The Smart Marketer Podcast Episode 222: Build Your E-Commerce Site Right: How to Turn Browsers into Buyers
Your website is more than a digital storefront—it's the heart of your brand. In this episode, John Grimshaw, Ezra Firestone, and Kurt Elster unpack the proven strategies behind high-converting e-commerce sites. From the pitfalls of homepage design to the power of mobile-first thinking, they reveal how to turn casual visitors into loyal customers. If you want to build a brand that lasts (not just a business that sells), this is your roadmap.
"Get out of your own way. Your customers don't care how pretty your site is—they care how easy it is to buy." — Kurt Elster
You Will Learn:-
Why relying solely on marketplaces limits your growth—and how to take back control.
-
The #1 metric that matters when building an e-commerce site.
-
How to structure your homepage for maximum impact (hint: it's not about looking like Apple).
-
The mobile-first mindset that can double your conversions.
-
The quick fix that boosted conversion rates by 24%—without redesigning the whole site.
-
Omnisend – Use code SMART for 50% off your first 3 months.
-
00:00:48 – Ezra's Top Tool for Email & SMS: Omnisend
-
00:02:10 – Why You Must Build Your Own Website (and Not Just Sell on Marketplaces)
-
00:05:17 – The #1 Goal for Your Website: Capture Information
-
00:06:27 – The Secret to High-Converting Sites? Convenience
-
00:07:07 – Homepage Design: Your Site's Table of Contents
-
00:11:05 – Skip the Pretty Graphics: Why Your Hero Image Might Hurt Sales
-
00:12:38 – The #1 Mistake in E-Commerce: Ignoring Mobile-First Design
-
00:14:50 – Your Menu is the Map: How to Structure Navigation for Sales
-
00:15:55 – How We Boosted Conversion Rates by 24% With One Simple Fix
-
00:17:21 – Competing with Amazon: Why Relationships Win
-
00:19:28 – Final Takeaways: Build for Your Audience, Not Your Ego
-
00:20:19 – Thanks for Listening & Next Steps
Enjoyed this episode? Help us spread the word! ⭐ Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts 💬 Share this episode on social media—tag us and use #WeOutHere 📧 Got feedback? Email us at support@smartmarketer.com 👉 Subscribe to the podcast: The Smart Marketer Show
Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit! 🚀