04. Today and Tomorrow in E-commerce Marketing with Ben Zettler from Ben Zettler Digital Media

04. Today and Tomorrow in E-commerce Marketing with Ben Zettler from Ben Zettler Digital Media

Author: Amber Engine June 13, 2021 Duration: 44:34

In this episode of E-Commerce with Coffee?! we interview Ben Zettler of Ben Zettler Digital Media. Listen to the episode to hear about his start in managing the online presence of professional athletes, and how he then moved to digital consultation and e-commerce for brands on Shopify.

The expertise Ben acquired from all this hyper-niche experience informed everything he’s done since then—and that’s been a lot.

Since starting his own e-commerce consultation firm, Ben has worked with hundreds of brands selling on Shopify. He’s worked with established companies who are just migrating from another e-com platform to Shopify, and he’s also helped build brands from the ground up.

Some of the topics Ben touches on in this episode include marketing channels, dropshipping, and the KPIs a brand on Shopify really needs to know.

Ben has some interesting advice on market saturation, too. This, mind you, is coming from a guy who successfully started and sold his first online sunglasses brand in just a few short years.

This episode of E-Commerce with Coffee?! covers a lot of ground for the brands interested in ramping up their online strategy with Shopify. Hear what Ben has to say!

What to listen for:

  • Ben's preferred hot beverage is tea, not coffee—that still has caffeine, right?
  • Ben also talks about the evolution of Shopify from when he opened his store (number 41,000 on the platform, compared with the 2 million storefronts there now)
  • Social selling is something Ben talks a lot about, namely the shift from idle scrolling to “discovery shopping”
  • Ben then explains the marketing channels you “own” and how they're more relevant today than ever
  • According to Ben, the name of the game in marketing these days is to get users interested enough in what you're saying that they'll opt-in
  • 99% of the brands Ben works are on or moving over to Shopify, which gives him extraordinary insights into best practices on the platform
  • Ben also talks about “overthinking” the saturation of your market—because it doesn't necessarily happen that way (and Ben explains why)
  • There was a recent craze for dropshipping businesses, but Ben has seen why this doesn't work—listen to how he talks about getting behind unique products instead
  • Unless you're getting 20% or more of your sales from email and text marketing, Ben talks about the opportunity that your brand is missing

A love letter from our sponsor:

If you're a brand listening and you can relate, don't stop here! Visit the Amber Engine blog for more tips, strategies, and insights to sell more online. We love e-commerce, and our product information software (PIM) and data enrichment strategies simplify and speed up your rollout to Amazon and other marketplaces. Our clients launch in weeks instead of months, eliminate the guesswork, and enable interdepartmental collaboration to drive a winning presence online.

Stay awesome,

Amber Engine


There's a certain kind of clarity that comes with the first sip of a morning coffee, and that's precisely the feeling E-Commerce with Coffee?! aims to capture. Hosted by Amber Engine, this isn't your typical dry business lecture. Instead, it pairs the complex, fast-moving world of online retail with the relatable ritual of a coffee break. Each episode feels like a candid conversation with an expert who gets both the big-picture strategy and the daily grind of running a brand in the digital marketplace. You'll hear practical insights and nuanced discussions that cut through the noise, offering actionable advice for brands looking to refine their approach, from product data management to customer experience and beyond. The tone is direct yet conversational, designed to feel like you're learning from a colleague rather than being talked at by a guru. It’s a podcast built for founders, marketers, and operators who want to level up their e-commerce knowledge without the jargon overload, all within the span of time it takes to enjoy a fresh cup. Tune in for a blend of deep dives and tactical tips that are as essential as your daily brew.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 56

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