The eCommerce world moves fast, and staying ahead takes more than guesswork. You need guidance from people who understand the shifts before everyone else. That’s where the right experts make all the difference.
When you follow leaders who have built brands, scaled stores, analyzed market trends, and shaped entire platforms, you start making smarter decisions. You also spot opportunities earlier and avoid mistakes that slow most businesses down.
This eCommerce experts list brings together founders, analysts, UX specialists, DTC operators, marketing strategists, and even leaders from the WordPress and marketplace ecosystem. Each one offers practical insights that help you grow with confidence in a competitive online landscape.
What Makes an eCommerce Expert Worth Following
Not every loud voice online is worth your attention. The experts in this list were selected based on clear, trustworthy criteria.
First, you’ll notice they have proven track records, whether through building seven-figure brands, leading major platforms, or influencing industry direction. They are also known for thought leadership, which means they don’t just react to trends; they help shape them.
Many of them influence large parts of the eCommerce community through insightful podcasts, newsletters, research, or active social engagement. They share data-driven insights backed by real testing instead of vague opinions.
Most importantly, everything they offer has practical value. Their ideas can help store owners, agencies, and marketers make better decisions and grow faster.
How Following eCommerce Experts Helps You Grow Your Online Business
You learn much faster when you study people who have already done what you are trying to do. The best eCommerce experts share the exact frameworks, decisions, and strategies they used to get results. That gives you a shortcut.
McKinsey research: Companies that follow industry leaders and adopt proven practices grow up to 50% faster in strategic impact and deliver 80% more long-term value than those using trial and error.
By following these eCommerce experts on our list, you also avoid costly mistakes. You learn what not to do, which saves you time, money, and stress. Insights from operators and analysts help you stay ahead of market changes, so you don’t react late when customer behavior shifts.
You also sharpen your marketing strategy by understanding real consumer psychology, creative testing, conversion optimization, and retention tactics. Most importantly, you get access to battle-tested systems instead of guessing your way through growth.
Top eCommerce Experts You Should Look Up To
The experts on our list come from every corner of the industry, including DTC founders, growth marketers, UX specialists, retail analysts, platform leaders, and WordPress ecosystem innovators. Each one brings a unique perspective on what drives sales, shapes customer behavior, and builds long-term success. Let’s start learning with our top picks.
| Category | Experts |
|---|---|
| Growth and Marketing Experts | Gary Vaynerchuk, Neil Patel, Larry Kim, Ezra Firestone, Keval Shah, Karly McFarland, Gretta Van Riel |
| Content and Brand Storytelling Experts | Ann Handley, Kaleigh Moore |
| DTC Operators and Founders | Steve Chou, Gretta Van Riel, Billy Murphy, Dan Andrews, Ian Schoen |
| UX, CRO and CX Experts | Linda Bustos, Karl Lillrud |
| Retail and Industry Analysts | Sarah Halzack, Jason Goldberg, Steve Dennis, Deborah Weinswig, Rieva Lesonsky, Kasey Lobaugh |
| Platform and Technology Leaders | Tobi Lütke, Ben Marks, Atikur Rahman Tonmoy, Mark Hayes |
| Marketplace and WordPress Ecosystem Experts | Atikur Rahman Tonmoy |
| Podcasts and Community Leaders | Andrew Youderian, Terry Lin, Kunle Campbell |
1. Gary Vaynerchuk
Gary Vaynerchuk is an entrepreneur, investor and CEO of VaynerMedia. He grew his family wine business into a major online retailer long before social media became mainstream. Today he teaches how brands can win attention, build trust and convert audiences through consistent storytelling. His insights help eCommerce founders understand customer behavior, adapt to platform changes and use content as a long term competitive advantage.
Area of expertise:
To learn more: Gary Vaynerchuk Official Website
2. Neil Patel
Neil Patel is a leading digital marketing expert who has helped companies like Amazon and NBC grow through SEO, content and analytics based decision making. His blogs, videos and tools simplify complex marketing topics so eCommerce founders can take action without needing technical skills. Neil’s work focuses on sustainable traffic growth, practical optimization techniques and marketing strategies backed by real data.
Area of expertise:
To learn more: Neil Patel Official Website
3. Kaleigh Moore
Kaleigh Moore is a respected freelance writer and consultant who specializes in eCommerce and SaaS content. Her work appears in major publications, and she partners with top brands to create clear, customer friendly communication. Kaleigh is known for her ability to turn complex topics into simple stories that build trust, improve retention and support brand authority. Her insights are especially useful for companies that rely on content to drive revenue.
Area of expertise:
To learn more: Kaleigh Moore Official Website
4. Tobi Lütke
Tobi Lütke is the founder and CEO of Shopify. What started as software for his own snowboard shop grew into one of the world’s most influential commerce platforms. Tobi is widely respected for his product vision, technical leadership and mission to make commerce accessible for everyone. His thinking helps merchants, developers and entrepreneurs understand where online retail is heading and how technology shapes the future of buying and selling.
Area of expertise:
To learn more: Tobi Lütke on LinkedIn
5. Andrew Youderian
Andrew Youderian is an entrepreneur who built, scaled and sold multiple eCommerce stores before creating eCommerceFuel, a private community for seven figure store owners. His work focuses on the real operational challenges of running online stores, from hiring and logistics to long term strategy. Andrew combines hands on experience with insights gathered from thousands of conversations inside his community.
Area of expertise:
To learn more: eCommerceFuel Website
6. Steve Chou
Steve Chou is an entrepreneur, educator and founder of MyWifeQuitHerJob.com. He built multiple successful online stores and now teaches others how to launch and grow profitable eCommerce businesses. His content focuses on practical execution rather than theory, making his guidance ideal for founders who want step by step actions. Steve also hosts a popular podcast where he brings insights from operators, marketers and online retail experts.
Area of expertise:
To learn more: My Wife Quit Her Job
7. Linda Bustos
Linda Bustos is a leading eCommerce UX and conversion specialist known for her deep research into online shopping behavior. She was the long-time author of GetElastic, one of the most respected blogs in the industry. Linda helps brands optimize product pages, checkout flows and merchandising strategies using data backed insights. Her work is especially valuable for eCommerce teams that want to improve usability and increase conversions.
Area of expertise:
To learn more: Get Elastic Blog
8. Karl Lillrud
Karl Lillrud is an international eCommerce advisor, keynote speaker and author who has helped businesses around the world improve their online sales performance. With a background in retail technology and consumer psychology, he focuses on how brands can adapt to fast changing customer expectations. Karl’s work blends future trends, digital transformation and practical strategies that help companies increase revenue and improve customer satisfaction.
Area of expertise:
To learn more: Karl Lillrud Official Website
9. Rand Fishkin
Rand Fishkin is the co-founder of Moz and SparkToro, and one of the most influential voices in SEO and audience research. He focuses on how businesses can truly understand their customers, not just chase search algorithms. Rand’s insights help eCommerce brands build sustainable visibility, improve messaging and target audiences more effectively. His thinking is especially valuable for marketers who want data guided, ethical and long term growth.
Area of expertise:
To learn more: SparkToro Website
10. Keval Shah
Keval Shah is a direct to consumer growth expert known for helping eCommerce brands scale through creative strategy, paid acquisition and holistic marketing. He has worked with fast growing DTC companies and shares proven frameworks for improving ads, landing pages and customer journeys. Keval’s insights are especially helpful for brands looking to improve ROAS, strengthen positioning and build a repeatable growth engine.
Area of expertise:
To learn more: Keval Shah on LinkedIn
11. Karly McFarland
Karly McFarland is a retention and lifecycle marketing specialist who helps eCommerce brands grow revenue through stronger customer relationships. She focuses on email, SMS and customer journey optimization, sharing practical insights that brands of all sizes can apply. Karly’s work highlights how long term retention can outperform short term acquisition, making her guidance especially useful for businesses that want predictable, sustainable growth.
Area of expertise:
To learn more: Karly McFarland on LinkedIn
12. Armando Roggio
Armando Roggio is a veteran contributor at Practical Ecommerce, where he writes in depth analyses on retail trends, advertising, operations and digital strategy. With more than a decade of covering the eCommerce industry, Armando offers a balanced viewpoint that blends data, news and practical advice. His work is especially helpful for retailers who want to understand broader market shifts and improve performance across all areas of their online business.
Area of expertise:
To learn more: Practical Ecommerce Author Page
13. Kunle Campbell
Kunle Campbell is an eCommerce growth advisor and host of the popular 2X eCommerce podcast. He works closely with direct-to-consumer brands to improve customer acquisition, retention and profitability. Kunle’s interviews and frameworks focus on what actually works in today’s environment, prioritizing sustainable growth over short term hacks. His guidance is widely respected among mid sized brands looking to scale efficiently.
Area of expertise:
To learn more: Conscious Commerce
14. Gretta Van Riel
Gretta Van Riel is a serial founder known for building several multimillion dollar eCommerce brands. She is recognized for her expertise in influencer marketing and community driven product launches. Gretta teaches how early momentum, viral loops and social proof can transform a new brand into a rapidly growing business. Her playbooks are especially valuable for founders entering competitive markets.
Area of expertise:
To learn more: Gretta Van Riel Official Website
15. Larry Kim
Larry Kim is the founder of WordStream and MobileMonkey, two major platforms in digital advertising and conversational marketing. He is known for simplifying complex paid acquisition strategies and helping businesses improve ROI through smarter creative, automation and keyword selection. Larry’s frameworks help eCommerce brands reduce wasted ad spend and drive more effective traffic through paid channels.
Area of expertise:
To learn more: Larry Kim on LinkedIn
16. Ann Handley
Ann Handley is a bestselling author and one of the most respected voices in modern content marketing. She helps brands communicate with clarity, personality, and purpose, making her work especially relevant for eCommerce companies that rely heavily on storytelling. Ann’s insights emphasize writing that builds trust, strengthens customer relationships, and drives long-term brand loyalty. Her books, newsletters and talks are widely used by marketers seeking to improve their content quality.
Area of expertise:
To learn more: Ann Handley Official Website
17. Atikur Rahman Tonmoy
Atikur Rahman Tonmoy is the Chief Marketing Officer at weDevs, the company behind Dokan, one of the most widely used multivendor marketplace plugins for WordPress. He oversees brand strategy, growth, user acquisition and product marketing across a large suite of SaaS and plugin products. Tonmoy’s insights are grounded in real world experience helping digital products scale within the WordPress ecosystem.
Area of expertise:
To learn more: Atikur Rahman Tonmoy on LinkedIn
18. Dan Andrews
Dan Andrews is the co-founder of The Tropical MBA and the Dynamite Circle, a global community of location-independent entrepreneurs. His work focuses on building profitable lifestyle-based online businesses. Dan shares lessons from years of building eCommerce ventures, managing remote teams, and interviewing founders who operate real, sustainable companies. His perspective is valuable for entrepreneurs who want freedom-driven business models.
Area of expertise:
To learn more: Tropical MBA Website
19. Ian Schoen
Ian Schoen is the co-host of The Tropical MBA podcast and co-founder of the Dynamite Circle. He has built, scaled and sold physical product businesses, giving him deep insight into manufacturing, supply chains and product development. Ian often discusses the behind-the-scenes realities of running eCommerce companies, including operational bottlenecks and strategic decision making.
Area of expertise:
To learn more: Tropical MBA Website
20. Billy Murphy
Billy Murphy is the founder of ForeverJobless and a well-known entrepreneur who built multiple successful online businesses. He is widely recognized for sharing detailed breakdowns of business models, decision-making frameworks and profitability analysis. Billy’s content focuses on helping entrepreneurs think clearly, choose high-leverage opportunities and build eCommerce businesses grounded in strong fundamentals.
Area of expertise:
To learn more: ForeverJobless Website
21. Dave Huckabay
Dave Huckabay is the founder of GrabApple, an eCommerce business built around collectible products and niche retail categories. He has shared his experiences in online business communities for years, offering practical advice on niche selection, inventory challenges and customer demand patterns. Dave’s perspectives help entrepreneurs understand how specialized eCommerce niches work and how to build durable businesses within them.
Area of expertise:
To learn more: GrabApple Website
22. Mark Hayes
Mark Hayes is the former Head of Communications at Shopify and a long time voice in the eCommerce industry. He helped shape Shopify’s early brand presence and has worked closely with thousands of merchants through education, support and content programs. Mark’s work centers on empowering entrepreneurs with practical knowledge on growth, marketing and platform best practices. His perspective is grounded in real world merchant experience and platform-level insights.
Area of expertise:
To learn more: Mark Hayes on LinkedIn
23. Terry Lin
Terry Lin is the host of Build My Online Store, one of the earliest podcasts dedicated to eCommerce entrepreneurship. Through years of interviewing store owners and founders, he has compiled a wealth of insights on product sourcing, online marketing, fulfillment challenges and customer experience. Terry emphasizes practical, hands on strategies that real sellers can use to improve their stores.
Area of expertise:
To learn more: Build My Online Store
24. Ezra Firestone
Ezra Firestone is an influential eCommerce entrepreneur and founder of Smart Marketer. He has built and scaled multiple seven and eight figure online brands while teaching others how to succeed through paid traffic, email marketing and customer focused growth. Ezra’s frameworks are widely used because they focus on long term customer value and sustainable scaling rather than quick wins.
Area of expertise:
To learn more: Smart Marketer
25. Cathy Halligan
Cathy Halligan is a seasoned eCommerce and retail executive with leadership experience at companies like Walmart.com and PowerReviews. She has spent her career advising and scaling digital commerce operations, focusing on customer experience, merchandising, and digital transformation. Cathy brings a strategic view of how large retail organizations adapt to shifting consumer expectations.
Area of expertise:
To learn more: Cathy Halligan on X
26. Ben Marks
Ben Marks is the Director of Global Market Development at Shopware and formerly the official Magento Evangelist. He is known for supporting the open source commerce ecosystem and helping merchants, developers and agencies adopt modern commerce solutions. Ben regularly speaks at industry events and shares insights on retail trends, platform architecture and eCommerce innovation.
Area of expertise:
To learn more: Ben Marks on X
27. Deborah Weinswig
Deborah Weinswig is a global retail analyst and the founder of Coresight Research, a firm known for deep research on retail technology, omnichannel commerce and consumer trends. She works with major retailers, brands and investors to understand how innovations like AI, automation and new fulfillment models reshape shopping behavior. Deborah’s reports and commentary are widely used by executives who need data driven guidance on the future of commerce.
Area of expertise:
To learn more: Deborah Weinswig on X
28. Rieva Lesonsky
Rieva Lesonsky is a respected small business and retail expert with decades of experience advising entrepreneurs. As the former Editorial Director of Entrepreneur Magazine and current CEO of GrowBiz Media, she provides insights on consumer trends, marketing opportunities and retail shifts. Her work is especially helpful for smaller eCommerce businesses looking to identify profitable niches and adapt to market changes.
Area of expertise:
To learn more: Rieva Lesonsky on X
29. Jason Goldberg
Jason Goldberg is a Chief Commerce Strategy Officer at Publicis Groupe and one of the most followed eCommerce commentators online. Known as “Retail Geek,” he provides sharp, data backed analysis on retail earnings, platform changes, delivery innovations and macro industry trends. His insights are trusted by operators, analysts and marketers who want to understand what is happening across the entire commerce landscape.
Area of expertise:
To learn more: Jason Goldberg on X
30. Julie Ask
Julie Ask is a leading digital and mobile commerce analyst who spent many years as a Vice President at Forrester Research. She focuses on how mobile behavior, experience design and emerging technologies shape customer journeys. Julie’s insights help retailers understand how shoppers interact with digital touchpoints and how businesses can improve convenience, speed and loyalty.
Area of expertise:
To learn more: Julie Ask on X
31. Kasey Lobaugh
Kasey Lobaugh is the Chief Futurist for Consumer Industries at Deloitte. He studies long term shifts in consumer expectations, retail formats, digital marketplaces and economic patterns that impact commerce. Kasey’s research provides a big picture view of how technology, culture and business models evolve, making his work valuable for leaders planning for the future of retail.
Area of expertise:
To learn more: Kasey Lobaugh on LinkedIn
32. Steve Dennis
Steve Dennis is a strategic advisor, keynote speaker and bestselling author known for analyzing the rapid transformation of retail. With decades of executive experience at major retail brands, he helps companies understand how customer expectations, technology and competition reshape the industry. Steve’s writing and commentary highlight how retailers can stay relevant, differentiate their brands and create remarkable customer experiences in a crowded marketplace.
Area of expertise:
To learn more: Steve Dennis
33. Sarah Halzack
Sarah Halzack is a senior national retail columnist at Bloomberg Opinion, where she covers major trends affecting retail and eCommerce. Her reporting blends financial analysis, consumer insights and industry data to explain how companies perform and where the market is heading. Sarah’s work is highly trusted by leaders who want objective, well researched commentary on the state of retail.
Area of expertise:
To learn more: Sarah Halzack on X
How to Choose the Right eCommerce Expert for Your Niche
Choosing the right expert depends on what you want to improve. Each person on the list offers something different, so use this quick guide to match your goals with the right voice.
- If you want more traffic: Follow Neil Patel for clear SEO and content strategies that work at any scale.
- If you want better storytelling: Follow Ann Handley or Kaleigh Moore to improve how you communicate and build trust with customers.
- If you want DTC growth frameworks: Follow Ezra Firestone, Gretta Van Riel or Keval Shah for tested tactics that help brands scale fast.
- If you run a marketplace or WordPress business: Follow Atikur Rahman Tonmoy for practical guidance on product marketing, growth and multivendor ecosystems.
- If you want to understand retail economics: Follow Jason Goldberg or Sarah Halzack for clear breakdowns of industry trends and financial realities.
- This approach helps you quickly identify the voices that match your niche and offer the most value.
How to Apply What You Learn From These Experts
You grow faster when you take small, consistent actions. Here are simple ways to turn expert insights into results.
| Action | Why It Helps | How to Implement It |
|---|---|---|
| Subscribe to their newsletters | You get fresh ideas, strategies and trends without searching for them. | Sign up on their websites or Substack pages and skim updates weekly. |
| Join their communities or groups | You learn directly from founders, operators and marketers facing similar challenges. | Join Slack groups, paid communities or membership forums they host. |
| Attend webinars, workshops and live sessions | You get real-time insights on what is working in eCommerce right now. | Add upcoming sessions to your calendar and join at least one per month. |
| Apply one idea each week | Small, consistent improvements compound into real growth over time. | Test a new tactic like a landing page change, retention tweak or email update. |
| Reverse engineer their case studies | You see how top operators think, plan and execute behind the scenes. | Break down their examples: what they did, why it worked and how to adapt it. |
Frequently Asked Questions – eCommerce Experts
This guide highlights more than 30 trusted voices across growth, content strategy, UX, DTC, retail analysis, and platform development.
1. How can eCommerce experts help new store owners?
They share real frameworks, data-backed lessons, and practical examples that help beginners avoid common mistakes and grow with confidence.
2. Which experts focus on DTC growth?
Ezra Firestone, Gretta Van Riel, Keval Shah, and Kunle Campbell are especially strong for direct to consumer playbooks.
3. Who are the best experts in retail industry analysis?
Jason Goldberg, Sarah Halzack, Steve Dennis, Deborah Weinswig, and Rieva Lesonsky offer clear, reliable insights on market trends.
4. Where can I find the best eCommerce podcasts?
eCommerceFuel, Build My Online Store, and 2X eCommerce are excellent places to hear from founders and operators.
5. Which eCommerce voices share the most actionable insights?
Neil Patel, Steve Chou, Ezra Firestone, and Linda Bustos frequently share strategies you can use right away.
Learn From the Best and Stay Ahead
Stop guessing. Start growing. The only way to stay prepared for major shifts is to learn from those defining the industry. Now, you have a curated list of top-tier experts specializing in everything from paid traffic and CRO to brand scaling and B2B commerce. Get their tactical advice on CRO, paid ads, scaling, and the future of DTC.
Don’t just read about success – study it. Keep learning, keep experimenting, and let these leading minds guide you toward building a more resilient, profitable, and enduring online business model in 2026 and beyond.
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