Ecommerce Coffee Break – The Ecom Marketing & Sales Podcast

In this episode, we discuss how to start a profitable e-commerce business in 2026 without wasting money or burning yourself out. 

Ben Knegendorf, Co-Founder at dropshipbreakthru.com, shares why most new sellers fail early, what makes high-ticket dropshipping safer and more profitable, and the essential steps to take in your first 30 days.

Topics discussed in this episode:  

• Why the old copy-paste “guru” models are c...

In this episode, we tackle the problem almost every Shopify merchant knows: discount codes. 

Cara Marin from Seguno shares the learnings from their massive benchmark report on 162,000 real discount campaigns. 

She reveals how top brands scale promotions the smart way, using unique, personalized discount codes to avoid leaks, prevent shrinking margins, and achieve better attribution without destroying profitability

...

In this episode, we dive into the silent killer of e-commerce team productivity: using personal chat apps for work. 

Guy Weiss, CEO and founder of ZenZap, shares how relying on apps like WhatsApp can quietly harm your business through security risks, employee burnout, and lost data. 

He reveals the "hidden cost" of the "always on" culture and explains how a business-focused messenger can keep y...

In this episode, Claus Lauter, host of the Ecommerce Coffee Break Podcast, dives into his journey of building the show.

He gives a recap of 2025, shares lessons learned from growing a slow social channel, and explains how the podcast evolved from a side project into a full-time, monetized business.

He also highlights the growing impact of AI on online shopping and ecommerce for both customers and suppliers.

To...

In this episode, we dive into the silent profit killer known as friendly fraud and chargebacks. 

Simon Wijckmans, Founder and CEO of cside, shares how these false chargebacks risk your margins and payment accounts. 

He explains what friendly fraud is, why it's so hard to fight, and how client-side security intelligence, combined with new programs like Compelling Evidence V3, can drastically reduce fraudulent ...

In this archive episode, we dive into the concept of “Profit First” E-commerce and why focusing solely on revenue can lead to big surprises. 

Karl O'Brien, Co-Founder of Store Hero, an e-commerce analytics tool, shares how their system helps store owners avoid common financial pitfalls by shifting their focus from top-line sales to bottom-line profitability. 

He explains how to gain a clear view of true profi...

In this episode, we dive into how AI is accelerating the shift in user-generated content for advertising. 

Donatas Smailys, Co-founder and CEO of Billo, shares why social algorithms now demand high-volume content, his view on using AI as a scaling tool for real human creators (not for generating fake humans), and the crucial role of authenticity and variety in winning on platforms like Meta and TikTok. 

He also di...

In this archive episode, we dive into the power of social proof and why trust building is essential for e-commerce success. 

Dan Vaneker, CEO and founder of trustprofile.com, shares his insights on how web shops can enhance trustworthiness through customer reviews and trust pages. 

He explains why customers rely on reviews before buying, how small shops can compete with giants like Amazon by focusing on trust, and...

In this archive episode, we dive into email marketing strategy and how e-commerce merchants can maximize its potential. 

Andriy Boychuk, founder at flowium.com, an email marketing agency for e-commerce, shares strategies for improving your setup, metrics, and overall performance. 

He explains how to effectively grow your email list before major sales seasons like Black Friday or Cyber Monday, the power of segmenta...

In this episode, we dive into the massive shift impacting online sellers as shoppers use ChatGPT and other AI search tools for product discovery. 

Erik Wikander, CEO and co-founder of Wilgot.ai, unpacks the concept of agentic commerce — where AI completes the end-to-end purchase for the user. 

He shares what this revolution means for D2C brands, why the old SEO playbook is dead, and how to use Agentic Product Opti...

In this episode, Claus Lauter, host of the Ecommerce Coffee Break Podcast, breaks down how AI is reshaping Q4 e-commerce strategy. 

He explains the rise of Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) — the new way to stay visible in AI-driven search — and shares practical tips on managing high ad spend while keeping profits strong. 

Claus also talks about the evolution of the podcast’s YouTube format and invites listener...

In this episode, we dive into how to run the best promotions for Black Friday and Cyber Monday (BFCM). 

Nathan Ho, Product Manager of EasyGift, shares his experience and advice on structuring promotions, using tiered spending to increase average order value, and the power of free gifts. 

He also discusses different marketing strategies like scheduled rules and audience targeting to maximize sales during the busies...

In this episode, we dive into how to turn order tracking from a common customer service headache into a powerful engine for repeat sales and revenue growth. 

Andrey, founder of parcelous.com, shares the major mistakes online sellers make after an order is placed and how a branded tracking page can solve customer frustration while simultaneously generating up to 10% more revenue. 

He reveals strategies for seamless...

In this episode, we dive into the challenge faced by independent retailers in competing with giants like Walmart. 

Ravi Achanta, CEO and Co-founder of RSA America, shares how AI is leveling the playing field. 

He explains how small retailers can use the data they already have to drive growth, boost customer loyalty, and uncover new revenue, making powerful retail tools practical and easy to use. 

Topics d...

In this episode, we dive into data-driven strategies that help small sellers spot winners, optimize listings, and scale their e-commerce business without wasting time. 

Nahar Geva, Founder and CEO of ZIK Analytics, explains why shifting your mindset and embracing data is key to beating big brands. 

He shares his story of founding ZIK Analytics from a personal need for automation and provides a masterclass on using...

In this episode, we dive into the challenges of selling on Amazon, including gated brands and slow cash flow. 

Aaron O'Sullivan, co-founder of Sellmyselleraccount.co and ecomstores.com, shares how acquiring aged Amazon seller accounts can provide instant access to restricted categories, speed up cash flow cycles, and mitigate the risk of account suspension. 

He explains why the "vehicle" or age of y...

In this episode, we dive into how AI is reshaping Amazon store management and the critical importance of focusing on profitability over just top-line revenue. 

Jerry Vida, Co-founder of Peak ROAS, shares how his agency helps seven- and eight-figure brands scale by leveraging AI to streamline time-consuming tasks like PPC and listing optimization. 

He explains why a clean ad account structure eliminates wasted ad s...

In this episode, we unpack bundles and bulk discounts and how they can nudge customers to buy more and boost revenue. 

Katie Keith, Founder and CEO of Barn2 Plugins, shares why most stores struggle to increase average order value and how her new Shopify app bridges the gap between different discount strategies. 

She also provides a masterclass on discount pricing psychology, setting tiers, and when to choose volum...

In this episode, we dive into how AI agents are changing customer support (CX) and operations for DTC brands.

Dom Steil, CEO and Founder of StateSet, shares how his platform automates complex tasks like warranty replacements and subscription changes while keeping a personal touch.

He explains the difference between AI agents and chatbots, how to maintain data safety and security, and why brands in hyper-scaling mo...