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Hi there, hope you're having a great Friday!
This is Colm and Simon from CommerceGurus, with a handpicked weekly roundup of eCommerce articles.
Amazingly this is our 300th issue! We started this weekly digest way back in August 2019 and it has kept going and growing ever since.
Our catalog of back issues is available here. Thank you for your support and comments on our newsletter, it means so much to us.
I liked this redesigned "Us Vs Them" comparison table from Oddit, ideal for a product page.
By clearly highlighting your product’s advantages over competing options - whether that’s better features, price, or support - it taps into the psychology of decision-making, making customers feel confident they're making the wiser choice.
Well‑designed comparison tables also improve trust and transparency. They offer scannable, easy-to-digest information that empowers users rather than overwhelming them.
And from a marketing perspective, these comparisons address “X vs. Y” queries, capturing high‑intent traffic and guiding prospects who are already deciding between options.
If you are uncomfortable about highlighting a competitor brand there is a nice alternative idea from BannerBear, where you highlight some key unique USPs without mentioning alternatives.
See Oddit's "Us Vs Them" Concept
We’ve all seen the promise: You can launch your website this afternoon.
Platforms like Wix and Squarespace make it incredibly tempting. They give you slick templates, friendly wizards, and the thrill of being “live” in under an hour.
It feels great at first. You’re productive, you’re a founder, you’ve built your brand.
But here’s the catch: what feels easy now often becomes a headache later. These platforms are brilliant at getting you started, but they’re not built for what happens next. When your business grows, your needs change, and you want to do something unique.
And that’s where WordPress comes in. It’s not as shiny out of the box, and yes, it can feel messy and/or overwhelming.
But with WordPress, you’re building on a foundation designed for flexibility and control. You’re not boxed into someone else’s idea of what your site should be.
Check out The Long-Term Cost of Short-Term Platforms
A recent experiment involving 1,232 customers of a South Korean beauty brand found that including a handwritten (or high-quality photocopy) thank-you note in an online order doubled future spending - from about $26 to $52 per customer.
A handwritten note fosters warmth and sincerity, especially for customers already somewhat loyal.
However, its impact fades if combined with discounts or freebies, which feel transactional instead of personal.
Quick tips to try:
- Write a short 3–5 line note (no need for full personalization - “Dear customer” works).
- Include it inside the package - photocopies are also fine.
- Rotate versions to keep things fresh if you have regular buyers
Discover how Handwritten Thank You Notes Increase Sales
The Nielsen Norman Group’s research confirms that the iconic three stacked lines, the "hamburger" icon are now widely understood by users as a symbol for hidden navigation.
Most users instinctively recognize it, especially when it's placed in the top-left corner and designed in the classic style.
But familiarity doesn’t erase its downsides.
The original concerns still apply: hidden navigation reduces discoverability, slows task completion, and can frustrate users.
Even though people now know what it means, there's still an interaction cost - one extra tap before they can find what they need.
Read about the Hamburger-Menu Icon Today
PHP Vitals is a free benchmarking tool that lets you assess how efficiently your server runs PHP.
After installation, it performs a suite of tests (covering core functions like math operations, string and array handling, hashing, file operations, and object methods) in just 1–2 minutes.
You receive both detailed timing results and an overall grade from A+ to F, letting you quickly see whether your host delivers value or is slow behind the scenes.
Take a look at the PHP Vitals Plugin
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Have a great week and best of luck with your projects!
Colm and Simon from CommerceGurus
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