👋 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:

• The mobile app advantage—why “mobile-friendly” isn’t enough in 2025, and how top brands are using native apps to unlock loyalty, retention, and higher conversions.

• AI as your new secret weapon—how Shopify’s own AI mandate signals a seismic shift, and what it means for merchants ready to move from “dabbling” to dominating with automation and hyper-personalization.

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

Smarter Growth for DTC Brands on Amazon

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

Here’s the thing: ad spend will always be part of your mix. But it doesn’t have to be your only lever.

Levanta’s Affiliate Shift Calculator helps you model what could happen if you reallocated a portion of your ad budget into affiliate marketing—a channel that only charges when it drives actual results.

It’s not a generic tool. Your scenario is reviewed by an affiliate expert and built around your real inputs.

You’ll get a custom forecast with projected ROAS, revenue lift, and estimated efficiency—delivered

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It’s free to try, takes just two minutes to get started, and could shift the way you grow.

Get My Custom Forecast

🎧 New Podcast Episode!

🤔 Are Your Facebook Ads Draining Your Budget Instead of Driving Growth?

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:

• Implement the "Wave Surfing" method to scale ads profitably by leveraging natural market cycles.

• Stop wasting money testing audiences and focus on the real driver: creative angle testing & format expansion.

• Navigate the complexities of attribution (7-day windows, blended ROAS) and understand what really matters.

• Identify the core "mass desire" behind purchases (it might not be what you think!).

• Leverage AI strategically for creative generation and efficiency, without losing control.

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.

[ LISTEN NOW ] → Discover how to scale your Meta ads profitably and consistently!

💡 Knowledge Drops of the Week

Unlock Your Shopify Mobile Edge: Why Mobile Apps Aren’t Optional Anymore

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:

• The hidden reasons why “mobile web only” is holding your store back (and what your competitors don’t want you to know)

• How leading Shopify brands are using apps to unlock direct communication, faster experiences, and personalized shopping journeys

• The secret sauce behind push notifications, loyalty integrations, and AI-powered personalization that drive real retention

• A few app builder platforms you may not have considered—and what to watch out for before you pick one

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.

[ READ NOW ] → Discover how a mobile app can transform your Shopify store's growth and retention

Unlock Your Shopify Edge: Why AI Isn’t Optional Anymore

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:

• The real reason Shopify made AI usage mandatory—and what that signals for the future of ecommerce

• How AI is quietly powering everything from dynamic pricing to 24/7 customer support (and why it’s not just for the big guys anymore)

• The surprising ways AI can free up your team, supercharge your marketing, and even predict what your customers want before they do

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.

[ READ NOW ] → See how AI can future-proof your Shopify store and give you an edge competitors can’t copy

🔥 Recommended Conversion Tool 🔥

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:

• Reach hidden buyers: Opensend identifies visitors, providing emails from those who don't fill out your forms.

• Seamless Klaviyo integration: Integrates with Klaviyo to share visitor contact info, so your existing email automations kick in.

• Maximize conversions: Retarget those almost-customers with perfectly timed emails.

Perfect For Your Store If:

• You get 15,000+ monthly visitors.

• You're looking to tap into hidden revenue.

• You want to grow your email list with qualified leads.

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

Try OpenSend for just $1!

🚀 Keep Elevating Your Ecommerce Game!

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:

• How to turn Facebook/Meta ads from a gamble into a predictable profit engine (thanks to Manel’s battle-tested strategies)

• Why “mobile-friendly” isn’t enough anymore—and how native apps are becoming the secret weapon for retention and loyalty

• The real-world impact of Shopify’s AI-first mandate, and how you can future-proof your brand by integrating AI now

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!