Interactivated Growth Lab:
Tech, Design & Business Insights
Explore our expert articles on scaling startups, product development, digital transformation, and cutting-edge technologies reshaping industries
Are Progressive Web Apps the Future of the Internet
Mobile web traffic is ever-growing. The number of online searches on smartphones and tablets has already surpassed that of computers. These days, it’s all about cross-platform responsiveness, and progressive web apps (PWAs) are the poster child of responsive design.
An increasing number of businesses around the world are switching from native apps to PWAs. So, the future of apps might be in the form of PWAs. A progressive web app is a browser-based app that retains most of the native app functionalities. They are great because they are easier to make than native apps and more responsive.
So, are progressive apps the future of the internet? Let’s dive into it.
To begin with, they are much more efficient.
As for native apps, they boast instantaneous loading. They are installed on your home screen and separate from your browser. They are independent apps.
However, PWAs are very much browser-based. They are run through and work on your browser. Although PWAs can’t technically offer instantaneous loading, they can offer this on your second visit. They can also be installed on your home screen and as a specific icon.
Even though PWAs are browser-based, they don’t have browser navigation features and offer a full-screen experience.
You also get offline access and push notifications.
So, if you don’t have a native app and plan on using your mobile website for app-like purposes, you may consider investing in turning it into a progressive web app. It won’t cost a lot of time or money and it will only boost user online experience.
However, PWAs aren’t an ideal replacement for native apps. In some cases, a PWA might be a better solution but they don’t have the same functionalities.
For there are multiple benefits of PWAs compared to native apps and website-loaded apps. Here are some of the most essential benefits that are set to make PWAs the future of the internet.
Over time, however, people have gotten blasé about native apps. It’s ho-hum and market saturation is apparent.
PWAs are refreshing new things in comparison. Essentially, they are apps, but they don’t require you to go to an app store and download it. They also look and feel different. PWAs may be a perfect antidote to consumer app fatigue.
However, this does mean that you don’t have to adjust a mobile app to anything. You don’t have to tweak and compensate for any of the functionalities to work.
For some reason, the native app development mindset is still stuck on desktop apps. They are the first ones created and the subsequent mobile responsive design comes second. That’s backward thinking considering that the rapid growth sector is smartphones.
Progressive web apps are made on the browser. Developing apps in browsers allow you to create responsive small-screen apps first. This means that PWAs are setting in motion the right mentality for the future of the internet.
PWAs are also faster than native apps. Except for the first time they’re run, which depends on the speed of your internet connection. However, they are built to memorize pages and are much faster than native apps after the first couple of times.
And yes, despite the fact that they are online-based, PWAs do have offline capabilities. Not only that, but PWAs will work when the very server is down. This means no lost content, which is something that users have got to love.
In any case, with PWAs you don’t have to worry about whether your users will be able to load the apps.
To answer the titular question: Yes, progressive web apps are likely to be the future of the internet. Or, at least on the app side of the web. Getting aboard this train is best done early – you don’t want to have to switch to PWAs when everybody else has already made the move.
April 30, 2020An increasing number of businesses around the world are switching from native apps to PWAs. So, the future of apps might be in the form of PWAs. A progressive web app is a browser-based app that retains most of the native app functionalities. They are great because they are easier to make than native apps and more responsive.
So, are progressive apps the future of the internet? Let’s dive into it.
What Is a Progressive Web Application
PWAs bring native-like experience and functionality to mobile and tablet devices. So, what do they do? Why are they considered a potential replacement for native apps?To begin with, they are much more efficient.
As for native apps, they boast instantaneous loading. They are installed on your home screen and separate from your browser. They are independent apps.
However, PWAs are very much browser-based. They are run through and work on your browser. Although PWAs can’t technically offer instantaneous loading, they can offer this on your second visit. They can also be installed on your home screen and as a specific icon.
Even though PWAs are browser-based, they don’t have browser navigation features and offer a full-screen experience.
You also get offline access and push notifications.
PWAs vs. Native Apps
Although PWAs are most frequently compared to native apps, they are more like mobile websites. That’s because the same technology is used to make both PWAs and responsive mobile websites. The same features are present, as well. However, PWAs are tuned for an app-like experience. They bring with them easy development and other cool features.So, if you don’t have a native app and plan on using your mobile website for app-like purposes, you may consider investing in turning it into a progressive web app. It won’t cost a lot of time or money and it will only boost user online experience.
However, PWAs aren’t an ideal replacement for native apps. In some cases, a PWA might be a better solution but they don’t have the same functionalities.
Key Components
To better understand PWAs, you should make yourself aware of the key components.Service Worker
This component is the one you can thank for a PWA having the feel of an app rather than a website. Service Worker downloads and caches files locally (on the device) to enable websites to load PWA content quickly.HTTPS
This component makes sure that your PWA is fed through a secure connection.Web Manifest
Using a JSON file, meta-information is provided for a PWA. This includes the apps icon, name, background color, etc.Icon
PWAs feature an image that a user can see on their home screen after installing a progressive web app.Benefits of Progressive Web Apps
So far, we haven’t talked about the actual benefits of PWAs. We’ve learned that they can mimic native apps and most companies can release a PWA in place of an app. But why do it? Why would it be considered an innovation?For there are multiple benefits of PWAs compared to native apps and website-loaded apps. Here are some of the most essential benefits that are set to make PWAs the future of the internet.
Consumer App Fatigue
You may not remember it, but the most exciting thing about early smartphones was the number of apps available. The entire ecosystem was conceived with the ability to download apps in mind. Need a game? Download it on the app store. The same if you need a horoscope app.Over time, however, people have gotten blasé about native apps. It’s ho-hum and market saturation is apparent.
PWAs are refreshing new things in comparison. Essentially, they are apps, but they don’t require you to go to an app store and download it. They also look and feel different. PWAs may be a perfect antidote to consumer app fatigue.
FIRE
PWAs are FIRE. No, not like hot. This is an acronym that Google uses to explain the effectiveness of PWAs. FIRE is Fast, Integrated, Reliable, and Engaging.Fast
PWAs are lightning-fast because they allow background processing, accelerating page load time.Integrated
They use a set of web capabilities that is continually evolving. From a user’s perspective, PWAs look and feel like native apps – integrated and smooth.Reliable
The reliability aspect rests on the fact that PWAs work great in limited-network and even offline situations.Engaging
Because of all the above, PWAs are very engaging to the user.Mobile-First Design
Mobile-first design means that prototyping and sketching are done for the small screen first and foremost. Before working up to larger screens. This may not seem like much. After all, it’s not a contest – all app versions are generally released at the same time.However, this does mean that you don’t have to adjust a mobile app to anything. You don’t have to tweak and compensate for any of the functionalities to work.
For some reason, the native app development mindset is still stuck on desktop apps. They are the first ones created and the subsequent mobile responsive design comes second. That’s backward thinking considering that the rapid growth sector is smartphones.
Progressive web apps are made on the browser. Developing apps in browsers allow you to create responsive small-screen apps first. This means that PWAs are setting in motion the right mentality for the future of the internet.
Smaller and Faster
Because they are internet-based, PWAs take up significantly less space on your smartphone. Not having enough free space is a common problem among smartphone users and PWAs certainly help in this department.PWAs are also faster than native apps. Except for the first time they’re run, which depends on the speed of your internet connection. However, they are built to memorize pages and are much faster than native apps after the first couple of times.
And yes, despite the fact that they are online-based, PWAs do have offline capabilities. Not only that, but PWAs will work when the very server is down. This means no lost content, which is something that users have got to love.
Market Outreach
You’ll always get more people with the internet than with an app that works via the web. For instance, people with slow internet connections will enjoy PWAs better. If those who have slow internet connections aren’t your target group, you may want to rethink your position on PWAs.In any case, with PWAs you don’t have to worry about whether your users will be able to load the apps.
Into the Future with Progressive Web Applications
PWAs have yet to become popular. But you can count on them to become the standard at some point in the future. At the moment, however, PWAs are used where convenient.To answer the titular question: Yes, progressive web apps are likely to be the future of the internet. Or, at least on the app side of the web. Getting aboard this train is best done early – you don’t want to have to switch to PWAs when everybody else has already made the move.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Progressive Web Apps
Progressive web apps (PWAs) work like websites – they load like webpages and have all the features and advantages of regular websites, powered by modern browsers. Many think that this is the future of apps.
Mobile UX (user experience) trends are perpetually hungry for a web experience that is more than dynamic. Developers need to stay afloat and at the level of their competitors. This is why they are constantly looking for new ways to speed up and personalize user experience. PWAs are a great way to do this.
However, PWAs do come with certain disadvantages. So, should you go with progressive web apps? Knowing some of their advantages and disadvantages should help you make up your mind.
So, what does it mean when an app is responsive? Well, it means that a web app has made its way to mobile devices, providing the full experience and capabilities of the online version.
In essence, an app is “responsive” if it works across all devices.
Seeing as to how PWAs are browser-based, it’s much easier to bring responsiveness to the table. Instead of working on a couple of different platforms, developers can make a PWA work using a browser.
However, the world is moving towards browser-based software. Browsers are getting increasingly fast, tweakable, and diverse. This is why PWAs actually perform better than native apps. Most importantly, they improve on the functionality and reliability and don’t require any support.
Similarly, since PWAs are web- and browser-based, they don’t require any installation. But don’t worry, users won’t have to navigate to your PWA via a browser. They can have PWA icons on their phone that look and feel just like the native app.
Think of it as bookmarking a page on your desktop, rather than installing. It’s pretty neat.
This means you’re down to a couple of app stores that are specific to the phone’s OS.
In contrast, PWAs are app-store independent. In other words, they aren’t bound by stores and the support. This means that you can download a PWA directly onto your device and cut a few corners.
With a PWA, all you need is to develop it. Yes, on any device. And yes, it’s going to work on all others. There are even frameworks for this, like Cordova, for example.
Not only do PWAs have push notifications capability, but they wear this capability as a badge of honor.
Users can open these notifications and use them, just like they would with native apps.
This might not be a benefit compared to native apps, but that’s an advancement from years past when PWAs weren’t expected to support push notifications.
Of course, PWAs on iOS are definitely possible and are available in most browsers. Some features, however, such as offline browsing, push notifications, and more aren’t available on iOS devices.
This may change in the future but for now, PWAs are best for Android users.
However, app stores are more than obligatory platforms that people have to go through. They are convenient and contain useful libraries that store most of the app content that you may need.
Unfortunately, you won’t find PWAs here. People come across an interesting app or when they’re fooling around on app stores, but that’s not going to include PWAs.
Although research is ongoing about how to avoid this inconvenience, as of now PWAs consume more battery life than typical native apps.
Unfortunately, cross-app login isn’t supported on PWAs. This may change, but PWA users are out of luck at the moment.
On the other hand, there are certain features that aren’t available with PWAs and the fact that PWAs are store-independent isn’t always a good thing. High battery usage is another problem, so is the lack of support for cross-app login.
All in all, however, progressive web apps are worthy of consideration for most businesses out there. The list of advantages is longer than that of the disadvantages.
April 15, 2020Mobile UX (user experience) trends are perpetually hungry for a web experience that is more than dynamic. Developers need to stay afloat and at the level of their competitors. This is why they are constantly looking for new ways to speed up and personalize user experience. PWAs are a great way to do this.
However, PWAs do come with certain disadvantages. So, should you go with progressive web apps? Knowing some of their advantages and disadvantages should help you make up your mind.
Pros and Cons of Progressive Web Apps
Although progressive web apps are already widely used today and getting more popular, some companies and projects still use native apps. Why is this the case? It’s because PWAs do come with their own downsides. That’s why it’d be helpful to know the advantages and disadvantages of PWAs.Pros
Responsiveness
Most native apps represent the corresponding company’s appearance. It’s all about brand recognition. Coming up with a responsive app isn’t easy, though.So, what does it mean when an app is responsive? Well, it means that a web app has made its way to mobile devices, providing the full experience and capabilities of the online version.
In essence, an app is “responsive” if it works across all devices.
Seeing as to how PWAs are browser-based, it’s much easier to bring responsiveness to the table. Instead of working on a couple of different platforms, developers can make a PWA work using a browser.
Improved Performance
There is a lot of misconception going around that PWAs are lacking in performance. This belief exists because coming up with native apps requires specialized tools.However, the world is moving towards browser-based software. Browsers are getting increasingly fast, tweakable, and diverse. This is why PWAs actually perform better than native apps. Most importantly, they improve on the functionality and reliability and don’t require any support.
No Installation
Have you ever installed a website? Of course you haven’t. You don’t install it. You go to it. You type in the address and, depending on your connection, it gets loaded.Similarly, since PWAs are web- and browser-based, they don’t require any installation. But don’t worry, users won’t have to navigate to your PWA via a browser. They can have PWA icons on their phone that look and feel just like the native app.
Think of it as bookmarking a page on your desktop, rather than installing. It’s pretty neat.
App-Store Independence
Almost every single native app is available through an official app store. There are other ways to get your hands on apps that aren’t available on official stores, but most are there exclusively.This means you’re down to a couple of app stores that are specific to the phone’s OS.
In contrast, PWAs are app-store independent. In other words, they aren’t bound by stores and the support. This means that you can download a PWA directly onto your device and cut a few corners.
Platform-Specific Features
The fact that PWAs are browser-run has some unique benefits. With native apps, you have to implement the same features for each platform (different operative systems, different device types). However, to do this you’ll have to use different programming languages, which complicates things.With a PWA, all you need is to develop it. Yes, on any device. And yes, it’s going to work on all others. There are even frameworks for this, like Cordova, for example.
Push Notifications
Push notifications are a standard of many native apps. These are short messages that pop up on your device, notifying you of messages received, updates, and stuff. They’re like your chat notifications.Not only do PWAs have push notifications capability, but they wear this capability as a badge of honor.
Users can open these notifications and use them, just like they would with native apps.
This might not be a benefit compared to native apps, but that’s an advancement from years past when PWAs weren’t expected to support push notifications.
Cons
Some Device Features Are Off-Limits
One of the top issues with PWAs is that they aren’t built for iOS devices. With proprietary software and hardware, iOS devices aren’t built to work perfectly with third-party software like PWAs.Of course, PWAs on iOS are definitely possible and are available in most browsers. Some features, however, such as offline browsing, push notifications, and more aren’t available on iOS devices.
This may change in the future but for now, PWAs are best for Android users.
No Store Download
App store independence is a great feat with PWAs. You can download them directly, which benefits both the company and the user.However, app stores are more than obligatory platforms that people have to go through. They are convenient and contain useful libraries that store most of the app content that you may need.
Unfortunately, you won’t find PWAs here. People come across an interesting app or when they’re fooling around on app stores, but that’s not going to include PWAs.
High Battery Usage
PWAs are written in top-level code, making it harder for your device to interpret the code. No worries though, as this isn’t going to affect the speed of PWAs. However, it’s going to drain your phone’s battery life.Although research is ongoing about how to avoid this inconvenience, as of now PWAs consume more battery life than typical native apps.
No Cross-App Login
People who browse a lot wouldn’t want to go through lots of steps to do something. For instance, they may forego subscribing to something if they need to enter a lot of information. Except sometimes this information is simply a must with apps. This is why many native apps feature logging in, even if it’s just Facebook or Google.Unfortunately, cross-app login isn’t supported on PWAs. This may change, but PWA users are out of luck at the moment.
More Pros Than Cons for Progressive Web Apps?
The list of arguments for PWAs is an extensive one. PWAs are taking over and that’s evident in the number of companies that are going PWA instead of native. PWAs bring responsiveness to the table, more so than any native-based app. They also don’t require installation or depend on app-store independent, and they perform better.On the other hand, there are certain features that aren’t available with PWAs and the fact that PWAs are store-independent isn’t always a good thing. High battery usage is another problem, so is the lack of support for cross-app login.
All in all, however, progressive web apps are worthy of consideration for most businesses out there. The list of advantages is longer than that of the disadvantages.
How to Smoothly Migrate from Magento 1 to Magento 2
Magento has served us well. It has been one of the most popular eCommerce platforms out there for years. With Magento 2 on the market for almost half a decade now, online retail businesses are moving to the transformed version of Magento. The support for Magento 1 will end soon, so it’s high time you moved to Magento 2.
Migrating from one eCommerce platform to another, however, is a notoriously problematic process. So much so that everyone will tell you not to do it. This time, though, you have to. Here’s how to make this process as smooth as possible.
Firstly, make sure that you back up the entire Magento 1. That includes the database, all files, and all folders. Then, come up with a clone of your Magento 1 store. Using the live store for migration is possible but may complicate things.
Now is also the opportunity to analyze your store in-depth. There might be extensions and other components that you no longer need. Keep what you need when migrating to make the transition smoother.
Some Magento 1 themes and extensions aren’t compatible with Magento 2. Make sure that you do your research here. Additionally, some custom code that you may have used for Magento 1 may not work on Magento 2.
That said, if you do everything properly, you’re looking at a relatively smooth migration process. Smoother than migrating to a completely different eCommerce platform, of course.
You’ll either have to create a new theme or modify the current one that you’re using to fit the Magento 2 standards. If you want to avoid this hassle, you can find a fitting theme in the Magento Marketplace or search for other reputable sources.
Unfortunately, Magento 1 extensions won’t work on Magento 2. You could try integrating the Magento 1 extensions, but you will likely experience serious compatibility issues and end up dropping the extension migration either way.
Yes, this likely isn’t what you wanted to hear, but you should only install the most relevant extensions that you need for your Magento 2 store and research the new ones. Magento developers, development agencies, and the Magento community are still working on Magento 1 ports for Magento 2.
You could create your custom extensions, but this would require a lot of expertise that you may not have.
That said, don’t expect a completely smooth experience here. There are many structural differences between Magento 1 and Magento 2, and a successful code integration means you’ll have to get your hands dirty.
Magento does offer a Code Migration Toolkit that you should use to help you with the custom code migration process.
We’re talking about critical data such as products, orders, categories, store configurations, and settings, etc. With this tool, the whole data migration process is hassle-free.
So, how does Magento 2 Data Migration Tool work? Essentially, it migrates all data from Magento 1’s database to the Magento 2 database using an XML file-defined set of rules. Right now, the Data Migration Tool transfers settings and data, while extensions, themes, and code customizations can’t be migrated automatically.
The goal for this Data Migration Tool is to ultimately provide a hassle-free, smooth Magento 1 – Magento 2 migration process. It will eventually become available, but, as of this writing, you’ll have to resort to the approaches outlined earlier.
Before installing the Data Migration Tool, make sure that your Magento 2 store version matches that of the Data Migration Tool. To check your store’s version, go to the Magento 2 root directory and enter “php bin/magento –version” Now, update the Data Migration Tool package location in the composer.json file. Do this by running the following commands:
Now, enter the developer authentication keys, sign in, and the Data Migration Tool should install on your Magento 2 store. Now, configure the tool and migrate your settings and data.
Fortunately, the Magento community is working hard to improve the Data Migration Tool so that it makes the entire migration process smoother and simpler. Hopefully, this will happen soon and make the Magento 1 – Magento 2 integration seamless.
February 29, 2020Migrating from one eCommerce platform to another, however, is a notoriously problematic process. So much so that everyone will tell you not to do it. This time, though, you have to. Here’s how to make this process as smooth as possible.
Before You Start
Although following these guidelines will make the migration from Magento 1 to Magento 2 as smooth as possible, you should still expect a bumpy road ahead. To make sure that you avoid these bumps, you should take every precaution.Firstly, make sure that you back up the entire Magento 1. That includes the database, all files, and all folders. Then, come up with a clone of your Magento 1 store. Using the live store for migration is possible but may complicate things.
Now is also the opportunity to analyze your store in-depth. There might be extensions and other components that you no longer need. Keep what you need when migrating to make the transition smoother.
Some Magento 1 themes and extensions aren’t compatible with Magento 2. Make sure that you do your research here. Additionally, some custom code that you may have used for Magento 1 may not work on Magento 2.
Magento Migration
There are four stages of Magento migration, according to their official documentation. Theme Migration, Extension Migration, Customizations, and Data Migration. Even if you’ve done everything to prepare for this migration properly, don’t expect miracles. Problems will likely occur, and you should be ready.That said, if you do everything properly, you’re looking at a relatively smooth migration process. Smoother than migrating to a completely different eCommerce platform, of course.
Theme Migration
First of all, you should know that you won’t be able to migrate your current Magento 1 theme to Magento 2 directly. Magento 2 has introduced new technologies and methodologies that enhance the experience for users and merchants. You wouldn’t want to miss out on these new options anyway.You’ll either have to create a new theme or modify the current one that you’re using to fit the Magento 2 standards. If you want to avoid this hassle, you can find a fitting theme in the Magento Marketplace or search for other reputable sources.
Extension Migration
As a Magento 1 user, you know how important extensions are. As components that extend your webstore’s functionalities and provide new features, extensions are an essential part of the Magento experience.Unfortunately, Magento 1 extensions won’t work on Magento 2. You could try integrating the Magento 1 extensions, but you will likely experience serious compatibility issues and end up dropping the extension migration either way.
Yes, this likely isn’t what you wanted to hear, but you should only install the most relevant extensions that you need for your Magento 2 store and research the new ones. Magento developers, development agencies, and the Magento community are still working on Magento 1 ports for Magento 2.
You could create your custom extensions, but this would require a lot of expertise that you may not have.
Customization
Luckily, the custom codes that you used on Magento 1 are likely compatible with Magento 2. That’s quite a relief, as coming up with brand new custom codes for Magento 2 would take a lot of time and turn into quite a nightmare.That said, don’t expect a completely smooth experience here. There are many structural differences between Magento 1 and Magento 2, and a successful code integration means you’ll have to get your hands dirty.
Magento does offer a Code Migration Toolkit that you should use to help you with the custom code migration process.
Data Migration
The final step in your Magento 1 – Magento 2 migration is migrating your settings and data. Luckily, Magento has come up with a Magento 2 Data Migration Tool to help you along with this process. This tool essentially helps the devs use CLI commands to move the store data.We’re talking about critical data such as products, orders, categories, store configurations, and settings, etc. With this tool, the whole data migration process is hassle-free.
So, how does Magento 2 Data Migration Tool work? Essentially, it migrates all data from Magento 1’s database to the Magento 2 database using an XML file-defined set of rules. Right now, the Data Migration Tool transfers settings and data, while extensions, themes, and code customizations can’t be migrated automatically.
The goal for this Data Migration Tool is to ultimately provide a hassle-free, smooth Magento 1 – Magento 2 migration process. It will eventually become available, but, as of this writing, you’ll have to resort to the approaches outlined earlier.
Installing the Magento 2 Data Migration Tool
Magento 2 Data Migration Tool isn’t a Magento 2 extension. It is a shell, a standalone application that requires the Magento 2 store.Before installing the Data Migration Tool, make sure that your Magento 2 store version matches that of the Data Migration Tool. To check your store’s version, go to the Magento 2 root directory and enter “php bin/magento –version” Now, update the Data Migration Tool package location in the composer.json file. Do this by running the following commands:
- composer config repositories.magento composer https://repo.magento.com
- composer require magento/data-migration-tool:<version>
Now, enter the developer authentication keys, sign in, and the Data Migration Tool should install on your Magento 2 store. Now, configure the tool and migrate your settings and data.
Magento 1 to Magento 2
As you can see, the Magento 1 – Magento 2 process isn’t inherently smooth. The Data Migration Tool certainly helps a lot, but you still have to deal with finding the best way to migrate your themes and extensions. As far as your custom codes go, you shouldn’t experience too many problems and hitches.Fortunately, the Magento community is working hard to improve the Data Migration Tool so that it makes the entire migration process smoother and simpler. Hopefully, this will happen soon and make the Magento 1 – Magento 2 integration seamless.
The Basics of Magento 2
Magento is one of the most popular eCommerce platforms out there. It is open-source and very versatile. Magento 2 is the next step in the world of eCommerce. It brings new features to the table and boasts a better and more efficient use of resources.
Compared to the original Magento, Magento 2 features increased speed and security, improved scaling potential, and faster and simpler checkout process. Overall, it is a much more advanced platform.
Here are some basics of Magento 2 to get you started.
Log into your cPanel and go to the Software/Services section to access Softaculous. From this page, you should be able to see the Softaculous Apps Installer. Select this icon. Inside the app, search for “Magento” and click the result displayed on the list. That will start the installation preparation.
Towards the top of the page, you’ll see the Install tab. It will take you to the installation configuration page. In the Choose the version you want to install field, type/select “2.0.0.” In the Choose Protocol field, select http:// or https://, depending on whether you have an SSL certificate for the domain in question.
Now, under Choose Domain¸ you should select the domain you want to install Magento 2 on.
Finally, under In Directory, you can select how the store is accessible. In other words, whether it’s going to be accessible directly through the selected domain name or via a subdirectory. If you want the store accessible via the domain name, leave this box empty. If you want it accessible through a subdirectory, input the directory’s name.
To finish installing Magento 2, create the Admin Account. It requires the username, password, your first and last name, and an email that you’ll use as an admin.
There are some optional settings here, as well. Under the Advanced Options expandable menu, you can select the Database Name, the Table Prefix, and Disable Update Notifications. The first and the last feature are fairly self-explanatory here. As for the Table Prefix feature, the prefixes help the user distinguish the app tables within the same database.
In the navigation menu to the left, select the General option. It will give show you a screen that will let you configure Magento 2 settings.
From this screen, you can select a variety of different options such as your timezone, your default language, the preferred weight unit, the calendar, the weekend days, etc. You’ll also get to set the store name, your phone number, working hours, and your location.
These settings are fairly self-explanatory and simple.
In the configuration menu, you also get to set up your webstore’s Contact Us page, enable SEF URLs (SEO), enable SSL, and configure currencies. These settings transcend the basic settings and will require further research on your part.
To access the products and categories section, go to the admin dashboard, log in if required, and go to Products. Then, find and select Categories.
Here, you’ll be able to create categories. Each one will require a name first. The Is Active setting allows you to activate or deactivate a category without having to delete it. Under URL Key input the URL that’s leading to this directory. Under Description, add a short description of the category and its contents.
In this menu, you can also choose the image for each category, its page title, the meta keywords used for indexing the category page, the meta description to help with SEO, and include a navigation menu for another root category.
There are various other customization settings here that should help you maximize the user experience aspect of your webstore. These include product attributes, reviews, ratings, etc.
Installing a new extension is fairly simple. Use the admin dashboard and go to System. From here, navigate to Web Setup Wizard and select Component Manager. From this page, you’ll be able to see the installed updates and extensions and get new ones. To install new extensions, click Install under New Purchases.
Here, you’ll see a list of available extensions. Select the ones that you want and install them. You can also use the Readiness Check feature to see if you meet all the prerequisites to install a particular extension.
Disabling extensions will have you taking a different route, however. Go to the Stores tab in your admin dashboard and then select Configuration. Then, select Advanced and select Advanced from the drop-down menu. Under the Disable Modules Output, you’ll see a list of installed extensions. You can enable and disable them here. Select Save Config in the upper-right corner to save the settings.
You can, of course, learn along the way and set it up without a thorough knowledge of the mentioned subjects, but this will be a bumpy road.
February 15, 2020Compared to the original Magento, Magento 2 features increased speed and security, improved scaling potential, and faster and simpler checkout process. Overall, it is a much more advanced platform.
Here are some basics of Magento 2 to get you started.
Installing Magento 2
Magento 2 is installed through the Softaculous auto-installer. It is a feature that’s available inside your cPanel. This installer automates the installation process and squeezes it into a single configuration page. The entire installation takes around 30 seconds.Log into your cPanel and go to the Software/Services section to access Softaculous. From this page, you should be able to see the Softaculous Apps Installer. Select this icon. Inside the app, search for “Magento” and click the result displayed on the list. That will start the installation preparation.
Towards the top of the page, you’ll see the Install tab. It will take you to the installation configuration page. In the Choose the version you want to install field, type/select “2.0.0.” In the Choose Protocol field, select http:// or https://, depending on whether you have an SSL certificate for the domain in question.
Now, under Choose Domain¸ you should select the domain you want to install Magento 2 on.
Finally, under In Directory, you can select how the store is accessible. In other words, whether it’s going to be accessible directly through the selected domain name or via a subdirectory. If you want the store accessible via the domain name, leave this box empty. If you want it accessible through a subdirectory, input the directory’s name.
To finish installing Magento 2, create the Admin Account. It requires the username, password, your first and last name, and an email that you’ll use as an admin.
There are some optional settings here, as well. Under the Advanced Options expandable menu, you can select the Database Name, the Table Prefix, and Disable Update Notifications. The first and the last feature are fairly self-explanatory here. As for the Table Prefix feature, the prefixes help the user distinguish the app tables within the same database.
Configuring the General Settings
Now that the installation is complete and Magento 2 is ready to work, it’s time to set it up properly. The general settings are where your Magento 2 journey starts. To start configuring the settings, go to the admin dashboard within your Store and go to Stores. From this menu, navigate to Configuration.In the navigation menu to the left, select the General option. It will give show you a screen that will let you configure Magento 2 settings.
From this screen, you can select a variety of different options such as your timezone, your default language, the preferred weight unit, the calendar, the weekend days, etc. You’ll also get to set the store name, your phone number, working hours, and your location.
These settings are fairly self-explanatory and simple.
In the configuration menu, you also get to set up your webstore’s Contact Us page, enable SEF URLs (SEO), enable SSL, and configure currencies. These settings transcend the basic settings and will require further research on your part.
Products and Categories
Product categories are used on almost all webstores to sort the products better. By sorting the content of your online store, you improve the user experience, which is a huge factor in online retail. Magento 2 comes with a preset root category but, naturally, you can come up with your own and name it whatever you want.To access the products and categories section, go to the admin dashboard, log in if required, and go to Products. Then, find and select Categories.
Here, you’ll be able to create categories. Each one will require a name first. The Is Active setting allows you to activate or deactivate a category without having to delete it. Under URL Key input the URL that’s leading to this directory. Under Description, add a short description of the category and its contents.
In this menu, you can also choose the image for each category, its page title, the meta keywords used for indexing the category page, the meta description to help with SEO, and include a navigation menu for another root category.
There are various other customization settings here that should help you maximize the user experience aspect of your webstore. These include product attributes, reviews, ratings, etc.
Extensions
One of Magento’s main selling points is its modularity. Unlike many other eCommerce platforms, Magento allows you to change your store’s structure by installing various extensions. Naturally, Magento 2 inherited this from its original version, and it still plays an essential role in its success.Installing a new extension is fairly simple. Use the admin dashboard and go to System. From here, navigate to Web Setup Wizard and select Component Manager. From this page, you’ll be able to see the installed updates and extensions and get new ones. To install new extensions, click Install under New Purchases.
Here, you’ll see a list of available extensions. Select the ones that you want and install them. You can also use the Readiness Check feature to see if you meet all the prerequisites to install a particular extension.
Disabling extensions will have you taking a different route, however. Go to the Stores tab in your admin dashboard and then select Configuration. Then, select Advanced and select Advanced from the drop-down menu. Under the Disable Modules Output, you’ll see a list of installed extensions. You can enable and disable them here. Select Save Config in the upper-right corner to save the settings.
Magento 2 Basics
These basics only begin to scratch the surface of the Magento 2 configuration. Magento 2 is a complicated beast that does require an expert for a proper setup. To use Magento 2 to its full extent, you need to have a solid understanding of Object-oriented Programming, PHP, Namespaces, MySQL, and Basic bash usage.You can, of course, learn along the way and set it up without a thorough knowledge of the mentioned subjects, but this will be a bumpy road.
Magento and Progressive Web Apps
The users of the Magento eCommerce platform need to think about mobile. To cater to mobile users, a company will create a native, a hybrid, or a progressive web app. There is a reason why using a progressive web app in the innovative Magento 2 is becoming a trend.
It is clear that Magento works with progressive web apps, but is it the best solution out there? Does it pay off?
To make sense, PWAs have to meet three main criteria. For one, they have to be fast. If a PWA doesn’t respond to user interaction immediately, it isn’t good enough. Next, they have to be reliable – poor internet connections shouldn’t influence the PWA’s functionality. Finally, a PWA has to be engaging. That means that it should deliver an experience that is as close as possible to that of an actual native app.
But what are the benefits of a PWA? Why not just make a native app and be done with it?
Well, for one, a native app is OS-exclusive. For instance, it can either run on Android or iOS. A PWA, on the other hand, is mobile browser-based and can run on both iOS and Android. Of course, most native apps come in iOS and Android versions, but this isn’t always the case.
A PWA is easy and quick to install. All you need to do is add it to the home screen. A native app, on the other hand, needs to be installed using an app store.
With native apps, you have to wait for the store to update it automatically or visit the store to do so manually. With PWAs, you don’t have to think about it. All updates are server-based and applied the moment the developer uploads them.
PWAs are run directly inside the web browser. That means easier promotion than the case is with native apps. Finally, PWAs don’t take up any memory on the device.
First of all, Magento 2 PWA offers an enhanced mobile user experience. In addition to not having to download it, the user gets a variety of other useful functions. The PWA has an integrated offline mode, meaning that it will keep on working even without an internet connection. Additionally, it offers background sync, which enables you to postpone your actions until you get a stable connection.
When compared to developing a native app, Magento 2 PWA is cheaper to develop and maintain. Again, for a native app, you’d have to come up with an Android and an iOS app. You don’t have to do this with the PWA.
Finally, PWAs aren’t just some trend. They are becoming the future of apps in general. Upon adopting the PWA technology, a large number of Magento stores have reported increased user satisfaction.
The Magento PWA modules aren’t expensive and don’t take too long to install. However, the majority of PWA extensions won’t be able to deliver all the PWA features for your app. They can be added to the home screen and send push notifications. Other features aren’t included.
A far more advanced solution would be using the Magento 2.3 PWA Studio to deploy and maintain your PWA storefront. That’s a comprehensive solution that allows you to replace your current Magento storefront, using API. After all, Magento 2.3 PWA Studio isn’t much more than a set of tools to support your PWA development. It is a great way to start, but you’ll still have much more to do down the line.
The most advanced solution for Magento PWA integration would be using the Magento 2 PWA Theme. This theme is based on Magento 2.3 PWA Studio, GraphiQL, and React.JS. It uses the PWA storefront and an API to connect to the backend.
That’s by far the best and the most comprehensive solution for converting a Magento website to a PWA. It will give you access to full-blown PWA features mentioned earlier. It will take some work to achieve, though.
First of all, you’re going to have to buy the module, which is affordable. It may set you back $150 tops, and you’ll have to pay for the installation service. In the grand scheme of things, this is cheap.
One of the higher costs regarding PWA implementation is that you’ll have to hire PWA developers with experience in both building PWAs and Magento itself. Keep in mind that it may take as much as six months for PWA storefront development. This integration will cost you.
The overall cost will depend on the customization level. That depends on your app type and your user base, which are subjects for another article.
PWAs, in general, are most likely the way the apps are going to be developed in the future. They are a cheaper, more functional, more customizable, browser-based solution that also looks great.
January 30, 2020It is clear that Magento works with progressive web apps, but is it the best solution out there? Does it pay off?
Progressive Web Apps
A Progressive Web App is essentially a web app with web capabilities. A PWA uses these capabilities (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) to mimic native apps for better user experience. Even more importantly, a PWA can function exactly like a native app. It can feature an icon on your smartphone’s home screen, have a full-screen display, use push notifications, have a splash page, etc.To make sense, PWAs have to meet three main criteria. For one, they have to be fast. If a PWA doesn’t respond to user interaction immediately, it isn’t good enough. Next, they have to be reliable – poor internet connections shouldn’t influence the PWA’s functionality. Finally, a PWA has to be engaging. That means that it should deliver an experience that is as close as possible to that of an actual native app.
But what are the benefits of a PWA? Why not just make a native app and be done with it?
Well, for one, a native app is OS-exclusive. For instance, it can either run on Android or iOS. A PWA, on the other hand, is mobile browser-based and can run on both iOS and Android. Of course, most native apps come in iOS and Android versions, but this isn’t always the case.
A PWA is easy and quick to install. All you need to do is add it to the home screen. A native app, on the other hand, needs to be installed using an app store.
With native apps, you have to wait for the store to update it automatically or visit the store to do so manually. With PWAs, you don’t have to think about it. All updates are server-based and applied the moment the developer uploads them.
PWAs are run directly inside the web browser. That means easier promotion than the case is with native apps. Finally, PWAs don’t take up any memory on the device.
Magento 2 PWA Application
If you are a Magento user, you’ll want to have a mobile app. After all, a lot of online shopping is done via mobile these days. But why should you develop yours as a progressive web app rather than a native app? Well, if the reasons mentioned above aren’t enough, here are some more.First of all, Magento 2 PWA offers an enhanced mobile user experience. In addition to not having to download it, the user gets a variety of other useful functions. The PWA has an integrated offline mode, meaning that it will keep on working even without an internet connection. Additionally, it offers background sync, which enables you to postpone your actions until you get a stable connection.
When compared to developing a native app, Magento 2 PWA is cheaper to develop and maintain. Again, for a native app, you’d have to come up with an Android and an iOS app. You don’t have to do this with the PWA.
Finally, PWAs aren’t just some trend. They are becoming the future of apps in general. Upon adopting the PWA technology, a large number of Magento stores have reported increased user satisfaction.
Converting a Magento Website to PWA
The easiest way to use the Progressive Web App feature on your Magento website would be to install Magento PWA extensions. That said, there are different providers to choose from.The Magento PWA modules aren’t expensive and don’t take too long to install. However, the majority of PWA extensions won’t be able to deliver all the PWA features for your app. They can be added to the home screen and send push notifications. Other features aren’t included.
A far more advanced solution would be using the Magento 2.3 PWA Studio to deploy and maintain your PWA storefront. That’s a comprehensive solution that allows you to replace your current Magento storefront, using API. After all, Magento 2.3 PWA Studio isn’t much more than a set of tools to support your PWA development. It is a great way to start, but you’ll still have much more to do down the line.
The most advanced solution for Magento PWA integration would be using the Magento 2 PWA Theme. This theme is based on Magento 2.3 PWA Studio, GraphiQL, and React.JS. It uses the PWA storefront and an API to connect to the backend.
That’s by far the best and the most comprehensive solution for converting a Magento website to a PWA. It will give you access to full-blown PWA features mentioned earlier. It will take some work to achieve, though.
The Cost of Implementing PWA in Magento
The most important factor in making an app is making sure that it pays off. Coming up with a native app will set you back more than implementing a PWA. Here are the costs associated with going with PWA.First of all, you’re going to have to buy the module, which is affordable. It may set you back $150 tops, and you’ll have to pay for the installation service. In the grand scheme of things, this is cheap.
One of the higher costs regarding PWA implementation is that you’ll have to hire PWA developers with experience in both building PWAs and Magento itself. Keep in mind that it may take as much as six months for PWA storefront development. This integration will cost you.
The overall cost will depend on the customization level. That depends on your app type and your user base, which are subjects for another article.
Magento PWA Integration
If the question is whether to go with a native app or a PWA with your Magento storefront, you should take the latter route. It is a much better solution.PWAs, in general, are most likely the way the apps are going to be developed in the future. They are a cheaper, more functional, more customizable, browser-based solution that also looks great.
What Is Progressive JavaScript Framework?
Vue.JS is known as a progressive JavaScript framework. Evan You, an ex-Google employee, developed it. Vue.JS is used for building user interfaces and is focused on Single Page Applications (SPA). Many also use it to create beautiful web interfaces. Vue.JS is a progressive framework that’s becoming increasingly popular.
But what makes Vue.JS progressive? How is it different than any other framework on the market? Most importantly, why is an increasing number of developers moving on from React.js and Angular to Vue.JS? What is the progressive JS framework?
Okay, so Vue.JS is pretty much the only progressive JS framework out there. But what does make it progressive?
First of all, Vue.JS is lightweight, fresh, and fairly simple and straightforward. Despite being flexible and simple, it is also very powerful and offers a variety of features. Vue also allows you to provide any app structure that you want. That’s not something that Angular would allow you.
So, it is easy to use, very powerful, and extremely versatile. That’s fairly progressive, wouldn’t you say? The mentioned qualities and many others earned Vue the “progressive” badge. Oh, and it is open-source, which means a lot in the dev world.
If you have experience with other frameworks, don’t worry. Vue’s core library is pretty much about the view layer. Therefore, you can pick it up, integrate it with third-party libraries, and use it with existing projects. So yes, you’ll get used to Vue quickly.
If you are an HTML developer, you’ll find that Vue’s learning curve is rather forgiving.
For one, the developer can’t get access to application state operations. With smaller projects, this isn’t too much of a disadvantage. However, when it comes to large-scale projects, this can complicate the debugging procedure, and slow down the entire development process.
Now, although Vue.JS is “progressive,” it still doesn’t render as fast as React.js, which isn’t an ideal state of things. Templating also isn’t all that flexible, and neither is the component approach.
What makes Angular so great is the fact that it wasn’t built to be a JS framework. It started as a tool that allowed the front-end, back-end, and designers to interact. However, many use it as a JS framework now.
Angular is very “opinionated.” That means that it dictates the way you’re supposed to structure the apps that you’re making. On the other hand, Vue is based on installing the plugins that you want to use. By itself, it’s more of a library than a framework. It becomes a customized framework as you build it, which works perfectly with its open-source characteristics.
When it comes to performance, Vue is slightly ahead of Angular. Vue has a simpler programming model to thank for this.
On the one hand, Angular is great for getting deep framework knowledge and is used for creating complex applications. After learning Angular, Vue is going to be a breeze. On the other hand, Vue.JS is a progressive app that’s likely to stay. It is probably the future of JS frameworks.
January 15, 2020But what makes Vue.JS progressive? How is it different than any other framework on the market? Most importantly, why is an increasing number of developers moving on from React.js and Angular to Vue.JS? What is the progressive JS framework?
Progressive JS Framework
In short, Vue.JS isn’t just a progressive framework; it is the progressive framework. At this point, Vue.JS and progressive JS framework are pretty much synonymous.Okay, so Vue.JS is pretty much the only progressive JS framework out there. But what does make it progressive?
First of all, Vue.JS is lightweight, fresh, and fairly simple and straightforward. Despite being flexible and simple, it is also very powerful and offers a variety of features. Vue also allows you to provide any app structure that you want. That’s not something that Angular would allow you.
So, it is easy to use, very powerful, and extremely versatile. That’s fairly progressive, wouldn’t you say? The mentioned qualities and many others earned Vue the “progressive” badge. Oh, and it is open-source, which means a lot in the dev world.
Versatility
If you want to create a single-page application, there is no question about it – you should go with Vue.JS. If you’re wondering how it has earned its namesake, here it is. Vue essentially acts as the View, which means that it lets you display data portions. That’s unique and pretty much amazing.Ease of Use
If you haven’t used an app framework, you won’t struggle with Vue, as you would struggle with any other framework. That means that Vue is great for beginners, if not even the best choice.If you have experience with other frameworks, don’t worry. Vue’s core library is pretty much about the view layer. Therefore, you can pick it up, integrate it with third-party libraries, and use it with existing projects. So yes, you’ll get used to Vue quickly.
If you are an HTML developer, you’ll find that Vue’s learning curve is rather forgiving.
Lightweight
In itself, Vue.JS uses fairly basic docs and is lightweight. Vue works as an interface layer, meaning that you can put it to use as a light feature in pages. That is much better than a full-blown SPA.Virtual DOM
Owing to the implementation of its virtual DOM, Vue tends to perform better than other frameworks. As a result, computation is inexpensive and allows you direct access to updates. If you want to make changes in DOM, you can do it just once by using the appropriate function.Two-Way Binding
Vue has the two-way binding on texture elements and form inputs thanks to its v-model directive. The v-model directive is used for updating data regarding user input events. Vue can base its element update decision on the input type.HTML-Based Syntax
The HTML-based template syntax that Vue uses allows the user to bind Vue’s instance data to the rendered DOM. That, in turn, allows the user to save reusable pieces of code by extending the most basic HTML elements.The Downsides of Progressive JS Framework
Of course, Vue.JS does come with its own set of downsides. Although the developers are doing their best to make the most out of the open-source aspect of Vue, it still isn’t a standard.For one, the developer can’t get access to application state operations. With smaller projects, this isn’t too much of a disadvantage. However, when it comes to large-scale projects, this can complicate the debugging procedure, and slow down the entire development process.
Now, although Vue.JS is “progressive,” it still doesn’t render as fast as React.js, which isn’t an ideal state of things. Templating also isn’t all that flexible, and neither is the component approach.
Angular
Although Angular isn’t a progressive JS framework, it is as close as it gets without being Vue.JS. Angular is a full-featured dynamic framework that works perfectly with dynamic single page web apps. Although it is older than Vue and lacks in many respects, it remains the favorite of many.What makes Angular so great is the fact that it wasn’t built to be a JS framework. It started as a tool that allowed the front-end, back-end, and designers to interact. However, many use it as a JS framework now.
Cross-Browser Compliant
Angular automatically handles the codes required by each browser out there. That means that you only need to write the code for a single browser.User Perspective
Angular allows the developers to do test runner and end-to-end setup, meaning you can test the web app that you’re working on from the user perspective.Model-View-ViewModel
Model-View-ViewModel or MVVM, for short, is a pattern, which is essentially a take on the traditional MVC software design pattern. It isn’t a disadvantage or an advantage.Vue.JS vs Angular
Although Angular isn’t exactly a progressive framework, it is currently the closest thing to Vue.JS. From the learning curve side of things, Vue.JS is much better. Getting used to Angular takes time.Angular is very “opinionated.” That means that it dictates the way you’re supposed to structure the apps that you’re making. On the other hand, Vue is based on installing the plugins that you want to use. By itself, it’s more of a library than a framework. It becomes a customized framework as you build it, which works perfectly with its open-source characteristics.
When it comes to performance, Vue is slightly ahead of Angular. Vue has a simpler programming model to thank for this.
Should You Go Progressive?
The answer to this question is probably “yes,” but not in the way you think. In truth, you should know how to use both Angular and Vue to reach your full capacity as a developer.On the one hand, Angular is great for getting deep framework knowledge and is used for creating complex applications. After learning Angular, Vue is going to be a breeze. On the other hand, Vue.JS is a progressive app that’s likely to stay. It is probably the future of JS frameworks.
Which App Framework Is Perfect for You
A little bit more than a decade ago, we lived in a world of computers. Today, we live in the era of smartphones. The single most vital aspect of our touch-sensitive portable devices is the apps that they offer. Regardless of whether you own an Apple device, an Android, or any other if it’s recent and “smart,” it works on the app basis.
In addition to the right app idea, right development methodology, and the right platform, you need to select the fitting framework to build the app. Here’s how to make up your mind.
But an app framework can also work against you. The framework simplifies things for you by providing a “frame” of sorts for building your app. It takes the example of another app and helps you see the simplified view of the operating environment.
That essentially means that a framework will have to box you in in a certain, let’s say, style, template, or theme if you will. That works miracles for apps that you want to base on other apps, which is the case, most of the time.
However, if your app’s form is different from a “typical” app form, a framework will only make things harder for you. Why? Well, because you’ll have to deal with all the things that the framework will take care of for you. The framework is also probably a closed system, and this can turn into a headache.
The main benefit of using React Native is that the code that you write once runs everywhere, cross-platform. That means that it doesn’t take a lot of effort to create apps for multiple platforms.
Another great part about using React Native is that the native components are available in React Native, and can you can use them throughout the app development. It goes the same for native-specific components counterparts. Essentially, by using React Native, you can build an app that performs and looks like the native one.
React Native allows devs to create apps with the least number of code lines. This curbs errors, bugs, and similar issues, thus making things significantly easier.
Unlike many other frameworks, NativeScript apps don’t require cross-compiling or using a browser. Apps developed with NativeScript run directly on native devices.
NativeScript is extendable and has complete access to Android and iOS APIs. That removes the native coding factor altogether and makes sure that you won’t have to write native code, which is very important for app developers.
It uses a single codebase to write automatic tests. Seeing as how the automatic tests tend to pile up during app development, speeding things up here is essential. With Flutter, automatic tests take less time.
Another brilliant thing that Flutter brings to the table is its widgets catalog. You can even customize an existing widget to come up with a new one. That allows the designers to actively come up with designs on the fly, which is immensely important for staying in sync with business goals.
With no files to be Java referenced, front-end and back-end developers can work using a single language, making everything more in-sync.
By using C#, along with .NET, developers can create an app by almost entirely reusing the code. It does wonders for development speeds and doesn’t require switching between dev environments.
Xamarin.Forms take the app’s UI components and convert them into UI components that are platform-specific. That creates a cross-platform native experience.
With Xamarin, all you have to do to change apps on different platforms is to update the source file.
jQuery Mobile allows the developers to come up with custom themes, use the transition effects (CSS-based), layout page panels, customize form controls, and manipulate many other UI elements. That allows you to make an app for any business-specific needs.
It also features minimal scripting, owing to the HTML5 support. There are two versions of jQuery Mobile: the latest stable one and the customized one.
All app frameworks mentioned here are great in their specific departments. Knowing how to work with most of them is the best way to quickly and seamlessly deliver a perfect, functioning app.
Don’t look for a framework that feels good to you. Find the one that fits the situation.
December 30, 2019In addition to the right app idea, right development methodology, and the right platform, you need to select the fitting framework to build the app. Here’s how to make up your mind.
What Is App Framework?
You’ve most likely heard about the “app framework” term. It is something used to build mobile apps. Essentially, what framework does is it deals with interfacing with the operating system and simplifies things for you. It works out the details, letting you focus on the bigger picture.But an app framework can also work against you. The framework simplifies things for you by providing a “frame” of sorts for building your app. It takes the example of another app and helps you see the simplified view of the operating environment.
That essentially means that a framework will have to box you in in a certain, let’s say, style, template, or theme if you will. That works miracles for apps that you want to base on other apps, which is the case, most of the time.
However, if your app’s form is different from a “typical” app form, a framework will only make things harder for you. Why? Well, because you’ll have to deal with all the things that the framework will take care of for you. The framework is also probably a closed system, and this can turn into a headache.
App Frameworks
You may have heard about some of them, but there are many app frameworks available. As an app developer, it’s beneficial for you to get to know as many frameworks as possible. If you do this, you’ll be able to develop almost any app, regardless of how unique it is. Here some of the most popular app frameworks out there.React Native
If you’re looking for fast launch time, mass outreach, and low development costs, React Native might be the perfect framework for you. No wonder, seeing as how a wide variety of developers have used this framework.The main benefit of using React Native is that the code that you write once runs everywhere, cross-platform. That means that it doesn’t take a lot of effort to create apps for multiple platforms.
Another great part about using React Native is that the native components are available in React Native, and can you can use them throughout the app development. It goes the same for native-specific components counterparts. Essentially, by using React Native, you can build an app that performs and looks like the native one.
React Native allows devs to create apps with the least number of code lines. This curbs errors, bugs, and similar issues, thus making things significantly easier.
NativeScript
NativeScript is an open-source framework. It allows you to use the most recent native APIs, as well as native components and themes, without having to wait for complete new feature integration. NativeScript is leveraged with Vue.js, Angular, JavaScript, or TypeScript and is used to develop true native apps.Unlike many other frameworks, NativeScript apps don’t require cross-compiling or using a browser. Apps developed with NativeScript run directly on native devices.
NativeScript is extendable and has complete access to Android and iOS APIs. That removes the native coding factor altogether and makes sure that you won’t have to write native code, which is very important for app developers.
Flutter
Flutter can make direct changes in the code and show you the results almost instantaneously. That’s known as the hot reloading feature and is one of Flutter’s most popular features.It uses a single codebase to write automatic tests. Seeing as how the automatic tests tend to pile up during app development, speeding things up here is essential. With Flutter, automatic tests take less time.
Another brilliant thing that Flutter brings to the table is its widgets catalog. You can even customize an existing widget to come up with a new one. That allows the designers to actively come up with designs on the fly, which is immensely important for staying in sync with business goals.
With no files to be Java referenced, front-end and back-end developers can work using a single language, making everything more in-sync.
Xamarin
This framework is based on .NET. Using this framework, you can simultaneously yield true iOS and Android apps, all within the Xamarin environment. With basic syntax, the Xamarin framework allows the developers to access platform-specific SDKs.By using C#, along with .NET, developers can create an app by almost entirely reusing the code. It does wonders for development speeds and doesn’t require switching between dev environments.
Xamarin.Forms take the app’s UI components and convert them into UI components that are platform-specific. That creates a cross-platform native experience.
With Xamarin, all you have to do to change apps on different platforms is to update the source file.
jQuery Mobile
The majority of operating systems and devices, regardless of their screen size, support JQuery Mobile. Using this framework, the developers don’t have to make significant code changes to get the app running on multiple platforms.jQuery Mobile allows the developers to come up with custom themes, use the transition effects (CSS-based), layout page panels, customize form controls, and manipulate many other UI elements. That allows you to make an app for any business-specific needs.
It also features minimal scripting, owing to the HTML5 support. There are two versions of jQuery Mobile: the latest stable one and the customized one.
Choosing the Ideal App Framework
So, which app framework is perfect for you? The answer to this question is, it depends on what you need.All app frameworks mentioned here are great in their specific departments. Knowing how to work with most of them is the best way to quickly and seamlessly deliver a perfect, functioning app.
Don’t look for a framework that feels good to you. Find the one that fits the situation.
The Pitfalls of Switching to a New eCommerce Platform
eCommerce platforms are the most important aspect of any retail site. If you have a webstore, it was made using one of the eCommerce platforms. There are a few competing ones on the market, and each comes with its advantages and disadvantages.
No matter what platform you’re using, moving to a different one can be a very daunting task. That’s why it’s generally recommended that you stick with the one you chose in the beginning. That said, unexpected things in business happen, and reasons for moving on to a new eCommerce platform do exist. Here’s what to prepare for in that case.
Regardless of what your goal is, a disaster may occur. Switching platforms may cause sales to stagnate or even decline after the move. With considerable amounts of money spent on the actual migration, this is not the way you’ll want it to go.
Another less-than-favorable outcome is experiencing a minor impact. You may get a tiny profit spike, or you may not experience any change. In either case, the money that you’d have invested in the migration is worth much more than that.
The only scenario that will benefit you is a major profit influx. If you’re looking to boost your sales slightly, changing an eCommerce platform is not a good way to do it.
Expect all of these processes to change upon switching to another eCommerce platform. Things will likely not only turn upside down, but you’ll have to set up completely different processes. Make no mistake, if you don’t plan it properly, this might turn out overwhelming for you, and you may even end up losing customers.
So, planning is crucial here. You should be aware of all the changes that will occur. These changes will disrupt other aspects, so be prepared for that, too.
Prediction is essential here because it’s the only way to prepare your team for the upcoming change timely. Before the processes change, the team members need to know what to expect and how to tackle this.
So, how to predict the necessary adjustments? Go through every process manually and do your best to spot the future changes. You will make mistakes, you won’t predict everything correctly, but it’s the best you can do. Oh, and use Google to prepare.
Keep in mind that the predictions mentioned above won’t be 100% correct. You will most likely miss something; it’s only a question of how detrimental it will turn out to be. If you go full “Big Bang,” you’ll most likely end up regretting it.
So, how should you approach it? Well, a longer transition is almost always a better idea. It will mitigate the risks and help minimize the disruption that all the hiccups and bugs may cause.
The best way to go, instead of making an instant switch, is rolling it out for select customers. For instance, you can choose people with specific geographies. You can go with specific products or sets of products. Some go with large customers, and others go with small ones. In any case, rolling out the new eCommerce platform with certain limits will allow you to adjust to it with more ease.
Then, over time, slowly start extending the rollout. A gradual switchover is the best way to go.
As open-source platforms, PaaS platforms are open to third-party user updates and upgrades, meaning advanced customization options. That comes at the price of being more complex and requiring deeper IT knowledge and experience to use.
On the other hand, SaaS or cloud-based eCommerce platforms are template-based. They are easy to use and fairly straightforward. However, they aren’t nearly as customizable as PaaS platforms.
Some companies opt for SaaS, while the others go with PaaS. It depends on their preference, the size of their business, their business goals, etc.
Moving to the “wrong” eCommerce platform type is one of the worst things you can do for your business. It essentially means that you’d have to do another migration further down the line, which can be hugely detrimental for the entire company.
First and foremost, you should make sure that you’ve picked the right platform from the get-go. For this, you’re going to have to plan and know what you want to make out of your company.
Secondly, you need to be fully aware of what your “new” platform will bring to the table. Fail to prepare, and you may end up with one of the worst headaches in online retail.
The key to making a good eCommerce platform switch is anticipating as many changes as possible. The best possible solution in eCommerce platforms is not to have to change to a new one in the first place.
December 15, 2019No matter what platform you’re using, moving to a different one can be a very daunting task. That’s why it’s generally recommended that you stick with the one you chose in the beginning. That said, unexpected things in business happen, and reasons for moving on to a new eCommerce platform do exist. Here’s what to prepare for in that case.
Can Turn out a Complete Disaster
Although it is probably unlikely, a complete disaster is a possible outcome of changing eCommerce platforms. When switching to a new platform, your goal should always be major sales and profit improvement. That’s one of the main reasons that drive people to move on to a new platform.Regardless of what your goal is, a disaster may occur. Switching platforms may cause sales to stagnate or even decline after the move. With considerable amounts of money spent on the actual migration, this is not the way you’ll want it to go.
Another less-than-favorable outcome is experiencing a minor impact. You may get a tiny profit spike, or you may not experience any change. In either case, the money that you’d have invested in the migration is worth much more than that.
The only scenario that will benefit you is a major profit influx. If you’re looking to boost your sales slightly, changing an eCommerce platform is not a good way to do it.
Takes a Lot of Adjustment
As a business, retail is likely one of the most important aspects for you, if not the most important. At least 50% of your business’s retail focus lies online. That means that you likely have processes set in place that deal with all the nooks and crannies of online sales.Expect all of these processes to change upon switching to another eCommerce platform. Things will likely not only turn upside down, but you’ll have to set up completely different processes. Make no mistake, if you don’t plan it properly, this might turn out overwhelming for you, and you may even end up losing customers.
So, planning is crucial here. You should be aware of all the changes that will occur. These changes will disrupt other aspects, so be prepared for that, too.
Prediction is essential here because it’s the only way to prepare your team for the upcoming change timely. Before the processes change, the team members need to know what to expect and how to tackle this.
So, how to predict the necessary adjustments? Go through every process manually and do your best to spot the future changes. You will make mistakes, you won’t predict everything correctly, but it’s the best you can do. Oh, and use Google to prepare.
The Big Bang Switchover
It isn’t so much a pitfall as it is an example of what you should avoid doing. As mentioned, a migration will set you back quite a lot. You will be inclined, tempted even, to cut your losses by moving from one platform to another one instantly. It may somehow go well, but it can also go very wrong.Keep in mind that the predictions mentioned above won’t be 100% correct. You will most likely miss something; it’s only a question of how detrimental it will turn out to be. If you go full “Big Bang,” you’ll most likely end up regretting it.
So, how should you approach it? Well, a longer transition is almost always a better idea. It will mitigate the risks and help minimize the disruption that all the hiccups and bugs may cause.
The best way to go, instead of making an instant switch, is rolling it out for select customers. For instance, you can choose people with specific geographies. You can go with specific products or sets of products. Some go with large customers, and others go with small ones. In any case, rolling out the new eCommerce platform with certain limits will allow you to adjust to it with more ease.
Then, over time, slowly start extending the rollout. A gradual switchover is the best way to go.
Moving to the Wrong Platform
There are two main types of eCommerce platforms: SaaS and PaaS. SaaS platforms are cloud-based, while the PaaS platforms are open-source. The main difference between the two eCommerce platform types is that SaaS platforms are more tweakable than the other.As open-source platforms, PaaS platforms are open to third-party user updates and upgrades, meaning advanced customization options. That comes at the price of being more complex and requiring deeper IT knowledge and experience to use.
On the other hand, SaaS or cloud-based eCommerce platforms are template-based. They are easy to use and fairly straightforward. However, they aren’t nearly as customizable as PaaS platforms.
Some companies opt for SaaS, while the others go with PaaS. It depends on their preference, the size of their business, their business goals, etc.
Moving to the “wrong” eCommerce platform type is one of the worst things you can do for your business. It essentially means that you’d have to do another migration further down the line, which can be hugely detrimental for the entire company.
First and foremost, you should make sure that you’ve picked the right platform from the get-go. For this, you’re going to have to plan and know what you want to make out of your company.
Secondly, you need to be fully aware of what your “new” platform will bring to the table. Fail to prepare, and you may end up with one of the worst headaches in online retail.
Be Certain
You need to be 100% sure that you need to make a switch to the new platform. Make sure that you are aware that the switch won’t be without hiccups and do it gradually. If you switch to a new platform and it turns out less than favorable, you’re going to have to go through the entire process again at some point.The key to making a good eCommerce platform switch is anticipating as many changes as possible. The best possible solution in eCommerce platforms is not to have to change to a new one in the first place.
Magento vs Shopify – Which One Offers More Freedom
Magento and Shopify are only similar in the sense that they are both eCommerce platforms that help you have your webstore. Other than that, the two are vastly different beasts. The discrepancies here are outlined in many aspects, but one of the biggest differences is the amount of freedom they offer.
If what you’re looking for in an eCommerce platform is freedom, you’ll want to secure the right one as soon as possible. You wouldn’t want to have to migrate from one platform to another.
November 30, 2019The Common Ground
Although there are many differences between Magento and Shopify, let’s try and find common ground first, just so that you know where you stand. For one, both of these platforms offer a variety of functionalities and features. Depending on certain eCommerce aspects, either one can provide a smooth flow to your online retail operations. Both platforms feature a well-designed and simple-to-use user interface. Both platforms can facilitate your company’s growth, too. So, with both platforms being so good, what’s the point of making a choice? Well, Magento and Shopify are both great but in different respects. They can take you down vastly different roads. But, what about freedom? Which one of the two gives you more space?SaaS vs PaaS
SaaS is short for Software as a Service, while PaaS means Platform as a Service. What does this mean? The former means that the platform in question is cloud-based, while the latter is open-source software. Magento is PaaS, meaning that it’s completely open-source. Yes, Magento requires more IT expertise and assigned experts to create the actual webstore, but this means more freedom. Well, as long as you don’t mind paying more to hire an expert, that is. Everything on Magento is crowd-sourced. There is a constant flow of upgrades, updates, and innovations here. So, that would make Shopify SaaS, wouldn’t it? In a way, yes. As of now, Shopify is still regarded as a cloud-based eCommerce platform. That said, Shopify has been around for quite some time now (founded back in 2004). Since its inception, Shopify’s aim was on smaller to mid-sized businesses. Now, Shopify currently has two options: subscriptions and merchant solutions. In terms of subscriptions, Shopify is a high-margin SaaS. However, Shopify’s merchant solutions are essentially transactional payment processing. That means that Shopify’s customers are charged a few dollars for every online transaction. Merchant solutions are growing faster than subscriptions. Merchant solutions aren’t SaaS, and Shopify is rapidly moving in this direction. But how does this impact the freedom that Shopify offers? Well, currently, Shopify is largely template-based. A change in tides might bring a bit more freedom to the table. As of now, in terms of functionality and aesthetics of their webstores, Magento is a better solution.Ease of Use
User-friendliness isn’t often considered an important aspect of “user freedom.” However, being limited in terms of ease of use can compromise your entire experience with the platform. Therefore, ease of use is considered a vital factor here. Going online with your retail, whether you are just starting as a business or advancing onto the internet, is a daunting task. That’s why you likely want to go with an easy-to-use, self-explanatory platform that you can quickly learn how to use. In this respect, Shopify takes the cake. As mentioned, Magento is open-source and, as such, way more complex. You definitely won’t be able to learn how to use Magento to its full extent in a few days. Shopify is a simple website builder. You have a list of customization options, and you make do. Just move the elements around the page inside the builder and design your webstore. This platform allows you to insert themes, custom images, to add products, set up payments, as well as customize the store’s entire look and feel. Magento is a CMS – Content Management System. It is significantly more technical and definitely won’t make too much sense to an untrained user. Think of using Magento as programming – you’ll likely have to hire an expert to set it up for you. So, yes, as mentioned earlier, Magento may offer much more freedom, functionality, and flexibility but, when it comes to ease of use, Shopify comes out the winner any day of the week. But does the ease of use mean more freedom? Well, it depends on your IT skills. If you don’t have any and don’t want to hire someone who does, none of the freedom that you get with Magento doesn’t matter.Themes
Now, this may sound like a strange factor to consider when it comes to “freedom,” but in the case of Magento and Shopify, it counts. Coming up with a webstore is a customer-oriented step – you’re taking your retail online so that your customers can buy from you. It means that the webstore’s theme should align with your customer’s taste. Now, this may not sound like much, but the outlook of your webstore can make or break a purchase. Shopify features more than 60 gorgeous, professional, and customizable themes. That’s more than enough for most users and should be enough for you. Magento, on the other hand, offers only 16 pre-made customizable themes. That isn’t a wide palette. Does this mean that Shopify gives you more freedom in this section? Well, no. Remember, Magento is fully-customizable. All it takes for you to make whatever you want is expertise; yours or someone else’s Isn’t 60 themes enough, though? For some, it is. Others want to be able to create their very own theme, the way they see fit. In short, if you want to come up with your authentic webstore aesthetics, Magento brings much more freedom to the table. If you’re okay with choosing from 60 professional-looking themes, Shopify is likely a better choice.So, Which One’s Better?
In theory, Magento offers much more freedom than Shopify. In a less literal meaning of the word “freedom,” Shopify pulls its weight and delivers. If you have an IT team to spare or some IT knowledge, Magento is a much better freedom choice. If you don’t, Shopify is the way to go. Both of these two incredible eCommerce platforms are brilliant. The ultimate answer to the title question depends on what you need.
Magento vs BigCommerce – It All Depends on Company Size
When it comes to eCommerce platforms, both Magento and BigCommerce are locked in somewhere towards the top. You are probably having issues choosing between the two. In the likely scenario that you’ve already asked around and can’t find the answer, don’t worry.
Each of these two eCommerce beasts comes with its own set of upshots and drawbacks. Making a perfect choice isn’t easy, but it is incredibly important for your business. The current size of your business, as well as your plans, play an essential role here. Here’s how to make up your mind between Magento and BigCommerce.
The main discrepancy between the two popular platforms is that Magento is PaaS, and BigCommerce is SaaS. If you are confused, PaaS is short for Platform as a Service, and SaaS means Software as a Service. If you still don’t get the gist of it, don’t worry, it’s simple. BigCommerce is cloud-based, while Magento is an open-source solution.
Yes, it’s simple as that. As SaaS software, BigCommerce issues its licenses to the users. That means that you, as a merchant, will be able to access your webstore from anywhere, as long as you have an internet-connected device. Alternatively, PaaS software like Magneto is open-source and, therefore, a vastly different beast.
As open-source software, Magento lacks in certain aspects like uniformity and cross-device responsiveness. On the other hand, it flourishes when it comes to interesting and innovative software updates and upgrades.
If you are a large business or a small business that wants to grow and keep on growing, considering BigCommerce might not be a bad idea.
That said, things are a bit more complicated than that. Magento can work for large businesses, while many small businesses have notably used BigCommerce.
Either way, it is very important that you try and avoid switching eCommerce platforms and that you keep using the one you select. Migrating from one platform to another can turn out quite the nightmare. That is one of the reasons why you need to know what you want your business to become.
Here, you can go with pre-built, customizable themes, which means that you don’t need an IT team to make the webstore and maintain it. You also gain access to a variety of features, such as digital marketing, product reviews, and loyalty programs. Yes, this is a part of the core BigCommerce product.
Alternatively, Magento is, as mentioned, open-source. That means that any individual can modify and create their webstore code. Outside developers make most plug-ins and enhancements. That means that your developers get a lot of creative freedom, which further means that they can deliver a unique webstore.
On the other hand, you will either need a team of in-house developers or outsource an agency to come up with your webstore. It may turn out quite expensive.
Now, this may sound as if Magento is a bad choice, but if you happen to have an IT expert on your team, it is a preferable solution to BigCommerce. With Magento, you get more control and customizability, which means more than you may think. If you want to own the capabilities of your eCommerce infrastructure, Magento is the way to go.
On the other hand, BigCommerce takes care of maintenance for you. They host your webstore and provide you with software updates and upgrades. They rely on their team to fix your problems. Naturally, this comes at a cost. You get a lot less control with BigCommerce, in comparison with Magento.
Some small businesses have an IT team, as well and, if you can spare a few employees (depending on the size of your team and your company goals), Magento still might be a legitimate choice.
On the other hand, as a small business without an IT team, you’ll want to go with BigCommerce. Sure, you could hire an expert or outsource, but this will set you back. BigCommerce is a much simpler, template-based service.
Either way, you’ll want to settle for an eCommerce platform for the long-term. Migrating from one to another can be quite nightmarish, and it will hinder your business’ performance during the transition period.
Be smart. Know what you want. Choose your eCommerce platform on time.
November 15, 2019Each of these two eCommerce beasts comes with its own set of upshots and drawbacks. Making a perfect choice isn’t easy, but it is incredibly important for your business. The current size of your business, as well as your plans, play an essential role here. Here’s how to make up your mind between Magento and BigCommerce.
SaaS vs Open Source
Both Magento and BigCommerce are fantastic eCommerce platform choices. The two aren’t exactly worlds apart, but they do feature a set of fundamental differences that might make your choice that much easier.The main discrepancy between the two popular platforms is that Magento is PaaS, and BigCommerce is SaaS. If you are confused, PaaS is short for Platform as a Service, and SaaS means Software as a Service. If you still don’t get the gist of it, don’t worry, it’s simple. BigCommerce is cloud-based, while Magento is an open-source solution.
Yes, it’s simple as that. As SaaS software, BigCommerce issues its licenses to the users. That means that you, as a merchant, will be able to access your webstore from anywhere, as long as you have an internet-connected device. Alternatively, PaaS software like Magneto is open-source and, therefore, a vastly different beast.
As open-source software, Magento lacks in certain aspects like uniformity and cross-device responsiveness. On the other hand, it flourishes when it comes to interesting and innovative software updates and upgrades.
Which One?
So, which one of the two should you choose? By and large, it depends on your business plans and goals. If you are a small business and aren’t planning on turning into a huge company, BigCommerce might be overkill. Magento may do the trick for you and give you some unique ideas and options.If you are a large business or a small business that wants to grow and keep on growing, considering BigCommerce might not be a bad idea.
That said, things are a bit more complicated than that. Magento can work for large businesses, while many small businesses have notably used BigCommerce.
Either way, it is very important that you try and avoid switching eCommerce platforms and that you keep using the one you select. Migrating from one platform to another can turn out quite the nightmare. That is one of the reasons why you need to know what you want your business to become.
Out-of-the-Box vs Open-Source
The fact that BigCommerce is a SaaS platform makes it an out-of-the-box solution. What this means is that it takes care of everything from setting up to hosting your webstore.Here, you can go with pre-built, customizable themes, which means that you don’t need an IT team to make the webstore and maintain it. You also gain access to a variety of features, such as digital marketing, product reviews, and loyalty programs. Yes, this is a part of the core BigCommerce product.
Alternatively, Magento is, as mentioned, open-source. That means that any individual can modify and create their webstore code. Outside developers make most plug-ins and enhancements. That means that your developers get a lot of creative freedom, which further means that they can deliver a unique webstore.
On the other hand, you will either need a team of in-house developers or outsource an agency to come up with your webstore. It may turn out quite expensive.
Which One?
So, in this department, Magento would make more sense for a large-scale business or one that has big growth plans. With Magento, you are expected to provide IT expertise, one way or another. With BigCommerce, you get templates and various features from the start. If you are a small business but happen to have in-house technical expertise, Magento would likely be a better choice, though.Maintenance
As an open-source platform, Magento doesn’t help you with maintenance. As a seller, it is you (or your business) that sets up the administration and infrastructure. The same goes for all software upgrades, bugs, errors, etc. With Magento, you are pretty much responsible for everything.Now, this may sound as if Magento is a bad choice, but if you happen to have an IT expert on your team, it is a preferable solution to BigCommerce. With Magento, you get more control and customizability, which means more than you may think. If you want to own the capabilities of your eCommerce infrastructure, Magento is the way to go.
On the other hand, BigCommerce takes care of maintenance for you. They host your webstore and provide you with software updates and upgrades. They rely on their team to fix your problems. Naturally, this comes at a cost. You get a lot less control with BigCommerce, in comparison with Magento.
Which One?
If you are a large business, you likely have an in-house IT team. Not only that, but you’ll be able to assign a part of that team to perform eCommerce maintenance, meaning that Magento might be a better choice for you.Some small businesses have an IT team, as well and, if you can spare a few employees (depending on the size of your team and your company goals), Magento still might be a legitimate choice.
On the other hand, as a small business without an IT team, you’ll want to go with BigCommerce. Sure, you could hire an expert or outsource, but this will set you back. BigCommerce is a much simpler, template-based service.
Magento vs BigCommerce - Verdict
Your company’s size plays a vital role in choosing which eCommerce platform you should choose. The answer, however, isn’t as simple as it sounds. Neither Magento nor BigCommerce are platforms strictly built for large/small companies. However, the size of your company and your company goals probably play the most important role in making this choice.Either way, you’ll want to settle for an eCommerce platform for the long-term. Migrating from one to another can be quite nightmarish, and it will hinder your business’ performance during the transition period.
Be smart. Know what you want. Choose your eCommerce platform on time.
Optimising Your Magento Checkout Process for Mobile Users
Have you ever made an online purchase via smartphone? You most probably have. And if you haven’t, you can rest assured that you’re looking at the future of eCommerce, as well as browsing, in general.
Your Magento checkout process for desktop may be spotless, but this doesn’t mean that it’s going to work well on mobile devices. In fact, responsive design for mobile pages is completely different from desktop design. Here’s how to optimize your Magento Checkout process for mobile.
Why focus on the checkout page
Many decision-makers wrongfully believe that all they need to do is create a great product and advertise it properly. Although these truly are key aspects to having a successful product, the importance of the checkout page is often neglected.
If you think that a customer would go through whatever it takes in order to purchase your product, you’d be very wrong. Sure, this may be true for those who fall in love with what you’re selling, but chances are that the majority of your potential buyers are just going to like it.
This makes them prone to simply turning away and carrying on with their browsing if the checkout process is slow, confusing, or too long. Additionally, some of your future customers may be reluctant about buying the product and simply give up because of a single checkout page hiccup.
This is to be expected on mobile platforms, as mobile users tend to buy impulsively most of the time. Therefore, it is absolutely essential that you focus on your checkout page for mobile.
Incorporate one-page checkout
Multi-page checkouts on desktop aren’t trending right now for a reason. They take more time to complete and drain the user’s focus quikcly. However, incorporating one-page checkout pages on mobile isn’t as simple as it is on desktop.
That being said, it is definitely worth your focus and time, if you want to have as seamless a customer experience as possible. The attention span of mobile users is far from impressive, so opting for a one-page checkout for mobile platforms will certainly increase the number of satisfied buyers.
Another great thing about one-page checkouts, from the psychological perspective, is that the users see how many fields they have left to fill out before they complete the process. This certainly helps in encouraging them to finish the purchase.
It is also great for navigation, as nobody likes having to sift through multiple pages only to see they forgot to enter a secondary email address on page three. One-page checkouts are a no-brainer, whether we’re talking about the Magento checkout process on PC or mobile devices.
Keep it short
The fact that you’ve made checkout one page long is great, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s perfect. You can put an almost infinite amount of content onto a single page, which doesn’t make the process any easier.
Keep in mind that the customers don’t like long questionnaires and forms. In fact, they dislike this to a point where they may end up buying the product that they were interested in somewhere else, merely because it takes a lot of time to complete the checkout form on your site.
It’s also easy for a customer to say “I’ll complete it later”, and never actually do it. This is a direct loss for your business and it’s more common than you may think.
So, the best course of action here would be to remove unnecessary checkout fields. This is where Magento is very convenient. Magento stores feature extensions designed for convenient management of the checkout fields.
Add more fields
This may seem contradictory to the previous argument, but it actually makes sense. While removing certain fields is recommended, adding others can appeal to the customer.
For instance, no customer wants to provide their secondary email address. On the other hand, they’ll be happy to have an optional field where they can enter the preferred delivery date and time.
The trick is to always look at it from the customer’s perspective. What would you like to see added to the checkout form and what would you like to see removed? What part of the process is the most tedious for you when you’re buying stuff online?
Chances are that neither your customers are really crazy about things that bother you as a customer. So, don’t be afraid to add more fields, as long as they appeal to the customers. Oh, and definitely remove every field that you don’t find 100% necessary from your checkout page.
Enable guest checkout
You may be used to entering information using your PC. The registration process tends to be a bit tedious, but you get through it, anyway.
Now, imagine registering your new profile on your phone, going to your email app to confirm the registration, and dealing with things such as selecting available usernames. This doesn’t play well with customer retention and it can easily deter them from completing the process on their phones.
Guest checkout is a fantastic functionality that Magento sites offer. It allows the users to complete their purchase with no strings attached. This works wonders for returning customers who may have forgotten their username or password. Instead of having to go through the whole password retrieval process, they can just continue with their purchase as guests.
Make it mobile friendly
Every website can be accessed from a phone, just like it can be accessed from a PC. Given the fact that most websites are primarily designed for PC and then adapted for mobile platforms, many aren’t as user-friendly in their mobile form. This is absolutely unwise, as mobile phones and tablets already account for the majority of worldwide browsing.
Even if you’ve created an incredibly user-friendly website for mobile users, the checkout page has to follow the suit. There is no guarantee that a customer will finish their purchase before they get to the checkout page. Your mobile clients are very slippery and won’t put up with mediocre service.
Is your checkout page mobile friendly?
If you not think that the focus of your online retail business shouldn’t be on the mobile side, you are wrong. Besides, it doesn’t take a whole lot to make your checkout page a great fit for mobile users.
It’s an investment that is well worth your time and resources. Why? Well, because mobile platforms are slowly taking over online retail and you can’t afford to miss out on this.
August 17, 2019Your Magento checkout process for desktop may be spotless, but this doesn’t mean that it’s going to work well on mobile devices. In fact, responsive design for mobile pages is completely different from desktop design. Here’s how to optimize your Magento Checkout process for mobile.
Why focus on the checkout page
Many decision-makers wrongfully believe that all they need to do is create a great product and advertise it properly. Although these truly are key aspects to having a successful product, the importance of the checkout page is often neglected.
If you think that a customer would go through whatever it takes in order to purchase your product, you’d be very wrong. Sure, this may be true for those who fall in love with what you’re selling, but chances are that the majority of your potential buyers are just going to like it.
This makes them prone to simply turning away and carrying on with their browsing if the checkout process is slow, confusing, or too long. Additionally, some of your future customers may be reluctant about buying the product and simply give up because of a single checkout page hiccup.
This is to be expected on mobile platforms, as mobile users tend to buy impulsively most of the time. Therefore, it is absolutely essential that you focus on your checkout page for mobile.
Incorporate one-page checkout
Multi-page checkouts on desktop aren’t trending right now for a reason. They take more time to complete and drain the user’s focus quikcly. However, incorporating one-page checkout pages on mobile isn’t as simple as it is on desktop.
That being said, it is definitely worth your focus and time, if you want to have as seamless a customer experience as possible. The attention span of mobile users is far from impressive, so opting for a one-page checkout for mobile platforms will certainly increase the number of satisfied buyers.
Another great thing about one-page checkouts, from the psychological perspective, is that the users see how many fields they have left to fill out before they complete the process. This certainly helps in encouraging them to finish the purchase.
It is also great for navigation, as nobody likes having to sift through multiple pages only to see they forgot to enter a secondary email address on page three. One-page checkouts are a no-brainer, whether we’re talking about the Magento checkout process on PC or mobile devices.
Keep it short
The fact that you’ve made checkout one page long is great, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s perfect. You can put an almost infinite amount of content onto a single page, which doesn’t make the process any easier.
Keep in mind that the customers don’t like long questionnaires and forms. In fact, they dislike this to a point where they may end up buying the product that they were interested in somewhere else, merely because it takes a lot of time to complete the checkout form on your site.
It’s also easy for a customer to say “I’ll complete it later”, and never actually do it. This is a direct loss for your business and it’s more common than you may think.
So, the best course of action here would be to remove unnecessary checkout fields. This is where Magento is very convenient. Magento stores feature extensions designed for convenient management of the checkout fields.
Add more fields
This may seem contradictory to the previous argument, but it actually makes sense. While removing certain fields is recommended, adding others can appeal to the customer.
For instance, no customer wants to provide their secondary email address. On the other hand, they’ll be happy to have an optional field where they can enter the preferred delivery date and time.
The trick is to always look at it from the customer’s perspective. What would you like to see added to the checkout form and what would you like to see removed? What part of the process is the most tedious for you when you’re buying stuff online?
Chances are that neither your customers are really crazy about things that bother you as a customer. So, don’t be afraid to add more fields, as long as they appeal to the customers. Oh, and definitely remove every field that you don’t find 100% necessary from your checkout page.
Enable guest checkout
You may be used to entering information using your PC. The registration process tends to be a bit tedious, but you get through it, anyway.
Now, imagine registering your new profile on your phone, going to your email app to confirm the registration, and dealing with things such as selecting available usernames. This doesn’t play well with customer retention and it can easily deter them from completing the process on their phones.
Guest checkout is a fantastic functionality that Magento sites offer. It allows the users to complete their purchase with no strings attached. This works wonders for returning customers who may have forgotten their username or password. Instead of having to go through the whole password retrieval process, they can just continue with their purchase as guests.
Make it mobile friendly
Every website can be accessed from a phone, just like it can be accessed from a PC. Given the fact that most websites are primarily designed for PC and then adapted for mobile platforms, many aren’t as user-friendly in their mobile form. This is absolutely unwise, as mobile phones and tablets already account for the majority of worldwide browsing.
Even if you’ve created an incredibly user-friendly website for mobile users, the checkout page has to follow the suit. There is no guarantee that a customer will finish their purchase before they get to the checkout page. Your mobile clients are very slippery and won’t put up with mediocre service.
Is your checkout page mobile friendly?
If you not think that the focus of your online retail business shouldn’t be on the mobile side, you are wrong. Besides, it doesn’t take a whole lot to make your checkout page a great fit for mobile users.
It’s an investment that is well worth your time and resources. Why? Well, because mobile platforms are slowly taking over online retail and you can’t afford to miss out on this.
How to Reduce Inventory Management Costs in eCommerce
When compared to other expenses involved with running an online retail business, the inventory costs don’t seem like too big of a concern. However, inventory costs are much less benign than they sound and they can seriously compromise the wellbeing of your business if they get out of hand.
Fortunately, there are practical and clever ways to reduce your inventory costs. They are relatively easy to apply and make a whole lot of sense in the long run, even if some of them might initially seem counter-intuitive. Here is how to efficiently reduce inventory costs in eCommerce.
Reduce the stock
Yes, reducing the stock definitely does sound like a completely logical thing, but for some reason, many retailers tend to unnecessarily stock up on items. This, in turn, costs quite a bit and can leave you with the pockets turned inside-out.
Like with most things in life, the best solution here is moderation. Stock optimization takes careful consideration, thorough planning, and precise calculation. It’s all about taking pre-orders and specifying shipping dates.
So, how does this work? Well, simply put, you don’t get into large-scale or even mid-scale production, until you customers have shown significant interest. How do you detect interest? Well, you make a product, advertise it, put it up as a pre-order, and make it only if it generates enough interest to pay itself off. If you don’t do this and stock up on an item that nobody wants to buy, well, you’re clearly in for a financial loss.
But what happens if there are too few orders and the product can’t pay itself off? Well, you simply tell the customers that the product is sold-out.
Order directly from the manufacturer
There is a number of ways to get your hands on the product that you want to sell. You can find it at third-party retailers that generally tend to offer large-scale order bonuses. But make no mistake, this can never pay off.
Think about it. Wherever the retailer you’ve bought the product from has obtained the item(s) in question it was cheaper than what they are selling it for. Otherwise, they wouldn’t turn a profit and they wouldn’t sell it.
So, where did they buy their products from? Most likely, they’ve bought them directly from the manufacturer, as they tend to offer the lowest prices. Don’t be reluctant about contacting the manufacturer directly, as they’ll likely be more than willing to sell the products to you, as well. An additional bonus here is that you’ll open new communication channels and collaboration opportunities.
Always be on a lookout for wholesale deals
The most important thing about doing business is forming strong relationships with other businesses, especially when it comes to the suppliers. Online retail business is no exception here. Even if a supplier that you want to contact seems too pricey at the moment, the trick is to develop a strong relationship with them.
Stick with them for some time, endure the higher initial prices, and you’ll see them lowering their prices for you. All they really want to know is that you are with them to stay.
That being said, you should never limit yourself to a single supplier. Always be on a lookout for new ones that offer lower prices. Keep in mind, though, that you don’t necessarily have to switch suppliers. You can push your current supplier into lowering the price for you even more to keep you around. This is how the wholesale deal business works in a nutshell.
Hunt for free shipping
This is what marketplace research is all about – finding better offers. Free shipping is among the top things to look for when obtaining inventory. If your search for a free shipping offer was unsuccessful, try contacting the manufacturer directly. More often than not, they’ll be more than happy to make a free shipping deal with you. Have in mind that it will largely depend on how big your desired shipment is. The bigger the shipment the bigger your chance of scoring free shipment will be.
Deal with the warehouse space properly
Yes, everybody likes wiggle room, functionally and aesthetically. Wiggle room, however, costs money. It’s quite simple - the bigger your warehouse is the greater the expenses are. But how do you shrink a warehouse?
You shouldn’t go looking for a new one, as this might set you back functionally and financially. Instead, you should take the interior apart and pack your stock as tightly as possible.
Then, you rent out the rest of the warehouse. In this way, you’re not only looking at cut costs, but you’ll also get some cash influx on the side. If you happen to need more space at some point, simply raise the rent by 20% and the renter will definitely opt out.
Increase QC
Increase Quality Control? What does this have to do with reducing inventory management costs? Your goal, as a businessperson, should always be keeping the profit margins as big as possible.
With increased QC, you’re lowering the chance of your customers returning the products they bought. Also, you won’t have to deal with excess inventory, generated from the returned products.
Why is this so important? Well, not only that you’ll have to pay the customer full price of the returned product, but you’ll probably end up having to pay for the return shipping costs as well. To prevent this from happening, you should do everything in your power to ensure the highest possible quality of your products.
Extend the return time frame
Extending the return time frame may sound absolutely counter-intuitive. The more you extend the return time frame, the bigger the chances are that the customer will return the item, right?
As a matter of fact, no, this is not true. The more time a customer gets to keep an item and decide whether they want to return it or not, the more their attachment to the item will grow. It’s the way human beings are, we tend to get attached to objects over time and give them more meaning than there really is.
Get creative
While not exhaustive, this list of tips is a good place to start if you want to cut the inventory management costs. However, many business owners haven’t applied all of them or even considered some of them.
That being said, the best way of doing business is being creative. You can use these tips as an inspiration to come up with your own unique ways of saving up on inventory management costs. Dealing with this is a true art form and it takes time to master. So, be patient and learn as you go.
July 13, 2019Fortunately, there are practical and clever ways to reduce your inventory costs. They are relatively easy to apply and make a whole lot of sense in the long run, even if some of them might initially seem counter-intuitive. Here is how to efficiently reduce inventory costs in eCommerce.
Reduce the stock
Yes, reducing the stock definitely does sound like a completely logical thing, but for some reason, many retailers tend to unnecessarily stock up on items. This, in turn, costs quite a bit and can leave you with the pockets turned inside-out.
Like with most things in life, the best solution here is moderation. Stock optimization takes careful consideration, thorough planning, and precise calculation. It’s all about taking pre-orders and specifying shipping dates.
So, how does this work? Well, simply put, you don’t get into large-scale or even mid-scale production, until you customers have shown significant interest. How do you detect interest? Well, you make a product, advertise it, put it up as a pre-order, and make it only if it generates enough interest to pay itself off. If you don’t do this and stock up on an item that nobody wants to buy, well, you’re clearly in for a financial loss.
But what happens if there are too few orders and the product can’t pay itself off? Well, you simply tell the customers that the product is sold-out.
Order directly from the manufacturer
There is a number of ways to get your hands on the product that you want to sell. You can find it at third-party retailers that generally tend to offer large-scale order bonuses. But make no mistake, this can never pay off.
Think about it. Wherever the retailer you’ve bought the product from has obtained the item(s) in question it was cheaper than what they are selling it for. Otherwise, they wouldn’t turn a profit and they wouldn’t sell it.
So, where did they buy their products from? Most likely, they’ve bought them directly from the manufacturer, as they tend to offer the lowest prices. Don’t be reluctant about contacting the manufacturer directly, as they’ll likely be more than willing to sell the products to you, as well. An additional bonus here is that you’ll open new communication channels and collaboration opportunities.
Always be on a lookout for wholesale deals
The most important thing about doing business is forming strong relationships with other businesses, especially when it comes to the suppliers. Online retail business is no exception here. Even if a supplier that you want to contact seems too pricey at the moment, the trick is to develop a strong relationship with them.
Stick with them for some time, endure the higher initial prices, and you’ll see them lowering their prices for you. All they really want to know is that you are with them to stay.
That being said, you should never limit yourself to a single supplier. Always be on a lookout for new ones that offer lower prices. Keep in mind, though, that you don’t necessarily have to switch suppliers. You can push your current supplier into lowering the price for you even more to keep you around. This is how the wholesale deal business works in a nutshell.
Hunt for free shipping
This is what marketplace research is all about – finding better offers. Free shipping is among the top things to look for when obtaining inventory. If your search for a free shipping offer was unsuccessful, try contacting the manufacturer directly. More often than not, they’ll be more than happy to make a free shipping deal with you. Have in mind that it will largely depend on how big your desired shipment is. The bigger the shipment the bigger your chance of scoring free shipment will be.
Deal with the warehouse space properly
Yes, everybody likes wiggle room, functionally and aesthetically. Wiggle room, however, costs money. It’s quite simple - the bigger your warehouse is the greater the expenses are. But how do you shrink a warehouse?
You shouldn’t go looking for a new one, as this might set you back functionally and financially. Instead, you should take the interior apart and pack your stock as tightly as possible.
Then, you rent out the rest of the warehouse. In this way, you’re not only looking at cut costs, but you’ll also get some cash influx on the side. If you happen to need more space at some point, simply raise the rent by 20% and the renter will definitely opt out.
Increase QC
Increase Quality Control? What does this have to do with reducing inventory management costs? Your goal, as a businessperson, should always be keeping the profit margins as big as possible.
With increased QC, you’re lowering the chance of your customers returning the products they bought. Also, you won’t have to deal with excess inventory, generated from the returned products.
Why is this so important? Well, not only that you’ll have to pay the customer full price of the returned product, but you’ll probably end up having to pay for the return shipping costs as well. To prevent this from happening, you should do everything in your power to ensure the highest possible quality of your products.
Extend the return time frame
Extending the return time frame may sound absolutely counter-intuitive. The more you extend the return time frame, the bigger the chances are that the customer will return the item, right?
As a matter of fact, no, this is not true. The more time a customer gets to keep an item and decide whether they want to return it or not, the more their attachment to the item will grow. It’s the way human beings are, we tend to get attached to objects over time and give them more meaning than there really is.
Get creative
While not exhaustive, this list of tips is a good place to start if you want to cut the inventory management costs. However, many business owners haven’t applied all of them or even considered some of them.
That being said, the best way of doing business is being creative. You can use these tips as an inspiration to come up with your own unique ways of saving up on inventory management costs. Dealing with this is a true art form and it takes time to master. So, be patient and learn as you go.
We're Ready When You Are
Our expert team is on standby - day or night - to talk timelines, budgets, and bring your idea from concept to launch - seamlessly. No stress, no delays.
Let's Figure This Out Together
