Episodes

Reading Time: 7 minutes Every Amazon seller knows that product reviews can make or break a launch. Over the past year, Amazon Vine has become one of the hottest tools for quickly gathering that all-important social proof. Last year, a video about Amazon Vine on the eComCatalyst channel took off—and not just among sellers. Actual Vine reviewers jumped into the discussion, offering fresh insights from the other side of the process. Why was that such a big deal? The Amazon Vine program has always ...

Reading Time: 6 minutes If you feel like the e-commerce world just hit fast-forward, you’re not alone. A few months ago, everyone seemed frozen, stuck in a cycle of wait-and-see. Now, with Q4 right around the corner, it’s like someone flipped a switch! The message is loud and clear: it’s go time. Supply chains are moving, brands are jumping in, and opportunity is knocking (loud enough to drown out any lingering doubts). E-Commerce’s 2025 Momentum Shift: From Hesitation to Go Time For much of th...

Reading Time: 5 minutes Growing your sales on Amazon sometimes seems complicated, but every so often, a simple tool can make a huge difference. Virtual bundles let you increase your average order value and boost revenue without adding new products or overhauling your catalog. In this post, we’ll walk through how Fred McKinnon and the team at eComCatalyst used Amazon’s Virtual Bundle feature to add $24,000 in client revenue in just a few months—and how you can use this approach to grow your own A...

Reading Time: 4 minutes If you’re in the e-commerce business, you already know the importance of finding the right fulfillment service. Today, Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS) is showing up as a serious competitor to Amazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon). With over 20 years of experience selling on both platforms, I can confidently say Walmart WFS is not just an alternative — in many ways, it’s better than FBA. In this post, I’ll break down five solid reasons why Walmart WFS is better than Amazo...

Reading Time: 4 minutes The New 5 Box Rule and What I Means for Amazon FBA Sellers Amazon just made it harder for FBA sellers—again. Earlier this year, they introduced inbound placement service fees that hit third-party sellers hard. And now, as of September 2024, Amazon has added yet another hurdle with its new “five identical box rule.” This is a game-changer for anyone using Amazon’s FBA (Fulfilled by Amazon) service, and it means paying close attention to how you prepare your shipments. To...

Reading Time: 3 minutes Photo by Lennie Schmutz on Unsplash In the competitive world of e-commerce, getting product reviews can be a significant challenge. Many sellers struggle to establish credibility and social proof for their products. One solution that has gained traction is the Amazon Vine program. This blog will explore what Amazon Vine is, how to get involved, and whether it is worth the investment for e-commerce sellers. What is Amazon Vine? Amazon Vine is an exclusive, invitation-o...

Reading Time: 3 minutes As the holiday season approaches, many FBA sellers face critical decisions regarding their inventory management. One of the most pressing questions is whether to utilize Amazon’s Warehousing & Distribution (AWD) services. This blog will explore the benefits of AWD, especially during the peak season, and how it can help sellers save on storage fees while ensuring a smooth sales process. Understanding the Importance of Timing Timing is everything in e-commerce, especiall...

Reading Time: 5 minutes When it comes to selling on Amazon, aspiring entrepreneurs often face a crucial question: Should I resell other people’s products or create my own brand through private labeling? This debate is one that continues to ignite discussions among sellers, and understanding the nuances of each approach is vital for making an informed decision. In this article, we will explore the advantages and disadvantages of both models, providing insights that can help you choose the best pa...

Reading Time: < 1 minute Who doesn’t love a good Pink Floyd song with perhaps one of the great guitar solos ever, right? Hello? (Hello, hello, hello) Is there anybody in there? Just nod if you can hear me Is there anyone home? This episode serves one purpose. It’s a super quick hello from Fred McKinnon to make sure that all of the fans of the former E-BusinessOnline Podcast know that we’re back. I did this podcast many years ago, back in 2018 … and then stopped. This podcast/show has been comp...

Reading Time: 3 minutes As Q4 and the holiday season approaches, it’s crucial for Amazon FBA sellers to be aware of the key deadlines and strategies to maximize their sales potential. With Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the Christmas selling season just around the corner, preparation is essential. This article will outline the important timelines, best practices, and tools available to ensure your products are ready for the peak shopping period. Understanding Amazon’s Deadlines for Inventory S...

Reading Time: 2 minutes Hello, Fred McKinnon here! I’m excited to introduce eComCatalyst, formerly known as E-Business Online. We’ve rebranded to better reflect our mission and services in the e-commerce world. Let’s dive into who we are, what we do, and how we can help you. About Me and eComCatalyst I’m Fred McKinnon, the founder of eComCatalyst. My journey began over 20 years ago as an Amazon seller. Yes, I’ve been in the e-commerce business for more than two decades! With over $100 million ...

Reading Time: 3 minutesHello EBO’ers: Welcome back to the E-BusinessOnline Podcast – this is Episode 27 where we’re talking about Amazon Seller Fulfilled Prime and some of the pitfalls in purchasing liquidation lots for resale. DON’T FORGET THE CONTEST TO WIN ONE HOUR OF FREE E-Commerce COACHING! ***CONGRATS TO JODI KLINE, our January 2018 WINNER of one hour of free consulting/coaching.*** I want to kickstart our EBO Community so I’m hosting a fun little contest to offer a ONE HOUR FREE CONSU...

Reading Time: 4 minutes Hello EBO’ers: Welcome back to the E-BusinessOnline Podcast – this is Episode 27 where we’re talking about Amazon Seller Fulfilled Prime and some of the pitfalls in purchasing liquidation lots for resale. DON’T FORGET THE CONTEST TO WIN ONE HOUR OF FREE E-Commerce COACHING! I want to kickstart our EBO Community so I’m hosting a fun little contest to offer a ONE HOUR FREE CONSULT with me for your e-Business. This can be by phone, Skype, or if you are within travel distan...

Reading Time: 2 minutesHello EBO’ers: Welcome back to the E-BusinessOnline Podcast – the first episode in many months and our first for 2018. In this episode: CONTEST: I want to kickstart our EBO Community so I’m hosting a fun little contest to offer a ONE HOUR FREE CONSULT with me for your e-Business. This can be by phone, Skype, or if you are within travel distance of Southeast Georgia or Northeast Florida and want to come to St. Simons Island, GA and hookup, I’ll buy you lunch and we’ll tal...

Reading Time: 2 minutes Welcome to Episode 25 of the E-BusinessOnline Podcast Host & Speaker: Fred McKinnon Topic: Fred discusses the upcoming Long Term Storage Fees, changes in Amazon’s Multi-Channel Fulfillment fees, and the new liquidation options. 2 Things We Are Asking Every Listener to Consider: JOIN OUR MAILING LIST: SEND A TEXT MESSAGE TO 44222 with message: EBOPODCAST Visit the Podcast on iTunes and leave a rating and written review (speak my love language, please!) Episode 25: H...

Reading Time: < 1 minute Welcome to Episode 24 of the E-BusinessOnline Podcast Host & Speaker: Fred McKinnon Topic: Fred returns after a few weeks of some really rough e-business events, including two account suspensions, staff layoffs, and a significant battle with sickness. 2 Things We Are Asking Every Listener to Consider: JOIN OUR MAILING LIST: SEND A TEXT MESSAGE TO 44222 with message: EBOPODCAST Visit the Podcast on iTunes and leave a rating and written review (speak my love language,...

Reading Time: 2 minutes Welcome to Episode 23 of the E-BusinessOnline Podcast Host & Speaker: Fred McKinnon Topic: Fred discusses Amazon’s Prime Day and how to prepare your Sponsored Product Ads. 2 Things We Are Asking Every Listener to Consider: JOIN OUR MAILING LIST: SEND A TEXT MESSAGE TO 44222 with message: EBOPODCAST Visit the Podcast on iTunes and leave a rating and written review (speak my love language, please!) Episode 23: Amazon’s Prime Day is Coming – July 11, 2017 Hello EBO’e...

Reading Time: < 1 minute Welcome to Episode 22 of the E-BusinessOnline Podcast Host & Speaker: Fred McKinnon Topic: Fred breaks the big rule of Private Label and reveals a product and his launch strategy. 2 Things We Are Asking Every Listener to Consider: JOIN OUR MAILING LIST: SEND A TEXT MESSAGE TO 44222 with message: EBOPODCAST Visit the Podcast on iTunes and leave a rating and written review (speak my love language, please!) Episode 22: Amazon Changes: Unsolicited Emails and New Early...

Reading Time: 3 minutes Welcome to Episode 21 of the E-BusinessOnline Podcast Host & Speaker: Fred McKinnon Topic: Fred breaks the big rule of Private Label and reveals a product and his launch strategy. 2 Things We Are Asking Every Listener to Consider: JOIN OUR MAILING LIST: SEND A TEXT MESSAGE TO 44222 with message: EBOPODCAST Visit the Podcast on iTunes and leave a rating and written review (speak my love language, please!) Photos by Chris Moncus Photography Episode 21: Who Is Crazy E...

Reading Time: 2 minutes Welcome to Episode 20 of the E-BusinessOnline Podcast Host & Speaker: Fred McKinnon Topic: Fred interviews guest Connor Gillivan, a $20M Amazon Seller and CMO/Co-Founder of FreeeUp 2 Things We Are Asking Every Listener to Consider: JOIN OUR MAILING LIST: SEND A TEXT MESSAGE TO 44222 with message: EBOPODCAST Visit the Podcast on iTunes and leave a rating and written review (speak my love language, please!) Interview with Connor Gillivan Hello EBO’ers: In Episode 20 ...

Reading Time: 3 minutes Welcome to Episode 19 of the E-BusinessOnline Podcast Host & Speaker: Fred McKinnon Topic: Reasons to Hire a VA 2 Things We Are Asking Every Listener to Consider: JOIN OUR MAILING LIST: SEND A TEXT MESSAGE TO 44222 with message: EBOPODCAST Visit the Podcast on iTunes and leave a rating and written review (speak my love language, please!) Why You Should Consider Hiring a Virtual Assistant (VA) – and How! Hello EBO’ers: In Episode 19 we’re talking about the VALUE OF...

Reading Time: 2 minutes Welcome to Episode 18 of the E-BusinessOnline Podcast Host & Speaker: Fred McKinnon Topic: Updates on the status of things Summary: Fred returns to the podcast after a 2-week break and discusses a whirlwind of activity in e-commerce world. 2 Things We Are Asking Every Listener to Consider: JOIN OUR MAILING LIST: SEND A TEXT MESSAGE TO 44222 with message: EBOPODCAST Visit the Podcast on iTunes and leave a rating and written review (speak my love language, please!) W...

Reading Time: 2 minutes Welcome to Episode 17 of the E-BusinessOnline Podcast Host & Speaker: Fred McKinnon with guest, Russ Hutto Topic: Building a Social Media Following and Monetizing Niche Markets Summary: Join us as Fred interviews long time friend and business partner, Russ Hutto. Russ grew an amazing following via social media in a unique market about “marching band”. Hear how he grew his social media following to nearly 200,000+ fans across social media platforms. 2 Things We Are Ask...

Reading Time: 3 minutes Welcome to Episode 16 of the E-BusinessOnline Podcast Host & Speaker: Fred McKinnon Topic: Amazon.Com’s new Opt-Out of Messaging Summary: This is a breaking news podcast episode to discuss the latest change by Amazon, allowing customer to opt-out of unsolicited buyer-seller messages. 2 Things We Are Asking Every Listener to Consider: JOIN OUR MAILING LIST: SEND A TEXT MESSAGE TO 44222 with message: EBOPODCAST Visit the Podcast on iTunes and leave a rating and writte...