting new opportunities for online shopping and customer engagement.

On this episode you’ll hear:

• How to define segments
• The importance of segments
• Types of segments you can create
• What this means for you as a store builder

If you feel like you could use customer segmentation in more strategic ways with your online store, then this is one episode you won’t want to miss!

Resources

• Liquid Web 

Brand loyalty is a powerful force in business. The majority of shoppers prefer to shop in settings that feel familiar and safe. However, bad customer experiences can override that sense of loyalty and drive customers to new brands.

As a store builder, it’s important to create a positive online shopping experience that will retain your loyal shoppers and win over new customers who are undecided. 

On today’s episode you’ll hear:

• The lessons we’ve learned about brand loyalty in the last year
• What this means for the customer experience
• Some examples of great customer experiences
• What this means for the store builder

If you’re looking for ways to improve the customer experience of your online store, then this is one episode you won’t want to miss!

Resources

• Liquid Web 

Generating return sales is one of the most cost-effective ways to improve the profitability of your business. That’s because it’s much less expensive and time-consuming to drive repeat purchases than it is to find new customers, direct them to your site, and make a sale. 

Even though return sales are so valuable, many online stores don’t have any systems in place to pursue this valuable opportunity. Today, we’ll talk about how you can help create the business models and technical systems that will help drive repeat business for your store. 

On today’s episode you’ll hear:

• The benefit of return sales
• How to build business models that generate return sales
• How to build technical systems that drive return sales
• Ways to encourage store merchants to think about this
• Technical solutions to enable this on your store

If your online store could do a better job driving repeat business from your customer base, then this is one episode you won’t want to miss!

Resources

• Liquid Web 
• Magic.link

Who is Bolt? What do they do? A company that began offering easy checkout and fraud protection to eCommerce sites just raised $50 million in their Series C fundraising campaign. Armed with a compelling set of features and easy compatibility with different eCommerce platforms, Bolt looks like it’s here to stay. 

In the next few months and years, you can expect to see more people jump on the Bolt bandwagon. So today we’re discussing who they are, what they do, and what you can expect from them in the years to come. 

On this episode you’ll hear:

• Background information about Bolt
• Why they are making news
• Why store builders should be paying attention
• How Bolt can impact eCommerce payments, checkout, and fraud protection
• Who Bolt is best suited to help

If you’re interested in exploring if Bolt is a good fit for you and your work, then don’t miss this episode of the Store Builders Podcast!

Resources

• Liquid Web 
• Bolt
• Armed With $50 Million In Fresh Funding, Bolt Helps Retailers Shift To ECommerce

Up until now, the majority of eCommerce websites have been built by tech-savvy developers who were fluent in or familiar with some coding language. This expertise in coding provided something of a barrier to entry in the field. 

But recently, a new trend toward “no code,” or “drag and drop” eCommerce sites has grown rapidly. Some eCommerce platforms have provided templates for building websites that require no prior coding knowledge whatsoever. Today, we examine the implications of this trend, and what it could mean for your store and your career as a store builder. 

On this episode you’ll hear:

• How to define drag and drop eCommerce
• The importance of these websites
• How drag and drop sites function
• The limitations of drag and drop
• How this trend might affect the future of eCommerce

If you’re interested in how drag and drop sites could impact your work as a store builder, then this is one episode you won’t want to miss!

Resources

• Liquid Web 
• Drag-and-drop Ecommerce Tools Are on the Rise
• Wix
• Squarespace
• BigCommerce

If you’ve been involved in eCommerce over the past few years, you’re aware of the major players, like Shopify, Magento, and WooCommerce. In a similar fashion, if you’ve been anywhere near the Internet in the last few years, you’re aware of the sleek, artfully designed websites created on Squarespace.

What you may not be aware of is the connection between these two. Squarespace is one of the fastest-growing eCommerce platforms right now, attracting both long-time and first-time sellers with a unique set of design features. 

On today’s episode you’ll hear:

• How long Squarespace has been in the eCommerce market
• How Squarespace compares to Shopify
• The possibilities for offline selling
• Who Squarespace eCommerce is best for 

If you’re interested in the potential of hosting an eCommerce site with the design features available on Squarespace, then this is one episode you won’t want to miss.

Resources

• Liquid Web 
• Squarespace
• Shopify
• Printful

When you start an eCommerce business from scratch, you tend to handle all order fulfillment in-house. Your product is often stored in your own office or garage and processed by hand. 

However, as your business begins to grow, fulfillment will impose an ever-increasing demand on your time and money, and you’ll begin to look for ways to outsource this need to someone else. At this point, you’ll hit a fork in the road. You may be tempted by the convenience of the Fulfillment By Amazon model, but there are other options you should consider. 

On today’s episode you’ll hear:

• An explanation of order fulfillment
• Who uses it, and why
• Reasons you may not want to go through Amazon
• Other fulfillment options to consider
• Questions to ask when examining fulfillment options

If you’re in a position to re-examine how your business handles fulfillment, this is one episode you won’t want to miss.

Resources

• Liquid Web 
• ShipBob
• RedStag

As you become more experienced as a store builder, you will have to make a decision about how to market yourself to potential clients. Do you advertise yourself as an expert who is a master of one eCommerce platform, or do you try to diversify yourself with a balanced set of skills that work on multiple platforms? 

While it may not be realistic to master all available platforms, you ultimately don’t want to be confined and limited to just one platform. Developing a well-rounded knowledge of other platforms will greatly benefit you and your customers. 

On this episode you’ll hear:

• How to define and describe eCommerce platforms
• Why it’s worth it to know more than one
• How to set realistic expectations for yourself
• How to develop a broader skillset

If you’re looking for ways to add more tools to your tool belt, then this is one episode you won’t want to miss!

Resources

• Liquid Web 
• Snipcart
• Commerce Layer

It’s rare for successful businesses to make it all the way to the top without some help. Even the best ideas take time to become profitable. The right injection of capital at the right time can help a good idea get off the ground or break out of a long-running plateau. 

However, if you’re doing business online, the traditional path of applying for a loan from a bank may not be a good fit for your company. In this episode, we’ll talk about how working capital can easily get you the lift you need, lent by people who have a better understanding of what you do. 

On this episode you’ll hear:

• A description of working capital 
• How this is different from traditional bank loans
• How store merchants can use this capital
• The companies offering working capital 
• Why store builders should recommend this to their merchants

If you’re looking for some new ways to revitalize your business then this is one episode you won’t want to miss.

Resources

• Liquid Web 
• Why choose PayPal Working Capital?
• Shopify Capital - United States and Canada
• Stripe Capital FAQs

At some point when you’re building and operating a store, your store owner will likely ask you to improve the automation of the site. Sometimes it’s an explicit request, like, “Hey, can we automate some of this stuff?” Other times, it’s a more subtle request: “What can I do to improve my store?” 

No matter what the call sounds like, you need to be prepared to offer some helpful automation suggestions to your store owner. 

On this episode you’ll hear:

• The value of automation
• Software providers that can help you automate your store
• Suggestions of process to consider automating
• Why you should consider adding these features to your store

If you’re looking for ideas for ways to automate your store or just want to find ways to improve its performance, then this is one episode you won’t want to miss!

Resources

• Liquid Web 
• 12 Automation Recipes to Take Your Sales And Ecommerce to the Next Level
• ActiveCampaign
• ConvertKit
• Drip
• Mailchimp

What are some of the recurring problems you encounter while running your eCommerce store? Do you have consistent employee turnover? Are there consistent errors? Are there persistent lapses in communication?

Sometimes, the core issue is that a company either lacks a clear set of SOPs or hasn’t communicated them clearly enough to its employees. Today, we’ll discuss why you should consider putting your SOP’s in writing, and how to integrate them into the regular rhythms of your business.

On today’s episode you’ll hear:

• A clear explanation of the content and purpose of SOPs
• The main benefits SOPs provide
• How to apply SOPs to an eCommerce setting
• How to write good SOPs
• How to use a tool like ProcessKit to streamline the process

If you’re looking for a simple and efficient way to streamline your business and solve some of your nagging problems, then this is one episode you won’t want to miss!

Resources

• Liquid Web 
• Why Standard Operating Procedures Are Critical for eCommerce Businesses
• How To Write Standard Operating Procedures
• ProcessKit

If you’re a store owner or store builder, chances are you know a lot about your content and your marketplace. But if you’re prioritizing your store or your business, and not regularly blogging or podcasting, chances are you aren’t sharing that knowledge with your customers. 

Comparison posts are a great way to solve this problem. Generating a few comparison posts will allow you to educate your customers and demonstrate your expertise in the marketplace. Once you figure out the format, it’s an intuitive way to both share and receive information. 

On this episode you’ll hear:

• What a comparison post is
• Elements to include in a comparison post
• The time cost and level of difficulty
• How to conduct product research
• Criteria to consider in your post

If you’re looking for an engaging way to share more of what you know with your customers then this one episode you won’t want to miss!

Resources

• Liquid Web 
• Anatomy Of A Comparison Post
• 3 Reasons Why You Should Write Definitive Product Comparison Posts
• Wirecutter

The default mindset of online shoppers is to find discounts and avoid paying full price. In addition to fulfilling this expectation of your customers, you will also have to compete with more coupons and discounts from your competitors.

The age of digital couponing presents its own array of risks and rewards. While there are many substantial benefits to offering coupons to your customers, this practice is not always as straightforward as it may seem.

On this episode you’ll hear:

• Why your customers expect discounts when shopping online
• An informative introduction to digital coupons and what sets them apart from physical coupons
• Why you should consider hiding your coupon box from your shoppers
• Practical tips about how to wisely use digital coupons
• Digital couponing resources you can use today

If you’re looking for new ways to offer engaging discounts to your online shoppers, then this is one episode you won’t want to miss!

Resources

• Liquid Web 
• Hiding The Coupon Code Box: Why Hiding The Discount Field May Help You
• Ecommerce Coupon Marketing Strategies: Give Discounts, Get a Lot More
• Ahoy
• Discount Rules Pro 

As more and more business goes online, incidents of fraud also continue to rise. For online sellers, this could mean significant losses of money, supplies, and time.

Today, we’re offering some of the best practices and tools you can use to spot and prevent fraud to successfully minimize the risks of doing business online. 

On this episode you’ll hear:

• How prevalent online fraud has become
• Different types of fraud to be aware of
• The best ways to prevent fraud
• Best practices for store owners

If you’re looking to improve your ability to spot and prevent fraud for your online business, then this is one episode you won’t want to miss.

Resources

• Liquid Web 
• The Basics of Ecommerce Fraud – What It Is and How To Manage It
• Bolt
• FraudLabs Pro
• Subuno