Running an online store is hard enough. Then you get hit with jargon like “CLTV”, “3PL”, or “conversion rate”, and suddenly it feels like you need a marketing degree just to read your Shopify dashboard.

This glossary is here to cut through the noise.

No fluff. No jargon. Just straight-up definitions of the ecommerce terms you actually need to understand if you want to grow your store, make more money, and stop guessing what your ads guy is talking about.

Whether you’re just starting out or scaling past 7-figures, this is the cheat sheet you’ll keep coming back to.

Let’s get into it.

Quick answer: If you want to build a Shopify store that looks clean, loads fast, and shows up in search results — focus on a lightweight theme, smart structure, SEO basics like meta titles, and content that solves real problems.

Skip the bloated apps and design for mobile first.

Quick answer:

If your primary goal is to present a visually striking portfolio with occasional sales—particularly as a photographer, artist, or designer—Format offers a streamlined, aesthetically focused experience tailored to that need.

On the other hand, if you’re building a content-rich site with ecommerce at its core, and you require more flexibility, scalability, and control over the user journey and site architecture, Squarespace is the more comprehensive and strategic choice.

Many people still believe Shopify is only designed for selling physical products.

That is not true anymore.

Shopify now makes it easy for service-based businesses to set up shop, promote their expertise, and sell services just like digital products.

The key is knowing exactly how to set it up properly so your customers have a smooth experience and you maximise conversions.

Let’s walk through how you can do this step-by-step.

Is it just me – or is choosing the right ecommerce platform becoming more complicated?

There used to be just a handful of options to pick from – now we have dozens – and they’re all growing more impressive all the time – particularly with the rise of AI.

Still, even with all of the new solutions out there, three major platforms often get the most attention: Shopify, Etsy, and Squarespace.

Shopify has long been my favorite platform for ecommerce companies – combining versatility with ease-of-use and high scalability.

Squarespace, on the other hand, is my go-to for creating truly gorgeous websites, while Etsy is still a prime choice for simple, marketplace selling.

So, which platform should you pick? That’s what I’m here to help you figure out.

If you’re running an ecommerce store and trying to decide between Canva and Placeit, here’s the quick answer:

Canva is the better option for building brand visuals, social content, and team design systems.

Placeit is better for quick, realistic product mockups, videos, and designs made to showcase products in context.

I’ve used both tools for over a decade across client projects, product launches, and campaigns—and here’s the full breakdown.