Darin Newbold

Episode 88: Strategy versus Tactics - Why Some Ecommerce Brands Fail and Others Thrive

September 10th, 2024  |  19 mins 16 secs

brand strategy, business tactics, case studies, competitive advantage, ecommerce brands, ecommerce growth, ecommerce leadership, ecommerce strategy, expert insights, long-term vision, strategic dominance, strategic thinking, strategy execution., sustainable growth, thriving vs surviving

In this episode of Commerce Today, Joshua Warren and Darin Newbold from Creatuity explore the vital role of strategic thinking in navigating the complexities of ecommerce in 2024. Through engaging case studies and expert insights, they demonstrate how a strategic approach can be the key to thriving rather than merely surviving. Listeners will gain actionable tips on aligning long-term vision with immediate tactics to drive sustainable growth, outmaneuver competitors, and secure a lasting competitive advantage. Whether you're an ecommerce leader or strategist, this episode will equip you to transform strategic thinking into strategic dominance.

Episode 87: Election-Year Ecommerce Playbook: Winning 2024's High-Stakes Holiday Season

September 3rd, 2024  |  19 mins 3 secs

2024 holiday season, ad competition, agility in e-commerce, ai in e-commerce, commerce today podcast., consumer behavior, e-commerce strategies, early promotions, mobile-first strategies, peak shopping season, revenue maximization, supply chain management, u.s. presidential election

In this episode of Commerce Today, we dive into the unique challenges and opportunities e-commerce brands face during the 2024 holiday season, especially with the U.S. presidential election intersecting with peak shopping periods. We provide a comprehensive guide on how to navigate these complexities, from adapting to shifting consumer timelines to managing fierce competition for ad space. Discover effective strategies to maximize revenue, stay agile, and remain ahead of the curve. We'll cover essential tactics like early promotions, mobile-first strategies, leveraging AI, and managing supply chain disruptions to ensure your brand thrives in this high-stakes season.

Episode 86: Building Strong Projects from Day One: An Ecommerce Approach

August 28th, 2024  |  18 mins 35 secs

accountability, business growth, client commitment, ecommerce strategy, ecommerce success, long-term success, project management, project success, resource management, risk mitigation

In this episode, hosted by Darin Newbold, COO, with guest Kornelia Maciesza, Project Manager, we discuss the essential steps for ensuring long-term success in ecommerce projects. Key topics include defining accountability, managing resources, securing client commitment, and mitigating risks. Whether you're starting a new project or refining your approach, this episode offers valuable insights to help you overcome challenges and achieve success.

Episode 85: Escaping the Legacy Trap: Hidden Costs of Outdated Ecommerce Systems

August 20th, 2024  |  18 mins 31 secs

business growth, business optimization, custom cms, digital stockholm syndrome, ecommerce platforms, ecommerce transition, modern alternatives, outdated systems, platform evaluation, technology upgrade

In this episode of Commerce Today, we dive into the hidden costs and challenges of clinging to outdated ecommerce platforms. Inspired by a recent conversation with a company still using a custom-built CMS from 2011, we introduce the concept of "Digital Stockholm Syndrome"—when businesses become so dependent on their old systems that they struggle to imagine a better way forward. If your ecommerce platform feels more like an obstacle than a solution, this episode is a must-listen. We’ll walk you through evaluating your current system, exploring modern alternatives, and planning a smooth transition to a platform that drives growth.

Episode 84: Transforming Ecommerce - Amazon Insights and Strategies with Nick D. Nichols

August 13th, 2024  |  19 mins 41 secs

amazon, business insights, business magazine, commerce today, digital business growth, e-commerce, e-commerce expert, e-commerce strategies, joshua warren, market expansion, nick d. nichols, online retail, online selling, profits

In this episode of Commerce Today, host Joshua Warren interviews Nick D. Nichols, a seasoned e-commerce expert with a decade of experience, including time at Amazon and with various merchants. Nick shares his insights on the evolving e-commerce landscape, reveals secrets to succeeding on Amazon, and discusses strategies for digital business growth. Whether you're a brand looking to expand market share or a seller aiming to boost profits, this episode offers valuable advice from one of the top e-commerce professionals, as recognized by Business Magazine in 2023.

Episode 83: The 7 Deadly Sins of E-commerce: Avoiding Common Pitfalls

August 6th, 2024  |  19 mins 34 secs

actionable advice, b2b, b2c, business growth, competitive landscape, customer experience, customer service, deadly sins, e-commerce, mobile optimization, online business, real-world examples

In this episode of Commerce Today, we uncover the 7 deadly sins of e-commerce that could either make or break your online business. From ignoring mobile optimization to delivering poor customer service, we delve into each pitfall and offer practical solutions to keep your e-commerce platform thriving. Whether you're in B2B or B2C, these insights are vital for enhancing customer experience and driving growth. Tune in for actionable advice and real-world examples to help you navigate the competitive e-commerce landscape.

Episode 82: From Quick Fix to Long-Term Success: Rethinking Your E-Commerce Platform

July 30th, 2024  |  19 mins 9 secs

business transformation, client success story, increased conversion rates, increased revenue, platform replacement, quick e-commerce solutions, reduced maintenance costs, reduced time to market, strategic replatforming, technical debt

Explore the impact of quick e-commerce solutions and discover why strategic replatforming might be your best move. Learn about a client success story that transformed their business by increasing conversion rates and revenue while reducing maintenance costs and time to market, all through replacing a platform riddled with technical debt.

Episode 81: Crafting Culture: The Key to Hiring Success

July 23rd, 2024  |  17 mins 21 secs

cohesive team, company culture, cultural alignment, cultural fit, culture in hiring, employee retention, employee satisfaction, hiring process, interview strategies, practical strategies, successful hiring practices, talent acquisition

In this episode, Darin Newbold, COO, is joined by Natalia Pitra, Talent Acquisition Manager, to explore the critical role of culture in the hiring process. They discuss why cultural fit can be more important than skills alone and share practical strategies for identifying candidates who will thrive in your company's environment. The episode includes real-life examples of companies that have successfully integrated culture into their hiring practices. Tune in to learn how prioritizing culture can lead to higher retention rates, increased employee satisfaction, and a more cohesive, productive team.

Episode 80: Does Performance Matter for Ecommerce SEO? Measure Your Performance with Google PageSpeed Insights

July 16th, 2024  |  17 mins 36 secs

n this episode of Commerce Today, we discuss the importance of website performance for ecommerce sites and guide you through practical optimization techniques. We'll demonstrate how to use Google PageSpeed Insights to test your site's performance, interpret the results, and understand their impact on your business. Using Amazon's homepage as an example, we'll break down each metric and provide actionable tips to enhance your site's speed and user experience. Don't miss this step-by-step guide to making your ecommerce site faster and more competitive

Episode 79: E-commerce in 2024: Challenges, Changes, and Creatuity’s Approach

July 15th, 2024  |  17 mins 2 secs

In this episode of Commerce Today, join Creatuity’s COO, Darin Newbold, as he interviews CEO Joshua Warren about the challenging and rapidly changing e-commerce landscape in 2024. They discuss how companies are navigating high interest rates, fluctuating inflation, and a volatile stock market. Joshua shares insights on adapting to shifts in consumer behavior influenced by social media and economic uncertainty. Learn how Creatuity is meeting these challenges with innovative solutions like their accelerator services and platform-agnostic offerings. Whether you’re an e-commerce veteran or just starting, this episode provides valuable perspectives on thriving in today’s market.

Episode 78: Ecommerce Growth: Proven Strategies to Accelerate Revenue and Slash Costs

July 2nd, 2024  |  20 mins 14 secs

8-lever mental model, adding new products, average order value, conversion rate, cost of goods sold, customer acquisition costs, ecommerce revenue, ecommerce success, fulfillment costs, influencers, lowering costs, marketing, operating costs, practical strategies, profitability, replatforming, revenue accelerator services, technology costs, traffic

In this week's episode of Commerce Today, we explore strategies to increase ecommerce revenue while reducing costs. With Darin's help, Joshua explains his 8-lever mental model for ecommerce profits, covering the 3 revenue levers (traffic, conversion rate, average order value) and the 5 expense levers (technology costs, operating costs, fulfillment costs, customer acquisition costs, cost of goods sold). We'll discuss practical strategies for replatforming, adding new products, and selecting the right influencers for your marketing. Additionally, we'll introduce our new Revenue Accelerator services to help you implement these ideas and achieve quick results. Join us for a coffee chat-style deep dive into improving your ecommerce success in 2024 and making your business more profitable!

Episode 77: The Power of the Discovery Phase: Reducing Uncertainty in Projects

June 25th, 2024  |  16 mins 2 secs

asking questions, ballpark estimates, best practices, discovery phase, insights, planning, project management, project optimization, project requirements, project success, real-world examples, solutions architect, uncertainties

Join Darin Newbold, COO, and Anna Krzyżańska, Solutions Architect, as they explore the crucial discovery phase of projects. They discuss how this stage clarifies requirements, reduces uncertainties, and improves planning, using real-world examples and best practices. Whether you're experienced or new to project management, this episode offers valuable insights for project success.

Episode 76: The Ecommerce Platform Race to Perfect 100 Scores on Google Lighthouse

June 18th, 2024  |  15 mins 2 secs

adobe commerce cloud, adobe edge delivery services, conversion rates, e-commerce success, google lighthouse, insights, lighthouse score achievements, linkedin., perfect 100 scores, performance, practical tips, seo, shopify, site speed, user experience

Explore the competitive landscape of achieving perfect 100 scores on Google Lighthouse and understand why these scores are crucial for e-commerce success, impacting conversion rates and SEO. Learn how leading platforms like Shopify and Adobe Commerce Cloud are advancing performance. Discover Adobe's innovative Edge Delivery Services and their impact on site speed and user experience. Gain insights and practical tips, and join the conversation by sharing your Lighthouse score achievements on LinkedIn.

Episode 75: Commerce Today News - Cookie Delay, Amazon Fulfillment’s Domination of UPS and FedEx, Taco Bell’s Digital Revenue Surprise and More

June 11th, 2024  |  18 mins 17 secs

amazon, doordash, ecommerce strategies, ecommerce trends, fedex, forever 21, google, in-store sales, logistics, omnichannel, retail updates, scent marketing, third-party cookies, ups, yum brands

In this week's episode, we dive into the top ecommerce trends shaping the industry. We'll discuss Google's decision to delay the phaseout of third-party cookies and how Amazon is outpacing UPS and FedEx in logistics. Learn how scent marketing is enhancing in-store sales and catch up on updates from major players like Yum Brands, DoorDash, Forever 21, and more. We cover 10 essential stories you might have missed that are crucial for your ecommerce and omnichannel strategies. Don't miss these insights to stay ahead in the competitive market!

Episode 74: Retail Showdown: Lessons from the TJX vs. Temu Battle

June 4th, 2024  |  18 mins 35 secs

actionable insights, commerce today, competitive landscape, digital marketing, digital-first competitors, dtc brands, ecommerce, market share, omnichannel, online marketplace, physical stores, retail strategies, temu, tjx companies

In this episode of Commerce Today, ecommerce experts Joshua Warren and Darin Newbold explore the competition between off-price retail giant TJX Companies and the rapidly growing online marketplace Temu. They discuss TJX's strategies for maintaining market share despite the rise of digital-first competitors. The episode offers actionable insights for retailers and DTC brands to succeed in today's omnichannel environment, covering topics from leveraging physical stores to mastering digital marketing.

Episode 73: TikTok Shop’s Potential Ban: Can Shopify + YouTube Shopping Fill the Void For Ecommerce Brands?

May 28th, 2024  |  14 mins 25 secs

challenges, ecommerce merchants, google marketing live 2024, opportunities, shopify, social commerce, tiktok shop, u.s. ban, youtube shopping

In this episode of Commerce Today, Joshua Warren, CEO of Creatuity, discusses the competition between TikTok Shop and YouTube Shopping. With a potential U.S. ban on TikTok, YouTube Shopping and Shopify are looking to fill the gap, as announced at Google Marketing Live 2024. Joshua examines if they can succeed, analyzing the numbers, unique features, and the impact on ecommerce merchants in the evolving social commerce landscape.