Today’s episode of the Shopify App Show is as topical as they come.

Search has changed more in the last 12 months than in the previous 20 years combined.

Is the search bar now a chat box? Is it AI, curated, or algorithmic? Does the traditional "Results Page" even exist anymore?

The answers are changing daily. But one thing is clear: a new wave of apps is rewriting the rules of discovery.

My guest today is Sebastian Hooker, an ex-Google & Microsoft engineer who left the land of tech giants to build Nimstrata.

Nimstrata’s proposition is simple: it puts Google’s enterprise-grade search algorithms directly onto your Shopify store, powered by Google Cloud Vertex AI.

I learn something new every time I talk to Sebastian—and I’m sure you will too.

Every week, the Shopify App Show showcases the independent apps that are changing ecommerce.

Takeaways

• The search landscape in e-commerce is rapidly evolving, influenced by AI and changes to user behaviour.
• Nimstrata aims to democratize access to Google's search algorithms for Shopify stores rather than trying to reinvent the wheel.
• On-site search experience is crucial for converting visitors into customers, but not all stores need an enterprise tool to achieve this. A streamlined tech stack with essential apps can create a more powerful customer experience.
• Users are increasingly using conversational queries in search, changing how merchants should optimize their content.
• Data quality is foundational for effective search and merchandising in e-commerce. The future of UCP will require merchants to adapt their data structures and practices.
• Merchants need to be aware of the paradox of choice when presenting products to customers.
• It's essential to balance user needs with the fast-paced changes in technology.
  

Chapters

00:00 From Google to Nimstrata: Meet Sebastian Hooker

07:02 Nimstrata's Role in E-commerce Search

12:00 Personalization in Search: Enhancing User Experience

14:58 The Evolution of Search Queries

19:20 Conversational Commerce: Redefining User Interaction

22:36 The Paradox of Choice in E-commerce

26:14 Data Quality: The Foundation of Effective Search

27:12 The Future of Data Quality in E-commerce

33:32 Navigating Product Roadmaps in a Rapidly Changing Landscape

36:29 Innovations and Challenges in E-commerce Tools

43:06 Optimizing Your E-commerce Tech Stack

There haven't been many Shopify apps break onto the scene in the past few years with as much impact as Order Editing.

They have struck a formula to envy - a simple product with a failsafe value proposition. They're led by a couple of savvy founders who have grown their brand in public with that perfect balance of youth, authenticity and most importantly results.

Kiril is the tech guy behind the product, but he is just as comfortable behind the microphone. Surprisingly this is his first ever podcast but you wouldn't know it.

This is a must listen for anyone building digital products or apps, whether you're working agency side, client side or independently. Kiril is super generous with sharing his story and learnings as he evolved from being a designer to a CTO.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Kiril Climson and Order Editing
• 03:39 Evolution of Order Editing: Features and Growth
• 05:40 Expanding Beyond Order Editing by understanding Customer Needs
• 07:47 Scaling Development: Balancing Speed and Quality
• 10:05 Leveraging AI and Automation in App Development
• 12:34 Integration Challenges and Solutions
• 16:44 Innovating Address Validation for E-commerce
• 20:54 The Importance of Scoping Projects Effectively
• 23:35 Building no-bullshit analytics for apps

30:44 Future of AI in E-commerce and Shopify's Role

Takeaways

• The evolution of Order Editing reflects the growth of Shopify's API capabilities.
• Customer feedback is crucial for feature development and app improvement.
• Scaling a remote team requires trust and effective communication.
• Innovative features like address validation can enhance customer experience if delivered properly.
• Effective project scoping is essential to avoid wasted time and resources.
• Analytics in e-commerce is complex and requires careful planning.
• AI integration should be approached cautiously, considering Shopify's advancements. There's no point building stuff that is going to become outdated almost straight away, or become part of the platform.

Chatting with Josh Bitossi about Shopify POS is like talking to Steve Jobs about Apple. His knowledge as both a Shopify Alumni and indie app developer who has dedicated his expertise to building apps for Shopify POS.

Every episode the Shopify App Show chats with indie app developers who are breaking new ground across the Shopify ecosystem. Whether you are a business already using Shopify POS, you're considering a move to Shopify POS or are building stuff for POS yourself, Josh's insights are worth a million bucks. We discuss the challenges and limitations of Shopify POS, the importance of indie developers in driving innovation, and the future of scanning technology. This is not a product demo show!