Tariffs entered the chat 💸

Tarif hikes, legal risks in content moderation, dynamic pricing to stay competitive.

November 12, 2024

Hey there, eComm legend.

The ballots are in, and whether you're doing a victory dance or hitting the snooze button until 2028, one thing's crystal clear: e-commerce waits for no election. While everyone else is glued to the political drama, smart sellers like you are already mapping out their next moves. From potential tariff shifts to changing regulations, we've got your playbook for turning policy shifts into profit—no campaign promises required.

Here's what matters: This edition isn't about red vs. blue—it's about keeping your business in the black. We're breaking down the practical moves you need to make, from sourcing strategies to pricing plays, so you can stay ahead while others are still doom-scrolling their news feeds.

Let's dive into the real-world strategies that'll keep your business thriving, no matter which way the political winds blow.

In today’s agenda:

1) Made in USA: no passport required.

2) 99 problems but pricing ain't one.

3) Politics says $$$, shoppers say 🌍.

4) Your product review might need a lawyer.

— Alex & David

1) Made in USA: no passport required.

Local is the New Sexy: If tariffs on imports jump up, say 10-20%, and for Chinese goods, maybe as high as 60-100% (yep, you read that right), local sourcing might suddenly be the hottest new trend in e-commerce.

Imagine not paying extra just to ship a sweater across the world. You might not have been sold on “Made in the USA” before, but now it’s looking like the underdog hero of your supply chain.

Picture it: faster shipping, fewer customs hoops, and customers cheering for you as the hometown choice.

Extra Cash to Play With: If the corporate tax rate stays at 21%, it’s like finding some bonus cash under the couch cushions of your business plan.

Rather than shipping all that savings off to cover tariffs, think of this as a chance to reinvest right here at home. Experiment with a wild promo, try a new product, or finally give your site that upgrade.

In uncertain times, having a little extra in the piggy bank to test fresh ideas isn’t just nice—it’s your ticket to staying nimble while everyone else is scrambling.

Be the Local Champion: If imports get pricey, here’s your chance to step in as the people’s champion. Lean into that “Support Local” energy and make it work for you.

A “Ships from the USA” label will suddenly become your golden ticket to winning over shoppers dodging high-priced imports.

Sprinkle in some loyalty rewards, offer a bundle deal, and let your customers feel like they’re part of the solution. Not only are you avoiding tariff drama, but you’re turning it into an opportunity to get people rallying behind your brand.

Next Step: Let’s keep it simple. If you want to dodge those import headaches, Thomasnet and Maker’s Row can hook you up with local suppliers faster than you can say “tariff-free.” To keep shipping smooth, ShipBob has your back with hassle-free logistics.

Message from Alex:

Our free Chrome extension is officially out, and it’s like having X-ray vision for website growth hacks.

I took it for a spin on Red Dress, and in one-click, I knew they’re raking in $29 million using the Focal theme on Shopify and working the retargeting game with SharpSpring.

This week, we gave it a glow-up so it tells you which Shopify theme ANY site is using (unless its custom, obviously).

Next week we’ll add a way for you to add sniffed websites to your Favorites.

In the meantime, here is the link to grab our free extension, and stay tuned, it’s only getting better.

2) 99 problems but pricing ain't one.

Master the Price Dance: When tariffs will roll in, prices will soar like hotcakes at a state fair.

Don’t panic. Dynamic pricing tools are like your trusty sidekick here, letting you tweak prices without freaking people out.

Imagine adjusting prices in real time to keep your costs covered without turning away shoppers who just came in for a good deal.

Value, Not Discounts: Please, please, please, FOCUS ON VALUE. With inflation doing its thing, people will shop like they’re auditioning for Extreme Couponing.

But hold off on the endless markdowns—keep your brand’s dignity intact. Instead, bundle some products, throw in a freebie, or offer "mystery perks" with orders.

It’s like giving customers a fun little bonus while keeping your profits from vanishing.

Read the Room: People are getting pickier with their purchases, so meet them where they are.

Use data to see what they’re actually buying and focus on stocking what’s flying off the shelves. Your goal: less random inventory, more "exactly what they need."

Think of it as curating your store to fit their wallet vibes.

Next Steps: Arm yourself with Prisync to spy on competitor prices without lifting a finger and Yotpo to make every repeat customer feel like a VIP. Don’t survive tariffs—thrive.

Message from Luke:

“10% of sales should coming from referrals”

I’ve helped brands generate over $5 million in referral revenue this year alone.

Give me 15 minutes to show you what’s possible—no strings attached. And as a thank-you for your time, lunch is on me! You’ll get a $20 UberEats voucher just for chatting.

#ad

3) Politics says $$$, shoppers say 🌍.

Quick Wins, Big Risks: With a new Trump administration, environmental deregulation could mean instant cost cuts—no more pricey eco-friendly packaging or strict emission standards for delivery trucks.

But here’s the catch: consumers are watching. Today’s eco-conscious shoppers won’t hesitate to turn their backs on brands that aren’t green enough.

Saving on sustainability now could spell a PR headache (and lost customers) down the road.

Your Carbon Footprint is on Display: Skipping on green initiatives means a bigger carbon footprint.

Who cares, right? Well, Shoppers do apparently (among many other living things, surprisingly). Every mile your delivery travels and every non-recyclable box you use is now on their radar.

While deregulation lets you save upfront, missing the mark on sustainability might leave you struggling to keep up with brands that make eco-friendly choices their selling point.

Global Sees Green: Even if you can coast domestically without strict green standards, global markets, especially in Europe, are doubling down on eco-requirements.

If you plan to expand internationally, sustainability is a must. Falling behind could mean losing access to markets or facing high costs just to meet stricter import rules.

Next Steps: Here are some helpful solutions for you: EcoCart for carbon offsets and Loop for reusable packaging. A little investment in sustainability now could mean big returns in customer loyalty, global competitiveness, and a future-ready brand. Oh and you know, it’s good for Earth too.

How much impact do you expect the new Trump administration to have on your business in 2025?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

4) Your product review might need a lawyer.

The Liability Tightrope: Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act has been the secret sauce for e-commerce platforms, shielding them (and YOU) from liability for user-generated content.

Product reviews, user comments, forums—Section 230 has kept things running smoothly.

But with calls for reform, especially under a Trump-driven agenda, e-commerce players might be in for a big shift.

Consume With Moderation: Without Section 230’s protection, you’re looking at higher stakes for every review, comment, or post on your shop.

Legal risks could mean investing heavily in content moderation tools—or even saying goodbye to user reviews altogether if you want to dodge lawsuits.

Smaller platforms especially need to think about how to handle this.

Extra Costs & Legal Jitters: If Section 230 gets gutted, expect a rise in moderation expenses and an extra layer of legal headaches.

Every piece of user content could open the door to liability, from defamatory reviews to questionable product claims.

Think twice about what you’re willing to host and how much you’re prepared to monitor.

Next Steps: Equip yourself with AI-driven moderation tools like those from companies like Hive or ModerationAPI to automate content oversight. Consider reworking your terms of service, laying out crystal-clear guidelines for what’s allowed on your site. Staying ahead with a clear strategy will be your ace in the face of these potential changes.

* Executive Cheat Sheet

Section 230: A law that protects online platforms from being held liable for content posted by their users.

Content moderation tools: AI-powered systems that automatically screen, filter, or remove inappropriate or harmful content from websites.

Dynamic pricing tools: Software that helps automatically adjust product prices in real time based on market demand, competitor pricing, or other factors.

Carbon footprint: The total amount of greenhouse gas emissions caused directly or indirectly by an activity, like shipping or packaging.