In this episode of the Liquid Weekly Podcast, hosts Karl Meisterheim and Taylor Page welcome Prakhar, co-founder of FoxSell, to discuss his journey into software development, the intricacies of Shopify's cart transformations, and the challenges of running a Shopify app.

They explore the benefits and use cases of cart transformations, the importance of understanding customer segments, and the complexities of app pricing and acquisition strategies. The conversation also touches on the non-technical aspects of app development and concludes with personal picks of the week.

*Takeaways*

- Prakhar's journey into software development began with a conventional path in engineering.

- Cart transformations allow for bundling products in a more user-friendly way.

- Understanding customer segments is crucial for app development and marketing.

- The App Store can be a tricky space for new apps due to competition and review dynamics.

- Leveraging Shopify's infrastructure can enhance reliability and performance for app developers.

- The importance of customer support in obtaining positive app reviews cannot be overstated.

- App pricing strategies should be carefully considered to ensure market competitiveness.

- The future of cart transformations looks promising with ongoing developments in Shopify functions.

- Non-technical challenges in app development are just as important as technical ones.

- Building for Shopify can provide significant advantages in the e-commerce space.

*Timestamps*

00:00 The Journey into App Development

06:15 Exploring Cart Transformations

14:26 Understanding Cart Transformation Mechanics

18:00 The Evolution of Bundling Technology

23:48 Innovative Use Cases for Cart Transform API

27:30 Challenges and Opportunities in Cart Transform

34:42 Navigating the App Development Landscape

50:14 Building Trust and Reliability in E-commerce

01:00:53 Enhancements in UI Extensions and Attributes API

01:02:29 Tech Picks of the Week: Hardware and Software

01:05:07 The Evolution of Apple's Touch Bar

01:06:56 Microphone Recommendations for Quality Sound

01:08:14 Building with Polaris: A Game Changer for Shopify Apps

01:10:16 The Importance of Pricing in App Development

01:12:25 Reflections on Development and Innovation

01:12:59 LW Podcast Outro.mp4

*Changelog*

- Shopify.dev MCP Server - https://shopify.dev/changelog/mcp-server-for-the-shopify-dev-assistant

- New webhook to track updates to checkout and accounts configuration - https://shopify.dev/changelog/new-webhook-to-track-updates-to-checkout-and-accounts-configuration

- Liquid support for OKLCH colors - https://shopify.dev/changelog/liquid-support-for-oklch-colors

- Developer Preview: Localhost-based development for shopify app dev - https://shopify.dev/changelog/developer-preview-localhost-based-development-for-shopify-app-dev

- Checkout UI extensions: Attributes API now supports removing cart and checkout attributes - https://shopify.dev/changelog/checkout-ui-extensions-attributes-api-now-supports-removing-cart-and-checkout-attributes

*Resources*

- FoxSell https://www.foxsell.app/

- Eytan Tweet about BFS changes based on feedback https://x.com/eytanseidman/status/1903110665360794091

- Mat De Sousa poll on Twitter https://x.com/DsMatie/status/1906318592712261895

*Find Prakhar Online*

- LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/prakhars96/

- X https://x.com/PrakharS96

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