9 eCommerce Experts You Should Be Following

experts-onlyIt’s really hard to find quality eCommerce content with the individual entrepreneur in mind. Too many sites are targeted only toward large enterprise businesses, have poor content or don’t have first-hand experience running an eCommerce store.

That’s why I’m bringing you a list of eCommerce experts who need to be on your radar. I picked these individuals based on their experience, the information they share that’s applicable to smaller merchants and because I often find myself trolling around their sites and/or listening to their podcasts.
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The SEO Mistake That Wiped Out 80% of My Traffic

PenguinIt was just over a year ago that one of my sites lost nearly 80% of its organic web traffic due to Google’s now-infamous Penguin update. As much as I wanted to blame Google, sadly I was the one responsible for my misfortune.

What SEO mistakes did I make? And how can you prevent this from happening to your business? [Continue reading]

A Year in Review: eCommerceFuel Turns One

CakeIt was one year ago I published my first post here on eCommerceFuel. Looking back, I’m amazed at how the blog and community have grown in just 12 short months.

In this post I want to share traffic and analytic stats and the marketing strategies I’ve used, and let you know what’s in store for the blog in the coming year. Most importantly, I want to hear from YOU about what you’d like to see in the future! [Continue reading]

A Sneak Peek Inside Our New Email Marketing Plan

PostImageIn this post I’m going to give you a sneak peek at the email marketing plan we’ll be implementing at one of my own stores, Right Channel Radios, using the email service Klaviyo. I’ll also be sharing the results of the campaign quarterly on the blog so you can see how this all pans out.

There’s nothing quite like public accountability to spur action and progress! [Continue reading]

How to Boost Sales 25% with Effective Email Marketing

mailboxI’ve never made email a priority in the 5+ years I’ve spent running eCommerce stores. So when expert Ed Hallen, founder of email startup Klaviyo, told me it was possible to see a 25% sales boost from effective email marketing, I could only whimper quietly while thinking of the money I’d left on the table.

Don’t make the same rookie mistake I did. Whether you’re just getting started or have an established operation with thousands of customers, Ed can teach you how to leverage one of the web’s most powerful marketing tools to grow your store’s sales.

Ed’s company, Klaviyo, brings powerful email marketing and segmentation tools to small businesses. Before co-founding it, he developed custom email marketing campaigns for some of the world largest retailers.

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Why Ditching My $5,000 Custom Design Increased Sales

TMlogoWe just finished a complete redesign of one of my stores – TrollingMotors.net – and I want to give you an inside look at the new site. Specifically, I want to share the thought process behind the redesign, some specific before-and-after design changes, and the impact it had from a conversion rate and revenue perspective.

I’m really excited about this post, as it’s a perspective that’s rarely shared publicly – so let’s dive in! [Continue reading]

4 Signs You Shouldn’t Start an Online Store

I recently received the following email from a reader hoping to get started with eCommerce:

Hi Andrew - I have just spent $5,500 with [X training program] online, and feel like I got ripped off. I have not found my NICHE. I have information overload with their tutorials and weekly discussions.

I am 60 years old. Love fashion and beauty. Am a grandmother. Am single and living alone. Financially needy. Capable, but not particularly internet savvy. Have read your advice through Google on drop shipping and my question is: HOW DO I FIND A NICHE? Please help!  - Alice (name changed)

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Turning Around a Troubled Online Store

A few posts back I highlighted and offered advice on the purchase of MyPopcornMachine.com – an online store specializing in concessions equipment. With the deal finalized I wanted to provide Andy (the new owner) guidance on next steps to maximize the store’s potential, especially given its history of sub-par customer service, declining revenues and possible SEO penalties.

Below are six suggestions to help turn the store around and restore MyPopcornMachine.com to full fledged concession-selling glory:
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An Interview with eCommerce Pioneer Gary Vaynerchuk

I’m thrilled to bring you an interview with well-known entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk. Gary transformed his family’s New Jersey liquor store into wine powerhouse Wine Library, largely by embracing eCommerce in the late 90s long before others realized its potential.

He’s probably the world’s most vocal advocate for utilizing social media which is the topic of The Thank You Economy, his book that reached #2 on the New York Times Best Sellers list. For more on Gary, you can check out this keynote he gave for an Inc 500 seminar in 2011.

In this interview, Gary shares his thoughts on:

  • His #1 piece of advice for aspiring eCommerce entrepreneurs
  • If you should pick a niche you’re not passionate about
  • The impact Amazon will have on smaller stores in the future
  • The two big mistakes he made building his eCommerce business [Continue reading]

Increasing Sales by 69% with eCommerce Conversion Optimization

Spying on spys to increase conversion.

Over the last few weeks I’ve gotten to know reader Kris Kayyal, a conversion rate expert who has been studying user experience and usability online for more than six years.  He works with companies to help them increase conversion through a better understanding of their customers.  In addition, he also owns his own site selling spy camera equipment where he obsesses over eCommerce conversion optimization.

I’m always striving to offer real-world eCommerce details and so I’m thrilled Kris has agreed to share some conversion optimization tips – and real-world test results – from his own store below.


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