Email marketing is dead. In this episode, Richard sits down with Emilia Święcicka, Strategic Partnership Manager at Intuit Mailchimp, for an engaging and insightful chat about how email marketing is evolving in the world of eCommerce & how it is simply not dead.

Emilia walks us through her journey, from starting out on the agency side to leading strategic partnerships at Mailchimp, where she helps brands and agencies unlock the full potential of email, SMS and CRM strategies.

They explore how Mailchimp has grown from a tool focused on small businesses into a powerful platform supporting mid-market and enterprise eCommerce brands, thanks to Intuit’s investment in automation, AI, advanced reporting and localised support.

They also break down why email is still one of the highest-ROI marketing channels, how to use data to drive smarter campaigns and the exciting ways AI is streamlining workflows and boosting performance.

Emilia shares practical tips on building customer loyalty, the value of strong brand storytelling, and clever ways to grow your list, like pop-ups and quizzes that actually work.

Whether you're running a fast-growing eCommerce store or just starting to refine your marketing strategy, this episode is full of actionable ideas to help you create better customer journeys and drive meaningful growth.

Listen to the full podcast right now!

Topics Covered

00:25 – Origin of partnership: Met at a platform conference years ago, collaborated on events, with Mailchimp evolving from SMB focus to mid-market and eCommerce under Intuit

03:43 – Mailchimp's growth under Intuit: Enhanced features, automation, and global support for businesses of all sizes

07:56 – Retention and LTV: Key for multi-7-figure brands; focus on creative ads and retention flows to boost profitability

13:00 – Pre-purchase research tips: Check About Us pages, reviews and social media for brand credibility

14:46 – Smart tactics: Discover lesser-known strategies using rich, diverse customer data

17:59 – Testing culture: Bigger brands embrace experimentation; even small tweaks (e.g., pop-ups) can drive conversions

22:33 – Mailchimp strengths: Trusted platform with strong deliverability and domain authentication infrastructure

25:55 – Case study – The Biker Company: Boosted ROI using Mailchimp features after switching ESPs

28:44 – SMS + Email: Combining both channels strategically enhances results

30:41 – Intuit vision: QuickBooks + Mailchimp integration to streamline operations and improve business outcomes

In this episode, Richard sits down with Nick Altimore, a seasoned link building strategist and Director at SirLinksalot, to explore one of the most underutilised yet powerful growth levers in eCommerce, link building.

Together, they break down what actually works in today’s SEO landscape, starting with foundational techniques like "pillow links" and moving into advanced tactics such as 301 redirects, digital PR and some unconventional strategies you probably haven’t tried yet.

Nick brings real-world case studies to the table, sharing hard-earned insights on how to scale link building efforts effectively. He offers candid advice on when to outsource, when to keep it in-house, and how to make that call based on your business stage and goals.

They also dive into competitive link analysis, uncovering how to identify and bridge link gaps and how to stay one step ahead of ever-evolving search algorithms.

Whether you’re running a multi-million-pound e-commerce operation or just launching your first store, this conversation is packed with practical takeaways, expert-level guidance, and future-focused tips to help you boost authority, drive qualified traffic and climb the search rankings with confidence.

Topics Covered

00:23 - eCommerce growth, link building insights

05:49 - Link building strategy for eCommerce

07:05 - Foundational link building essentials

11:07 - Longevity SEO strategies

14:18 - Domain flipping with expired sites

17:31 - Domain value in link building

22:03 - Honest business budgeting advice

25:29 - Steady revenue builds business success

27:20 - Expert link building for eCommerce

29:41 - Deep dive analysis in eCommerce

35:49 - Realistic SEO budget planning

36:40 Holistic approach to ranking success

39:52 - Exploring parasite SEO and trends

43:47 - Link building lessons from viral success

49:20 - Consistent content strategy key

51:44 - Reluctant approach to link disavows

53:34 - SEO's resilience and future outlook

57:38 - Book recommendation

This podcast episode is a special one and let us tell you why!

Richard sits down with the powerhouse sisters and Co-Founders of Pretty Lavish, Samantha and Stephanie Frost. From humble beginnings as a spare-bedroom side hustle, Pretty Lavish has blossomed into a global contemporary occasion wear brand, backed by a growing team of nearly 50 and thousands of loyal customers.

Tune in to hear how Samantha’s fashion buying expertise and Stephanie’s finance background combined to turn a £500 test order into an international favourite, all while embracing slow fashion principles in a fast fashion world.

The sisters share candid stories about their organic growth journey, from launching on Shopify, navigating early tech mishaps and living at home to re-invest everything back into the business, to surviving a major setback when their first collection appeared on a rival’s site before they had even received stock.

You’ll also get practical insights into how Pretty Lavish is staying ahead: leveraging year-long design cycles, exploring the rise of rentals and resale in fashion, building community through real-world events and embracing automation and AI to scale smartly. Plus, discover advice for Founders, the power of family resilience and their bold vision for US expansion.

Whether you’re interested in eCommerce strategies, building a sustainable brand or just love a good Founder story, this episode is packed with inspiration and actionable tips you won’t want to miss.

Hit subscribe and join us for this honest and practical journey behind the scenes of one of the UK’s most exciting fashion brands.

Topics Covered

00:32 - How an early exposure to business, low barriers to entry and the opportunity to scale via social media shaped the journey of Pretty Lavish

06:16 - Decided to focus full-time on the business for six months after traveling, resulting in increased momentum and rewards

07:10 - Samantha’s initial efforts led to rewards, highlighting input-output correlation. A transition from a supportive corporate job to full-time involved reduced workdays, easing the change and maintaining financial ties through contracted work, as it took years before we paid ourselves.

11:36 - eCommerce challenges, platform investments and adapting to changes like social selling and the rise of secondhand buying

13:40 - Encouraging versatile fashion use and exploring social selling trends on platforms like TikTok

17:16 - Steph discussed the significance of brand days in fostering team culture and aligning company vision

21:38 - Success came from not following the conventional route in growing the fashion business

25:47 - Businesses always face challenges, requiring a solution-driven mindset. Early issues included learning from contract inadequacies when a manufacturer released designs to another brand

29:11 - The focus is on improving efficiency through automation and AI, with objectives set for 2025 to streamline processes and enhance product placement using advanced commerce tools

32:52 - Leveraging automated content adjustments and operational strategies offers significant advantages, especially for early adopters

35:48 - How they work together and compliment each other with different strengths

37:27 - Focus on community events and building brand immersion, while preparing for international expansion through foundational automation and tech investments

40:29 - Book recommendation

Saving nipples since 1984.

Richard sits down with Stacey Priestley, Senior Growth Marketing and Social Commerce Manager at Lansinoh, a pioneering brand dedicated to supporting moms at every stage of their pregnancy and postpartum journey.

With over 17 years of eCommerce experience, Stacey brings a unique blend of industry expertise and personal passion for helping parents navigate the challenges of motherhood.

In this episode, Stacey shares how Lansinoh built a loyal community through authentic word-of-mouth, the brand’s game-changing approach to TikTok Shop and affiliate marketing and why user-generated content is now at the heart of their strategy.

Plus, Stacey reveals the importance of personalisation in their digital campaigns, the tech stack that powers their eCommerce success and offers plenty of practical insights for brands looking to forge genuine connections with their audience.

If you’re an eCommerce leader eager to stay ahead of the curve, or simply love the stories behind innovative brands, you won’t want to miss this conversation. Be sure to follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode!

Topics Covered

00:23 - Building loyal communities with Stacey

04:49 - Saving nipples since 1984

06:19 - Parenthood: My first priority

14:31 - Digital strategy for young mums

16:56 - Personalised pregnancy guidance

19:23 - TikTok Shop's rising importance

24:14 - Affiliate collaboration strategy

25:54 - Leverage TikTok's affiliate tools

29:05 - Women's Health UGC strategy

33:25 - Unexpected TikTok bundle success

37:09 - From non-reader to avid reader

In this episode of eCom@One with Richard Hill, we tackle one of the most critical and often misunderstood challenges in modern eCommerce, marketing attribution.

Joining us is James Hawkins, Senior Partnership Manager at Triple Whale, who brings a sharp perspective on why attribution has become increasingly complex in the wake of privacy shifts like iOS 14.5 and GDPR.

James breaks down the core issues eCommerce brands face today, exposing the limitations of outdated models like last-click attribution and offering actionable insights into how AI and machine learning are reshaping the attribution landscape.

From identifying common data blind spots to implementing more accurate, holistic tracking strategies, this conversation is packed with high-value takeaways. We also explore how Triple Whale’s advanced attribution tools empower brands to make smarter decisions, maximise Ad spend and accelerate growth.

Whether you’re an agency leader or eCommerce professional, this is a must-listen for anyone serious about mastering attribution in today’s privacy-first world.

Topics Covered

00:23 - Meet James Hawkins and understand his role at Triple Whale

05:10 - Attribution strategy is crucial, especially post-iOS 14, requiring a comprehensive plan to sustain effective business growth

06:29 - eCommerce brands face issues with attribution tracking, such as incorrect calculations and common mistakes impacting accuracy

12:10 - Start confidently with reliable data, continually refine strategies considering seasonality, global events and other factors

14:55 -Triple Whale centralises data for acquisition and attribution via server-side tracking, enhancing data quality and understanding. It features tools like Sonar for pushing event data to ad platforms like Meta, Google, and Klaviyo

18:46 - Triple Whale helps businesses gain a holistic understanding, forecast growth, benchmark against competitors, and strategise effectively for scaling

20:34 - As businesses grow, they diversify marketing efforts across multiple channels, including TikTok, Meta, Search Ads, Email Marketing, SEO, and PR. However, some channels may mislead with attribution metrics

26:16 - Embracing AI is crucial for efficiency and future success in marketing

27:01 - The rapid evolution of platforms and integration of AI in businesses is a major concern keeping business leaders up at night

32:08 - Attribution challenges arise from tracking gaps due to privacy laws, which AI helps bridge

33:59 - Where AI is heading in the next 18 months?

37:28 - Embracing AI enhances content creation, boosting output and quality, giving a competitive edge

41:54 - Book recommendation

Link building is one of the most powerful ways to boost your SEO and get your site noticed.

Think of backlinks like votes of confidence, when reputable sites link to yours, search engines see it as a sign that you’re legit and worth ranking higher. That means more visibility, more traffic, and ultimately, more customers.

But it’s not just about quantity; quality matters big time. A few strong, relevant backlinks can do way more for your rankings than a ton of low-quality ones.

Done right, link building helps you build authority, outshine competitors, and create long-term growth for your brand and Umar shares how!

Umar Faizan

In this episode of eCom@One with Richard Hill, we're diving deep into the fast-moving world of SEO and link building with Umar Farzan, the Director of Growth Winner. Richard and Umar first connected at the SEO Mastery Conference in Saigon, Vietnam, and now they’re breaking down everything eCommerce brands need to know about building a strong link profile.

Umar shares his fascinating journey from graphic design to becoming an SEO powerhouse, highlighting why solid systems and processes are key to success. They tackle the big question: should eCommerce brands build an in-house link-building team or outsource the work? Plus, Umar spills the secrets on link gap analysis, crafting creative content for industries that aren’t exactly glamorous, and how predictive SEO can give brands an edge.

Whether you’re a seasoned eCommerce pro or just starting out, this episode is packed with practical tips and expert insights that could take your SEO game to the next level. Don’t miss it!

Topics Covered

00:23 - What is eCommerce link building

04:41- Pre launch brand building strategy

07:20 - Product page optimisation strategy

11:00 - Efficient link building systems

15:53 - Hybrid strategy for business growth

17:24 - Inefficient SEO stifles revenue growth

21:43 - Keyword & link analysis strategy

23:45 - Adaptive SEO linking strategy

28:01 - Creating link-worthy content tips

32:22 - Ecom store tech innovations

33:10 - Ecommerce digital products strategy

38:22 - Wearable tech and sleep data

41:53 - Traffic recovery post-Google update

42:52 - Linkable assets in medical research

46:01 - Balanced link building strategy

50:31 - Google action on Digital PR links

54:44 - Book recommendation

It's time to dive deep into the captivating world of podcasting with our hosts, Carrianne Dukes and Dan Zahajkiewicz, as they share their expertise and experience from 5 years of producing this exact podcast.

While Richard is away in Thailand, Carrianne and Dan guide us through the intricacies of starting a successful podcast. From the initial steps to overcoming hurdles, they offer invaluable advice for aspiring podcasters. They even share the biggest mistake which stunted their growth, oh and how they secured £25,000 in sponsorship.

Learn how to define your podcast's objective, maintain consistency, and secure engaging guests. Whether you're just starting your podcasting journey or looking to enhance your current show, this episode is brimming with practical insights and strategies for success.

Tune in and discover how to make your podcast stand out in the competitive digital landscape.

Topics Covered

00:00 - Just start recording without overthinking; you'll learn as you go

04:52 - Overcoming initial challenges with publishing a podcast

06:50 - Many people focus too much on equipment when starting a podcast, often using it as an excuse not to begin, while passionate individuals make do with whatever is available.

10:52 - Making sure you have an objective of your podcast to not lose sight on why you are doing it

16:28 - Staying present is easier in podcasts due to conversation feedback, unlike solo video creation. To ease video creation, imagine talking to a trusted friend's picture on the camera

21:00 - Creative work is challenging; mindset is key. Seth Godin, a pioneer in email marketing, advises consistent effort, such as writing daily blogs

23:38 - Ask your audience what content they want; they may prefer inspirational topics over technical details

27:26 - Building relationships and referrals, along with using guest-sourcing websites, help in finding podcast guests

29:28 - Companies need to be media-savvy to promote their brand effectively

34:24 - Focus on one task at a time for better productivity, especially as a content creator seeking inspiration

35:51 - Book recommendation

It’s time to deep dive into the world of data feeds and AI with Jacques Van Der Wilt, the Founder of DataFeedWatch, now part of Cart.com. DataFeedWatch helps eCommerce retailers optimise product feeds effortlessly, boosting visibility, conversions, and sales across multiple channels.

Jacques first joined us back in episode 50, and now he’s back to share how AI is shaking up data feed optimisation. We break down the key differences between AI-driven and traditional methods, exploring how AI can make feed management easier, how it helps with disapprovals, and why it gives online businesses a serious edge.

Plus, we’ll discuss how small to mid-sized retailers can use AI-powered data feeds to compete with the big eCommerce players.

It’s going to be an insightful and practical conversation you won’t want to miss. Hit that subscribe or follow button to stay updated on future episodes!

Topics Covered

00:23 - AI and Data Feeds with Jacques

04:45 - AI-Powered Product Categorisation

09:28 - Enhanced Descriptions Boost Retail Content

11:22 - Facebook Ad Titles: Keep Them Generic

13:51 - DataFeedWatch AI Adoption Rates

18:22 - AI Progress: Rapid and Transformative

21:04 - AI Adoption: Skepticism and Resistance

24:18 - AI-Driven Campaign Optimisation

29:12 - Enhancing Customer Control Tools

33:39 - Challenges in Digital Advertising Attribution

34:49 - AI's Impact on Medium Businesses

38:26 - Optimising Feeds for Increased ROAS

41:25 - "The Factory is the Product"

44:00 - Book recommendation