Empire Flippers

We're proud to be a part of another successful exit story. Thanks for selling your business through us Craig!

Google’s Daniel Waisberg and Omri Weisman have shared three powerful ways to enhance your digital marketing strategies using Google Trends. In a recent video, the pair explained how you can use this tool to better understand competitors, track brand awareness, and forecast product demand. ??Benchmarking Against Competitors With Google Trends, you can see how often people search for your business compared to your competitors. Just enter your company name and a competitor's to track who’s getting more attention over time. This comparison helps you assess brand strength, identify growth or decline over time, and understand regional differences in demand. For more detailed insights, you can also segment searches by type, like web, image, or YouTube searches, to see where competitors may have an edge. Analyzing this data by specific regions or cities can reveal areas to target for online campaigns or even potential new audience locations. ??Analyzing Brand Awareness Google Trends is great for tracking brand awareness. You can check which search terms are on the rise or most popular when people search for your brand. This gives you a good idea of how consumers see your business and helps you adjust your marketing strategy. You can also track what people are saying about your brand on YouTube. By selecting "YouTube Search," you can track what people are saying about your brand on the platform and what content is driving engagement. ?? Forecasting Product Demand One of the most practical uses of Google Trends is forecasting product demand. By looking at how search interest changes over time, you can spot seasonal trends and stock up on products at the right time. Exploring related search terms can also help you discover new products or services that are gaining popularity. The best part? Google Trends is free, so you have nothing to lose by testing the effectiveness of these strategies for your business. This article provides a more detailed breakdown of these strategies. More details here: https://bit.ly/3NI0QzH

Salesforce has announced the introduction of new integrated eCommerce storefronts in its Starter and Pro Suites. This update adds to Salesforce's all-in-one platform for marketing, sales, service, and now commerce, making it easier for small businesses to set up direct-to-consumer (D2C) online stores. With these new features, businesses can scale quickly while delivering a cohesive customer experience. By bringing together customer data and interactions across traditionally separate departments, these new storefronts lay the groundwork for connected commerce. The new storefront software includes several key features: ??Quick Setup: A step-by-step guide for rapid onboarding ensures businesses can hit the ground running. ??Low-Code Designer: Easily build customized, branded storefronts without extensive coding knowledge. ??Centralized Merchandising: Manage products and pricing from one location, simplifying inventory control. ??Performance Dashboards: Pre-built analytics to help streamline operations and boost revenue. Salesforce eCommerce storefronts are now available in the U.S. through the Starter Suite, Pro Suite, and Salesforce Foundations, starting at $25 per user per month. If you're looking to build a large eCommerce brand, you should probably stick to a more established platform like Shopify, that can scale with you. However, if you are already using Salesforce, and are thinking of adding an eCommerce store to your existing small to medium sized business, this could be a great tool. Read more: https://bit.ly/4f0fEFR

According to Crunchbase news, there’s been a rise in funded startups tied to AI and shopping. These new startups are raising millions to develop AI-powered tools that make shopping easier and more personalized for consumers. One example is Daydream, which raised $50 million to build a personalized shopping tool. It helps customers find exactly what they want based on detailed searches, like “bright-colored sneakers” or “summer wedding dress.” Another company, Lily AI, raised $70 million to connect shoppers with products that fit their specific preferences. It uses advanced AI to help businesses improve product discovery and deliver better results for customers—making it easier to stand out in a crowded market. AI is also opening doors for product customization. Arcade, for example, raised $12 million to create an AI platform where customers can design custom jewelry. This taps into the growing demand for personalized products. And it’s not just new products—AI is also impacting the secondhand market. Faircado recently successfully closed a €3 million pre-seed funding round. The platform uses AI to suggest eco-friendly, secondhand alternatives to shoppers, helping businesses cater to conscious consumers. For online businesses, this shift means two things: First, there’s a growing demand for AI-powered personalization and customization. Second, the rise of AI tools represents a significant opportunity to reduce friction, boost sales, and meet customers’ evolving expectations. How will you use the growing demand for AI tools to your advantage? Read more: https://bit.ly/4hqjQjI

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has introduced a new "click-to-cancel" rule that will make it easier for consumers to cancel subscriptions and memberships. The rule applies to most "negative option" subscription programs, where customers are automatically charged unless they cancel. These rules also cover free trials, with the FTC emphasizing that the same easy cancellation process must apply to both free and paid subscriptions. If your business offers subscription services, it’s essential to understand the new requirements and ensure compliance before the rule takes full effect. Failing to comply with this rule could lead to hefty fines, legal penalties, and damage to your reputation. Here’s what you need to do to follow the new rule: ??Clear and Easy Cancellation: The cancellation option must be as visible and simple to use as the sign-up process. If it takes a minute to sign up, it should take a minute to cancel. ??No Live Representatives Required: Customers should be able to cancel online without needing to call or chat with a representative. ??Fast Processing: Cancellations should be processed immediately, with no unnecessary delays. The 'click to cancel' rule will go into effect 180 days after it is published in the Federal Register. It is expected to come into effect early next year. If you run a subscription business, take action now to meet these new regulations and avoid penalties before the rule becomes mandatory. Read more: https://bit.ly/3YFaw4a

Amazon is gearing up to launch a new Low-Cost Store, aimed at offering unbranded, low-priced items directly from its warehouses in China to U.S. shoppers. The new marketplace, first hinted at in June during a private event for select sellers in Shenzhen, is moving ahead swiftly, with some sellers already shipping inventory to Amazon's facilities. The Low-Cost Store will operate under specific guidelines designed to streamline the shopping experience. Here’s what we know so far: 1. Seller Participation: Access to the marketplace will be invite-only for sellers, with eligibility based on set criteria. 2. Product Listings: All items must be labeled as "Generic," and they won’t be included in the standard Amazon search. Instead, customers will access them through a separate storefront in the Amazon app. 3. Product Restrictions: Items must weigh less than 1 lb and measure no larger than 14 x 8 x 5 inches. Prohibited products include anything ingestible, topical, or requiring special documentation, like baby or pet items. 4. Merchant Price Caps: Amazon has communicated to merchants that price limits will be imposed on various items, including $8 for jewelry, and $13 for guitars. A cap on pricing has been placed at $20, with listings above this price point deactivated. 5. Fulfillment and Returns: Amazon will manage all orders from its Chinese warehouses, shipping via air freight to the U.S. within 9-11 days, avoiding tariffs under the de minimis threshold. A 15-day return window applies, but products priced under $3 are non-returnable. Many of these guidelines were highlighted in messages from Amazon to merchants, first reported in this article by The Information. This new approach represents a significant shift for Amazon, integrating the supply chain at its source and creating a digital dollar store experience. The question remains whether this new low-cost platform will have a negative effect on Amazon’s existing marketplace. Read more here: https://bit.ly/4fhdKAk

This Week in M&A Issue #156: Amazon's New Low-Cost Store May Launch Soon Today we have for you: ? Amazon's new Low-Cost Store imposes strict guidelines ? FTC's 'click to cancel' rule brings big changes to subscription cancellations And: ? AI startups are redefining the future of eCommerce ? Salesforce launches eCommerce storefronts for small businesses ? 3 ways to boost digital marketing with Google Trends Alright, let’s dive in.

Want to land more press for your business? It’s all about helping reporters get the job done! Learn how to build those media connections and stand out. Check out this wisdom from Peter Shankman!

Great leadership isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s about knowing when to adapt and rise to the challenge, no matter the situation. How do you adjust your leadership style when things get tough? ??? Catch the full interview with Andy on our Opportunity podcast here: https://bit.ly/3NpzNcs

Building a strong business starts with the culture you create! It’s all about being clear on your values and attracting the right people who vibe with your vision. What kind of culture are you growing in your business?