Coaching & Consulting for Shopify Focused Businesses
Is your Shopify agency or app company keeping you up at night? Is your to-do list getting longer by the day? Do you open up your laptop and stare at the screen, not knowing where to start? If this sounds familiar, then it's time to talk!
Over the last three years, I've helped businesses like yours define, refine, and resolve the issues holding them back. I've worked with some of the best in our ecosystem and helped them attract new customers, build their reputations, and grow profitable businesses.
I worked in the Shopify Partners Marketing team from 2012–2018. Having met and collaborated with 100's of Shopify Partners I am uniquely equipped to understand the challenges your business faces in the increasingly competitive and expanding Shopify ecosystem.
For Shopify App Developers
From idea and product-market fit to attracting and retaining customers running an app business is a constant uphill battle. I'll help you define your ideal customers, talk their language, and work out a marketing strategy to help your business grow.
For Founders & Leads
It's easy to neglect your personal growth when running a business. Today's founders and team leaders wear many hats and are stretched in multiple directions. I'll help you navigate the challenges you face, suggest and discuss ways forward, and help you make the right decisions.
Eliminate Roadblocks, Get Direction, Have a Plan
We both know growing a business is hard, extremely hard. Sometimes we all need help — an external and impartial opinion from someone who's been there, had some successes and learnt from their mistakes. That's where I come in.
External, Impartial, & Experienced
After 7 years at Shopify I left to start my own business and marketing consultancy. My goal — to help businesses like yours thrive. My intimate knowledge of the Shopify platform, coupled with my understanding of the ecosystem, and my passion for entrepreneurship enables me to bring a unique perspective to your Shopify focused business.
I've been lucky enough to work with a wide range of clients and helped them answer questions like:
Is our product a good fit for the App Store?
How do we get our app in front of the best agencies?
We've relied heavily on word-of-mouth but we need to embrace other forms of marketing, where should we start?
How do I get free users of my app to move onto a paid plan?
Does our website copy truly represent what we do and who we do it for?
What should our CEO talk about at our first product conference?
We want to start putting out more content but are unsure what to write about?
How do we demonstrate our expertise to potential customers?
What do our customers love, and hate, about our product?
Can I help your business? Book a complimentary discovery call and let's find out. I look forward to hearing from you.
Reserve Your Free Discovery Call
Before we begin please complete my short business survey. It's designed to help me understand you, your business, and the challenges you are facing. After receiving your answers I'll get back to you within 48 hours to book your complimentary 30-minute conversation.
Sometimes all it takes is an external and impartial opinion to unblock the way forward. Whether you are struggling with a sticky business issue or have hit a dead-end we'll work together to break the impasse.
Strategy
You're confident of the way forward but are unsure what to focus on first. I'll help you work out a detailed plan to help you get started and will be on hand to keep you accountable as you progress.
Coaching
We can learn from the past and plan for the future but what about the "here and now"? The goal of coaching is to help you understand, work through, and become stronger with issues that you face today.
There's No Such Thing as a Typical Engagement
From one off quick fix calls, to short-term projects and on-going engagmenets I've consulted widely. Recent work includes:
Working 1-1 with agency founders and leaders to help them navigate their business and team development
Creating researched and actionable marketing roadmaps for agencies and app developers
Helping a well-known technology partner figure out how to host their first product conference
Working with app companies to better understand their customer base, what they love about their product, and what can be improved
Rewording Shopify App Store listings to better describe the benefits and features of an app
Developing a series of product tutorial videos to help prospective customers understand the power of an app
Helping agencies articulate their products, services, and unique talents on their website and through social media
Let's Start the Conversation
If you're ready to start transforming your business do me a quick favour and complete my five minute survey. It's designed to help me understand you, your business, and the challenges you are facing. After receiving your answers I'll get back to you to book a time to discuss how I can help.
Keir brought his wealth of experience and knowledge to help plan the marketing strategy and roadmap for my Shopify apps. His insights have been invaluable in growing the business, and in a way that was perfectly tailored to my goals. Keir not only brings his wealth of knowledge, but his great personality and humour. A pleasure to work with.Björn Forsberg — Founder, FORSBERG+two
Keir was instrumental to the success of our third annual user conference, ChargeX Summit 2019. His ability to curate our speaker list, as well as prepare speakers for each keynote and panel, was invaluable. Adding Keir to our event was like adding a superpower boost to our team. I wouldn't plan a conference without his insight and support.Chathri Ali — COO, ReCharge
Keir has been instrumental to the success of our business in the Shopify ecosystem. Whether editing my book The Definitive Guide to Shopify Themes, connecting us to people in his vast network, or developing creative marketing strategies, he's been a pleasure to work with.Gavin Ballard — CEO, Disco
Keir is an absolute pleasure to work with and never fails to surprise us with the depth of his skillset and the reach of his network. His understanding of the opportunities and challenges presented by the Shopify Partner Ecosystem is invaluable and attests to his involvement in the pouring of its very foundations. His keen eye for the 'real' information and the key objectives for success has helped us to focus and streamline how we operate, market and support our apps.Union Works — Shopify App Developers
Keir has an incredible knack for building relationships with colleagues, business partners, and specific audiences. He led massively successful international campaigns using his talents in content creation, marketing, and creative ideation. His industry connections, thought leadership, and strategic intuition make him an invaluable asset when it comes to building a brand that resonates.Courtney Symons — Chief Writer, Office of the CEO Shopify
I've had the pleasure of collaborating with Keir over the past few years on a number of projects including blog posts, podcasts, classes, events and more. His expertise, guidance and humor related to all things e-commerce and technology has made every one of these experiences both successful and a delight.Ross Beyeler — COO, Trellis
Having collaborated for the best part of a decade, I can wholeheartedly recommend Keir to those of you looking for level-headed industry advice and expert guidance. Keir has a remarkable knack of clarifying situations in a way that helps you see solutions for yourself, meaning his support often extends far beyond his original engagement.Cat Hunter — Ecommerce Content Specialist
We have the pleasure of taking Keir's advice many times at Milk Bottle Labs. As a regular contributor to our Milk Bottle Labs Podcast, Keir always shares one golden nugget of Shopify knowledge leaving listeners both entertained & educated. Keir is, without doubt, one of the most professional, passionate, energetic, dedicated, and trustworthy individuals I have met since joining the Shopify ecosystem.Keith Matthews — Founder, Milk Bottle Labs
Who Am I Anyway?
Hello! My name's Keir Whitaker (that's me down there, waving my hand). I'm a UK based business consultant and coach dedicated to helping Shopify focused agencies, app companies, and technology partners attract new customers, build their reputations, and grow profitable businesses.
Hosting a Shopify Unite 2018 Panel on The Power of Community
I've been earning my living in the technology, web, and SaaS sector for almost 20 years — both independently and for companies including Shopify where I worked for almost 7 years.
My road to consulting has been long and varied and has included web development, product marketing, content strategy, event curation, and educational based inititatives. I've also held numerous leadership positions.
Some Facts
I have a background in web development, technical content, marketing, and event curation
I built my first Shopify theme in 2007
I was one of the first 100 employees at Shopify and worked on the Partnerships Marketing team for almost 7 years
I founded my first web development agency in 2004 and have worked with a wide range of clients in many different sectors
I have a passion for small business and entrepreneurship and relish working with founders and leaders
Since January 2019 I've worked exclusively with Shopify focused app companies, service agencies, and technology partners
I've collaborated with the best of the best in the Shopify ecosystem
Still Have Questions?
Q: How do I know if I'm a good fit for your services?
To help us work this out I'll ask you to complete a short survey designed to help me understand more about you, your business, and the challenges you are facing. Being as open and honest as possible in your replies will help me determine if I can help you move forward. If I believe I can, I'll say so, and of course, if I can't, I'll try and introduce you to someone who can.
Q: What type of services do you offer?
My services fall into two main categories — consulting and coaching. My consulting services focus on helping you improve or develop a campaign, product, or process. In contrast, coaching sessions tend to be higher level, less about the specifics of a product or feature, and more about you, your challenges, and your success.
Q: What's your approach to pricing?
After trying out various approaches to pitching, pricing, and productising my services I realised that every client has different needs. However, it became clear that most engagements fall into one of four formats. You can learn more about the ways I typically work with clients.
Q: I'm based outside of the UK, can we still work together?
Absolutely. I currently work with clients based in the USA, Canada, Australia and Europe. Some early starts and late finishes may be required, but I usually make it work!
Q: May I speak with a couple of references about working with you?
Of course, please get in touch and I'll join the dots.
Q: What if I want to speak with you on an ad hoc basis?
Not a problem. I offer a bookable consultancy call service for this very reason. Simply fill in my quick survey and select the "I'd like to book a paid consultancy call" option.
Q: Can you help us "do" the marketing activities you recommend?
To provide the best consultancy services I can, I no longer have time to engage in content and marketing creation. However, I work with a trusted network of talented marketers who I will happily introduce to you.
Q: Can I include my co-founder or team members on our calls?
Absolutely — just let me know who'll be on the call in advance, and we'll be good to go. The only exception to this are coaching sessions which are strictly one to one.
Q: Do we have to meet at the same time each week?
No! At the end of each session, we'll book in the following call allowing for your schedule and occasionally mine.
Q: Why do you ask for an initial three-month commitment for your coaching service?
Coaching is a big investment for both of us. Like any relationship, it takes time to warm up and show results. An initial three-month commitment allows us the time to get to know each other and begin to work towards achievable outcomes. After three months (12 sessions) I am happy to move to a monthly rolling basis.
Q: How many coaching clients do you work with at any one time?
I work with no more than four coaching clients at a time.
Q: Will you sign an NDA or confidentiality agreement?
I understand that the Shopify ecosystem is relatively small and well connected. We'll likely know the same people. However, my reputation rests on the fact that I keep our conversations private. If you would like me to sign an NDA/confidentiality agreement, please let me know in my initial survey.
Q: What happens if I need to pause or stop our sessions?
Not a problem. I politely ask for one month's notice should you wish to pause or finish an on-going agreement.
Still have questions? Please get in touch and I'll get right back with the answers.
Reserve Your Free Discovery Call
Before we begin please complete my short business survey. It's designed to help me understand you, your business, and the challenges you are facing. After receiving your answers I'll get back to you within 48 hours to book your complimentary 30-minute conversation.
