eCommerce Fastlane: Shopify Growth Strategies—Where AI Efficiency Meets Human Connection
Steve Hutt | Shopify Expert | eCommerce Expert
Welcome to eCommerce Fastlane: Shopify Growth Strategies—Where AI Efficiency Meets Human Connection. I’m Steve Hutt, your experienced guide and host, here to help you unlock real, sustainable growth for your Shopify store by blending the best of automation with the power of authentic customer relationships.
Since 2016, eCommerce Fastlane has been the weekly pit-stop for ambitious DTC founders and marketers. With over 1.5 million downloads and 400+ episodes, this show is your trusted resource for:
- Proven Shopify strategies, apps, and best practices that drive measurable results
- Digital marketing tactics and retention playbooks that balance AI with genuine human touch
- Real-world founder stories and lessons learned from my own journey and 400+ interviews with industry leaders
- Deep dives into emerging tech (AI, AR/VR, automation) and how to use it without losing your brand’s soul
- Operations, logistics, and customer experience solutions that reduce overwhelm and foster loyalty
Each week, I sit down with Shopify partners, marketing experts, and successful store owners who share what’s actually working right now—no fluff, just actionable, battle-tested strategies.
Whether you’re launching your first store or scaling past seven figures, you’ll walk away from every episode with at least one practical idea you can implement immediately.
Ready to thrive in today’s fast-paced ecommerce world—growing smarter, not just faster? Hit subscribe and join thousands of merchants building customer-centric, future-proof brands with eCommerce Fastlane.
Let’s unlock your store’s true potential—together.
Steve Hutt
x-Shopify - DTC Founder - Podcast Host
Website: eCommerceFastlane.com
Newsletter: FastlaneInsider.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/shutt
X: x.com/stevenhutt
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ecommercefastlane
Email: steve@ecommercefastlane.com
Since 2016, eCommerce Fastlane has been the weekly pit-stop for ambitious DTC founders and marketers. With over 1.5 million downloads and 400+ episodes, this show is your trusted resource for:
- Proven Shopify strategies, apps, and best practices that drive measurable results
- Digital marketing tactics and retention playbooks that balance AI with genuine human touch
- Real-world founder stories and lessons learned from my own journey and 400+ interviews with industry leaders
- Deep dives into emerging tech (AI, AR/VR, automation) and how to use it without losing your brand’s soul
- Operations, logistics, and customer experience solutions that reduce overwhelm and foster loyalty
Each week, I sit down with Shopify partners, marketing experts, and successful store owners who share what’s actually working right now—no fluff, just actionable, battle-tested strategies.
Whether you’re launching your first store or scaling past seven figures, you’ll walk away from every episode with at least one practical idea you can implement immediately.
Ready to thrive in today’s fast-paced ecommerce world—growing smarter, not just faster? Hit subscribe and join thousands of merchants building customer-centric, future-proof brands with eCommerce Fastlane.
Let’s unlock your store’s true potential—together.
Steve Hutt
x-Shopify - DTC Founder - Podcast Host
Website: eCommerceFastlane.com
Newsletter: FastlaneInsider.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/shutt
X: x.com/stevenhutt
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ecommercefastlane
Email: steve@ecommercefastlane.com
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 20, 2021 • 53min
Ditch Support Tickets And Differentiate Through Radically Personal Customer Service
In today’s episode, my guest is Mike McCarron the VP, Sales and Strategic Alliances of Gladly. They are a service platform that treats customers like people, not tickets, which allows agents to communicate seamlessly across all channels. It's referred to as "radically personal" customer experience.Gladly centers customer service around the person, not a case, which gives agents full visibility of customers in a single view.The world’s most innovative DTC Shopify brands like Andy Swimwear, Chubbies Shorts, Allbirds, and Rothy’s use the Gladly platform to develop lifelong customer relationships, not one-off experiences. WHAT YOU WILL LEARN TODAYThe benefits to having more personalized and human interactions with your customers.The customer disconnect with an endless mess of duplicate support tickets.Why customer expectations have changed on how they engage with brands.How to scale delightful customer experiences through AI and human interaction.LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONEDGladly.comGladly Shopify AppIdeas and advice for modern customer serviceMake the switch to Gladly and get 3 months free - Thanks Mike!CONNECT WITH GLADLYEmail: hi@gladly.comFacebook: www.facebook.com/GladlyIncTwitter: twitter.com/gladlyYouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCUvdksboXf9wkfr1TcROnxALinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/gladly-inc EPISODE SPONSORToday's episode is brought to you by the Rewind App. This should be the first thing you install on your Shopify store to protect against human error, misbehaving apps, or collaborators gone bad. It's the trusted backup solution for over 100,000 businesses. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 17, 2021 • 45min
Get Exponential Growth Opportunities With Strategic Conversion Rate Optimization
In today’s episode, my guest is Justin Christianson the Co-Founder and President of Conversion Fanatics. They are a full-service conversion and experience optimization company. They assist Shopify-powered brands to grow and scale through strategic testing to help understand the wants and needs of site visitors.This is a great conversation with tons of learnings about following the data and iterating until you find the winning elements.Make sure to listen through to the end to get access to a free copy of the Justins book: How To Double Your Customers, Sales and Profits With A/B Testing.WHAT YOU WILL LEARN TODAYWhy conversion rate optimization is only one part of the equation to improve marketing performance.Why revenue per visitor is an important KPI to monitor and improve.Why you need to test fast and often to effectively grow and scale.Why qualitative and quantitative data analysis is required to find the key areas of improvement.LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONEDConversionFanatics.comHow To Double Your Customers, Sales and Profits With A/B Testing - Get a free copy - Thanks Justin!CONNECT WITH CONVERSION FANATICSEmail: hi@conversionfanatics.comLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/conversion-fanaticsFacebook: www.facebook.com/conversionfanaticsInstagram: www.instagram.com/conversionfanaticsTwitter: twitter.com/convfanatics YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCOhpXTAcZG2iGTizT7ddRwwEPISODE SPONSORThis episode is brought to you by Omnisend, makers of sophisticated omnichannel marketing automation tools for sales-driven Shopify brands that have outgrown generic email marketing platforms. Engage your customers and boost your sales with dynamic emails, text messages, web push notifications, Facebook Messenger, and retargeting ads on Facebook and Google. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 16, 2021 • 40min
Social Proof Is One Of The Most Powerful Reputation Multipliers For A Shopify Brand
In today’s episode, my guest is Matt Hollingsworth the Chief of Staff of Stamped.io. They are a Ratings and Review app and also a Loyalty and Reward solution.They help Shopify brands to leverage UGC (user-generated content) and loyalty programs to grow and scale a brand’s retention efforts.Let's jump in and learn more about Stamped and how they are assisting Shopify brands (at scale) to improve conversion rates while building a community of fans and repeat customers.WHAT YOU WILL LEARN TODAYHow to build meaningful connections with your customers.Why user generated content drives authentic product recommendations.How to transform your Instagram into shoppable galleries and retargeted ads.LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONEDStamped.ioStamped.io Reviews & UGC Shopify AppStamped.io Loyalty & RewardsShopify Plus Certified App PartnerStamped.io Listener Promotion - 25% Off On A Paid Plan For 6 Months - Thanks Matt!Get Into Stamped.io Faster With The Contract Buyout PlanCONNECT WITH STAMPEDEmail: hello@stamped.ioLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stamped-ioFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/stampedioInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stampedhqTwitter: https://twitter.com/StampedHQYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE7QkYSt6-PapBoDojlt_IQEPISODE SPONSORToday's episode is brought to you by Fast Simon, a leader in AI-powered shopping optimization. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 11, 2021 • 40min
Beat The Competition And Turbocharge Your Growth With Trusted Accurate Data
In today’s episode, my guest is Ari Messer, the Co-Founder of Littledata. They are an analytics connector that helps Shopify brands get accurate data in the tools they already use.Littledata makes it ridiculously easy to connect sales, marketing and customer data. They empower thousands of data-driven Shopify stores to make better decisions to accelerate growth.Let's jump in and learn more about why the top DTC brands on Shopify choose Littledata.WHAT YOU WILL LEARN TODAYHow to finally have 100% confidence in your data accuracy.Why inaccurate data can derail your growth by sending you down the wrong decision-making path.What is first-party & zero-party data and why is it important today.How to audit and fix Google Analytics to ensure accurate tracking.How to get accurate marketing attribution including cross-domain and multi-currency.How to get accurate Facebook campaign tagging and campaign cost imported to Google Analytics.LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONEDLittledata.ioLittledata Shopify AppLittledata / Segment.com Shopify AppHeadless Shopify TrackingTracking Subscriptions In Shopify's Unified CheckoutFree Analytics Audit + 30-Day Free Trial - Thanks Ari!Grind Coffee Case Study - The Brick & Mortar Pivot To Massive Online SuccessCONNECT WITH LITTLEDATAEmail: ari@littledata.ioLinkedIn: https://www.instagram.com/littledataukFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/littledataukInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/littledataukTwitter: https://twitter.com/littledataukYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnlh2ZmezclpJ2yfSncGLLwLittledataThis episode is brought to you by Attentive, the most comprehensive text message marketing solution for modern Shopify brands. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 8, 2021 • 33min
Massive Profit This Holiday Season Through Empathy & Authentic Customer Connections
In today’s episode, my guest is Rosa Hu the VP of Product Marketing from Yotpo. They are an eCommerce Marketing Platform that helps accelerate the growth of online businesses through reviews, SMS marketing, loyalty programs and more. Their range of services and solutions cater to Shopify brands by empowering them to intelligently engage and retain customers by delivering desirable and profitable business outcomes, including increased revenue and customer interactions.This is a timely conversation of learnings along with an amazing exclusive listener-only bonus. Let's jump in and learn more!WHAT YOU WILL LEARN TODAYThe strategy how to thoughtfully and intentionally strengthening relationships with your customers.Benefits of the new multi-year relationship between Shopify and Yotpo.The importance of social proof to establish trust which increases conversion rates.Why giving customers a stage to amplify their voice is a powerful way to grow your brand's community.LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONEDYotpoYotpo Product Reviews Shopify AppYotpo Loyalty & Rewards Shopify AppYotpo SMS Marketing Shopify AppDirect-to-Consumer Marketing CourseFree Text Messages For 30-Days - Thanks Rosa!EPISODE SPONSORThis episode is brought to you by Omnisend, makers of sophisticated omnichannel marketing automation tools for sales-driven Shopify brands that have outgrown generic email marketing platforms. Engage your customers and boost your sales with dynamic emails, text messages, web push notifications, Facebook Messenger, and retargeting ads on Facebook and Google. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 6, 2021 • 46min
DTC Shopify Brands Can Now Unlock The Power Of Intelligent Shipping
In today’s episode, my guest is Aaron Rubin the Founder & CEO of ShipHero. They are a US-based company that offers full-service fulfillment solutions and warehouse management software that help make it easy to ship for Shopify direct-to-consumer brands.ShipHero does it in two ways. They have 5 warehouses around the US that you can outsource to. They have a unique model where you send all your products to a single warehouse and they ship it to the other 4 and give you a very competitive flat rate for delivery anywhere in the US.If you run your own warehouse, they have industry-leading software for shipping and warehouse management. Often as a brand grows the warehouse operation becomes chaotic. ShipHero brings the processes and tools to your warehouse for an improved internal workflow and (most importantly) a delightful customer experience.WHAT YOU WILL LEARN TODAYHow to know when it's time to upgrade your warehouse management software or outsource the fulfillment.How you can drive more sales by leveraging shipping software.Things to consider for effective multichannel fulfillment.What is the ShipHero Accelerator Program and how can you get involved.LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONEDShipHeroShipHero Shopify AppShipHero Accelerator Program for eCommerce StartupsBlackWolfCONNECT WITH SHIPHEROEmail: hello@shiphero.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shipheroFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/shipheroTwitter: https://twitter.com/weareshipheroYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ShipHeroEPISODE SPONSORToday's episode is brought to you by Fast Simon, a leader in AI-powered shopping optimization. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 29, 2021 • 30min
Bring Shopify To More Merchants Faster With The Investor Partner Program
In today’s episode, my guest is Jamie Oliver the Partner & Channel Development Lead at Shopify. They are a team that has built the Shopify Investor Partner Program. This initiative simplifies and streamlines the process for investor-backed businesses to migrate to Shopify and to discover technology and service partners to help launch and optimize their business.Let’s learn more about this incredible program with Shopify and the notable partners in the Shopify ecosystem that help brands improve efficiencies, profitably grow revenue, and build lifetime customer loyalty.WHAT YOU WILL LEARN TODAYIntroduction to a program that manages partnerships with Venture Capital (VC) and Private Equity (PE) firms that invest in DTC merchants.How Shopify’s platform paired with technology and service partners enables a rapid go-to-market strategy.The investment philosophies of Venture Capital and Private Equity firms.Benefits of the Shopify Plus Certified App Program for brands and equity partners.LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONEDShopify Investor Partner ProgramMastermind ToysMastermind Toys Case StudyThis episode is brought to you by Attentive, the most comprehensive text message marketing solution for modern Shopify brands. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 28, 2021 • 48min
Boost Your Conversion Rate By 10X With Real Pen & Ink Automated Handwritten Notes
My guest on today’s episode is Arian Radmand the President & CEO from IgnitePOST. They help merchants increase their conversion rates by a factor of 10X through the use of real pen & ink handwritten letters that can be automated with rule-based triggers.In today’s world, when everyone is saturated with digital communication (emails, ads, push notifications, SMS, and more), IgnitePOST has developed the secret to cutting through the noise and turning customers into raving fans by connecting with them on a personal level which cultivates a deeper relationship.The IgnitePOST service gives Shopify brands powerful automation capabilities to send personalized, handwritten cards at exactly the right time. They use robotics with real ballpoint pens to deliver authentic cards that are indistinguishable from real human handwriting.Let’s jump in a learn more about how brands can win in a digitally saturated world!WHAT YOU WILL LEARN TODAYHow to connect with your customers on a personal level and cultivate a deeper relationship.Why you should cut through the digital noise and solve the digital saturation problem.Why do hand-written notes have a 99% open rate.Benefits of targeting customer segments to receive a handwritten card.LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONEDIgnitePOSTIgnitePOST BlogIgnitePOST Shopify AppSend Yourself A Free Robotic Hand-Written Card$400 in IgnitePOST Handwritten card credits - Thanks Arian!EPISODE SPONSORThis episode is brought to you by Omnisend, makers of sophisticated omnichannel marketing automation tools for sales-driven Shopify brands that have outgrown generic email marketing platforms. Engage your customers and boost your sales with dynamic emails, text messages, web push notifications, Facebook Messenger, and retargeting ads on Facebook and Google. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 28, 2021 • 54min
New Strategies For Maximizing Shopify AOV With Product Protection Services
In today’s episode, my guest is Rohan Shah the Founder of Extend. They are the leading provider of modern product protection services that are similar to an extended warranty but so much more. Extend is an API-first solution that provides seamless integration into Shopify so merchants of all sizes can get up and running quickly with minimal effort. Learn how you can deliver a delightful experience your customers expect, while driving revenue, improving profitability, and creating more brand advocates.WHAT YOU WILL LEARN TODAYWhat is a modern product protection plan and why do customers ask for it.Why product protection plans increase a consumer’s intent to buy by about 25%.Why a well-executed post-purchase experience improves retention and loyalty.Product protection services are opportunities to improve your margins and upsell after the holiday season.LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONEDExtendBlendJetEPISODE SPONSORToday's episode is brought to you by FastSimon, a leader in AI-powered shopping optimization. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 27, 2021 • 32min
Unlock New Sales Channels By Connecting Your Shopify Store To 600+ Retailers
In today’s episode, my guest is Roy Avidor the CEO and Co-founder of Cymbio. They help Shopify businesses easily increase and accelerate their digital sales channels through marketplace and dropship automation.As a Shopify brand, you can gain access to 600+ retailers and scale your brand with the Cymbio platform.This is a timely conversation as we move into the business holiday season. The great thing about what is being shared today is you still have time to expand your digital sales channels and have an incredible Q4!WHAT YOU WILL LEARN TODAYThe advantages of multi-channel retailing.The ease to grow digital sales channels.The process to grow sales and expose your brand to a global retail ecosystem.How to automate marketplace and dropship operations from beginning-to-end.LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONEDCymbioCymbio BlogBlog Post: Shopify Brands and the Ease to Grow Digital SalesThe Ultimate Guide To Drop Ship & Marketplace AutomationJoin Cymbio before October 31st and get the minimum fees waived until 2022CONNECT WITH CYMBIOEmail: hi@cym.bioLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/6378164Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cymbioTwitter: https://twitter.com/Cymbio_EPISODE SPONSORThis episode is brought to you by Attentive, the most comprehensive text message marketing solution for modern Shopify brands. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
