The Ecomcrew Ecommerce Podcast

Chinese New Year is coming up in a few days and if you're relatively new to the e-commerce game, there's a few things you should know about the big holiday. Dave is back on the podcast to cover the impact Chinese New Year has on e-commerce sellers and manufacturers, the significance of the Zodiacs, and the common equivalent for those who aren't aware.  Let’s be real – email marketing isn’t flashy, but that’s what makes it great. Who needs chaos when you can have steady, reliable results? That’s where Omnisend email and SMS comes in. Check it out today and use code ECOMCREW. Ever wonder why all of China basically closes down every January for Chinese New Year? You're not alone.  Chinese New Year seems like the one time each year that China (and by extension, a lot of the neighbouring asian countries) goes on holiday for a few weeks.  As an e-commerce seller, you probably know by now to place your orders well in advance to prepare for the holiday. But there's a few extra things you should know about that could maintain and keep you in the good graces of your factory.  Luckily, Dave is on the podcast today to break down what exactly you need to know and how the holiday impacts you specifically. The Big Takeaway Chinese New Year is comparable to Christmas in significance. Chinese New Year happens on the second New Moon in the lunar calendar after the Winter's Solstice (December 20th).  Zodiac symbols can influence business decisions in China. Quality control tends to take a dip if orders are shipped before Chinese New Year. Suppliers may have varying deadlines for orders before they close for the holiday. Expect delays in shipping and logistics post-New Year as every company that's importing from China will also be placing orders in advance of the holiday. Be considerate to suppliers during the holiday period. Freight prices tend to dip after the New Year rush, as demand declines. Timestamps 0:00 - Intro 1:43 - Omnisend Ad  2:17 - What is Chinese New Year? How big is the holiday?  3:28 - The traditions around Chinese New Year 4:28 - When exactly is Chinese New Year? 6:07 - Zodiac symbols and how they can affect business 8:40 - Why is it called the Spring Festival?  9:41 - Tip #1: Deadlines for Chinese New Year orders  11:06 - Tip #2: Days off during Chinese New Years  13:19 - Tip #3: Quality control during Chinese New Year 15:08 - Tip #4: Delays  17:05 - Tip #5: Being considerate As always, if you have any questions or anything that you need help with, reach out to us at support@ecomcrew.com if you're interested.  Don’t forget to leave us a review on iTunes if you enjoy our content. If you have any questions, send us an email at support@ecomcrew.com. We'd love to help you in any way we can.  Thanks for listening! Until next time, happy selling!

Discover the bustling hub of China South City, where China's top Amazon sellers gather and collaborate. Learn about the government support that fuels their success and the unique black hat tactics they employ. Chinese sellers approach e-commerce with a fierce work ethic, inspecting their products more diligently than their Western counterparts. The rise of platforms like Tmue and the trend of live selling illustrate the evolving e-commerce landscape in China. Gain insights on how Western sellers can adapt and thrive by learning from these dynamic practices.

David McCormick, an expert in e-commerce taxation, sheds light on the murky waters of tax law in British Columbia. He explains how the province's Online Marketplace Services Act imposes Provincial Sales Tax on Amazon fees, not just sales, creating unexpected burdens for sellers. McCormick discusses the difficulties in reclaiming overpaid taxes and the convoluted refund process that many face. He also highlights the implications for small businesses navigating this complex landscape, urging for better advocacy and understanding of digital tax laws.

In this dynamic chat, Ronnie Teja, a digital marketing whiz and entrepreneur, shares his extensive experience in e-commerce, SaaS, and content creation. He discusses the pros and cons of living and running a business in Thailand, shedding light on local tax implications and the budget-friendly lifestyle. Ronnie compares the three business models, revealing that SaaS can lead to higher profits upon exit, while e-commerce thrives on high-ticket items. His insights on building a community and adapting to challenges in the digital landscape are truly inspiring!

Dave reviews the top 5 episodes of 2024 and what they're about. Check out the top 5 episodes of the year! We've included a snippet of each episode and links to them below.  Merry belated Christmas and Happy Early New Year!  This week, we're rounding out our top 5 episodes of the year along with a short snippet of the episode itself. Feel free to go back and listen to the winners on our links below:  0:57 - Fifth place  2:47 - Fourth place 5:07 - Third place 7:07 - Second place 10:32 - First place  As always, if you have any questions or anything that you need help with, reach out to us at support@ecomcrew.com if you're interested.  Don’t forget to leave us a review on iTunes if you enjoy our content. If you have any questions, send us an email at support@ecomcrew.com. We'd love to help you in any way we can.  Thanks for listening! Until next time, happy selling!

In this episode, Dave talks about how you can start developing custom software for Amazon, and what the main benefits are. He'll be covering how to setup custom software, the requirements needed, and the advantages of using third-party APIs to enhance data access.  The Big Takeaway Custom software can significantly enhance Amazon business operations. Most off-the-shelf software are mostly perfect; just lacking the necessary customization. Third-party APIs can provide valuable data not available through Amazon's main API. The Selling Partner API is the latest standard for Amazon integrations. AWS costs for API access are generally very low. AI advancements have reduced the cost of software development. Custom software can provide a competitive edge for Amazon sellers. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction to Custom Amazon Software 02:25 - The Need for Custom Solutions 05:38 - Setting Up Custom Software 10:50 - Understanding the Amazon API 12:41 - Getting Started with Development As always, if you have any questions or anything that you need help with, reach out to us at support@ecomcrew.com if you're interested.  Don’t forget to leave us a review on iTunes if you enjoy our content. If you have any questions, send us an email at support@ecomcrew.com. We'd love to help you in any way we can.  Thanks for listening!

Discover the fascinating fallout from a massive data leak affecting a major Chinese Amazon seller. Learn how their revenue was hit by an Amazon suspension and the impressive strategies they employed to recover and even go public. Delve into their logistics and supplier management techniques that solidified their market dominance, alongside the challenges they faced in high-risk niches. This deep dive reveals critical lessons for e-commerce sellers navigating today's landscape.

Bill D'Alessandro, an e-commerce expert with over ten years in the industry, joins to discuss the evolution of online selling. He emphasizes the necessity of restructuring businesses to combat Amazon's profit-sapping competition. The conversation covers inventory management struggles exacerbated by the pandemic and the importance of strong branding to maintain a competitive edge. Bill also reflects on the transformation of e-commerce and the need for strategic advantages in a crowded market, painting a vivid picture of what to expect in the next decade.

The discussion dives into how tariffs under Trump's presidency could reshape e-commerce, pushing companies to rethink pricing and sourcing strategies. Expect soaring freight costs as businesses prepare for incoming tariffs. The relationship between Trump and big tech, especially Amazon, is tumultuous, with ongoing scrutiny from regulators. Meanwhile, surprisingly, Trump's stance on TikTok has softened, sparking curious dynamics in the tech landscape. Tune in for insights on the economic strategies sellers might need to navigate this complex environment.

Amazon's latest earnings reveal a 19% jump in advertising revenue, a trend outpacing retail growth by twice the rate. FBA fees have only risen by 10%, providing some stability for third-party sellers despite rising costs. Online store sales also saw an 8% increase, signaling overall positive growth. Interestingly, the growth rate of advertising revenue is the slowest seen in four years. Despite these shifts, Amazon's stock has responded favorably, climbing 6% following the report.