Home eCommerce Success Blog Why you should personalize your Ecommerce store
May 06, 2020

Why you should personalize your Ecommerce store

By Veronica Jeans Shopify Queen & Bestselling Author

Why should you personalize your eCommerce store?

'People buy from people they trust.'

Here are a few ways to be a trustworthy eCommerce store.

1. Be Transparent

Show how your business works. The more you show, the more people will trust you. If you are scared to be 'open', or available, you don't trust your customer and they won't trust you.

No business is perfect, and showing that you have nothing to hide is better than showing nothing.

Here are a few things you can add to your store:

  • Business Address
  • Telephone number
  • Email address - preferably not a personal email.
  • Behind the scenes videos & images
  • Images and Videos of you and your staff.

2. Your Story is Relevant

Try to be very personal on your page and talk about your business, why you started your business and what your passions are e.g. reading, swimming, traveling - anything that your customers will identify with you and relate to your actions and lifestyle.

  • Why you are doing it and what your motivation was.
  • What your passions are e.g. reading, swimming, traveling.
  • Personal information is important because it is again identifying with your customer.

We want to give our customers a nice warm fuzzy feeling of knowing us.

3. Images Speak Loudly

Remember I mentioned the relating and identifying customer? A photo or even better, a video of you would be an amazing addition to your page and is probably one of the most important things you can add to your page. We are in the social visual age. It is all about images and videos!

Think of your environment - where you work and what it looks like?

Videos are excellent options. Show your customers a 'behind the scene' video or images.

If you are transparent about what and how you are doing, customers will trust you more.

4. Promote Yourself

You work very hard to get the pat on the back of what we have accomplished. You are allowed to brag a bit. Okay well more than a bit. Shout it out there and add everything to your page.

  • If you are in or contributing to blogs.
  • if you are mentioned in magazines.
  • accolades, associations, and groups you belong to.

5. Content is King

Your business social media must be active and show consistent news and information.

Be in front of your customers all the time, educating, entertaining, and giving them information to get to know you.

It takes between 7 - 8 appearances for your customer before they will buy from you.

A few examples are:

  • Social Media - on several different types of social media.
  • Email
  • Direct marketing

Content in your eCommerce store is also important.

It does not matter what you sell. Providing informative and instructive content for your customers will bring your customers back time and again. Turn your online store into a place people want to go to for information and education.

Include the following:

  • Videos
  • Product reviews
  • Expert content - create a blog and add it to your product page for extra information.
  • Social sharing
  • Facebook connecting button and shares

Don't forget about shipping information or any other relational information to help customers get comfortable with purchasing your product.

6. Customer Service

Customer service is probably your one BIG way to differentiate your business. And there are many ways to do this in your eCommerce store.

Here are a few examples:

  • Have a chat app on your pages.
  • Personalize your automatic emails in your store.
  • A 'thank you' video on your thank you page.
  • Sending a thank you card by mail.

    Conclusion:

    Be unique by helping and educating your customers when they land on your website/store. Ask yourself this question - what do you do if you shop online without enough information or the website/store is very impersonal?

    That's it for now. Stay tuned as we ramp up for the next season!

    Let Me Know What You Think by Leaving A Comment!

    Was this tutorial helpful for you?

    Would you please SHARE this post on Facebook with business owners who might find this helpful and interesting?

    Then would you Pin this on Pinterest too?

    It’d mean a lot to me, and it’s a great way to say “Thanks!” to me for taking the time to share with you. You are fabulous!

    But no need to listen to me! I asked our Facebook group members (join us!) what they would tell a shop owner who wanted to know if they should use Shopify. So here is some great info and advice from shop owners like yourself. Here’s what’s important to know about Shopify when deciding whether to sign up.

    Leave a comment

    Comments will be approved before showing up.

    Also in eCommerce Success Blog

    What is the difference between Shopify CSV and Matrixify Products import and export?

    By Veronica Jeans, Bestselling Author November 16, 2024

    Shopify CSV vs Matrixify Excel: A Comprehensive Guide to Product Management

    Managing product data in an e-commerce platform can be a complex task, especially when dealing with large inventories. This article compares two prominent methods for handling product data in Shopify: the native CSV system and the Matrixify Excel approach. We'll explore how these tools differ and why choosing the right one can significantly impact your workflow efficiency.

    Shopify vs Matrixify Comparison

    FEATURE SHOPIFY MATRIXIFY
    File Type CSV files Excel files
    Import/Export Visibility No visibility or control; must wait for email. Full visibility, progress updates, and cancel options.
    Export Options Exports full store with all fields, leading to duplicate rows. Granular export filtering, saves time and file size, no duplicate rows.
    Multiple Images Requires copying rows and adding each image to a separate row. Allows multiple images in one row, separated by semicolons.
    Metafields Cannot export/import Metafields. Exports and imports Metafields as columns in the table.
    Product Updates Replaces entire product; no field-specific updates. Allows individual field updates without replacing products.
    Template Suffix Cannot update in bulk. Supports bulk Template Suffix updates as a column.
    Product IDs Deletes and recreates products with new IDs, losing references. Keeps IDs and references intact, preserving Custom Collections.
    File Size Limit 15 MB (~10,000 products). Supports large files (e.g., 600,000+ products).

     

    Detailed Comparison between Shopify & Matrixify Product Management & Uploads

    File Format and Basic Handling

    Shopify CSV

    • File Format: Limited to CSV files only
    • Process Visibility: Upload and wait system
    • User Control: Minimal interaction during process
    • Progress Tracking: None email notification upon completion
    • File Size Limitation: Strict 15MB limit (approximately 10,000 products)

    Matrixify Excel

    • File Format: Works with Excel files (.xlsx)
    • Process Visibility: Real-time progress tracking
    • User Control: Full control with cancel option
    • Progress Tracking: Live progress bar with time estimates
    • File Size Limitation: Handles large files (600,000+ products)

    Data Management Capabilities

    1. Product Export Features

    Shopify CSV

    • Exports entire store inventory
    • No filtering options
    • All fields included regardless of need
    • Creates duplicate rows for variants and images
    • Limited customization options

    Matrixify Excel

    • Granular export control
    • Custom field selection
    • Filtered exports based on specific criteria
    • Efficient row management
    • Optimized file size through selective exporting

    2. Image Handling

    Shopify CSV

    • One image per row requirement
    • Multiple images need row duplication
    • Complicated management for product variants
    • Image Alt Text updates require full product reimport

    Matrixify Excel

    • Multiple images in single row
    • Semicolon-separated image sources
    • Streamlined variant management
    • Independent Image Alt Text updates

    Advanced Features

    3. Metafields Management

    Shopify CSV

    • No metafield support
    • Cannot export existing metafields
    • No import capabilities for metafields
    • Requires separate solution for metafield management

    Matrixify Excel

    • Full metafield support
    • Export metafields as table columns
    • Direct editing and updating
    • Integrated metafield management

    4. Product Updates and Maintenance

    Shopify CSV

    • Creates new product IDs on import
    • Breaks existing collection references
    • Full product replacement required
    • No partial updates supported

    Matrixify Excel

    • Maintains original product IDs
    • Preserves all existing references
    • Supports partial field updates
    • Selective field modification

    5. Inventory Management

    Shopify CSV

    • Basic inventory tracking
    • Single location focus
    • No adjustment features
    • Limited variant handling

    Matrixify Excel

    • Multi-location inventory support
    • Inventory adjustment tracking
    • Delta-based inventory management
    • Advanced variant generation

    6. Template Management

    Shopify CSV

    • No template suffix support
    • Cannot modify templates in bulk
    • Limited template customization

    Matrixify Excel

    • Full template suffix support
    • Bulk template modifications
    • Simple column-based management

    Special Features

    Matrixify Exclusive Capabilities

    1. HTML Code Optimization

    • Automatic fixing of escaped HTML code
    • Converts symbols to proper HTML

    2. Variant Management

    • Bulk variant generation
    • Option combination support
    • Semicolon-separated combinations

    3. Publishing Control

    • Flexible channel publishing
    • Online and POS integration
    • Custom publishing scope settings

      Best Practices and Recommendations

      When to Use Shopify CSV

      • Small product catalogs 
      • Basic product updates
      • Simple inventory management
      • Standard product configurations

      When to Use Matrixify Excel

      • Large product catalogs
      • Complex product configurations
      • Multi-location inventory
      • Detailed metafield management
      • Bulk template updates
      • Advanced variant management

      While Shopify's native CSV system provides basic functionality for smaller stores, Matrixify Excel offers a more robust, flexible, and efficient solution for managing product data. The choice between the two largely depends on your store's size, complexity, and specific needs. For larger operations or those requiring detailed control over their product data, Matrixify Excel presents clear advantages in terms of functionality, efficiency, and scalability.

      Remember that investing time in learning the more powerful tool can save significant time and reduce errors in the long run, especially as your store grows and your product management needs become more complex.

      Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

      General Questions

      What's the main difference between Shopify CSV and Matrixify Excel?

      The main difference is that Shopify CSV is a basic file format with limited functionality, while Matrixify Excel offers advanced features like real-time tracking, multiple sheets, and partial updates. Matrixify also allows you to work with pure Excel files instead of CSV format.

      Which option is better for my store?

      It depends on your store size and needs:

      Use Shopify CSV if:

      •   You have under 10,000 products
      •   You need basic import/export features
      •   You're doing simple updates

      Use Matrixify if:

      •   You have over 10,000 products
      •   You need advanced features
      •   You want better control over updates
      •   You work with multiple locations
      •   You need to manage metafields

      File Size & Limitations

      What are the file size limitations?

      Shopify CSV: 15MB maximum

      Matrixify: Can handle gigabytes of data (600,000+ products)

      How many products can each handle?

      Shopify CSV: small catalog

      Matrixify: 600,000+ products in one import

      Features & Functionality

      Can I update specific fields without replacing entire products?

      Shopify CSV: No, you must replace the entire product

      Matrixify: Yes, you can update individual fields

      How do multiple images work in each system?

      Shopify CSV: Requires separate rows for each image

      Matrixify: All images can be in one row, separated by semicolons

      Can I manage metafields?

      Shopify CSV: No metafield support

      Matrixify: Full metafield support with column-based management

      Import/Export Process

      How do I track the progress of my import?

      Shopify CSV: No tracking wait for email notification

      Matrixify: Real-time progress bar with estimated completion time

      Can I cancel an import once it's started?

      Shopify CSV: No

      Matrixify: Yes, at any time during the import

      Data Management

      What happens to product IDs during import?

      Shopify CSV: Creates new IDs, breaking collection references

      Matrixify: Maintains existing IDs and references

      How are variants handled?

      Shopify CSV: Each variant requires a separate row

      Matrixify: Can generate variants from combinations using semicolon separation

      Technical Questions

      How does each handle HTML in descriptions?

      Shopify CSV: Leaves escaped HTML code as is

      Matrixify: Automatically fixes escaped HTML code to normal HTML

      Can I manage inventory across multiple locations?

      Shopify CSV: Limited location support

      Matrixify: Full multi-location inventory management

      Best Practices

      What's the recommended way to update product prices?

      Shopify CSV: Must upload full product data

      Matrixify: Can update prices alone using a simple price column

      How should I handle large product catalogs?

      Shopify CSV: Split into multiple files under 15MB

      Matrixify: Can handle in single file with filtering options

      Troubleshooting

      What if my import fails?

      Shopify CSV: Check email for basic error message

      Matrixify: Detailed error reporting with specific row/column information

      How do I fix broken product references?

      Shopify CSV: Manually rebuild collections and references

      Matrixify: No action needed references are maintained

      Integration & Compatibility

      Do these work with all Shopify plans?

      Both work with all Shopify plans, but Matrixify requires a separate subscription.

      Can I use these with other e-commerce platforms?

      Shopify CSV: Shopify-specific format

      Matrixify: Designed for Shopify but Excel format is more universal

      Support & Resources

      Where can I find documentation?

      Shopify CSV: Shopify Help Center

      Matrixify: Comprehensive documentation with tutorials and examples

      Is there technical support available?

      Shopify CSV: General Shopify support

      Matrixify: Dedicated support team with Excel/import expertise

      Cost & Efficiency

      Which option is more time-efficient?

      Matrixify is generally more time-efficient due to:

      Faster processing of large files

      • Ability to make partial updates
      • Better error handling
      • Real-time progress tracking

      How do they compare in terms of cost?

      Shopify CSV: Free with Shopify subscription

      Matrixify: Requires separate subscription but offers more features and efficiency

      Continue reading

      Lesson 2. Ecommerce Introduction

      By Veronica Jeans, Bestselling Author October 24, 2024

      Lesson 2 for Ecommerce Introduction

      Continue reading

      6 Ways How To Improve Your Ecommerce Store in 2025

      6 Ways How To Improve Your Ecommerce Store in 2025

      By Veronica Jeans, Bestselling Author September 16, 2024

      Innovative strategies that can help you increase customer engagement,

      Continue reading