I realized tonight that I have been blogging on Retailbliss.ca almost exactly 1 year!

Wow, how the time flew in the past 12 months.

Working full-time consulting and traveling for most of the year, blogging for RB, and managing Encircled was A LOT.

My audience, and readership has grown immensely, especially in the last few months, so I wanted to highlight the top 10 most popular blog posts, so you don't miss out on this must-read (and share) advice!

(Mind the graphics... things have evolved...err a bit in a year)

In 2015, my plan is to optimize my blog so that it's easier to find past posts relevant to certain areas of running an online store, so stay tuned for that.

My Top 10 Most Popular Retail Blog Posts You Must Read

10. 5 Reasons Why Your Content Strategy Sucks

The 10th most popular post is definitely in my personal top three because I wholeheartedly believe that content strategy is integral to the success of small businesses. Be small, act big.

In this digital age, content is king, and the internet sucks up a LOT of it.

I often coach my clients and help them create both a content strategy, and plan. If you take one thing away from this post, it's that you NEED to both of these to take your business to the next level.

9. The 5 Must Have Shopify Apps

A popular Shopify post, it's crazy how much has changed since October when I wrote it. Jilt, one of my fav apps got acquired, and subsequently shut down. It's now back. I'm also no longer using Stitch but still believe it's a good tool. Did I miss any good apps you love? Add them to the comments!

8. Why You Need a Strategy Even if You're Small

Strategy is not just for the big retailers. In the 8th most popular post, I talk about why it's critical for up and coming retailers to do strategic planning on a regular basis.

7. How to Double your Conversion with ONE Small Change

This post is one of my favs, so I'm happy it cracked the top-10. Hint: I still use the one change on Encircled.ca that I made, and I believe it's important to any good website design.

6. Instagram for Retailpreneurs: Part VI - How to Sell without Selling on Instagram

In the final part of the 6-parter Instagram series, I talk about how to sell without being a sleazy used car salesman type on Instagram.

5. Instagram for Retailpreneurs: Part IV - Must-have apps

Part four of the free six-part Instagram series, this post focuses on the must-have applications to maximize your Instagram presence. Perhaps due for a little updating, so if you have any suggestions, please leave them in the comments of the post!

4. How to pin with Purpose on Pinterest

A follow-up from (spoiler alert) my most popular post on Pinterest, Pinning with purpose outlines how to setup your profile page properly. There is also a free downloadable PDF which you can use to map out your board strategy. Yay!

3. Instagram for Retailpreneurs: Part 1 - The Basics

Part one of a six-part free series I wrote on how to get started, setup, manage, create and optimize your Instagram presence for retailers.

2. How to Write Product-Based Email Newsletters (& my first ever newsletter!)

In my second most popular post, I share my first ever email newsletter for Encircled (eeks!) and talk a little about my content strategy for my email newsletters.

1. How to Use Pinterest to Grow your Retail Sales -- My most popular post of the YEAR!

In it, I share how I started on Pinterest with Encircled, and eventually pivoted my strategy to grow both my sales, followers and engagement. I'm now at almost 4,000 followers, so, it's working :)