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In this episode of The Simple and Smart SEO Show, host Crystal Waddell welcomes Heather Physioc, Chief Discoverability Officer at VML, for a deep dive into the evolving world of search and digital strategy.
Heather shares her insights on why Google isn't the only search engine that matters, how AI is reshaping the search journey, and why content needs to serve users at every stage—from discovery to post-purchase.
From structured data to customer retention via social media, this episode is packed with practical takeaways for marketers, SEOs, and business owners.
Key Takeaways:
Episode Highlights:
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
Support the show
Is your Shopify store quietly losing sales? Run the free, 5-minute self-check →
Book a Strategy Call With Crystal!
Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!
AFFILIATE LINKS:
SEO TOOLS :
Keywords Everywhere: My favorite keyword research tool!
Get SurferSEO! The ultimate content creation tool!
E-COMMERCE TOOLS:
Start your Shopify Store! (use my link)
Klaviyo: The leader in Ecommerce Email
Grid and Pixel: Get John and his team's help in setting up your flows and campaigns!
SOCIAL MEDIA TOOLS:
Metricool (Awesome and easy to use social media scheduler!)
Note:
If you mak...
Ross Simmonds breaks down how AI overviews and LLMs are changing search—and what small businesses can do to keep winning.
We dig into why brand and owned channels matter more than ever, how to diversify beyond Google, which third-party domains LLMs love to cite, and a simple focus formula for content distribution.
Key TakeawaysText 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
Is your Shopify store quietly losing sales? Run the free, 5-minute self-check →
Book a Strategy Call With Crystal!
Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!
AFFILIATE LINKS:
SEO TOOLS :
Keywords Everywhere: My favorite keyword research tool!
Get SurferSEO! The ultimate content creation tool!
E-COMMERCE TOOLS:
Start your Shopify Store! (use my link)
Klaviyo: The leader in Ecommerce Email
Grid and Pixel: Get John and his team's help in setting up your flows and campaigns!
SOCIAL MEDIA TOOLS:
Metricool (Awesome and easy to use social media scheduler!)
Note:
If you mak...
In this episode of the Simple and Smart SEO Show, host Crystal Waddell sits down with Ross Simmonds — founder of Foundation Marketing and distribution.ai, keynote speaker at Brighton SEO, and passionate content strategist.
Ross shares how he started out online running a fantasy football blog and now advises global brands.
His message: most creators need to stop obsessing over new content and start amplifying what they’ve already made.
Learn his “garden analogy” for content promotion, the Four Es framework for creating engaging posts, and how to balance content marketing with SEO.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, marketer, SEO or creator, this episode will shift your mindset from constant creation to strategic distribution.
Key Takeaways:
Episode Highlights:
Listener Action Items:
Connect With Ross:
Buy His Book: Create Once. Distribute Forever.
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
Is your Shopify store quietly losing sales? Run the free, 5-minute self-check →
Book a Strategy Call With Crystal!
Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!
AFFILIATE LINKS:
SEO TOOLS :
Keywords Everywhere: My favorite keyword research tool!
Get SurferSEO! The ultimate content creation tool!
E-COMMERCE TOOLS:
Start your Shopify Store! (use my link)
Klaviyo: The leader in Ecommerce Email
Grid and Pixel: Get John and his team's help in setting up your flows and campaigns!
SOCIAL MEDIA TOOLS:
Metricool (Awesome and easy to use social media scheduler!)
Note:
If you mak...
In this final installment of the Shopify Series: From Strategy to Action, Crystal Waddell takes you inside one of her favorite tools—Surfer SEO—and shows you exactly how to use it to optimize your Shopify store pages for maximum visibility.
From product descriptions to collection pages, homepage copy, and blog posts, you’ll learn step-by-step strategies to integrate Surfer SEO into your workflow.
Crystal also shares pro tips, keyword research insights, and how to make your content Google-loved without guessing what works.
Key Takeaways:
Episode Highlights:
Listener Action Items:
This episode includes my affiliate link for Surfer, so if you sign up using it, I may get a small commission. Thanks for checking it out!
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
Is your Shopify store quietly losing sales? Run the free, 5-minute self-check →
Book a Strategy Call With Crystal!
Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!
AFFILIATE LINKS:
SEO TOOLS :
Keywords Everywhere: My favorite keyword research tool!
Get SurferSEO! The ultimate content creation tool!
E-COMMERCE TOOLS:
Start your Shopify Store! (use my link)
Klaviyo: The leader in Ecommerce Email
Grid and Pixel: Get John and his team's help in setting up your flows and campaigns!
SOCIAL MEDIA TOOLS:
Metricool (Awesome and easy to use social media scheduler!)
Note:
If you mak...
(Shopify From Strategy to Action Series, Episode 4!)
In this episode, we're getting real about Shopify page templates — and why they might be quietly holding your SEO back. 😬
From homepage headers to collection and product page tweaks, Crystal shares how to update your templates to help your content rank and convert.
👀 If you’ve ever wondered:
“Do I really need to mess with my templates?”
The short answer is: YES — but it’s simpler than you think.
✨ What You’ll Learn:
🧰 Resources & Mentions:
🎯 Your Action Step:
Update one section of your homepage using a keyword-rich H1 or intro paragraph, and tag @simpleandsmartseo so Crystal can cheer you on! 🧡
📌 Connect with Crystal:
Would you like a version adapted for blog or email as well?
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
Is your Shopify store quietly losing sales? Run the free, 5-minute self-check →
Book a Strategy Call With Crystal!
Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!
AFFILIATE LINKS:
SEO TOOLS :
Keywords Everywhere: My favorite keyword research tool!
Get SurferSEO! The ultimate content creation tool!
E-COMMERCE TOOLS:
Start your Shopify Store! (use my link)
Klaviyo: The leader in Ecommerce Email
Grid and Pixel: Get John and his team's help in setting up your flows and campaigns!
SOCIAL MEDIA TOOLS:
Metricool (Awesome and easy to use social media scheduler!)
Note:
If you mak...
Want more organic traffic and faster conversions on your Shopify store?
In this episode of the Simple and Smart SEO Show, Crystal Waddell breaks down the visual side of SEO with a focus on image optimization.
From renaming image files and writing strategic alt text to compressing files and picking the best formats, Crystal walks you through four essential steps to get your images SEO-ready.
You’ll also learn how to use ChatGPT to quickly generate descriptive alt text and how to leverage Pinterest to amplify your visual content strategy.
✅ What You’ll Learn:
🎯 Action Steps:
🛠️ Helpful Links:
📌 Next Episode Tease:
Coming up in Episode 4: Templates that elevate your Shopify SEO—homepage, product pages, and collection pages.
📲 Let’s Connect:
Update one image today and tag @simpleandsmartseo2.
You’ve got this!
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
Is your Shopify store quietly losing sales? Run the free, 5-minute self-check →
Book a Strategy Call With Crystal!
Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!
AFFILIATE LINKS:
SEO TOOLS :
Keywords Everywhere: My favorite keyword research tool!
Get SurferSEO! The ultimate content creation tool!
E-COMMERCE TOOLS:
Start your Shopify Store! (use my link)
Klaviyo: The leader in Ecommerce Email
Grid and Pixel: Get John and his team's help in setting up your flows and campaigns!
SOCIAL MEDIA TOOLS:
Metricool (Awesome and easy to use social media scheduler!)
Note:
If you mak...
In this episode, Crystal breaks down the must-have SEO tech stack for Shopify sellers who want to show up in search results, build authority, and grow sustainably without feeling overwhelmed.
You’ll learn about the core apps that make SEO easier, free tools to track and audit your progress, and optional power tools if you’re ready to take things to the next level.
Whether you’re just getting started with Shopify or looking to improve your existing SEO strategy, this episode will help you focus on the right tools so you can stop guessing and start growing.
Key Takeaways
Resources & Mentions
Action Steps for Listeners
Connect with Crystal
Next Episode:
Don’t miss the next episode, where we’ll talk about optimizing your images so they bring in traffic — not just likes!
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
Is your Shopify store quietly losing sales? Run the free, 5-minute self-check →
Book a Strategy Call With Crystal!
Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!
AFFILIATE LINKS:
SEO TOOLS :
Keywords Everywhere: My favorite keyword research tool!
Get SurferSEO! The ultimate content creation tool!
E-COMMERCE TOOLS:
Start your Shopify Store! (use my link)
Klaviyo: The leader in Ecommerce Email
Grid and Pixel: Get John and his team's help in setting up your flows and campaigns!
SOCIAL MEDIA TOOLS:
Metricool (Awesome and easy to use social media scheduler!)
Note:
If you mak...
In this kickoff episode of my Shopify SEO from Strategy to Action summer series, we start with the most important piece: your mindset.
If you've ever thought:
This episode is for you!
🎯 What you'll learn:
💡 Key takeaway:
SEO is like your most loyal employee — working for you even when you're on vacation.
👉 Grab the $7 SEO Mindset for Shop Owners Guide:
https://simpleandsmartseo.com/mindset
🎧 Listen on your favorite app:
🙌 Ready to take action?
1️⃣ Download the mindset guide.
2️⃣ Take the quiz and shift your beliefs.
3️⃣ DM me your biggest SEO mindset block on Instagram → @simpleandsmartseo2.
💬 About Crystal:
I'm an SEO educator, Shopify seller, and visibility strategist helping creative entrepreneurs grow sustainably and show up confidently — without resenting the work!
Learn about my 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
Is your Shopify store quietly losing sales? Run the free, 5-minute self-check →
Book a Strategy Call With Crystal!
Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!
AFFILIATE LINKS:
SEO TOOLS :
Keywords Everywhere: My favorite keyword research tool!
Get SurferSEO! The ultimate content creation tool!
E-COMMERCE TOOLS:
Start your Shopify Store! (use my link)
Klaviyo: The leader in Ecommerce Email
Grid and Pixel: Get John and his team's help in setting up your flows and campaigns!
SOCIAL MEDIA TOOLS:
Metricool (Awesome and easy to use social media scheduler!)
Note:
If you mak...
Join PPC Pro Austin Becker and me in this episode of The Simple and Smart SEO Show.
We’re diving into strategic blogging, PPC attribution, and the underrated power of Pinterest — a must-listen for creative entrepreneurs, Shopify sellers, and busy business owners who want to grow without burnout.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
0:00 – Intro
0:02 – How to use Google to find blog ideas that convert
1:10 – Linking blog posts back to products and monetizing content
2:00 – Pinterest: A goldmine for visual and evergreen traffic
3:20 – Are Pinterest ads worth it? Austin shares results
4:45 – Organic vs paid Pinterest: What drives more ROI
6:00 – Planning and buyer intent on Pinterest
7:00 – How to measure PPC success (or not)
8:00 – Realistic evaluation windows for ad performance
9:00 – Common PPC/SEO mistakes to avoid
10:15 – Who’s a good fit for Becker Marketing’s services
11:30 – Final thoughts
📚 Resources & Mentions:
🙌🏽 Listener Action Steps:
👩🏽💻 About Me:
Hi, I’m Crystal Waddell — SEO educator, Shopify seller, and visibility strategist for creative entrepreneurs. On this channel and podcast, I share practical, empowering tools to help you grow sustainably, show up confidently, and build a business that works for you.
👉🏽 Let's Work 1-1!
📲 Connect With Me:
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
Is your Shopify store quietly losing sales? Run the free, 5-minute self-check →
Book a Strategy Call With Crystal!
Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!
AFFILIATE LINKS:
SEO TOOLS :
Keywords Everywhere: My favorite keyword research tool!
Get SurferSEO! The ultimate content creation tool!
E-COMMERCE TOOLS:
Start your Shopify Store! (use my link)
Klaviyo: The leader in Ecommerce Email
Grid and Pixel: Get John and his team's help in setting up your flows and campaigns!
SOCIAL MEDIA TOOLS:
Metricool (Awesome and easy to use social media scheduler!)
Note:
If you mak...
In this episode of The Simple and Smart SEO Show, we’re diving into real-world e-commerce strategies to compete with platforms like Amazon, Walmart, and Etsy — without relying solely on Google.
If you’re a Shopify seller or creative entrepreneur, this episode is a must-listen for understanding ad budgets, search impression share, and seasonal sales cycles that actually scale your business sustainably.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
⏱️ Timestamps:
0:00 – Intro: The Google traffic trap
1:16 – Competing with Amazon (without losing your mind or margins)
3:20 – What is Search Impression Share & where to find it
4:33 – Profit-first ad budgeting: ACOS vs ROAS explained
10:31 – The truth about your prices (and why doubling them may save your business)
13:06 – 2025+ trends: Multi-channel selling & YouTube SEO tips
17:37 – Video SEO strategy for higher CTR
18:31 – Collection page tips from Bonobos
📚 Resources & Mentions:
🙌 Listener Action Steps:
👩🏽💻 About Me:
Hi, I’m Crystal Waddell — SEO educator, Shopify seller, and visibility strategist for creative entrepreneurs. On this channel and podcast, I share practical, empowering tools to help you grow sustainably, show up confidently, and build a business that works for you.
Learn more at https://simpleandsmartseo.com
📲 Connect With Me, Crystal 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
Support the show
Is your Shopify store quietly losing sales? Run the free, 5-minute self-check →
Book a Strategy Call With Crystal!
Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!
AFFILIATE LINKS:
SEO TOOLS :
Keywords Everywhere: My favorite keyword research tool!
Get SurferSEO! The ultimate content creation tool!
E-COMMERCE TOOLS:
Start your Shopify Store! (use my link)
Klaviyo: The leader in Ecommerce Email
Grid and Pixel: Get John and his team's help in setting up your flows and campaigns!
SOCIAL MEDIA TOOLS:
Metricool (Awesome and easy to use social media scheduler!)
Note:
If you mak...
From the publisher's feed
Ready to turn your Etsy shop into a powerhouse brand on Shopify?
The Simple and Smart SEO Show is the go-to podcast for Etsy sellers ready to bridge the gap between a…
I don't believe in one-size-fits-all roadmaps.
Instead, I provide the high-level SEO insights and strategic shifts you need to interpret for your unique business.
Join me to learn how to master the Shopify ecosystem, own your traffic, and build a brand that thrives on your own terms through smart, data-driven insights.
Whether you’re just opening your Shopify store or looking to optimize an existing one, join us each week to simplify your marketing and grow your business on your own terms.

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