Shopify Store Creation

How to Build a Top 1% Shopify Store in 2026 (After 10+ Years of Doing It) 1. Start With a Real Product and Positioning • Weak product positioning = low AOV, heavy discounting, no repeat buyers • Strong positioning = pricing power, loyalty, organic word of mouth • If you are blaming ads, creators, or algorithms, the product story is usually the problem • Top stores do not sell products, they sell a belief customers want to belong to 2. Build One Core Conversion Path • Homepage hero → collection or PDP → clear value proof → frictionless checkout • Too many paths kill momentum • Top stores obsess over one primary journey and remove everything else • Every pixel should push the customer forward, not sideways 3. Know the Shopify Math Cold • Contribution margin, blended CAC, AOV, repeat purchase rate, cash collected • Revenue screenshots mean nothing if cash flow is broken • If the math does not work at small spend, it will not work at scale • Great operators know their numbers weekly, not monthly 4. Drive Traffic With Direct Response Creative • Short form video wins in 2026 • 15 to 60 second videos that show the product in real life • Clear hook, clear problem, clear reason to buy now • The goal is not views, it is qualified traffic that converts 5. Turn Your PDP Into a Sales Page • Your product page is your closer • Show how it works, who it is for, why it is different • Answer objections before they scroll • Reviews, UGC, FAQs, and guarantees are non negotiable 6. Hammer the Customer With Trust Before Purchase • Retarget site visitors aggressively with education and proof • Founder videos, customer stories, behind the scenes, how it is made • Most brands stop after the click, top brands sell after the click • Trust is built through repetition, not clever copy 7. Build Retention Before You Chase More Traffic • Email and SMS are not optional • Welcome flows, post purchase flows, replenishment, loyalty • The money is made on the second and third order • Acquisition gets you attention, retention builds the business 8. Stay Ahead of Scale Constraints • Inventory, fulfillment, CX, creative output • Most Shopify brands stall because operations lag behind demand • If you wait for problems to show up, you are already late • Top operators build systems before they are forced to

Everyone says - "Make the CTA more prominent"  But no one asks - "Is it the right time to show it?" Showing the add to cart CTA too early can reduce conversion rate by 15-25%. But placing it strategically... does the opposite. In this post, I'll be sharing a detailed breakdown of 17 elements you can A/B test test before and after your add-to-cart CTA to maximise your conversion rate. 1. Add "concern" badges. Clearly highlight who this product is for. 2. Add a 1-2 line description on how this product helps, highlighting its USP. 3. Always show reviews, rating. Especially if you have over 100 reviews. 4. If you offer "subscription", show it's pricing on top by default with the savings %. 5. Highlight "value" below price. How much quantity / usage they get at this price. 6. Add a "badge" on the image. Like bestseller, most loved. It helps with decision making. 7. Add arrows and 2nd image sneak peek in the image gallery. Makes more people engage with it, increase time of page. 8. Show clinical studies. What impact can a customer have by using this product? 9. Add image thumbnails. Especially if the images have educational content, model images. 10. If you have different quantities, show them along with an image and price. 11. Always highlight "subscription" option by default. This increases life time value per customer. 12. Optimize the area around the add to cart. Highlight how fast you ship, return, refund policies. 13. Highlight key product USPs. You can use icons here that add a visual break. 14. Add 3 key bullet points of what makes this product impactful. Have the longest sentence first, then shorter, then shortest. 15. Add a key ingredient. This should be the highlight of your product. Shows transparency and makes the claims more believable. 16. Cross-sell a routine. Which other products go well with this? Give an option to the shopper to select all or a few. 17. Lastly, add accordions. They are there by default on all Shopify themes, but I still see them go missing on a sites. Avoid using horizontal tabs. Which change do you think will bring the highest impact? 

TIPS FROM THE AGENCY (The Search Initiative) What if you could nearly 3x your traffic without building a single backlink? My agency, The Search Initiative, did exactly that for an ecommerce client. We took their organic sessions from 384 to 1,136 in 8 months (195.83% growth) using content strategy and technical fixes alone. Here's the exact playbook you can copy: ▶️ Content Gap Analysis and Solutions Pages ✅ Audit your site to identify missing content that explains your offering for different audiences, use cases, or contexts. Look for gaps where prospects need to understand why your solution exists and how it applies to them. ✅ Create dedicated pages that outline the user's challenge, your approach, and the specific value you deliver. Focus on how your solution benefits the end user, not just what it does. ✅ Map out top-of-funnel informational topics your site doesn't cover yet. Prioritize educational content that helps your audience understand the problem space, terminology, or decisions they face before buying. ✅ Build content clusters by publishing supporting pieces that interlink around core themes. This helps users explore topics in depth while strengthening your site's topical authority for search engines. ▶️ Homepage and Core Page Optimization ✅ Review your homepage to ensure it communicates your purpose and value within seconds. Most users decide whether to stay or leave based on what they see above the fold. ✅ Improve visual hierarchy so key information stands out immediately. Use clear headings, supporting content, and whitespace so users can quickly scan and understand what you do. ✅ Define one primary action per page and design around it. Multiple competing CTAs weaken conversions. Be crystal clear whether you want users to contact you, sign up, or take another specific step. ✅ Rewrite your homepage's page title and meta description to be concise and action-focused. These elements directly impact click-through rates from search results. ✅ Restructure core product or service pages so essential information appears early. Reduce friction by putting the most valuable details where users can find them fast. ✅ Shift from feature-heavy copy to value-focused messaging. Explain what users gain, how it works, and why it matters. Add enough depth for both SEO and AI-powered search features. ✅ Add credibility signals like testimonials, case studies, certifications, or data points. These trust elements support user confidence and decision-making. ▶️ Informational Content and Topical Authority ✅ Identify priority themes that align with your expertise and ensure each theme is supported by multiple interconnected pages. Single pages rarely rank as well as topic clusters. ✅ Expand informational content to cover foundational concepts, common questions, and emerging topics. This supports users at different stages of awareness and captures search traffic across the entire funnel. https://lnkd.in/g6t3-qXE

Boost your website conversions with C.O.N.V.E.R.S.I.O.N. framework: 10 tactics to turn more visitors into buyers. Every click counts, and a few key adjustments can make all the difference. Master these steps to optimize your conversion rate: 1. Clear Messaging ↳ Keep your messaging direct and focused—no room for confusion ↳ Use simple language that resonates with your audience ↳ Highlight key benefits upfront to hook visitors instantly 2. Optimize CTAs ↳ Make your call-to-action buttons clear and compelling ↳ Use action-oriented language like “Get Started” or “Claim Now” ↳ Place CTAs strategically—above the fold, mid-page, and at the end 3. Navigate with Ease ↳ Streamline your menu to reduce navigation friction ↳ Use breadcrumbs to show users where they are on the site ↳ Avoid dead ends—every page should guide users to the next step 4. Value Proposition ↳ Communicate your unique value—why choose you over others? ↳ Focus on benefits, not just features ↳ Make your value proposition visible on the homepage and key pages 5. Engage Visitors ↳ Use visuals and interactive elements to capture attention ↳ Personalize content where possible for a tailored experience ↳ Keep it dynamic—engage users with video, animations, or quizzes 6. Reduce Friction ↳ Simplify forms—only ask for essential information ↳ Remove unnecessary steps in the checkout process ↳ Make it easy for users to edit their cart and review order details 7. Social Proof ↳ Showcase testimonials and customer reviews prominently ↳ Display trust badges, awards, or certifications ↳ Use “popular choice” tags on products to boost credibility 8. Insight-Driven Changes ↳ Use heatmaps to see where users engage the most ↳ Analyze conversion paths to spot where drop-offs happen ↳ Make adjustments based on real data, not assumptions 9. Offer Testing ↳ Run A/B tests to find the best-performing elements ↳ Test different layouts, headlines, and images ↳ Use results to continuously improve and refine your pages 10. Nurture Trust ↳ Include security badges at checkout for reassurance ↳ Be transparent about pricing, shipping, and return policies ↳ Display contact options to show accessibility and support Conversion is about building trust, guiding choices, and making the user experience effortless. Which tactic will you test first? Found this helpful? Like & Repost for your network to learn the C.O.N.V.E.R.S.I.O.N. framework ♻️

Here’s what a $100 million annual revenue online store looks like:  1. Clean, distraction-free navigation that allows users to quickly jump to categories without large pop-ups or banners hindering the path to products. Navigation should feel as intuitive as a personal shopping assistant guiding customers through your collection. 2. Meaningful product photography that showcases diverse models with various skin tones, building trust and ensuring everyone can envision using their products. Rather than traditional "star ratings," this approach subtly communicates: "This works for people like me." 3. Precise, benefit-focused descriptions emphasizing key benefits with natural language, mirroring the in-store experience where a knowledgeable consultant would highlight what matters most. 4. Intuitive interactive elements like color swatches that reduce guesswork and the "Find your shade" link provide an easy next step for uncertain shoppers. 5. Aligned brand values communication. Glossier’s footer statement clarifies the brand's commitment to authenticity, reinforcing its "Skin First, Makeup Second" philosophy. Luxury consumers align with brands whose values match their own, so your digital experience should communicate your philosophy consistently through every element. ____________________________________ Successful brands are now approaching digital experiences not as separate channels but as extensions of their brand promise. Ready to grow your Shopify brand? ⏩ DM me to increase conversion rates through CRO, Meta Ads & Social Media. #eCommerce #growth #marketing #socialmedia #shopify #luxury #premium 🔔 Follow for actionable Shopify growth tactics.

Just had a call with a client the other day who insisted that we skip the discovery session to get going faster. However, they might not realize that skipping the discovery process is akin to building a home without architectural blueprints. How do you know what kind of home to build without proper planning? It happens all the time – people tend to skip the discovery session and think, “let’s just go ahead and start migrating all of this data from our old CRM to our new CRM. It won’t take that long. The rest of the team will play catch up after everything is in the new system.” But…taking this approach comes with its share of challenges. The importance of a solid discovery session is twofold: 1) To understand and break down all of the requirements (how you are currently using your system, how you plan to use it in the future, and the gaps). 2) Buy-in begins during this phase. When you include the individuals who are going to be end users, they are much more likely to use the tool (and even be advocates for it!) If they’re a part of the process, they can envision and voice what makes sense to implement in the system. Every discovery session is different, and there are many styles out there. Essentially, discovery sessions are interview workshops, so it’s important to have a set of questions ready to go. This allows you to strategically lead the conversation. Think of yourself as an investigative journalist, layering the discussion with a series of questions so you get to the meat of where the team stands today and where it’s going in the future. Asking even the most simple questions helps reveal important information: “Tell me more about what you mean by that. How does that work? How does this impact your role?” This is especially helpful because someone may not even know what they want until they start to think about these questions. Lastly, discovery sessions give you an opportunity to hit the reset button. Redefine the way you run your business in a collaborative environment. After your discovery session is complete, keep the momentum going by establishing action items and next steps with owners and timelines. So…the next time you’re evaluating a new tool, be sure to include a discovery session! It will force you to think through your processes, your team’s roles, and the way you organize data (or the way you want to in a future state). Putting in this up front work will position you to work more seamlessly and will get your team excited about this next phase of working together.

Your co-founder says: “Our homepage needs work.” You nod. You’ve known for months. But where do you even get started? Here’s how I’d proceed it if I were in your shoes: 1️⃣ Align on strategy ID who you’re serving + what you want them to do: - Nail your market (ICP, problems, frustrations, fears) - Clarify your product (how you fix their problems) - Drill in the specs and differentiators of your offer - Slice up by use cases if serving multiple segments - Decide the homepage’s core job (e.g. book a demo) ___ 2️⃣ Audit what you’ve got Evaluate your homepage on key heuristics: - Value (communicates tangible value to user) - Relevance (meets their expectations) - Clarity (content is as clear as possible) - Motivation (encourage them to take action) - Friction (decrease what causes doubts & hesitations) Collect data: heatmaps, scroll depth, top exit points… List gaps, unclear copy, missing proof, UX issues, etc ___ 3️⃣ Rebuild the core sections Restructure the homepage to flow like a conversation: - Hero: what you do, who it’s for, why it matters - Problem: show you get their pain. Be visceral, specific. - Solution: what your product does, and how it solves it. - Benefits: show tangible wins tied to your promise - Social proof: logos, testimonials, results - How it works (optional): 3 steps max, visual + simple. - CTA: obvious, clear, and low-friction ___ 4️⃣ Write with precision Make every word EARN its place - Use plain language. No buzzwords or vague ideas. - Front-load value by addressing why users should care - Scan test it. Can a visitor skim and still get the story? ___ 5️⃣ Design for clarity, not art school Guide the eye. Remove friction. Build trust quickly. - One message per section, one action per scroll. - Generous whitespace. Make it breathable. - Mobile-first layout that doesn’t punish thumbs - Visuals that explain (GIFs, screenshots, before/after) ___ 6️⃣ Ship, test, improve Launch quickly, then optimize based on real data. - Track CTA clicks, scroll depth, form submissions - Embed feedback polls and exit surveys on your site - Assess the quality of your leads/sign-ups Your homepage is a sales rep who never sleeps. And if it’s not pulling its weight, it’s a liability. Make it an asset.

How to run a perfect Shopify Discovery? After years of working on complex Shopify projects, most successful replatforming outcomes start with a rock-solid discovery. Basic principles that we always follow: ✅ Align Business Goals with Digital Strategy We kick off by understanding your strategic goals, KPIs, and expansion plans. This isn't just about tech—it's about aligning your e-commerce future with real business impact. ✅ Deep-Dive into Business Processes We look under the hood of your internal workflows: product and pricing management, order flow, warehousing & fulfillment and content management, and customer service. This is where friction hides—and where smart discovery finds scale with the right tools. ✅ Map the Full Customer Journey & Experience From product discovery to post-purchase experience, we dive into user journeys, pain points, and UX goals. Wireframes mapped with implementation plans. ✅ Data Flows & Integrations Our discovery process maps how systems connect, where data lives, and how automation (or lack of it) impacts your ops. ERP, PIM, WMS, CRM... nothing escapes our radar. ✅ Build the Future Roadmap, Together Discovery is just the beginning. So is the implementation. The hard work starts after the go-live. We co-create your future roadmap, and iterate it continuously with real time data. We prioritize what delivers value fast—and plan for what comes next. A great discovery shaves of weeks from the delivery and keep the budgets under control. And most importantly, focuses in delivering value. #shopifyplus #ecommerce #replatforming #digitaltransformation #discovery

The Perfect Ecommerce Landing Page (11 Elements) If you're paying for ads and sending traffic to a standard product page, you're leaving money on the table. Nearly every test I've run comes back the same: a landing page beats a product description page on conversion. At minimum, 25% better. I've seen it double. I’m going to show you what I've learned about building pages that actually convert paid traffic. WHY PRODUCT PAGES LOSE When someone clicks your ad, they arrive excited. They're in what transactional psychology calls the child state. >Emotional. >Enthusiastic. >Ready. A product page drops them straight into the price. That teleports them into the adult state: >Logical. >Weighing cost. >Comparing options. Then the skeptic kicks in: "I've tried things like this before. What happens if it doesn't work?" A landing page wins because it builds emotion first, satisfies logic second, and handles objections before asking for the sale. The sequence is everything. THE 11 ELEMENTS, IN ORDER 1. Hero/Header >Strong headline, product images, benefits, social proof, and a CTA. >Test putting your total review count next to the call to action. The number does work. 2. Benefits/The Why >Tight lines, not paragraphs. >Keep feeding the emotional state before introducing any logic. 3. Featured Review + Press >One concise testimonial with a face attached, plus press logos. >Other people tried this and it worked. 4. How It Works >Show the steps. >At Tru Earth: remove a strip, place it in the washer, add clothes. Simple wins. 5. Buy Box >Place it lower than you think. >Build the emotion first, then offer the purchase when they're ready. 6. Full Reviews >The deep social proof block for visitors who need more before they commit. 7. FAQ >Pull real objections from ad comments and customer service. >Answer the questions that are quietly killing purchases. 8. Competitive Comparison >Show why you win, but give competitors a few honest checks. >A credible table does more work than a rigged one. 9. Risk Reversal >Money-back guarantee. Feel the difference or it's free. >Remove the final reason not to buy. 10. Additional CTAs >Repeat shop-now buttons that bring people back to the buy box without scrolling. >Make it frictionless. 11. Clean Footer >Shipping and privacy only. >Every extra link is a paid visitor walking out the door. THE PRINCIPLE BEHIND IT ALL Most brands send paid traffic to a page built to inform. The job of a landing page is to sell. Build emotion first. Satisfy logic second. Kill the final objection. Then ask for the sale. Get the order right and the whole thing gets easier.

➡️ Latest post in my #ecommerce #replatforming series - links to previous posts in the comments. 1️⃣.5️⃣ Discovery Phase: Stress Testing Your Decision & Understanding The Operational Impact of Change 👉 If you switch vendors (e.g. Adobe to Shopify, or Shopify to Centra), you won’t be able to replicate a 100% like-for-like solution design and functional capabilities. Why? 📲 The ecosystem, architecture & data model varies. E.g. how Magento handles configurable products is different to Shopify - Shopify only supports 3 variant options natively (e.g. size, colour, pattern), additional configurations need to be added by line item attributes, which don’t automatically generate unique SKU codes/prices. When considering a migration, you have to tease out the impact on current business processes to define the following: 1️⃣ Where native functionality delivers business requirements adequately. 2️⃣ Red lines that require custom development. 3️⃣ Compromises where you’ll adapt your process/approach to minimise platform customisation. 4️⃣ When additional apps/tech partners are best placed to enable functionality. 🔎 There is no perfect balance - each project is nuanced, requiring collaboration to determine an optimal solution design. 🙌 Investing in a detailed Discovery phase is critical. In part one of this thread, I cover what Discovery is and isn’t. 🙏 I’ll share a follow-up post tomorrow with a handy framework for Discovery. ⛔ What Discovery isn’t: ❌ Getting it done as quickly & cheaply as possible - fools gold, risk shifts to later in the project & costs amplify ❌ Replicating everything 'as is' - you’re moving to a new ecosystem ❌ Involving everyone in everything - major distraction ❌ Leaving assumptions unchallenged - stress test & validate everything  ❌ Replicating flawed processes - challenge people to find ways to improve ❌ Capturing all requirements irrespective of cost/timeline impact  - without prioritisation, your project will flounder ❌ Solution design through subjective thinking - decisions will be compromised 👀 What Discovery IS: ✅ Collaboration - working in partnership with internal & external teams towards common goals ✅ Defining a clear project scope (+ phasing) - being pragmatic about what can be realistically delivered & when ✅ Identifying & planning for risk - teasing out what could go wrong, what is complex & needs detailed discussion ✅ Aligning stakeholders to relevant workstreams + discussions - focus them where they can add the most value ✅ Removing ambiguity - if it’s not properly understood, it can’t be built! ✅ Compromising - being realistic about what you can deliver on a new platform within budget/time constraints ✅ Change management - educating people on what the new tech means to their role & ways of working = bring them on the journey. What's your advice on what Discovery should and shouldn't be? My framework for Discovery will follow tomorrow.