Want more organic traffic and faster conversions on your Shopify store? In this episode of the Simple and Smart SEO Show, Crystal Waddell breaks down the visual side of SEO with a focus on image optimization. From renaming image files and writing strategic alt text to compressing files and picking the best formats, Crystal walks you through four essential steps to get your images SEO-ready. You’ll also learn how to use ChatGPT to quickly generate descriptive alt text and how to leverage Pinteres...
Jul 23, 2025•7 min•Season 4Ep. 170
In this episode, Crystal breaks down the must-have SEO tech stack for Shopify sellers who want to show up in search results, build authority, and grow sustainably without feeling overwhelmed. You’ll learn about the core apps that make SEO easier, free tools to track and audit your progress, and optional power tools if you’re ready to take things to the next level. Whether you’re just getting started with Shopify or looking to improve your existing SEO strategy, this episode will help you focus o...
Jul 16, 2025•6 min•Season 4Ep. 169
In this kickoff episode of my Shopify SEO from Strategy to Action summer series, we start with the most important piece: your mindset. If you've ever thought: "SEO is just for techies!" "Shopify isn't good for SEO." "I don't even know where to start." This episode is for you! 🎯 What you'll learn: Why your mindset is the #1 SEO success factor The top myths keeping shop owners stuck (and how to bust them) A fun visibility readiness quiz to check if you're truly ready to be found 💡 Key takeaway: ...
Jul 09, 2025•8 min•Season 4Ep. 168
Join PPC Pro Austin Becker and me in this episode of The Simple and Smart SEO Show. We’re diving into strategic blogging, PPC attribution, and the underrated power of Pinterest — a must-listen for creative entrepreneurs, Shopify sellers, and busy business owners who want to grow without burnout. Here’s what you’ll learn: How to use Google's "People Also Ask" to create blog content that drives traffic When and how Pinterest ads actually work for e-commerce Why attribution is murky — and how to tr...
Jun 25, 2025•13 min•Season 4Ep. 167
In this episode of The Simple and Smart SEO Show , we’re diving into real-world e-commerce strategies to compete with platforms like Amazon, Walmart, and Etsy — without relying solely on Google . If you’re a Shopify seller or creative entrepreneur, this episode is a must-listen for understanding ad budgets, search impression share, and seasonal sales cycles that actually scale your business sustainably. Here’s what you’ll learn: How to drive traffic without depending on Google (hint: email + soc...
Jun 18, 2025•21 min•Season 4Ep. 166
In this episode of the Simple and Smart SEO Show , Crystal Waddell sits down with e-commerce marketing expert Austin Becker (Part 1 of 3). We talk about the evolution of Austin’s career, from selling quirky side-hustle products to founding a thriving e-commerce digital marketing agency. You’ll learn actionable insights on Google Shopping, product feed optimization, Amazon's advertising dominance, the power of Schema for Shopify SEO, and how AI is poised to reshape search and advertising. If you'...
Jun 11, 2025•17 min•Season 4Ep. 165
In part 3 of my interview with Andrew Ansley, we unpack the evolution of SEO from pre-2022 tactics to today's entity-driven, user-focused strategies. Learn why stuffing keywords is dead, how RankBrain and BERT changed the game, and why helpful, structured content (plus user metrics) is the new key to ranking. Andrew also demystifies topical authority, shares how to recover if your site’s in the “loser’s bracket,” and offers actionable tips for entrepreneurs and small business owners who want to ...
Jun 04, 2025•14 min•Season 4Ep. 164
In this episode of The Simple and Smart SEO Show , Crystal Waddell sits down with AI and SEO expert Andrew Ansley to discuss the intersection of artificial intelligence, SEO strategies, entrepreneurship, and modern parenting. Here’s what you’ll learn: How to leverage AI tools (like ChatGPT and Claude) to organize your business and creative projects. The critical skills kids need for the future—and how parents and educators can support them using AI. Why traditional education is broken and how AI...
May 28, 2025•27 min•Season 4Ep. 163
In this conversation on AI-powered SEO workflows, Andrew Ansley joins The Simple and Smart SEO Show to share how smart marketers are using tools like Claude, ChatGPT, and automation platforms to save time and scale without hiring. From building SOPs in under an hour to organizing AI projects for sharper output, Andrew reveals how today’s marketers can combine soft skills with machine intelligence to stay competitive—without burning out. Whether you're a creative entrepreneur, solo founder, or ag...
May 21, 2025•17 min•Season 4Ep. 162
In Part 2 of our conversation about Local SEO, Darren Shaw of Whitespark returns to The Simple and Smart SEO Show to break down advanced Google Business Profile (GBP) strategies that actually move the needle. From the controversial truth about citation consistency to actionable tactics for leveraging Google reviews and optimizing your GBP for maximum visibility, Darren shares insider tips you won’t find in a typical SEO blog post. Whether you're a service provider, e-commerce seller, or local bu...
May 14, 2025•21 min•Season 4Ep. 161
In this value-packed episode of the Simple and Smart SEO Show , host 💁♀️ Crystal Waddell sits down with local SEO legend Darren Shaw of 🏢 Whitespark. Discover why your website is the #1 data source for your Google Business Profile, how to optimize for the local 3-pack 📍, and what SEO myths to stop believing 🚫. Whether you’re a home-based biz, a service provider, or an online shop, these actionable insights will help your brand show up and stand out in local search! 🔍 💡 Key Takeaways: 🌐 Y...
May 07, 2025•22 min•Season 4Ep. 160
In this week's episode of the Simple and Smart SEO Show, Crystal Waddell sits down with Shreya LaCock from SEO for Hire to pull back the curtain on SEO careers, personal branding, and the future of hiring in a world powered by AI! 🚀 Together, they explore the different roles inside an SEO agency 🏢, the green flags to look for when hiring SEO help ✅, and why personal branding is no longer optional if you want to thrive. They also dig into how AI is reshaping SEO jobs — and why adaptability is y...
Apr 30, 2025•20 min•Season 4Ep. 159
Shreya LaCock, marketing specialist at SEO For Hire, shares the inside world of SEO recruitment and agency hiring. From spotting green flags in potential SEO agencies to navigating gender gaps in job applications, Shreya brings both personal experience and professional wisdom. Y ou’ll also hear what makes an onboarding process successful, the overlooked “honeymoon phase” of hiring, and how to make sure you’re building the right team for long-term growth. Whether you’re an SEO agency, a business ...
Apr 23, 2025•17 min•Season 4Ep. 158
In this can't-miss episode of the Simple and Smart SEO Show , Crystal Waddell reconnects with digital strategist and SEO pro Favour Obasi-ike. Whether you're podcasting on Wix, exploring RSS feeds, or wondering how to rank better using voice search, this episode is full of insights you can apply today to stay ahead tomorrow. 🔑 Key Takeaways: Own Your Platform : Hosting your podcast on a separate domain boosts domain authority and builds a long-term digital asset. Podcast SEO : Turn each episode...
Apr 16, 2025•19 min•Season 4Ep. 157
This episode is a full-circle moment! Crystal reconnects with the person who first planted the seed that SEO could actually drive traffic—without the middleman of social media. Meet Favour Obasi-ike: a podcasting pioneer, SEO strategist, and founder of We Don’t Play Podcast . Together, Crystal and Favour take a nostalgic ride through their Clubhouse days, unpack the magic of Pinterest SEO, explore the future of RSS feeds, and share why your website needs a sitemap. Like, yesterday! Whether you'r...
Apr 09, 2025•21 min•Season 4Ep. 156
In this insightful and refreshingly practical episode of the Simple and Smart SEO Show , Crystal sits down with Alyssa Corso—SEO strategist and healthcare content pro—to talk all things content refresh . Alyssa breaks down her favorite ways to optimize existing content without burning it all down. Whether you're running a blog in a Your Money or Your Life (YMYL) niche or just wondering if updating the year in your title is enough (spoiler alert: it's not 😅), this episode is packed with real-wor...
Apr 02, 2025•17 min•Season 4Ep. 155
In this episode of the Simple and Smart SEO Show , Crystal Waddell chats with SEO consultant and BrightonSEO speaker Alyssa Corso about a topic every content creator should understand— SEO content decay . Alyssa shares how content naturally loses visibility over time and outlines a strategic process for updating content to improve performance and generate real business results . From identifying "money keywords" to understanding the phases of content decay, this episode is packed with insights o...
Mar 26, 2025•16 min•Season 4Ep. 154
In this jam-packed Part 2 episode, I continue my insightful chat with David Green, founder of Devslove.com . We dive deep into Google Ads, strategic ad spend, and the realities of running paid campaigns for small businesses. David shares expert insights on choosing the right platform, retargeting strategies, and why SEO and AI-driven search are shaping the future of digital marketing. Plus, we discuss pricing, profitability, and setting the right goals to make digital marketing actually work for...
Mar 19, 2025•31 min•Season 4Ep. 153
In this episode of The Simple and Smart SEO Show , I'm sitting down with David Green, founder of Devs Love, to talk about the major shifts happening in digital marketing! Fresh after BrightonSEO, David shared insights from his strategic planning retreat, where AI disruption was front and center. We discuss how AI levels the playing field for small agencies, the shift in Google Search, and why omni-channel marketing is no longer optional. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: 💡 AI’s Role in Levelin...
Mar 12, 2025•19 min•Season 4Ep. 152
Welcome back to another Follow Through Friday on the Simple and Smart SEO Show ! 🚀 If you caught my conversation with Katie Stone , SEO lead at Lead Hub, you know we went deep on local SEO, Google Search Console Insights, and keyword strategy. (Missed it? No worries! Listen Here! ) Ready to make your SEO work for you ? 👇🏽 Let’s dive in. 👇🏽 💎 Key Takeaways: 1️⃣ Google Search Console = Your SEO Goldmine 🔍 Google Search Console (GSC) isn’t just a data hub—it’s your secret weapon for seeing e...
Mar 05, 2025•8 min•Season 4Ep. 151
In this special solo episode of The Simple and Smart SEO Show , host Crystal Waddell reflects on her conversation with branding expert Mordy Oberstein . She shares key insights on defining your brand identity, optimizing SEO for conversions, and making smart business decisions that foster growth. Crystal also provides real-world examples of how she applied these lessons to her e-commerce business, proving that when branding and SEO work together, magic happens. If you’ve ever struggled with nich...
Feb 26, 2025•13 min•Season 4Ep. 150
In this guest-hosted episode of The Simple and Smart SEO Show , Celeste Gonzalez (Director of Roo Labs at Rickety Roo) and Melissa Popp (Content Strategy Director at Rickety Roo) dive deep into local SEO strategies . They explore the power of problem-solving content for small businesses and how local companies can stand out against larger competitors. The discussion covers how to identify local pain points , create community-driven content , and balance SEO with engagement-focused strategies . K...
Feb 19, 2025•28 min•Season 4Ep. 149
In this episode of The Simple and Smart SEO Show , host Crystal Waddell sits down with Katie Stone, SEO Lead at LeadHub , to discuss local SEO strategies, keyword research, and essential SEO tools . Katie shares her insights from Brighton SEO , her journey in the industry, and practical tips for leveraging Google Search Console, Screaming Frog, and keyword gap analysis to gain a competitive edge. Key Takeaways: Google Search Console can be a free and powerful tool for uncovering content ideas an...
Feb 12, 2025•36 min•Season 4Ep. 148
In this episode of Simple and Smart SEO , Crystal Waddell sits down with the one and only Mordy Oberstein—Head of Brand at Wix, founder of Unify Brand Marketing , and self-proclaimed SEO contrarian (with a soft spot for brutal honesty). If you think SEO is just about keywords and backlinks, Mordy is here to obliterate that notion faster than an algorithm update can tank your rankings. They dive into how businesses should stop trying to be everything (because newsflash: that means you’re nothing)...
Feb 05, 2025•37 min•Season 4Ep. 147
In this Follow Through Friday episode of the Simple and Smart SEO Show , Crystal Waddell reflects on her marketing strategies and shares three key action items to optimize marketing efforts without extra workload. She dives into integrating marketing channels, dedicating time for learning, and repurposing content efficiently. If you're looking for smart ways to strengthen your marketing strategy, this episode is packed with practical tips! Key Takeaways: Integrate Your Marketing Channels – Ensur...
Jan 31, 2025•6 min•Season 4Ep. 146
In this episode of the Simple and Smart SEO Show , I sit down with marketing strategist and agency owner Raycheal Proctor from Unlimited Mixed Marketing. We chat the transformative power of omni-channel marketing, discussing how different channels can work cohesively to elevate visibility and results. Raycheal shares her journey from classical musician to marketing maven and offers invaluable advice on leveraging SEO, paid media, and account-based marketing to create efficient, holistic strategi...
Jan 29, 2025•41 min•Season 4Ep. 145
In part two of these special guest-hosted episodes of The Simple and Smart SEO Show, Sara Jensen and Shea Karssing explore how AI is reshaping SEO, the importance of human creativity in marketing, and the long-term value of offline brand-building. Dive into practical tips for 2025, such as creating quality content, embracing conversational tones, and leveraging AI as a tool, not a replacement. Learn how brand awareness impacts SEO and why genuine human connection still reigns supreme in the digi...
Jan 22, 2025•26 min•Season 4Ep. 144
In this episode of the Simple and Smart SEO Show , host Crystal Waddell dives into breaking news about the TikTok ban in the U.S. and its implications for businesses reliant on the platform. Crystal emphasizes the importance of diversifying business strategies, leveraging AI tools to enhance creativity, and staying authentic in branding efforts. Along the way, she shares personal insights on overcoming technical challenges, adapting visibility plans, and balancing family life with professional g...
Jan 19, 2025•15 min•Season 4Ep. 143
In this exciting first-ever guest-hosted episode of the Simple and Smart SEO Show , Sara Jensen and Shea Karssing from Brighter Messaging step in to share their expertise. They discuss two pressing topics in the world of SEO and digital marketing: why relying solely on AI for content creation is risky and what their predictions are for visibility in 2025. Sara and Shea explore the nuances of maintaining a human touch in marketing , the limitations of AI tools , and strategies for creating meanin...
Jan 15, 2025•29 min•Season 4Ep. 142
In this episode of the Simple and Smart SEO Show, host Crystal Waddell walks listeners through practical steps for optimizing their business. Drawing inspiration from RJ Licata's insights on marketing strategy and ruthless prioritization, Crystal shares actionable advice on evaluating your marketing plan, focusing on impactful priorities, building strong networks, and auditing your digital footprint. Tune in to learn how small, intentional actions today can lead to big results tomorrow. Key Take...
Jan 10, 2025•6 min•Season 4Ep. 141
