The Unofficial Shopify Podcast

So there's this baseball media company. They make shirts about guys with nicknames like "The Big Dumper." And they needed three different store experiences, but only wanted to use one store. What our co-host Paul Reda figured out next is either brilliant or insane. Maybe both.Today on the show, we're asking: when does a hack become a feature? When does one store become three? And why would anyone voluntarily remove every frontend app from their Shopify store? Plus, ChatGPT can now sell your products directly. No, really. We'll explain how that works and why Kurt thinks automated fraud prevention might actually matter this time.SPONSORSSwym - Wishlists, Back in Stock alerts, & moregetswym.com/kurtCleverific - Smart order editing for Shopifycleverific.comZipify - Build high-converting sales funnelszipify.com/KURTLINKSJomboy Media Shop: https://shop.jomboymedia.com/ChatGPT Shopping Signup: https://shopify.com/chatgptCustomer Category Segmentation: https://changelog.shopify.com/posts/segment-customers-based-on-the-product-categories-they-ve-browsed-or-boughtAutomated Fraud Prevention: https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/payments/fraud-prevention/indexUnofficial Shopify Podcast Insiders (Facebook Group): https://www.facebook.com/groups/UnofficialShopifyPodcast/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.

"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.

Join Jamil Bhuya, Co-founder of Other Half Studio and a seasoned expert in scaling diverse businesses. He shares insights on spotting hidden conversion killers that often elude store owners. Jamil emphasizes the importance of fresh perspectives in understanding customer needs and highlights how common issues, like poor social proof and navigation problems, hinder sales. He also discusses the limitations of AI in creative processes and offers practical strategies for enhancing user experience and optimizing conversions.

Online store owners are facing a surge of bots, with 10x more bots than actual shoppers registered on some sites. Fraudsters are testing stolen credit cards on inexpensive items, leading to urgent discussions about accurate analytics and fraud prevention. The hosts also tackle the absurdity of excessive SEO requests and highlight tools like the Shopify Launch Checklist. Listeners learn about innovative apps like Promo Party and strategies to improve customer engagement, all while navigating the complexities of ecommerce challenges with humor and insight.

Join Ben Knegendorf, a former forklift operator turned entrepreneur, as he reveals his journey from selling a stake in an indoor golf business for $720K to witnessing the pitfalls of lifestyle creep and poor investments. He candidly discusses crucial lessons on wealth management, the highs and lows of startup investing, and the importance of self-investment. Ben's insights on navigating post-sale complexities and prioritizing community engagement provide invaluable guidance for entrepreneurs seeking lasting success.

Andrew Le and Tu Pham, co-founders of Cleverific, breathe new life into a once-hated Shopify app, turning it into a multi-million dollar enterprise. They discuss their journey of acquiring the distressed app Edit Order and the tech makeover that followed. Key topics include the challenges of transitioning to a modern framework, the importance of customer support, and clever strategies for enhancing user retention. With insights on app pricing and the significance of partnerships, their transformation story is both inspiring and informative.

Vibhor Chhabra, the Director of Product at Shopify, reveals exciting advancements in Shopify Shipping tailored for merchants at all phases of their business. He discusses new carrier integrations, bulk label printing for up to 250 orders, and automatic shipping insurance up to $200. Learn how shipping can convert from a cost center into a competitive advantage, plus discover the benefits of an Amazon integration that simplifies order management—making the entire logistics process smoother and enhancing customer satisfaction.

Devyn Merklin from X-Scale brings a fresh perspective on e-commerce growth. He challenges conventional wisdom about customer acquisition, revealing why lowering ad costs can be a mistake. Devyn shares success stories, including how gamification skyrocketed one brand’s subscription revenue. He discusses the surprising benefits of ‘ugly’ websites and emphasizes empathetic customer journey optimization. The conversation also covers effective giveaway strategies and common pitfalls, providing valuable insights for e-commerce brands looking to thrive.

Jayden Clark, an entrepreneur behind the thriving dropshipping venture Woodlark Garden Luxury, shares his journey from building a seven-figure business to selling it for £500K. He discusses the overwhelming pressures of success, his strategic SEO and ad campaigns, and the mental toll of rapid growth. A surprising 90-minute massage became pivotal in his decision-making. Jayden emphasizes the importance of mental health, emotional resilience, and community support for entrepreneurs, showcasing the creation of 'Founders Clubhouse' as a resource for new business owners.

Curtis Matsko, founder of Portland Leather Goods and owner of North America's largest leather factory, shares his unconventional path to becoming a top Shopify store. He reveals his company's impressive growth trajectory and the importance of controlling every aspect of production to achieve high customer loyalty. Curtis shares insights on the impact of inventory on advertising costs, explores the emotional complexities of entrepreneurship, and discusses strategies to navigate economic challenges while building a loyal customer base.