In this episode of the Simple and Smart SEO Show, Crystal Waddell breaks down how AI search systems can lock businesses into outdated messaging, even after they've evolved. 

Using a real-world case study of a lawn service company transitioning from residential to large-scale commercial work, Crystal explains how semantic misalignment—not visibility—is often the root problem. 

She introduces the concept of semantic alignment and shows how refining website language and structure can guide AI to recommend businesses for the right type of work. 

From homepage rewrites to contact form tweaks, you'll learn how to future-proof your business's online presence.

Key Takeaways:

• Semantic Clarity Over SEO Volume: The problem isn’t always lack of keywords—it’s misaligned meaning that AI misinterprets.
• AI Sees Language, Not Intent: Your evolving business needs evolving semantics to match.
• Refine Category Language: AI already knows how to group services—your site just needs to claim that space.
• Emphasize Equipment and Scale: Specifics like tractor sizes or acreage capacity build trust and align expectations.
• Update Contact Forms Thoughtfully: Even small changes like renaming service frequency options can better match buyer psychology and train AI.
• Your Website Trains AI Too: Every word on your site tells AI what kind of work to send your way.

Episode Highlights:

• "AI doesn't see your intentions. It sees your language."
• "The site stopped pulling him backward—and started supporting where he's going."
• "Semantic alignment isn't about traffic. It's about getting the right work."

Listener Action Items:

1. Run a Semantic Audit: Use Crystal’s Semantic Alignment Analyzer to see if your website says what you intend.
2. Clarify Your Core Services: Choose two main servic

Text me your questions or comments!

Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

Support the show

Book a Shopify Store Strategy Call With Crystal!

Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Start your Shopify Store!
Get SurferSEO!

Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!)

Grid and Pixel

Note:
If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money. 
But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!

In this episode of the Simple and Smart SEO Show, host Crystal Waddell unpacks the concept of semantic triples and how understanding them can solve one of the most frustrating SEO issues ... getting impressions but no clicks. 

Drawing from her experience at a technical SEO conference and a real-world case study from her own business, Crystal reveals how aligning your page’s content with user intent (not just keywords) can lead to higher conversions. 

Whether you're an SEO novice or pro, this episode offers actionable insights into fixing semantic misalignment and crafting on age content metadata that actually converts.

Key Takeaways:

• Semantic Triples Explained: Learn how the "who," "what," and "why" of user intent can clarify your SEO strategy.
• Real-World Example: Crystal shares how her page for “volleyball gifts for girls” got 1,700+ impressions with zero clicks—and how she fixed it.
• Diagnosing Intent Mismatch: Uncover how tools can reveal pricing shock, vague copy, and semantic misalignment.
• Actionable Fixes: Get practical changes you can make to metadata, product descriptions, and page flow to convert better.

Memorable Quotes:

• “It’s not a traffic problem. It’s not a keyword problem. It’s a meaning problem.”
• “The fact is, if there’s no click, there’s no conversion—and that means there’s no SEO value.”
• “Being understood is the real work.”

Listener Action Items:

1. Audit Your Own Pages: Use semantic triples (who, what, why) to evaluate whether your content truly aligns with search intent.
2. Rewrite Metadata: Make your titles and meta descriptions more specific and emotionally engaging.
3. Clarify Your Offer: Lead with emotional hooks and value before asking the user to take action.
4. Book a Consult: If you're stuck, schedule a

Text me your questions or comments!

Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

Support the show

Book a Shopify Store Strategy Call With Crystal!

Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Start your Shopify Store!
Get SurferSEO!

Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!)

Grid and Pixel

Note:
If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money. 
But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!

In this episode of the Simple and Smart SEO Show, Crystal Waddell (That's me!) is joined by Shopify expert and founder of e-Commerce Savvy, Deonnah Carolus. 

They dive into the recent changes at Shopify, talk AI integration, theme changes like Horizon, and practical insights for e-commerce sellers. 

Whether you're new to Shopify or an experienced seller looking to stay ahead, this episode is packed with actionable strategies and future-focused predictions.

Key Takeaways:

• Shopify Evolution: Deonnah outlines how Shopify has transitioned from Debut to Dawn, and now to the new Horizon theme, offering more flexibility and AI-powered tools.
• AI Integration: Both the theme builder and theme generator now feature AI capabilities—but success still depends on the quality of your prompts.
• Theme Migration Tips: Migrating from Dawn to Horizon requires rebuilding custom templates. Early adoption helps avoid rushed transitions later.
• SEO in Social Media: SEO isn’t just for websites—Deonnah explains how it intersects with social media marketing.
• Pricing Services: Deonnah shares her method of pricing services based on the client’s business scale and goals, not a one-size-fits-all approach.

Memorable Quotes:

• “Google’s confused for the first time since 1996.” – Deonnah Carolus
• “Everyone’s trying to figure out how to get AI integrated into everything.” – Deonnah Carolus

Listener Action Items:

1. Evaluate Your Shopify Theme: If you’re still using Dawn or Debut, start testing Horizon now to prepare for the future.
2. Play with AI Tools: Begin experimenting with Shopify’s AI builder and theme generator to familiarize yourself with their capabilities.
3. Document Your Custom Pages: Before migrating, inventory your custom product and collection pages to simplify rebuilding th

Text me your questions or comments!

Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

Support the show

Book a Shopify Store Strategy Call With Crystal!

Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Start your Shopify Store!
Get SurferSEO!

Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!)

Grid and Pixel

Note:
If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money. 
But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!

Meet Sarah K Heeter, a podcast expert and CEO of Podfox Media.

Sarah's on the show today to walk us through leveraging podcasts and audio effectively.

Connect with Sarah
Podfox Media
Big Brave Business Podcast
LaunchMyShow.com
Free Roadmap to Grow Your Podcast (Link coming soon!)

My apologies again for my audio - I was having mic issues and didn't realize it!

How do I get my podcast to show up on Spotify or Apple Podcasts?

• Consider use of listeners' questions as titles.
• Think about episode titles as clickbait.
• Don't try to summarize the entire podcast with a title.

What's the benefit of audio content creation?

• Audio content is intimate and creates connection like a phone call.
• We are all multitasking consumers.
• Build trust faster and demonstrate E-E-A-T.
• Build a deeper level of trust with listeners.

How to start a podcast on Spotify for a business?

• Podcasts can become a tool for gaining clients.
• Know your target audience.
• Define the podcast’s overall promise or goal.
• Define the podcaster's personal goals.

General guidelines for starting a podcast

• A podcast c

Text me your questions or comments!

Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at aise

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

Support the show

Book a Shopify Store Strategy Call With Crystal!

Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Start your Shopify Store!
Get SurferSEO!

Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!)

Grid and Pixel

Note:
If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money. 
But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!

Crystal Waddell shares insights on changing her business model, prioritizing health, dealing with stress, and learning from Nick Rubright. She also discusses the PIE project for women's basketball, staying updated and engaged with women's basketball, and exploring data visualization ideas.

00:00 Welcome to Follow Through Fridays!

00:13 Turning Business Models Upside Down

00:23 The Hustle Habit: A Decade's Reflection

00:39 A Shift Towards Health and Well-being

01:49 The Wake-Up Call: A Personal Story

03:24 Finding Balance: Work, Health, and Stress

03:53 Learning from Nick Rubright: Linkable Assets

04:14 The Struggle with Public Relations and Organization

05:57 A Deep Dive into Women's Basketball and NIL

06:11 The PIE Project: Player Impact Estimate

10:37 Staying Updated and Engaged with Women's Basketball

12:46 Expanding the Project: Data Visualization Ideas

17:05 Concluding Thoughts and Future Plans

Text me your questions or comments!

Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

Support the show

Book a Shopify Store Strategy Call With Crystal!

Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Start your Shopify Store!
Get SurferSEO!

Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!)

Grid and Pixel

Note:
If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money. 
But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!

Today's podcast features SEO link-building expert Nicholas Rubright, who shared insights on the importance of link building and PR strategies in SEO for business owners.

*Please excuse my sound quality, I had a mic issue!*- Crystal

Connect with Nick
Linkedin
Ranko Media

Unique SEO Insights From Nick:

• SEO professionals who figured out SEO organically approach it differently than those who learned it within large companies. 
• Marketing efficiency is key.
• Nick shared strategies of crafting content that targets specific keywords and creating data maps.

Nick on PR and SEO:

• The faster indexing of news-worthy content leads to faster link indexing.
• The process of getting the story right for PR can take time and resources.
• Podcasts are the most cost-effective type of PR campaign: they don't require  content creation.

Pitching and Posting As A Link Building Strategy:

• Align your pitch with the recipient's content intent.
• Make the initial outreach email short and personalized. 
• Understand the recipient's monetization strategy. 
• Cold emailing still works.

Data-Driven Content Attracts Journalists

• Generate backlinks with no outreach: select keywords that include statis

Text me your questions or comments!

Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at aise

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

Support the show

Book a Shopify Store Strategy Call With Crystal!

Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Start your Shopify Store!
Get SurferSEO!

Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!)

Grid and Pixel

Note:
If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money. 
But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!

Today I'm implementing the advice of Sara Jensen (Episode 110) optimization of websites, specifically focusing on SEO strategies and tips like: 

• the importance of understanding your target audience 
• and unique selling proposition and the benefits of team collaboration. 

I realized I needed to  streamline my personal brand website and the simpleandsmartseo.com website to improve my messaging.

Join the 2ND ROUND of Founding Members for the SEO SQUAD.

Detailed Summary:

• Crystal Waddell (ME!) hosts the simple and smart SEO show podcast and Follow Through Fridays.
• I realized the need to redefine the goals for my websites: crystalwaddell.com and simpleandsmartseo.com.
• I plan to split her brand into two websites with different goals: crystalwaddell.com for business presence as a public speaker and simpleandsmartseo.com for generating organic leads.
• I actually created business plans for the next three to five years, which include growing the podcast, improving her speaking skills, expanding the SEO squad membership, and growing the agency services.
• I shared the lead generation ideas I have: allowing podcast search, running an evergreen three-day challenge, and creating ads for agency services.
• I plan to hire virtual assistants as necessary to implement her system.
• I'm building a plan to grow my email list for the podcast.
• My target audience is local business owners and e-commerce sellers.

Make sure to check out episode 110 for more resources!

 Search the Simple and Smart SEO Show podcast for FREE!

Text me your questions or comments!

Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

Support the show

Book a Shopify Store Strategy Call With Crystal!

Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Start your Shopify Store!
Get SurferSEO!

Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!)

Grid and Pixel

Note:
If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money. 
But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!

In my conversation with Sara Jensen from Brighter Messaging, we explored so much that impacts women-owned businesses: 

•  the dynamics of managing a digital marketing agency, 
• the evolution from solo entrepreneurship to leading a team,
•  and the essential role of SEO in website development. 
• the untapped "Mom" workforce and how to EmpowerMoms in Business

Connect with Sara
Website
Linkedin

0:00 Sara Jensen - Simple and Smart SEO Show Podcast Recording (2024-01-16 10_04 GMT-5) 

00:16 Welcome to the Simple and Smart SEO Show Podcast 

00:39 Meet Sara Jensen: The Digital Marketing Expert and Female Champion 

03:23 The Evolution of Brighter Messaging: From Solopreneur to Team Success 

08:55 Empowering Moms in the Creative Industry 

14:29 Diving Deep into SEO and Website Strategy 

20:56 Unlocking SEO Success: Simple Strategies and Missteps 

21:04 The Power of Metadata in Boosting Your Site's SEO 

22:55 Maximizing Your Website's Potential Post-Launch 

24:30 Content Strategy: The Key to Organic Traffic and Lead Generation 

25:24 Leveraging Blogs and Email Lists for Enhanced Engagement 

26:26 Internal Linking: A Secret Weapon for SEO 

28:18 Crafting a Winning Strategy: Target Audience and Value Propositi

Text me your questions or comments!

Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at aise

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

Support the show

Book a Shopify Store Strategy Call With Crystal!

Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Start your Shopify Store!
Get SurferSEO!

Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!)

Grid and Pixel

Note:
If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money. 
But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!

In this episode of Follow Through Fridays, I'm reflecting this week's episode with international SEO expert Sarah Presh. 

My takeways on iSEO:

• my current business model doesn't need to focus on international SEO.
• I rarely ship internationally.
• I COULD leverage Amazon fulfillment to explore international markets
• Could I experiment with language-specific pages for products? 
• What about a blog to go with that one language-specific page?

Leveraging takeways from Google Search Console:

• According to GSC, people were searching for marquee letters to rent and buy! 
• So I put up a product page and I've had two rentals so far - one for $900!

Join the 2nd round of SEOSQuad founders here for $29 - NINE spots left! (if link doesn't work, it means spots are filled!)

00:00 Welcome to Follow Through Fridays... on a Saturday!

00:08 Diving into International SEO with Sarah Presh

00:22 The iSEO Shopify Theme Dilemma and SEO Insights

01:41 Leveraging Amazon for International Sales

04:09 Launching New Products Based on SEO Data

05:57 Join the SEO Squad: A Special Invitation

06:39 Looking Ahead: Website Building with Sarah Jensen

06:56 Closing Thoughts and Next Episode Teaser

Text me your questions or comments!

Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

Support the show

Book a Shopify Store Strategy Call With Crystal!

Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Start your Shopify Store!
Get SurferSEO!

Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!)

Grid and Pixel

Note:
If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money. 
But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!

Navigating International SEO with Sarah Pokona.

Today I'm joined by Sarah Pokona to talk about the unfamiliar nuances of  international SEO. 

Sarah shares her journey from heading marketing and SEO at a company to starting her own agency and eventually preferring the employee path for its benefits and stability. 

Her experience as an SEO and marketing manager, the transition to entrepreneurship, and the challenges of working for a small company mirror the challenges of solo entrepreneurs across the world.

Sarah now specializes  in international SEO, and has specific advice to implement it successfully. In particular: 

• taking time to understand local search behaviors, (or find someone locally who does!), 
• How to properly manage multilingual websites, 
• A few examples of nuances of tailoring SEO strategies to different cultures and search engines used around the globe. 

Sarah shares positive and negative experiences with  geo-targeting, the potential pitfalls of translation services, and the significance of cultural sensitivity in digital marketing.

If you're looking to expand your marketplace online or enjoy learning how the internet works, this episode is packed with valuable tips!

Connect with Sarah Pokona:
Linkedin
Dragon Metrics (Save 5% with my code: WADDELL)

Text me your questions or comments!

Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at aise

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

Support the show

Book a Shopify Store Strategy Call With Crystal!

Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Start your Shopify Store!
Get SurferSEO!

Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!)

Grid and Pixel

Note:
If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money. 
But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!

I discussed my experience with affiliate marketing through Awin for my Etsy shop, incorporating affiliate links into my blogs to boost sales. Additionally, I shared insights on indexing blog pages for better visibility on Google and highlighted my venture into creating unique physical products like battery-powered marquee letters for rent.

Maximizing Online Presence Through Affiliate Marketing and Digital Products

The episode concludes with an invitation to the SEO squad, a weekly SEO support group, and a reminder of the power of perseverance and creativity in digital entrepreneurship.

00:00 Welcome to Follow Through Fridays!
00:13 The Journey of Creating Digital Products
00:47 Diving Into Affiliate Marketing with Etsy
02:19 Boosting Blog Visibility and Indexing
03:28 Exploring Physical Products: Marquee Letters
04:44 Wrapping Up and Looking Ahead

Text me your questions or comments!

Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

Support the show

Book a Shopify Store Strategy Call With Crystal!

Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Start your Shopify Store!
Get SurferSEO!

Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!)

Grid and Pixel

Note:
If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money. 
But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!

This episode of the Simple and Smart SEO Show focuses on the potential of digital products on Etsy and the strategic approaches of SEO to drive sales.

I'm speaking with features digital products and printables expert and co-founder of Gold City Ventures, Julie Berninger.

Connect With Julie:
Website
Free Workshop
Crickets to Cha-Chings Podcast


Julie shares a ton of digital product advice, including: 

•  Exploring the value of targeting group gift buyers, 
• How to leverage personal finance insights, 
• Making the transformation from physical to digital products for effortless scalability. 

We also talk about empathy-driven brand building, effective niche selection, and the crucial role of SEO in product visibility. 

• Julie gives actionable insights to understand customer needs, 
• Her strategy behind choosing product types, 
• And how to utilize video and optimized descriptions on Etsy listings. 

I hope this episode gives you a resource to begin optimizing your digital product sales through targeted strategies and SEO best practices.

Chapters

0:00 Julie Berninger - Simple and Smart SEO Show Podcast Recordi

Text me your questions or comments!

Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at aise

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

Support the show

Book a Shopify Store Strategy Call With Crystal!

Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Start your Shopify Store!
Get SurferSEO!

Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!)

Grid and Pixel

Note:
If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money. 
But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!

Maximizing Digital PR for Your Business with Follow Through Fridays

In this episode of the Simple and Smart SEO Show Podcast, I review Wednesday's discussion with public relations expert Jane Hunt.

Watch or listen as I create a media page for her website, collageandwood.com.

I explain my process and offers a guide on how to make such a page easy to find.

Additionally, I talk about my dream (ha!) to enhance her brand's online presence through networking with journalists and providing unique value propositions.

BAM: Did you know about the SEO squad, an SEO support group for website optimization. 

Thanks for listening!!

00:00 Welcome to Follow Through Fridays!

00:44 Creating a Media Page: A Step-by-Step Guide

02:43 Managing Overwhelm as an Entrepreneur

03:28 Building Public Relations and Brand Positioning

04:24 Finding Unique Angles for Your Business

05:52 Introducing the SEO Squad: A Supportive Community

06:42 Encouragement to Implement and Move Forward

Text me your questions or comments!

Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

Support the show

Book a Shopify Store Strategy Call With Crystal!

Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Start your Shopify Store!
Get SurferSEO!

Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!)

Grid and Pixel

Note:
If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money. 
But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!

In this must-listen follow-up episode, Crystal Waddell is joined again by Marketing Director Garrett Sussman to unpack the fast-evolving world of SEO, GEO (Generative Engine Optimization), and the iPull Rank conception of "Relevance Engineering." 

From the power of Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) to how AI is rewriting what it means to be "searchable," this episode dives deep into the shifts that matter most for small businesses and marketers. 

Discover how to test AI’s understanding of your brand, stay competitive in fractured discovery environments, and leverage “happy accidents” for product innovation.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• GEO vs SEO: Why Generative Engine Optimization may not replace SEO—but instead become a specialized subset.
• Relevance Engineering: A new framework to ensure brand visibility across all platforms, from TikTok to Google.
• The Rise of RAG: How Retrieval-Augmented Generation changes how AI answers questions and includes your content.
• AI's Hallucinations: Why small businesses must audit AI outputs and the potential hidden product ideas they reveal.
• Testing for Visibility: How to explore how AI models “see” your brand—despite increasing personalization.

🔥 Episode Highlights:

✅ Listener Action Items:

• Audit AI Search Results: Ask ChatGPT, Perplexity, or Claude what they know about your business.
• Review Your Visibility: Explore how your content performs across platforms, not just on Google.
• Track Referrals from AI: Start noting AI tools in your referral sources or “How did you hear about us?” forms.

Text me your questions or comments!

Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

Support the show

Book a Shopify Store Strategy Call With Crystal!

Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Start your Shopify Store!
Get SurferSEO!

Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!)

Grid and Pixel

Note:
If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money. 
But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!

SEO In Flux: 2024 is the year of Google Updates and SEO changes.

Stop Buying Links!

Guest Jane Hunt, CEO and Co-founder of JBH, a digital PR and SEO agency, shares insights on the synergy between digital PR and SEO, the shift from content marketing to specialized digital PR, and the significant role of relevance and quality in backlinks.

Jane shares the misconception that  backlink VOLUME is required for good SEO; emphasizing instead the impact of building a RELEVANT and QUALITY backlink profile.

Connect with Jane on Linkedin

Jane shares common mistakes businesses make in PR and SEO. 

• Overlooking content relevance
•  The pitfalls of link buying 
• And the threat of penalties from Google.

Instead, Jane advises businesses to consider strategic public relations to enhance visibility and brand credibility.

Tune in to learn more!

00:58 Introducing Jane Hunt from JBH

01:28 The Evolution of JBH: From Digital PR to SEO

02:01 Discovering the Synergy Between PR and SEO

02:44 Specializing in Digital PR: A Strategic Shift

03:38 The Comprehensive Approach to Digital PR

04:07 Exploring the Depths of PR Beyond Link Building

05:49 Press Releases vs. Digital PR: Understanding the Difference

07:09 Decoding PR, Marketing, and Advertising

08:56 The Multifaceted Role of

Text me your questions or comments!

Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at aise

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

Support the show

Book a Shopify Store Strategy Call With Crystal!

Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Start your Shopify Store!
Get SurferSEO!

Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!)

Grid and Pixel

Note:
If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money. 
But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!

In this Follow up Friday episode, hosted by Crystal Waddell, discussions revolved around recent developments in SEO, particularly Google's crackdown on Black Hat SEO techniques and the mass production of AI content for manipulating rankings. 

Crystal highlighted the importance of due diligence in SEO practices and shared insights from guest Sophia Vega on managing bad backlinks and innovative strategies like being seen as alternatives to popular platforms for better search visibility. 

The episode also emphasized the utility of podcasts for gaining backlinks and concluded with philosophical reflections on the value of the journey over outcomes. 

Crystal also invited listeners to join the SEO squad for further support and guidance.

Link to Sophia Vega's episode

00:00 Welcome to Follow Up Fridays: A Week in SEO

00:13 The Impact of Google's Crackdown on Black Hat SEO (Latest Update)

00:42 Sophia Vega's Insights on SEO and Backlinks

01:47 Practical SEO Strategies and Personal Reflections

03:59 Join the SEO Squad: An Invitation

04:30 Closing Thoughts and Invitation to Join SEO Squad

Text me your questions or comments!

Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

Support the show

Book a Shopify Store Strategy Call With Crystal!

Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Start your Shopify Store!
Get SurferSEO!

Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!)

Grid and Pixel

Note:
If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money. 
But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!

Thinking about transitioning into an SEO career?

Today I'm talking with Sophia Vega, an experienced digital marketer specializing in SEO. 

1. Teachers make great digital marketing assistants.

• Sophia discusses her transition from a 15-year teaching career into digital marketing.
• Sophia learned about SEO and went back to school briefly to learn more.

2. Sophia shares about her mental health.

• We discuss the intertwined relationship of mental health and career choices. 
• You can always be replaced at your job; you can't be replaced as easily as a spouse or parent.

3. SEO is critical for effective marketing.

• Part of this is understanding customer journeys.
• Also important is implementing meaningful backlinks

4. Entrepreneurs can improve their website SEO.

• Track certain metrics to  to understand what works and what doesn't. 
• Develop a keyword strategy to enhance website visibility and performance.

Connect with Sophia Vega
Free Linkedin "Post Like a Pro" E-Booklet
Subscribe to Sophia's Newsletter
Connect on Linkedin
Website

02:47 Transition from Teaching to Digital Marketin

Text me your questions or comments!

Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at aise

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

Support the show

Book a Shopify Store Strategy Call With Crystal!

Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Start your Shopify Store!
Get SurferSEO!

Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!)

Grid and Pixel

Note:
If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money. 
But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!

Today I talk about the impact of writing a blog article that wins traffic for your website.

This is the senior night blog article I talk about in the episode.

Interested in joining the SEO squad?

Apply here!

00:00 Introduction and Recap of the Week

00:25 The Power of SEO and Content Creation

02:10 Success Stories: SEO in Action

03:20 Join the SEO Squad: Boost Your Business

03:30 Closing Thoughts and Preview of Next Episode

Text me your questions or comments!

Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

Support the show

Book a Shopify Store Strategy Call With Crystal!

Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Start your Shopify Store!
Get SurferSEO!

Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!)

Grid and Pixel

Note:
If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money. 
But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!

Leveraging AI for Content Writing and SEO: A Chat with Tom Winter

Today I'm talking with Tom Winter.

Tom designed the content research and writing tool, SEOWind.

Tom's unique "Cyborg Method combines AI and  human innovation, for content creation and SEO. 

• Great content can be ai or human generated BUT the key is researching and understanding search intent in SEO.
• The number one thing you can do today:  optimize old content 
• Tom's prediction is that humans and AI will collaborate effectively to create more impactful and valuable content. 

Tom's BIG BRAIN POINT: AI is currently underutilized. While AI (LLMs) is a powerful tool, its real worth shines when guided by human judgment and employed to perform specific, repetitive tasks.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

00:41 Tom Winter's Journey into AI and SEO

00:54 The Birth of SEO Wind

01:22 Tom's Entrepreneurial Journey

02:12 The Challenges of Content Creation

03:08 Understanding Content Briefs and Search Intent

03:33 The Role of AI in Content Creation

04:51 The Importance of Research in Content Creation

05:37 How Google Evaluates Content

06:57 The Risk Google Takes with Search Results

07:43 The Role of AI in SEO

09:21 The Importance of Helpful and Valuable Content

10:52 The Power of AI in Content Research

12:29 The Future of AI in Content Marketing

Text me your questions or comments!

Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at aise

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

Support the show

Book a Shopify Store Strategy Call With Crystal!

Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Start your Shopify Store!
Get SurferSEO!

Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!)

Grid and Pixel

Note:
If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money. 
But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!

The SEO Controversy: Is TikTok a search engine?

YES! I vote Tik Tok IS a search engine! 🤣🤣🤣

I recap some of the ideas given in Zoe Ashbridge's episode to optimize content for money keywords.

Like what you heard about SurferSEO? Use my link to sign up!

Life's challenges make entrepreneurship hard

• Entrepreneurs have challenges when life competes with family's health issues and busy schedules.
• I shared the challenges I faced this week with consistency 
• That's why I love the advice from experts on this podcast.

Create on evergreen platforms like TikTok make content work harder FOR YOU.

• TikTok is often used as a search engine. 
• Listen as I create a TikTok video targeting the keyword "buy wooden letters."

My favorite SEO tools: Google Search Console and Surfer SEO

• Google Search Console is all you need to analyze keyword performance.
• Surfer SEO is the BEST software to create optimized content.

Tracking SEO efforts

• Based on Zoe's recommendations, I created a spreadsheet to track SEO performance.
• KPIs include page impressions, clicks, traffic, and revenue.

Putting Content to work

• I created content around the keyword "buy wooden letters" 
• I used Surfer's AI tool to write an article.
• Join my SEO squad and  keep moving forward.

Text me your questions or comments!

Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

Support the show

Book a Shopify Store Strategy Call With Crystal!

Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Start your Shopify Store!
Get SurferSEO!

Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!)

Grid and Pixel

Note:
If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money. 
But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!

Zoe Ashbridge, an expert in digital marketing, shares valuable insights and strategies for small business owners aiming to boost their SEO.

Zoe provides a step-by-step guide to building topical authority, stressing its importance for businesses wanting to improve visibility online.

Other topics discussed include the creation of brand advocates, qualifying leads through SEO, and the caution in using artificial intelligence for content creation.

If you are looking for practical and tactical ways to use Google search console data to formulate strategies, this episode is for you!

Zoe gives tips on how to use GSC for user journey mapping, goal setting, and key performance indicators monitoring.

Connect with Zoe:
Website
Linkedin

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
00:28 Zoe's Journey into SEO
01:38 Zoe's SEO Blast on LinkedIn
02:53 The Importance of Content in SEO
03:54 Using Google Search Console for SEO
05:05 Creating Content Around Keywords
06:21 Building Topical Authority
08:32 The Role of Video in SEO
10:37 Creating Content Based on Customer Journey
11:00 The Importance of Keywords in SEO
16:03 Creating Content for Future SEO Benefits
17:02 Balancing Immediate Revenue Needs with SEO
18:20 Setting Up Google Search Console and Analytics
18:45 The Impact of SEO on Other Market

Text me your questions or comments!

Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at aise

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

Support the show

Book a Shopify Store Strategy Call With Crystal!

Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Start your Shopify Store!
Get SurferSEO!

Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!)

Grid and Pixel

Note:
If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money. 
But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!

Today I'm discussing e-commerce store success on Shopify platform with Google traffic. 

• Get creative with your return policy as you need to stay profitable!
• Why I don't sell on Facebook or Instagram shops!
• Amazon return policy conflicts and my workaround.
• SEO plays a critical role for small businesses to compete online! 
• Leverage higher domain authority sites.
• Focus and promote a single product: optimizing the website, creating topical authority, and improving conversion rates. 

Join my upcoming Supercharge your SEO 3-day challenge!!! 

Leave a review, share the podcast and join the challenge! 
Thanks for listening!

00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:15 Background of My E-commerce Store
00:45 Challenges with Amazon and Social Media Shops
01:56 Success with Shopify and Google
03:13 Importance of SEO and Organic Marketing
03:51 Why SEO is Critical for Handmade Sellers
05:29 Leveraging High Domain Authority Sites
06:47 The Power of Topical Authority
08:05 Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO)
09:22 Recap and Key Takeaways
10:08 Invitation to the SEO Challenge
10:54 Conclusion and Farewell

Text me your questions or comments!

Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

Support the show

Book a Shopify Store Strategy Call With Crystal!

Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Start your Shopify Store!
Get SurferSEO!

Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!)

Grid and Pixel

Note:
If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money. 
But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!

Optimizing SEO Strategies: Understanding Conversion Rate (Not just driving traffic!)

In the episode of the 'Simple and Smart SEO Show', host Crystal Waddell discusses with guest Nina Gibson about the misconception that driving traffic results in conversion. 

We talk conversion rate optimization, sales funnel, and nurturing customers through an email list.

If you didn't know, it's important to separate the tasks of driving traffic and converting sales. Incorporating an SEO strategy can make this process way more cohesive than NOT incomporating SEO.

We also talk about setting up websites with a focus on user experience and SEO, how to develop internal linking, the importance of Google Search Console. 

This is a great episode for beginners in SEO and those looking for 2024 optimization strategies for creating content with transactional / commercial intent.

I'd love to know what you think! Rate and review the Simple and Smart SEO Show Podcast today!

00:00 Introduction to Conversion Rate Optimization and SEO
00:31 Welcome to the Simple and Smart SEO Show
00:56 Interview with SEO Expert Nina Gibson
02:36 Discussion on SEO and its Evolution
03:59 The Convergence of SEO and User Experience
05:57 The Importance of Keyword Research in SEO
09:13 The Role of User Experience in Website Optimization
13:42 The Impact of SEO on E-commerce
16:59 The Importance of Interlinking in SEO
18:40 Workflow Su

Text me your questions or comments!

Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at aise

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

Support the show

Book a Shopify Store Strategy Call With Crystal!

Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Start your Shopify Store!
Get SurferSEO!

Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!)

Grid and Pixel

Note:
If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money. 
But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!

Simple and Smart SEO for Podcasters in 2024

In this podcast, Crystal Waddell, host of the Simple and Smart SEO Show, explains the basics of SEO (search engine optimization) and its implications for podcasters in 2024. Crystal discusses major changes in SEO, with a particular focus on Search Generative Experience (SGE) and the issues it presents. Crystal also delves deeply into how podcasters can leverage SEO, from the inclusion of keyword research and understanding search intent, to transcript uploading for enhanced visibility. She highlights SEO mistakes that podcasters commonly make and even provides a checklist for podcasters to improve their SEO. Crystal wraps up by mentioning the resources she offers, including an SEO squad for continuous learning.

00:00 Introduction and Overview of SEO
00:56 Changes in SEO in 2024
02:23 How Podcasters Can Leverage SEO
05:19 Personal Experience with SEO for Podcasting
06:41 Common Mistakes Podcasters Make with SEO
07:31 Checklist for Improving Podcast SEO
08:45 Resources for Learning More About SEO
09:23 Conclusion and Contact Information

Text me your questions or comments!

Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

Support the show

Book a Shopify Store Strategy Call With Crystal!

Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Start your Shopify Store!
Get SurferSEO!

Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!)

Grid and Pixel

Note:
If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money. 
But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!

In this episode of the Simple and Smart SEO Show, Crystal Waddell is joined by Garrett Sussman, Director of Marketing at iPullRank, to unpack how AI is transforming SEO, e-commerce, and online visibility. 

From the recently announced Shopify + OpenAI partnership to the rise of product recommendations in ChatGPT, this conversation explores what business owners need to know to stay competitive online. 

Learn why traditional keyword-focused strategies are losing relevance and how to adapt using topical content, brand authority, and omnichannel visibility. 

Key Takeaways:

• AI is Reshaping E-commerce Search: ChatGPT and Shopify's partnership hints at future product recommendation features, and small businesses can already submit merchant feeds to get listed.
• Keyword Optimization is Changing: Focus on topics and customer intent over traditional keyword volume.
• Visibility Requires Omnichannel Strategy: Your brand needs to show up across platforms like Google, Reddit, Amazon, and listicles to be included in AI-generated outputs.
• Google is Still King: Optimizing for Google often benefits visibility in other AI platforms too.

Listener Action Items:

Text me your questions or comments!

Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at aise

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

Support the show

Book a Shopify Store Strategy Call With Crystal!

Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Start your Shopify Store!
Get SurferSEO!

Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!)

Grid and Pixel

Note:
If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money. 
But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!

Let's talk about how SEO = branding.

Join us for a conversation about the integration of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and branding.

Sign Up For Our three-day challenge.

The challenge is designed to help businesses optimize their websites and improve their branding efforts.

Join as a FOUNDING MEMBER of the SEO SQUAD.

Host Crystal Waddell discusses the profound link between SEO and branding, explaining that SEO is how the internet describes your business while offline. 

Joined by her friend and business partner, Rachael Spiewak, they discuss their upcoming three-day challenge, which has helped lead to the launch of an SEO membership, the 'SEO Squad.' 

This membership enables business owners to better optimize their websites and features different tiers to accommodate individuals at differing points in their entrepreneurial journey. 

A key focus of this episode is the power of niche branding and the importance of being 'niche famous.' Shout out to Tom Earl for that phrase! 

The three-day challenge discussed will take place again at the end of February, free for all who want to participate and supercharge their SEO.

00:00 Introduction to SEO as Branding

00:57 Discussion on Three Day Challenges

01:06 The Journey of Launching an

Text me your questions or comments!

Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at aise

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

Support the show

Book a Shopify Store Strategy Call With Crystal!

Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Start your Shopify Store!
Get SurferSEO!

Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!)

Grid and Pixel

Note:
If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money. 
But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!

How often do you reflect on the state of your business? I start every year with a SWOT to determine strategic priorities. 

This episode walks through my monthly reflection, of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in my business. 

Key Takeaways

• Crystal discusses strengths of her business, including successful sessions with the founding members of her SEO squad, covering topics such as Google business profiles and other SEO-related aspects. She also mentions successful sales in January from her business, Collage and Wood.
• Crystal identifies weaknesses including experiencing overwhelm and considering hiring a designer due to the volume of work. She also mentions a mishap with the postal service.
• Opportunities are identified in the form of launching a free SEO challenge at the end of February, returning to handwritten thank you notes, and considering a QR code to encourage customer reviews. Crystal also highlights the opportunity to improve customer communication about late deliveries.
• Threats to her business include time constraints and health issues, with her husband having been sick. She also mentions the challenge of managing her son's screen time.
• Crystal discusses the importance of evaluating business performance regularly, turning weaknesses into opportunities, and mitigating threats. She ends with a story highlighting the importance of recognizing what one already has instead of constantly pursuing more.

Text me your questions or comments!

Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

Support the show

Book a Shopify Store Strategy Call With Crystal!

Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Start your Shopify Store!
Get SurferSEO!

Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!)

Grid and Pixel

Note:
If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money. 
But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!

Join me for a deep conversation with Ola King, who shares his intriguing journey – from being a popular [and underage!] local DJ and music producer to making an impact in the SEO industry.

Below is a summary of the main topics discussed:

• Ola talks about his experience of moving from Nigeria to Canada at a young age, including the challenges he faced adapting to a new environment.
• Ola shares details about his early career in music production, his transition into SEO, and the reasons behind the launch of his own company.
• As a user researcher at Moz, Ola highlights the significance of understanding customers and offers unique insights on how to future-proof SEO by focusing on providing unique information and customer insights.
• The conversation pivots to the true meaning of design thinking, debunking common misconceptions. They underline that design thinking is not just about art or aesthetics, but how things work, how to empathize with users, and putting this empathy into the design process.
• Ola explains his views on the misunderstanding of SEO - it's not about optimizing for search engines, but enhancing the user's experience by understanding their intent and context. 
• The importance of diversity in the tech industry is discussed, with Ola sharing his experiences and the benefits of finding common ground for a more inclusive and welcoming environment.

For more insights from Ola King, you can reach out to

Text me your questions or comments!

Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at aise

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

Support the show

Book a Shopify Store Strategy Call With Crystal!

Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Start your Shopify Store!
Get SurferSEO!

Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!)

Grid and Pixel

Note:
If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money. 
But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!

We're celebrating like crazy because our Shopify CollageandWood.com sales have jumped up by 80% compared to last year - all thanks to our SEO strategy. 

Now, onto the super exciting part - we had our third meeting for the SEO Squad. Imagine a group of go-getter entrepreneurs, just like us, all pumped up to master SEO. Sounds great, right? 

We're officially launching next month and you can hop on board the challenge at threedaychallenge.com/seo. If you join now, you can lock in a cool $20/month rate. 

We also took a look at where our traffic is coming from. Pinterest has been our star off page SEO driver, bringing in over 3,000 visitors this month alone. 

And our blog? It's been on fire with organic search sending us 8.8 thousand visitors this month. 

Oh, and get this, we had a $1000 sales day! Can you believe it?

Also Honeybook confirmed what Kris Daria told us on Wednesday about the email changes coming February 1, 2024: always use a branded domain email if possible. 

So, that's the scoop from our end. Here's to another week of hustling, learning, and smashing goals! 

Keep following through!

Join the Founding Members through February 15, 2024

Text me your questions or comments!

Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

Support the show

Book a Shopify Store Strategy Call With Crystal!

Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Start your Shopify Store!
Get SurferSEO!

Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!)

Grid and Pixel

Note:
If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money. 
But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!

On Feb. 1, Google and Yahoo are changing email deliverability standards. Is your business ready?

 In today's show,  Klaviyo email marketing expert Kris Daria joins us.

Kris started with large ecommerce brands before branching out on her own to help small businesses.

We go wayyyy back to Clubhouse circa 2020.

Kris has an incredible knack for making email marketing approachable!

Here's the big takeaways:

1. Google and Yahoo are implementing stricter email spam prevention measures on February 1, 2024.

• This is the first time in two decades that such significant changes will be made.
•  Kris gives a ton of tips that you can implement NOW to make sure your emails stay in the inbox vs. the junk folder.

2. Kris's tips for smaller brands when it comes to email marketing:

• Personalize emails and utilize segmentation features.
• Nurture stronger, more meaningful relationships with emails.
• Send out a consistent weekly email newsletter to your audience. 
• Listen for Kris's FIRE tip for sending a second email in one week.

3. Definitions of email terms:

• There's a difference between email campaigns (1-many)  and email flows (1-1).
• Leverage your ESPs automation capabilities to personalize the customer journey.
• Use a professional domain for sending emails. 
• Capture explicit conse

Text me your questions or comments!

Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at aise

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

Support the show

Book a Shopify Store Strategy Call With Crystal!

Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Start your Shopify Store!
Get SurferSEO!

Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!)

Grid and Pixel

Note:
If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money. 
But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!

Let's talk SEO Leadership skills!

Many thanks for SEO For Hire for having me on their Linkedin Live and Youtube Show!

Empowering Leadership and Strategies for Onboarding Employees - A Reflection

Some key areas I  (Crystal Waddell) addressed include the importance of having an effective onboarding system for employees, the significance of setting clear job expectations, and how discipline can be discrete yet constructive.

I discussed the need for trust, empathy, and consistency in leadership, noting these are vital for building team relationships and fostering a productive and cooperative culture.

I tried encourages leaders to take a hands-on approach in understanding their employees beyond their job roles.

Lastly I  invited you to an upcoming SEO challenge and stresses the importance of commemorating wins and encouraging self-reflection among team members.

00:00 Introduction and Weekly Recap
00:23 Reflections on LinkedIn Live with SEO for Hire
00:49 The Importance of Onboarding and Employee Expectations
03:00 The Role of Empathy and Trust in Leadership
05:03 Maintaining Consistency and Celebrating Wins
06:06 Conclusion and Invitation to SEO Challenge

Connect with Crystal Waddell
Website
Linkedin
IG / FB

Text me your questions or comments!

Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

Support the show

Book a Shopify Store Strategy Call With Crystal!

Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Start your Shopify Store!
Get SurferSEO!

Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!)

Grid and Pixel

Note:
If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money. 
But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!

Today I discuss the changing landscape of SEO, alongside Google's evolving algorithms, and the rise of AI generated content with Demandsphere founder Ray Grieselhuber.

Ray gives us his insights on Google's new experimental project known as SGE (Search Generative Experience) and how it may affect the visibility of businesses online.

Ray also eplains the importance of localization and digital assets in boosting a company's online presence.

This convo is full of practical advice for small businesses and provides a deep understanding of the constantly changing world of SEO.

Connect with Ray Grieselhuber
DemandSphere Website
Linkedin
Twitter

02:14 Understanding E-commerce Beyond Traditional Perception
03:08 The Importance of SEO in E-commerce
03:18 Discussion on 'Product Led SEO' by Eli Schwartz
04:51 The Importance of User Experience in SEO
06:44 The Interconnection of SEO and UX Design
07:20 The Evolution of Rank Tracking
12:49 Understanding Google's Search Generative Experience (SGE)
15:22 The Impact of SGE on Businesses
16:24 The Shift from Keyword-based to Semantic-based Search
17:20 Understanding E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) in SEO
18:09 The Importance of Au

Text me your questions or comments!

Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at aise

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

Support the show

Book a Shopify Store Strategy Call With Crystal!

Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Start your Shopify Store!
Get SurferSEO!

Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!)

Grid and Pixel

Note:
If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money. 
But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!

It's all about creating linkable assets on this follow through Fridays!

You can see Crystal's examples here: Top College Athletes: Earnings & Valuations for Men and Women

In this video and podcast we take a look at the top earning college athletes in 2023-2024, focusing both on male and female athletes. For the female category, Olivia Dunne, a gymnast, and Angel Reese, a basketball player, take the top spots. While in the male category, Bronnie James, the son of LeBron James, Shadeur Sanders, the son of Deion Sanders, and Arch Manning, relative of the famous Manning football family, earn the highest. The rankings are based on their corresponding valuations from the website On3, which assesses each athlete's name image likeness potential money.

00:00 Introduction
00:00 Top Female Earners in College Sports
01:19 Transition to Male Athletes
01:35 Top Male Earners in College Sports
03:00 Interesting Facts about Top Earners in College Sports
03:14 Conclusion and Future Updates

Text me your questions or comments!

Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

Support the show

Book a Shopify Store Strategy Call With Crystal!

Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Start your Shopify Store!
Get SurferSEO!

Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!)

Grid and Pixel

Note:
If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money. 
But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!

Want to identify and create relevant content for businesses? Today's guest, B2B content strategist Christine McLean Lewis shares her tip for leveraging diverse content marketing techniques to get in front of clients when they are in the market for your product!

Connect with Christine:
Website
LinkedIn

Christine's Content Strategy Process:

• Target high intent customers. 
• Analyze keywords related to customer problems.
• Aligning content creation with the business goals.
• Focus on bottom and middle funnel content (product-led content/case studies.)

How to determine effectiveness:

• Consider the effectiveness of the content after an initial three-month period.
• Christine prefers to stay with the brands for a minimum of 18 months.

Breaking down the customer journey:

• The customer journey is like a kids' playground. 
• Different customers might interact with the brand across different touch points, just as children choose a variety of paths to enjoy the playground.

Top advice for listeners: 

•  Avoid following the crowd.
• Focus on showcasing your brand's expertise.

Text me your questions or comments!

Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at aise

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

Support the show

Book a Shopify Store Strategy Call With Crystal!

Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Start your Shopify Store!
Get SurferSEO!

Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!)

Grid and Pixel

Note:
If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money. 
But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!

Crystal Waddell, the host of the Simple and Smart SEO show podcast, shared some insights she had from implementing new strategies on her senior night gift store website.

Based on information from Matt Diamante and Andrew Holland, she optimized her website's keywords and started a paid e-book as her first digital product.

We've got a new format! Follow Through Fridays!

• Crystal introduced a new format where she covers lessons, implementations, and inspirations from her weekly experiences.
• Something I learned, something that I implemented and something that inspired me.

Let's talk search optimization:

• Crystal updated her collections page with relevant keywords targeted towards sports.
• She'll keep checking on the changes made to see how effective they are and provide updates later.

"Traffic is vanity, profit is sanity." - Andrew Holland

• My discussion with Andrew Holland made Crystal realize a lot of traffic with no conversion isn't as useful as targeted site traffic.
• This realization inspired her to create a senior night planning guide ebook priced at about $7
• Her first digital product at collageandwood.com!

Don't miss the FREE Supercharge Your SEO Challenge!

• January 23, 24 and 25, 2024
• Sign up at CrystalWaddell.com/supercharge.

Share your progress and victories in your SEO journey!

Connect with Crystal
IG
FB
Linkedin

Text me your questions or comments!

Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

Support the show

Book a Shopify Store Strategy Call With Crystal!

Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Start your Shopify Store!
Get SurferSEO!

Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!)

Grid and Pixel

Note:
If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money. 
But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!

In Part 2 of this conversation, Ana de la Cruz, SEO Lead at Chartis, returns to The Simple and Smart SEO Show with Crystal Waddell for a deep dive into the human side of AI.

Ana unpacks how experimenting with chatbots taught her the inner workings of LLMs, what semantic triples really mean for SEO, and how the Japanese philosophy of Ikigai helps her balance learning, creativity, and life.

Crystal connects it all back to entrepreneurship — discussing the “never-ending to-do list,” living an optimized life, and how technology can make us more human when we use it with intention.

You’ll learn:

• What SEOs can learn from experimenting with AI and coding
• Why understanding semantic triples and language structure matters
• How to use Ikigai to prioritize time and energy
• How to optimize life, not just website

Helpful Links:

🎧 Podcast Hub → https://simpleandsmartseo.com/best-seo-podcast

📘 SEO Starter Course → https://SEOin7Steps.com

💼 Guest: Ana de la Cruz → LinkedIn Profile

Connect With Crystal → Linkedin Profile

Chapters / Timestamps:
00:00 – Experimenting with AI and LLMs
01:00 – Presenting a Chatbot Project at Work
02:00 – What Are Semantic Triples?
03:20 – Why Meaning and Context Matter in SEO
04:24 – The Good, Bad, and Ugly of AI
05:00 – Embracing the Learning Process
06:10 – How to Balance Learning and Earning
07:09 – The Ikigai Framework Explained
10:00 – The “Never-Ending To-Do List” GPT Idea
12:05 – Energy, Emotions, and Productivity
13:34 – Optimizing Life with Technology
15:59 – Rapid-Fire Q&A: SEO, AI, and the Future
17:30 – Where to Connect with Ana

Text me your questions or comments!

Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

Support the show

Book a Shopify Store Strategy Call With Crystal!

Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Start your Shopify Store!
Get SurferSEO!

Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!)

Grid and Pixel

Note:
If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money. 
But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!

Join Andrew Holland from JBH and me as we talk about the future of SEO in 2024 and its role in building and promoting businesses.

1. Defining and redefining search engine optimization:

• Andrew Holland prefers the term "behavioral science" over UX and CRO. 
• SEO is evolving to consume UX and CRO.
• Andrew shared his vision that SEO needs to link to marketing effectiveness. This puts an emphasis on making sales rather than just increasing traffic.

2. SEO designed to get results = Performance SEO:

• Andrew believes not all traffic is relevant, and it's important to focus on valuable traffic with a business case.
• Andrew described the purchase journey of a buyer, stating that SEO's goal is to create online "nudges" for people to buy. 
• Share of search is a way to measure the impact of marketing efforts.

3. Make The online buying process seamless and efficient:

• Think "frictionless" website to capitalize on SEO efforts. 
• Easy navigation, clear descriptions, and ease of ordering or booking.

4. Brand visibility and publicity are the future of SEO.

• Don't get distracted by misleading data (traffic data) vs. profit generation.
• Businesses need a robust presence across multiple digital channels.
• Trends are shifting towards consultancy, omni-channel growth, and publicity.

TL/DR: SEO i

Text me your questions or comments!

Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at aise

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

Support the show

Book a Shopify Store Strategy Call With Crystal!

Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Start your Shopify Store!
Get SurferSEO!

Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!)

Grid and Pixel

Note:
If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money. 
But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!

In this final episode of 2023, Simple and Smart SEO Show host, Crystal Waddell, sums up the year by revisiting the top three most listened to episodes from season two.

The first recap is from Episode 55 with Angie Colee where they discuss optimizing a business by focusing on people, profits, and processes. 

The second recap is from Episode 60 featuring Nicole Lewis, an Etsy expert who shares practical SEO strategies for online sellers. 

The final recap is from Episode 69 with Matt Diamante, who shares his insights on local SEO and emphasizes building your online presence as if you were building a physical storefront. 

Crystal ends the episode wishing listeners Merry Christmas and a happy holiday season.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
00:27 Recap of the Most Listened Episodes
00:37 Episode 55: Angie Colee on SEO
01:00 Insights on Business Problems and Solutions
02:36 Discussion on SEO Interpretation
05:00 SEO as a Game
07:36 Episode 60: Nicole Lewis on Etsy SEO
09:05 Importance of Effective SEO and Branding
10:07 Understanding Etsy as a Search Engine
13:50 Episode 69: Matt Diamante on Local SEO
14:11 Understanding SEO and Website Traffic
18:22 Managing Client Expectations in SEO
20:00 Conclusion and Farewell

Text me your questions or comments!

Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

Support the show

Book a Shopify Store Strategy Call With Crystal!

Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Start your Shopify Store!
Get SurferSEO!

Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!)

Grid and Pixel

Note:
If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money. 
But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!

How important is SEO for small businesses? Today we talk content, role of social media in SEO and the necessity of a business strategy in SEO.

Additionally we discuss the elephant in the room: can entrepreneurs afford SEO?

1. The SEO cost for new Shopify stores trying to establish their brand. 

•  SEO and advertising present financial challenges for small businesses.
• Businesses need SEO to capitalize on online search traffic. 
• Optimizing the company’s website and online presence increases visibility.

2. Your customer's journey tells you where to optimize your digital footprint.

• Customers can discover a business through various platforms. 
• Consistency is crucial:  an unknown brand must show up as the same business wherever people are looking it up.

3. Businesses need strategy and workflows in their SEO approach. 

• Both result in a more efficient and effective SEO implementation.
• Designate a budget for marketing initiatives. 

4. Alternatives to hiring a traditional SEO agency or a freelancer. 

• Understand how to optimize your website for the business you want to win.
• Optimize social media sites for visibility.
• Learn how to gain STRONG backlinks.

BECOME A FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE SEO SQUAD!

Unlock Secrets to SEO Success: For Small Business Owners! © 2023 by Crystal Waddell is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 

Text me your questions or comments!

Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

Support the show

Book a Shopify Store Strategy Call With Crystal!

Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Start your Shopify Store!
Get SurferSEO!

Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!)

Grid and Pixel

Note:
If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money. 
But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!

Do you want to understand the functionality and potential of Etsy?

Monica Little shares her journey from starting an organic skincare business on Etsy to becoming an Etsy coach.

1. Monica's story: building a handmade business from ground zero!

• Monica started selling handmade skincare on Etsy.
• She grew her business to multiple six figures selling on Etsy and boutiques across the US.

2. Monica's strategy to success on Etsy:

• Understand Etsy's market.
• Package and present products in a unique and sophisticated way to stand out among thousands of similar products.
• Leverage Etsy marketing levers like star seller badges, free shipping, and discount options. 

3. Selling high-end products on Etsy:

• Etsy is a platform for unique products, no matter the price. 
• She mentioned a successful example of a member selling beaded gemstone necklaces priced between 350 to 550 each on Etsy.

4. Avoid competing on Price; advice for competing against mass-produced items:

• Feel aligned and confident with pricing.
• People buy more through emotion rather than logic.
• Focus on attracting the right customers.
• Use quality photos, evoke emotion, and display social proof. 
• Display reviews in photos, and write persuasive descriptions.

5. How to find keywords on Etsy and tips for Etsy SEO:

• Use

Text me your questions or comments!

Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at aise

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

Support the show

Book a Shopify Store Strategy Call With Crystal!

Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Start your Shopify Store!
Get SurferSEO!

Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!)

Grid and Pixel

Note:
If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money. 
But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!

Dimitrii Kustov, the founder of Regex SEO, joins me to discuss SEO strategy, the importance of data-driven decision-making, the role of keywords, and the shift in SEO trends focusing on profitability and scalability, rather than traffic volume.

1. Proper data tracking is important (Dimitrii's #1 tip!)

• Tools like Google Analytics and Search Console to monitor business performance.
• Data should override feelings in business decision-making.
• Key metrics: number of qualified leads, calls, website visits, and keyword rankings.

2. Tips for building the best backlinks:

• Provide valuable, unique, and potentially surprising content. 
• Make them go "What?"
• Brand search and public relations can boost a company's online presence.
• Employ a "multiple stone method": videos, images, infographics, and text.

3. Traffic does not equal profits.

• It's important not just to rank for certain keywords.
• You want to make sure your keywords produce traffic and qualified leads.
• Use the data to understand your profitable traffic channels.

Crystal talks about an upcoming three-day launch focusing on the profitability of products and the need for systems to increase sales.

Text me your questions or comments!

Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at aise

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

Support the show

Book a Shopify Store Strategy Call With Crystal!

Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Start your Shopify Store!
Get SurferSEO!

Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!)

Grid and Pixel

Note:
If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money. 
But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!

In this special episode of Simple and Smart SEO Show Podcast, hosts Crystal and B discuss the evolution and future of their show.

SPOILER ALERT: They talk about B's decision to move away from being a co-host and venture into a new direction with her YouTube channel, focusing on SEO, social proof, and storytelling.

They also share some of their personal struggles and experiences, shedding light on subtle nuances that their journey has entailed.

Today's show is primarily about the importance and structure of case studies for E-commerce businesses, emphasizing the beginning, middle and end strategy.

Crystal and B highlight how case studies help humanize businesses and provide valuable insights to potential customers.

Connect w/ B: YouTube, Website, LinkedIn, Instagram

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast Episode
00:06 Catching Up with the Hosts
00:22 Discussing Health and Lifestyle Changes
01:14 Announcement of Changes in the Podcast
01:23 B's Future Plans and Departure from the Podcast
02:32 B's New YouTube Channel
03:29 Future Collaborations and Changes
04:50 Sharing Personal Stories and Connections
05:56 Introduction to Cas

Text me your questions or comments!

Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at aise

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

Support the show

Book a Shopify Store Strategy Call With Crystal!

Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Start your Shopify Store!
Get SurferSEO!

Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!)

Grid and Pixel

Note:
If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money. 
But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!

Want to know how to use email marketing with SEO strategies?

Today we talk about the importance of a strong welcome email sequence and nurturance of subscribers, the value of consistent branding, and the potential of unpacking complex SEO for less technologically adept clientele.

Allie highlights the importance of transparency and authenticity in building brand loyalty, emphasizing the need for businesses to share who they are and how they can help their customers. She also shares the benefits of rewarding subscribers with quality content and the role of crafting engaging and interactive content in driving traffic back to a website.

06:03 Discussing SEO for Different Businesses
11:07 How to Get People on Your Email List
14:05 The Power of Repurposing Content
14:31 The Journey of Content Creation
15:11 Setting Goals for Your Emails
15:47 The Art of Ignoring Unsubscribes
15:57 The Role of Data in Email Marketing
16:38 Strategies for Growing Your Email List
17:00 The Importance of Consistent Content
17:45 The Power of Repetition in Email Marketing
18:04 The Art of Pivoting in Email Marketing
19:05 The Role of Segmentation in Email Marketing
20:04 The Power of Personalization in Email Marketing
20:13 The Importance of Updating Your Welcome Sequence
21:31 The Power of Welcome Pages in Email Marketing
23:01 The Role of Branding in Email Marketing
23:46 The Impact of Unsubscribes on E-commerce

Text me your questions or comments!

Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at aise

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

Support the show

Book a Shopify Store Strategy Call With Crystal!

Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Start your Shopify Store!
Get SurferSEO!

Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!)

Grid and Pixel

Note:
If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money. 
But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!

Dave Herzberg, Brittany’s dad, joined us as part of our Father’s Day series earlier this year on The Simple & Smart SEO Show.

In that episode we largely covered Local SEO, sales, & marketing strategies.

(Don’t miss it! Jeff, Crystal’s dad, was our first papa interview!)

In this SEO Shorts episode, Dave walks us through several stories from his life as a salesman.

And the really big takeaway?

Understanding & interacting with your customer/client is a delicate lil dance.

Treating your customer/client as a part of your team—bringing them in on the process in a little bit of a different way—positively impacts the sales conversation (as well as marketing & all things *ahem* copywriting), and impacts your SEO strategy.

Keep this in mind as you listen:

• What is keeping my customer/client up at night?
• Where is my customer/client stuck?
• How can I best help my customer/client?
• How can you bring empathy into the equation?

After you finish the episode, share with us your aha moment!

Oh, and don’t forget!
If you know someone looking for replacement windows in the Raleigh, North Carolina area—check out the Window Xperts (Dave’s company). 😉

Connect w/ B: YouTube, Website, LinkedIn, Instagram

Text me your questions or comments!

Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

Support the show

Book a Shopify Store Strategy Call With Crystal!

Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Start your Shopify Store!
Get SurferSEO!

Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!)

Grid and Pixel

Note:
If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money. 
But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!

Want to grow your visibility through strategic websites and SEO strategy? 

You'll love today's episode with guest Stephanie O'Keefe!

Key Takeaways:

Stephanie emphasized that understanding SEO requires an understanding of your target audience and their journey.

• It's challenging to explain SEO, especially to those unfamiliar with technology.
• Working in SEO changes one's perspective towards online shopping.

SEO is essential for online visibility and involves understanding who you help and how you help them.

• The way you explain SEO can shift depending on who you're talking to and where they are in their brand journey.
• Brand messaging and content creation is a key part of  anSEO strategy.

Determine clear goals for each page on a website.

• Start with a simplified design and then evolving by adding  pages as needed.
• Facilitate a smooth customer journey through user experience in web design.
• Have up-to-date and relevant content on your website.

Heat map trackers can help you audit user behavior on your website.

• Hotjar helps you review interactions on your website.
• Visual cues play a vital role to create trust and impart personality to the brand. 

Top tips for a great website:

• Show your face!
• Include your face on your website to build trus

Text me your questions or comments!

Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at aise

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

Support the show

Book a Shopify Store Strategy Call With Crystal!

Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Start your Shopify Store!
Get SurferSEO!

Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!)

Grid and Pixel

Note:
If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money. 
But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!

Angie chatted with us on this episode of The Simple & Smart SEO Show.

It was such a fun conversation where she really embraced the role of the interviewer who knows nada about SEO.

But in this Shorts episode, she’s going to dive deep into her C3PO philosophy for business.

What is represented for:

• People
• Process
• Profit 

Angie explains that if one of these P’s of business “goes wonky” it impacts the other areas of your business.

Have a listen & then find us & tell us which “P” you feel like could use a lil help in your biz.

Connect with Angie:
Podcast (Brittany has been a guest twice!)
Book
Facebook
Instagram
LinkedIn

Other episodes to check out:
Hiring Help w/ Erika Macauley
Podcast Production w/ Leah Bryant

Connect w/ B: YouTube, Website, LinkedIn, Instagram

Text me your questions or comments!

Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

Support the show

Book a Shopify Store Strategy Call With Crystal!

Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Start your Shopify Store!
Get SurferSEO!

Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!)

Grid and Pixel

Note:
If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money. 
But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!

In this episode of The Simple and Smart SEO Show, Crystal sits down with Ana de la Cruz, SEO Lead at Chartis, to explore her journey from Univision Radio to leading SEO strategy at a global media agency. 

Ana shares how curiosity, reinvention, and kindness shaped her path — and introduces us to the emerging concept of “Vibe Coding,” where AI and human creativity meet.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• How Ana transitioned from traditional media to SEO strategy
• Why kindness and collaboration are underrated superpowers in the agency world
• What “vibe coding” really means — and how SEOs can use it to automate and innovate
• Why AI expands opportunity instead of replacing humans

⏱️ Timestamps:

0:00 – Welcome & Guest Intro
 0:31 – Ana’s journey from media to marketing
 2:00 – Landing at Publicis and Omnicom
 4:00 – What Chartis does (and why she loves it)
 5:20 – How AI opens new opportunities for SEOs
 8:35 – What is “vibe coding”?
 12:19 – Ana’s first experiments with ChatGPT and code
 18:45 – Curiosity, courage, and building new skills

📚 Resources & Mentions:

• 🎧 Podcast Hub: https://simpleandsmartseo.com/best-seo-podcast
  
  
• 💼 Connect with Ana: LinkedIn – Ana de la Cruz
  
  

🙌🏽 Listener Action Steps:

1. Reflect on one skill you could “vibe code” or automate this month.
2. Follow Ana on LinkedIn to keep learning about AI + SEO.
3. Subscribe to the show for weekly SEO clarity and creative inspiration!

👩🏽‍💻 About Me:
Hi, I’m Crystal Waddell — SEO educator, Shopify seller, and visibility strategist for creative entrepreneurs. I help you grow sustainably, show up confidently, and build a business that works for you.

📲 Connect With Me:

• Instagram →

Text me your questions or comments!

Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

Support the show

Book a Shopify Store Strategy Call With Crystal!

Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Start your Shopify Store!
Get SurferSEO!

Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!)

Grid and Pixel

Note:
If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money. 
But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!

Today Rachael Spiewak discusses her approach to three-day challenges, emphasizing  the importance of search engine optimization (SEO) for digital community building. 

1. Rachael stressed the necessity of learning digital skills as an entrepreneur.

•  SEO is an integral part of any online strategy, whether done consciously or not.
• Businesses must differentiate themselves.
• You can utilize a variety of platforms to conduct customer research.
• Video is the most powerful type of content on the internet.

2. Rachael suggested digital marketing formats to  showcase personality and perform research.

• Use of an “Ask Me Anything” format to deal with customer queries. 
• Three-day challenges can grow your list and gather data on her target market.
• Leveraging customer language and social proof in SEO.

Want to connect with Rachael?

Website
LinkedIn
Facebook

Other episodes we mentioned:

Workflow Tips w/ Dahlia

Text me your questions or comments!

Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at aise

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

Support the show

Book a Shopify Store Strategy Call With Crystal!

Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Start your Shopify Store!
Get SurferSEO!

Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!)

Grid and Pixel

Note:
If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money. 
But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!

Latesha Lynch joined us a while ago on the “regular” segment of The Simple & Smart SEO Show.

She gave SO much in that episode! 

And yet… we had one more question for her.

That question…

“How can collaborations help grow your business?”

Turns out—collaborations were very much a catalyst for Latesha’s own business growth.

She shares her own story & lists several ideas you could jump on today!

• Podcast interviews
• Facebook guest chats
• Instagram lives

Grab your pen & pencil!

Let us know which collaboration you’re most excited for!

You might also like to listen to:
Discover your Magic Message w/ Marisa Corcoran
Jordan Gill’s SEO Audit
Where SEO & Video Strategy Intersect w/ Alex Minor
Audio SEO w/ Kim Tradewell

Connect w/ Latesha Lynch:
Instagram
TikTok
YouTube
Podcast
Lea

Text me your questions or comments!

Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

Support the show

Book a Shopify Store Strategy Call With Crystal!

Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Start your Shopify Store!
Get SurferSEO!

Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!)

Grid and Pixel

Note:
If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money. 
But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!

On this episode of the Simple and Smart SEO Show Podcast, we welcome our special guest, Kerrie Fitzgerald.

Kerrie is a Shopify expert and has an extensive background in e-commerce and organic marketing. She shares her insights on the importance of branding and storytelling in business, drawing from her past interactions and collaborations.

We delve into the specifics of working with e-commerce product-based businesses, discussing how to influence hosts to join Shopify and how to humanize businesses through compelling brand stories.

Kerrie also gives us an overview of customer retention strategies, including the development of courses and membership programs. We get a sneak peek into her upcoming book on 'Customer Obsession', which promises to be an enlightening read for anyone looking to build brand loyalty and create engaged 'super fans'.

Tune in to this episode to learn more about mastering the art of e-commerce and organic marketing. Whether you're a seasoned business owner or just starting out, there's sure to be something for you in this conversation!

Connect with Kerrie:
Get her book, Client Obsession
Make Money From Your Email List TODAY
Website
Instagram

Text me your questions or comments!

Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at aise

 Hey, Shopify store owners! (Especially if you're selling on Etsy, too!)

Here's a quick question: Are people actually finding your products on Google?

If SEO feels confusing, overwhelming, or like something you'll "get to later", this is for you.

I'm hosting a free, seven day Shopify SEO challenge that breaks it down into simple, doable steps.

No tech headaches, no fluff. Join us at

Support the show

Book a Shopify Store Strategy Call With Crystal!

Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Start your Shopify Store!
Get SurferSEO!

Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!)

Grid and Pixel

Note:
If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money. 
But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!