The Echidna Blog

Greetings from Echidna! eCommerce continues to evolve at a rapid pace and Echidna is partnering with our clients to not only keep up but maintain a competitive edge. One of the ways we do this is through a strategic ecosystem of partners. Echidna is proud to announce our newest partnership with VTEX, the world’s first and only fully-integrated commerce, marketplace, and OMS solution. Are you prepared for what’s to come in 2022? This month’s newsletter includes details on our partnership with VTEX, articles about current trends in eCommerce, and how the digital B2B buyer has changed this year.

Brands today are riddled with challenges. From rising costs and expanding product assortments to swaying customer loyalty in favor of convenience, and then factor in the complexity of the customer experience that continues to evolve and it can seem overwhelming.

Brands that aren’t delivering these experiences will undoubtedly see lower profits than their competitors. Given this reality, 2022 has never been a better time to think about improving your customer journey and eCommerce capabilities.

Greetings from Echidna! A large part of growth strategy in 2022 includes digital sales channels. Oftentimes, B2B companies come to us feeling constrained by the limitations of their eCommerce platform and need guidance to streamline their online sales experience. Echidna is with our clients every step of the way, this month sharing insight into understanding the modern-day B2B buyer and what companies should consider when growing their digital sales channels.

As you evolve your B2B commerce strategies, online has likely made its way into the conversation in some form or another. The pandemic has caused B2B online spending to greatly increase and post-pandemic B2B markets will continue to see digital as a main sales channel and growth opportunity.

There are many reasons manufacturers come to Echidna looking to add or update their eCommerce capability. From limiting technology, product complexities, improving customer experience, or freeing up internal resources - the list can go on. No matter what the reason your organization is looking to implement eCommerce technology, choosing a platform built for the complexity and challenges unique to manufacturers is imperative for the ability to scale and find new opportunities.

Working in eCommerce during the holiday season is both a challenge and an opportunity. With the global pandemic, businesses were also forced to quickly re-think priorities for online commerce and pivot much faster than anticipated this year. You’ve likely been preparing to welcome a queue of customers to your virtual storefront come Black Friday 2021 for weeks, even months.

You know that search engine optimization (SEO) matters. If you’ve been reading our Roadmap to SEO Success Series, Part 1 and Part 2 lay a foundation for getting your brand where you want it in terms of ranking optimally for the correct keywords.

Greetings from Echidna! With less than 16 weeks until Black Friday, brands are heads down preparing for yet another highly anticipated digital holiday shopping season. From improving search engine visibility to orchestrating a seamless buy online, pick-up in-store experience- Echidna is with our clients every step of the way. This month’s newsletter showcases various ways to use digital in order to access exponential value creation for the remainder of 2021 and beyond.

Organic traffic has never been easy but is especially difficult for eCommerce. However, if you have read our article, What to Expect With an Enterprise SEO Audit, and took advantage of our eCommerce SEO Audit service you already have better insight into what your site needs to do in order to improve search engine rankings. But how can you execute on those findings?

SEO complexity is constantly evolving as brands dive deeper into digital commerce. Beyond the normal technical and content requirements, now many companies require access to deep analytical abilities in order to understand the issues that arise from dynamically built sites. It is more important than ever to be able to quickly identify upward trends in searches and gaps. Many SEO experts also find themselves in the position to educate across multiple business units in order to receive buy-in and show value. Having a consistent strategy, regular implementation and optimization are key to long-term success with SEO- but sometimes that can be easier said than done.

Greetings from Echidna! Making order out of the chaos 2020 brought is proving to be a challenge for brands across the globe. In order to realize the opportunity that supporting a wide, strong digital model and buyer journey brings will require an updated strategy and the ability to execute efficiently. This month’s newsletter is dedicated to sharing guidance on digital commerce strategy and how one health and wellness retailer pivoted to meet dynamic market changes head-on.

Enterprise eCommerce integration projects have a failure rate that the industry does not talk about enough. Failure as in the integration was built, went live, and then proceeded to quietly undermine the commerce experience it was supposed to power. These are not edge cases. They are the normal outcome of integrations that were designed without enough rigor, implemented without enough governance, or handed off to teams who lacked the context to maintain them.

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Boomi is how Echidna builds that foundation. Not as a simple data pipe — but as the central nervous system of the enterprise, transforming and cleaning data in transit, enabling parallel workstreams, and making it possible to modernize legacy systems without replacing them.

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Let’s debunk a popular myth before we start: Continuous innovation is not a one-off event or just a buzzword. It’s not about having that one groundbreaking idea that skyrockets your business to success. True innovation is a continuous process. It’s about applying strategic, tactical, and operational strengths consistently to prepare for future shifts. In a world where technology evolves at breakneck speed, staying relevant requires more than a flash of brilliance. It demands a relentless, ongoing commitment to change.

In recent years, voice search technology has transformed the way people interact with their devices and access information. This innovation allows users to search the internet, control smart home devices, and perform various tasks simply by speaking commands. Voice assistants like Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant have become integral parts of our daily lives, making voice search an essential aspect of modern SEO strategies.

Throughout 2022 and early 2023, there was an explosion of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology that captivated business leaders, investors, and society as a whole with its impressive ability to create new and seemingly human-made text and images.

You know that providing a seamless, personalized experience to your customers is the key to success. With online purchases on the rise and the growing popularity of omnichannel retail, chatbots have become the go-to tool for businesses looking to improve customer service and increase sales.

Construction Specialties has been at the forefront of providing specialty building products worldwide for more than seventy years. With a presence in twenty countries, they have obtained more than 40 registered product patents and produced ten distinct product lines. Their products can be found in or on some of the world's most famous buildings.

With eCommerce sales doubling in the past five years and markets expected to almost double again by 2026, companies are making sizable investments in their eCommerce capabilities.

In a time when every company is digital to some degree, your strategy is the differentiator. The stronger your strategy the easier it is to not only navigate rapid change and innovation, but as a result those companies also see higher conversion rates.

The automotive industry is at a crossroads. One way maintains the current status quo with little room for competitive edges and scalability, while the other path leads to reimagining its core operations and focusing on digital channels. While the latter path might seem intimidating at the moment, it is important to understand that the industry is moving towards digital selling as a business model for both B2B and B2C markets. Choosing to ignore buyer demands can hurt automotive brands in the long term.

We’re living in an accelerated world of eCommerce.

10 years growth in 3 months according to a recent study by Bank of America and Forrester Analytics. While it can be debated how this measured, we can all agree things have changed rapidly in digital.

We knew this year would require brands to work on the ongoing challenge of optimizing the customer experience. However, being able to embrace a customer-first approach through digital operations has turned instrumental for brands in 2020. As merchants work towards the post-coronavirus future, what does that look like?

Quoting is not the reason your products cannot be sold online. Unexamined quoting workflows are. Sort your order volume honestly, move the standard majority to self-service, give the negotiated remainder a visible digital workflow, and measure quote abandonment the way you measure cart abandonment.

B2B site search fails when it speaks catalog language instead of buyer language. The evidence is sitting in your search logs right now, and most of the fixes are content and configuration work, not a replatform.

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When a B2B buyer gets stuck on your site, they do not generally abandon the relationship. The site's conversion rate is technically unaffected, because the buyer never entered the funnel at all. Meanwhile a sales engineer spent part of their afternoon reading a spec sheet aloud. Your support volume is the usability report your analytics cannot produce. Here is how to read it.

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Most B2B eCommerce sites look fine and perform poorly. Here's what enterprise buyers need from a digital commerce experience—and where most designs fail.

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You don’t need another pep talk about “putting the customer first.” You need levers. The good news: modern UX testing tools are exactly that—levers that move revenue, reduce cost-to-serve, and de-risk big bets.

In today’s competitive online market, cutting the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of your eCommerce platform is critical for long-term profitability. Believe it or not, one of the most effective ways to do that isn’t about the technology—it's about user experience (UX). Here’s how enhancing UX can help you slash costs, boost conversions, and reduce hidden operational drag.

In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, mobile users demand seamless, intuitive experiences. A mobile UX audit is the key to uncovering friction points, optimizing usability, and boosting engagement. Whether you’re launching a new mobile app or optimizing an existing one, following best practices ensures your mobile experience meets user expectations and drives conversions.

Seamless system integration has become foundational for success in B2C and B2B eCommerce. As companies shift to digital-first strategies to remain competitive and responsive to client demands, integrating systems like ERP, CRM, and inventory management is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity.

Once upon a time, the most advanced digital assistant many of us knew was Clippy—the quirky, ever-helpful paperclip in Microsoft Office. For all his flaws, Clippy was groundbreaking: the first mainstream, interactive UX assistant that tried to understand what users were doing and offered guidance (even if often unrequested). Though Clippy fell short in many ways, he introduced the idea of proactive assistance in a digital workspace—a concept that has since evolved dramatically.

The holiday shopping season is already in full swing—don’t panic! There’s still time to make quick, impactful adjustments to your eCommerce site that can help you handle the holiday rush like a pro. 🎁 With these last-minute tips, you can boost site speed, optimize your checkout process, and leverage social media to drive more traffic and sales. Let’s dive into the tweaks you can implement right away to get your site holiday-ready.

The industrial goods sector has seen a significant shift toward eCommerce in recent years, with businesses increasingly turning to online platforms to purchase tools, machinery, and raw materials. However, selling industrial goods online comes with unique challenges—ranging from large and complex product catalogs to diverse customer needs, such as procurement managers, engineers, and technicians seeking highly specific items. In this evolving landscape, AI personalization in industrial goods eCommerce is becoming a key driver for success, as buyers now expect tailored product recommendations, custom pricing, and seamless navigation through large inventories.

In the rapidly evolving world of automotive eCommerce, data-driven decision-making is no longer just an advantage—it's a necessity. With the rise of online vehicle shopping, managing customer expectations, inventory, and competitive pricing has become increasingly complex. Automotive eCommerce managers need more than just intuition to succeed in this environment; they require the power of data to make informed decisions that drive growth and enhance customer experiences.

As the holiday season approaches, eCommerce brands have an unparalleled opportunity to drive traffic, increase sales, and boost brand awareness. But in today’s competitive digital landscape, a successful holiday campaign isn’t just about running a few ads or posting on social media. It’s about having a well-integrated omni-channel digital marketing strategy that amplifies your message across all platforms, engages customers at every touchpoint, and delivers a seamless, connected shopping experience.

In the fast-evolving world of eCommerce, it’s easy to think of digital transformation as a sprint—a race to adopt the latest tech and check off all the boxes that signal you’re “future-proofed.” But in reality, digital transformation is much more like an ongoing marathon, where businesses need to pace themselves for long-term success.

Choosing the right eCommerce platform is one of the most critical decisions for enterprise organizations today. With the growing complexities of digital commerce—ranging from managing vast product catalogs to supporting global operations—the platform you choose will shape your long-term success.

In the competitive world of executive recruitment, managing relationships, data, and processes efficiently is key to staying ahead. For Protis Global, a leader in talent acquisition for consumer brands, this meant taking their marketing and operations to the next level. By partnering with Echidna and leveraging the power of HubSpot’s CMS and CRM, they successfully streamlined their workflows, automated manual tasks, and transformed their business.

HubSpot offers incredible potential for businesses aiming to streamline their marketing, sales, and customer service. However, like any robust platform, implementing it effectively requires overcoming certain hurdles. At Echidna, we specialize in guiding businesses through these challenges, ensuring that their HubSpot implementation becomes a powerful asset.

In today's competitive B2B landscape, personalization isn't just a nice-to-have; it's a necessity. The ability to tailor experiences and communications to the unique needs and preferences of each client can be a game-changer. Businesses that master personalization can expect to see increased engagement, loyalty, and ultimately, sales. However, achieving personalization at scale, especially on a global level, is no small feat.

In today's data-driven world, the eCommerce landscape is evolving at an unprecedented pace. According to a recent study by McKinsey, companies that leverage customer behavior data outperform peers by 85% in sales growth and more than 25% in gross margin. This statistic underscores the transformative impact of data analytics in eCommerce, enabling businesses to make informed decisions that drive success.

The automotive industry is undergoing a major shift, driven by rapid advancements in digital technology. This transformation is reshaping how vehicles are manufactured, marketed, sold, and serviced. From AI-driven manufacturing processes to sophisticated online sales platforms, automotive eCommerce is becoming the backbone of modern automotive operations. This shift is not just a trend but a necessity for survival and growth in an increasingly competitive market.

B2B eCommerce personalization is not just a luxury; it’s a critical strategy for enhancing customer satisfaction and streamlining complex sales processes. As digital technologies evolve, artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics are emerging as pivotal tools for transforming the traditional B2B transaction landscape into a more intuitive and responsive experience.

In today's competitive eCommerce landscape, selecting the right technological foundation and partnership can dictate the success of your online business. Kibo Commerce, known for its flexibility and omnichannel capabilities, is a preferred choice for businesses aiming to innovate and excel in digital retail. However, the key to truly unlocking Kibo Commerce’s full potential lies in partnering with the right service provider in the USA. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of selecting a partner who not only understands the technical nuances of Kibo Commerce but also aligns with your business vision.

Unlocking Digital Success: Echidna Partners with HubSpot to Create a Best-in-Class Experience for Specified Technologies, Inc.

In the ever-evolving world of eCommerce, headless commerce emerges as a source of innovation, offering brands the agility and creative freedom to redefine the online shopping experience. Understanding the intricacies of headless commerce becomes crucial for businesses aiming to stay ahead in the digital race this year and beyond.

Replatforming does not have to cost you your search traffic or your place in AI answers. The teams that come through clean treat SEO and AI visibility as first-class requirements of the migration, with an owner, a checklist, and a monitoring window, not as a task for launch week.

B2B site search fails when it speaks catalog language instead of buyer language. The evidence is sitting in your search logs right now, and most of the fixes are content and configuration work, not a replatform.

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If your brand sits in that sweet spot—north of $10M, south of $5B—social shouldn’t just be “posting and hoping.” In 2025, social is a performance channel, a customer research lab, a talent magnet, and for many categories, a storefront.

Let’s be honest: digital marketing budgets are under more scrutiny than ever.

When it comes to showing up in search, your site isn’t just competing for attention—it’s fighting for relevance. And in 2025, the rules of SEO are sharper, smarter, and more user-focused than ever. If you want better rankings, more organic traffic, and a website that actually converts, it starts with a solid on-page SEO audit.

Unlock Better PPC ROI with the Right Strategy and Execution

Why eCommerce Platform Implementation Matters

A Strategic Approach to SEO and Digital Marketing for Sustainable Growth

The holiday shopping season is already in full swing—don’t panic! There’s still time to make quick, impactful adjustments to your eCommerce site that can help you handle the holiday rush like a pro. 🎁 With these last-minute tips, you can boost site speed, optimize your checkout process, and leverage social media to drive more traffic and sales. Let’s dive into the tweaks you can implement right away to get your site holiday-ready.

Imagine this: A small eCommerce business invests $500 in a PPC campaign and, within a month, sees a return of $2,000 in sales. That’s a whopping 300% return on investment (ROI). This scenario isn’t a fairy tale but a real possibility when PPC campaigns are executed effectively. However, achieving such high ROI isn’t just about luck; it’s about leveraging data to drive decisions.

In the ever-evolving landscape of search engine optimization (SEO), staying ahead of the curve is crucial for success. Recent developments have shed light on new opportunities and challenges within this dynamic field. A glimpse behind the curtain has provided us with a deeper understanding of how Google possibly evaluates and ranks content, underscoring the importance of adapting our strategies to align with these newly uncovered criteria. However, Google does caution against making assumptions based on potentially outdated or incomplete information contained in these documents.

The boundaries between social media and eCommerce are becoming increasingly blurred. Today's buyers expect not only to interact with brands through social platforms but also to make purchases there without skipping a beat. This shift has given rise to a new phenomenon known as social commerce, a fusion of online shopping and social media that is transforming the way brands interact with their customers.

Echidna will be at Boomi World 2026 in Chicago. As a Boomi partner with 16+ years of integration experience, we work with B2B commerce organizations to design and implement the integrations that keep operations moving — from ERP and EDI to CRM, PIM, OMS, and modern commerce platforms.

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March 2025: Your Monthly Digest of Top Digital Commerce Insights

February 2025: Your Monthly Digest of Top Digital Commerce Insights

January 2025: Your Monthly Digest of Top Digital Commerce Insights

The NRF 2025 Big Show is packed with innovation, inspiration, and strategies to shape the future of retail. With so many sessions to choose from, it can be tough to decide where to focus your attention. That’s why we’ve rounded up three of the most exciting, game-changing sessions you simply can’t miss. These discussions bring together retail leaders, digital visionaries, and industry disruptors who are reshaping the way we do business.

December 2024: Your Monthly Digest of Top Digital Commerce Insights

November 2024: Your Monthly Digest of Top Digital Commerce Insights

October 2024: Your Monthly Digest of Top Digital Commerce Insights

September 2024: Your Monthly Digest of Top Digital Commerce Insights

August 2024: Your Monthly Digest of Top Digital Commerce Insights

July 2024: Your Monthly Digest of Top Digital Commerce Insights

The automotive industry is undergoing a major shift, driven by rapid advancements in digital technology. This transformation is reshaping how vehicles are manufactured, marketed, sold, and serviced. From AI-driven manufacturing processes to sophisticated online sales platforms, automotive eCommerce is becoming the backbone of modern automotive operations. This shift is not just a trend but a necessity for survival and growth in an increasingly competitive market.