Practical, evidence-based ideas for growing a business online. Our case study series looks at campaigns and research from around the world — what actually happened, why it worked, and what a local business can realistically take from it. Every figure is linked to its source.
Case study series: marketing lessons from around the world
From a pair of founders with a rented camera in New York to a music service in Stockholm, these stories show that the most effective marketing ideas are often simple, specific and grounded in how customers really behave.
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Airbnb · New YorkHow better photos doubled Airbnb’s weekly revenue
The founders photographed listings by hand and revenue doubled in a week. A lesson in looking at what customers actually see.
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Blendtec · UtahHow a $50 budget sold blenders
Turning everyday product tests into a video series. Why showing your expertise beats describing it.
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Dollar Shave ClubThe $4,500 video behind a $1 billion brand
A launch video that crashed the website on day one. Why the real lesson is clarity, not comedy.
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Research · Harvard Business SchoolWhat online reviews are worth to local businesses
A study of Seattle restaurants put a number on the value of a better rating — and found independents benefit most.
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Spotify · StockholmSpotify Wrapped: turning customer data into a story
Why an annual recap became one of marketing’s most shared campaigns, and how a local business can adapt the idea.
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Domino’s · USAWhat Domino’s Pizza Turnaround teaches about listening
Real customer criticism in the ads, a new recipe, and a 14.3% rise in sales. Why honesty worked.
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Research · Deloitte for GoogleHow a 0.1-second faster site changes customer behaviour
A study of 37 brand sites and 30 million sessions found small speed gains moved more people to buy, book or enquire.
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Zappos · Las VegasThe 10-hour call: service as a strategy
A representative spent 10 hours 43 minutes on one call, and the company celebrated it. What that says about service.
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Research · Nielsen Norman GroupHow people really read your website
Eye-tracking research shows most visitors scan rather than read. What the F-shaped pattern means for your pages.
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Research · Stanford UniversityWhat makes a website look trustworthy
In a study of 2,684 people, 46.1% of comments about a site’s credibility were about its design.
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Research · Baymard InstituteWhy people abandon a checkout
Seven in ten online baskets are abandoned. The reasons people give are the same ones that stop an enquiry form.
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Guides for local businesses
Practical articles on search visibility, advertising and running a website, written for business owners rather than marketers.
- How to Set Up Bing Places for Business: A Step-by-Step Guide
- How to Read Your Google PageSpeed Insights Report
- Google Business Profile for Service-Area Businesses: A Guide for Racine Trades
- Choosing a Digital Marketing Agency in Racine: Questions to Ask
- How Google Decides Which Racine Businesses Appear in Local Results
- Why Isn’t My Website Showing Up on Google? A Diagnostic Checklist
- What a Website Maintenance Plan Should Actually Cover
- Making Google Ads Work When Your Sales Cycle Is Months Long
- How Wisconsin Manufacturers Can Improve Their Online Visibility
You can also browse every article on our blog.
Media enquiries
ShineNation Technologies is a digital marketing agency based in Racine, Wisconsin. If you are a journalist, event organiser or local organisation looking for commentary on search, advertising or digital marketing for small businesses, we are glad to help.
Please get in touch through our contact page or call +1 (262) 221-5646.