

No Hacks: Web Strategy for the AI Age
Slobodan "Sani" Manić
No Hacks is the weekly podcast about website optimisation, SEO, and web strategy in the age of AI search. If you work on websites and want to understand how AI agents, LLMs, and AI-powered search are changing everything, this is your show.Your next million website visitors won't be human. And most websites are completely unprepared. AI agents can't navigate them. LLMs don't cite them. Search engines no longer rank them the same way.Each week we dig into what's breaking, what's working, and what to do about it, covering AI SEO, AI Overviews, agent experience optimisation (AXO), CRO, structured data, and the future of organic search and discovery.Built for SEO professionals, web strategists, developers, and CRO specialists who'd rather adapt early than scramble later.Hosted by Slobodan Manic, consultant and speaker on Agent Experience Optimisation and AI-ready web strategy.New episodes weekly. Subscribe to the companion newsletter at nohacks.co/subscribe
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 4, 2024 • 25min
122: Experimentation Elite Awards with Judges Dinah Alam and Joe Doveton
Welcome to No Hacks, a weekly podcast where smart people talk to you about better online experiences!In this episode we take a deep dive into the world of online experimentation and conversion rate optimization (CRO), spotlighting the Experimentation Elite Awards. We welcome two expert judges - Dinah Alam and Joe Dovedon, to discuss the intricacies of selecting the industry's best. The episode covers the evolution of the awards, the selection process, and the impact on the CRO community. It also offers insights into the significance of these awards in recognizing innovation and excellence in the field, alongside personal anecdotes and experiences from Dinah and Joe. This episode not only highlights the importance of experimentation in digital marketing but also celebrates the community's achievements and advancements.Find out more about the awards at: https://experimentationelite.com/awards/No Hacks is a podcast about web performance, technical SEO, and the agentic web. Hosted by Slobodan "Sani" Manic.

Feb 28, 2024 • 27min
121: Emotion-based Optimisation with Talia Wolf
Welcome to No Hacks, a weekly podcast where smart people talk to you about better online experiences.In this episode, Talia Wolf, founder and CEO of GetUplift and a leading authority on emotional targeting and conversion optimization, takes us through the psychological underpinnings that drive consumer behavior online.Talia unpacks the essence of creating meaningful connections with customers by understanding the emotional journey that influences their purchasing decisions. She shares invaluable insights from her vast experience, demonstrating how businesses can leverage emotional intelligence to significantly enhance their conversion rates and foster deep, lasting customer relationships.From the foundational story of GetUplift to the strategies that have cemented its success, Talia illustrates the power of empathy in marketing. She discusses the importance of emotional targeting not just in messaging and content, but as a core aspect of product development, customer service, and overall business strategy.The conversation also explores the challenges and triumphs of embedding emotional intelligence into various facets of business operations. Talia provides actionable advice for businesses aiming to differentiate themselves in a crowded market by truly understanding and catering to the emotional needs of their customers.Episode links:GetUpliftTalia's LinkedInNo Hacks is a podcast about web performance, technical SEO, and the agentic web. Hosted by Slobodan "Sani" Manic.

Feb 21, 2024 • 28min
120: Solid and Safe Experimentation Environments with Ton Wesseling
Welcome to No Hacks, a weekly podcast where smart people talk to you about better online experiences! In this episode, Ton Wesseling, founder of Online Dialogue and a pivotal figure in the field of conversion rate optimization (CRO), delves into the cultural and organizational elements that foster a thriving environment for optimization experts in the Netherlands. Ton explains how these factors contribute to a culture that embraces experimentation and learning from mistakes. He shares his journey from building websites at university to falling in love with data and optimization, highlighting the evolution of CRO and the importance of diversity, safe spaces, and the growth mindset in driving innovation. The episode also touches on the impact of AI in experimentation and the transformative power of sharing knowledge within the digital optimization community.Episode links:The Conference formerly known as Conversion HotelTon's LinkedInOnline DialogueNo Hacks is a podcast about web performance, technical SEO, and the agentic web. Hosted by Slobodan "Sani" Manic.

Feb 14, 2024 • 25min
119: Conversion Strategy for High-ticket Products and Services with Loredana Principessa
Welcome to No Hacks, a weekly podcast where smart people talk to you about better online experiences! In this episode, I sit down with Loredana Principessa, the strategic mind behind MAR-CO, CRO agency specializing in conversion for high-ticket products and services. With a focus on real estate, investment, and e-commerce, Loredana dives into the intricacies of tailoring conversion strategies to meet the unique needs of clients making significant financial decisions. She highlights the importance of understanding customer journeys, the role of emotional engagement in conversions, and how a holistic approach to digital marketing—including leveraging insights from running (yes, it's another runner at nohacks.show!) and mental clarity—can drive success. Her journey from digital marketing professional to founding MAR-CO showcases the blend of expertise, passion, and strategic thinking required to excel in today's digital landscape. Join us as Loredana shares valuable insights and experiences that illuminate the path for businesses looking to optimize their online presence and conversion rates.Episode links:Loredana's LinkedInMAR-CO No Hacks is a podcast about web performance, technical SEO, and the agentic web. Hosted by Slobodan "Sani" Manic.

Feb 7, 2024 • 33min
118: Avoiding the Early Growth Startup Mistakes with Foti Panagiotakopoulos
Welcome to No Hacks, a weekly podcast where smart people talk to you about better online experiences!This week, I'm joined by Foti Panagiotakopoulos, the mind behind GrowthMentor. We're peeling back the layers of startup growth, pinpointing both the essentials for early-stage success and common pitfalls to avoid. Foti brings a wealth of experience from launching GrowthMentor in 2017, sharing insights on the importance of a growth mindset from day one, the balance between speed and quality, and the critical role of customer feedback in finding product-market fit. Discover how to embed growth into your startup's DNA and why early engagement with your market can make or break your venture.Links from the episode:Foti's LinkedInGrowthMentorGrowthExpertNo Hacks is a podcast about web performance, technical SEO, and the agentic web. Hosted by Slobodan "Sani" Manic.

Jan 31, 2024 • 23min
117: Curating Experimentation with Kevin Anderson
Welcome to No Hacks, a weekly podcast where smart people talk to you about better online experiences!In this episode, I chat with Kevin Anderson, the mind behind the Experimental Mind newsletter and Experimentation Jobs website, and a Product Manager of Experimentation at Vista. We delve into Kevin's unique perspective on the interconnected world of experimentation. Kevin starts by reflecting on his journey, emphasizing the importance of connections and how his projects facilitate this in the experimentation community.He then shares valuable insights from his newsletter, discussing the persistent relevance of fundamental principles in the industry and the evolving landscape of experimentation. Kevin highlights the human aspect in curation and content creation, even in the age of AI, stressing the importance of personal touch in automated environments.As the conversation progresses, we move on to the origins and impact of Kevin's Experimentation Jobs platform, designed to connect professionals with opportunities in the field. Links from the episode:Experimental Mind newsletterExperimentation JobsKevin's LinkedInNo Hacks is a podcast about web performance, technical SEO, and the agentic web. Hosted by Slobodan "Sani" Manic.

Jan 24, 2024 • 31min
116: 2024 E-commerce Trends with Linda Bustos
Welcome to No Hacks, a weekly podcast where smart people talk to you about better online experiences!In this episode, I welcome Linda Bustos, Founder @ Edgacent & Ecom💡Ideas for a fun conversation about 2024 e-commerce trends. We reminisced about the early days of internet marketing, influenced by seminal works like Steve Krug's "Don't Make Me Think." Linda then shared her insights on the evolution of e-commerce UX and the adaptability of modern platforms like Shopify.The discussion pivots to the future, with Linda highlighting the significance of AI and personalization in e-commerce. She emphasized the balance between technology and human touch, cautioning against over-reliance on AI. Linda also introduced her new project, Ecom Ideas, aimed at inspiring e-commerce professionals with fresh strategies and tools.Tune in, and don't forget to rate and review the episode!No Hacks is a podcast about web performance, technical SEO, and the agentic web. Hosted by Slobodan "Sani" Manic.

Jan 17, 2024 • 27min
115: Battle of Cultures in Experimentation with André Morys
Welcome to No Hacks, a weekly podcast where smart people talk to you about better online experiences!In this episode, I welcome André Morys, CEO and founder of konversionKRAFT and a renowned authority in behavioral economics, neuromarketing, and optimization. We discussed the fascinating world of experimentation culture in business optimization, contrasting it with traditional decision-making approaches.André offers insightful commentary on the shift from a top-down management style to a data-driven, bottom-up approach, emphasizing the need for organizational change and the challenges of combating entrenched hierarchical structures with data and experimentation. He shares his expertise on how to implement successful cultural shifts in organizations, stressing the importance of executive buy-in and the need to understand and adapt to existing corporate cultures.We also talked about hippos! Both kinds.This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of experimentation culture in modern business environments and the strategies needed for successful implementation. Links from the episode:konversionKraftgrowth marketing SUMMITAndré's LinkedInNo Hacks is a podcast about web performance, technical SEO, and the agentic web. Hosted by Slobodan "Sani" Manic.

Jan 10, 2024 • 27min
114: Communicating CRO with Iqbal Ali
Welcome to No Hacks, a weekly podcast that lets smart people talk to you about better online experiences!In this episode, we delve into the fascinating world of Iqbal Ali, a multifaceted creative force in the fields of UX design, development, data, and optimization. With over 20 years of experience, Iqbal brings a unique blend of expertise to the table, as he discusses his journey from a frustrated employee to a successful self-published comic book creator and a respected CRO consultant.Key highlights of the episode include:The Genesis of Creative Expression: Discover how Iqbal turned his work frustrations into a creative outlet, leading to the birth of his first comic book, 'Strange Skies.'Bridging Comics and CRO: Iqbal shares insights into his popular CRO Tales comic series on LinkedIn, explaining the metaphor behind its space-themed protagonist and how it resonates with his professional experiences.The Art of Storytelling in Data: Dive deep into how Iqbal applies his storytelling skills from comics to data visualization and CRO, offering a fresh perspective on communicating complex information.Networks and Nerd Outs: Learn about Iqbal's experiences at Comic Con and Experimentation Elite, drawing parallels between these events and the importance of community engagement.Treachery of Data and More: Get a glimpse into Iqbal's YouTube series 'Treachery of Data' and how he uses different platforms to share his expertise and passion.This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of creativity, data, and user experience. Iqbal's journey is not just a testament to his talent but also an inspiring story of how diverse interests can harmoniously coexist and enrich professional life.No Hacks is a podcast about web performance, technical SEO, and the agentic web. Hosted by Slobodan "Sani" Manic.

Dec 20, 2023 • 28min
113: Optimizing for Taboo Products with Tracy Laranjo
Welcome to No Hacks, a weekly podcast that lets smart people talk to you about better online experiences!This week, we explore the intriguing realm of optimizing taboo products and services with Tracy Laranjo, a seasoned expert in Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO) and research. Tracy, renowned for her dynamic presence in the optimization and experimentation community, brings a wealth of knowledge and an engaging personality to this compelling discussion.Episode Highlights:Redefining Marketing Norms for Taboo Products: Tracy dives deep into the challenges and innovative strategies involved in marketing products that are often stigmatized or overlooked. She shares her experiences with sexual wellness and death-related products, revealing how marketers navigate sensitive topics and cultural nuances.Empathetic and Inclusive Marketing: Learn about the importance of empathetic decision-making in marketing. Tracy highlights how understanding diverse customer segments can lead to more effective and inclusive marketing strategies, especially for products that cater to a wide range of individuals.Navigating Advertising Challenges: The episode sheds light on the unique hurdles faced while advertising taboo products, from dealing with ad platform restrictions to creatively showcasing products within legal and cultural boundaries.Strategic Content and Education: Discover how education and strategic content can be powerful tools in overcoming marketing challenges. Tracy discusses the role of informative content in guiding potential customers through their purchase journey, especially when dealing with sensitive or stigmatized products.Transparent and Compliant Marketing Practices: Tracy emphasizes the importance of compliance and transparency in marketing, particularly in sectors with stringent advertising guidelines.Tracy's Vision for the Future: The episode concludes with Tracy sharing her aspirations to specialize in sexual wellness and pleasure products, underscoring her commitment to sex positivity and inclusive marketing.Why You Should Listen:Whether you're a digital marketing professional, a business leader, or someone intrigued by the unique challenges of marketing taboo products, this episode offers a wealth of knowledge, insightful strategies, and real-world examples. Join us for an episode that not only educates but also inspires new ways to think about marketing in sensitive sectors.Tracy's LinkedInChapters:0:00 - Introduction1:08 - Tracy's Background2:14 - Challenges in Paid Acquisition3:18 - Starting in CRO4:20 - Ad Platforms and Cultural Barriers6:19 - Marketing Willful Products7:48 - Empathetic and Inclusive Decision Making10:02 - Cultural Norms in Marketing14:14 - Tracy's Specialization Goals in Sexual Wellness16:01 - Strategic Content and Education19:04 - Transparent and Compliant Marketing22:30 - ConclusionNo Hacks is a podcast about web performance, technical SEO, and the agentic web. Hosted by Slobodan "Sani" Manic.


