Top 8 Shopify Alternatives That Are Cheaper And Better (2026 Update)
Steve Chou’s 2026 update lists the eight most viable Shopify alternatives, ranking platforms such as BigCommerce, WooCommerce, Shift4Shop, OpenCart, Magento, Wix, Ecwid and Squarespace. The guide highlights each option’s pricing model, core features, and major drawbacks, emphasizing cost savings from lower transaction fees and reduced app expenses. It also maps each solution to specific business needs, from hobbyist stores to enterprise‑level operations. The post concludes that while Shopify remains strong, many merchants can achieve better margins and flexibility with a tailored alternative.
642: Why Everything You Know About Ecommerce Is About To Break
In this episode, host My Wife Quitter Job and guest Tony explore the emerging concept of agentic shopping—AI agents that browse, compare, and purchase products without human clicks. They discuss how Amazon is scraping merchant sites and listing products, the...
641: The Reddit Strategy That Gets AI to Recommend Your Brand
In this episode, host Steve interviews Danny Kirk, founder of Reddareach, about leveraging Reddit to boost AI-driven brand recommendations from models like ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity. Danny explains the importance of Reddit as a source of human‑generated data for LLMs,...
De Minimis Is Gone: What It Means for Ecommerce Sellers
The United States suspended the $800 de minimis exemption on August 29 2025, so every import now incurs tariffs and postal shipments face a flat $80‑$200 handling fee. The change eliminates the duty‑free advantage that low‑ticket dropshippers and platforms like Temu and AliExpress...
How to Use AI to Grow Your Online Store Sales: 4 Tools
Steve Chou, who runs the 7‑figure ecommerce site BumblebeeLinens.com, leverages AI in four revenue‑focused ways: an AI‑powered on‑site search that eliminated null queries and quadrupled search‑driven sales, AI‑driven cross‑sell recommendations that lifted average order value 22%, AI analysis that surfaces...
How to Build Systems So Your Business Runs Without You
The post outlines a practical five‑step framework for turning everyday tasks into repeatable systems, allowing owners to step back from daily operations. By extracting every repeatable activity, scoring it on Frequency, Pain, Impact and Ease, and documenting it, businesses can...
How to Start an Ecommerce Store: My Exact Step-by-Step Plan
Steve Chou, who runs a 7‑figure private‑label store, outlines a step‑by‑step roadmap for launching an ecommerce brand from scratch. He advises starting with a problem‑solving product that can be sourced at a 66% gross margin, testing a small batch, and...
640: I Just Spoke at Shopify HQ. Here’s What’s Actually Working in Ecommerce Right Now
In this live episode recorded at Shopify’s Merchant Mastery event, the host and co‑host discuss the shift toward authentic user‑generated content (UGC) outperforming polished ads, the importance of a cohesive brand story, and the decline of generic, undifferentiated products. They...
How to Create AI Meta Ads With Higgsfield (My Full Stack)
Meta’s March 2026 algorithm overhaul now rewards creative volume and freshness over precise targeting, forcing sellers to produce two to four new ads each week. To meet this demand, Steve Chou built an AI stack using Higgsfield, Claude Code, and Remotion that...
Selling on Temu: The Fine Print US Sellers Need to Know
Temu is courting U.S. sellers after the de‑minimis exemption ended, offering a zero‑commission model that hides costs in the price spread, shipping penalties, and return responsibilities. Sellers must hold inventory, fulfill orders within seven business days or face a $5...
Amazon’s Returns Problem Is Killing Sellers and Raising Prices
Amazon’s lenient return policy is driving a surge in returns that cost sellers up to 30% of each item’s price, prompting most sellers to raise prices in 2024. Returns now affect about 17% of Amazon sales, with fraud rates climbing...
Why Temu Lost 58% of Its US Users (And What It Means for Sellers)
Temu’s U.S. user base collapsed by roughly 58% after the de‑minimis customs exemption ended on May 2, 2025, triggering a 73% drop in app downloads. The loss of duty‑free treatment forced tariffs, customs delays, and higher freight costs, turning its ultra‑cheap, fast‑shipping...
How to Sell on TikTok Shop: The 6-Month Launch System Top Agencies Use
Steve Chou outlines a six‑month launch system for TikTok Shop that hinges on giving free product to creators, harvesting authentic videos, and letting TikTok’s algorithm drive sales. The model breaks the “cold‑start wall” after roughly $2 k in initial sales, then...
639: She Built A 6-Figure Cat Toy Business Because Someone Annoyed Her On IG With Dawn LaFontaine
In this episode, host Steve interviews Dawn LaFontaine, the founder of The Cat is in the Box, who turned a frustrating Instagram unfollow into a six‑figure cat‑toy business. Dawn recounts her early struggles with bulky cardboard cat houses, the pivotal...
637: The AI Automation Stack Behind The Fastest Growing Ecommerce Brands With Leo Sgovio
In this episode, Leo Segovia reveals his AI‑driven automation stack that handles influencer outreach, video ad creation, and product launches without giveaways or paid ads, enabling him to sell 5,000 units before Christmas. He explains how his system scrapes and...