Up Next: Recent Episodes
SmartEtailing
Up Next is our podcast where Ryan Atkinson, Suzie Livingston, and Mark Still from SmartEtailing discuss topics pertinent to our bicycle retail clients, industry suppliers and brands, and service providers in the cycling industry. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, impromptu gatherings around a table or a desk in our office were the norm. Now that we're all working remotely, we have to work a little harder to make those moments happen and that's where this podcast comes in. Short and to the point, we hope to bring valuable information and insights to those involved in bicycle retail, e-commerce, and the supply chain.
Bike shop owners and managers are often diligent about merchandising in their stores. The same type of attention can make a positive difference on bike shop websites. Let's talk about homepage merchandising! It's exciting, right?
- “Above the fold” - what this means and why it’s important
- Banners:
- Highlighting important topics (free shipping threshold, special events, special store hours, etc.)....Only text with links
- Header:
- These can be customized for a unique look
- Navigators:
- Focused
- Not too cluttered
- Sale navigator
- Resources - up-to-date resources - events page, for example.
- Services - Bike Repair, Fitting, Bike Rentals
- Homepage Hero/Highlight
- Hot topics with engaging graphics
- Rotators/Slideshows - just not too many
- Refreshed at least 1 per month
- For increased SEO, the graphic should have selectable, readable text, not just text baked into the image itself, as search engines can’t read that well
- Highlight focused brands with a logo carousel with links
- Highlight focused categories in blocks….These can be seasonal, meaning: lights, trainers, winter/summer apparel, cargo, etc.
- Staff Picks
- Social Media/Instagram feed
- Review feed
- Pop-Up forms ...asking for email to be added to email list, maybe in exchange for a discount.
- Clean footer with extra resources such as policy/return pages, career opportunities, etc.
- Consider a Premium Theme for a reasonable price, get a semi-custom designed homepage
- PRO TIP: It’s great to add custom images of your shop or staff to your site…but PLEASE be aware of the backgrounds …is the background messy?
Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent, and we look forward to hearing from you.
If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Mark Still, Senior Business Development
David Martinez, Key Accounts Advisor
We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@workstand.com.
In our Monthly Marketing Series, we'll be taking a look at the upcoming month and discussing tips and tactics to plan for holidays, seasonal trends, and a general marketing calendar to help bike shops stay ahead of the game and ready to capture sales. This month, we plan for August 2026.
End of Summer Clearance Sale - The Tour de France is over, and summer is winding down. For some retailers, invoices for big orders are due, and there is a need to turn some slow-moving inventory into cash. Fall is just around the corner, and now is the time to sell off spring/summer apparel to make way for fall/winter apparel.
Action Item: Analyze your inventory for slow movers and spring/summer apparel. Depending on the quantity, consider a general category markdown or individual sale prices. Sale prices don’t need to be at closeout discounts…perhaps start at 20% off. Once you’ve whittled down your core sizes, mark down the extreme sizes to 30-40% off.
Back to School Campaign - Know when your school districts are heading back to school… some districts can be as early as mid-July… historically it's mid-August. Consider the following:
- Kids Bicycle Trade-In campaign - Where all trade-in bikes go to a local charity.
- Free kids bike safety check - This should be a 10-15 minute check, checking: tire wear/tear, tire pressure, bolts are secure, brakes are in good order, and chain is lubed. Opportunity to sell brake pads, bells, and bags/baskets.
- Helmet Discounts - Discounts on helmets when trading in old helmets
- Lock Discounts
- Pannier bags, etc.
Action Item: Find a local charity that is looking for bike donations. Make sure service staff understands the opportunity to sell pads, lube, etc. on safety checks.
Workstand Library and Premium Pages for August:
- Kids bike guide
- BMX bike guide showing different styles of BMX bikes and P&A
- Custom Bike Builds
- End of Season Sale (premium for retailers on our Marketing subscription)
What to think about:
- Labor Day is Monday, September 7
- Are you open/closed? Update your hours on your website, Google Business listing, and all the socials
- Holiday Season is just around the corner
- Check your inventory on gift cards
Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent, and we look forward to hearing from you.
If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Mark Still, Senior Business Development
David Martinez, Key Accounts Advisor
We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@workstand.com.
Prices for products displayed on websites are a topic we frequently discuss both internally and with Workstand website users. Rather than a deep dive into advanced troubleshooting methods, today, we will point out the main sources of the prices displayed and the easy solutions to explore. Beyond that, our Client Success Team is always ready to help.
- Point of Sale data
- Custom Prices tool
- Workstand product library
- Supplier data
- MAP Pricing
https://workstand.com/help/pricing-troubleshooting
https://workstand.com/help/custom-prices
https://workstand.com/help/pos-sync
Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent, and we look forward to hearing from you.
If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Mark Still, Senior Business Development
David Martinez, Key Accounts Advisor
We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@workstand.com.
Mark Still and Alex Slocum, Workstand's Director of Product, discuss the current state of AI and its effect on consumer behavior, shopping, and the continued (growing even) advantage of local retail.
- Most people hear or even say ‘AI’ daily - what is AI now and what is it not?
- LLMs defined
- LLMs as a business leveler
- The opportunity for the bike industry
- Product discovery has always changed and evolved
- Visibility in LLMs - SEO/AEO/GEO, structured data, robots.txt/llms.txt
- Brick and Mortar Expertise is even more valuable
- Discerning what is valuable from the mass of information generated by LLMs
- Using LLMs to drive shoppers to the store, where staff expertise can convert
- How Workstand is supporting LLM discovery
- How/where might bike shop owners and managers leverage AI in their day to day?
- Repetitive tasks - bookkeeping, communication, scheduling?
LLMs like OpenAI, Claude, Gemini, Grok, and others aren't magic, and they aren't creative. They certainly don't produce unique content or answers. In fact, they are the opposite of 'unique'. More like a cover band than an original artist, but they can help answer complicated questions, and they are very good at dealing with large amounts of data and predicting the responses we're all looking for. Even if they often produce AI slop and wrong answers while still hallucinating as often as not, when you know what you want but not how to produce the answer, they can seem magical. They can help create decent marketing content such as brand-specific landing pages for your website, which can be very beneficial given the landscape of product discovery these days. Remember bike magazines? Mountain Bike Action, Velonews, that's how we used to learn about new products. Then came blogs and Google search. Well, now it's AI and LLMs, and the more relevant content bike shops have on their website, the more likely they are to be referenced in product discovery. Workstand helps more than 1,200 bike shops across North America compete in this way, and sometimes, AI helps a store narrow down what they want while we polish and finalize it for their website, saving time and money and making the store more agile and effective. Are you trying such tactics?
Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent, and we look forward to hearing from you.
If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Mark Still, Senior Business Development
David Martinez, Key Accounts Advisor
We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@workstand.com.
We're not saying it doesn't take a focused effort or real work. What we are saying is that many of the barriers that local, independent bike shops continue to believe rule them out of meaningful sales growth are no longer valid. Workstand has the tools and expertise to help every bike shop, from the local, owner-operated store to the multi-location, high-revenue operation, leverage online sales and technology to grow in a space all of their customers already inhabit.
Don't let these misconceptions hold you back! Workstand can prove to you that these are not real.
- Small retailers lack the scale and infrastructure to compete against the price and reach of e-commerce giants.
- A retailer’s sales potential is limited by the physical inventory they can fit inside their four walls.
- Increasing e-commerce order volume requires a proportional increase in staff to manage packing, shipping, and logistics.
- Competitive e-commerce requires a massive upfront investment in custom web development, expensive hardware, and a high-burn marketing budget.
- The high cost of shipping bikes and components makes e-commerce margins unsustainable for smaller retailers.
Bonus Pro Tip - Turn your museum into a cash flow machine
Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent, and we look forward to hearing from you.
If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Mark Still, Senior Business Development
David Martinez, Key Accounts Advisor
We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@workstand.com.
Google Local Product & Awareness Ads are some of the best levers we have to capture both high-intent shoppers who are ready to buy the products in stock on your floor now and people simply looking for a bike shop for service or answers to general sales questions.
Our four-person ads team, led by today's guest, Matt Viara, has decades of bicycle retail and Google ads experience. They can help you find and convert the shoppers that mean the most to your business.
Here's the last time we had Matt on, when we dug super deep into all of our ad programs.
If today's focus on local markets isn't what you're looking for, we can certainly help your store go national with its sales efforts. Reach out to mark.s@workstand.com, and we'll book some time to get started!
Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent, and we look forward to hearing from you.
If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Mark Still, Senior Business Development
David Martinez, Key Accounts Advisor
We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@workstand.com.
We delve into the mission behind the livestream, which will offer clients an engaging medium to explore topics that impact their retail operations and learn how Workstand can help them facilitate growth.
The first monthly session, on March 17th at 9:30am MDT, is set to focus on landing page content and the page editor, combining the "how-tos" with the reasons behind their importance in a retail context. This comprehensive approach allows us to not only discuss best practices but also how these strategies can influence organic search and customer engagement. Raquel emphasizes the value of collaborative learning, making it easier for retail clients to absorb information while relating it directly to their day-to-day operations.
Raquel encourages feedback and topic suggestions from listeners, highlighting the importance of tailoring our content to meet user needs and interests. Our overarching goal is to foster community engagement and continuous learning, helping bike shops understand the full potential of the tools we offer for elevating their businesses.
Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent, and we look forward to hearing from you.
If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Mark Still, Senior Business Development
David Martinez, Key Accounts Advisor
We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@workstand.com.
As we approach spring 2026, thinking about the product mix in-store and online can make a huge difference in a local bike shop's success as prime riding weather returns to many parts of North America.
What are your potential customers searching for online? What would they buy with that new bike if only you had it in stock and in front of them before all of the excitement of new bike day fades? When is it wise to hold a full size run, and when should you experiment with one or two of something?
Pro tip: Helmets on test rides. First of all, should be mandatory for all of the liability reasons. Second, all helmets used for test rides should be nice, new, and clean. They should be helmets that you want to sell more of. Why? Listen and find out, then let us know your approach to inventory strategy this year.
Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent, and we look forward to hearing from you.
If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Mark Still, Senior Business Development
David Martinez, Key Accounts Advisor
We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@workstand.com.
We saw a wide variety of results for the stores we talked to and met with during 2025. The usual factors were in play - weather, geography, brands, staffing, etc - so we’re not sure how helpful the industry-wide, in-store sales data are as a reference point, so we’ll just say we heard it all. It felt like our stores had solid results in-store overall based on our conversations. There were certainly exceptions, but I heard a lot of folks saying they were up relative to 2024.
2025 vs 2024 on the Workstand platform - the number of stores with significant online sales was strong in 2025.
Dollars: +7.4% over 2024
Orders: +3.7% over 2024
Units: +3.7% over 2024
Perhaps the most surprising trend is that sales of electronics across the Workstand platform, once considered almost guaranteed to be fraudulent, are not only legit, but up 28% over 2024. Wild!
- What worked, what helped strong online and in-store sales?
- Focus on aged inventory - that's where margin goes to die, keep it lean and keep it moving
- Testing shipping options - for many shoppers, shipping costs matter more than the price of the item they are buying
- Ad spend - Returns were high for stores willing to invest
- Buying for online - there were deals to be had with many brands and suppliers, so buying the dips worked well
- Intentional content and marketing - good content matters, and intentional investment in the message paid off
We have upcoming events:
David will be leading an NBDA Superwebinar on January 26th, entitled, Making Your Data Work for Your Business, Episode 1 of the 2026 Workstand NBDA Webinar Series. It’s the first in a series of webinars we’re doing with NBDA this year.
We’ll have a presence at CABDA Midwest in February. Workstand will have a booth and be speaking.
We'll have a team at Frostbike at the end of February.
Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent, and we look forward to hearing from you.
If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Mark Still, Senior Business Development
David Martinez, Key Accounts Advisor
We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@workstand.com.
For a bulk of the country, winter brings a sharp drop in temperatures, and predictably, a dip in bike sales. It’s easy to slip into "Winter Mode": reduced staff, decreased hours, and a collective deep breath until spring.
But here’s the reality check: You don't have to endure the off-season; you get to conquer it.
This slower period is not a negative to survive—it’s a powerful, dedicated block of time to invest in your business's future. It's time to stop waiting for spring and start turning your off-season into your post-season.
Here are seven ways to win your post-season! Dig into all the details on David's blog post.
- Master Your Inventory
The Power Move: Schedule a full, one-day store inventory. Yes, you may need to close, but you will uncover far more than you would with piecemeal efforts—from misplaced tools to completely lost product.
- Plan Your Product Assortment (and Displays)
Action Step: Use your historical data (see #4 below!) to create a detailed plan for your product mix. Get your staff involved. Plan out floor space and fixture needs.
- Cash In, Clear Out: Strategic Markdowns
The Focus: Identify products that are six months old or older. Mark them down aggressively.
- Unlock Data Power: POS Management
The Fix: I can almost guarantee that a quick peek into your POS will reveal dozens, if not hundreds, of items that are uncategorized or mislabeled. Dedicate staff time to correcting this.
- Elevate Your Team: Unified Sales Training
Implementation: Select a training guide or framework that is easy for your entire team to learn, regardless of their position. Every single staff member should be on the same page.
- Get Ahead: Build Your Marketing Calendar
The Blueprint: Create a simple calendar (digital or print) mapping out all major holidays, local bike races, shop events, and school breaks.
- Deep Clean and Reset: Refresh Your Environment
The Task: Throw away that three-year-old expired POP. Get rid of broken fixtures. Pull workbenches away from the walls and scrub down the service area. Invest in new service mats.
Here at Workstand, we can literally help you with every single one of these areas—from running that critical inventory audit and cleaning up your POS data, to structuring your team's sales training.
Don't just survive the winter; prepare to dominate next season.
Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent, and we look forward to hearing from you.
If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Mark Still, Senior Business Development
David Martinez, Key Accounts Advisor
We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@workstand.com.
Think about the last time you bought something important. Chances are, you didn't just walk into a store blind. You probably did some online research first. In fact, 83% of consumers now conduct research online before ever setting foot in a physical retail location. This means your website isn't just a digital brochure—it is, more often than not, the first impression a customer has of your entire business.
Imagine the busiest day your store has ever had. Now, imagine multiplying the traffic by 20x or even 100x. Our Top 100 dealers in revenue consistently attract an average of 20,000 unique visitors to their website every single month. Imagine 20,000 potential customers walking through your physical front door. That's a massive opportunity! Even with a modest 1% conversion rate, that foot traffic translates directly into 200 sales.
David's blog post
Is Your Digital Storefront Ready for Business?
Here are some essential tips to ensure you have a high-converting website:
-
Master Your Homepage Hero
The "above the fold" section—what customers see immediately without scrolling—is your digital elevator pitch. -
Broadcast Brand Authority
Within seconds, a visitor needs to know who you partner with. This builds immediate trust and lets them know if you carry the products they're searching for. -
Clearly Showcase Available Services
The products you sell are only half the story. Your services differentiate you from big-box retailers and online-only stores. -
Highlight Key Categories (and Seasonal Items)
Guide your customers deeper into your site immediately. -
Engage with Third-Party Integrations
Don't miss a chance to connect with your customers where they live online. -
Grow Your List with a Pop-Up Page
The email list is a powerhouse marketing tool. An offer is the best way to grow it quickly. -
Make Shipping and Policies Crystal Clear
Nothing kills a sale faster than confusing shipping costs or buried return policies. -
Be Strategic About Product Pricing
Price is king, even in a specialty market. Your inventory is an asset—unless it’s priced incorrectly.
These eight steps will transform your website from a passive brochure into an active, high-performing revenue generator that treats your visitors with the attention they deserve.
Reach out to the Workstand team today, and let's put these conversion-boosting principles into ac
Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent and we look forward to hearing from you.
If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@workstand.com.
Workstand provides many tools and resources to help your website stand out and to help it be a great resource for shoppers and other cyclists researching their local cycling community. In this episode, we talk about 4 ways to improve the look and feel of your site, from DIY with the help of our Client Success team, all the way to full custom design projects.
Help Center - Theme Editor and Page Editor - sample homepage from our library
Help Center - Best Practices
Homepage Makeover - $500 US
Premium Themes - Semi-Custom designs for $975 US
Custom Design Projects - starting around $3,000 US - Examples:
https://www.wheatridgecyclery.com/
https://www.redbike.ca/
https://www.angrycatfishbicycle.com/
Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent and we look forward to hearing from you.
If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@workstand.com.
Two of the more common questions, especially from stores that are new to the Workstand platform, are ‘what are the keys to selling more?’ and ‘what are the really successful stores doing to grow?’. Generally speaking, a shop needs to have four elements to generate revenue. These four elements work together, and missing just one can kill growth.
- Products that are in demand - Shops need to have products that customers are searching for. That can be 'the next cool gadget', the hot color way of a bike or helmet, or simply the right size. Supplier Sync items are great, but having products in stock will lead to more sales. I would encourage stores to have a strong representation of a brand instead of 4 headlights from 4 different brands.
- Watch our recent inventory tips episode for more details on stocking and merchandising strategies and tactics
- Competitive pricing - To have competitive pricing doesn't necessarily mean to have to beat the lowest price on the market, but at least match the lowest price. Online shoppers are inherently looking for deals, so by not being competitive, you are removing your shop from a sales opportunity.
- Understand when/where you have pricing power and when you don’t
- Competitive shipping - Nobody wants to pay for shipping. If your shipping rates are not competitive, especially for an item that can be generally purchased from 20 other shops, then you will most likely lose that opportunity. Shipping rates and rules can easily be changed, so take some risk and get a good feel of what works.
- Leverage Supplier Fulfillment
- Listen to the recent episode where we discuss shipping as a marketing tool
- Google Ads - You can have the above 3 elements covered, but without ads, your products are less likely to be seen. However, without all 3 elements mentioned above, your ads can be ineffective.
- Bonus - have all of the payment options for customers, Stripe/CCs, PayPal, Financing
Finally, don’t forget the basics. Merchandising matters in the store and on the website. Keep it updated, keep it fresh, keep it seasonally relevant. Most of all, keep it accurate. Provide clear calls to action, focus on providing value and actionable information to your customers/the customers you want.
Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent and we look forward to hearing from you.
If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@workstand.com.
Taking a moment to reframe some thinking that evolved negatively from brick and mortar processes, and that should be thought of as growth opportunities these days. Shipping costs aren't just a dead expense. They can be a tool for strategic growth and customer satisfaction.
Read more in this blog post
- Shipping Best Practices
- Your shipping out expense should be considered a marketing expense, and not just a margin killer
- Similar to your in-store sales, which have a rent, utility, wages, and expenses, online sales will have their own expenses.
- Utilize services such as Supplier Fulfillment
- For a low, very reasonable cost, items can be picked, packaged, and shipped on your behalf directly to your customers’ doorsteps using Workstand's Supplier Fulfillment feature.
- The mechanics of shipping
- Bike Flights (save 5% from QBP’s Bike Flights Top Shop program) / Kitzuma
- Shippo
- Recycle Packaging
- Labeling
- Your shipping out expense should be considered a marketing expense, and not just a margin killer
You can reach David at david.m@workstand.com!
Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent and we look forward to hearing from you.
If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@workstand.com.
Julie Walsh, Account Manager and Marketing Strategist from the Workstand Marketing Agency Team, joins the podcast to talk about successful strategies for sales success during the 2025 holiday season. Julie has also published a new blog post with even more details and additional resources to help you grow sales in a challenging and competitive market.
The high-level tips are:
1. Look through the eyes of your customers
If your homepage feels a little out of season, revamp your website for the holidays with a homepage takeover.
- Make shopping easy
Shoppers prioritize convenience when purchasing online.
Simplify things by bundling content and scheduling it through the end of the year with pre-built content like Cyber Week, Holiday Sale, and Last-Minute Gifts.
-
Win local search campaigns
Corner your local cycling market with Google Ads. Shoppers often look to Google first for desirable products—get your inventory at the top of search results so it’s always top of mind. -
Stay top of mind on all channels
Staying connected with your customers is key to keeping them engaged through the holidays and into the new year.
Don’t forget the power of traditional mail, too. Sending a physical holiday postcard or flyer to your customer list adds a personal, memorable touch that stands out in a digital-heavy season.
-
"Set and forget” customer communication
When you don’t have time to plan out email campaigns, you can still keep in touch with customers by sending out automated emails after they’ve made a purchase with Workstand IQ Loyalty. -
Leave it to us
There are plenty of ways you can take the pressure off, we have everything you need to get your site ready for the busy season.
Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent and we look forward to hearing from you.
If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@workstand.com.
Key Accounts Advisor, David Martinez, works with Workstand merchants to improve many aspects of in-store and online sales execution to grow sales while increasing margin. Inventory management is an important part of David's work with bike shops.
As we’ve brought on more dealers to the Digital Advisor Services program, some trends have emerged, offering useful tips for other stores. Obvious, you say? If they are obvious to you, that’s great, but they come up often enough that we think they are worth covering. What may not be obvious is that we’re talking about both in-store and online sales.
- Curating your product assortment
- Listen and learn from your customers, staff, and community
- What are customers asking for that you don’t have?
- Bonus tip: Supplier Sync as an indicator of interest
- Products your staff actually use - Your staff will enjoy selling items they actually use
- Consider ancillary products - Are you in a beach town and do lots of rentals? Offer beverages, towels, sunscreen, etc.
- What are customers asking for that you don’t have?
- Curate around your brand/focused categories (MTB, road, e-bike, family) - it’s easy to be a roadie store that also sells MTB and not take the extra step for what isn’t your primary focus, but it matters
- MTB’ers need gloves, helmets, tires, sealant, and colored pedals
- Roadies love nutrition, sunglasses, and computers
- E-bikes: mirrors, bells, baskets, battery chargers, phone mounts
- Family: fun helmets, bells, horns, burley trailers,
- Buying is important, but sell-through is what matters most
- Monitor your aged inventory and strategize a plan for markdowns
- Take notes on what is working and what’s not working. Don’t make the same mistakes season after season.
- How many different brands of black shorts/bibs do you need?
- Does your assortment/levels align with your floorspace
- Maintain as little backstock
- Minimizes shrinkage, theft, and aged inventory
- How many of ‘X’ fit on a hook on your floor
- Maintain as little backstock
- Listen and learn from your customers, staff, and community
Bonus Topic
- 2nd tier e-bike brands
- The market is FLOODED with these brands.
- Margins can look attractive, but brand recognition is low, so you and your staff really need to believe in the product
- Online sales can be difficult because of low brand awareness
- Service parts can be difficult to get, causing a bad customer experience
Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent and we look forward to hearing from you.
If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@workstand.com.
It's time again to review the data and metrics from the Workstand platform and talk about what we can learn from sales across our platform.
- August Workstand platform metrics
- Ecommerce sales saw another month of double-digit growth on Workstand.
- Online order volume was the strongest it’s been all year, with a YOY increase of 8%, with 20,459 orders being the highest volume of any month this year.
- Sessions saw another month of decline at -11% (assumed from AI search adoption), but revenue per session remains strong at +24%.
- For the first time since February, the typical dealer did not show growth. Instead, platform growth was driven by high-volume sellers.
- We don’t like to see that number because our typical dealer tends to be predictive of the overall market numbers we’ll see from PFB within the coming weeks.
- We don’t see any changes in category sales trends that I’ve commented on over the last several months.
- Google search data
- Online research for “best bike” at 2022 levels
- By that measure, demand might be stabilizing, even if unit and dollar sales volume overall, as measured by People For Bikes, is still down, a promising sign
- Searches containing “bike shop” continue multi-year decline
- We’re talking 2005 levels!
- That doesn’t mean bike shops can’t thrive, but you need to connect with customers in a more modern way
- You have to win Google searches for products! You NEED ecommerce.
- There will be no “return to normal” in this metric. Retail has changed.
- This is an alarm bell metric that bike shops need to adapt to if they want to meet the consumer demand that’s recovering
Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent and we look forward to hearing from you.
If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@workstand.com.
Matt Lolli came to Workstand after a long career working in successful bike shops. Matt works with brands and suppliers who want to use Workstand technology and services to support local bike shops in growing sales and better serve their customers.
Here’s a high-level overview of Brand & Supplier services that we’ll be discussing in detail later in the episode.
- Why do brands and suppliers choose to engage with us?
- What is in it for merchants?
Catalog Enrichment
- Cornerstone of our service - adds products to the Workstand library
- Reduces work for dealers - allows them to devote more time to what they’re good at
- Free for brands & suppliers
Price Integrity
- Updates your pricing (MAP + MSRP) across our ecosystem with a single file upload to correct accidental pricing violations
Supplier Sync
- Allows dealers to display an expanded inventory assortment they don’t have room to stock, or are sold out of, that is available in a supplier’s warehouse.
Supplier Fulfillment
- Allows dealers to capture sales transactions online and pass the fulfillment process to their suppliers.
- Suppliers get more sales activity out of their existing network of dealers, and by leveraging their logistical excellence, get products into the hands of customers faster & more efficiently.
Buy Local Now
- Product location integration that connects ready-to-buy consumers on a brand’s consumer-facing website with stocking dealers nearby.
- Retailers need not be a subscribing hosted dealer to be included in the search results (Free BLN Accounts)
Buy Local Now PRO
- We offer brands a twice daily report that shares dealer’s stocking levels down to the SKU level (QOH).
Partner Pages
- Workstand can build marketing campaigns using a brand’s assets to promote and amplify product launch, national campaign style sales, evergreen brand pages, and more.
Wrap up
- How can brands and suppliers get involved? Email matt.l@workstand.com
- What should individual merchants do if they work with a brand that isn’t working with us yet but should be? Tell the brands to reach out to Matt!
Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent and we look forward to hearing from you.
If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@workstand.com.
Ryan has again been on the move. Visiting Workstand team members and merchants in Oregon recently. He'll be here in Colorado soon!
- July Platform metrics
- Total online sales last month showed a recovery from the slowing trend of May and June, which was a likely hangover from the pre-tariff burst in March and April.
- Total order volume and units sold were relatively flat, but higher average order value drove results.
- Higher prices on mountain bikes had the largest impact based on volume and higher price points.
- It’s hard to isolate whether import taxes and inflation impacted this number, but more apparent in children’s bikes.
- Unit sales for children’s bikes were down 31%, and prices were up 34%. Sport Performance road continues the strong performance for the year.
- Overall site traffic continues to be down, but add to cart and conversion rates remain high. This combination is possibly due to increased zero click search behavior, and a higher percentage of traffic intent on buying.
- Merchants across categories are growing online, not just high volume sellers.
- Ecommerce sales across the board outperforming in-store sales in the IBD channel could play into our favor in selling websites for the remainder of the year.
- May Total IBD Retail Sales Results
- Total bike industry retail sales (including mass merchants) was down 3.3% in May.
- Prices are increasing at mass merchant retailers more than at independent bike dealers, but it’s still too early to tell the effects of tariffs on bike prices.
- The report highlights that sales in most categories peaked in March, with sales softening in April and May.
- But shop services have remained relatively steady and electric bikes have remained in the positive growth category.
- Policy
- De minimis exemption eliminated
- Import taxes “more permanent”
- If this policy does stay in place, then several countries the bicycle industry relies on for production are heavily impacted
- The administration also announced it is raising tariffs on Canada to 35%,
- China was exempted for the moment, the temporary agreement with China was set to expire but the exemption was extended
- Bureau of Labor Statistics data concerns
- Political involvement in firing the head, nominated a partisan for the role
- Need reliable data for business decisions, very concerning
Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent and we look forward to hearing from you.
If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@workstand.com.
Mark is joined this week by Matt Viara, leader of the Workstand paid Google ads team. What are paid ads? How do we help bike shops participate in paid Google programs? What are the costs and benefits? We talk about all of that!
We give a high-level overview of our paid ads programs and touch on the 4 offerings that we’ll discuss in detail during the episode.
- Why Local and Full Service?
- What is product vs awareness?
- Why do we differentiate in that way?
With that groundwork in place, we’ll move to explaining each program and who should consider them.
Deeper explanation of each program:
- Local Awareness
- Help local consumers find you via the most popular general search terms. Great for connecting with local people who don’t have a preferred shop
- Get top map pack placement via sponsored ads in search results
- Local Product + Local Feed
- Show people close by that you have the products they are looking for in stock in store
- Product
- The best way to jump start your ecommerce
- Target regionally or nationally
- Awareness
- On top of local Search Ads we can also get the word out about seasonal content, sales, events via Display (image) and YouTube video ads
FAQ:
- Costs of the different programs?
- Are there any setup fees?
- How are budgets determined?
- How long are retailers committed to the program?
- How do we set expectations for results? Dollars, sales growth, timelines?
- How personalized are these programs for a specific retailer?
- How do we deal with serving multiple Workstand merchants in the same market?
You can reach Matt Viara at matt.v@workstand.com or read more about all of these programs.
Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent and we look forward to hearing from you.
If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@workstand.com.
Boulder visit
- Doggy happy hour
- Coffee
- Bike ride
- PFB let me work from their office
Upcoming BRAIN article about scheduling software
- Service Appointment Scheduling feature (drop off)
- WorkstandIQ staff scheduling
NBDA State of the Industry webinar reinforces our value
- The recent National Bicycle Dealers Association hosted a webinar with expert guests, with a lot of time spent talking about what successful retail looks like.
- Turns out our company perfectly matches their recommendations.
- Speakers were adamant about the need for merchants to have an ecommerce presence.
- You can find the recording on the NBDA YouTube channel.
June Platform Sales Results
- High single digit growth in June, but also continues the downward trend from March/April results of over 25% growth.
- Isolating our “typical dealer”, which removes top performers, June online sales were slightly down. I really want clients to work on getting their website aligned with best practices and engaged with our marketing services like Google Ads.
- Platform traffic was down significantly in June, but conversion rate, average order value, and revenue per session were up.
- Only a handful of analog bicycle categories showed growth; gravel, full suspension MTB, and BMX.
- Electric bikes were up in every category
- Helmets and shoes did very well for the month. Helmets are good signals for overall ridership and shoes signal enthusiast riders needing more performance.
April Total IBD Retail Sales Results
- PeopleForBikes released total April sales results showing the total IBD sales (in-store and online reported by Circana) was virtually flat with 2024.
- The top line sales results were positively impacted by very strong service department sales, +11% for the month.
- Top bicycle categories continue to be throttle assist electric bikes for transit, leisure, mountain, and cargo. Class 3 electric road bikes are showing solid growth too.
- Gravel and hardtail mountain bikes showed the best growth in the analog category.
- BMX bike unit sales were +8% continuing a promising trend largely influenced by younger riders
- Children’s bike unit sales were up slightly overall
Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent and we look forward to hearing from you.
If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@workstand.com.
Ryan and Mark discuss results from May, with a quick note on the strong March and April numbers that we didn't get to talk about due to Ryan's many travels when we'd normally record an Around the Workstand episode.
We mention this recent episode with our Key Accounts Advisor, David Martinez, and the Digital Advisor Service he's offering Workstand clients
NBDA Summit recap
- A good number of supplier attendees
- Solid presentations
- Don’t know about the May date, stores are busy, but the meeting is valuable
- Finally get Bentonville, so much going on there
- NBDA Summits are great, try to make a 2026 event
May results
- Online sales in May were +17.5%, with order volume +21.5%.
- Promising sign for the health of the market and online sales at bike shops
- Bike sales did, however, decline in dollars and units, with electric, road, mountain, and BMX showing growth but offset by declines in other categories.
- I’m still speculating that the early peak of bicycle sales in March and April was driven in large part by consumers attempting to beat tariffs, but new product releases and popularity in the growth categories are also contributors.
- Overall platform growth is coming across the board from parts, accessories, and apparel.
- Those are good indicators that people are riding bikes and engaging with cycling.
- On the whole, the results are outperforming my expectations
- That being said, I don't hear a lot of positives about YTD results when I talk with clients
- Online sales are a bright spot, but in many parts of the country, foot traffic and total sales are down
U.S. Bicycle Production and Assembly Act
- Legislation introduced in Congress this week would eliminate tariffs on components used to assemble complete bikes in the U.S.
- Goal is to create hubs as a step toward frame manufacturing
- Chris Cocalis founded Pivot Cycles and Charlie Cooper with PFB at BLC
Celebrating Pride Month and we'll be close for Juneteenth, but will have an on-call team for support. So, response times may be a bit slower than normal, but still reach out if you need help.
Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent and we look forward to hearing from you.
If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@workstand.com.
The idea of leveraging catalog-enabled websites and ecommerce to grow sales beyond a retailer's home market is one of the main reasons Workstand has so many bike shops using our platform. In addition to the website platform, Workstand's marketing agency team helps more than 400 stores manage their digital presence and promote their store locally and nationally. As our Key Accounts Advisor, David Martinez wraps all of that technology and marketing know-how up and combines it with his years of experience in successful bike shops to add in-store processes, strategic buying and inventory management, and professional presentation of all aspects of a purchase to elevate local bike shops as effective commerce merchants. Most people think selling online is all about price, but David has proven repeatedly that it is more about high-level execution in buying, inventory management, and customer experience that allows any store to sell more and grow faster.
We talk about all of that in this episode of Around the Workstand and encourage all stores to reach out to David at david.m@workstand.com to learn more and enroll in our Digital Advisor Service.
https://workstand.com/bike-shop-marketing
https://marketing.smartetailing.net/products/email-automations-pg197.htm
https://marketing.smartetailing.net/products/google-ads-pg182.htm
https://marketing.smartetailing.net/products/email-marketing-pg207.htm
https://marketing.smartetailing.net/products/premium-content-packages-pg101.htm
https://workstand.com/bike-shop-performance
Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent and we look forward to hearing from you.
If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@workstand.com.
Ryan Atkinson has continued his travels and brings us the latest in how brands, suppliers, and merchants in bicycle retail are feeling during some uncertain times. There are bright spots and some optimism, particularly among retailers.
Themes from industry events
- Bicycle Leadership Conference (suppliers)
- NBDA Retailer Summit (both) - join the Midwest event in Bentonville in May
- CABDA West (both)
- Uncertainty among suppliers, optimism with dealers
- Tariff confusion and frustration
- Throttle electric bikes
- Used and pre-owned
- Tap into health/beauty, active lifestyle, prioritize health
- Profitability
- Ecommerce
March online sales performance
- US sales +9% and orders +7%
- CA sales -18% and orders -32% (sporting goods generally -6.9%)
- Dollar growth was fueled by road and mountain bikes, plus the surprise performance of comfort and commuter bikes. Electric bikes had a surprising slump.
- CA non-essential discretionary down, calls from concerned clients
- US consumers getting ahead of tariffs
Cyclingnews article on DeMinimis (Ryan’s rant)
- Bummed how they characterized Bob Margevicius’ testimony
- Bob is a VP for Specialized
- He’s an exceptional representative for our industry on trade issues
- Nobody knows EU, Asian, and US manufacturing/trade as well
- Tireless contributor and just awarded PFB lifetime achievement award
- Author conflated legitimate tariff frustration with DeMinimis
- DeMinimus exemption increased to $800 in 2016
- PFB has lobbied for change since
- Reason for so much cheap product disrupting IBD market
- Cheap D2C electric bikes, cheap helmets and lights on Temu, etc
- Unsafe for consumers, erodes value proposition for retailers, takes away high margin retail sales
- I want to encourage listeners not to spread click bait rumors just because they think the headline gets attention
Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent and we look forward to hearing from you.
If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@workstand.com.
In this episode, we delve into the intricacies of conducting successful promotions, a pivotal segment in our ongoing year-long marketing program aimed at empowering businesses. We focus on strategies that not only help retailers remain competitive but also enhance customer engagement, particularly as we approach the prime spring sale season. Our discussion emphasizes that promotions extend beyond discounts; they can also include introducing new products or spotlighting significant changes within a business.
https://blog.workstand.com/successful-sales
We start by laying a strong foundation: your website serves as the digital storefront that consumers first interact with. We stress the importance of ensuring your website is user-friendly and accurately reflects any promotional efforts you undertake. This includes maintaining consistency between online pricing and in-store prices to avoid alienating customers. Customers today are well-informed and intermediaries like your website often form their first impression, so we highlight the necessity of making it easy for them to find information and navigate through promotional content.
Emphasizing the logistics of running a promotion, we tackle essential operational aspects such as point-of-sale (POS) system synchronization, which ensures consistency across platforms. Details like enabling shopping cart functionality for in-store pick-ups and offering financing options through partners like Klarna and PayPal allow businesses to provide a seamless shopping experience that can significantly impact conversions.
As we transition from logistics to aesthetics, we explain the need for a compelling homepage hero image that reflects the current promotion—a focal point to capture attention upon entry to the website. We reminisce about the importance of keeping content relevant and up-to-date, ensuring that promotional messaging resonates with seasonal themes.
When it comes to actual outreach, we prioritize email as one of the most cost-effective methods to notify customers of promotions. Social media plays a complementary role, providing a platform for sharing specific products, staff picks, and engaging visuals that build excitement. We also cover paid advertising strategies, including Google Shopping ads and the use of YouTube ads, which can be powerful tools to reach wider audiences and drive targeted traffic during promotional periods.
Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent and we look forward to hearing from you.
If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@workstand.com.
Ryan is back with us after some travel, but he's not done yet! There are a few more trade shows and industry gatherings on the horizon, and he'll be presenting at most of them. We talk about those shows and the state of the bicycle industry, and the vibe and attitude of the dealers Ryan is meeting at shows like CABDA.
- CABDA Midwest
- Split, dealers looking to diversity with ecommerce growth
- Dealers looking for foot traffic
- Universal interest in Google advertising
- Lot of POS conversations
- Lot of praise for our customer service team
- Seminars for CABDA and with suppliers like Specialized, QBP, and J&B
- CABDA West
- Day early for the NBDA retailer summit
- Heather and her team host important conversations
- 2 days of CABDA connecting with largely western dealers
- Vibe from Chicago was optimistic
- Hoping for the same thing
- Bicycle Leadership Conference next week
- PeopleForBikes
- Senior management from suppliers
- Weighty topics like finance, forecasting, and government policy
- Sustainability, ridership, and health benefits of cycling
- On a panel discussion reviewing 2024 data and looking ahead
- Real discussions will happen off the stage
- Expect to learn a lot about sentiment and expectations
- Online sales
- Last year online sales on Workstand outpaced the overall IBD space
- 2025 is off to a good start
- Up 7% through the end of February
- Largely driven by twice as many electric bikes sold online YTD
- Site traffic is -12% suggesting a drop in shopping activity
- Electric bikes are driving up average order size and revenue per session
- Make sure you’re actively marketing your electric bikes online
- Consumers are buying
- Optimism for the spring
- Overall economy and consumers are uncertain
- Bike shops on the whole are running business lean
- Gotta keep energy levels up to keep staff motivated
- Be ready to be busy
- Do the work to get busy
- Ramp up marketing to get foot traffic and try to get some momentum
- Lean into the categories that are moving
- Electric bikes
- Class 2
- Class 3 road and mountain
- Aluminum drop bar bikes
- Electric bikes
- Market your service department starting now
Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent and we look forward to hearing from you.
If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@workstand.com.
We continue our series on marketing your business for sales growth in-store and online in 2025 with tips on website and marketing setups that make shopping your online store easier and reduce purchase friction,
For more details, check out our latest blog post - https://blog.workstand.com/make-shopping-easy
- Design - minimal clutter, accessibility
- Make it easy for shoppers to find what they are looking for
- Search function
- Navigation - minimal clicks, don’t bury the shop button, organization
- Distinct calls to action - send shoppers to intuitive links where they can purchase the item your suggesting
- Single page checkout - new enhancement
- Follow up and post purchase communications
- The purchase journey does not end when they complete their purchase on your website - think of this as just the first step in their next purchase with you
- Communicate clear fulfillment expectations
- Leverage your website to keep them coming back
- Keep fresh content up so return visitors see something new
- WorkstandIQ Loyalty - automated, transactional emails
Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent and we look forward to hearing from you.
If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@workstand.com.
Around the Workstand Daily - we are often asked about training and our How To videos are the most viewed videos we produce so Around the Workstand Daily hopes to address frequent, short, videos to help our clients learn important features and do so more efficiently than the production work that goes into a more planned video. So, they won’t be perfect sometimes but they’ll help those who would rather watch a video than read a help center article. Here's our Around the Workstand Daily playlist on YouTube.
Ryan and Brian are at CABDA - visit them at booth #815
What’s working best for Workstand retailers?
- Google ads
- Supplier sync and direct fulfillment
- Premium themes - great way to set yourself apart and create a consistent style for your website and marketing
Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent and we look forward to hearing from you.
If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@workstand.com.
Today is the first episode of a series for 2025 focused on helping bicycle shops effectively market and grow their businesses. We’ve always talked about marketing on the show however, we saw in 2024 that merchants who proactively promoted their businesses, the ones who engaged with the tools available to make their stores more visible to shoppers, those stores had impressive wins while business owners who took a passive or underresourced approach lost ground and saw shrinking sales year over year. As the head of our Google Ads Team, Matt Viara says, “Engagement = Growth” and that was certainly true in 2024 and will continue to apply in 2025 and beyond. We iterated Engagement = Growth during this episode and came up with E=G3 (that's G cubed) because there is leverage in engagement and it is significant.
Let’s move on to the first of eleven Around the Workstand episodes this year focusing on a specific action area. For February it’s Win Google Search.
Welcome Around the Workstand!
Blog post for reference
- Website, website, website
- Maintenance
- Localize your content
- Page titles/meta descriptions
- Control how you show up - Google Business Profile (GBP)
- Leverage free shopping listings
- Compete for the best placement with Google ads
- Search - great for awareness
- Shopping - connect with ready-to-buy customers
- Regional or National is possible for a few
- Cash flow was the focus
- Free shipping - start at $100, can always lower the threshold
- Retailers were special buying and discounting
- Local
- Where the majority of bike shops see great ROAS
- Big plus: shipping, discounts, advanced processes not required
- Attribution
- Making shoppers aware is the goal
- We meet people where they are, people buy lots of ways
- Budget - the most general level
- $20 a day - advertise bikes - the bigger footprint you want the more budget required for success
- Geo depends on your area
- $500/mo
- Local ads - $125/mo + 10% of ad spend
- Monthly call, unlimited email, no contracts
- $20 a day - advertise bikes - the bigger footprint you want the more budget required for success
- Specificity - granularity thwarts success
- Regional or National is possible for a few
Engaged = growth or E=G3
Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent and we look forward to hearing from you.
If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@workstand.com.
Wow, 2024 went by in the blink of an eye, faster than a Di2 shift, how was your year? Ryan, Suzie, and Mark take a look back at our bicycle industry sales results for the year, broader economic conditions that contributed, and where the winners made a difference. Then, a look at the trends heading into 2025 and what we can all expect for bicycle and aftermarket sales. Marketing and, specifically, Google ads, will play a big role for those aiming to grow sales and expand their footprint in 2025. Owning a successful bike shop isn't for the faint of heart but we've got insights, tips, and actionable suggestions to help.
- 2024 market recap
- Roller coaster year at retail, with unpredictable demand/sales
- PeopleForBikes says IBD -9% through October
- S&P Global
- 2024 - We anticipate a nearly 7% decline in total bicycle unit sales by the end of the year, with an expected total of around 12 million units
- 2024 on Workstand
- Workstand platform +4% through Oct (mirror PFB)
- Finished year positive 5%
- Results driven by high performers in aftermarket and bike sales
- Over half of bikes sold at discount, discounts averaged -27%
- Consumers bought nicer bikes so ASP up 14%
- Unfortunately, the typical dealer on Workstand down 11% for the year
- Results dropped off in the second half of the year
- Holiday shopping season especially poor
- Need to find a way to get more dealers marketing
- Clear division between those advertising on Google and not
- Workstand platform +4% through Oct (mirror PFB)
- 2025 expectations
- Cautiously optimistic for our clients as a whole
- High expectations for top retailers
- 17 dealers sold over $1M online last year (top nearly $7M)
- 150 dealers solve over $100k
- We can make a big difference in growth
- Uncertain aftermarket
- Service will continue modest gains of about 2%
- Cautiously optimistic for our clients as a whole
- What can a dealer do if they want to be a top performer in 2025
- Identify categories that will generate growth
- Ex: mid-priced aluminum road, class 2 electric lifestyle bikes, class 3 electric road
- Build a stocking strategy accordingly
- Market to stimulate further demand
- Focus on local market share through Google search and local shopping
- Lean heavily on selling bikes online locally
- Identify categories that will generate growth
Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent and we look forward to hearing from you.
If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@workstand.com.
We’ll be taking some time away from the podcast during December so this will be our final 2024 episode. We thought we’d recap some of the accomplishments of 2024 and look forward to 2025. Around the Workstand will resume in January 2025 and we’re looking forward to another year of sharing tips and actionable information with you all.
Around the Workstand grew a lot in 2024 so thank you to everyone who watched and listened. It means so much to me, Suzie, and Ryan that you found some value and entertainment in the show.
New and/or returning Supplier Sync partners for 2024
- Santa Cruz
- Ibis
- Otso
- Gazelle - going live today!
POS enhancements
- Work order management
- SMS messaging
Ecommerce enhancements
- Variation tiles on Product Detail Pages
- New checkout being rolled out in phases
- Many other infrastructure enhancements
Most popular Around the Workstand episodes in 2024
Industry updates with Ryan were consistently the most viewed (video) and downloaded (audio) episodes
They were followed closely by episodes where we talked about our new POS features and by episodes where we gave actionable tips for growing sales
We’ll bring back Tech Tips in 2025 - we aren’t really sure why we stopped doing those but there were popular.
Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent and we look forward to hearing from you.
If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@workstand.com.
Tips for how AI can help in retail - what other ways are you using AI?
- Great brainstorming partner
- Start with clear goals
- Ask for specific results
- Use to break a big project or some event planning into easy action items
- AI tools within other applications are an easy way to begin to experiment - Apple Intelligence, email apps, text apps, etc, Grammarly
Warnings and pitfalls merchants should be aware of
- Images of people and bicycles are hard for AI
- Avoid the uncanny valley:/ - it’s close but not really
- Don’t forget to edit - inject your personality and unique voice
- Remember that if you can prompt an AI to create something that you use to represent you or your business, anyone else can do that.
- Don’t let the machine run unchecked, unintended consequences abound.
Here is the experiment Suzie did so you can try it yourself. Let us know how it goes!
Prompt: What are good dos and don'ts for small businesses interested in leveraging AI for help with marketing?
Using AI for marketing can be a game-changer for small businesses, offering tools to boost personalization, streamline operations, and make data-driven decisions. Here are some do’s and don’ts to guide you in implementing AI effectively.
Do’s
- Do Start with Clear Goals
- Do Use AI to Enhance Personalization
- Do Focus on High-Impact Channels First
- Do Leverage Customer Data Responsibly
- Do Experiment with Predictive Analytics
- Do Train Your Team
Don’ts
- Don’t Automate Everything
- Don’t Rely Solely on AI for Content Creation
- Don’t Ignore Data Privacy Regulations
- Don’t Expect Immediate Results
- Don’t Neglect Testing
- Don’t Overlook Costs
Bonus: Tools to Explore
- Email and Social Media Automation
By following these tips, your small business can harness AI’s potential effectively without sacrificing the authenticity and trust you’ve built with your customers.
Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent and we look forward to hearing from you.
If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@workstand.com.
It's hard to believe we are nearing the end of October 2024, but it's true. If you've looked at your inbox, gone to your mailbox, or watched any TV, you will have noticed that holiday marketing is in full effect. If closing out 2024 sales well is on your to-do list, now is the time to start implementing holiday marketing for your bicycle shop. We have resources, we have support, and Suzie and Mark are here to help.
Google ads as part of a local selling strategy
- Free shopping listings
- Shopping ads
- Granularity dos and don’ts
- YouTube ads
- Great way to get in front of a captive audience
- Mandatory 5 sec
- paying pennies per view
- DIY is working
- Great way to get in front of a captive audience
- Tips for getting help managing ads
Holiday marketing on a budget
- Website content
- Leveraging your existing evergreen content
- Put your suppliers to work
- Drive traffic
- Ads
- Last year’s episode with Lauren Webb for Holiday Marketing
- Industry trends episode from early October with Ryan Atkinson
Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent and we look forward to hearing from you.
If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@workstand.com.
September ecommerce metrics show consumers shopping but the typical bike shop not seeing the results online.
- Site traffic remains strong at +7%
- Google search volume for “bike shop” comparable to last year
- Total ecommerce sales +7%
- Typical dealer ecommerce sales -11% (leading indicator for industry)
- 1,800 fewer click & collect orders than August = less retail traffic
PeopleForBikes Webinar
- Nerd Collective
- Stock to Sales ratio (retail and supplier)
- Discounting
The Pro’s Closet will close in October
Employees and clients impacted by Hurricane Helene - buy DeFeet socks
- 3 employees
How to Thrive this Holiday Season - webinar with NBDA
- Thursday 11 am MTN
- Focus on ways to create more selling opportunities this season
- Marketing is a numbers game - the more you get in front of potential shoppers, the more selling opportunities you’ll have
- Digital marketing + Google
- Efficiency and effectiveness will be a priority
Keep up with website and POS features new releases
Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent and we look forward to hearing from you.
If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@workstand.com.
Gearing up for our season
- Fall is when shops start working “on” the business, not “in” the business
- For 25 years, without fail, our phone rings off the hook in the fall
- Gonna have a lot to talk about this year
- Always talking about websites, ecommerce, and Google search
- Point of sale is the center of a lot of our conversations
- BRAIN: 35% of shops are considering a change in POS in the next 12 months
We delivered for shops this summer
- Early adopters used all season
- Reviews have been great
- Simple. Modern. Easy to use.
- Has the exact features most shops use
- Clients have great ideas that will make it even better
- Advantage of working with a smaller company like us
- We listen to our customers
Why we are the best choice
- Everything you need to streamline your bike shop
- 25 years of experience helping bike shops modernize
- Trusted by the entire bike industry
- Friendly and knowledgeable service by people that know the business of bikes
- No debate. We have the best data.
- Feature to feature we are very competitive
- Easy for everyone in the shop to use
What we have
- Everything you need to help a customer at the register
- Work orders to help you run a professional service department
- Better inventory management that companies like Square or Clover
- SMS text messaging built in
- Hands down the best supplier data integrated throughout the software
- Customer service you can count on
What to do if you want to learn more
- Keep it simple
- Call us or request a demo
- No pressure. Want you to be informed.
- If you choose to sign up
- Get you up and running fast with easy onboarding
- A member of our team will be with you at every step
Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent and we look forward to hearing from you.
If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@workstand.com.
Ryan has a cool trip planned with friends on the Aquarius Trail hut to hut next week. 6 days in Southwest Utah with Nebraska friends and no logistics work required.
June retail sales PeopleforBikes
- Bright spot is inventory stabilizing across the channel
- I’m joining a PeopleForBikes webinar later this month to discuss
- June is typically the high point for sales, but this year the month was very soft.
- Bike shops were -11% in total sales dollars for the month
- Bicycle sales -13% and unit sales were -17%
- Higher unit prices and shift toward more expensive electric bikes
- Bike prices are still falling, but not at the same rate as unit sales.
- 29” wheel mountain and most road categories are showing some of the best price stability - likely a reflection of returning category health and new product releases.
- Bicycle repairs are an essential revenue source for shops. June saw the highest YOY increase in bike shop service/repair dollars since 2020, but that’s paired with the lowest number of service orders in eight years.
- While service departments are bringing in increased revenue, there’s a bit of caution mixed in as fewer bikes are likely being worked on.
- Chart in the email tells a clear story on long term trends. Dealers need to join PeopleForBikes and start getting these monthly market reports.
August ecommerce results from Workstand
- Very good August for some (+11% compared to -2% in July)
- Better than July for most (-9% compared to -17% in July)
- Site traffic up all year, August best at +13%
- Trend continues - Order volume down and average order up
- Store pickup May-August 32,000 orders (lot of store traffic)
Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent and we look forward to hearing from you.
If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@workstand.com.
We often get wrapped up in the day-to-day, putting out fires type activities, and we don’t want this to sound preachy but, cycling competes with other consumer goods for attention and dollars so bike shops that don’t stay top of mind with the shoppers who have already done business with them are at a disadvantage but it doesn’t have to be that way.
Sometimes I’m sure we all wish it weren’t this way, there is a lot of communication but people who make meaningful purchases receive communication from the stores they shop with. So today’s question is, are you communicating with your key customers in the way Home Depot, Best Buy, and Nordstroms are?
Importance of regular outreach - not just during major promotional periods.
Busy season or not, consistent outreach yields better results than only communicating when you want to sell something.
How?
Social - use an 80/20 or 90/10 rule - 90% engaging, interesting, community info - 10% promotional
Physical events - be at the places your customers are just to be there
Transactional emails - reach out based on the products and services your customers purchased from you - want to try our WorkstandIQ Loyalty program? Mention this episode and get 6 months free!
Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent and we look forward to hearing from you.
If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@works...
Suzie is under the weather this week so Ryan and Mark take on recent issues affecting the retail bicycle landscape. We hope you feel better soon, Suzie!
Law firm focused on electric bike injuries
Electric Bike Library Content - included in all Workstand website subscriptions
Premium Electric Bike Content - included in our Marketing Subscription, available to all Workstand website clients for $400 per campaign.
Learn about People for Bikes
https://www.peopleforbikes.org/
NBDA Retailer & Supplier Best Practices panel discussions are worth checking out!
We are gathering data on bike shops to understand the market. We want to know for sure how many bike shops are operating.
Greed - why have some suppliers and retailers characterized themselves as greedy during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Ryan’s LinkedIn post of a BBC report from 1997
Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent and we look forward to hearing from you.
If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@works...
Tips for making your website your own. The closer your website aligns with your in-store presentation, the better. Shoppers generally meet your website before they visit the store so take an honest look at your site and answer the following question - is your website what you want to present to potential customers? Is it what you wouldn’t say to them if they were in your store?
- Working with the included templates and theme editor
- There are 7 templates to start with
- Add your logo and set your brand colors
- Local photos - you do not need a professional photographer
- Local content - where to ride, staff, history, unique value proposition
- Our Help Center has great tips and instruction and our Client Success Team can guide and train you in making updates
- Premium Themes - here’s something new we’ve come up with
- Based on our popular Premium Content Packages
- Semi-custom themes for a reasonable investment of $1,499 and can be completed in a week or less
- Many to choose from with additional designs added each quarter
- Full Custom Design - as unique as your business
- Design and content planning
- Let your imagination run wild - take inspiration from other industries, websites, print, nature, anything
- Project costs start around $3,000 and generally land between $4,000 - $8,000 (can be higher) and typically take 6 -8 weeks to complete
Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent and we look forward to hearing from you.
If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@works...
Welcome Around the Workstand!
Summit - we met as a team recently
- Big characters. Great culture.
- Aligned behind our purpose
- Awesome leadership team
Industry talk
- Trek D2C announcement
- Expected evolution
- Seems to be a relatively well thought out program
- Unknown impact
- Playbook - Have a great digital strategy
- More important than ever
- We’ve got you covered on technology and marketing
- June online results
- Platform flat overall
- Driven by Google advertisers and bike sales
- Typical dealer down 8%
- Site visits see continued growth over 2023 but slowing
- Order volume remains down 13%
- Offset by - Average order value up 16% compared to 2023
- As expected strongest click and collect performance
- 41% of orders
- Roughly at 2019 levels
- Down from COVID highs of 60%
- Sign that the typical dealers are getting store traffic from orders
- Platform flat overall
- Collision conference in CO
- AI was everywhere
- Clearly going to be impactful on business
- Zero click search one of first areas of impact
Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent and we look forward to hearing from you.
If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@works...
As a fully remote company, Workstand teams try to get together in person once or twice yearly. This week is one of those times and our Client Services Team - Client Success, Catalog, and Business Development - will be meeting in Boulder, CO. We may be a little slower to respond than usual but it's for a good cause. Weeks such as these are always full of learning moments and great information that we take back to the clients we serve so we thank you for being patient during any inconvenience while we work to improve the services we provide.
Here's what Suzie and Mark talk about in today's episode.
Data dive - we gave you these stats, but what does that mean for you?
-Google search trends
-Strong electric bike sales
Some report sales down - some report sales up
What’s working?
-Good website management
-Email Marketing
-Google Ads
Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent and we look forward to hearing from you.
If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@works...
In this engaging episode, we dive into various topics from celebrating Pride Month to insights from the NBDA Retailer Summit. The conversation starts with a lively discussion about attending a drag show during Pride Month and the experience of embracing gender expression. The focus then shifts to the NBDA Retailer Summit, highlighting the successful collaboration between suppliers and retailers, with a key emphasis on financial competency and the importance of selling online.
NBDA Retailer Summit
Great support from suppliers, almost half of the attendees
Retailers of all sizes
Longtime supporters, plenty of fresh faces
About half of the presentations were from retailers
Learning from each other
Themes; understanding finances and selling online (all in D2C business)
My presentation on how suppliers think about retailers in the digital space
Standing room only
Good questions
A couple of dealers want to sign up based on the information
May platform results
Order volume across the Workstand platform was -14% for the month, the slowest performance of an already soft spring selling season.
Online bike sales however drove up average order value, resulting in total platform sales being +2%.
Sessions and pageviews continue their strong performance, indicating that consumers are shopping. Our traffic data aligns with Google search volume which has been reliably high this spring and steadily rose during May.
A bright spot for the month is the typical retailer having their best month of the year, being only -2% for the month compared to -7% in April. Still lagging behind the top performers.
Electric bikes online
I mentioned online bike sales earlier. It’s worth calling attention to electric bikes.
Year-over-year online unit sales growth for e-bikes in April/May 2024 is strong at 60% relative to 2023. Electric bike buyers seem to be very comfortable buying their bikes online.
We have total industry sales results from PeopleForBikes from Q1. While only about 2% of e-bikes sold by bike shops in Q1 2024 were sold online, the annual growth rate of 45% indicates it is outpacing total IBD electric bike sales - reinforcing that same point about consumers buying these bikes online.
Lauren on the NBDA podcast
Lauren did a great job speaking to why the work of helping bike shops means so much to her and how that informs the work her department does.
Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent and we look forward to hearing from you.
If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@works...
During the episode where we tried to answer some common questions in a straightforward manner, one of those questions concerned the idea of what makes a good website homepage. We’ve been thinking about that since the episode and today, we want to help boil that answer down to a base level so that everyone can have the tools to identify good content.
This goes for websites, emails, and all sorts of marketing and communications really but the primary question to ask is ‘Am I answering a question or solving a problem?’
We often talk about how all shopping today starts with search. You want a thing or need a service so you search for that thing or service. SEO best practices suggest the content on your website will perform the best when/if it provides good results for those search queries - in other words, do you have those things on your website, do you offer those services? If the answer is yes, do those things exist in such a way as to be obvious and accessible to the searcher?
If someone walked into your store and did a quick scan or lap, would they see the same things on your homepage?
Your website is an extension of your brick-and-mortar business - it should look like it
Make it easy for the searcher to find and consume the content and you make it easy for a search engine to recommend your website over and over again.
You might be asking yourself, does that mean that every single image or piece of content have to answer questions in this way? What about my blog? What about my Tuesday night worlds recap? What about the 1,000-word how-to article about rebuilding 8-speed Campy shifters? Just think about the utility of your content to the people you’d most likely hope to have in your store. Irrelevant content does nothing to help and can even hurt as a search engine will see that nobody uses it or worse, finds it and bounces away quickly.
Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent and we look forward to hearing from you.
If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@works...
Look back at April data and help share some actionable items for helping retailers capture more business
- Ryan was back in Colorado last week and saw a lot of our team based out of there. We did a pinball happy hour on Thursday, a gravel ride on Friday, and went to the Supercross race in Denver on Saturday.
- We are stoked about the big software enhancement we released last week. The product detail pages now have a super modern visual interface for customers to select size and color variations. The shopping experience is comparable to REI. We expect to see an increase in add to cart rates just in time for summer website traffic.
- Looking at the bike industry, most retailers and suppliers are putting a lot of weight on the market performance in May. The spring was pretty erratic and we’re looking for stability entering the summer.
- Promising indicators coming out of April.
- Google search volume for bike shops has been steadily growing on an expected seasonal trend after a slowdown in March.
- Google search volume for “best bike” was at the highest level in the last 18 months in the first week in May. This is great news about consumer demand but it’s also noteworthy that volume for this term is outpacing “bike shop”. This consumer shift to online shopping is continuing - it isn’t going to retreat after COVID. The long term trend is holding, growing about 1% share of total retail sales every year.
- April website traffic for bike shops using Workstand was up 9% over March and up 11% compared to last year.
- Average Order Value online in April was up 12.5% compared to last year as more consumers are buying bikes online.
- Paying attention to headlines about supplier financial health. Obviously Trek’s cutbacks earlier this year were eye opening but I trust that their leadership team is more than capable of managing through the situation. The news about Kona was more troubling because the company is up for sale. Kona is an important brand for our customers and I’m hoping that the right buyer comes in and stabilizes the company.
What’s coming up next
- NBDA webinar with Suzie and Ryan this Friday
- Ryan attending the NBDA Retailer Summit next week
- Client Success Summit in June
Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent and we look forward to hearing from you.
If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@works...
There are many things in life where clear-cut answers are difficult to come by. Websites and marketing certainly fall into this category. Do you ever wish someone would just tell you the answers? We will.
Today, based on our own experience - even if you only consider us, Suzie and Mark, that is a combined 20 years here at Workstand working with bicycle retailers all over North America - and with as little bias as we can muster, we’ll just tell you the answers to some common yet confusing questions we often hear.
Direct and simple, ready?
The one we hear the most often - SEO - how can I do better in search?
I’m a local business, why should I sell online? I want people to come to my store and I don’t want to encourage them to shop online.
Why should I pay for ads? Why should I pay Workstand to run my ads?
Does my homepage look good? Is my homepage effective? We don’t hear these questions often enough. 🙂 Request your Complimentary Website Review by the Workstand Client Success Team
Can you help my website perform better without adding additional costs?
The admin navigation has moved since we published this video on how to streamline communications but the info is still valuable and relevant. Use the admin site search to find things that may have moved around.
What am I paying Workstand for in my subscription? I don’t use all the features in my subscription/what could I be taking advantage of more effectively?
Puppies or kittens? Well both, of course.
Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent and we look forward to hearing from you.
If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@works...
Ryan joins Suzie and Mark for our monthly industry update. This time around, it's also a quarterly update and we look at results and trends thus far in 2024. Ryan tells us about the Bicycle Leadership Conference (BLC) he recently attended and where his travels will take him in the coming months on behalf of all at Workstand.
BLC
300 bicycle industry leaders in attendance
Pragmatic about inventory and optimistic outlook
Inventory situation, talking heads too critical of bike suppliers
Strong consumer sales paired with dealer Just In Time (JIT) orders means wholesale velocity is picking up
Electric bike maturing, growth in transportation
Data presentation
Outstanding service award - Ryan accepts an award on behalf of Workstand! Yay us.
Q1
Ecommerce growth +10% across our platform, February strongest at approximately 22% YoY
Order volume off, with Average Order Volume up double digits
Bike discounts driving sales, especially from Specialized (big traffic increase)
Overall traffic is up every month in Q1
Top performers still driving, typical dealer -3% for the quarter
Google Search Index
General consumer interest in bikes steady with last year
Specifically “bike shop” is a bit softer YTD
That has been the general trend, but learn more as the season develops when “bike shop” volume increases
All search volume has been spiking dramatically on March weekend
It's important to win search, must have products online as consumers shift away from channel-specific search
Electric bike search volume outperforming general terms
More travel for Ryan and team
Our team at Sea Otter meeting with suppliers - look for Matt Lolli and Chris Gardner from our Supplier Team
Speaking at NBDA retailer summit in May
Collision Technology Summit in June
Questions this week:
Q: When will the Workstand POS be able to replace Lightspeed?
That’s not our goal but ...
For many retailers it can today, even if some of the features are lean we are enhancing them rapidly
Perfect fit for our initial target market, merchants with a more outdated POS
Q: Do I have to pay for Google Ads to show up in local search results?
No. Your product pages and location pages in particular are optimized for organic and if you maintain your website properly then the content you create should perform well.
Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent and we look forward to hearing from you.
If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@works...
We talk a lot about marketing and selling by way of great websites, Google Ads, email marketing, and more but this week is different. This week we want to point out that stores shouldn't hard sell all the time. One of the best things a store can do to build long-term value within their community is to meet consumers where they are and help them find value in bikes, riding, and being a part of a healthy and fun-oriented community. That means that in addition to catalog-enabled, commerce-focused websites, merchants should be offering content aimed at helping riders get the most out of their bikes and the bike riding community. Workstand offers so much to help with that! Library pages, brand-supported landing pages, Premium Content Packages, and easy tools to build whatever type of page content is needed. Winning search starts with providing content your customers (and prospective customers) find valuable. Sales follow.
Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent and we look forward to hearing from you.
If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@works...
The band is back together! Ryan is back and will join us each month to share key takeaways from current inventory data, talk about big-picture topics in our industry, and answer your questions.
Higher total sales amounts (by the dollar) in 2023 but lower total unit sales
- The most recent report from PeopleForBikes provided some summary information about 2023. Last year’s market value was nearly $1 billion over pre-pandemic markets. A lot of people rightly point to the dollar growth coming from a higher average selling price, meaning dollar growth is outpacing units.
- 4% decrease compared to 2022 but a 7% increase over 2019
- Electric bikes now make up 20% of total bike sales.
What’s happening now?
- Look at more recent data, we're paying careful attention to the December through February data. Important key metrics have turned the corner across the network.
- Total online sales are up about 11% and site traffic is up about 10%.
- Most of 2023 was down relative to the prior 12 months but that trajectory is changing.
What are the areas of growth in our industry? What’s doing well?
- A lot of the growth we're seeing is coming from bikes - largely electric, 29" mountain, and sport/performance road.
- Heavy discounts in those categories is achieving the intended result of increasing total dollar sales volume.
- Interestingly, discounts in sport/performance road are actually driving up the ASP for bikes in the category.
But who’s doing well?
- While the largest dealers continue to drive most of our sales volume, in February we saw the first significant uptick for the small and medium sized retailers.
Crystal ball time - how is 2024 looking? Can we make any predictions?
- Sizing up the IBD channel right now suggests that 2024 is going to be a tough year. Google Search Data, ridership data, and the sales of consumables like chains and nutrition indicate that people are interested in and riding bikes.
- Retailers on the whole are running their businesses pragmatically and relying on just in time ordering to stay flexible.
Okay, you’ve taken us through a number of ups and downs…how can retailers take action to make a positive impact on their sales?
- My one piece of advice to our customers is to stay very active with your marketing.
Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent and we look forward to hearing from you.
If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@works...
In this engaging episode, we had a lively conversation with Julie Walsh, our marketing strategist at WorkStand, discussing the Spring Marketing Playbook. Julie shared insightful tips and tricks for preparing your business for the spring selling season. We delved into the importance of cleaning up your website, updating settings, and ensuring a fresh, spring-like feel to attract customers. Recommendations included activating the shopping cart feature and utilizing Google Local Shopping Ads to boost sales.
https://blog.workstand.com/spring-2024-marketing-playbook
https://workstand.com/help/google-shopping
We touched on the significance of automated post-purchase email campaigns and maintaining consistent communication with customers through newsletters and engaging social media content. Julie emphasized the value of simplifying content, making it visually appealing, and ensuring it aligns with the brand's personality.
Additionally, we explored the role of incorporating brand content, such as product launches or collaborations, to enhance your website's appeal and keep customers informed about new arrivals. The conversation highlighted the ease of implementing pre-designed content to give your website a fresh look without overwhelming yourself with intricate details.
As we wrapped up, we encouraged listeners to explore the available resources on our website, engage with our marketing agency for personalized guidance, and stay tuned for future episodes where we'll have our President, Ryan, back to share his industry insights. Julie's expertise and practical advice provided a comprehensive guide to revamping your marketing strategy for the upcoming season.
Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent and we look forward to hearing from you.
If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@works...
Workstand was invited to present this week at the NBDA P2 Group meeting. We were both there along with Lauren Webb, our Agency Director, and Matt Viara, our Paid Search Team Manager, and we talked about ways to improve ecommerce performance. There were some great questions and conversations so we thought we’d hit the highlights of that meeting today.
Custom Websites - it’s about more than just design
- Content Planning
- Organic Search
- Paid Search Destination
- Sales metric improvements
- Average Order Value
- Revenue Per Session
- Conversion Rate
- In-store traffic and sales
Data Management
- What if my Point of Sale data isn’t great?
- Would it make more sense to manage website inventory manually?
- Does all that supplier data clutter up the shopping experience?
Point of Sale
- Why did we build ours and who do we expect will use it?
- POS doesn’t have to be complicated.
Tech Tip: If you’re already a Workstand website client, our POS features are live in your admin now. Take a look, particularly at how simply an in-store sale can be yet how powerful with all of your suppliers on tap. Check out your Template Publisher and Theme Editor to personalize your look. Let’s talk about custom if you want to go from personalized to customized. Finally, how are you performing relative to those metrics we talked about?
Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent and we look forward to hearing from you.
If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@works...
The beginning of the New Year is always a time of reflection, goal setting, and transformation. It’s a great time to look at your website the same you may be looking at your life, career, fitness, etc.
We can break this process down into 5 different phases:
- Step 1: Goal setting
- Step 2: Review
- Step 3: Plan
- Step 4: Train
- Step 5: Promote
- Goal setting
- Look over your sales, marketing, processes, and important areas of your business to set attainable goals for 2024/2025.
- Sales growth, category growth, marketing performance, marketing cadence, add-on sales.
- DELEGATE - get multiple opinions, don’t be afraid to get creative.
- Review your website - this can seem like a like but if we focus on your website as the place to ground your goals, everything else can work around it. You’ll have an accurate representation of your business, an effective link destination, and a place to attract new customers while you sleep/work in your store, etc.
- Look and feel
- Catalog
- Merchandising
- Services
- Community, staff, mission, etc. - what’s important to you, the fun stuff, what sets you apart
- The shopping process
- Plan - break up this work into smaller pieces
- Reach out for help - your team, customers, friends, US!
- Tip: start with the homepage - this can help guide the rest of your decisions or areas of focus.
- Train - make sure your whole team is on board and has the tools/knowledge to help you achieve your goals.
- Promote - you did all this work, you set the goals, and you’re motivated to bring in new business - now take an active role in growing your business.
- Build an easy-to-follow marketing schedule
- Utilize tools you're comfortable with but also take this opportunity to try new technology, services, and outlets
- Traditional email marketing, social media, automated email marketing, google ads/local listings
Tech tip: Leverage pre-built content from the library
- Working on, revamping, or redesigning your website can be overwhelming when you’re learning but a great way to lighten your load is by using complementary content.
- Use the structure, the images, or the inspiration - swap out what doesn’t fit your business and your goa
Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent and we look forward to hearing from you.
If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@works...
Welcome to a new year! It’s the beginning of our 25th Anniversary as a company.
Fraud is a constant topic of concern for our merchants. Just because Christmas has passed doesn’t mean there isn’t still potential for chargebacks related to those sales. Coming out of a heavy holiday sales season, let’s look at how you can protect your business without losing too many sales going forward. How can you document your processes and support your team in a way that ensures the best chance of dealing with fraud effectively?
Here's our Limiting Fraud Help Center Article
- Common types of fraud
- Stolen cards/card numbers
- Returns of altered products
- Friendly Fraud - it isn’t really
- Understanding the landscape and the risk - it’s not all bad, almost all transactions are legitimate
- How your ecommerce setup can help or contribute to fraudulent transactions
- Just because an order makes it through Stripe, PayPal, or any provider doesn’t mean it is guaranteed to be a legitimate transaction
- What to look for in orders that should make you suspicious
- What to do if suspect an order is fraudulent
- Google the address
- Call the phone number
- Orders for pick up in-store can be fraud too
- Process for verifying orders/identity
- Document and display your procedures
- Support your staff if you want them to support you
- Credit card processor/gateway fraud measures and notifications vs Workstand’s own efforts
- Merchants are ultimately responsible and left holding the bag
- Ask for help. There is nothing we or any provider can do to prevent 100% of the fraud or guarantee an order is legitimate but we will review orders with you, and share insight based on our experience.
- Tech Tip: Determine your procedures for dealing with fraud and document it. Train your team on those procedures and support them in dealing with customers. Remember, they may be dealing with brazen criminals and that isn’t easy. If they don’t feel like the owner and management have their back, there isn’t much incentive to uphold the procedures.
- What’s coming up next? What’s new for 2024? Our marketing packages have been enhanced to deliver more value, new Google local ads management package
Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent and we look forward to hearing from you.
If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@works...
Barbara Wiesner has been with Workstand for nearly 18 years. She knows more of our clients and more of our clients know her than anyone else who works at Workstand. Barbara has done a little bit of everything at the company, from the relatively early SmartEtailing days until today, she is a leader who is adept at helping both our teams and our clients succeed.
Remember all those meetings at Interbike? Barbara does. She met with clients for years and helped wrangle all that trade show madness to ensure we were able to visit, face to face, with as many SmartEtailing/Workstand merchants as possible.
What would Workstand today be like without Barbara? Well, let's all be glad we haven't had to find out.
See you around the Workstand!
Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent and we look forward to hearing from you.
If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@works...
Suzie got a new bike and other completely expected events. We're in the final days before the big holiday. Be sure your website is ready for last-minute shoppers.
- I bought a bike from my local bike shop! Happy holidays to me.
- Just like Workstand, I don’t play favorites…
- https://workstand.com/request-a-brand
- Other brand updates in our monthly update blog + quarterly brands and supplier newsletter
- Final holiday push ideas
- Last minute gifts
- Gifts in store and ready to pick up today
- Staff picks
- Gifts under $50/$25
- Gifts to show your love - small, safety-oriented stocking stuffers - lights, bells, mirrors, fun reflective items
- Kids’ bikes
- Make sure you have your post-holiday plan in place
- Lots of News Years and winter complimentary content is live in your page library
- Resolutions, winter riding, snow sports
- Lots of News Years and winter complimentary content is live in your page library
- What’s next from Around the Workstand
- Client Success Team leader, Barbara Wiesner will join us next week, December 19th.
- Off the 26th and 2nd
- We’ll see you again on January 9th!
- Tech Tip: Financing options - the option to budget a large purchase can often be the difference between checking out and abandoning the cart. Use Klarna and/or PayPal financing to raise your conversion rate and average order value.
- Catalog sections - be sure you’re getting the results you expect and don’t over do it with selection parameters.
Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent and we look forward to hearing from you.
If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@works...
Inventory visibility online - a quick primer - What is SEO and Organic Search and what is SEM and paid search?
- When we work with merchants to help grow sales, we think about two high-level ideas concerning website traffic - Organic/SEO and Paid Search/SEM
- Organic/SEO is working on the website’s content in order to be an attractive option for a search engine to choose when someone searches for a particular topic. It’s what the website does to draw in traffic.
- Quality content
- What represents your business, people, products, services, and community…
- Active management of the website
- Homepage merchandising - well-maintained websites perform well and are easy to navigate/shop
- How often? Hero, monthly. The entire homepage, consider seasonally.
- Catalog maintenance - at least monthly?
- Homepage merchandising - well-maintained websites perform well and are easy to navigate/shop
- Ancillary, off-site activity
- Google My Business, Social platforms
- Quality content
- Paid Search/SEM is, as the name suggests, paid for so that a business has a better opportunity than Organic search to win a high-intent shopper
- We primarily work in Google Ads
- Product and/or Awareness focus
- I said two but those two together end up producing a third hybrid opportunity - free shopping ads on Google
- Must have your data so setting up Google Merchant Center is required and providing Google with a compliant product data feed is also required - luckily, your Workstand website does this for you.
- You have no control over the products that show or where they show up - Google algorithms handle all of that
- Tech Tip: Enable Google Shopping
- Settings > Marketing > Google Shopping
- Deal with the beast that is Google Merchant Center or let us help
Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent and we look forward to hearing from you.
If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@works...
How’s the holiday selling season going? This is a good time to assess your success so far and make changes if needed.
- Feeling great! Sales have been strong.
- Perhaps no further sales or discounts are in order
- Keep the website up to date, use a gift guide or homepage sections to call out what’s available, but hold pricing
- Hold all proactive marketing as is - do not decrease that activity as it’s likely a large part of why things have gone well so far
- Be sure all external marketing has clear calls to action and paths back to your website. Social, email, print, et al
- Decide your hours heading into the final stretch and be sure they are updated on all platforms.
- Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Small Business Saturday were not so great. We need more!
- Get a sale configured and installed on your website now!
- POS pricing updated
- Prominent homepage messaging leaning on sale pricing, free add-ons, free shipping, upgrades, and anything that can spur action
- Focus heavily on what is available in the store now for purchase
- Promote convenience. We have this now, ready for pickup. We will hold all purchases until December X, at 4 pm to help maintain the element of surprise
- Increase your proactive marketing efforts
- If you’re sending one promotional email each month, send two (or 4)
- Increase the frequency of social media posting
- Be sure all external marketing has clear calls to action and paths back to your website. Social, email, print, et al
- Assign someone to monitor and respond to all inquiries - phone, email, FB messenger, Instagram, TikTok messages
- Increase your paid ads budget and use that to reach more buyers with the intent to purchase
- Get a sale configured and installed on your website now!
- Tech Tip: Get help. You know how you think of most home bike mechanic’s work, right? Well, that’s often how marketing looks when a busy business owner tries to learn a new thing in the busiest time of the year in hopes of somehow becoming a marketing expert overnight. The results often end up looking like that derailleur with the limit screws cranked down or missing, all jammed in the spokes with the chain hopelessly wedged between the chainrings and the frame. Let someone help you. Let us help you.
Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent and we look forward to hearing from you.
If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@works...
This week, we are discussing the upcoming holiday season and the importance of retailers preparing for it. We mention holidays such as Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Small Business Saturday. It's crucial for businesses to take action during this time, as there is a higher sales volume compared to other months. We highlight the high intent to buy during this season and the potential for increased conversion rates and revenue per session.
To effectively prepare for the holiday season, we break down the discussion into categories of who, what, when, where, and how. Starting with the importance of seasonally relevant homepage merchandising, we emphasize the need to communicate who you are and why customers should shop with you. It's essential to have holiday content on your website, such as a gift guide or information about sales. Updating other sections of your website to be more seasonally relevant, like discussing winter bike maintenance, can also attract customers.
Customers appreciate businesses that have consistent and clearly stated holiday hours and closures. Therefore, it's essential to update your website and other platforms like Google My Business and Facebook with accurate information.
Providing a tech tip, we suggest using start and end dates to schedule content on the website, ensuring that the right content is displayed at the right time. For businesses needing assistance, we offer our help through our success team and agency subscriptions for website maintenance needs. We also note that we can help with one-time projects or temporary relief of duties, even if a business is not interested in a subscription. Businesses are encouraged to reach out to us for support, and we mention that all the information is available in our Help Center.
In conclusion, we extend our wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving and express our willingness to see everyone around the work stand.
Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent and we look forward to hearing from you.
If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@works...
Let’s get to the basics Around the Workstand - your website, what you’re presenting to the shopping public, why it matters (search, conversion, credibility)
- Your website is the cornerstone of your marketing, the first thing most new customers see about your business, and how it is presented determines to a large extent what you will sell (or not sell) online AND in your store. Get it right!
- If you aren’t displaying what matters to you, what value proposition your store offers, what services you offer, products consumers care about, you just can’t win search and you can’t matter to most consumers.
- The goal is to win searches - for every person who just decides to wander into a store and see what’s there, there are hundreds or even thousands who never saw or considered a store because they have poor or no search visibility. Google matters.
- When consumers do find your website, will they be impressed and convinced of your professionalism? A catalog full of products with prices and availability BUT no way to purchase them is a gigantic roadblock and likely a red flag to shoppers. They won’t just decide to drive down to your store to find out if they can buy what they want, they’ll simply move on to a result that offers what they want in the way they want it.
- What to do.
- Ensure your website is shoppable in a sensible way. Categories grouped, navigation is simple and intuitive, catalog is accurate, services are clear, and pricing and availability are clear for everything you offer.
- All content should look good on all devices.
- Payment options and delivery options should be as plentiful as you can manage.
- Ask for help. Our Client Success team will help with training and pointing you in the right direction. Our Marketing Agency team will simply do the work for you.
- Complimentary site review - https://workstand.com/website-review
- Tech Tip: I think today’s tip is to do all that stuff we just talked about. Do it now. It will make you money.
Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent and we look forward to hearing from you.
If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@works...
Welcome back to our regular programming!
- If you haven’t checked out our last 2 episodes with our guests Lauren and Alex, please do. They are fun and informative.
- Who would you like to hear from next? Which part of Workstand are you curious about? We’ll do our best to get a guest to match.
- Content is coming out of our ears!
- All complimentary content is live in your Page Library
- Here's the How To video that explains where to find and how to install Library Content.
- Partner created content
- Trek Project One https://libpreview2.smartetailing.net/page.cfm?pageid=5148&contentType=1&preview=1
- Santa Cruz V10 - launches today
- Specialized Holiday Promotion - https://workstand.com/specialized-holiday-2023
- More on the way from Giant, Cannondale - keep an eye on your inbox!
- All complimentary content is live in your Page Library
- Tuesday marketing tip: Let’s talk more about holidays
- Start talking about it now
- Make sure your products are easy to find - homepage sections (hero, product carousel, etc) google local listings, email marketing
- Not sure what to promote in marketing? If I came into your store looking for a gift, what would you recommend?
- Tech Tip(s): Using the complimentary library content - start and end dates, use them when and where to save time/mistakes - Google Local Listings!
Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent and we look forward to hearing from you.
If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@works...
This week we’re joined by our Product Team Manager, Alex Slocum. Alex tells us about how he got into the world of bicycles and technology and how he ended up here at Workstand with us. We learn what a Product Team does and what the roles are in our Product Team along with how the team interacts with other parts of the company such as Development, Client Success, Marketing, and of course, our Leadership Team.
Alex is a key figure in the development of our new Point of Sale features and in the ongoing development of our ecommerce platform and tools. The episode is another example of Alex’s commitment to transparency and his openness to feedback and what becomes of it once his team receives it. We get into the genesis of these new features and how the progress we’ve made as we ready the official release compares to the goals set two years ago when it all began to take shape.
Alex’s creativity isn’t confined to his days here at Workstand. He’s a builder at heart and we get to hear about his love of fixing up cars, woodworking, creating scary Halloween costumes, and even sewing!
Come meet Alex Slocum Around the Workstand!
Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent and we look forward to hearing from you.
If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@works...
We have a guest this week with us Around the Workstand. Lauren Webb, our Marketing Agency Director, is here to talk about her history working with bike shops, her team of 16 folks and the work they do with more than 400 Workstand merchants, and how local businesses can get ready for the holiday shopping season and thrive amongst all the choices choppers have at their disposal.
Lauren advises listeners to start planning their direct mailers and creating a gift guide on their websites. We offer affordable options and have a creative team that can design custom content. We stress the importance of planning ahead to avoid last-minute stress. We introduce our homepage takeover package that promotes holiday content and can be used for as long as you want. We explain how it works well with our free or premium options and has a history of success.
Holiday Homepage Takeover
Premium Gift Guide
Holiday Sale
Lauren explained how we encourage retailers to consider Cyber Week promotions and in-store promotions for last-minute gifts rather than focusing on a single Cyber Day. We also encourage driving traffic to websites through social media, video content, emails, and Google ads. We mention the importance of properly setting up Google My Business and assure listeners that our team is here to help with these tasks.
Lauren and the entire Marketing Agency team here at Workstand are ready to help in the holiday season and beyond. You can reach out to Lauren with questions at lauren.w@workstand.com to learn more about our marketing work with local bicycle retailers and you can learn more about our agency subscriptions and other services offered by her team.
We'll see you Around the Workstand!
Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent and we look forward to hearing from you.
If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@works...
There is a lot going on Around the Workstand this week. Holiday marketing planning, Supplier Fulfillment, aka Drop Shipping, reminders, our partnership with Ride with GPS, and more!
- Fulfillment is included in all Professional subscriptions
- Holiday marketing - just a little preview for our conversation with Lauren, director of our Agency team https://marketing.smartetailing.net/articles/2023-premium-holiday-marketing-packages-pg256.htm
- Complementary content in the library now - Holidays
- October - gift guide
- November - mid-month promotions kick off
- December - holiday sale and/or last minute gifts
- Ride with GPS partnership @ridewithgpsdotcom #ridewithgps
- https://workstand.com/ride-with-gps
- to offer free personalized content directly on your website
- Multiple page layouts to choose from that are great for custom engagement and SEO
- Blog published this morning to compliment the Ride with GPS content - https://blog.workstand.com/ride-with-gps
- Leverage your website to create riding experiences for your customers
- Great link destination for email and social - direct new bike buyers to etc
- Tech Tip: Whatever you call it - Supplier Fulfillment, Drop Shipping, Direct Ship, letting suppliers pick, pack, and ship orders for you is one of those ‘why didn’t I do this before’ pro tips. If you aren’t using it or aren’t using it with all of your available suppliers, step one is gaining approval from each supplier. Step one is the hardest because, after that, our Client Success Team will help you get things dialed. So, approval with suppliers, payment methods, shipping methods, and understanding the process with each supplier. Advanced move: PPC/Paid ads targeting products your supplier can fulfill for you.
Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent and we look forward to hearing from you.
If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@works...
Winter is coming!
- Need marketing content to promote your snow sports categories? Let us know!
- New xc content up (came from a client request) - https://libpreview2.smartetailing.net/page.cfm?pageid=5134&contentType=1&preview=1
- Content available right now - Website > Page editor > Page Library > Snow Sport Content
- Speaking of Snow, remember that we offer a snow sports catalog
- Demo website with snow products
- NBDA webinar with Ryan and Alex tomorrow - https://nbda.com/#!event/register/2023/10/11/workstand-commerce-software-explained
- Join Ryan and Alex for an informal presentation discussing details of Workstand's expanding capabilities and a live demo of new features. No boring PowerPoint slides, but lots of time for questions.
- Tech Tip: Temporary Homepage - the way our system works, it’s possible to build a new page to be used as your homepage for things such as a holiday season homepage takeover - full disclosure, this is such a good idea that we sell projects to do this every holiday season - or to have summer and winter homepages for stores that sell bikes and ski gear, or for any other number of reasons that having a different homepage for a period of time can be beneficial.
- First, create a new page 🙂
- Second, go to Settings > Website > Entry/Home page, select the new homepage, and save the change at the bottom.
- You’ll see two options in Entry/Home page - as the name of that section suggests, you can define an entry page (that is the page a visitor will see when first landing on your primary URL) and a home page (what the visitor will see after landing on your page and then navigating back to the home page by clicking on the logo or other links to the home page).
- Our primary recommendation is to use the same page for both.
Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent and we look forward to hearing from you.
If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@works...
It’s still us! Same company, same team members - just a new name to match our growing capabilities. We've gotten some questions that suggest we weren't as clear as we could be about what changed and what didn't.
- Our Point of Sale offering is aimed at stores with no POS solution or with an outdated system. It’ll certainly expand quickly over time but for the many stores with no or a poor POS system, get in touch with us now!
- Ryan has been out and about talking about our evolution as a company and our new POS features. You can see more of that in the NBDA podcast and the two-part PeopleForBikes, Inside the Outdoors podcast (Part 1 and Part 2) that Ryan was recently a guest on.
- Upcoming guest reminders
- Alex Slocum - ever wonder what it takes to build a software application like Workstand? Alex knows exactly what it takes and will tell us all about it and the path he’s been on as we develop our Point of Sale offering.
- Lauren Webb - you know about the websites and POS products but did you know Workstand is also a full-service marketing agency? Lauren is our agency director and she’ll give us some strategies and tactics to win at holiday marketing this year. We do this type of work for more than 400 Workstand merchants.
- Tech Tip: Discounts - we’ve talked a lot about the sales that brands have been having and we’ve started talking about holiday sales already too. If you’re planning to offer promotions, now is a good time to take a look at our discounts tool as it has changed since last year. The help center walks through using both automatic discounts and discount codes and both are very useful tools for promotions. Side note: be sure to adjust your Google Merchant Center settings if any of your promos will affect your paid ads and if any of your holiday promos include changes to your shipping methods and rules.
- Snack question of the week - to pumpkin spice or to n
Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent and we look forward to hearing from you.
If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@works...
It's getting to be fall here Around the Workstand and we've got lots to talk about today related to fall marketing, new POS features, and upcoming guests from around Workstand, the company not the podcast. :) So, let's get to it!
- All POS features will be available to everyone in January 2024, until then, we’re inviting a few merchants to be early entrants and beta testers
- You can still schedule your demo even if you just have some general questions, with no commitments
- For existing Workstand ecommerce clients, many of the POS features are already live in your Workstand Admin - take a look at Purchase Orders, Work Orders, In-Store Sales
- Upcoming episodes/guests
- October guests include Alex Slocum and Lauren Webb
- Fall riding marketing topics in the library
- Cruise with your crew
- Enjoy Fall by bike
- Fall bike clearance
- Electric Bike Safety
- Fresh premium content - fall clearance sale, get your ebike locally
Tech Tip: Purchase Orders - if I were going to suggest one of our new POS features for a merchant to try out, it would be Purchase Orders because they play well with any existing POS system. POs could be the most eye-opening in that being able to ‘see’ many different suppliers in one spot is very helpful when building POs. It’s certainly still a work in progress but it’s already quite powerful.
Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent and we look forward to hearing from you.
If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@works...
The response to our new company name has been wonderfully positive since we made the big announcement last week. We've scheduled dozens of demos of our new point of sale features with existing Workstand ecommerce merchants and brand new folks who don't work with us in any capacity ...yet!
We've had some press in BR&IN.
Blog post with our announcement video.
Our Help Center has been updated.
Remember, if you're curious about what we're doing, we would love to meet and show you our new POS features, our ecommerce capabilities, and our marketing offerings. Use the links below to request a demo meeting.
The Tech Tip this week is to get in there and take a look at all the new in-store POS features that are already in your Workstand admin. We'd love your feedback!
If you're an existing Workstand client, you can request a demo here.
If you are not yet working with us at Workstand, you can request your demo here.
Of course, this podcast got a new name too. We're moving away from Up Next and 10-Minute Tuesday and the podcast will now be known as Around the Workstand. We'll continue posting episodes weekly and we hope to bring in other Workstand teams to share what they are working on to ensure you know all the good stuff that's coming down the pipe.
See you next week Around the Workstand!
Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent and we look forward to hearing from you.
If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@works...
We have exciting news to share. SmartEtailing has undergone a significant transformation and is now known as Workstand. Along with this name change, we have launched a new point-of-sale system that is aimed at the many bike shops with no point-of-sale or an outdated POS.
Our new point-of-sale system is available on its own for in-store use and is also included in our existing e-commerce packages. This development addresses a gap in the market, where many shops either lack a point-of-sale system or are using outdated ones. Our goal is to provide a solution to these underserved businesses and contribute to their sustainability.
The transition from SmartEtailing to Workstand signifies our commitment to modernization and becoming the heart of the bike business. With over 25 years in operation, we have built a trusted reputation within the industry, and we are excited to bring this cutting-edge software to the market.
The development of our new features was a complex process, but we are confident that this system will enable bike shops to compete with larger retailers. By leveraging data and organizing information effectively, we have created a sleek and compelling system, offering tools for local merchants that rival industry giants like REI.
We are implementing a freemium business model, where our point of sale system is available with no monthly subscription fee, making it affordable for bike shops to upgrade and streamline their operations. Our purpose is to assist and support the industry's health and the success of independent bike shops.
We are dedicated to providing support to our customers through various channels, including a help center, live chat, email, and phone. We want to ensure that we earn your business and provide the help you need.
We will be sharing more information about the changes via email, social media, blog posts, and our weekly podcasts. We are in an exciting time at Workstand, finally able to deliver on what our customers have been asking for. We encourage everyone to request a demo and see what Workstand is about. Stay tuned for more updates, and we look forward to seeing you Around the Workstand.
Existing Workstand ecommerce merchants who'd like to learn more about our new point-of-sale features can schedule a demo here.
Not yet a Workstand client? Sch
Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com. We read all emails sent and we look forward to hearing from you.
If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@works...
There's no denying here in Colorado, that the seasons are changing and fall is on its way.
End-of-season sales are happening and other, not-so-pleasant things may be on the way as well.
Be mindful of fraud. Criminals know that merchants can't pay as close attention to processes during the holiday season when it's hectic and many are employing seasonal workers. Double down on your processes and training to protect your business from this increased risk of fraud.
Agency team check-in! Our Marketing Agency is quite busy as we head toward fall. Google Local Inventory and paid Google ads are helping them sell more bikes and gear. We're also helping many get their homepages back up to best practices for maximum user efficiency which always leads to better organic search performance a.k.a. SEO.
Tech Tip: Order Workflow - If you haven't revisited your online order workflow lately, now is a great time to do that. These features can help optimize your staff's time and energy when dealing with orders from your website.
- Order Confirmation Page Message
- Order Notification Email
- Choose the ‘from’ email appropriately
- Use both top and bottom messages
- Enable Supplier Fulfillment notification
- Record Store Fulfillment
- Order Status and Comments
- Note Comment to Customer vs. Internal Comment
If you're a current SmartEtailing website client with questions about your website, reach out to support@smartetailing.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a SmartEtaililng website client with questions about how our programs work, email info@smartetailing.com and we'll gladly show you around.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Up Next on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Up Next playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Up Next or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@smartetailing.com.
email marketing #marketing #bikeshopwebsites #merchandising
This week, we have a few topics we don't talk about very often but they are none the less quite helpful.
- Buy Local Now
- Yes, this is free to any bike shop - no SmartEtailing subscription required
- Why do we offer this for free - is there a catch?
- Why should a retailer use the service?
- Compatible POS Systems
- Did you know we will do a free website review for you?
- Just fill out this form and our Client Success team will take it from there.
- Audit the site and provide a list of suggested improvements and links to resources to help you complete those changes
- Content, best practices, accessibility
- As always, there’s also help available if you want to delegate the work
- Tech Tip: Using URL Directories in Advanced Page Settings to more accurately describe your page content
- Responsive pages, Form pages, Locations
- Choices include - articles, buyers-guides, coupons, faq, jobs, events, and more
- Makes pages just a little more dialed for search engines
- https://mark.smartetailing.net/about/about-the-bike-shop-pg145.htm
If you're a current SmartEtailing website client with questions about your website, reach out to support@smartetailing.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a SmartEtaililng website client with questions about how our programs work, email info@smartetailing.com and we'll gladly show you around.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Up Next on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Up Next playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Up Next or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@smartetailing.com.
email marketing #marketing #bikeshopwebsites #merchandising
Sorry about the little bit of static toward the end.
- New Santa Cruz bike launch today - complimentary content available, fill out the form and we’ll update your website for you https://www.smartetailing.com/santa-cruz-skitch-2023
- Snow sports? You’re probably receiving this product now - start making a plan for your website
- Homepage update, services, email + social marketing
- Consider our Snow Sports Catalog if you aren’t already subscribing
- Tech Tip: Google Calendar integration - the 4th most viewed How To video in the last month!
- If you already use a Google Calendar to manage events or rides or whatever, why not simply add that calendar to your website? It’s easy.
- Bonus Tech Tip: Our new Risk Review notification.
- Eating some good food during a visit to Alabama!
If you're a current SmartEtailing website client with questions about your website, reach out to support@smartetailing.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a SmartEtaililng website client with questions about how our programs work, email info@smartetailing.com and we'll gladly show you around.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Up Next on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Up Next playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Up Next or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@smartetailing.com.
email marketing #marketing #bikeshopwebsites #merchandising
Hard to believe we're already half way through August!
- We got lots of questions about our email last week!
- New electric bike content live in the library - E-bike accessories
- Really highlights the evolution of our complimentary content
- Update to the optional Colorado Retail Delivery Fee
- Trek Supercaliber content live in the library
- We worked with Trek to create the content, although it did not become a trek connect retail marketing campaign, we do have it available for retailers to install to promote the bikes.
- Tech Tip: Catalog Sections and the View More… button
- Don’t use that button link for anything else, you’ll regret it!
- https://www.food.com/recipe/baked-mac-n-cheese-sriracha-505226
If you're a current SmartEtailing website client with questions about your website, reach out to support@smartetailing.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a SmartEtaililng website client with questions about how our programs work, email info@smartetailing.com and we'll gladly show you around.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Up Next on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Up Next playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Up Next or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@smartetailing.com.
email marketing #marketing #bikeshopwebsites #merchandising
Happy Tuesday!
- Look out for our email about some exciting news coming soon!
- We talk a lot about marketing, good content, etc but there are suggested steps that make a difference so let’s look at those so we don’t inadvertently encourage you to get ahead of yourself.
- Commerce-enabled website in place and dialed
- Website actively managed - updated regularly, information helpful to your customers
- This is when the content we so often speak of first comes in
- Help your customers shop the way they want for the products they care about
- Stay top of mind for your customers - automated email campaigns based on purchases
- Market to your existing customers - promotional email marketing campaigns
- Take advantage of free shopping functionality from Google
- Allocate monthly budget for paid ads
- NBDA webinar encouraging retailers to use ecommerce and technology - Specialty Bicycle Retail Study Webinar
- Statement from a presenter, "See your website as another salesperson, makes the cost seem much more affordable. Part of your sales force. Website needs to be as current and up-to-date as your salespeople. What do you need to move? What's new? What is most profitable?"
- Tech Tip: Payment Methods - more is better for consumers
- WePay, PayPal, and Klarna work well together
If you're a current SmartEtailing website client with questions about your website, reach out to support@smartetailing.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a SmartEtaililng website client with questions about how our programs work, email info@smartetailing.com and we'll gladly show you around.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Up Next on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Up Next playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Up Next or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@smartetailing.com.
email marketing #marketing #bikeshopwebsites #merchandising
It's Tuesday and it's August! Plenty to get to today so let's go!
- Santa Cruz Stigmata launch today
- Complimentary marketing content - opt-in https://www.smartetailing.com/santa-cruz-stigmata-2023
- Supplier Sync reminder
- It’s August…should you be thinking about the holidays? We recommend it
- Staff Picks Premium Content
- Great durable content - easy to update, great for SEO, fun way to showcase your team’s expertise
- Excellent link destination for marketing year-round
- Tech Tip: New Feature shows which Footer and Banner is currently live
- Seasonal swaps
- No longer have to check in site settings to confirm
If you're a current SmartEtailing website client with questions about your website, reach out to support@smartetailing.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a SmartEtaililng website client with questions about how our programs work, email info@smartetailing.com and we'll gladly show you around.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Up Next on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Up Next playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Up Next or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@smartetailing.com.
email marketing #marketing #bikeshopwebsites #merchandising
There is a lot going on this week!
- Free Homepage Makeover email - wow, what a response!
- It's too late to get one for free but take an honest look at your homepage and if it isn't great, let us know!
- Ibis Cycles Summer Sale Homepage Banner
- Santa Cruz Supplier Sync
- https://www.smartetailing.com/santa-cruz
- Communicating in-store pickup times and setting appropriate expectations
- https://blog.smartetailing.com/order-pickup-communications
- Post order notices
- Shopping Cart Page Message
- Order Confirmation Page Message
- Record In-Store fulfillment
- Things have moved around in site manager since the video was produced - don’t forget to use Site Manager Search to easily find specific sections in site manager.
- Tech Tip: Closeout vs Sale - If a product is marked as a closeout, it will only display in-stock variations. With plenty of inventory in the system, you may not be thinking about closeouts in this way but if you expect to see warehouse stock or unmapped variations of a product but don’t, confirm that it isn’t set to be a Closeout in Your Items. Closeout can be set by manually checking the Closeout box or by your POS System if the end date for a sale is 01/01/2049.
- Default is that Closeout is enabled in Stock Status Management
- Disabling this feature allows you to have some flexibility with the label placed on sale items
If you're a current SmartEtailing website client with questions about your website, reach out to support@smartetailing.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a SmartEtaililng website client with questions about how our programs work, email info@smartetailing.com and we'll gladly show you around.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Up Next on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Up Next playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Up Next or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@smartetailing.com.
email marketing #marketing #bikeshopwebsites #merchandising
We're trying out also offering 10-Minute Tuesdays as video now. Of course, if you like the audio-only version, it will still be here every week but if you'd like to see us talking, you can now find that on YouTube.
- This time with faces!
- We got to visit in person last week at the Client Success Summit
- That team is always working to get better
- After-ticket surveys are important and appreciated
- How can we help you move your in-store inventory?
- Built-in tools
- Enable your shopping cart
- Pending mapping maintenance
- Leverage complementary content
- Brand sale pages
- Google Local + selling on social
- Let folks know how convenient it is to see what you have available and shop with you
- Built-in tools
- Tech Tip: Stock Status Labels work in conjunction with POS Import and Display Rules
- Most useful for products on order/back ordered
If you're a current SmartEtailing website client with questions about your website, reach out to support@smartetailing.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a SmartEtaililng website client with questions about how our programs work, email info@smartetailing.com and we'll gladly show you around.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Up Next on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Up Next playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Up Next or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@smartetailing.com.
email marketing #marketing #bikeshopwebsites #merchandising
This week, the brand-level sales trend continues with new and existing sales being extended. We've got assets for many of these events so, if you haven't opt-in yet, check in the library (Content > Page Editor > Page Library) or let our Client Success team know you need a hand. There's more too!
- Big sales continue - QBP brands et al
- An emerging issue - more email providers such as Google, Apple/iCloud, are beginning to require domain verification records to be included in DNS settings.
- Tech Tip: Supplier Promotional Pricing
- Only affects Supplier Sync items that aren’t already mapped to your POS data
- Merchants should update their POS pricing for sale items
- General sale prices reminder - use the price resources your POS vendor provides
If you're a current SmartEtailing website client with questions about your website, reach out to support@smartetailing.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a SmartEtaililng website client with questions about how our programs work, email info@smartetailing.com and we'll gladly show you around.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Up Next on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Up Next playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Up Next or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@smartetailing.com.
email marketing #marketing #bikeshopwebsites #merchandising
Happy 4th of July next week! There will be no 10-Minute Tuesday next week.
- Direct mail - Listen to the webinar with Lauren Webb, Marketing Agency Director at SmartEtailing, and Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-owner of SmartEtailing
- GA4 Paid Migration offering
- One-time $375 fee
- GA4 Migration
- Build out of standard reporting
- GA4 tracking code added to your SmartEtailing website
- 1 hr meeting with agency ads team member for a tutorial and basic tips on using GA4
- Site Manager Search will make your life easier
- How To Video on using Site Manager Search
- Tech Tip: Home Screen - Key Tasks and Recommended Tasks - our merchants often expect us to know things that are difficult to know for so many retailers across North America - What isn’t displaying on my site? Why didn’t anyone tell me that XYZ isn’t configured? These suggested tasks can actually help with many of those questions even if we can’t physically triage every detail on every site.
- No 10-Minute Tuesday next week - Happy 4th!
- Snacks - to hot dog or not hot dog
If you're a current SmartEtailing website client with questions about your website, reach out to support@smartetailing.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a SmartEtaililng website client with questions about how our programs work, email info@smartetailing.com and we'll gladly show you around.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Up Next on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Up Next playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Up Next or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@smartetailing.com.
email marketing #marketing #bikeshopwebsites #merchandising
We have a lot to get to this week that should help manage your website so let's get to it. Also, snack talk ended up extending this episode, sorry (not).
- Welcome back after a long weekend - Juneteenth
- As a company, we’re donating to Black Girls Code https://wearebgc.org/
- Provide black girls with computer programming and technology education
- As a company, we’re donating to Black Girls Code https://wearebgc.org/
- Migrate to GA4 reminder
- Migration guide for beginners
- This isn't a SmartEtailing thing, but rather a Google thing.
- From the Client Success team:
- Missing/Mismatched SKUs
- Why do they need to be dealt with/deleted?
- How to do that - POS Sync Management
- Catalog Indexing
- Structure changes
- During/after POS Sync processing
- Product List vs Product Detail pages
- Missing/Mismatched SKUs
- Tech Tip: Third-party apps and code snippets that require access to your site HTML - sometimes people are concerned that they won’t have access to the HTML
- Settings > Marketing > Custom Tags
- Page Level scripts and CSS - Page Settings
- HTML page block
- Settings > Catalog settings - Shopping Cart Page Message AND Order Confirmation Page Message
- DANGER!
- Spiderman reference: with great power comes great responsibility - we don't support, edit, or troubleshoot HTML, JS, or CSS custom code. Use these sections at your own risk.
- SNACKS - road riding perks = gas stations
- discovered blue raspberry lemonade Swedish fish this weekend
If you're a current SmartEtailing website client with questions about your website, reach out to support@smartetailing.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a SmartEtaililng website client with questions about how our programs work, email info@smartetailing.com and we'll gladly show you around.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Up Next on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Up Next playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Up Next or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@smartetailing.com.
email marketing #marketing #bikeshopwebsites #merchandising
From our founding in 1999 until 2011, SmartEtailing worked primarily with local bicycle retailers. In 2011, we added a feature called Supplier Sync and began working with brands and suppliers to allow local retailers to display warehouse inventory on their own, local websites. Supplier Fulfillment - aka drop shipping - soon followed allowing merchants to send orders from their websites to suppliers to be picked, packed, and shipped on their behalf. Buy Local Now and a MAP Protection Service came next and these days, we're even working with brands to create professional marketing assets to support product launches and sales.
We thought it would be a good time to ask Matt Lolli and Jess Meyer from our Brand and Supplier Services team to join us to discuss those services, how they benefit both the brand and merchant, and how to get involved from both the supplier and retailer side. If you're a brand or supplier with questions about these services, reach out to Jess Meyer or Matt Lolli and they'll get you pointed in the right direction.
If you're a current SmartEtailing website client with questions about your website, reach out to support@smartetailing.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a SmartEtaililng website client with questions about how our programs work, email info@smartetailing.com and we'll gladly show you around.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Up Next on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Up Next playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Up Next or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@smartetailing.com.
email marketing #marketing #bikeshopwebsites #merchandising
After a week off, we're back with 10-Minute Tuesday and we have a lot to get to so let's go!
- Having trouble getting folks who bought bikes over the past few years back in your store?
- How are you marketing to them/continuing to deliver customer service?
- Automated, relevant, actionable outreach
- Brands and Supplier Services
- MAP protection, Supplier Sync, Supplier Fulfillment, Buy Local Now, Partner Pages
- Dedicated team working with brands and suppliers to encourage participation and investment in services that are good for them and merchants
- Jess Meyer jessica.m@smartetailing.com
- Matt Lolli matt.l@smartetailing.com
- No cost to merchants beyond a SmartEtailing website
- Up Next podcast episode is out this week about our Supplier and Brand Services. The audio version in the same place you listen to 10-Minute Tuesday and also on YouTube if you want to hear and see us.
- If you have found our podcast and are not yet using SmartEtailing for your website or maybe you do but you haven’t thought about us as your marketing agency, I encourage you to consider us and reach out with questions. EVEN IF you just want to ask questions. No strings attached.
- For website questions, email info@smartetailing.com
- For marketing agency questions, email mark.s@smartetailing.com
- Tech tip: Navigator Builder and its relationship, or lack thereof, with Page Editor
- Snack pondering of the day: favor form of carbs?
If you're a current SmartEtailing website client with questions about your website, reach out to support@smartetailing.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a SmartEtaililng website client with questions about how our programs work, email info@smartetailing.com and we'll gladly show you around.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Up Next on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Up Next playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Up Next or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@smartetailing.com.
email marketing #marketing #bikeshopwebsites #merchandising
We hope everyone's Memorial Day weekend went well.
- Happy Tuesday?? What day is it??
- There will be no 10-Minute Tuesday next week. We'll see you on June 13th!
- Lil post-holiday website maintenance
- Summer content, school’s out, gear up for your next adventure, sale items
- World Bicycle Relief - Pedal to empower
- https://www.pedaltoempower.com/fundraisers/smartetailing2023
- https://libpreview2.smartetailing.net/page.cfm?pageID=5047&contentType=1&preview=1
- Find it in Page Library > Community
- Tech tip: Communication with your customers is important and can make your life easier - https://blog.smartetailing.com/order-pickup-communications add the blog
- Shopping Cart Page Message and Other Commerce tips
- Remember, there won’t be a 10-Minute Tuesday next week - Suzie is off and I’ll just be getting back from Unbound and will likely be ineffective on multiple levels. We'll be back on June 13th!
If you're a current SmartEtailing website client with questions about your website, reach out to support@smartetailing.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a SmartEtaililng website client with questions about how our programs work, email info@smartetailing.com and we'll gladly show you around.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Up Next on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Up Next playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Up Next or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@smartetailing.com.
email marketing #marketing #bikeshopwebsites #merchandising
Happy Tuesday!
- The unofficial start of summer kicks off this weekend - is your website ready?
- Direct mail webinar w/ NBDA and the Bike Coop coming up June 6th
- https://nbda.com/events/#!event/2023/6/6/direct-mail-marketing-a-winning-summer-strategy
- Speaking of the Bike Coop - we worked together to create free website content for Bike Coop members to promote their Freedom to Ride financing
- Simply opt-in and a member of the SmartEtailing team will update your website for you
- https://www.smartetailing.com/synchrony
- Tuesday Tech Tip: Alternative Page Settings
- Create new Alternative Page Settings in Settings > Website > Site Settings
- Apply those Alternative Page Settings within Responsive Pages and Form Pages
- Use case: club pages, staff pages, collecting information not specific to marketing or sales activity like rides, routes, and events
- Homepage Merchandising Podcast Episode 12
- Much more detail on effective homepage merchandising for ecommerce websites
If you're a current SmartEtailing website client with questions about your website, reach out to support@smartetailing.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a SmartEtaililng website client with questions about how our programs work, email info@smartetailing.com and we'll gladly show you around.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Up Next on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Up Next playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Up Next or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@smartetailing.com.
email marketing #marketing #bikeshopwebsites #merchandising
Suzie and Mark, the sidetrack wonders, attempt to get back on track with 10-Minute Tuesday not being more (or at least not much more) than 10 actual minutes.
- Friday is National Bike to Work Day!
- Share you plans with your customers
- Staff tips on commuting
- Post on social
- Square POS integration
- Latest blog posts
- Social media by Julie
- PeopleForBikes Report takeaways from Ryan
- Tech tip: catalog page/section sort by
If you're a current SmartEtailing website client with questions about your website, reach out to support@smartetailing.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a SmartEtaililng website client with questions about how our programs work, email info@smartetailing.com and we'll gladly show you around.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Up Next on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Up Next playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Up Next or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@smartetailing.com.
email marketing #marketing #bikeshopwebsites #merchandising
- Plan ahead for Memorial Day weekend
- Fun marketing idea - promote your service appointment openings
- email main topic, sub topic and maybe weekly social post
- Google Local Inventory Ads
- We can handle the setup
- We can help with ads
- Use Supplier Sync and Fulfillment to broaden your offering and delegate some of your fulfillment to your suppliers
- Suppliers are very interested in how merchants interact with orders and fulfillment
- Tech Tip: Mega Menus
- Sometimes you want to rearrange the shopping experience on your website
If you're a current SmartEtailing website client with questions about your website, reach out to support@smartetailing.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a SmartEtaililng website client with questions about how our programs work, email info@smartetailing.com and we'll gladly show you around.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Up Next on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Up Next playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Up Next or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@smartetailing.com.
email marketing #marketing #bikeshopwebsites #merchandising
- Happy National Bike Month!
- How are you celebrating?
- Sweet Library Content - Content > Page Editor > Library Pages
- Even Sweeter Premium Content Package - email mark.s@smartetailing.com to sign up for this package
- Capitalize on service department success
- Based on People for Bikes reports this remains a bright spot in the industry right now - up 10% in February
- Think about how many people bought bikes from you in 2020/2021…are they coming back in for repairs/maintenance? Maybe there is an educational opportunity here
- Automate that follow-up to grow sales from existing customers
- It’s about more than selling your services - help your riders understand the benefits of basic maintenance
- pumping up tires, routine safety checks, flat-resistant parts and accessories
- maybe a free clinic for your community? Women’s and non-binary events?
- have a quick turnaround time on scheduled repairs, talk about it!
- Lil Google my business and Facebook page maintenance reminder
- Helping folks use the bikes they already have is a great marketing and business tactic
- Tech tip: Supplier Sync Exclusion Settings
- If you haven’t reviewed your current settings in a while, it’s worth a look
- Maybe you should remove some exclusions to open up what’s offered
- Are brands or categories showing up that you don’t support?
- We’ve added Suppliers for Fulfillment/Drop Shipping, why not let them fulfill more products?
- If you haven’t reviewed your current settings in a while, it’s worth a look
If you're a current SmartEtailing website client with questions about your website, reach out to support@smartetailing.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a SmartEtaililng website client with questions about how our programs work, email info@smartetailing.com and we'll gladly show you around.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Up Next on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Up Next playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Up Next or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@smartetailing.com.
email marketing #marketing #bikeshopwebsites #merchandising
- National Bike Month is coming up!
- The bestest National Bike Month premium content
- Library content - Seasonal Content > Spring > National Bike Month 2023
- Square POS integration
- Free to SmartEtailing and Square users
- Windows application
- Help center: https://www.smartetailing.com/help/square-pos-integration
- DISCOUNTS - Make it happen or we will and soon!
- More sale prices…
- Custom prices vs promotional prices vs POS pricing
- Pricing Troubleshooting
If you're a current SmartEtailing website client with questions about your website, reach out to support@smartetailing.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a SmartEtaililng website client with questions about how our programs work, email info@smartetailing.com and we'll gladly show you around.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Up Next on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Up Next playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Up Next or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@smartetailing.com.
email marketing #marketing #bikeshopwebsites #merchandising
HLC opens a new distribution center in Texas which is now available as an option in your site manager settings - Settings > Suppliers > Supplier Sync
Our Supplier Fulfillment/drop-ship partners are up to 5 US suppliers - Trek, Specialized, QBP, J&B, and HLC and 2 Canadian suppliers, Live to Play Sports and HLC. Are you taking advantage of those?
We got quite a few responses to our electric bike survey, thank you! We'll be taking action on many topics in the coming months.
Consistent marketing matters over time. Even when sales are strong, consistent marketing ensures your business gets its share of the pie and minimizes the eventual downward swings in markets, seasonal or otherwise. Keep your website dialed and consider Email Automations to stay top of mind with your customers.
Cake or cupcakes? Frosting ratios and more.
If you're a current SmartEtailing website client with questions about your website, reach out to support@smartetailing.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a SmartEtaililng website client with questions about how our programs work, email info@smartetailing.com and we'll gladly show you around.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Up Next on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Up Next playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Up Next or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@smartetailing.com.
email marketing #marketing #bikeshopwebsites #merchandising
We're sending out an Electric Bike Survey to find out more about the brands that matter to our merchants. Please fill it out so that we can better serve your business needs.
Beyond the electric bike pages you'll find in the Page Library, we also build Premium Content pages. Here are a couple related to electric bikes.
Get Charged Up
Everything You Need to Know About Electric Bikes
Learn about our Automated Email Campaigns
Can you hire a Marketing Manager for $329/mo? You can with us.
And remember, always eat your donuts, kids!
If you're a current SmartEtailing website client with questions about your website, reach out to support@smartetailing.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a SmartEtaililng website client with questions about how our programs work, email info@smartetailing.com and we'll gladly show you around.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Up Next on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Up Next playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Up Next or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@smartetailing.com.
email marketing #marketing #bikeshopwebsites #merchandising
There is a lot going on this week in the SmartEtailing world. Let's get to it!
- TrekFest extended
- Our team took care of installs based on a list we received from Trek
- Updated landing page live in the page library - Sales and Promotions folder
- How To: Holiday Library Content - find, preview, and install holiday content - this works for any library content in Page Editor
- Santa Cruz factory sale extended
- Pricing - if you want to maintain the sale price on your website, make sure your POS is up to date
- Welcome to continue using the complimentary content as well - live in the library
- How To: Holiday Library Content - find, preview, and install holiday content - this works for any library content in Page Editor
- Marketing tip of the week
- Keep the top of your homepage up to date with a clear call to action
- We can help with that! Busy Season Special promo for our Maintenance Program and Homepage Makeover - save $300!
- Tax Jar Integration is live - connect your SmartEtailing site directly to Tax Jar
- includes remittance
- Tax jar subscription is $19/mo
- We don’t send pick up in store orders to Tax Jar
- More info in the Help Center
- Don’t forget about the Site Manager search - with the new changes to where everything lives in the Site Manager, use the search rather than click around.
- Supplier settings - brands that have programs to send shoppers your way
- Giant, LTP Sports, QBP
- Enable in Supplier Accounts
- Direct Mail is not only still a thing, but it also delivers results!
If you're a current SmartEtailing website client with questions about your website, reach out to support@smartetailing.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a SmartEtaililng website client with questions about how our programs work, email info@smartetailing.com and we'll gladly show you around.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Up Next on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Up Next playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Up Next or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@smartetailing.com.
email marketing #marketing #bikeshopwebsites #merchandising
J&B Drop Shipping is live! If you don't already have a SmartEtailing website, use this form to get started with a special promotion.
If you have a SmartEtailing website but are NOT at the Professional package level, email Client Success to upgrade to Pro, it's required to use J&B Drop Shipping.
Already at Pro? There is no additional cost to enable J&B Drop Shipping. Fill out this form and we'll handle the rest.
Limited use discounts allow you to set some limits on the number of times a discount can be used.
Site manager settings update
- Website configuration and page editing tools have moved to Settings
- Utilize site manager search while you’re getting used to the changes
Spring sales extending?
- If you opted into having our team install a brand’s national sale content on your website, we’ll reach out to ensure you want to extend it as well
- Don’t forget to tell your customers!
Tacos or burritos? Well, it's Tuesday so Taco Tuesday for the win.
If you're a current SmartEtailing website client with questions about your website, reach out to support@smartetailing.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a SmartEtaililng website client with questions about how our programs work, email info@smartetailing.com and we'll gladly show you around.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Up Next on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Up Next playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Up Next or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@smartetailing.com.
email marketing #marketing #bikeshopwebsites #merchandising
Paid Google Ads are perhaps the most effective way to reach new customers and engage existing customers expressing the intent to purchase. We have our own three-person team in our marketing agency who manage paid ads campaigns for SmartEtailing retailers. The leader of that team, Matt Viara, joins Up Next today to talk about his work and how Google Local Inventory ads can be a game changer for local retailers.
That is what's Up Next!
Google Merchant Center Setup
Google Shopping
If you're a current SmartEtailing website client with questions about your website, reach out to support@smartetailing.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a SmartEtaililng website client with questions about how our programs work, email info@smartetailing.com and we'll gladly show you around.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Up Next on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Up Next playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Up Next or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@smartetailing.com.
email marketing #marketing #bikeshopwebsites #merchandising
Google Ads is often a key strategy for bicycle retailers with sales growth goals.
We have our own three-person team in our marketing agency who manage paid ads campaigns for SmartEtailing retailers. The leader of that team, Matt Viara, joins Up Next today to talk about his work and how Google Local Inventory ads can be a game changer for local retailers.
Spring Sales continue to show strong results.
Don't forget about migrating your Discounts to your upgraded Discounts feature.
If you're a current SmartEtailing website client with questions about your website, reach out to support@smartetailing.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a SmartEtaililng website client with questions about how our programs work, email info@smartetailing.com and we'll gladly show you around.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Up Next on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Up Next playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Up Next or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@smartetailing.com.
email marketing #marketing #bikeshopwebsites #merchandising
We talked about the return, of sorts, of rental bike fleets and mentioned our Integrations page. You'll find rental management apps and much more there.
Automated emails can turn existing customers into repeat buyers more often with less effort.
What is in your POS system that isn't on your website? Use the 'Download Mapping Report' function in your POS Sync Settings.
Buy Local Now helps brands funnel their website traffic to local merchants. Buy Local Now is included in all SmartEtailing websites. If you are a merchant who doesn't have a SmartEtailing website, you can set up a free Buy Local Now account. But really, you should have a SmartEtailing website. :) Email info@smartetailing.com if you want to learn more about either path to Buy Local Now.
If you're a current SmartEtailing website client with questions about your website, reach out to support@smartetailing.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a SmartEtaililng website client with questions about how our programs work, email info@smartetailing.com and we'll gladly show you around.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Up Next on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Up Next playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Up Next or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@smartetailing.com.
email marketing #marketing #bikeshopwebsites #merchandising
Having good payment options for your customers at checkout can increase conversions. Start with WePay and add PayPal and Klarna for maximum versatility.
Catalog health matters and it starts with good POS Sync management. Let Supplier Sync do its thing rather than manually importing catalog items whenever possible.
If you're a current SmartEtailing website client with questions about your website, reach out to support@smartetailing.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a SmartEtaililng website client with questions about how our programs work, email info@smartetailing.com and we'll gladly show you around.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Up Next on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Up Next playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Up Next or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@smartetailing.com.
email marketing #marketing #bikeshopwebsites #merchandising
We've got an excellent direct mail program going and it's seeing success. We are working with the Bike Coop and NBDA so if you're interested in using direct mail to grow your sales, reach out to your agency rep (if you're using our Maintenance, Marketing, or Partner level marketing programs) or email Lauren Webb to get started.
Trek, Specialized, Santa Cruz, and Cannondale all have promotional activities going and we've got great content for your website. Look for email communication from the brands and from SmartEtailing to take advantage of the associated marketing assets.
Of course, it's one thing to have great content but to fully exploit it, you should be engaged in driving traffic to that content via email marketing, social posts, and paid advertising. Not sure how to do all of that? We can help. Email Mark Still for more details.
The most common question we get from retailers is about website pricing. Keeping your POS data healthy is the best way to make website pricing easy and accurate.
If you're a current SmartEtailing website client with questions about your website, reach out to support@smartetailing.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a SmartEtaililng website client with questions about how our programs work, email info@smartetailing.com and we'll gladly show you around.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Up Next on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Up Next playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Up Next or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@smartetailing.com.
email marketing #marketing #bikeshopwebsites #merchandising
Shipping Methods can become complicated. Let us know if you need help configuring yours.
Changes to Discount methods are coming so take a few minutes and get your Discounts migrated. Learn more about using new Discounts.
Spring sales are coming. Learn more about using Supplier Promotions.
If you're a current SmartEtailing website client with questions about your website, reach out to support@smartetailing.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a SmartEtaililng website client with questions about how our programs work, email info@smartetailing.com and we'll gladly show you around.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Up Next on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Up Next playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Up Next or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@smartetailing.com.
email marketing #marketing #bikeshopwebsites #merchandising
Happy Valentine's Day!
We released an enhancement to Orders and Quotes that allow for internal notes to be added. You can see the updated options for both customer-facing and internal notes in any order and as you create new quotes.
The Discounts function has been updated and we're reaching out to those who have not migrated to the new Discounts tool asking them to do so by March 15th.
Don't forget to check out the helpful tips on the Home Screen when you log into your SmartEtailing site manager.
If you're a current SmartEtailing website client with questions about your website, reach out to support@smartetailing.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a SmartEtaililng website client with questions about how our programs work, email info@smartetailing.com and we'll gladly show you around.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Up Next on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Up Next playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Up Next or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@smartetailing.com.
email marketing #marketing #bikeshopwebsites #merchandising
There is a lot going on this week!
Internal links on ecommerce websites can be effective in helping your customers find what they want and in helping search engines see the value you are providing to shoppers. It isn't uncommon for an ecommerce website to have hundreds or even thousands of pages when catalog pages are included. Internal links can make it easier for shoppers to see all that you offer.
We now offer a Dealer Referral! If you are a current SmartEtailing merchant and refer a friend who signs up for a new website with us, we'll credit your account up to $599.
We do quite a few custom projects from full site designs such as these - https://www.theloosewheel.co/ - http://pedalsport.com/ - to smaller projects that answer specific questions in your business. Let us know if you have an idea for your website.
The latest stats suggest that in 2022, 93% of all purchases - not all online purchases, ALL PURCHASES - began online. That is up from 85% in 2021. This seems to be the one pandemic-era surge that has not abated. It's growing! To capture more sales in your store, a great website is key.
If you're a current SmartEtailing website client with questions about your website, reach out to support@smartetailing.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a SmartEtaililng website client with questions about how our programs work, email info@smartetailing.com and we'll gladly show you around.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Up Next on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Up Next playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Up Next or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@smartetailing.com.
email marketing #marketing #bikeshopwebsites #merchandising
We've got some great tips for email marketing, using our pre-designed library content, handling returns and refunds, and making changes to your SmartEtailing account options. Happy Tuesday!
If you send out regular or even sporadic email newsletters, it's a good idea to send a test email first to yourself to see exactly how that email will appear to your customers on both desktop and mobile devices.
Handling returns and refunds isn't difficult in your SmartEtailing Order management tools but there are a few moving parts. This Help Center article takes you through it step-by-step.
If you're a current SmartEtailing website client with questions about your website, reach out to support@smartetailing.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a SmartEtaililng website client with questions about how our programs work, email info@smartetailing.com and we'll gladly show you around.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Up Next on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Up Next playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Up Next or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@smartetailing.com.
email marketing #marketing #bikeshopwebsites #merchandising
There was an issue with WePay payment processing yesterday. It's been resolved but it brought up a thought about having a backup option available.
As suppliers have more inventory in their warehouses, drop shipping, what we call Supplier Fulfillment becomes an even more valuable feature. If you work with Trek, Specialized, HLC, or QBP in the US or LTP Sports or HLC in Canada, and aren't already using this feature, consider setting it up on your Professional level website. If you aren't using our Pro website, consider that as a way to leverage every possible sale you might capture.
We also talk about Supplier Promo pricing and shop dogs. Let us know what you'd like to know more about for an upcoming Tuesday.
If you're a current SmartEtailing website client with questions about your website, reach out to support@smartetailing.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a SmartEtaililng website client with questions about how our programs work, email info@smartetailing.com and we'll gladly show you around.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Up Next on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Up Next playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Up Next or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@smartetailing.com.
email marketing #marketing #bikeshopwebsites #merchandising
We have had a couple of unusual topics come up this last week
- Lightspeed POS connection - when connecting or if access is revoked and needs to be reconnected, remember the user who connects must have the admin role which is different from owner or any other role.
- WePay - we had a couple of requests to un-refund refunds that were issued - there is no way to do that. If you refund an incorrect amount or just mistakenly refunded a sale, there is no way to pull back that refund. You’d just have to work with your customer to submit a new order.
Email marketing remains a highly effective marketing tool - seeing questions about adding email popups to collect email addresses
- Should be using an email marketing service such as Mailchip, Constant Contact for that
- Those services can produce a code snippet for embedding a signup form or popup on your site
- Worth noting that there is still debate about the effectiveness of popups - do they help grow your list or do they actively drive away site visitors?
- Consider adding an offer in exchange for email signups
Apple Announced Apple Business Connect to broaden the tools to ensure your business shows up in Apple Maps, voice searches, and many apps.
- Until now, it was limited and quite cumbersome
- The only reason to bother was that Apple has a commanding share of voice searches due to their massive phone market share - this should make it easier for that to display in Apple maps, which hasn’t mattered but there are big updates coming to Maps too.
If you're a current SmartEtailing website client with questions about your website, reach out to support@smartetailing.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a SmartEtaililng website client with questions about how our programs work, email info@smartetailing.com and we'll gladly show you around.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Up Next on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Up Next playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Up Next or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@smartetailing.com.
email marketing #marketing #bikeshopwebsites #merchandising
Services have been a popular topic early in 2023. If services matter to our 2023 plans, promote them on your website. Further, whatever goals come from your planning for the year, be sure to address website and social content to support them because most people will meet your website before meeting you.
Our January Marketing Blog might be helpful too. Let us know how we can help. Want to talk about marketing budgets or how to plan a marketing calendar? We can help!
If you're a current SmartEtailing website client with questions about your website, reach out to support@smartetailing.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a SmartEtaililng website client with questions about how our programs work, email info@smartetailing.com and we'll gladly show you around.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Up Next on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Up Next playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Up Next or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@smartetailing.com.
email marketing #marketing #bikeshopwebsites #merchandising
At the change of every season and certainly more so as a new year begins, there are some housekeeping items that can really help your website communicate more effectively with your customers. Let's talk about those tips!
Here's the January Marketing Blog Suzie mentions during the episode.
Talk to you next Tuesday!
If you're a current SmartEtailing website client with questions about your website, reach out to support@smartetailing.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a SmartEtaililng website client with questions about how our programs work, email info@smartetailing.com and we'll gladly show you around.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Up Next on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Up Next playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Up Next or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@smartetailing.com.
email marketing #marketing #bikeshopwebsites #merchandising
It's a little bit quiet here at SmartEtailing this post-holiday week. That could mean our merchants are so busy that they don't have time to ask us questions, but it feels more like a lull and perhaps a welcomed one.
In the last few weeks, we've talked about merchandising and telling your holiday story. Merchandising is always essential but it will shift from a pure holiday story to ensuring your inventory is displayed to move as the new year begins and spring begins to loom large along with invoices. Here is an episode where we talked about Home Page Merchandising if you missed it.
SEO is always a popular question and today we talk specifically about meta descriptions, why they still matter, and how to write them. Each page needs its own meta description and they should be written for people to read. Keep it brief (like a slightly longer tweet) and focus on what the page is about.
Many national retailers are already on the post-holiday clearance train. Do what you need to do and what you can do to move through your inventory and take pricing power where you can but be aware, your customers are hearing about deals.
Talk to you next Tuesday!
If you're a current SmartEtailing website client with questions about your website, reach out to support@smartetailing.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a SmartEtaililng website client with questions about how our programs work, email info@smartetailing.com and we'll gladly show you around.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Up Next on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Up Next playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Up Next or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@smartetailing.com.
email marketing #marketing #bikeshopwebsites #merchandising
We are really getting close to waving goodbye to 2022 so we're hearing tons of questions about how to finish strong and how to start planning for 2023.
Today we talk about the right content steps to ensure the products, categories, and topics you care about are in place to grow your organic search reach and to be ready for receiving the paid traffic you're planning for next year.
2023 will be here before you know it and if you are just now thinking about what will happen in January, you're a bit behind so reach out and let us help!
Talk to you next Tuesday!
If you're a current SmartEtailing website client with questions about your website, reach out to support@smartetailing.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a SmartEtaililng website client with questions about how our programs work, email info@smartetailing.com and we'll gladly show you around.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Up Next on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Up Next playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Up Next or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@smartetailing.com.
email marketing #marketing #bikeshopwebsites #merchandising
Your website is often the first part of your business that new customers meet before visiting your store. It makes sense to do your best to align your website with your physical business as best you can.
Does the website reflect your store's personality? Will site visitors get a feel for who you are as a business if they choose to visit? Are you inviting everyone in and welcoming them?
You're probably doing beautiful things in your community. It isn't bragging to share that, it's letting the community know you value them and appreciate their support just as they appreciate your work. Be sure your website highlights that work, puts a spotlight on your staff, and clearly states the benefits of shopping with you. Those are the emotional details consumers make decisions on. Let them shine!
If you're a current SmartEtailing website client with questions about your website, reach out to support@smartetailing.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a SmartEtaililng website client with questions about how our programs work, email info@smartetailing.com and we'll gladly show you around.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Up Next on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Up Next playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Up Next or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@smartetailing.com.
email marketing #marketing #bikeshopwebsites #merchandising
As the holiday season continues to motor by, crunch time gets closer and the benefit of being a local retailer with great gifts in-stock and ready for pickup becomes even more valuable to you and your customers.
Be sure to provide a clear path to those products that you have in stock.
If your business hours are changing, update them on the website, socials, and Google My Business, and don't forget to reset them after the holidays if they can't be scheduled ahead of time.
Reach out if you need help and don't forget that our Help Center is full of tips and instructions.
If you're a current SmartEtailing website client with questions about your website, reach out to support@smartetailing.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a SmartEtaililng website client with questions about how our programs work, email info@smartetailing.com and we'll gladly show you around.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Up Next on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Up Next playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Up Next or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@smartetailing.com.
email marketing #marketing #bikeshopwebsites #merchandising
Raquel from the SmartEtailing Client Success Team joins 10-Minute Tuesday to talk about what we are hearing from our merchants this week.
Ensure the changes made on your website display as expected by remembering to reset your site cache after making those changes. Remember that we systematically reset all website caches overnight so if you don't want those changes to be public yet, be sure to deactivate the page or set a start date farther off in the future.
Catalog changes take longer so the best practice is to receive new inventory to your Point of Sale as soon as possible so that it can be incorporated into your website catalog in the very next overnight POS Sync processing. Help Center: POS SyncUsing Start and/or End dates on pages and sections of pages to plan out posting new content and making sure you don't end up with Christmas in July is a smart way to leverage the tools within your website site manager to take some of the work off of your shoulders. Help Center: Page Editor
Talk to you next Tuesday!
If you're a current SmartEtailing website client with questions about your website, reach out to support@smartetailing.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a SmartEtaililng website client with questions about how our programs work, email info@smartetailing.com and we'll gladly show you around.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Up Next on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Up Next playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Up Next or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@smartetailing.com.
email marketing #marketing #bikeshopwebsites #merchandising
This week, we talk about important steps to take with your website now that we're deep into the holiday season.
If it's popular in the store, it needs to be represented on your website. What products are people asking about, what is your staff hearing on the floor, and what do you want shoppers to know about when they find your website? Seasonally relevant content helps too so use the great landing pages and homepage graphics we have pre-designed for your use. Help Center: Using Page Editor Video: Finding and installing Library Pages
Pricing is a critical issue especially when you're having the first sale in a while after the pandemic years. Be sure your Point of Sale pricing is updated and accurate so that the website will have the latest information. Help Center: Custom Prices & POS SyncShoppers have embraced the Buy Now, Pay Later model and you have those options available on your SmartEtailing website in the form of Klarna and PayPal financing. If you haven't set those up, it's not too late to engage one or both options. Help Center: Klarna & PayPalMarket Watch Article on Buy Now, Pay Later growth
If you're a current SmartEtailing website client with questions about your website, reach out to support@smartetailing.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a SmartEtaililng website client with questions about how our programs work, email info@smartetailing.com and we'll gladly show you around.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Up Next on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Up Next playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Up Next or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@smartetailing.com.
email marketing #marketing #bikeshopwebsites #merchandising
Here's a new twist on our Up Next podcast that hopes to provide some quick, actionable tips every week.
This week we introduce this new type of Up Next episode.
The first big note is that our Client Success Team has extended their support hours and will now be available from 7:00am - 6:00pm MST.
We talk about retail trends and mention an article Ryan Atkinson shared with us this week from the National Retail Federation that suggests an optimistic holiday shopping season.
We also touch on holiday marketing on your website and on social media. Make sure you're promoting the categories and services that matter, front and center on your website. Is gravel your thing? Or eBikes? Make sure that is obvious to your website visitors. What is your staff riding? You and your staff are trusted members of your cycling community and are probably asked for your opinions hundreds of times a month. Sharing that on your website with a Staff Picks section or landing page is a great way to leverage that experience and trust for those customers who haven't been to the store yet.
Holiday Premium Content
November Marketing Content Blog
Holiday 2022 Content Blog
Let us know if you have questions we can answer on 10-Minute Tuesdays or in our regular Up Next episodes. You can reach us at mark.s@smartetailing.com or suzie.l@smartetailing.com.
If you're a current SmartEtailing website client with questions about your website, reach out to support@smartetailing.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a SmartEtaililng website client with questions about how our programs work, email info@smartetailing.com and we'll gladly show you around.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Up Next on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Up Next playlist.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Up Next or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@smartetailing.com.
email marketing #marketing #bikeshopwebsites #merchandising
Welcome to the Q3 2022 Features and Enhancements Spotlight.
We released some exciting new features and enhancements for SmartEtailing website clients in the third quarter of 2022. Here's a short video with Suzie and Mark outlining notable updates for websites. Join us at the beginning of every quarter to look back on the Features + Enhancements we've released.
Links to resources mentioned:
How To: Klarna Setup
How To: Klarna On-Site Messaging and Placements
Maintenance and Marketing Programs
How To: Quotes
How To: Install library holiday pages and homepage graphics
Premium Holiday Content
Help Center - Origin-based sales tax
Let us know at info@smartetailing.com if you have any questions about the features and enhancements shown. We'd also love to hear how you're using these features in your own business and what you'd like to see from us down the road.
As always, our Client Success Team is ready to help you implement and take advantage of anything in our application including these new features. Reach out to them at support@smartetailing.com or by phone at 303-527-0676 x 1. You can also use chat from smartetailing.com.
Want even more help? Our Marketing Agency Team works with nearly 400 of our clients taking care of everything from basic website maintenance all the way to advanced content and Google Ads management. Email mark.s@smartetailing.com with any questions about those services.
Social media is everywhere. What is it good for in your local business? How often should you post to Facebook, Instagram, TikTok? TikTok, really? You've got a lot going on in the store and it takes all you have to run the business so is it worth your time or the time of your staff to add social media to the mix? For most, the answer is yes. Also for most, there is already some activity on social media platforms.
Today, Julie Walsh from our Marketing Agency joins Suzie and Mark to talk about using social in general and she offers some tips and gives us a sense of how much effort to place on social media efforts.
That's what's Up Next!
Got questions for us about this episode? Reach out, we're happy to talk.
Julie Walsh - julie.w@smartetailing.com
Suzie Livingston - suzie.l@smartetailing.com
Mark Still - mark.s@smartetailing.com
If you're a current SmartEtailing website client with questions about your website, reach out to support@smartetailing.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a SmartEtaililng website client with questions about how our programs work, email info@smartetailing.com and we'll gladly show you around.
Find Us on LinkedIn
Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner
Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications
Mark Still, Business Development
We also publish Up Next on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Up Next playlist and a link to this episode.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Up Next or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@smartetailing.com.
email marketing #marketing #bikeshopwebsites #merchandising
Welcome to the Q2 2022 Features and Enhancements recap.
Links to resources mentioned:
How To: Home Screen
How To: Discounts
Up Next Podcast on YouTube
Up Next Podcast on your favorite podcast app
We released some exciting new features and enhancements for SmartEtailing website clients in the second quarter of 2022. Here's a short video with Suzie and Mark outlining notable updates for websites. Our plan is to release one of these videos each quarter to ensure our clients are as informed as possible and know about the work we've done on their behalf.
Let us know at info@smartetailing.com if you have any questions about the features and enhancements shown. We'd also love to hear how you're using these features in your own business and what you'd like to see from us down the road.
As always, our Client Success Team is ready to help you implement and take advantage of anything in our application including these new features. Reach out to them at support@smartetailing.com or by phone at 303-527-0676 x 1. You can also use chat from smartetailing.com.
Want even more help? Our Marketing Agency Team works with nearly 400 of our clients taking care of everything from basic website maintenance all the way to advanced content and Google Ads management. Email mark.s@smartetailing.com with any questions about those services.
Homepage merchandising is a popular topic here at SmartEtailing and we spend a lot of time talking about it. Homepages, far and away, receive more visits than any other page on your site so it is important to display the content there that tells the story that consumers need to hear about your business. We (Ryan Atkinson, President + Co-Owner - Suzie Livingston, Marketing + Communications - Mark Still, Business Development) talk through general and seasonal merchandising tips and best practices and how to make the most of the time you have to devote to this important activity.
REI.com remains a prime example of successful homepage merchandising and it's worth noting that you can do pretty much all of the same things REI does to ensure your site is an attractive result for search and a valuable resource for your customers. It's also interesting that in the very short time from when this episode was recorded to this is being typed, REI has already remerchandised their homepage.
That's what's Up Next!
If you're a current SmartEtailing website client with questions about your website, reach out to support@smartetailing.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a SmartEtaililng website client with questions about how our programs work, email info@smartetailing.com and we'll gladly show you around.
We also publish Up Next on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Up Next playlist and a link to this episode.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Up Next or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@smartetailing.com.
email marketing #marketing #bikeshopwebsites #merchandising
We released some exciting new features and enhancements for SmartEtailing website clients in the first three months of 2022. Here's a short podcast with Suzie and Mark outlining notable updates for websites. Our plan is to release one of these podcasts each quarter to ensure our clients are as informed as possible and know about the work we've done on their behalf.
Let us know at info@smartetailing.com if you have any questions about the features and enhancements shown. We'd also love to hear how you're using these features in your own business and what you'd like to see from us down the road.
Links to resources mentioned:
https://youtu.be/_0pQjZjTeQE - How To: Quotes
https://blog.smartetailing.com/quotes - blog - Personalized Online Selling (Quotes)
https://youtu.be/lDjcTJu5vXs - How To: Mega Menu Enhancement
https://blog.smartetailing.com/shoppi... - blog - Maintain Easy to Shop Navigation
https://youtu.be/hVoPF3XhMvI - How To: Streamline Communications
https://youtu.be/6zmcC9K7TWk - How To: Supplier Fulfillment (Drop Ship)
https://youtu.be/rqfjr_msHDo - Up Next Podcast: Benefits of Drip Shipping
As always, our Client Success Team is ready to help you implement and take advantage of anything in our application including these new features. Reach out to them at support@smartetailing.com or by phone at 303-527-0676 x 1. You can also use chat from smartetailing.com.
Want even more help? Our Marketing Agency Team works with nearly 400 of our clients taking care of everything from basic website maintenance all the way to advanced content and Google Ads management. Email mark.s@smartetailing.com with any questions about those services.
If you are not currently a SmartEtaililng website client with questions about how our programs work, email info@smartetailing.com and we'll gladly show you around.
We also publish Up Next on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Feature + Enhancement playlist and a link to this episode.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Up Next or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@smartetailing.com.
marketing #bikeshopwebsites
Email marketing remains an effective, approachable, and affordable tool to market products and services. We asked Hannah Dittmar, an Account Manager from our Marketing Agency, to join us to talk about the work she does with SmartEtailing clients in email marketing. Hannah and Suzie were both presenters at Frost Bike this year and Hannah's session was specifically about email marketing so it was great to get tips from someone immersed in modern email marketing - along with Google Ads, content creation, strategy, planning, and more - working with some of the largest, most successful bicycle retailers today.
That's what's Up Next!
Here are those resources Suzie and Hannah mentioned for help with writing emails:
Really Good Emails
Headline Studio - Chrome Plugin
If you're a current SmartEtailing website client with questions about your website, reach out to support@smartetailing.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a SmartEtaililng website client with questions about how our programs work, email info@smartetailing.com and we'll gladly show you around.
We also publish Up Next on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Up Next playlist and a link to this episode.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Up Next or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@smartetailing.com.
email marketing #marketing #bikeshopwebsites
Can you believe it's already 2022 and we're already a month into 2022? It's all moving fast in the cycling industry as it is in many parts of the economy. How's your business? What did you learn in 2021?
We learned a lot and the data has some interesting stories to tell from another tumultuous year. So, we wanted to do a quick recap and talk about that and what might be coming ... and maybe how Ryan and Suzie have too many bikes to keep up with.
That's what's Up Next!
If you're a current SmartEtailing website client with questions about your website, reach out to support@smartetailing.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a SmartEtaililng website client with questions about how our programs work, email info@smartetailing.com and we'll gladly show you around.
We also publish Up Next on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Up Next playlist and a link to this episode.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Up Next or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@smartetailing.com.
Shoppers today understand that the products they buy from a retailer's website may be coming from supplier warehouses and they expect a broad selection and excellent execution. Selling both in-store inventory and supplier-held inventory is just an efficient way to help manage inventory dollars and meet demand.
We talk about the details and advantages of using drop shipping to sell more and to find and retain more customers.
That's what's Up Next!
If you're a current SmartEtailing website client with questions about Supplier Fulfillment, reach out to support@smartetailing.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1. If you are not currently a SmartEtaililng website client with questions about how our programs work, email info@smartetailing.com and we'll gladly show you around.
We also publish Up Next on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Up Next playlist and a link to this episode.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Up Next or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@smartetailing.com.
Holiday marketing is normally about sales, discounts, and promos but the times we're living in are anything but normal. If marketing isn't about deals this year, what is it about? How should retailers look at marketing their businesses when inventory is scarce and shoppers are plentiful?
Could holiday time be a prep time for spring? Inventory has been super scarce but we're hearing more and more that, at least in some categories, levels are starting to build.
We invited Jenna Poppenhagen, a Marketing Account Coordinator from the SmartEtailing Marketing Agency to join us and talk about what she's working on with her clients to ensure they get their share of all of this pandemic-related activity. That's what's Up Next!
We also publish Up Next on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Up Next playlist and a link to this episode.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Up Next or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@smartetailing.com.
bikeshopwebsites #bikeshopmarketing
We have a great team here at SmartEtailing. One of our newest editions to the team, David DeKeyser, has a very interesting history in bicycle retail that has resulted in him joining SmartEtailing as part of our recent merger with Retail Tool Kit. So, we invited him on to talk about how he got started in retail, his decision after 18 years as a business owner to step away, and how he ended up work with Retail Tool Kit.
That's what's Up Next!
Oh, and if you want to connect with David to talk bicycle retail or business ownership, or Retail Tool Kit, he can be reached at david.d@smartetailing.com.
We also publish Up Next on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Up Next playlist and a link to this episode.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Up Next or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@smartetailing.com.
bikeshopwebsites #bikeshopmarketing
What do you think of when you hear, Google? It's complicated, right? That's why we brought our in-house Google expert, Jack, in. He takes us through some of the work we do with bicycle retailers using both free and paid Google applications to promote their businesses, grow their customer base, and sell more.
You may not use everything Google in your store and not everything with the Google name on it is necessary. Jack talks about the key apps that matter - Google My Business, Google Merchant Center, Google Ads, and Google Analytics and he also tells us why we don't need to be so worried about Google Search Console and Google Tag Manager.
Google shopping is adding sales to local bike shop retailers more than ever before these days. With the inventory challenges facing retailers, being able to focus on available products both in-store and sitting in multiple warehouses has been a strategic advantage to those working with Google Ads.
If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Up Next, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@smartetailing.com.
You can also review these resources from the SmartEtailing Help Center:
https://www.smartetailing.com/help/google-analytics
https://www.smartetailing.com/help/google-shopping
https://www.smartetailing.com/help/google-merchant-center-setup-guide
We also publish Up Next on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Up Next playlist and a link to this episode.
bikeshopwebsites #bikeshopmarketing
All of the retailers we work with are so busy. The service department seems to be a universal challenge for all - staffing, sourcing parts for repairs, scheduling and communicating with customers, walk-ups... these are wild times for sure. While discussing ways we can help, our recently released Service Appointments tool came up as a way to possibly reduce phone calls and walk-ups for service by offering a simple way for customers to book dropoff times for repairs and service.
This feature has been released (in beta) to all SmartEtailing website clients as part of existing subscriptions at no additional cost. Learn about setup and use in this Help Center article that includes a "How To" video. Our Client Success team is here to help with setup and implementation questions.
We also publish Up Next on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Up Next playlist and a link to this episode.
As we were signing off from our last episode, the one about custom websites, we asked each other if we were forgetting anything. Well, we certainly were forgetting something that is important in our opinion so we turned the cameras back on and hit record. Homepage makeovers, free library marketing content, and more. Wow. We forgot a lot of great information.
We also publish Up Next on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Up Next playlist and a link to this episode.
SmartEtailing builds website tools and content so that almost anyone can create and maintain a professional eCommerce website. We also work with roughly 50 retailers each year to create completely custom websites. Why? Well, that is what's up next.
Custom Website Examples:
https://www.racepacebicycles.com/
https://www.cahabacycles.com/
https://www.cyclingforza.com/
https://www.methowcyclesport.com/
https://www.americancycleandfitness.com/
Other Marketing Offerings - https://marketing.smartetailing.net/
We also publish Up Next on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Up Next playlist and a link to this episode.
SmartEtailing has clients all over North America and the pandemic interrupted one of Ryan's favorite work activities - visiting stores and talking to retailers about their businesses. While the pandemic is certainly not 'over', there has been enough improvement that he felt good about testing the traveling waters and he recently returned from a few dealer visits in Southern California. We're anxious to hear what he learned .... and that's what's up next!
We also publish Up Next on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Up Next playlist and a link to this episode.
Up Next is our podcast where Ryan Atkinson, Suzie Livingston, and Mark Still from SmartEtailing discuss topics pertinent to our bicycle retail clients, industry suppliers and brands, and service providers in the cycling industry.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, impromptu gatherings around a table or a desk in our office were the norm. Now that we're all working remotely, we have to work a little harder to make those moments happen and that's where this podcast comes in. Short and to the point, we hope to bring valuable information and insights to those involved in bicycle retail, e-commerce, and the supply chain.
In this episode, we find our way into talking about loyalty marketing too. What is a retailer to do when they can't get enough product to sell and anything and everything bike-related has demand that far outstrips supply? There's more to it than what happens today. Astute retailers are marketing for tomorrow, for next month, and next year to ensure all of these new bike riders become their lifetime customers.
We also publish Up Next on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Up Next playlist and a link to this episode.