Articles & Podcast Episodes

7 Essential Strategies for Dominating Local Search Rankings

7 Essential Strategies for Dominating Local Search Rankings

In today’s digital landscape, local businesses constantly strive to improve online visibility and attract more customers. With the right search engine optimization (SEO) approach, you can significantly boost your website’s rankings and drive more organic traffic. This article will explore seven proven strategies to help you dominate local search rankings …

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Talk Commerce Peter Karpas

Personalized Checkout with Peter Karpas of Bold Commerce

Explore the insights from a captivating episode of the Talk Commerce podcast, featuring Peter Karpas, the CEO of Bold Commerce. The conversation centers around the often-overlooked yet critical aspect of e-commerce: the checkout experience. Karpas, with his extensive background in payments and e-commerce, sheds light on the limitations of traditional checkout processes and unveils the potential of personalized checkout flows to revolutionize online businesses.

Key Takeaways

  • Checkout is more than just conversion: While conversion rates are important, merchants often overlook the crucial role checkout plays in driving average order value (AOV) and lifetime value (LTV).
  • Personalization is paramount: Just as every other aspect of an e-commerce site is personalized, the checkout experience should be tailored to individual customer needs and behaviors.
  • Rigid and brittle checkout flows are hindering growth: Many platforms offer limited customization options for checkout, leading to a fear of experimentation and missed opportunities for optimization.
  • Composable commerce offers a solution: Bold Commerce offers a composable checkout solution that allows merchants to break free from rigid platform limitations and create truly personalized experiences.
  • A/B testing in checkout is crucial: Merchants need to embrace A/B testing in their checkout process to uncover hidden opportunities for increasing AOV and LTV.
  • The checkout experience impacts the entire customer journey: A seamless and personalized checkout experience can foster customer loyalty and drive repeat business.

About the Guest: Peter Karpas

Peter Karpas is the CEO of Bold Commerce, a company that provides innovative checkout solutions for e-commerce businesses. His wealth of experience in the payments industry, having previously held leadership roles at PayPal and First Data, provides him with a unique perspective on the evolution of online transactions. Karpas is a passionate advocate for leveraging technology to create frictionless and personalized customer experiences. He is a frequent speaker at industry events, sharing his insights on the future of e-commerce and the transformative power of composable commerce.

Detailed Episode Summary

The podcast episode kicks off with a lighthearted exchange about sports, showcasing Karpas’s approachable demeanor and genuine enthusiasm. The conversation quickly transitions to the heart of the matter: the challenges and opportunities within the e-commerce checkout landscape.

Karpas highlights the limitations of traditional checkout processes, emphasizing their rigidity and lack of personalization. He argues that merchants are often afraid to make changes to their checkout flows due to concerns about potential disruptions and negative impacts on conversion rates. However, he contends that this fear of experimentation is preventing businesses from unlocking the full potential of their checkout experience.

To illustrate his point, Karpas shares a compelling anecdote about a brand that experienced an unexpected increase in revenue after temporarily disabling Apple Pay due to a technical issue. This counterintuitive outcome stemmed from a subsequent rise in average order value, demonstrating the interconnectedness of conversion, AOV, and LTV.

The discussion then delves into the concept of personalized checkout flows, with Karpas explaining how tailoring the checkout experience to individual customers based on factors such as cart value, purchase history, and location can significantly impact key metrics. He advocates for a more dynamic approach, where merchants can create multiple checkout flows optimized for different customer segments.

Karpas introduces Bold Commerce as a solution to these challenges, positioning the company as a leading provider of composable checkout solutions. He explains how Bold’s platform empowers merchants to break free from the constraints of rigid platform checkouts and embrace a more modular and customizable approach. This allows businesses to integrate seamlessly with various third-party services and create truly personalized checkout experiences.

The conversation touches upon the importance of A/B testing in checkout, with Karpas stressing the need for data-driven decision-making to optimize the customer journey. He emphasizes the benefits of experimenting with different elements within the checkout flow, such as the placement of upsell offers, shipping options, and payment methods, to identify the most effective strategies for maximizing AOV and LTV.

Finally, Karpas shares his predictions for the future of e-commerce, highlighting the growing momentum of composable commerce and the transformative potential of AI-powered tools. He concludes by encouraging merchants to embrace innovation and challenge the status quo to create exceptional checkout experiences that drive business growth.

Personal Commentary and Analysis

This podcast episode provides a valuable perspective on the evolving landscape of e-commerce checkout. Karpas’s insights challenge conventional wisdom and encourage merchants to rethink their approach to this critical aspect of the customer journey. The emphasis on personalization and A/B testing resonates strongly with the broader trend towards data-driven decision-making in e-commerce.

The concept of composable commerce, as embodied by Bold Commerce’s solutions, offers a compelling alternative to the limitations of traditional platform checkouts. This modular approach empowers businesses to create highly customized experiences that align with their specific needs and objectives.

As the e-commerce landscape continues to evolve, the ability to personalize the checkout experience will become increasingly crucial for businesses seeking to differentiate themselves and foster customer loyalty. This episode serves as a timely reminder that the checkout process is not merely a transactional endpoint but rather an integral part of the overall customer journey that deserves careful consideration and optimization.

Memorable Quotes

  • “The checkout power trio is conversion, average order value, and lifetime value. And those are three interconnected dials. And when you turn one, it impacts the other two.” This quote underscores the holistic nature of the checkout experience and the need to consider all three metrics in optimization efforts.
  • “Everybody has been in some ways brainwashed into thinking that checkout is all about conversion. When it’s not.” This provocative statement challenges the prevailing focus on conversion rates and encourages a broader perspective on the role of checkout.
  • “Don’t have learned helplessness. You need to know that it is possible. It is doable. It is doable in weeks and months, not quarters and years.” This empowering message reminds merchants that they can take control of their checkout experience and implement meaningful changes without significant disruption.

Engaging the Audience

If you’re interested in learning more about the power of personalized checkout and how Bold Commerce can help your business thrive, we encourage you to listen to the full podcast episode. You can find the Talk Commerce podcast on all major podcast platforms. Subscribe to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and insights in e-commerce!

Final Thoughts

This insightful podcast episode with Peter Karpas underscores the importance of a strategic and personalized approach to the checkout experience. By embracing innovation and challenging conventional wisdom, merchants can unlock significant opportunities to enhance customer satisfaction, drive sales, and ultimately boldly reshape the future of e-commerce.

e-commerce, checkout, personalization, Bold Commerce, Peter Karpas, composable commerce, A/B testing, average order value, lifetime value, customer experience

Understanding Consumer Behavior Through Literature: Key Insights from Books on Commerce and Marketing

Consumer behavior is a multifaceted subject you can’t simply research, publish a book, and call it a day. There are so many approaches, strategies, and questions that no one can tell you the only way. However, the literature on commerce and marketing offers many valuable lessons about analyzing consumer behavior …

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What Brands Use Cricket Flour

Exploring the Novelty: Why These 13 Top-tier Brands Adopted Cricket Powder (Flour) as a Unique Ingredient.

Brands increasingly turn to cricket protein to provide sustainable and nutritious product ingredients. Cricket protein is a complete source of protein, containing all nine essential amino acids, as well as calcium, iron, B vitamins, and other micronutrients.

The Guide to Brands Using Cricket Flour in Australia

A Guide to Brands Using Cricket Flour in Australia

In recent years, cricket flour has gained popularity as a sustainable and nutritious alternative to traditional protein sources. While it may seem like an unconventional ingredient, many brands in Australia are incorporating cricket flour into their products. In this guide, we’ll explore the top brands using cricket flour in Australia and the benefits of this unique protein source.

Vijay Golani

Why Attend Magento Magento with Vijay Golani

In a rapidly evolving ecommerce landscape, the need for powerful integrations between platforms is growing more crucial by the day. I recently had the pleasure of chatting with Vijay Golani, the co-founder and solution architect at Evrig Solutions, on how his team has developed a game-changing Magento and HubSpot integration. From the intricate details of the integration to some light-hearted moments, this episode is packed with insights that every ecommerce professional should take note of.

A Game-Changing Magento & HubSpot Integration

Connecting the Dots Between Platforms

One of the most exciting takeaways from my conversation with Vijay is how this integration simplifies processes for ecommerce businesses, especially those operating on Magento and leveraging HubSpot for customer relationship management. As Vijay explained, the Evrig team has developed a module that syncs essential data—like customer information, products, and orders—between Magento and HubSpot in real-time.

This isn’t just a one-way synchronization. As Vijay detailed, the integration is designed to work both ways, meaning that updates in Magento are reflected in HubSpot, and vice versa. This feature is especially beneficial for sales teams who rely on HubSpot’s pipeline management tools and want to avoid constantly switching between platforms.

Takeaways for Sales and Revenue Teams

For those of you already familiar with HubSpot’s powerful sales tools, this integration allows you to utilize Magento’s data directly within your sales pipelines and reporting metrics without a hitch. It’s an empowering way for sales reps and revenue officers to keep their finger on the pulse of product performance, enabling them to make data-driven decisions without manual data import efforts.

Vijay shared an example of an enterprise-level client who handles numerous phone orders. Sales reps accustomed to HubSpot could quickly create and manage customer accounts in HubSpot, with that information seamlessly syncing to Magento. This integration effectively bridges the gap, transforming potential inquiries into finalized orders more efficiently.

How Products Sync Sheds Light on Your Offerings

Key Attributes Syncing for Better Sales Insights

Vijay emphasized that the product syncing feature is another crucial aspect of this integration. Sales reps won’t have to dive deep into Magento to find the information they need. Instead, they can view key attributes—like SKUs, prices, and names—right in HubSpot. This makes it much easier to create accurate quotes and sales pipelines directly within HubSpot.

Maximize Your Reporting Capabilities

If you’re a data enthusiast like me, you’ll love the idea of using HubSpot’s robust reporting tools on Magento data. As a HubSpot partner, I’m particularly thrilled about the ease with which users can now use this integration to gather insights. Whether you’re analyzing which products are flying off the virtual shelves or identifying top-performing salespeople, this integration is a goldmine for ecommerce businesses looking to fine-tune their operations.

Meet Magento New York: Why You Can’t Miss It

Networking, Learning, and Community Building

If all the talk about Magento integration hasn’t convinced you yet, let me emphasize the importance of attending events like Meet Magento New York. Vijay and I both shared our excitement about this annual event, which is the perfect venue to soak in the latest industry trends. Whether you’re an experienced Magento pro or just starting out, the event offers something for everyone—opportunities to network, learn, and contribute to the vibrant Magento community.

Vijay shared a personal story about how his first speaking opportunity at Meet Magento New York led to meaningful business connections. Such events are much more than just conferences; they’re platforms for growth and collaboration, where you can meet the very people who are shaping the future of ecommerce.

Work Hard, Play Hard

And yes, the community vibe extends beyond the conference halls. Vijay and I spoke about the pre-parties, after-parties, and even activities like the Mage:Run, where attendees of all kinds—night owls and early risers alike—can connect in a more relaxed environment. Let’s just say, if you’re in New York City on October 10th, prioritize attending Meet Magento. Your future self will thank you!

If you’re in the ecommerce space, the Magento and HubSpot integration developed by Vijay’s team at Evrig Solutions is something you can’t afford to ignore. It streamlines operations, enhances sales and marketing efforts, and provides valuable data insights that can drive strategic decisions. As we approach Meet Magento New York, there’s never been a better time to explore this integration and to engage with the community that understands the ins and outs of the Magento ecosystem.

Ready to take your ecommerce game to the next level? Vijay and the Evrig Solutions team, along with Content Basis, are here to help you make the most out of your Magento and HubSpot platforms. Don’t miss out on these exciting developments—sign up for Meet Magento New York today and see for yourself!


Till next time, keep thriving in the world of commerce!

More Episodes about Magento Integrations

Modern beauty salon with digital displays showcasing social commerce integration

Egg Beauty Labs and SHOPLINE Join Forces to Revolutionize Social Commerce in the Beauty Industry

Egg Beauty Labs and SHOPLINE announce a groundbreaking collaboration to support content-to-cash software platforms for influencers and brands in the beauty industry, introducing new revenue streams and empowering beauty professionals.

A green energy power plant with a laptop and a person in the foreground, with a smile on their face, with the Storyblok logo and the Octopus Energy

Storyblok Powers Octopus Energy’s Content-Driven Green Revolution

New York, NY In a bid to accelerate its mission to drive the affordable, green energy system of the future, Octopus Energy has partnered with Storyblok, a modern content management system (CMS) designed to empower businesses to become market leaders. By leveraging Storyblok’s intuitive, scalable, and intelligent platform, Octopus Energy …

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Talk Commerce Diane Pisani

The Booming Home Watch Business with Diane Pisani

In this episode of Talk Commerce, we’re joined by Diane Pisani, founder of the Home Watch Academy, to explore the burgeoning Home Watch Business and its surprising appeal to millennials. Diane, a seasoned entrepreneur with extensive experience in this field, shares her insights into the growth, potential, and evolving landscape of this unique industry.

The Essence of the Home Watch Business:

The Home Watch Business centers on providing diligent oversight and care for unoccupied properties, ensuring their security and maintenance while homeowners are away. Diane highlights the crucial role Home Watch professionals play in preventing damage, mitigating risks, and offering peace of mind to absentee homeowners. From routine checks for leaks and security breaches to coordinating necessary repairs and managing concierge services, Home Watch professionals are the unsung heroes of property preservation.

Exploring the Millennial Appeal of the Home Watch Business:

Contrary to the initial perception of Home Watch as a predominantly Baby Boomer-driven industry, Diane reveals a significant surge in interest among millennials. She attributes this trend to the flexibility, independence, and potential for high income that the Home Watch Business offers. For millennials seeking work-life balance and meaningful entrepreneurial ventures, Home Watch provides an attractive avenue for career growth and financial independence.

The Impact of the Home Watch Business on the Real Estate and Property Management Industries:

The rise of the Home Watch Business has a profound impact on the real estate and property management sectors. By offering specialized services tailored to absentee homeowners, Home Watch professionals complement and enhance the services provided by real estate agents and property managers. Diane emphasizes the collaborative nature of these industries, working together to provide comprehensive solutions for property owners and ensuring the long-term value and integrity of their investments.

Listener Questions and Insights:

  • Q: What are the essential skills needed to succeed in the Home Watch Business?
  • A (Diane): Attention to detail, strong communication skills, a proactive approach to problem-solving, and a genuine commitment to client satisfaction are paramount. The Home Watch Academy provides comprehensive training to equip aspiring professionals with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in this field.
  • Q: What is the typical income potential for a Home Watch professional?
  • A (Diane): The income potential is highly scalable and depends on factors such as the number of clients, service offerings, and geographic location. However, with diligent effort and effective business management, Home Watch professionals can generate substantial income, often exceeding traditional employment opportunities.

Watching the Home Watch Business Grow:

The Home Watch Business is experiencing a period of dynamic growth, fueled by increasing demand and a growing recognition of its vital role in safeguarding valuable assets. As more millennials embrace this entrepreneurial path, the industry is poised for continued expansion and innovation, offering exciting opportunities for those seeking a rewarding and fulfilling career.

Sanne Bolkenstein

The Future of Magento with Sanne Bolkenstein

In this episode of Talk Commerce, I had the pleasure of chatting with Sanne Bolkenstein, Commercial Director at Hyva. We dove deep into the world of Magento, exploring the challenges it faces, the innovative solutions Hyva offers, and the exciting potential of MageOS for the platform’s future. Sanne’s insights were incredibly valuable, and this blog post summarizes the key takeaways from our conversation, including my personal reflections on the Magento landscape.

Magento’s Performance Woes and Hyva’s Solution

One of the major issues Sanne and I discussed is the performance of many Magento sites. I believe that a significant percentage of Magento stores are quite slow, and this is a big problem for merchants. Sanne highlighted how the default Luma front-end, which is over a decade old, can lead to frustrating development times and impact performance. This frustration, shared by many Magento developers, was what led Willem Wigman to create Hyva.

Hyva, with its Hoover front-end, aims to address these challenges head-on. As Sanne explained, Hoover offers a lightweight and efficient solution compared to Luma, with fewer dependencies and significantly improved performance. This leads to faster loading times, a better user experience, and reduced development costs for merchants. I’ve heard similar feedback from others in the community, which solidifies my belief that Hyva can be a game-changer for many Magento sites.

Hyva vs. PWA Studio & Luma: A Clear Choice?

Naturally, we discussed Hyva in relation to other solutions like PWA Studio and sticking with Luma. Sanne’s perspective was clear: PWA Studio is in maintenance mode, and choosing it wouldn’t be the best decision for most merchants. As for Luma, she couldn’t fathom why anyone would opt for it considering the performance and development drawbacks. I personally agree with Sanne that, for Magento users, especially those seeking improved performance, Hyva is a much more attractive and cost-effective solution.

The Magento Community: A European Perspective

During our conversation, Sanne and I discussed the differences in the Magento community between Europe and the US. I’ve noticed a sense that the US community is perhaps not as vibrant or as actively involved as the European community. Sanne highlighted the collaborative and trusting environment in the European Magento community, with agencies even working together despite being competitors.

This collaborative approach is inspiring, and it made me think about how we can foster a stronger sense of community in the US. Sanne’s advice to start small with Magento meetups and events is something I’d like to see more of. Maybe we need to embrace a more organic approach, starting with smaller, more focused events, rather than aiming for massive gatherings.

The Rise of MageOS: A Hope for Magento’s Future

Sanne and I also discussed the growing significance of MageOS, a community-driven initiative that aims to ensure the long-term viability of Magento. I was initially skeptical of the MageOS fork but have since changed my perspective. The lack of innovation in the core Magento product from Adobe is a concern for many in the community, and MageOS is a powerful response to this issue.

Sanne emphasized that MageOS empowers the community to drive innovation, which is crucial to Magento’s future. She believes that features currently available in Adobe Commerce, but potentially not prioritized in the future, can be incorporated into MageOS, offering Magento users a greater range of options. I agree that MageOS is an exciting development, and I’m eager to see how it shapes the future of the platform.

Conclusion: Embracing the Community & Innovation

The conversation with Sanne was insightful and inspiring. It reinforced the importance of community, innovation, and recognizing the need for more diversity in the Magento world. It’s clear that Magento is a dynamic platform with both challenges and opportunities.

Hyva offers a fantastic front-end solution for those seeking improved performance and developer efficiency. And MageOS presents a beacon of hope for the future of Magento, ensuring its continued relevance and innovation through a community-driven approach.

I highly recommend listening to the full podcast episode to gain a deeper understanding of Hyva, MageOS, and the current state of the Magento landscape. Thanks for joining me on this journey!

See these episodes for more insight into Hyva