👋 Hey Fastlane Insiders,

If you’re reading this with a coffee in hand and a little extra time this morning—maybe you’re off for Good Friday—here’s wishing you a peaceful, meaningful day and a wonderful Easter weekend ahead. Whether you’re celebrating or just enjoying a slower Friday, I hope you get a chance to recharge and reflect.

Now, let’s talk about what’s inside this week’s edition—because there’s plenty here to help you turn uncertainty into momentum for your Shopify store.

First up, I sat down with Manel Gomez, founder of Meta Scaling Accelerator, for a podcast episode that’s a must-listen if you’re tired of Facebook ads feeling like a slot machine. We dig into why most Shopify brands struggle to scale Meta ads profitably—and how to finally crack the code with creative testing, “Wave Surfing,” and smarter attribution. If you want to stop guessing and start building a predictable profit engine, don’t miss this one.

Plus, I’ve got two Knowledge Drops designed to help you stay ahead of the curve:

At the end of the day, today’s e-commerce winners aren’t just reacting—they’re leaning into new tools, new channels, and new mindsets. If you’re ready to elevate your brand and outpace the competition, you’re in the right place.

Let’s dive in—and for those celebrating, Happy Good Friday and a joyful Easter!

– Steve

Ad costs are rising. Clicks aren’t converting like they used to. And ROAS? It’s all over the place.

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Feeling frustrated by rising Meta ad costs and inconsistent ROAS? It's a common struggle. In my latest podcast conversation with Manel Gomez, founder of Meta Scaling Accelerator, we tackle why Facebook ads often feel like a gamble and how to turn them into a predictable profit engine.

Did you know that simply matching your ad creative style to the offline buying experience for your product category can dramatically improve results? Or that scaling budget only during specific peak times ("Wave Surfing") can minimize risk and maximize returns?

Manel has managed over $25 Million in ad spend since 2016 and shares his battle-tested strategies, revealing how Shopify merchants can:

Manel has helped brands scale from $40k/month to over $700k/month in revenue using these exact approaches.

If you're running Facebook/Meta ads for your Shopify store and want to move beyond guesswork, this episode provides a clear roadmap.

Is your Shopify store just another browser tab while your competitors are building deeper relationships with their customers? In today’s app-driven world, simply having a mobile-friendly site won’t cut it. The brands that are winning? They’re meeting customers right on their home screens.

Here’s the thing: mobile apps aren’t just a “nice-to-have” anymore—they’re the new battleground for loyalty, repeat purchases, and higher conversion rates. But what does it really take to stand out with a native app? And how are top DTC brands quietly using mobile to future-proof their growth?

In this week’s Knowledge Drop, I’m breaking down:

If you’re ready to move beyond “mobile-friendly” and start building a truly mobile-first brand, you won’t want to miss this. I’ll show you what’s working, what’s next, and how to avoid the biggest pitfalls.

Are you still treating AI like a futuristic “maybe,” while your competitors quietly use it to outpace, out-personalize, and out-innovate you? In today’s Shopify ecosystem, AI isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the new baseline for brands that want to stay relevant and win.

Here’s the thing: the days of manual processes and “good enough” analytics are over. Shopify’s own teams are now required to use AI as a first resort, not a last resort. That’s a wake-up call for every merchant.

But what does “AI-first” really look like in action? And how are top brands using it to boost conversions, streamline operations, and create those hyper-personalized experiences customers now expect?

This week, I’m pulling back the curtain on:

Curious how you can actually implement these strategies—without a huge team or budget? I break down the practical steps, common pitfalls, and the “aha” moments that separate AI dabblers from true innovators.

Are you tired of seeing potential customers visit your Shopify store, browse your products, and then disappear without buying anything? Opensend helps you recapture those "window shoppers" who are this close to making a purchase.

HERE’S THE DEAL: Opensend identifies website visitors who don't complete a purchase, capturing emails from anonymous visitors and legally and automatically growing your email list. Opensend uses AI to identify and retrieve customer identity information from site visitors, even if they don't fill out a form. They're all about identifying real human traffic, so you're getting qualified leads.

Here's how Opensend can help you boost sales:

Perfect For Your Store If:

Ready to see who's been window shopping on your site and turn them into buyers?

If today’s newsletter sparked new ideas about scaling with Meta ads, embracing mobile apps, or unlocking AI’s full potential, don’t keep it to yourself—forward it to a fellow Shopify founder or marketer who’s on this journey too. When we share what’s working (and what’s not), we all move faster and farther together.

Here’s a quick recap of what we explored today:

At the end of the day, the brands that win are the ones willing to try new things, learn from others, and keep pushing the boundaries. I’m grateful you’re part of this ever-evolving Fastlane community.

Until next week, stay curious, keep testing, and never stop building your vision!

– Steve
eCommerceFastlane.com

P.S. Got a question, a win to share, or a topic you want covered? Just hit reply—I read every message and love hearing from you!