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If you’re running a DTC brand, you know the struggle: ad costs keep rising, and getting new customers is more expensive than ever. But what if the secret to better performance isn’t in your ads at all?

In this episode of the DTC Podcast, we welcome back Kyle Hitchcox, co-founder of Pilothouse and founder of Warpdrive, a CRO tool that helps brands optimize every step of the shopping experience post-click.

Kyle breaks down the Golden Rules of CRO, how top brands are improving conversion rates, and why landing pages and checkout optimizations are the highest-leverage activities for brands in 2025.

Key Takeaways:

✅ Why only 3% of visitors are in-market—and how to convert them

✅ The difference between search vs. social traffic and how to optimize for both

✅ How Four Sigmatic & Big Blanket use CRO to drive massive lifts in conversion

✅ Why fast load times (under 2 sec) are a non-negotiable in 2025

✅ How Warpdrive helps brands split-test and improve conversions without disrupting campaigns

Learn More About WarpDrive (Download The PDF)

Reach out to Kyle on LinkedIn

Timestamps:

00:00 – Why 2025 is the year of post-click optimization

02:03 – Landing pages, cart mechanics, and creative strategies

04:16 – State of DTC: Growth despite economic uncertainty

06:30 – What is post-click optimization? Explained

08:55 – The psychology of user experience timing

11:27 – Balancing branding and performance post-click

13:49 – Where to start with CRO: Closest to the money

15:42 – Pilot House's golden rules for CRO

19:01 – Understanding traffic types and how to optimize each

22:12 – Conversion optimization vs. reducing ad costs

24:05 – Warpdrive: How it works and who it’s for

26:45 – Real brand examples and live test wins

Hashtags:

#PostClickOptimization

#ConversionRateOptimization

#DTCPodcast

#EcommerceTips

#LandingPageOptimization

#WarpDriveCRO

#ShopifyTips

#PerformanceMarketing

#DigitalMarketingStrategy

#MediaBuying

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Ep 494: Why 2025 is the Year of Post-Click Optimization | AKNF

DTC Podcast