What do you get when two eCommerce veterans sit down to talk growth, AI, and conversion strategy? A masterclass.
We hosted Arny Pollack and Duke Kroll from Gen7 Digital, and the conversation was pure fire for DTC brands. With over four decades of combined experience, they’ve seen eCommerce evolve from OSCommerce to hyper-personalized AI-driven stores—and they’re still on the cutting edge.
Here are the sharpest takeaways from the episode.
1. AI Is Not a Threat. It’s Your Unpaid, Unstoppable Growth Partner.
Forget the fearmongering. The Gen7 team sees AI not as a job killer, but as a force multiplier—especially for merchants lacking 24/7 support. Their experience with Rep AI was a game changer: onboarding took minutes, and the results were tangible.
“You’ve got a smart assistant on your site that doesn’t take lunch breaks. That’s a no-brainer.”
Rep didn’t just help customers—it uncovered why some didn’t buy, revealing friction points hidden in plain sight.
2. Stop Obsessing Over Acquisition. Optimize What You Already Have.
Duke and Arnie agree: too many brands are bleeding budget on traffic and ignoring their funnel.
“Most people focus too much on the product—and not enough on how to actually sell it.”
What moves the needle?
- Irresistible offers that scream value
- Seamless, frictionless customer journeys
- Clear storytelling that moves customers from pain to solution
- Persistent CRO experimentation—never sit on your wins
3. Video Is King—but Only If You Know Why It Works
Gen7 produces dozens of videos per brand to crack the virality code. The key isn’t just views—it’s understanding why a piece of content resonates, and scaling from there.
“Give us 90 days. We’ll get you a viral video—and then we’ll repeat it with precision.”
AI plays a massive role here too, analyzing engagement trends, optimizing offers, and tailoring future content with accuracy that used to take weeks of spreadsheet sifting.
4. Personalization Isn’t a Buzzword—It’s Revenue
From product engravings to geo-targeted emails to segment-based landing pages, personalization deepens connection and reduces returns. But it’s not just about saying “Hi, [First Name].”
“If the site knows I’m from LA, show me something relevant to me—that’s the new bar.”
The future? Dynamic personalization that adapts an entire website to each visitor. It’s coming faster than most brands are ready for.
5. Tech Stack Discipline = Survival
One of the simplest—but most overlooked—growth levers: clean up your tech stack.
- Audit it regularly.
- Cut dead weight.
- Double down on tools that deliver (like Rep AI).
- Layer in surveys and feedback loops to hear directly from buyers.
“Your stack should be working for you. If it’s rogue, you’re flying blind.”
6. What’s Next? Your Website, But Smarter Than You Are
Imagine a world where your site greets customers by name, shows them products in their favorite color, and adjusts offers based on time of day and buyer behavior. That’s not 2030. That’s 2025.
Arnie calls it the Internet Passport—a dynamic web experience that morphs to fit each visitor based on the data they’ve already shared. AI makes it possible. Your job? Be ready for it.
Final Word: Get Off the Fence
Still wondering if AI or CRO experimentation is worth it? Arnie’s advice is simple:
“Double down on what works—but never be satisfied. Never.”
If you’re serious about growth, tools like Rep AI aren’t optional—they’re foundational.
Want to see Rep AI in action?
Book a demo and learn how AI can start converting customers on your site—before your coffee even brews.
