Keep Smiling: The E-Commerce Customer Experience Podcast

Show notes: SellerSmile.com/042 Tools and resources: -- USPTO Learning Resources -- SellerSmile is your e-commerce customer service team. We offer a free 7-day trial! Browse our services at https://www.sellersmile.com/services/ -- Try Help Scout for your customer service, the same CRM SellerSmile uses, and get a $50 credit when you sign up through our link at https://helpscout.partnerlinks.io/jftujl9iejkq -- Bluehost for a domain, hosting, or email at https://bluehost.sjv.io/c/3516541/795082/11352 >>> Leave us a review and rating wherever you get your podcasts! Thank you! :) Have an inquiry related to the podcast?! >>> Email us: keepsmiling(at)sellersmile.com. This show is produced by SellerSmile, your e-commerce customer service team since 2017.

Show notes: SellerSmile.com/041  Tools and resources: -- SellerSmile is your e-commerce customer service team. We offer a free 7-day trial! Browse our services at https://www.sellersmile.com/services/ -- Try Help Scout for your customer service, the same CRM SellerSmile uses, and get a $50 credit when you sign up through our link at https://helpscout.partnerlinks.io/jftujl9iejkq -- Bluehost for a domain, hosting, or email at https://bluehost.sjv.io/c/3516541/795082/11352 >>> Leave us a review and rating wherever you get your podcasts! Thank you! :) Have an inquiry related to the podcast?! >>> Email us: keepsmiling(at)sellersmile.com. This show is produced by SellerSmile, your e-commerce customer service team since 2017.

Show notes: SellerSmile.com/040 - Email authentication technology serves as a vital defense against phishing scams and unauthorized email impersonation. By implementing email authentication protocols, businesses can protect their customers and uphold their brand integrity. At its core, email authentication involves verifying the legitimacy of an email sender and ensuring that emails are delivered securely. Tools and resources: -- SellerSmile is your e-commerce customer service team. We offer a free 7-day trial! Browse our services at https://www.sellersmile.com/services/ -- Try Help Scout for your customer service, the same CRM SellerSmile uses, and get a $50 credit when you sign up through our link at https://helpscout.partnerlinks.io/jftujl9iejkq >>> Leave us a review and rating wherever you get your podcasts! Thank you! :) Have an inquiry related to the podcast?! >>> Email us: keepsmiling(at)sellersmile.com. This show is produced by SellerSmile, your e-commerce customer service team since 2017.

Show notes: SellerSmile.com/039 - Discover 5 essential tips to optimize your e-commerce customer service email address for success. From branded domains to email authentication, we've got you covered!  Tools and resources: -- SellerSmile is your e-commerce customer service team. We offer a free 7-day trial! Browse our services at https://www.sellersmile.com/services/ -- Try Help Scout for your customer service, the same CRM SellerSmile uses, and get a $50 credit when you sign up through our link at https://helpscout.partnerlinks.io/jftujl9iejkq >>> Leave us a review and rating wherever you get your podcasts! Thank you! :) Have an inquiry related to the podcast?! >>> Email us: keepsmiling(at)sellersmile.com. This show is produced by SellerSmile, your e-commerce customer service team since 2017.

Show notes: SellerSmile.com/038 >>> Leave us a review and rating wherever you get your podcasts! Please and thank you. :) Have an inquiry related to the podcast?! >>> Email us: keepsmiling(at)sellersmile.com. This show is produced by SellerSmile, your e-commerce customer service team since 2017.

Show notes: SellerSmile.com/037 - Tygh answers the question "What is customer service" with several perspectives from industry leaders, Help Scout, Zendesk, Shopify and ChatGPT.  Customer service is HUGE for any business so taking the right perspective on it can make all the difference. >>> Leave us a review and rating in iTunes, or wherever you get your podcasts! Please and thank you. :) Have an inquiry related to the podcast?! >>> Email us: keepsmiling(at)sellersmile.com. This show is produced by SellerSmile, your e-commerce customer service team since 2017.

What's next? - Regular (weekly) helpful content for customer service teams, every Monday - Multimodal: video + audio + text! - Five minute timer, one take! Thanks for listening :) This show is produced by SellerSmile, your e-commerce customer service team. Stay safe and keep smiling!

In this episode, I wanted to share a recent conversation I had with author and 3x founder, Adii Pienar. After building Conversio & WooCommerce, Addi is leading a company called Cogsy, making inventory management and financial tools for Shopify and Amazon sellers. In this conversation we review how SellerSmile got it's start and some interesting ideas around customer experience, customer service, artificial intelligence. In particular, and related to Cogsy, we talk about the perils of stocking out. Cogsy helps sellers develop a system to to manage inventory levels by reading historical data and forecasted events. Try Cogsy with a free trial ~ 2 weeks. They'll help you clean and setup your SKUs and lead times to ensure your customers are left waiting for your products. Try Cogsy free for 14 days. This audio is from Cogsy's podcast, entitled, "The Checkout", a weekly audio experience covering DTC best practices, emerging retail trends, and first-hand insights from e-commerce experts. Find links to the resources discussed at sellersmile.com/035 or sellersmile.com/cogsy. Enjoy my conversation with Adii Pienar of Cogsy! :) 

In my conversation with Nathan, we discuss what he's up to now, three years after the FreeUp acquisition. He describes how he started EcomBalance and Outsource School during the pandemic, the nuances of bookkeeping and accounting for e-commerce businesses, and life as a new foster parent! Nathan has a ton of energy and a passion for customer service, instilled during his time working at Firestone. He carries that with him today in the way he graciously caters to the clients, customers, and freelancers of his various companies. Enjoy my conversation with Nathan Hirsch! Full video and show notes >>> https://www.sellersmile.com/034

Jace, from Marikina City, Philippines, has made her career in different roles related to customer service. From Cricket Wireless to e-commerce with Seller Labs and Snagshout where she met Michael and Tygh. Today, Jace is a Customer Experience Specialist at SellerSmile, specializing in account management and internal training. Full video interview: https://www.sellersmile.com/033

Show notes: sellersmile.com/032 This is a discussion with Yasine Honerkamp, a Customer Experience Project Manager at SellerSmile. We talk about how Yasine travels the world (Portugal, Spain, Morocco and more) while working in customer service. Yasine recounts how he had to adjust his life and travel plans after the COVID pandemic took affect. Support the show! >>> Leave us a review and rating in iTunes, or wherever you get your podcasts! Please and thank you. :) Have an inquiry related to the podcast?! >>> Email us: keepsmiling(at)sellersmile.com. This show is produced by SellerSmile, your e-commerce customer service team.

Today I'd like to share the audio from a recent webinar I cohosted with Katie, Kenly, and Brittany of Kaspien. They're wonderful people and know a ton about Amazon customer service! Kaspien is “tech- enabled growth marketplace based out of Spokane, Washington. They offer a range of services. I've met some of their leadership and they've been an Amazon seller since 2008! They know their stuff. They introduce themselves much better than I could at the beginning of the presentation. Show notes: sellersmile.com/031 Show Links Kaspien Support the show! >>> Leave us a review and rating in iTunes, or wherever you get your podcasts! Please and thank you. :) Have an inquiry related to the podcast?! >>> Email us: keepsmiling@sellersmile.com. This show is produced by SellerSmile, your e-commerce customer service team.

Show notes: sellersmile.com/030. In June 2021, Amazon released an update to their Customer Reviews on the Brand Dashboard feature.  Here's a helpful screencast of this new feature, Tygh introduces this feature and shows you how to use it with your own brand!   Show Links Amazon Brand Registry. VIDEO Screencast on YouTube: Contact Amazon Buyers from Customer Reviews on the Brand Dashboard. Support the show! >>> Leave us a review and rating in iTunes, or wherever you get your podcasts! Please and thank you. :) Have an inquiry related to the podcast?! >>> Email us: keepsmiling@sellersmile.com. This show is produced by SellerSmile, your e-commerce customer service team.

Tygh catches up with a long-time friend and former coworker, Tyler Henderson. Tyler shares his take on e-commerce customer experience, from working with affiliates at Seller Labs to his activities as a global account executive at X-Cart. Tyler Henderson is a Global Account Executive at Seller Labs and X-Cart and a regular speaker on all-things eCommerce. X-Cart works with more than 38,000 brands that did more than seven billion in sales in 2020. X-Cart is the open code eCommerce platform that is the most flexible, scalable, and affordable solution focused on your business success. Paired with their parent company, Seller Labs, X-Cart is able to provide you with a truly omnichannel approach to help you be where your customers buy. Tyler provides actionable advice and strategies on how to bridge the gap between how consumers behave, how digital commerce works, and how brands perceive themselves. You can learn more about X-Cart and Tyler on LinkedIn. Show notes: sellersmile.com/029 Support the show! >>> Leave us a review and rating in iTunes, or wherever you get your podcasts! Please and thank you. :) Have an inquiry related to the podcast?! >>> Email us: keepsmiling@sellersmile.com. This show is produced by SellerSmile, your e-commerce customer service team.

Amazon announces an official update to their Communication Guidelines, effective November 3rd, 2020. These updates will change communication between sellers and Amazon buyers, influencing the ways sellers use Buyer-Seller Messaging to run their businesses and represent their brands on Amazon. Michael and Tygh review Amazon’s full update and annotate with their thoughts and comments along the way. Show notes: sellersmile.com/028 Want to support the show?! >>> Leave us a review and rating in iTunes, or wherever you get your podcasts! Please and thank you. :) Have an inquiry related to the podcast?! >>> Email us: keepsmiling@sellersmile.com. This show is produced by SellerSmile, your e-commerce customer service team.

Shopify + Walmart Partnership and eCommerce Marketplace Expansion Show notes: sellersmile.com/027 Want to support the show?! >>> Leave us a review and rating in iTunes, or wherever you get your podcasts! Please and thank you. :) Have an inquiry related to the podcast?! >>> Email us: keepsmiling@sellersmile.com. This show is produced by SellerSmile, your e-commerce customer service team.

We cover the top 5 lessons learned while running an e-commerce customer service agency during COVID-19. Show notes: sellersmile.com/026 Catch our first COVID-19 episode from 3/17/20 here: sellersmile.com/024 Catch our second COVID-19 episode from 3/27/20 here: sellersmile.com/025 Want to support the show?! >>> Leave us a review and rating in iTunes, or wherever you get your podcasts! Please and thank you. :) Have an inquiry related to the podcast?! >>> Email us: keepsmiling@sellersmile.com. This show is produced by SellerSmile, your e-commerce customer service team.

(Updated 3/27/20). In our second COVID-19 update, we review how the ongoing Coronavirus outbreak is affecting e-commerce customer service, including considerations for FBM and special announcements from the major e-commerce platforms: Amazon, eBay, and Walmart. Catch our first COVID-19 episode from 3/17/20 here: sellersmile.com/024 Show notes: sellersmile.com/025 Want to support the show?! >>> Leave us a review and rating in iTunes, or wherever you get your podcasts! Please and thank you. :) Have an inquiry related to the podcast?! >>> Email us: keepsmiling@sellersmile.com. This show is produced by SellerSmile, your e-commerce customer service team.

We review how the COVID-19 outbreak is affecting our clients’ e-commerce businesses, plus ways to prepare your support team to communicate supply chain disruptions to your customers. Show notes: www.sellersmile.com/024 Want to support the show?! >>> Leave a review and rating in iTunes, or wherever you get your podcasts! Please and thank you. :) Have an inquiry related to the podcast? >>> Email us: keepsmiling@sellersmile.com. This show is produced by SellerSmile, your e-commerce customer service team.

Today's episode is the 2nd part of a conversation Michael and I had a few weeks ago in November 2019. We review two recent changes in Amazon, textless Product Reviews + the Customer Service Rating (beta) feature found inside Buyer-Seller Messaging. Show notes: www.sellersmile.com/023 Want to support the show?! >>> Leave us a review and rating in iTunes, or wherever you get your podcasts! Please and thank you. :) Have an inquiry related to the podcast? >>> Email us: keepsmiling@sellersmile.com. This show is produced by SellerSmile, your e-commerce customer service team.

Today's episode is a variety of the most interesting e-commerce customer service related news, updates, and articles from early November 2019. Show notes: www.sellersmile.com/022 Want to support the show?! >>> Leave us a review and rating in iTunes, or wherever you get your podcasts! Please and thank you. :) Do you have an inquiry related to the podcast? >>> Email us: keepsmiling@sellersmile.com. This show is produced by SellerSmile, your e-commerce customer service team.

Tygh reviews Amazon's Holiday Guide with a screen share and a festive costume! Watch the video: https://youtu.be/sqHct2DFQMw Show notes: https://www.sellersmile.com/021

A preview of what we know about Amazon Brand Messaging and why it will be important to Amazon sellers. Show notes: https://www.sellersmile.com/020

Today's episode is a variety of the most interesting e-commerce customer service related news, updates, and articles from late in Q3, 2019. 1- FBA repackaging and refurbishment services required? (2:21)  2- Shopify Chat for iOS launched in August. (15:29)  3- “Enhanced Brand Content” is now called “A+ Content.” (23:22) Show notes: www.sellersmile.com/019 Want to support the show?! >>> Leave us a review and rating in iTunes, or wherever you get your podcasts! Please and thank you. :) Do you have an inquiry related to the podcast? >>> Email us!: keepsmiling@sellersmile.com. This show is produced by SellerSmile, “Your e-commerce customer service team.”  

In our second CX Spotlight episode, we shine a light on Ryan Hamilton, a marketing professor that studies decision making at Emory University. In this conversation, we cover Ryan's background and experiences that led him to the work he does today and his opinions on how the science of decision making applies in the business world and to e-commerce merchants. Show notes: www.sellersmile.com/018 Want to support the show?! >>> Leave us a review and rating in iTunes, or wherever you get your podcasts! Please and thank you.

In this episode, we talk about the emotional side of customer service with long-time colleague, Shannon Roddy.   We discuss customer service through the lens of some of the best companies in the world, like Zappos and Southwest Airlines.   Shannon gives tips about how hiring the right staff with positive and empathetic attitudes can play a key role in connecting with your customers.   Shannon is the founder of Marketplace Seller Courses, online courses, resources and tools for Brands selling on Amazon. Shannon has worked with over 85 brands, manufacturers and private labels to set up, optimize and launch their products on Amazon. The course was built on seven years of Amazon consulting knowledge that helped launch over 23 #1 New Releases, four #1 Best Sellers and 29 Amazon Choice products. Show notes: www.sellersmile.com/017 Want to support the show?! >>> Leave us a review and rating in iTunes, or wherever you get your podcasts! Please and thank you.

Today's episode is a selection of the most interesting e-commerce customer service related news, updates, and articles from July 2019. This is our 3rd roundup, previous roundups include May (Ep. 007) and June (Ep. 011). Show notes: www.sellersmile.com/016 Want to support the show?! >>> Leave us a review and rating in iTunes, or wherever you get your podcasts! Please and thank you.

In our first CX Spotlight episode, we spoke with Mathew Patterson about how Help Scout creates excellent experiences for their users, their users' customers, and for the Help Scout team themselves. Show notes: www.sellersmile.com/015 Want to support the show?! >>> Leave us a review and rating in iTunes, or wherever you get your podcasts! Please and thank you.

What is reputation management and why is it important? Where does online reputation management happen? Best practices for reputation management. Show notes: www.sellersmile.com/014 Want to support the show?! >>> Leave us a review and rating in iTunes, or wherever you get your podcasts! Please and thank you.

We recently discovered an exciting update related to reputation management for Amazon product reviews. This new feature, the “Customer Reviews” dashboard is compelling for several reasons.  We cover the update and our top takeaways below. Show notes: www.sellersmile.com/013 Want to support the show?! >>> Leave us a review and rating in iTunes, or wherever you get your podcasts! Please and thank you.

SellerSmile recently had a conversation with Liz Fickenscher of eComEngine and FeedbackFive. We discussed “7 Amazon FBA Customer Service Tips for Prime Day.” This year, Prime Day is scheduled to start on July 15 at midnight PT and will run for 48 hours. Make sure that your customer service systems are set up and ready to go! Review Amazon’s Prime Day guide for 2019. SellerSmile is your e-commerce customer service team. Browse SellerSmile services. We offer a free 7-day trial! Show notes: www.sellersmile.com/012 Want to support the show?! >>> Leave us a review and rating in iTunes, or wherever you get your podcasts! Please and thank you.

This is our 2nd e-commerce customer experience roundup, it’s a combination of interesting topics, curated news, updates, notable social media comments, or articles we’d like to feature. Show notes: www.sellersmile.com/011 Want to support the show?? >>> Leave us a review and rating in iTunes, or wherever you get your podcasts! Please and thank you.

As an e-commerce seller, you have to ask yourself why someone is purchasing from you instead of going to a brick-and-mortar store like Walmart or Nordstrom. Think about how you can influence them not only to want to buy from you again but to tell their friends about you and leave a great review. Although you’re primarily competing for buyers' attention online, they are still thinking through whether or not buying through brick-and-mortar or online will be their best option. Your customer service, more specifically, your proactive customer service, can help them choose you!  Show notes: www.sellersmile.com/010 Want to support the show?? >>> Leave us a review and rating in iTunes, or wherever you get your podcasts! Please and thank you.

Customer service in your typical brick-and-mortar store used to be the only kind of customer service that people dealt with on a regular basis. There were brands and companies like Nordstrom, Macy’s, Barneys, etc., that held themselves in high regard for their luxury goods and the luxury shopping experience they provided. Today, millions of shoppers are buying goods and services online. While they aren't interacting in-person anymore, e-commerce sellers still need to offer excellent customer service to stay competitive in an ever-growing global marketplace. In this episode, we talk with our Design Lead, Lin Zarcone, comparing and contrasting brick-and-mortar customer service with e-commerce customer service. Show notes: www.sellersmile.com/009 Want to support the show?? >>> Leave us a review and rating in iTunes, or wherever you get your podcasts! Please and thank you.

Over a year ago, in May of 2018, well before we started this podcast, we joined Kate Valentine of Keyword: The Amazon Insider Podcast for a webinar entitled, “Creating a Strong Customer Service Strategy; How to increase sales using great customer service"   In today's show, we’re sharing the very end of that webinar, the ~20 minutes of live Q&A we did at the end of the webinar. You can find a link to the full webinar audio in the show notes of this episode, at sellersmile.com/008   If you’re an Amazon seller looking for more high-quality audio content, take a listen to Kate’s podcast shows. She published 3 different shows all aimed at Amazon sellers looking to improve and grow their businesses. One show features exclusively current or former Amazon employees, one features people that have built their businesses alongside the Amazon marketplace, and one features stories directly from sellers themselves. To find all of these, go to keywordpodcast.com   Enjoy the Q&A! Show notes: www.sellersmile.com/008 Want to support the show?? >>> Leave us a review and rating in iTunes, or wherever you get your podcasts! Please and thank you.

This is our first e-commerce customer service roundup, it's a combination of interesting topics, curated news, updates, notable social media comments, or articles we’d like to feature. Show notes: www.sellersmile.com/007 Want to support the show?? >>> Leave us a review and rating in iTunes, or wherever you get your podcasts! Please and thank you.

Companies will pay large sums of money for market research, the feedback from their target audience is valuable and used to make strategic business decisions. In e-commerce, this feedback is plentiful and free! By systematically recording and analyzing your customer service interactions, online sellers can discover the next steps to take to improve their products and business. In this episode, we outline how to find your next great idea hiding in your customer service inbox! Show notes: www.sellersmile.com/006 Want to support the show?? >>> Leave us a review and rating in iTunes, or wherever you get your podcasts! Please and thank you.

A strong customer success strategy is the base of any good business and there’s plenty of opportunities for sellers to provide better experiences to their buyers. At the same time, there’s a lot of confusion around what Amazon permits when it comes to communicating with their buyers. Jeff Cohen, CMO at Seller Labs, talks with us about providing exceptional brand experiences on Amazon, especially using proactive customer service via email messaging. Show notes: www.sellersmile.com/005 Want to support the show?? >>> Leave us a review and rating in iTunes, or wherever you get your podcasts! Please and thank you.

Amazon FBA provides so many important customer service functions, so when it comes to managing customer service on your web store, it can be a unique struggle. In this episode, we talk about the most essentials things a seller needs to do customer service on their own website. Web store customer services essentials: #1- Ambition. Get ready, there are more opportunities and more responsibility. Without Amazon FBA, which duties are now yours and how should you handle them? #2- A store. A platform to make sales and interact with customers. #3- An email address. A way to communicate with shoppers and customers. Do you want to support the show? >>> Leave us a review and rating in iTunes, or wherever you get your podcasts! Please and thank you. ;) Do you have an inquiry related to the podcast? >>> Email us: keepsmiling(at)sellersmile.com This show is produced by SellerSmile, “Your e-commerce customer service team.”

Today’s episode is the second in a two-part series about Customer service on Amazon. Episode outline: 1- The next touch points of customer service on Amazon and tips/insights for each. 2- Amazon-friendly templates. Do you want to support the show? >>> Leave us a review and rating in iTunes, or wherever you get your podcasts! Please and thank you. ;) Do you have an inquiry related to the podcast? >>> Email us: keepsmiling(at)sellersmile.com. This show is produced by SellerSmile, “Your e-commerce customer service team.”

Today’s episode is the first in a two-part series about customer service on Amazon. Show outline:  What is the true meaning of Customer Service on Amazon? The touch points of customer service on Amazon and tips/insights for each. Amazon-friendly templates. Do you want to support the show? >>> Leave us a review and rating in iTunes, or wherever you get your podcasts! Please and thank you. ;) Do you have an inquiry related to the podcast? >>> Email us: keepsmiling(at)sellersmile.com. This show is produced by SellerSmile, “Your e-commerce customer service team.”

Welcome to, "Keep Smiling: The E-Commerce Customer Experience Podcast." The first three episodes of our new podcast are availble today, here's the first one! :) Today’s show: Personal and professional introductions. Origin of the show in the context of our backgrounds and our business. Why a podcast? Are CS and CX are underappreciated in e-commerce? What to expect from future episodes. Who is this for and why you should subscribe. Go to this episode's show notes: https://www.sellersmile.com/001 Do you want to support the show? >>> Leave us a review and rating in iTunes, or wherever you get your podcasts! Please and thank you. ;) Do you have an inquiry related to the podcast? >>> Email us: keepsmiling(at)sellersmile.com This show is produced by SellerSmile, “Your e-commerce customer service team.”

Selling products online is challenging and can lead to poor customer experiences. Each episode, we explore how entrepreneurs and organizations in e-commerce are delivering delightfully unexpected experiences to their shoppers and customers! Amazon, Shopify, artificial intelligence... We’ll discuss what matters today and what you can do to build a better e-commerce business, we’ll show you how! :) Thank you for finding our podcast, it’s hosted by SellerSmile - Your E-Commerce Customer Service team. If the introduction piqued your interest, subscribe right now, don’t wait, and when we officially launch on Thursday, April 25th, 2019, you’ll receive the first three episodes straight to your device! Do you appreciate the show? Leave us a review and rating in iTunes, or wherever you get your podcasts! Please and thank you. :) Do you have a question related to the podcast? Email us: keepsmiling(at)sellersmile.com