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Nirav Sheth and Mike Jackness dive into Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO) strategies. Our guest,  the founder and CEO of Anata, sheds light on the significance of CRO and its optimal timing for business enhancement.  We focus on often overlooked aspects of e-commerce management, highlighting the importance of a user-friendly checkout experience, the influence of distractions on mobile users, and the role of data-driven decision-making in e-commerce.   Additionally, the episode uncovers the power of influencer-led channels, effective landing page optimization, and the psychology behind podcast advertising.  Nirav provides his expert take on traditional CRO and why more impactful, focused testing could yield better results than a high volume of minor ones. Timestamps: 00:25 – Introduction 01:41 – Embracing Best Practices for CRO 07:50 – Ensuring a User-friendly Checkout System 09:56 – Comprehending Mobile User Behavior 11:22 – The Role of Usability Testing 14:47 – Understanding E-commerce Benchmarks 19:18 – Exploring Conversion Rates in E-commerce 20:31 – Harnessing the Potential of Influencer-led Channels 27:41 – The Limitations of Traditional CRO 31:49 – The Impact of AI and Personalization on CRO I wanna thank Nirav for the value-packed conversation today, and we’ll definitely employ the tactics learned in our own businesses.  If you…

The Chinese version of H&M and the #2 shopping app in America, Shein, is re-entering India after a three-year ban from the country. In 2021, it tried to get around this ban by offering its products on Amazon India, and this time around, it's seeking to avoid the ban via India's largest retailer, Reliance Retailer. Shein is one of many big Chinese D2C brands and platforms that have seen significant growth in America recently and has, subsequently, also attracted the ire of American lawmakers looking to ban it.  So what exactly is Shein and why should it matter to you? We'll break down the answers in this article. Related article: What is TEMU and How Is It Different from Amazon? What Is Shein? As previously mentioned, Shein is basically a Chinese version of H&M. In other words, it's a direct-to-consumer fashion brand focusing on affordability. It was launched in 2008 in China by Chinese entrepreneur Chris Xu and was introduced in the United States in 2014. Currently, it's no. 2 on App Store for shopping (right after another Chinese brand, TEMU). Shein is slightly different from most fast fashion retailers like H&M in the sense that they design and manufacture…

E-commerce business owners use multiple online platforms to maximize income. Aside from Amazon or their own e-commerce stores, the platform you’ll see most sellers flock to is Facebook Shops. Despite the rise of other apps, Facebook remains to be the most used social media platform, so there’s no shortage of potential customers there.  In this article, we’ll discuss how you can sell using Facebook Shops, their updated policies and guidelines for sellers, and how to navigate them to avoid getting your account suspended. Facebook Shops: An Overview Facebook Shops is a free, online storefront launched in 2020 where customers can browse, explore, and purchase products directly on Facebook. And since Facebook acquired Instagram, the feature is also made available there. Facebook Shops allows businesses to customize products in catalogs, showcase featured products, and communicate with customers through different apps in one location. And since it’s optimized for mobile, it makes for a good customer experience.  Just about anyone can open their own Facebook Shop as long as they have a Facebook and Instagram account.  As of April 2023, the platform has 250 million shops worldwide and more than 1 billion active users a month.   Facebook’s Updated Policies for Sellers Starting…

In today's globalized world, e-commerce businesses are expanding their reach to customers from all over the world. However, language barriers can often hinder the success of these businesses. This is where ChatGPT comes in.  ChatGPT is a powerful tool that can help e-commerce businesses overcome language barriers and provide a seamless customer experience. In this article, we will explore how to use ChatGPT for global multi-language e-commerce and the benefits it can bring to your business. What Is ChatGPT and AI Chatbot GPT? GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) is a deep learning-based natural language processing model that has been pre-trained on vast amounts of text data. It is capable of generating high-quality natural language text that is virtually indistinguishable from human-generated text. GPT has been widely used in various natural language processing applications, including chatbots. AI chatbot GPT is a type of chatbot that is designed to understand and respond to user queries in a more human-like manner. It generates responses that are more natural and engaging, making the chatbot more effective in providing customer support and assistance. It can help businesses save time and resources by automating customer support and reducing the need for human agents. In summary, GPT is…

UPS and Purolator are two widely utilized shipping carriers. Depending on your needs, either of them can be a good choice. In this article, we’ll run a thorough comparison between UPS vs. Purolator, exploring their shipping services, pricing, delivery times, and other aspects that can help you make an informed decision about which carrier to pick. Related Reading: UPS vs USPS UPS vs. Purolator: An Overview UPS is a US-based carrier known worldwide for its shipping services, including international shipping, express delivery, and logistics services. They have a big network and great tracking features to make sure your packages arrive on time. Additionally, UPS operates in over 220 countries and has an extensive fleet of trucks, planes and facilities. Meanwhile, Purolator is a Canadian carrier that focuses more on serving the Canadian market that provides various domestic and international shipping options.  Purolator is great for shipping within Canada, and they also offer special services like same-day delivery and cater to specific industries like healthcare and retail. Purolator has built a strong network within Canada. This means they know their way around the logistics landscape in the country, resulting in efficient delivery services for domestic shipments. UPS vs. Purolator: Delivery Services…

Whether you’re selling on Amazon, eBay, or some other marketplace, dealing with customer returns is part and parcel of being an online seller—if you’re not careful, though, the costs of these returns can add up and eat into your bottom line.  In this article, we’ll answer some important questions about dealing with returns on eBay and how you can maintain your reputation on the marketplace.  Also Read: Beginner’s Guide to Selling on eBay Does eBay Require Sellers to Have a Return Policy? Technically, no. eBay does not have a hard rule on sellers offering to accept returns to buyers. However, it does have its own guarantees in place to make sure buyers are protected when necessary. So it’s entirely possible not to have a returns policy in place as a third-party eBay seller, but you will still be subject to things like eBay’s Money Back Guarantee. If you want to succeed on the eBay marketplace, though, a returns policy is essential. Make sure to communicate your policy and specific instructions to customers to minimize your exposure to returns scams. Here are some things (which still need to be in line with eBay’s policies) you need to determine for a solid…

E-commerce platforms are essential for businesses that want to establish an online presence. For sellers who want to have more control of their stores, Adobe Commerce (formerly Magento) and Shopify are two of the most popular platforms available. This article aims to provide a comprehensive comparison of Adobe Commerce and Shopify, guiding readers through the key aspects of each platform.  What Is Magento? Adobe Commerce, formerly known as Magento, is an open-source e-commerce platform that was launched in 2008. It was initially developed by Varien, a Los Angeles-based company, and later acquired by Fay in 2011. In 2015, Magento became an independent company, and in 2018, it was acquired by Adobe for $1.68 billion—hence, the name change. Adobe Commerce's powerful and flexible platform has made it a popular choice among developers and businesses alike. It is built on PHP, utilizing elements of the Zend Framework, and provides a robust and scalable solution for online retailers. The site primarily targets medium to large businesses that require a high degree of customization and scalability in their e-commerce platform.  With its extensive range of features and a vast ecosystem of third-party extensions, Adobe Commerce is well-suited for businesses looking to create unique and…

Two of the most commonly used carriers are UPS and USPS. Both offer a wide range of shipping services and can be an excellent choice, depending on your specific needs. In this article, we'll provide you with an in-depth comparison of UPS vs. USPS, examining their services, pricing, delivery times, and other factors that can help you make an informed decision about which carrier to choose. Related Reading: UPS vs. Canada Post UPS vs. USPS: An Overview UPS, a US-based logistics and package delivery company, is a giant in the industry. With a presence in over 220 countries, it operates a vast fleet of trucks, planes, and facilities.  UPS provides a range of services, including ground, air, and freight shipping, and also offers e-commerce fulfillment services tailored to help businesses manage their online orders and deliver to their customers. On the other hand, USPS is the national postal service of the United States, which has been around for over two centuries.  It is responsible for delivering mail and packages to every address in the country, and it operates one of the largest vehicle fleets in the world.  Over time, USPS recognized the growing demand for shipping services related to e-commerce…

As an eBay shopper, you may occasionally need to return an item you bought online—whether it’s because of a product defect, receiving the wrong item, buyer’s remorse, or some other justification for wanting to send the product back to the seller. In this article, you’ll learn the exact steps and tips on how to return items on eBay and get a refund. Also Read: How Bidding on eBay Works: 4 Easy Steps What Is eBay’s Returns Policy?  Officially, eBay does not have a hard and fast returns policy like Amazon, and eBay sellers are generally more flexible when it comes to selling their own returns policies. That said, eBay does indicate that sellers will generally have 3 business days to respond to return requests and 2 business days to process refunds before eBay supports steps in for the buyer. In cases when the item did not arrive, is damaged, or does not match the listing, eBay will cover the refund through its Money Back Guarantee policy and you are automatically entitled to a full refund.  As as for sellers’ returns policy, you’ll necessarily want to familiarize yourself with this before buying an item, as some sellers might not have a…

If you're thinking of starting an e-commerce business, you've probably heard of Shopify. It's a popular platform that powers over a million online stores worldwide. However, Shopify isn't the only option out there.  In this article, we'll take a closer look at some of the top Shopify competitors and compare their prices and features, including free Shopify alternatives we can recommend. Whether you're just starting out or looking to switch platforms, this guide will help you make an informed decision. #1. WooCommerce   WooCommerce is one of the most prominent Shopify alternatives out there. It’s a popular open-source e-commerce platform that runs on WordPress.  The platform offers a wide range of features, including customizable themes, payment gateways, and shipping options. However, it requires some technical know-how to set up and maintain, and you'll need to install plugins to get certain features. Pricing: WooCommerce is free, but you'll need to pay for web hosting and a domain name. Hosting costs can vary widely depending on your needs, but you can expect to pay anywhere from $5 to $50 per month. Pros Enjoy zero transaction fees when you use this platform. Seamlessly integrate with WordPress for an enhanced user experience. You'll be…