Shopify Teams Up with Google: Making Online Shopping Even Easier!

I’ve got some exciting news for you, my friend! Shopify, the popular online shopping platform, has joined forces with Google to bring you a fantastic new feature. Get ready to make your shopping experience smoother than ever before!

You know that feeling when you’re trying to find something on the internet, but you have to type in the whole word or phrase before Google knows what you’re looking for? It can be a little annoying, right? Well, worry no more! With the new Google Autocomplete feature on Shopify, searching for products is about to become a breeze.

Here’s how it works: When you start typing something into the search bar on a Shopify store, Google Autocomplete kicks in. It cleverly predicts what you’re looking for based on what you’ve typed so far. It’s like having a mind-reading assistant helping you find exactly what you need! No more wasted time typing out long words or phrases.

But that’s not all. Shopify and Google have more in store for us. They’ve also introduced something called eCommerce Sales Zones. Now, you might be wondering, What on earth are eCommerce Sales Zones? Well, let me break it down for you.

eCommerce Sales Zones are like little geographic regions where online stores target their sales efforts. It’s all about making sure customers like you can find the products you want, when you want them, and have them delivered right to your doorstep. It’s all about convenience, my friend.

So, imagine this: you’re shopping on a Shopify store, and you find the perfect pair of shoes. You click on them, and lo and behold, they can be delivered to your address the very next day! No more waiting for days or weeks for your online purchases. eCommerce Sales Zones make it possible for stores to offer fast, reliable shipping options that match your location.

With Shopify and Google joining forces, the world of online shopping is about to get a whole lot better. Picture this: shopping for your favorite products with ease, finding what you need in a jiffy, and having it delivered to your doorstep in no time. It’s like a dream come true, right?

So, my friend, get ready for a new era of online shopping. Shopify and Google are here to make your shopping experience smoother, more convenient, and downright delightful. Happy shopping!

If you’re running an online store, your main goal should be to make it super easy for people to buy things. And lucky for you, Shopify has a cool new feature that can help with that. They’ve added a thing called autocompleting forms, which basically means that when you’re checking out, the website will suggest things for you, saving you time and hassle.

But that’s not all! Some online shops are going the extra mile and meeting their customers in person. It’s a way to make the whole buying experience even easier and more personal. And now there’s a new idea called safe zones that can help make these meetups safe and secure for everyone involved.

I’ll tell you more about these stories and other interesting stuff in this week’s roundup of news and info for small businesses. You don’t want to miss it!

What’s Happening in Retail

Shopify Makes Checkouts Faster with Google Autocomplete

I want to talk about a big problem that online merchants like me face – abandoned shopping carts. It’s frustrating when customers fill out forms during checkout and then leave without completing their purchase. But I have some good news! Shopify, the platform I use for my online business, is solving this problem by introducing Google Autocomplete.

Safe Zones for Ecommerce in the U.S.

If you’re running a small ecommerce business like mine and catering to local customers through platforms like Facebook or Craigslist, you must have worried about your safety when meeting up with buyers. There have been reports of crimes connected to these meet-up transactions, which can make us hesitant about conducting business this way.

The Economy

Record-Breaking Small Business Transactions Expected in 2017, According to BizBuySell Report

Small Business Optimism Takes a Hit, But There’s Light Ahead, Says NFIB

I wanted to share an interesting report with you. It seems that the excitement and confidence that were buzzing among small businesses earlier this year have taken a bit of a pause. Don’t worry though, because according to the September NFIB Index of Small Business Optimism report, this dip in sentiment is mainly due to a significant decrease in expected sales.

Frisco, Texas: The Hottest Spot for Business Growth in the U.S.

Are you thinking about starting a small business in a different city? Or maybe you have your sights set on expanding your current business to a brand new and rapidly growing city. Well, let me tell you about Frisco in Texas, my friend. It is the place to be! In fact, according to an in-depth study on the Fastest-Growing Cities in America for 2017, Frisco takes the crown when it comes to local economic growth in the U.S. Wow!

Local Marketing

What’s the Deal with the Amazon Local Associates Program and How Can It Benefit Your Small Business?

So, guess what? Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) has gone and done it again! They’ve come up with this awesome thing called Local Associates that allows small local businesses and individuals to make some extra cash by recommending cool stuff on Amazon.

But that’s not all!

I’ve got some exciting news for all you small business owners out there. Now you can advertise your business on Spotify! How cool is that? Spotify Ad Studio is the name of the game, and it’s the first self-serve audio platform in the industry. It’s like having your own powerful tool to connect with potential customers. And get this – it just launched in beta mode in the US. Woohoo!

Now, let’s talk marketing!

Guess who’s got some big news?

Boost Your Conversions by 300 Percent with One Thing on Your About Page

Did you know that having a call-to-action on your about us page is super important? It can make a big difference in getting more leads. I just learned this from Siege Media, a digital marketing company. They shared some cool data that shows adding a call-to-action at the bottom of your about us page can increase your conversions by a whopping 300 percent!

Get to Know The Lost Cajun: A Unique Food Experience in Colorado

Discover The Lost Cajun: Bringing Authentic Louisiana Cuisine to the Mountains

Picture this: Cajun restaurants are a big deal in Louisiana, but they’re a rare find in the mountains of Colorado. Imagine how excited I was when I learned about The Lost Cajun! The founders of this amazing place moved all the way from Louisiana to bring their favorite dishes to a whole new market. Their story and successful growth are truly fascinating. If you want to dig deeper into this inspiring business, check out this week’s Small Business Spotlight.

Running a Small Business

There Might Be 56 Million Business Meetings Happening in the US Today (INFOGRAPHIC)

If you have a job, chances are you’re involved in one of the 56 million meetings happening today. And guess what? According to Cincinnati Bell Inc. (CBTS), 76 percent of us think those meetings are unnecessary. That’s exactly what CBTS’s cool infographic called How to Master Meetings is all about.

FedEx Office Now Offers Same-Day Delivery in 1,800 American Cities

Great news! FedEx Office (NYSE:FDX) has expanded its awesome same-day delivery service, FedEx SameDay City, to cover 1,800 cities all across the U.S. That means from Seattle to Miami and from San Diego to Boston, more than 34 million people in over 30 markets can now enjoy this speedy service.

Using Social Media

Guess what? Snapchat has some exciting news for you! They’ve introduced Context Cards, which are like treasure chests of information. Now, when you’re watching a Snap, you can discover all sorts of cool things like contact details, even get an Uber ride or book a table through Resy. It’s like having a personal genie right in your pocket!

What’s Shakin’ in the Tech World?

Skype Gets a Chat Buddy: Cortana

Picture this: you’re having a chat on Skype, and suddenly, you need to know more about your competitor’s fancy product or when that awesome restaurant closes. Well, guess what? Skype has got your back! They’ve teamed up with Microsoft’s virtual assistant, Cortana. So now, you don’t have to pause your conversation to find the answers you need. Cortana’s got it covered!

WiFi Wonders: Small Businesses and the Technology Time Machine

I gotta tell you, small businesses these days are stuck in the past when it comes to WiFi. Can you believe that? According to a survey sponsored by Linksys, half of the small businesses they asked are using WiFi technology from over eight years ago. That’s ancient! But here’s the problem – that outdated WiFi just can’t keep up with the demands of today’s mobile world. And let me tell you, that’s not the only issue these business owners are facing. They’re also worried about the slow speed and lack of security.

Get this – there are some seriously risky practices happening in small businesses that could lead to a major data breach. It’s like they’re committing sins against their own security! Can you believe that? The annual BeyondTrust research report in 2017 uncovered some crazy stuff, like people still using weak passwords like 12345. It’s mind-boggling, considering the security threats we face in today’s digital world.

Can you believe AIM, the old messaging service we all used to use, shut down after 20 years? It’s crazy to think about how it never really made a dent in the business market. I guess other messaging platforms took over and left AIM in the dust. Times are changing, my friend.