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Growth Academy

3 reasons why Google Reviews matter a lot!

5-stars review image
Google Reviews matter a lot

Google Reviews are an essential way to get more visibility online. These are the reviews left by people on your Google My Business profile, with a rating out of 5 stars, and a comment. Users can add photos too to their reviews (and you should encourage them to do so if you’re selling products!).

These reviews are super important for many reasons!

First of all, they show other people that your business is well respected and liked!

Secondly, more and more people are using these reviews to get more insights about a company and their products & services before making a purchase decision.

Thirdly, they are increasingly taken into account by Google’s search algorithms to determine your rank on Search Engine Response Pages (SERP).

These reviews appear on the right hand side of the search results when users type your business name, or find you from a keyword if you’re sufficiently highly ranked. They are also prominently featured on Google Maps, which can be a great channel to acquire new customers!

That’s why you should definitely ask your customers to leave reviews whenever possible!

This is what we do at Ad360, and we’re super proud and thankful to our customers that they left us our 10th 5-star reviews this week.

https://youtube.com/shorts/clo1_GgJQxI
Categories
Growth Academy

Shopify shut downs Dropshipping app Oberlo

Oberlo logo crossed
Oberlo - the end of Dropshipping?

Shopify just announced that they will be shutting down the Oberlo app on June 15th, 2022. This is the end of an era, as Oberlo has been one of the key pillars of the Dropshipping movement for the most part of the last decade.

For a long time, Oberlo was simply a must-have app for any newly created Dropshipping store. It popularized Dropshipping to vast cohorts of young business owners who enjoyed its simplicity. With a few clicks, you’d be able to add products from marketplaces like AliExpress to your Shopify store. Dropshipping is still very popular, as it allows you to start an e-commerce business with very little capital, without ordering and managing stock, and with limited working capital needs.

Oberlo, which was acquired by Shopify in 2017 for $15 million, is still used by 100 000 active stores, making it a super popular app.

However, Shopify has delisted the Oberlo app from its App Store on May 12th, 2022. It can no longer be installed, including from any other 3rd party source.

More critically, if you already have it installed, the App will be automatically uninstalled on June 15th, 2022. It will then be completely unaccessible.

This is a serious move by Shopify, which could be linked to recent issues with many Dropshipping stores’ shipping delays. The global supply chain disruptions have created many issues for websites that relied on shipping overseas products from China.
This may also be linked to the recent news by Shopify about the Delivery acquisition and its ambitions to creating a more integration shipping experience within the Shopify app.

Right now, there isn’t an official communication from Shopify or Oberlo really explaining the reasons behind this decision.
In this video, we discuss in more detail this piece of news and try to understand its repercussions on Dropshipping.

The end of Dropshipping? Shopify is shutting down Oberlo
Categories
Growth Academy

What is WooCommerce? Learn the Basics

WooCommerce Logo and Text 'Learn The Basics'
WooCommerce - Learn the Basics

Customizable Shop and Free Plugins

WooCommerce is well-known for being an affordable option because the website does not come “pre-packaged.”  Instead, users can add a variety of plugins to their store, providing a virtually unlimited number of combinations.  When looking to increase ecommerce sales, WooCommerce offers a chance to lower your overhead – and simultaneously create a one-of-a-kind store design.

Furthermore the code that underlays your WooCommerce store is open source!  This means that, if in the future you decide to set up your e-commerce store somewhere else, you can take the code with you.  If you spent hours configuring your stores code (or paid someone to do it for you), that time and money does not go to waste if you move on from Woo! 

Content Management Handled Through WordPress

It’s also important to know that WooCommerce is integrated with WordPress – the world’s largest content management site.  When trying to increase e-commerce sales, consistent quality content is one of the key pillars of success.  Many storeowners appreciate the full integration WooCommerce into WordPress. It provides a central location for your entire Content Management System.  You can run email correspondence, social media links, and your e-commerce business all from WooCommerce. 

If you want help understanding WooCommerce plugins or how to better customize your store, download the Ad360 app today or try our free demo!  We’ll provide a free site audit and our expertise on how you can increase your e-commerce sales today 😊 We look forward to meeting you and making your store the next e-commerce success!

Categories
Ad360 News

We just hit 100 Clicks from Google Search!

Google - 100 clicks achievement
Google search Console - 100 clicks in 28 days

Yesterday, we got a great news by email: Google search Console congratulated us on reaching 100 clicks in a 28-day period for the 1st time!

This is the result of months of content we’re producing every day in this blog, to share with you insights and tips!

Our goal is to make business owners happy, productive and successful!

Come back to this blog every day to get a new free article and learn about e-commerce and marketing best practices!

Here are a few examples of recent articles that we hope you’ll find interesting:

Book a Demo and a Free Consulting call with our team.

Categories
Growth Academy

Shopify vs. WooCommerce – Battle of the Platforms

Shopify WooCommerce
Shopify vs WooCommerce

Business owners interested in taking their business online may be wondering, “Do I sign up with Shopify paid advertising or WooCommerce?”  Read below to figure out which e-commerce platform will best increase your sales online!

Shopify vs WooCommerce: Features & Functions

When it comes to functionality, the comparison between these two e-commerce giants is simple – Shopify is easier to use for beginners, while WooCommerce has better flexibility and a wider array of customization features.

If your online advertising strategy is in its early stages, and you do not feel comfortable with the technical aspects of e-commerce yet, it may be best to go with Shopify paid advertising.  WooCommerce may be better for business owners who want firm control over customization of their website.  WooCommerce also is known for its high-end SEO plugins

Shopify vs. WooCommerce: Pricing

Shopify paid advertising, while having the edge in simplicity and ease of use, is usually more expensive than WooCommerce.  Be prepared to spend up to $200/month just to keep your store up and operating on Shopify! 

Make sure your Shopify advertising strategy is in place before you take on this expense.  E-Commerce overhead can add up, and if you do not have a blueprint of how to advertise on Shopify, you could end up feeling overstressed on your store’s performance.

WooCommerce’s plugins are “a la carte,” meaning you can only pick the necessary plugin and run your store for half the price ($100).

Whether you use Shopify or Woocommerce for your e-commerce business, partner with Ad360 to get the best promotional software on the web.  Our app is free to download, and after getting our free trial, you’ll be convinced our automated ad bidding services bring you optimal exposure for an affordable price 😊

Book a Demo and a Free Consulting call with our team.

Categories
Growth Academy

Return on Click Investment

Return on Click Investment
Return on Click Investment

What is the Return on Click Investment?

And why is it important to maximize your conversions?

Today we’re reviewing a super insightful article from the Baymard Institute, describing what this concept they invented: Return on Click Investment.

Mastering this idea will help you to better organize your website, and know how to present information to ensure your visitors stay on your website and complete their purchases.

Increase Sales by maximizing users’ Return on Click Investment

If you liked the video, please help us make it more visible by liking, subscribing, and commenting below. Feel free to share the video with anyone it may be useful!

Categories
Growth Academy

Ads are coming to Netflix!

Netflix ads
Advertising is coming to Netflix!

Soon, you will be able to advertise on Netflix!

Indeed, Netflix is planning to introduce an ad-supported tier, reportedly before the end of 2022.

This is a big strategic shift from Reed Hastings and the Netflix management, as well as a great opportunity for business owners.

The more advertising opportunities you can choose from, the better!

We review in this video what we already know and what’s still unclear about Netflix’s future plans:

Advertising is coming to Netflix!

Categories
Growth Academy

Top 3 Secrets for New Shopify Stores

Shopify Store Growth
3 secrets for Shopify Stores

New e-commerce store owners – learn the vital early steps to increase sales on Shopify!  These tips include effective Shopify advertising tools, as well as a sound (and specific) Shopify advertising strategy.  We’ll also reveal how to advertise beyond Google & Facebook!

Get a website audit

Website audits can check your page loading speed to see if any apps, toolbars, popups, or videos are slowing your site down.  It also provides crucial insight for how to improve your store design (and Shopify advertising strategy) for the best user experience!

Don’t just use Google Ads or Facebook  Ads

Only using the ad networks of large conglomerates – like Google or Facebook ads – can be a problem for new owners, especially if you set a high “daily budget.”  If you don’t know how to collect and analyze your customer data yet, google ads will take your marketing budget before you know how to spend it!

Clear, Written-Down Shopify Marketing Strategy

Here’s the hard truth: most Shopify sites have great products and horrible online marketing.  That is why most end up failing.  

Don’t allow yourself to just say, “Oh yeah, I kind of have the marketing figured out in my head.”  If your advertising strategy for Shopify is that clear, you should be able to write the entire plan down.  Below is a “template” example of what a comprehensive digital marketing “checklist” may look like:

  • Set a $10 daily budget for online ads ($300/month)
    1. Pick (insert favorite site here) to run two “test” ad campaigns on
    2. Create ad banners or auto-generate ads with Ad360
    3. Research competitors and define my “target audience” based on demographics (e.g. – age, location) interests, and previous web behavior
    4. Make sure I have apps ready to analyze my customer data
    5. As my ads are “seen” and “clicked through,” make sure I can interpret data to refine my strategy, pick the more effective ad, and write down key insights while running another “test” campaign with Ad version “A” and Ad version “B”
    6. Don’t change too many elements for each “Ad version” You won’t know what change made the biggest difference!

Alternatively you can download the Ad360 App for Shopify, which will automatically take care of this for you. You won’t need to spend time and effort on this, and can instead focus on your true passion and core business!

Ad360 automatically generates creatives, finds relevant websites and apps to advertise into, focuses budget on outperforming audiences, and gets you the most viewers and buyers possible for your budget. Ad360 gives you the ability to advertise outside Google and Facebook, and tap into new opportunities to grow your business!

Try for yourself the Ad360 App for Shopify with a 14-day Free Trial!

Categories
Growth Academy

Website Audits: Beautiful Site, Beautiful Sales

Website Audit
Website Audit

If you’ve ever felt getting in-depth, specific advice on your website would help improve your advertising strategy for Shopify, get a full website audit!  Read below to learn more about the benefits of a site audit, and how they help increase sales on Shopify.

Why is a Website Audit Important?

To begin, a website audit assesses the structure, function, useability, and overall “look” of your e-commerce store.  Specifically, site audits ensure you know what changes to make to increase your sales on Shopify, and how to change them without affecting your store!

Therefore, getting a fresh evaluation of your online store’s presentation helps boost conversions by improving the user experience and upping your site rank on Google!

What are the Key Factors a Website Audit Analyzes to Increase Sales on Shopify?

  1. SEO Content & Online Display

First, do you have well-spaced paragraphs?  Second, is everything grammatically correct?  Third, is text organized so the page design looks seamless? Finally, what about keyword phrases and long-tail keywords?  Site audits review solutions to the most pressing questions regarding your online presentation.

In addition, site audits also evaluate your social media presence and engagement levels through market data analysis.

2. Website Speed & Technical Performance

Site audits make sure your site is literally “up to speed” and loads quickly with no broken links.  Otherwise, the user experience suffers – and so does your Shopify paid advertising!

3. Design Features that Boost Conversions

Knowing where to put your “call to action” (CTA) buttons can make a huge difference in your sales conversions – same with toolbars, ad popups, and your overall site presentation!  

As a result, it’s not one big thing, but a bunch of little mistakes may be affecting the user experience.  So, if you want a service to ask a whole bunch of questions related to “What can I do to improve my e-commerce store and my Shopify paid advertising?” get yourself a website audit ASAP!

The 6-Part Website Audit Checklist for 2022 [Epic Google Sheet]
source

Ad360 Offers Free Website Audits to New Clients

Want the support of a step- by-step review of your e-commerce store?  To expand our business, Ad360 is currently offering a free in-person website audit.  Get all your questions answered in a valuable, step-by-step evaluation. Above all, we’ll provide actionable insight for how to make your e-commerce store stand out from the pack 😉

Get our free website audit to help Increase Sales on Shopify today!

Categories
Growth Academy

Web Display Ads – Freedom from Big Tech

Advertising on Laptop, Tablet, Smartphone
Web Display Ads

“Is there any way to place ads beyond Facebook and Google?”  This is the most commonly-asked question to the Ad360 team.  E-commerce businesses commonly feel “trapped,” as if the only places to advertise are these sites.  Read below to break through this promotional plateau!

The Restrictions and Limitations of Google & Facebook Ads

While their networks are massive and their reach powerful, platforms like Google and Facebook do have limitations when it comes to online advertising.  Their ad networks are “restricted,” meaning any ad campaign you budget only runs ads on their network – nowhere else.  You won’t appear on any blogs that 77% of internet users read regularly.  You won’t pop up on many mobile apps or games. 

This “restricted network” limits your online store’s potential for growth!  Even worse, it makes ads appear in the same context, meaning users can more easily “tune them out.”  Thus, your options to diversify your advertising strategy for Shopify can feel “trapped” within a single network.  If you are having trouble finding success on Google or Facebook, this feeling can be discouraging.  If you cannot figure out how to make Google or Facebook work for your Shopify product advertising, where do you turn to!

Programmatic Ads – Access Every Ad Network Across the Web

Simply put, programmatic ads offer you access to the hundreds of networks beyond Google and Facebook – you are free!  Finally, e-commerce business owners can use a Shopify advertising tool that opens the entire web to ad placements.

Even better, programmatic ads use powerful software that, after receiving your daily allocated budget, will automatically place ads across the web in the most relevant spots to your business.  When it comes to increasing sales on Shopify, there may be no tool better than programmatic ads.  You will appear in a variety of online contexts to your customers, becoming memorable and expanding your promotional reach.  Customers will be impressed – and consider your business more legitimate – just by the fact they see your ads in so many unique spots!  They will assume, “Wow, these guys are all over, huh?  I should check them out.”  When it comes to increasing sales on Shopify and expanding the reach of your Shopify product advertising, nothing beats programmatic ads.

Ad360 Offers Easy Access to Programmatic Ads

Ad360’s flagship service is Quick Ads, which powers entire programmatic ad campaigns in one click.  It really is that simple.  Just enter in your daily allotted budget (along with your location), and our programmatic ad software will automate and optimize your campaign across the web.  You are officially free from the grasp of tech giants!  Check out the power of programmatic ads today, and elevate your advertising strategy for Shopify.

Try for yourself the Ad360 App for Shopify with a 14-day Free Trial!