Simple and Smart SEO: A podcast for Shopify sellers who want to expand beyond Etsy!

In this episode of the Simple and Smart SEO Show, Crystal Waddell and Crystal Ortiz dive deep into the psychology behind consumer decision-making and how that translates into smarter, more effective SEO strategies. 

They explore the importance of relationship-building over time, understanding customer buying cycles, and using AI as a strategic assistant, not a shortcut. 

Whether you're an e-commerce owner, SaaS marketer, or smal...

In this thoughtful episode of The Simple and Smart SEO Show, Crystal chats with fellow SEO expert Crystal Ortiz, founder of Socialhart. 

With over a decade of experience in digital marketing and a background in education, Crystal O. shares her journey from retail to SEO consulting and why connecting with customers is more powerful than any ranking algorithm. 

They explore the intersection of SEO, AI, customer experience, and basic bu...

In this episode of the Simple and Smart SEO Show, Crystal Waddell breaks down how AI search systems can lock businesses into outdated messaging, even after they've evolved. 

Using a real-world case study of a lawn service company transitioning from residential to large-scale commercial work, Crystal explains how semantic misalignment—not visibility—is often the root problem. 

She introduces the concept of semantic alignment and ...

In this episode of the Simple and Smart SEO Show, host Crystal Waddell unpacks the concept of semantic triples and how understanding them can solve one of the most frustrating SEO issues ... getting impressions but no clicks. 

Drawing from her experience at a technical SEO conference and a real-world case study from her own business, Crystal reveals how aligning your page’s content with user intent (not just keywords) can lead to hi...

In this special workshop-style episode of The Simple and Smart SEO Show, Crystal Waddell guides you through creating a one-page vision board for 2026 that blends your business goals, SEO priorities, and personal life — without overwhelm.

Whether you’re a Shopify seller, creative entrepreneur, or service-based business owner, this episode gives you space to reflect, reset, and move into 2026 with clarity and confidence.

✨ Grab a pen, ...

I'm sharing a throwback video that I made to help you think about creating a vision board for your business in 2026!

In this episode, we go behind the scenes of a hands-on workshop using Canva to create strategic vision boards for your business. Discover how to design quarterly, monthly, and weekly boards that align with your marketing goals, blog content, and brand messaging. Whether you're new to Canva or just need a cre...

In this “Best of 2025” highlight from the Simple and Smart SEO Show, we revisit one of our top-performing episodes featuring local SEO expert Darren Shaw. 

Darren breaks down the critical mistake many local businesses make with their websites—and how to fix it using individual service pages. 

If you're relying on a single "Services" page or even worse—a one-page website—this episode is a must-listen. Learn how your web...

In this solo “Follow Through Friday” episode, Crystal Waddell (that's me!) reflects on the powerful branding and SEO insights shared by Mordy Oberstein (Former Head of Brand at Wix and Unified Brand Marketing.) 

I'm sharing how I've implemented them in my own business. From niching down my e-commerce offerings to optimizing emotional storytelling in my SEO strategy, I share actionable takeaways and honest lessons that...

In this episode of the Simple and Smart SEO Show, Crystal Waddell (that's me!) welcomes back Ashley from Deviation to dive deep into the evolving world of search. 

We break down digital silos across marketing teams, explore the power of unified metrics, and discuss why brand search and intent-rich content are key to dominating the search-everywhere era. 

From creating demand via social media to optimizing for long-tail keywords ...

In this Black Friday-themed episode of the Simple and Smart SEO Show, Crystal Waddell welcomes John Hogan, co-founder of Grid and Pixel. 

We dive deep into how e-commerce businesses, especially those on Shopify, can use personalized and fully automated email flows to drive more revenue. 

Learn the secrets to converting visitors with targeted popups, the importance of various email flows (including abandoned cart, product browse, and ...

In this episode of The Simple and Smart SEO Show, I'm stitting down with Ashley Liddell, co-founder of Deviation, to explore the concept of “Search Everywhere® .” 

From Sephora’s “Black Beauty Is Beauty” campaign to understanding the evolution of search across platforms like TikTok, Pinterest, and Reddit, Ashley shares his journey to building a unique SEO agency. 

We discuss the fragmentation of the customer journey, optimizing ...

📌 Episode Summary:
In this episode, Crystal continues her conversation with Deonnah Carolus, the founder of E-Commerce Savvy, diving deeper into launching and scaling Shopify stores with the help of AI tools. 

Deonnah shares practical insights on using Shopify’s built-in features versus third-party themes, optimizing SEO for long-term visibility, setting realistic timelines for launching a store, and the mindset shifts needed ...

In this episode of the Simple and Smart SEO Show, Crystal Waddell (That's me!) is joined by Shopify expert and founder of e-Commerce Savvy, Deonnah Carolus. 

They dive into the recent changes at Shopify, talk AI integration, theme changes like Horizon, and practical insights for e-commerce sellers. 

Whether you're new to Shopify or an experienced seller looking to stay ahead, this episode is packed with actionable strategie...

In this must-listen follow-up episode, Crystal Waddell is joined again by Marketing Director Garrett Sussman to unpack the fast-evolving world of SEO, GEO (Generative Engine Optimization), and the iPull Rank conception of "Relevance Engineering." 

From the power of Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) to how AI is rewriting what it means to be "searchable," this episode dives deep into the shifts that matter most...

In this episode of the Simple and Smart SEO Show, Crystal Waddell is joined by Garrett Sussman, Director of Marketing at iPullRank, to unpack how AI is transforming SEO, e-commerce, and online visibility. 

From the recently announced Shopify + OpenAI partnership to the rise of product recommendations in ChatGPT, this conversation explores what business owners need to know to stay competitive online. 

Learn why traditional keyword-foc...

In Part 2 of this conversation, Ana de la Cruz, SEO Lead at Chartis, returns to The Simple and Smart SEO Show with Crystal Waddell for a deep dive into the human side of AI.

Ana unpacks how experimenting with chatbots taught her the inner workings of LLMs, what semantic triples really mean for SEO, and how the Japanese philosophy of Ikigai helps her balance learning, creativity, and life.

Crystal connects it all back to entrepreneurs...

In this episode of The Simple and Smart SEO Show, Crystal sits down with Ana de la Cruz, SEO Lead at Chartis, to explore her journey from Univision Radio to leading SEO strategy at a global media agency. 

Ana shares how curiosity, reinvention, and kindness shaped her path — and introduces us to the emerging concept of “Vibe Coding,” where AI and human creativity meet.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• How Ana transitioned from traditional...

In Part 2 of this engaging conversation with content marketing expert Andy Crestodina, we dive deeper into the evolving world of SEO, AI's growing role in content creation, and the power of collaboration. 

Andy shares insights on balancing human judgment with AI tools like Surfer SEO, creating successful local events, and leveraging original research to differentiate your brand. 

Whether you're a solo marketer, business own...

In this episode of the Simple and Smart SEO Show, Crystal Waddell (me!) sits down with Andy Crestodina, co-founder of Orbit Media, to explore SEO, AI, and content marketing. 

Andy shares his insights on how search behavior is shifting, the importance of training AI to recognize and recommend your brand.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• AI Search vs. Traditional Search: Traditional search finds options, while AI delivers recommendations—understan...