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Talk-Commerce-Justin Beals

Revolutionizing Security Compliance: The Strike Graph Story with Justin Beals

In a recent podcast episode, I had the pleasure of hosting Justin Beals, the co-founder and CEO of Strike Graph. We delved into a variety of topics, from his role at Strike Graph to his passion for sailing and skateboarding, and the journey of starting a startup.

Meet Justin Beals: The Man Behind Strike Graph

Justin Beals is not just the co-founder and CEO of Strike Graph, but also a passionate sailor and skateboarder. His day-to-day role at Strike Graph involves building the business, assembling the right team, and solving important problems. As the CEO, he deals with various issues, from trash collection to strategy.

The Journey of Starting a Startup

Justin shared his journey in starting Strike Graph and his interest in entrepreneurship and technology. He looks for problems that can be solved with a technology-driven solution and that require capital to build and prove the value of the product. He mentioned working with an incubator in Seattle to spin out Strike Graph and their recent VC-backed funding round.

The Importance of Certifications in Business

Justin shared his personal experience as a Chief Technology Officer at a previous startup, where he struggled to help the sales team navigate the procurement process and share security operations. He explained how certifications like PCI-DSS and SOC2 can impact revenue by speeding up the procurement process. By cutting the two-year timeframe in half or three-quarters, companies can increase their revenue significantly.

The Ethical Aspect of Security

Justin also discussed the ethical aspect of the problem, stating that implementing better security is better for everyone involved in the marketplace. He mentioned that these certifications act as a measuring stick for an organization’s security operation and can help build trust among customers.

Understanding Certifications and Audit Qualifications

We also discussed the specific certifications and audit qualifications. PCI-DSS, designed for credit card processing, requires an external assessment for organizations that process a million transactions a year. SOC2, often added on top of PCI-DSS, has a broader set of expectations, including security processes around HR, change management, and encryption.

The Role of Security Operations in Businesses

Justin emphasized the importance of security operations in businesses. He mentioned that multiple people in the organization, such as the CTO and DevOps, should own different aspects of security. He emphasized the need for a separation of environments to prevent the leakage of production data into a QA environment.

The Impact of GDPR

We discussed the impact of GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) in Europe, which has driven the adoption of privacy-focused standards worldwide. Justin explained that GDPR is a liability standard, and organizations self-certify to avoid potential lawsuits. He recommends businesses to start with a simple risk assessment to determine the scope of security practices needed.

Advice for Entrepreneurs and Business People

Justin advises entrepreneurs and business people to adopt pragmatic approaches and focus on stable, metric-focused growth, retention, resiliency, and profitability. He highlights the importance of audits and certifications, such as SOC2, ISO 27001, and PCI DSS, as businesses grow and cater to more sophisticated customers.

About Strike Graph

Strike Graph is a security compliance and certification solution. Their platform helps customers earn certifications and audits like SOC2, ISO 27001, and GDPR compliance. Justin expressed his excitement about the success they have found with their customers and the value they have found in the product.

If you’re interested in learning more about Strike Graph and their solutions, I recommend visiting their website at strikegraph.com. You can also reach out to Justin on LinkedIn. He’s always happy to share his knowledge and experience with anyone who needs help.

I appreciate Justin’s insights and am grateful for his time on the podcast. His knowledge and experience in the startup world are invaluable, and I’m sure our listeners found his insights as enlightening as I did.

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Unraveling the Power of Composable Architecture with Chris Bach

Hello everyone! I recently had the pleasure of hosting Chris Bach, the co-founder of Netlify, on my podcast. As the Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) of Netlify, Chris also sits on the advisory board of Market Lines, an industry body focused on headless and composable architecture. Besides his professional pursuits, Chris has a passion for cars and motorsport, which adds an interesting dimension to his personality.

A Passion for Cars and Borderline Humor

Our conversation started with a light-hearted discussion about Chris’s love for cars, both old and new, especially those related to racing. We also discussed his participation in the free joke project, where I shared a joke about an antique globe. Chris found it amusing, describing it as borderline humor.

The Box Family and Headless Composable Commerce

In a humorous twist, I asked Chris if he had any relation to the famous Box family of writers. Chris jokingly responded that Sebastian Box stole his last name for fame but is unrelated to famous writers. Our conversation then took a more serious turn as we delved into the topic of headless composable commerce. Chris explained that headless refers to separating the core commerce functionality into an API, allowing flexibility in building different digital experiences. He highlighted the advantages of headless, such as faster time to market and the ability to customize digital experiences.

Understanding Composable Architecture

When asked about the term “composable” and its relation to headless, Chris explained that composable architecture goes beyond just separating the front end and back end. It involves using self-contained systems that can be decoupled and connected through APIs, allowing for more flexibility and interchangeability.

Different systems like CMS, e-commerce engines, and marketing engines are separate entities in traditional setups. However, with composable architecture, these systems can be decoupled and connected through APIs, allowing for more flexibility and interchangeability.

The Challenges and Solutions of Composable Architecture

Despite the benefits, maintaining such an architecture without a platform like Netlify can be challenging. Organizations face bottlenecks and complexities in consuming the APIs and delivering a seamless digital experience to customers. This involves handling secrets, setting up staging and production environments, managing caching, and ensuring security scans, among other tasks.

Netlify, as a composition platform, aims to address these challenges by providing a unified workflow and orchestration. It allows developers to build composable architectures by pulling in different components and APIs, while also offering standardized ways to connect with legacy systems and manage releases. Netlify’s value lies in simplifying the process, reducing overhead, and enabling faster time to market.

The Power of Composable Architecture and Netlify’s Role

Chris Bach emphasized the power and advantages of composable architecture and how Netlify plays a crucial role in enabling organizations to adopt and maintain such architectures effectively. He discussed the challenges faced by businesses and organizations when it comes to building advanced applications and digital experiences. He highlighted the limitations of traditional infrastructure and the complexity that arises when multiple players are involved in the implementation process.

The Benefits of Adopting Composable Architecture

Adopting a composable architecture offers benefits such as brand differentiation, better security, scalability, and reduced costs. Chris advises businesses to consider the cost of doing nothing and the operational overhead of sticking to the old ways. He also emphasizes that composable architecture does not require building a new monolith but can be implemented gradually, starting in a corner and expanding from there.

Closing Thoughts and Contact Information

In closing, Chris mentioned Magento 1 as an example of a traditional monolith that businesses struggle to move away from due to technical debt. He contrasts this with composable architecture, where small pieces of technical debt can be swapped out as needed.

Chris also provided various ways to contact him, including email, LinkedIn, and filling out a form on their website. He mentioned that Netlify is always open to having non-committal conversations about digital challenges or specific topics like making a headless version of a content management system successful. I am grateful for the insightful conversation with Chris and look forward to sharing more such enlightening discussions with you all. Stay tuned for more!

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Harnessing the Power of TikTok for E-commerce: A Conversation with Lauren Schwartz

In this podcast episode, Brent welcomes Lauren Schwartz, the owner of The Loft 325, a creative studio specializing in ad creatives for e-commerce brands. They discuss the importance of creativity in TikTok videos and how it offers a new way for brands to engage with audiences.

Lauren advises brands to balance creativity with taking action by developing content on various topics and working with content creators. They also discuss the challenge of convincing B2B brands to try TikTok and how to grab viewers’ attention quickly. They discuss the importance of content creation and organic user-generated content for e-commerce merchants.

Ready to dive into the world of TikTok and e-commerce? Join me in this episode as we explore the importance of creativity, content creators, and the benefits of using TikTok for advertising. Get inspired and stay one step ahead!

The Loft 325: A Creative Hub for E-commerce Brands

Lauren Schwartz is not just the founder of The Loft 325, but she also plays a pivotal role in running the studio and educating new creatives on the platforms they will be working on. Her passion lies in helping designers and video editors find their creative direction.

TikTok: A New Avenue for E-commerce Brands

Our conversation quickly moved to the topic of TikTok and its role in e-commerce. Lauren explained that TikTok offers a unique element of entertainment that allows brands to step away from being overly salesy. It provides a fresh way to engage with audiences and showcase products in a fun and entertaining manner.

Balancing Creativity and Action

When asked about how brands can balance creativity with taking action, Lauren advised brand owners to start developing content on various topics, including interviews with employees and industry experts. She emphasized the importance of working with content creators who can provide fresh perspectives on the brand.

Overcoming Skepticism: The TikTok Challenge

We also discussed the challenge of convincing B2B brands to try TikTok. Lauren acknowledged the skepticism but suggested allocating a budget to test the platform. She recommended working with content creators to bring a fresh perspective to the brand’s image.

The Importance of Quick Engagement on TikTok

Lauren highlighted the importance of grabbing viewers’ attention quickly on TikTok. With users scrolling through content rapidly, the “three-second hook” is actually less than a second. Understanding what is trending on TikTok can help in creating engaging content that resonates with the audience.

Engaging Older Generations on TikTok

When asked about engaging older generations, like Gen Xers, on TikTok, Lauren suggested that by being on TikTok and understanding what people like, one can adapt their content accordingly. She also emphasized the importance of analyzing trends and incorporating them into ad formats to make them look more like TikTok content and less like traditional ads.

Getting Discovered on TikTok

Lauren explained that while going viral is challenging, using trending hashtags and creating engaging content can help in getting discovered on TikTok.

Advice for E-commerce Merchants

Lauren’s advice to e-commerce merchants, especially leading up to Black Friday, is to focus on content creation and organic user-generated content (UGC). She emphasized that working with creators can be highly effective across all platforms and recommended investing time in content creation because it consistently yields positive results.

The Power of Testing and Trying New Things

I agreed with Lauren’s point and added that testing different approaches is crucial to determine what works best. Creators bring a fresh perspective and encourage trying new things. The cost of creating content has significantly decreased with the availability of tools and the ability to reach multiple platforms.

A Final Word

As our conversation came to a close, Lauren announced that she will be launching a designer course for aspiring creatives looking to enter the field of paid social advertising.In conclusion, our conversation with Lauren Schwartz highlighted the potential of TikTok as a powerful tool for e-commerce brands. By understanding the platform’s unique dynamics and leveraging its creative potential, brands can engage with their audience in a fresh and entertaining way.

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Notable moments:

The importance of creativity on TikTok [00:02:25] TikTok allows brands to step away from branded content and be more creative and entertaining in how they talk about their products.

The role of content creators in brand marketing [00:04:58] Working with content creators provides new perspectives and fresh ideas for brands, helping them showcase their products in a unique way.

Testing TikTok for B2B brands [00:06:04] While there may be skepticism, it is recommended to at least test TikTok by allocating budget for creative and ad spend to see if it brings value to the brand.

The importance of grabbing attention quickly [00:09:24] The speaker discusses the need to capture viewers’ attention within a second on TikTok due to the fast-scrolling nature of the platform.

Analyzing trends on TikTok for ad creatives [00:10:55] The speaker talks about the importance of understanding and incorporating trending content into ad creatives on TikTok.

Organic growth versus paid growth on TikTok [00:13:35] The speaker discusses the benefits of both organic and paid growth on TikTok and emphasizes the importance of having an organic presence on the platform.

Content creation and working with creators [00:19:43] The importance of investing in content creation and collaborating with creators for e-commerce businesses.

Testing and the cost of creative [00:20:18] The significance of testing different strategies and the lower cost of creating content across multiple platforms.

Shameless plug for designer course [00:21:01] Lauren’s upcoming designer course for new creatives in the paid social advertising field.

Mentions:

  • The Loft 325: 00:00:11
  • TikTok: 00:01:35
  • Instagram: 00:01:35
  • Reels: 00:01:35
  • YouTube: 00:01:35
  • TikTok: 00:09:24, 00:10:21, 00:10:55, 00:11:13, 00:11:45, 00:12:18, 00:13:03, 00:13:35, 00:14:39, 00:15:11, 00:15:43, 00:16:21, 00:17:33, 00:17:58, 00:18:08, 00:18:43, 00:19:05
  • Facebook: 00:16:50, 00:17:21
  • Content creation and organic UGC: 00:19:43
  • Working with creators: 00:19:43
  • Testing different strategies: 00:20:18
  • Tools for creating content across multiple platforms: 00:20:18
  • Designer course for brand new creatives in paid social advertising: 00:21:01

Unlocking Loyalty: A Revolutionary Guide to Turning Returns into Remarkable Rewards with Tobi Buxhoidt

In this insightful episode of Talk Commerce, Brent Peterson invites Tobi Buxhoidt, the co-founder of ParcelLab, a leading Operations Experience Management platform. Boasting a rich background in logistical operations and a passion for streamlining the customer experience, Tobi shares forward-thinking insights on the role of post-sales customer interactions in brand success.

Born in Germany and based out of Boston, Tobi describes how ParcelLab operates internationally with several offices worldwide. The platform aims to revolutionize the way brands engage with their customers with data-driven experiences, which he believes can create a notable difference in their relationships with their customers. A large part of the discussion revolves around the role of returns in customer satisfaction.

Tobi emphasizes the necessity of a digitalized, tailored, and customer-centric returns process with varying approaches depending on the customer and the product. He cites examples from fashion brand Chico’s and electronics company Bose to illustrate the practical application of this approach.

Tobi also touches upon the common assumption that returns should be free. While he understands this reasoning, he reveals intriguing data suggesting that about half of consumers are open to paying for returns depending on the context. Finally, Tobi gives a glimpse into the future of e-commerce in 2023, where he predicts a significant shift from customer acquisition to enhancing customer lifetime value.

He suggests that brands focus on engaging their customers during the entire post-purchase journey, which he claims is critical for customer retention and building lasting relationships. Tobi invites interested listeners to engage with ParcelLab further through its website, www.parcellab.com. Leveraging his experience and expertise, Tobi aims to help businesses excel in the post-purchase landscape, turning the seemingly mundane process of returns and operational moments into moments of joy.

Find Tobi Buxhoidt on LinkedIn for more insights and engagements.

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Unlocking Ecommerce Success: A Deep Dive with John Lunn of Gr4vy

In this revealing and in-depth interview, we talk with John Lunn, CEO of Gr4vy, a trailblazer in the payments industry. With 15 years of experience backing him, John shares his journey from leading investments, founding companies, and growing startups to representing publicly traded companies globally.

Known for his lateral thinking, John’s innovative approach to problem-solving has had him building patented inventions and successful ecommerce enterprises. During the discussion, John delves into his role at Gr4vy and his passion for unconventional sports. He outlines the inspiration behind Gr4vy, stemming from his frustration with rigid payment structures that inhibit online retailers from effortlessly adding or removing payment options.

John elaborates on Gr4vy’s unique payment orchestration system that offers retailers control over their transactions. This includes dynamic rule-building for both front-end and back-end orchestration and a unified tokenization engine that facilitates hassle-free transition between payment service providers.

He also underscores the importance of adaptability given the imminent industry changes harbingers of the year 2023. John provides valuable advice to ecommerce merchants, urging them to prepare for evolving consumer payment behaviors, industry changes, and the advantages of leveraging a payment orchestration platform like Gr4vy.

Ultimately, John calls on all merchants feeling trapped in their current payment provider relationships to contact Gr4vy to explore profitable alternatives.

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Maximizing Ecommerce Efficiency and Driving Towards Net Zero: A Discussion with Chloe Thomas

In the podcast “Maximizing Ecommerce Efficiency and Driving Towards Net Zero: A Discussion with Chloe Thomas,” Brent interviews Chloe, a globally recognized expert in eCommerce marketing problem-solving.

As the author of several best-selling books, a keynote speaker, advisor, and host of the award-winning podcasts eCommerce MasterPlan and Keep Optimising, Chloe shares insightful perspectives on sustainability, marketing trends, artificial intelligence (AI), and the role of AI in content creation.

Chloe passionately emphasizes the importance of small sustainable steps towards eco-friendly practices in the e-commerce ecosystem. Her approach suggests conducting a comprehensive supplier audit to spotlight potential areas for improvement. Besides, she underlines the need for businesses to communicate transparently with customers about their sustainability efforts.

Regarding the evolving dynamics of marketing in 2023, Chloe urges businesses to harness a deep understanding of their customers’ emotional connections to their brands. Further, she talks about the imperative of staying abreast of changes in platforms like Google Ads, which could potentially impact profitability and sales if overlooked. Concerning AI in content creation, Chloe articulates a vision where AI plays a supportive role rather than replacing human teams.

While AI can generate base content, it’s crucial to interweave brand identity and align messages with customer expectations using a human touch. Currently, Chloe is focusing on growing her podcasts, finding new partners and sponsors, and planning new initiatives for 2023 to help her audience and sponsors more effectively. She also contributes to in-person and virtual events in the eCommerce space as a speaker and chairperson.

Chloe guides eCommerce business owners and marketers on business growth strategies. As a speaker, she frequently participates in premier online marketing events. As a writer, Chloe contributes regularly to the eCommerce and retail press, writes white papers, and has authored five books on eCommerce.

Chloe offers assistance in a variety of areas, including guest-speaking on podcasts or virtual summits, providing expert quotes, guesting on her podcasts, or becoming a board-level advisor for your company. Away from her professional pursuits, Chloe has a flair for locating interesting TV shows on Amazon Prime, relishes pancakes and Lubeck marzipan, and enjoys reading works by authors such as Irvine Welsh, Susan Cain, and Chuck Palanuik.

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Introducing the Reconvert Rate: A Game-changing eCommerce Metric with Ruth Even Haim

Today we have a special guest, Ruth Even Haim, who is the co-founder of ReConvert, a post-purchase upselling app for Shopify. Throughout her journey as an entrepreneur, Ruth and her brother both had Shopify stores and realized that the default ‘Thank You’ page on Shopify was essentially an ‘exit door’ from the store.

This realization gave rise to the creation of ReConvert, an app designed to make this exit door obsolete by facilitating post-purchase upselling. How does that work? ReConvert essentially transforms the ‘Thank You’ page into another landing page that confounds customer appreciation and promotes other products for potential immediate post-purchase.

The goal is to retain the customer’s attention after purchase and spur additional sales. In addition to her entrepreneurial work, Ruth also has a passion for content and writing. This passion translates into the work she does at ReConvert, creating a more engaging and interesting post-purchase experience for customers. A true testament to how personal passions can positively influence one’s work!

Join us as we delve deeper into the subject of post-purchase upselling, its potential for increasing revenues, and how Reconvert is changing the game for Shopify merchants. We will also explore the challenges and opportunities that come with being an entrepreneur and have a few laughs along the way.

To all the entrepreneurs out there – don’t miss out on this informative episode as we explore the insights of post-purchase upselling with our guest, Ruth Even Haim. Whether you are a seasoned business owner or just starting out, there are lessons to be learned and insights to be gained. Stay tuned!

Download the app today here.

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Revolutionizing Returns: Harnessing the Power of Reverse Logistics with Amena Ali

In this engaging episode of Talk Commerce, Brent Peterson sits down with Amena Ali, CEO of Optoro, a company specializing in optimizing returns and reverse logistics for businesses. They delve deep into the world of e-commerce returns, discussing how an effective returns management process can greatly enhance customer experience and loyalty.

Amena shares insights on how retailers can manage returns to improve their bottom line, using AI to evaluate fraud risks and facilitate instant exchanges. She sheds light on the importance for businesses to adopt a customer-centric returns policy similar to Amazon’s and the role of technology in making this happen. From discussing the importance of efficient inventory restocking to the increasingly critical role of reverse logistics, Amena provides merchants with valuable advice on enhancing their e-commerce strategy.

This episode is an eye-opener for retailers seeking to upgrade their returns management system, raise customer satisfaction, and, ultimately, increase sales. Whether you’re a small-scale e-commerce business owner or an enterprise-level retailer, this candid conversation with Amena Ali offers valuable insights into transforming returns from a problem into an opportunity.

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Shopware Copilot: The Future of E-commerce Administration is Here with Ben Marks

Welcome to a new episode of the Talk Commerce Podcast, where we unravel the intricacies of eCommerce by giving you insider access to industry experts. Today, we bring you a remarkable conversation with Ben Marks, Director of Global Market Development at Shopware. Ben brings a wealth of eCommerce experience and a clear vision for Shopware‘s international expansion.

In a world where shopping journeys are swiftly evolving, he believes in delivering relevant, streamlined buying experiences that resonate with customers. In this deep, enlightening discussion, Ben shares his insights on the quickly intensifying relationship between AI and eCommerce, speaking about various factors that merchants should consider while choosing a platform and unpacking some hidden cost elements associated with platform selection.

Discussing Shopware’s expansion plans into the US market, he underscores the shift towards AI in eCommerce platforms for amplified user interactions. Get ready for an episode filled with golden nuggets as we delve deeper into the future of eCommerce and explore how Shopware is gearing up to navigate these changes. Whether you’re an eCommerce newbie, a high-flyer brand exploring platforms, or an agency deciding your next move, this episode is packed with valuable insights for you. So tune in, and let’s ‘Talk Commerce!’

Highlights of the episode

  • Role of AI in the Shopware Platform
  • Advantages of Shopware as an open-source platform
  • Introduction of Shopware Copilot, a collection of eight AI features
  • Shopware’s admin functionality and superior user experience
  • Shopware’s focus on serving the mid-market segment
  • Predictions on the impact of AI on the platform and e-commerce solutions
  • Importance of total cost of ownership and custom functionality
  • Differentiation between Shopware and Shopify
  • Shopware’s efforts to assist with platform migration
  • Importance of hosting and simplicity in Shopware’s solution

What you will learn in this episode

As a podcaster, I have the privilege of engaging with industry leaders and innovators. In a recent episode, I had the pleasure of interviewing Ben Marks from Shopware. We delved into the role of AI in e-commerce, the advantages of open-source platforms, and the future of the industry. Here’s a recap of our enlightening conversation.

A Passionate Introduction

Ben Marks, a member of the Shopware team, kicked off our conversation with a personal touch, sharing his love for playing music with friends. After a light-hearted joke about making graphs, we transitioned into the meat of our discussion: the recent announcement about AI in Shopware.

AI: The Future of E-commerce

Marks explained that AI is a significant development in the e-commerce industry, emphasizing the importance of natural language utility and insight in the administrative experience. Shopware has released a collection of eight AI features called Shopware Copilot, designed to enhance administrative tasks. These features include import/export, product options tagging, image tagging, translation for reviews, and custom checkout messages.Marks believes that AI is just the beginning and predicts that it will soon become the standard expectation in the platform and e-commerce solution business. He praised Shopware’s admin functionality, particularly the workflows and rule builder, which he believes provide a superior experience compared to other platforms.

Shopware: A Unique Approach to Admin User Experience

When asked about Shopware’s approach to improving the admin user experience, Marks emphasized the platform’s focus on enriching the customer experience. He discussed how Shopware is differentiating itself in the American market by serving the mid-market segment. Shopware offers enterprise-scale features built for mid-market budgets, filling a gap between platforms like Shopify and larger enterprise solutions.Marks also highlighted the importance of total cost of ownership and the need for custom functionality as businesses grow. He predicts that the AI trend will continue to impact the front end of the platform, with features like custom-tailored post-checkout experiences for customers.

Generative AI and the Future of User Experience

Marks touched on the importance of generative AI and how it can enhance user experiences without users even realizing it. He sees potential for Shopware to be a better option for larger merchants compared to Shopify, considering the total cost of ownership and the flexibility and control that Shopware offers.He advised merchants to ask objective questions to their agencies and ensure that they are building according to the best practices and standards of the platform they are using. Marks emphasized the importance of hiring agencies with familiarity in multiple platforms to provide tailored services to customers.

Shopware’s Commitment to Innovation and Flexibility

Marks highlighted Shopware’s focus on innovation, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness in serving the mid-market segment. He discussed the importance of installation portability and the ability for merchants to have control over their own destiny. He emphasized the need for trust in the work of agencies and the importance of a solution that supports its agencies. Shopware has a program to educate and provide hands-on instruction to new partners.

Overcoming Market Inertia

The challenge of getting Shopware’s message across in a market dominated by Shopify was also discussed. Marks highlighted the need for a narrative that goes beyond comparing feature sets and focuses on the cost-effectiveness and ease of delivering a unique customer experience with Shopware.Marks acknowledged the inertia that comes with switching e-commerce platforms but emphasized Shopware’s efforts to provide migration assistance and make the transition easier for businesses. He believes that giving merchants the power to control their own destiny is crucial for the industry’s growth.

Shopware vs Shopify: The Hosting Debate

When asked about the differentiation between Shopware and Shopify, particularly in terms of hosting, Marks explained that Shopware has focused on building a solution with utility and simplicity, making it easier to host. He also mentioned the increasing ability of cloud computing tools and professionals in the space to handle hosting and upgrades.

A Personal Note on the E-commerce Industry

Marks expressed his enthusiasm for a pizza place in Salerno, Italy, and his love for the e-commerce industry. He encouraged listeners to pursue their own ventures in the e-commerce world, whether it’s building a service, integration, or starting an agency. He believes there is plenty of room for innovation and building a successful career in this space.Our conversation concluded with a shared sentiment about the fascinating world of e-commerce. It’s an industry that continues to evolve and innovate, offering endless opportunities for those willing to dive in.

Notable Quotes

Ben Marks, 00:03:24, It’s a superpower to have all of this work that might be tedious just happening in the background, and then all you have to do is use natural language in an admin experience. @benmarks

Ben Marks, 00:15:58, “I live at the beach and I tend to wear shorts and flip flops, and if I’m having a fashion experience with the website, it’s going to be more powerful if the setting matches my buyer persona.”

Ben Marks, 00:24:26, “It’s dollar for dollar, an hour for hour, much cheaper, quicker, and easier to deliver a unique tailored insight-driven experience for your customers when you are using Shopware.”

Ben Marks, 00:32:28, “I feel incredibly lucky that I have been able to build this career and meet so many people across 50 plus countries now in my 20 years in the space. It’s been a privilege.”

Time Stamp Content

The announcement of AI in Shopware [00:01:01]
Ben Marks discusses the recent announcement of AI in Shopware and its impact on the platform.

Features of Shopware Copilot AI [00:03:24]
Ben Marks explains the collection of features in Shopware Copilot AI that enhance the administrative experience for users. The importance of AI in platform business [00:05:39]
Ben Marks emphasizes the significance of AI in platform businesses and how it can improve the user experience. The role of AI in the platform [00:14:56]
Discussion on how AI will impact the front end of the platform for user experience, including custom tailored post-checkout experiences and generative AI. Shopware’s differentiation in the market [00:13:38]
Explanation of how Shopware differentiates itself in the American market, particularly for mid-market merchants who need enterprise-scale features at a more affordable price. Hidden costs in Shopify [00:19:54]
Advice for merchants to ask objective questions upfront to avoid hidden costs in platforms like Shopify, emphasizing the importance of hiring agencies familiar with the best practices and standards of the chosen platform. Timestamp 1 [00:20:59]
“Installation portability and custom functionality”
Discussion about the portability of installations and the ability to build custom functionality in Shopware. Timestamp 2 [00:22:34]
“Educating users and marketing strategy”
The importance of educating users and Shopware’s marketing strategy to differentiate itself from competitors like Shopify. Timestamp 3 [00:26:27]
“Differentiators and hosting advantages”
Comparison between Shopware and Shopify, including the advantages of Shopware’s hosting options and its approach to complexity. The role of AI in the platform [00:32:00]
Ben Marks discusses the role of AI in the Shopware platform and its impact on the administrative experience for users. Advantages of Shopware as an open-source platform [00:32:28]
Marks encourages listeners to explore the opportunities in the e-commerce world and highlights the advantages of Shopware as an open-source platform. Building a career in the e-commerce world [00:33:20]
The conversation concludes with a discussion about the opportunities to build a career in the e-commerce world and the privilege of being part of the industry.

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Links and Mentions

https://www.shopware.com/en/news/ben-marks-former-magento-lead-evangelist-joins-shopware-as-director/

Here is a list of tools, websites, links, books, and videos mentioned in the podcast episode along with their timestamps:

Google Analytics: 00:11:10
Shopify: 00:12:09
Adobe Commerce: 00:12:09
Generative AI: 00:15:58
Total Cost of Ownership: 00:16:59
PHP: 00:17:56

Please note that no specific books, videos, or websites were mentioned in the episode.

Scaling eCommerce Success: Bridging Platforms, Growth Tactics, and ROI with Isaiah Bollinger

Isaiah Bollinger, a 4-time Inc. 5000 awardee and owner of four businesses is an expert in creating scalable digital growth strategies and is renowned for implementing these strategies across businesses of varying sizes.

As the co-founder and CEO of Trellis, a full-service eCommerce solution provider, Isaiah focuses on enhancing businesses’ IT and digital marketing spheres. Trellis specializes in implementing websites powered by leading platforms such as BigCommerce, Magento, Shopify, and WordPress.

The company’s capabilities allow it to plan, design, and launch a solution that fits clients’ specific goals and budgets today and can also scale as businesses grow. Beyond launches, Trellis maintains a robust partnership with its clients to spearhead website improvements and drive effective marketing strategies to attract more customers.

The pursuit of a high conversion rate and expanded online reach is prioritized, working with clients continually to enhance their websites for optimal ROI. Under Isaiah’s leadership, Trellis has catered to a diverse array of B2B and B2C businesses, right from startups to enterprise-level firms, navigating different industries and business models to ensure maximized eCommerce results. Boasting a stunning annual growth rate of over 50% every year as CEO, Isaiah propels Trellis forward with a vision to establish it as a top eCommerce solutions provider.

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