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Top 2023 resources on ecommerce

Best ecommerce resource in 2023.
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  • - The best ecommerce platforms for Printful users leverage native integrations and APIs to ensure you can easily automate various aspects of your print-on-demand business model. Printful is easily one of the most popular print on demand solutions in the market… Continue reading 11 Best Ecommerce Platforms for Printful Print on Demand (2023)
    Topics: tools, best, selling, platform, printful, month, demand, store, solution, print, ecommerce, sales, platforms, payment.
  • 14 Ecommerce Trends to Expect in 2024 - As an Etsy shop owner, I like to think my products alone are enough for customers to click "buy." Yet, it could be my two-day shipping guarantee. Or my product videos on TikTok. Or the sustainable packaging.
    Topics: online, trends, consumers, expect, customer, ecommerce, social, products, mobile, search, voice, product.
  • 5 Ways the AI Revolution Can Help your Ecommerce Business - Here's how to apply aspects of the AI revolution to your ecommerce business.
    Topics: ecommerce, ai, businesses, chatgpt, data, customer, models, using, help, ways, product, tools, personas, revolution, business.
  • 6 Unconventional Growth Tactics to Generate Immediate Ecommerce Revenue - When you're short on making payroll, these tactics can help put immediate cash in your pocket.
    Topics: generate, brand, email, audience, help, having, strategies, tactics, unique, revenue, immediate, product, ecommerce, customers.
  • - At least 70 percent of small and medium sized business owners in Europe admit to lacking the confidence needed to scale their business in the digital realm. A large group of them needs help in optimizing their logistics, while others need assistance in VAT and customs compliance. These data come…
    Topics: online, navigating, scale, european, business, sme, smes, vat, sales, lack, owners, ecommerce, support, confidence, need.
  • 9 Crucial Headless Commerce Trends to Watch In 2023 - The world of commerce is evolving rapidly, and brands need to keep up with the latest technologies and trends to stay ahead of the game. One of the most powerful recent commerce technologies is headless commerce. Headless commerce is a method of dividing the front-end and back-end aspects of an eCommerce platform. This strategy offers companies greater adaptability and authority over their customers’ online shopping experiences, which is crucial in today's fast-changing digital environment. In 2023, headless commerce is expected to become a mainstay of eCommerce operations, with more brands than ever adopting it to streamline their operations and boost sales. In this post, we’ll discuss nine headless commerce trends that you need to know to stay ahead of the competition and take commerce to the next level. The Evolution of Headless Commerce Headless commerce has changed over time. It started as a way to address the limitations of traditional eCommerce platforms. These platforms were often inflexible and limited in terms of customization, making it difficult for businesses to create unique and engaging shopping experiences for their customers.  With headless commerce, the front-end and back-end of an eCommerce platform are separated, allowing businesses to customize the presentation layer and integrate with other technologies more easily.  This approach also enables businesses to provide a more seamless and consistent experience across multiple channels, from desktop to mobile to social media. Headless commerce has quickly gained widespread popularity among brands looking for more flexibility and agility in their eCommerce operations. According to a study, over $1.65 billion in financing has been obtained for headless commerce in 2020 and 2021 alone. In addition, 80% of businesses that still don’t practice headless commerce plan to implement it in the next two years. In order for your business to stay competitive, it's crucial to be informed of the latest trends in headless commerce and make the most of your headless commerce strategy. 9 Headless Commerce Trends for 2023 As commerce technologies evolve, integrating headless commerce practices has become an important competitive advantage. To ensure your brand reaches its peak potential in 2023, be aware of these nine crucial headless commerce trends:  1. Mobile-first Strategy A mobile-first strategy is becoming increasingly important, regardless of your industry, in order to maximize both ease of use for your customers and revenue for your brand. With more and more consumers using their mobile devices to make purchases, it’s crucial for organizations to prioritize mobile commerce when optimizing their overall commerce strategy.  Headless commerce allows for more flexibility and customization while creating a mobile-first experience, ensuring a strong brand presence and a consistently frictionless user experience. By adopting a mobile-first strategy powered by headless commerce, you can cater to the changing needs and preferences of your customers without sacrificing back-end functionality. 2. Voice Commerce Voice commerce doesn’t rely on a traditional visual user interface to facilitate shopping. Instead, it uses voice-enabled technology, such as smart speakers or virtual assistants, to let your customers shop at any time that fits their busy schedules.  Voice commerce eliminates the need for a traditional front-end interface altogether, creating a more seamless and intuitive shopping experience. As voice-enabled technology continues to advance and become more widespread, we can expect to see an increase in the adoption of voice commerce as a headless commerce trend. 3. AI & Machine Learning AI and machine learning technologies use data and algorithms to predict customer needs and suggest relevant products or services. This results in a personalized shopping experience, boosting conversion rates and increasing personalization for the consumer.  These technologies can also automate back-end processes like inventory management and order fulfillment. AI and machine learning are quickly becoming foundational elements of both traditional and headless commerce, giving your brand a competitive edge in customer experience management as well as operations. 4. Blockchain Technologies Blockchain technologies allow for secure and transparent transactions without intermediaries like banks or payment processors. Decentralized data storage and management also ensure that data is less vulnerable to hacking or breaches.  In this headless commerce trend, blockchain integration can be used for supply chain management, smart contracts, and secure payment processing in both B2B and B2C contexts. This technology offers faster and more efficient transactions across borders and lowers fees, making it increasingly popular as a headless commerce trend for brands of all sizes. Get hands on with an Elastic Path Free Trial Start building the commerce experience your unique business demands with a free Elastic Path Commerce Cloud account. Get in touch with us and we will setup a Free Trial store for you for six weeks. Sign up for a free trial 5. Virtual Reality Shopping Virtual reality (VR) shopping gives customers a completely immersive and interactive shopping experience. Your customers can explore products in 3D, interact with them, and easily visualize their real-life use, emulating the experience of viewing products in a brick-and-mortar store.  VR shopping lets eCommerce brands showcase their products in a more engaging way, leading to more confident purchasing decisions and less buyer’s remorse. Also, VR shopping is cost-efficient, eliminating or reducing the need for physical retail space.  As the popularity of virtual and augmented reality experiences of all kinds grows, VR shopping is becoming increasingly prevalent, offering customers a unique and exciting way to shop. 6. Social Media Integration Social media integration has become a vital headless commerce trend as customers increasingly use social media to find and buy products. Integrating social media into a headless commerce strategy creates a frictionless and personalized shopping experience that meets consumers where they “live:” on their favorite social media platforms.  With this headless commerce trend, social media can now be used for more than just colorful posts and ads or for building brand awareness. Instead, customers can now also choose to buy products directly from social media platforms with just a click of a button, a quick comment, or a chat message.  This simple shopping experience reduces abandoned carts and buyer hesitation, making it simpler than ever to boost both short-term sales and long-term revenue. 7. eCommerce Microservices Overall eCommerce revenues are expected to reach $7.5 trillion by 2025. To keep up, brands and retailers are seeking new systems to stand out from the crowd. Microservices are among the top choices for large brands like Amazon, Netflix, and Etsy, and could have major benefits for your organization, too.   Microservices are an effective solution for eCommerce challenges like traffic peaks and risk-free testing of new trends and technologies. They also play well with headless commerce setups and facilitate the building of complex omnichannel systems. These advantages allow for testing the latest payment methods, voice assistants, and progressive web apps without taking significant risks. 8. Omnichannel Presence Customers today expect a seamless shopping experience across multiple channels, including online, mobile, social media, and physical stores. Headless commerce enables retailers to decouple the front-end presentation layer from the back-end commerce platform, allowing them to deliver a consistent and robust user experience across all of these channels. This means that customers can start a transaction on one channel and complete it on another quickly, painlessly, with a consistent brand experience each time.  Moreover, retailers can leverage data analytics and AI to personalize the shopping experience for each customer based on their preferences, behavior, and context. By adopting an omnichannel presence, in addition to other key headless commerce trends like these, organizations can not only increase customer satisfaction and brand awareness but also drive revenue growth and competitive differentiation. 9. Adoption of API-Driven Platforms API-driven platforms provide developers with the infrastructure needed to integrate new applications and services. APIs allow your business to create a flexible architecture that can deftly adapt to changing customer demands and market conditions, leading to innovative and engaging digital experiences for customers.  This flexibility goes hand-in-hand with headless commerce’s premise of customizability. As the adoption of APIs continues to surge, so too does headless commerce integration become more prevalent. Leveraging both together is a great way to multiply and optimize the operational ease and streamlined user experience you would gain from either one or the other, creating benefits that only become more apparent with time.  Choosing the Best Headless Commerce Solution with Elastic Path The commerce industry is crowded with technologies that claim to offer a myriad of benefits with a simple setup. Deciding what technology—and which providers—to trust is far from easy.  Not sure what your business needs to stay competitive in a landscape that is tilting toward headless commerce? No problem—our experts can help you select the tools you need. Get in touch with us today to take your commerce capabilities to the next level.
    Topics: headless, technologies, brands, ecommerce, trends, shopping, commerce, crucial, experience, social, customers, media, watch.
  • - In the ever-evolving world of ecommerce, Printful has emerged as the go-to platform for entrepreneurs looking to create and sell custom products online. Under the visionary leadership of CEO Alex Saltonstall, a former general manager at Wayfair—where he led a… Continue reading A Chat with Printful’s CEO, Alex Saltonstall: On Content Creation, Print-on-demand, and Building a Foundation
    Topics: building, entrepreneurs, design, products, saltonstall, printful, alex, business, printfuls, chat, significant, merchants, ecommerce, content, product, printondemand, creation, ceo, foundation.
  • A Complete Guide to Ecommerce Email Marketing in 2023 (+ Examples) - New to ecommerce email marketing? This guide shares an ecommerce email marketing strategy to drive higher CTRs and sales.More
    Topics: customer, examples, purchase, complete, product, good, marketing, ecommerce, offer, customers, guide, emails, list, email.
  • Accelerating Online Shopping: 5 Strategies for E-Commerce Success in Europe - If you're looking to improve your e-commerce conversion rate, here are five effective strategies to utilise.
    Topics: strategies, site, consumers, ecommerce, shopping, traffic, success, sources, customer, data, europe, store, online, accelerating, way.
  • - Ecommerce aggregator Razor Group has taken over German competitor Stryze Group, another acquisition company. The deal was made with shares only. In addition, Razor Group has raised 80 million euros of funding. Razor Group, founded in 2020, is an ecommerce aggregator. This business model consists of acquiring successful marketplace merchants…
    Topics: euros, stronger, acquires, razor, market, million, ecommerce, aggregator, company, smaller, stryze, group.
  • - Bol holds a significant lead in the Twinkle100, the list of the largest online retailers in the Netherlands. The revenue of Bol, as the company is now simply called, is more than twice as high as that of the runner-up, which shares the same owner.Behind the leader Bol, listed with…
    Topics: online, dominant, zalando, list, ecommerce, dutch, billion, delhaize, bol, netherlands, amazon, revenue, million, ahold.
  • - German fulfillment company for DTC ecommerce brands, Alaiko, is launching in the United Kingdom. With its solution, the company wants to help British brands scale domestically and across Europe. In order to do so, they are partnering with a local state-of-the-art fulfillment center. Alaiko is a tech-driven fulfillment company that…
    Topics: kingdom, fulfillment, alaiko, customs, ecommerce, shipping, customers, businesses, company, united, expands, europe, brands, logistics.
  • - Amazon is convinced of the added value of the digital euro, which the European Central Bank (ECB) aims to introduce. The company has built a prototype for its application in ecommerce payments. The central bank for the eurozone is exploring the possibilities for a digital currency. It is intended to…
    Topics: european, amazon, bank, ecommerce, ecb, central, digital, payments, innovation, euro, payment, prototype, accelerates.
  • - We believe that the best shipping software incorporates elements like steep carrier discounts, various shipping methods, and integrations with ecommerce platforms and marketplaces. If you're a small business owner, shipping software is essential for keeping customers happy. Regardless of your… Continue reading Best Ecommerce Shipping Software for 2023
    Topics: fulfillment, shipbob, customers, ecommerce, best, software, shipping, discounts, carriers, month, shipments, labels.
  • Boundless Brands Raises $2.5 Million In Seed Funding - Boundless has also built a full-stack e-commerce platform that enables e-commerce site and app and all the managed e-commerce services
    Topics: fb, million, seed, raises, fullstack, services, sandeep, brands, industry, platform, funding, boundless, managed, ecommerce.
  • - You don't need us to tell you that online shopping has transformed how we buy our essential goods.  Today, it’s possible to purchase many of our necessities from the comfort of our own homes. Gone are the days when we… Continue reading CPG Ecommerce – How to Sell CPG Products Online
    Topics: store, business, online, order, customer, sell, consumer, cpg, products, customers, ecommerce.
  • - PDD Holdings has opened an office in the Irish capital Dublin. It concerns the head office, according to international news outlets, but the company itself vehemently denies this. PDD is the owner of the Chinese online platform Pinduoduo and the international ecommerce comet Temu, recently launched in six European countries.…
    Topics: settles, pdd, temu, ecommerce, headquarters, giant, office, offices, international, dublin, chinese, company, pdds, shanghai.
  • - DHL Group has signed an agreement to acquire 100 percent of MNG Kargo, one of the leading parcel service providers in Turkey. According to DHL, the acquisition secures a leading position in the domestic parcel market. “MNG Kargo complements our business portfolio and will help to strengthen our position in…
    Topics: acquires, delivery, network, dhl, turkey, mng, parcel, ecommerce, turkish, kargo, position, provider, market.
  • - Last week, DHL eCommerce inaugurated its 100,000th access point in Europe. Its parcel network now consists of 80,000 service points and 20,000 parcel lockers. This makes it the largest and densest parcel network on the continent. The ecommerce logistics specialist of DHL Group, DHL eCommerce, opened its latest access point…
    Topics: europe, delivery, services, ecommerce, logistics, access, parcel, dhl, points, network.
  • Dubai-Based Calibrate Commerce Launches Incubator For The MENA's Homegrown E-Commerce Businesses - Calibrate Commerce wants to enable emerging brands to seize the full potential of the digital landscape.
    Topics: menas, incubator, ideas, homegrown, launches, launched, ecommerce, shop, commerce, share, businesses, platform, dubaibased, labs, revenue, calibrate.
  • E-Commerce Firm Meesho Aims To Digitize 10 Million Sellers By 2027 - This goal signifies a ten-fold increase from the SoftBank-backed firm's current seller base of 1.3 million
    Topics: ecommerce, digitize, aims, small, sellers, entrepreneur, commerce, msmes, million, firm, online, businesses, india, meesho.
  • E-Commerce Platform Direct2U Raises INR 1.8 Crore In Seed Funding - The fund raised will be used for technology development, hiring, marketing and expansion plans
    Topics: direct2u, ecommerce, commerce, platform, crore, delivery, ventures, started, seed, inr, raises, rural, entrepreneur, business, growth, flow, funding.
  • E-Commerce Policy Is Expected To Be Released Soon: Report - As per available reports, the e-commerce policy will be aligned with Amendment to Consumer Protection (Ecommerce) Rules, 2020 that seeks to address complaints against unfair trade practices
    Topics: consumer, trade, soon, entrepreneur, companies, meeting, ecommerce, complaints, policy, released, report, expected, rules, unfair.
  • - Are you an ecommerce professional looking to boost your conversions and enhance the user experience of your Shopify store? Then it may pay to look into the new Ecommerce Booster tool from Semrush. This powerful tool allows you to connect… Continue reading Ecommerce Booster: How to Use the New Shopify Optimizer from Semrush
    Topics: product, task, semrush, shopify, ecommerce, store, improve, booster, optimizer, tasks, products, content.
  • - Ecommerce hashtags are one of the most valuable tools store owners can use to boost their online research, brand awareness, and potential for growth. Yet many business leaders still aren’t taking full advantage of the benefits hashtags can offer.On Twitter… Continue reading Ecommerce Hashtags to Use in 2024 (& tips on finding the best Hashtags)
    Topics: ecommerce, finding, media, tips, hashtag, business, help, hashtags, social, posts, tags, best, customers.
  • - The total ecommerce turnover in Italy is estimated to have been worth 75.89 billion euros in 2022. This is a growth of 18.6 percent, when compared to a year earlier. However, most of that growth was caused by price increases. These data come from the Ecommerce in Italy 2023 report…
    Topics: worth, online, turnover, grow, euros, billion, growth, italy, ecommerce, sectors, total, sector.
  • - Most European internet users shop online. Ecommerce is still growing, but slower than before. Last year, Europe’s online B2C total sales volume increased by 6 percent to 899 billion euros. The growth is slower than in 2021. According to a report from Ecommerce and EuroCommerce, ecommerce in Europe grew 12…
    Topics: expect, growth, ecommmerce, volume, ecommerce, expected, europe, grow, continues, slower, sales, total, inflation, online, different.
  • - Ecwid vs BigCommerce: Which solution should you invest in for your company? Both of these tools have proven to be powerful solutions for ecommerce retailers in the past. They both offer their own website building capabilities, access to a range… Continue reading Ecwid vs BigCommerce (2023): Which is Best for Ecommerce Brands
    Topics: website, brands, vs, bigcommerce, ecwid, plan, best, tools, access, options, features, ecommerce, support.
  • - Ecwid vs Wix: which option is actually best for your online business? Both Ecwid and Wix are powerful, and popular software tools, designed to help companies create and grow their online presence in the digital world. They’re both considered relatively… Continue reading Ecwid vs Wix: Which Site Builder is Right for Your Business?
    Topics: website, vs, builder, products, features, online, wix, sell, tools, site, support, right, ecwid, ecommerce, business.
  • - Last week, the European Parliament voted in favor of a revision of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive. According to the revision, all packaging needs to be reusable or recyclable by 2030. The revision has been criticized by several parties, since the EU has not set uniform logistics standards across…
    Topics: revises, directive, packaging, revision, european, return, logistics, recyclable, parliament, needs, ecommerce, reusable.
  • - The European ecommerce market is expected to reach 1.5 trillion dollar by 2027, according to GlobalData in a new research report. This translates to an average annual growth rate of 9 percent.It means that European growth is lagging slightly behind the global growth rate, which GlobalData estimates at 9.5 percent.…
    Topics: rate, ecommerce, grow, globaldata, trillion, dollars, expected, growth, european, market, annually, global.
  • - In 2022, the six biggest ecommerce markets in Europe generated 72 percent of the total European ecommerce spend. The European ecommerce markets that are most developed by penetration rate, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, have returned to their pre-pandemic growth trends. Emerging markets, like Italy and Spain, are still…
    Topics: total, prepandemic, generate, online, european, spain, europes, spend, ecommerce, penetration, trend, italy, markets.
  • - Fasanara Capital, a UK-based institutional asset manager is launching a fintech fund of 1 billion euros together with credit insurer Allianz Trade. The fund will target the B2B ecommerce sector. By doing so, it will boost the sector’s growth. Fasanara Capital is an investment firm and technology platform. It is…
    Topics: capital, allianz, euros, ecommerce, fund, billion, trade, growth, b2b, credit, launches, fasanara.
  • - Ecommerce platform Floodlight has raised 6.4 million dollars in a seed funding round. The company offers a smart business account where ecommerce business owners can manage and optimize their finances. “This seed round is an exciting validation of our platform and its potential to meet the needs of unserved SMEs”,…
    Topics: million, smes, company, raises, seed, ecommerce, solution, offers, floodlight, round, customers, business, euros.
  • - Fnac Darty and CEVA Logistics are establishing a joint venture, called Weavenn. The new venture will offer SaaS marketplace technology solutions, as well as logistics. It is set to be operational as of 2024. The Fnac Darty Group is a well-known French retailer of entertainment and leisure products, consumer electronics…
    Topics: launch, venture, market, weavenn, solutions, ceva, service, group, ecommerce, fnac, joint, darty, logistics.
  • - Romanian ecommerce fulfillment provider Helpship has been acquired by euShipments, a Bulgarian logistics company for online sellers. Thanks to the acquisition, euShipments can strengthen its presence in the Romanian market. Helpship is a fulfillment company from Romania. It was founded in 2016. According to the company, it has shipped 950,000…
    Topics: acquisition, eushipments, logistics, romanian, business, strengthen, fulfillment, helpship, ecommerce, company, acquired.
  • - Experimenting with generative artificial intelligence like ChatGPT may rather quickly lead to faster and more creative text ‘writing’, but the technology harbours many more opportunities for ecommerce. However, not without risk. Therefore, a look at strategy and concrete examples is in order.Firstly, the phrase ‘AI is everywhere’ has become quite…
    Topics: tools, customer, online, virtual, ai, look, ecommerce, texts, chatgpt, tool, generative, need.
  • Get Buyers to Do What You Want: The Power of Temptation Bundling in Sales - In the world of online shopping, businesses are always sniffing out the next big thing. But what happens when you build a company entirely around something people don’t want anyway? Maybe you sell gym memberships. Perhaps you provide tax services or software to help people manage their money. What happens, then?
    Topics: dont, power, bundling, sales, ecommerce, customer, products, buyers, temptation, bundles, target.
  • Government Launches E-Commerce Portal For Artisans - According to the textile ministry statement, the portal reportedly doesn't charge any commission from sellers and provides free shipping with a return option to customers along with multiple payment gateways to pay online
    Topics: products, lakh, portal, launches, multiple, ministry, weavers, artisans, free, ecommerce, sellers, reportedly.
  • How E-Commerce SMEs Can Keep Up With Evolving Consumer Behaviors - For SMEs especially, to continuously invest in new strategies every 8-12 months is counterproductive and a roadmap to bankruptcy.
    Topics: customer, online, behaviors, service, ecommerce, consumer, uae, services, experience, evolving, market, consumers, smes.
  • How Ecommerce And Tech Companies Can Learn From Each Other - Direct-to-consumer brands and Saas companies have more to learn from each other than you might think.
    Topics: ecommerce, companies, saas, loyalty, learn, brand, software, market, tech, users.
  • How Ecommerce Businesses Can Beat Rising Ad Costs and Build Resiliency in Times of Economic Uncertainty - Find the ideal offer model for your eCommerce business to be resilient in the face of economic and industry shocks.
    Topics: costs, offer, offering, customer, customers, ecommerce, beat, model, product, rising, free, businesses, purchase, ad, value.
  • How Elastic Path Empowers the Developer Community - In the world of e-commerce, Elastic Path has been driving technology forward. Providing amazing API-first solutions, and leveraging modern development techniques from microservices to edge computing, Elastic Path empowers developers to build robust websites and applications. Elastic Path's success is driven by adoption from the developer community. Let’s explore how Elastic Path fosters a vibrant ecosystem of passionate developers, providing the tools, resources, and support they need to succeed in the ecommerce space. By nurturing a strong developer community, Elastic Path not only stays at the forefront of ecommerce technology, but also helps shape the future of digital commerce. So, let's dive in and discover how Elastic Path is championing developers and enabling them to bring their best ideas to life. Just read the docs! At this point, “Just read the documentation”, has become a meme within the developer community. There is nothing worse than having no documentation, incomplete documentation, or unintelligible content auto-generated from the source code. This is why proper and complete documentation is at the heart of Elastic Path's developer resources. Elastic Path has a team of full-time documentation writers constantly augmenting and improving the content. This is crucial for developers to get up to speed with the platform and maximize their productivity. One of the key aspects of the documentation is the comprehensive collection of guides and tutorials available. These materials cover everything from getting started with Elastic Path to in-depth explanations of advanced features and use cases, ensuring developers have the information they need. Documentation needs to go deeper than surface level information. Elastic Path's API documentation is meticulously crafted, offering clear and concise explanations of all available endpoints, parameters, and expected responses. The documentation also covers business requirements and non-API aspects including data modeling. This makes it easy for developers to understand the capabilities of the platform and seamlessly integrate Elastic Path into their applications. Elastic Path also offers an online learning portal that contains both developer and architect courses. These courses allow developers to get up to speed quickly with comprehensive technical content. With a combination of videos, hands-on exercises, and interactive content, it’s a great place for developers to learn the products and tools available. SDKs and Tools While it’s possible to call an API directly through code, having a set of tools and SDKs simplifies both experimenting with the APIs and the final code. Elastic Path has a comprehensive JavaScript and Typescript SDK available. There is also a host of language-specific SDKs available on GitHub to help simplify the development process and ensure developers can work in their preferred programming languages. These SDKs cover common tasks, reduce boilerplate code and allow developers to focus on specific business functionality instead of re-inventing the wheel. Recognizing the importance of practical examples, Elastic Path’s GitHub also provides a collection of samples and starter projects that demonstrate how to leverage the platform's features. These resources serve as a valuable reference for developers, helping them to quickly grasp key concepts and apply them to their own projects. By learning from real-world examples, developers can gain a deeper understanding of best practices and avoid common pitfalls. Integration with popular development tools is another critical aspect of Elastic Path's support for the developer community. A full Postman collection is available to help navigate the API in familiar software. This postman collection is compatible with Insomnia. In addition, examples are provided on GitHub for calling the APIs through the VSCode REST extension for even more flexibility in testing and experimenting with the Elastic Path Commerce Cloud API. These options not only enhance productivity but also enables developers to leverage the full range of tools and services they are already familiar with, further reducing the learning curve. Developer communication and support A key aspect of Elastic Path's commitment to empowering the developer community is providing active spaces for communication and support channels where developers can engage with each other and with Elastic Path experts. Elastic Path is launching a dedicated Slack Community for developers. In this community developers can ask questions, share knowledge, and collaborate on challenges they encounter while working with the platform as well as gain guidance from Elastic Path employees. For live content, Elastic Path hosts frequent webinars and workshops. These events cover a variety of topics, ranging from new features to best practices, ensuring that developers stay informed and up to date. Elastic Path also offers highly skilled technical support to assist developers in resolving any issues they may face. Furthermore, developers can benefit from collaborating with experts working in Elastic Path's Global Services department, who possess deep knowledge of the platform capabilities and digital commerce industry knowledge as veterans in the space. To extend its support beyond individual developers, Elastic Path has established a robust partner program that supports agencies and solution integrators. This program gives partners the support they need including resources and training to help them deliver amazing ecommerce solutions. Get hands on with an Elastic Path Free Trial Start building the commerce experience your unique business demands with a free Elastic Path Commerce Cloud account. Get in touch with us and we will setup a Free Trial store for you for six weeks. Sign up for a free trial Open source Every developer loves and relies on open source, that includes the developers at Elastic Path. The company recognizes the value of open-source development and actively supports the community. One of the ways Elastic Path fosters community-driven development is by promoting and participating in open-source initiatives related to its platform. This approach not only helps to improve the overall quality and functionality of Elastic Path's offerings but also provides developers with a broader range of tools and capabilities to enhance their e-commerce solutions. This includes the 30+ repositories on Elastic Path’s GitHub page as well as community created projects. To further acknowledge and celebrate the vital role developers play in the Elastic Path ecosystem, the company is launching a new Most Valuable Professional (MVP) program in 2023. This program will recognize key contributors who make significant impacts in the developer community, especially around open source. By offering recognition and rewards to these outstanding individuals, Elastic Path aims to inspire more developers to contribute and collaborate within the community. Expect to hear more about recognized MVPs later this year. Elastic Path's developer outreach programs Elastic Path actively engages with the developer community through various outreach programs designed to inspire, educate, and facilitate knowledge sharing. One such initiative is the recent Hackernoon Writing Contest, where developers are encouraged to share their experiences, insights, and success stories related to ecommerce and web development. This contest not only recognizes and rewards outstanding content but also fosters a culture of knowledge sharing and collaboration within the community. Elastic Path also sponsors DZone surveys and roundtables, funding valuable input on industry trends. These roundtables bring together experts from different companies and backgrounds to share their unique perspectives on technology. The Elastic Path blog is an excellent place to learn about ecommerce and contains a wealth of knowledge. Elastic Path also contributes information content to the places developers frequent most, including Hackernoon, DZone, dev.to. By contributing articles Elastic Path can share valuable insights and practical guidance on a range of topics beyond ecommerce. Developer feedback Elastic Path believes that developer feedback is key in creating the best possible digital commerce solution. By gathering input from the developer community, Elastic Path can quickly identify areas for enhancement and stay abreast of the changing tech landscape. This feedback loop drives continuous improvement, innovation, and allows the product roadmap to tightly align with the needs of its users. There are multiple ways for developers to provide feedback or submit feature requests. These include support, customer success, and developer relations. Developers have multiple ways and options to voice their opinions and contribute to the platform's development. Elastic Path also participates in developer events and conferences. This includes speaking on various topics, sponsoring a booth, or simply attending to interact with the event. These events provide even more opportunities for developers to connect with Elastic Path employees, share their experiences, and discuss what is happening in the ecommerce technology space. Looking forward Elastic Path has developers at its core, success is tightly coupled to ensuring developers succeed in building exciting new digital shopping experiences. Extensive documentation, robust tools, communication channels, open-source collaboration, and valuable outreach programs, make up the actions, but this developer-centric mindset funnels through the culture of the entire company. Expect Elastic Path to double down on developers and invest even more in the developer community. The company's vision for the future includes expanding its offerings, enhancing its platforms, and making it even easier for developers to learn and build. As the ecommerce landscape continues to evolve, Elastic Path and its developer community will play a crucial role in shaping the future of digital commerce. This tech-forward, developer mindset is what keeps Elastic Path at the forefront of ecommerce technology and leader in the space. Having already pioneered API-First and Composable Commerce, it’s exciting to see how Elastic Path will shape the industry in the future.  
    Topics: support, ecommerce, elastic, developer, paths, developers, path, tools, documentation, community, empowers.
  • How This New Style of Ecommerce is Transforming Online Business - Ecommerce is complex and time-consuming, and Done For You (DFY) services offer a way to outsource day-to-day operations to professionals, saving you time, money, and stress. It allows entrepreneurs to focus on other aspects of their business while experts take care of the operational tasks, leading to higher conversion rates and increased revenue potential.
    Topics: entrepreneurs, system, ecommerce, store, transforming, marketing, experts, help, business, online, dfy.
  • How to Balance Ecommerce and Brick-and-Mortar Shopping Expectations Through Relationship Marketing - Here's how relationship marketing is critical to balancing ecommerce and brick-and-mortar shopping expectations.
    Topics: data, growth, pandemic, stores, brickandmortar, retail, expectations, physical, ecommerce, shopping, customers, balance, relationships.
  • - Wix simplifies the process of creating a website, while Printify streamlines the design and printing of premium products. Combine the two, and you have a perfect duo for a print-on-demand business. This pairing offers efficient website design and management, on-demand… Continue reading How to Connect Printify to Wix and Start Selling (2024)
    Topics: offers, store, printondemand, ecommerce, products, start, wix, connect, printify, selling, product, customers.
  • - The main goal of an ecommerce marketing plan is to drive traffic to the website, increase brand awareness, and ultimately generate more sales. Learn how to create a marketing plan for your ecommerce business in this brief guide. What Is… Continue reading How to Create an Ecommerce Marketing Plan
    Topics: website, media, plan, ecommerce, audience, create, content, social, reach, customers, users, marketing.
  • How to Expand Your Market and Reach More Customers for Your Ecommerce Business Through Accessibility - A solid accessibility plan can help you reach online consumers with disabilities.
    Topics: delights, experience, disabilities, ecommerce, create, market, screen, content, compliance, accessible, design, tools, users, seo, accessibility.
  • How to Map Your Ecommerce Customer Journey [Template Included] - We’ve discussed how the customer journey impacts sales, service, and marketers.
    Topics: customer, stage, ecommerce, customers, included, template, map, social, information, problem, experience, product, journey.
  • - So, you want to migrate from Wix to Shopify? There are many reasons to do so (which we explain below), but it’s important to walk through the appropriate steps to ensure your migration goes as smoothly as possible. In this… Continue reading How to Migrate from Wix to Shopify: 7 Easy Steps
    Topics: file, shopify, wix, ecommerce, import, easy, products, data, apps, migration, steps, migrate.
  • How to Transform Your Company's Website Into a Real Money Maker This Holiday Season - Ecommerce is not only for retail businesses — service-based businesses need to seize the holiday season market, too. Here's a strategic plan for SMBs and the agencies that serve them, emphasizing the benefits of transforming websites into transactional sites.
    Topics: agencies, services, sites, ecommerce, businesses, website, powerhouse, online, revenue, transactional, holiday, smbs, digital.
  • - This year, the turnover of online stores in the Netherlands is expected to grow 4 percent, compared to last year. In 2022, a decrease of 2 percent in turnover was measured, says Dutch bank ING. At the same time, for the first time in a decade, the amount of sales…
    Topics: turnover, stores, netherlands, retail, physical, ing, ecommerce, grow, sales, expected, online, dutch.
  • - Is dropshipping legal? This is a question you might be asking yourself if you’re planning on launching a store following the dropshipping business model. After all, dropshipping involves actively selling products created by a third-party manufacturer, with help from a… Continue reading Is Dropshipping Legal? The Ethics and Risks of Dropshipping
    Topics: youll, ecommerce, business, dropshipping, shipping, legal, products, risks, need, ethics, youre, customers.
  • - Lufthansa Cargo has the ambition to establish a ‘European same-day and ecommerce network’, centered around Frankfurt. Frankfurt Airport is set to become one of the world’s most significant ecommerce hubs.Lufthansa Cargo clearly expressed this ambition on Aviation Day. CEO Ashwin Bhat emphasized the company’s objective “to build a European same-day…
    Topics: ecommerce, worlds, cargo, expands, leading, online, european, hub, customs, frankfurt, companies, lufthansa.
  • Meesho Announces Its First Monthly Profit And Plans For IPO - Meesho Founder and CEO Vidit Aatrey said that a 43% surge in order volumes and 54% increase in revenue in the last 12 month contributed to the profitability of the company
    Topics: meesho, plans, order, ipo, ecommerce, entrepreneur, profitability, month, revenue, profit, announces, monthly, vidit, aatrey.
  • New E-Commerce Policy In Progress: Government - DPIIT secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh said that the draft regulations would first be discussed in public before the government would take a final view
    Topics: online, singh, secretary, policy, ondc, ecommerce, entrepreneur, progress, dpiit, upi, network.
  • - Ochama, a retail concept from the Chinese ecommerce giant JD.com, has announced the expansion of its home delivery services to an additional 19 European countries, bringing the total to 24 countries on the continent.Initially launched in the Netherlands in January 2022, Ochama offers a retail model that combines online and…
    Topics: ochama, countries, european, active, netherlands, jdcom, orders, pickup, ecommerce, brand, services.
  • - OnBuy, dubbed by The Financial Times as the ‘fastest growing ecommerce company in Europe’, owes its success to its independent position towards the retailers in its marketplace. That is what Cas Paton, the CEO and founder of the UK company, says in an interview with Internet Retailing. OnBuy does not…
    Topics: turnover, ecommerce, onbuy, selling, success, paton, growth, company, stock, pound, retailers.
  • - Most online companies in Germany are located in the Western regions North Rhine Westphalia (22 percent) and Bavaria (17 percent). Only 1.75 percent come from the Eastern regions Thuringia and 1 percent from Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. These data come from the first E-Commerce Atlas Germany, a study by Ibi Research, Amazon…
    Topics: companies, trade, east, west, study, million, online, germany, average, ecommerce, marketplaces, sellers, differs, turnover.
  • Piyush Goyal Invites All E-Commerce Players To a Much Larger Market - The minister highlighted that ONDC will foster economies of scale, competition and better pricing along with quality that will ultimately benefit consumers
    Topics: commerce, network, piyush, digital, platform, goyal, players, open, minister, companies, ondc, india, larger, ecommerce, invites, market.
  • - In this episode, Drew talks with Andrew Youderian on the  eCommerceFuel.com podcast to explain how to leverage post cards in your business, how his companies are gearing up for Black Friday, and more.  Subscribe: iTunes | Stitcher Highlights The best way to utilize post cards for a significantly higher return on investment than other marketing […]
    Topics: podcast, fuel, interview, ecommerce.
  • - Do you want to profit from your designs without physically dealing with stock and managing shipping logistics? If so, dropshipping might be a suitable ecommerce fulfillment model for you.  Fortunately, there are plenty of dropshipping platforms to choose from: and… Continue reading Printify vs Spocket (2023): What’s The Difference?
    Topics: products, shipping, printify, sell, product, suppliers, whats, spocket, vs, shopify, ecommerce, store, difference.
  • - Your product photography is one of the most important elements of your ecommerce business. This ultimate product photo DIY guide will help you get them right every time.
    Topics: youre, images, white, stores, photos, guide, ultimate, diy, light, youll, ecommerce, product, photography, way, products.
  • - Choosing the best ecommerce platform for your business is one of the first and most important steps you’ll need to take when diving into the online world. Whether you’re starting your online brand for the first time, or just expanding… Continue reading Quick Step by Step Guide to Choosing the Best Ecommerce Platform
    Topics: guide, platform, quick, online, ecommerce, need, best, help, solution, youre, store, step, tools, business, choosing.
  • Reliance To Lead India's $150 Billion E-Commerce Market In Long Run: Berstein - Berstein also said the winner in the Indian e-commerce market will be the one with the most-compelling integrated value proposition, in terms of offline, online and as well as prime
    Topics: report, reliance, strong, indias, retail, terms, largest, market, run, lead, berstein, network, long, billion, ecommerce.
  • - Spanish returns management software provider Rever has raised 7.5 million euros in a seed funding round. The capital injection will be used to fund the startup’s growth and international expansion. The company will be adding AI-powered functionalities to its offer later this year. Rever is a startup based in Barcelona.…
    Topics: million, company, raises, software, startup, wants, rever, platform, strengthen, ecommerce, capital, scale, returns.
  • - French software solution for services marketplaces, Scnd, has raised 4 million euros in a funding round. The company wants to use the capital injection to expand its ecommerce solution, as well as strengthen its position in the market. Scnd is a French SaaS solution for the service industry. The company…
    Topics: ecommerce, tech, solution, united, euros, industry, existing, service, company, million, funding, scnd, round, secures.
  • - Software provider for ecommerce brands, Shop Circle, has raised 120 million dollars (111.8 million euros) in a funding round. The startup will use the capital injection to expand its suite of products. It wants to become a one-stop shop software provider for online sellers. Shop Circle was launched in the…
    Topics: circle, suite, shop, provider, dollars, secures, wants, software, brands, funding, ecommerce, million, round.
  • - With more and more consumers turning to online shopping, it's no wonder entrepreneurs are looking for increasingly more effective ways to sell online. Fortunately, learning how to build an ecommerce website has become easier than ever, thanks to user-friendly website… Continue reading Shopify Website Builder Explained – Building an Online Store with Ease
    Topics: builder, products, theme, themes, building, ecommerce, online, offers, ease, month, explained, store, website, shopify.
  • - In the ecommerce world, there are dozens of tools and platforms on the market that can assist you with launching your own online store.  But with so many choices, how do you know which is best? Fear not; you've come… Continue reading Shopify vs BigCommerce vs WooCommerce (2023) – Which is Best for You?
    Topics: woocommerce, features, best, vs, support, shopify, bigcommerce, ecommerce, wordpress, store, platform.
  • - Suppose you're looking for the right ecommerce platform for your business, and you've already started doing some research. In that case, you'll likely know there's a fair amount to consider. So, to help speed this process up, we're shining a… Continue reading Shopify vs Wix vs Squarespace vs WordPress (2023): The Ultimate Showdown
    Topics: wordpress, free, shopify, ecommerce, website, support, store, including, vs, ultimate, squarespace, showdown, wix.
  • - Shopify vs Zyro: Which website building platform is best for you? On the surface, both Shopify and Zyro have a lot in common. They each offer business owners and entrepreneurs an easy-to-use environment where they can create a branded website,… Continue reading Shopify vs Zyro (2023): Choosing your Website Builder
    Topics: builder, shopify, zyro, website, ecommerce, tools, plus, business, vs, sales, online, features, choosing.
  • - Ecommerce software provider Shopline is expanding into Europe. The Singapore-based company is launching a European headquarters in London. It raised 182 million dollars last year in order to accelerate its global expansion. Shopline is a website builder for online merchants. With its customizable themes, sellers can quickly launch their website.…
    Topics: customers, shopline, uk, media, social, brands, company, launches, website, ecommerce, customer, platform.
  • - In today’s SmartrMail review, we’re looking at one of the most convenient email and SMS marketing solutions, specifically designed for ecommerce store owners. One of the simplest tools for automated advertising and customer messaging, SmartrMail has made a real impact… Continue reading SmartrMail Review: Everything You Need to Know
    Topics: know, need, ecommerce, smartrmail, marketing, emails, review, email, plus, designed, solution, sms, customers.
  • - Online retailers in Switzerland are facing a shortage of suitable logistics locations within the country. They are outsourcing warehousing or seeking solutions across the border, according to the Swiss Handelszeitung. Over the past decades, ecommerce in Switzerland has experienced significant growth in both the private and business sectors. This has…
    Topics: estate, logistics, swiss, shortage, warehouse, faces, suitable, ecommerce, customers, switzerland, warehouses, warehousing, real, locations, companies.
  • - Takko Fashion, a major textile discount formula from Germany, has further expanded its European ecommerce activities. Shortly after opening an online store in the Netherlands, the company has started online sales in France.With nearly two thousand stores in 17 European countries, over half of which are in Germany, Takko Fashion…
    Topics: sales, starts, online, dutch, ecommerce, takko, european, france, germany, stores, store, fashion.
  • - Temu, the rapidly growing ecommerce player from China, has expanded its European delivery network through partnerships in Germany, Italy, Spain, and Portugal. More logistic collaborations seem to be on the horizon. Temu launched in Europe about seven months ago, following its U.S. launch in September last year. Its business model…
    Topics: delivery, alliance, european, italy, germany, network, mobile, italiane, expands, temu, ecommerce, logistic.
  • - Does your eCommerce business operate in Europe? Suppose it does, and you’re considering outsourcing order fulfillment, product storage, and shipping. In that case, finding a reputable and reliable order fulfillment company is imperative.  So, I'm shining a light on a… Continue reading The Best Fulfillment Companies in Europe
    Topics: fba, fulfillment, companies, shipping, order, ecommerce, amazon, best, europe, including, products, inventory.
  • The TikTok-ification of Ecommerce — What is Next For Online Shoppers? - TikTok and social commerce have taken over the online shopping experience, and the U.S. is just catching on.
    Topics: social, changed, product, video, users, ecommerce, commerce, content, tiktok, platform, forever, dont.
  • - An ecommerce website redesign project can be an expensive, sometimes complicated, and time-consuming process. Whether you’re just making basic changes to your site’s aesthetic, or adding new functionality to your store, there’s a lot to consider, from site trends to… Continue reading The Ultimate Guide to Ecommerce Website Redesign
    Topics: ecommerce, website, customers, ultimate, site, sure, redesign, guide, brand, design, need, store.
  • The Ultimate Guide to eCommerce Payment Processing - eCommerce is booming, and with more people shopping online than ever before, having a streamlined and efficient payment process is essential. However, with so many payment methods and processors available, and so many new payment trends, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. When you have a reliable eCommerce payment processor, platform, or service provider, you spend less time maintaining the back end of your commerce experience and more time managing orders, improving customer experience, and expanding your business. Having a great payment processing setup gives you the freedom to work on business priorities, such as landing new clients and providing customers with a sterling experience. In this ultimate guide to eCommerce payment processing, you’ll learn everything you need to know about accepting payments online – from understanding the different types of payment methods to choosing the best payment processor for your business. What is eCommerce Payment Processing? eCommerce payment processing is the process of accepting online payments. eCommerce payment processing first involves the customer inputting payment information, which a payment gateway validates and uses to process the transaction via a merchant account. The goal of eCommerce payment processing is to provide a secure, reliable, and convenient way for customers to pay for online purchases – while also ensuring that sellers receive payment quickly and efficiently. As digital commerce has grown, reliable and secure payment solutions are necessary to handle the high volume of online transactions. eCommerce payment processing is now crucial for any online business, as it allows merchants to accept payments from customers worldwide. And with the growth of mobile and digital payments, eCommerce payment processing is set to become even more important in the future. What is a Payment Gateway? A payment gateway is a software application that makes it easy for businesses to accept and process customer payments online. Payment gateways act as a bridge between a merchant's website and the financial institution handling the customer's payment, ensuring that sensitive information such as credit card details are appropriately encrypted.  While most payment gateways come with fees, there are many different options available on the market today. Businesses can choose the one that best fits their needs and start accepting payments online quickly and easily. Payment Gateway Examples With a bevy of choices available, choosing the best payment gateway for your business can be hard. Here are some of the leading payment gateways that could fit your unique business needs: PayPal: PayPal is a popular online payment gateway that allows individuals and businesses to make and receive payments online. Users can link their bank account, credit card, or debit card to their account and use it to make or receive payments for goods and services.   Stripe:  Stripe integrates with business websites and mobile apps, allowing customers to enter their payment information and complete a transaction securely. Stripe often processes payments, deducts fees, and transfers the funds directly to a business's bank account.   Square: Square is a digital payment processing platform with a range of features and services for businesses, including point-of-sale (POS) hardware and software, online payment processing, invoicing, and analytics. The platform is designed to be easy to use and accessible to businesses of all sizes, with no setup fees, monthly fees, or long-term contracts.   Elastic Path Payments Powered by Stripe: Elastic Path Payments, powered by Stripe, is a fantastic all-around eCommerce payment processing solution for businesses of all sizes. With a robust and secure payment processing platform and a broad range of plug-and-play integrations and solutions, this state-of-the-art payment system will propel your business to a new level of efficiency and profitability.     Get hands on with an Elastic Path Free Trial Start building the commerce experience your unique business demands with a free Elastic Path Commerce Cloud account. Get in touch with us and we will setup a Free Trial store for you for six weeks. Sign up for a free trial Factors to Consider When Choosing an eCommerce Payment Gateway While many payment gateway options are available, brands should still look for a few specific factors when choosing a payment gateway. Here are some of the key factors brands should consider when choosing an eCommerce payment processing system:  Security: To protect your business from the stress and potential liability of a data breach, be sure that your payment gateway is as committed to security as you are and can protect your business’s and clients’ sensitive information.    Integration: Your payment gateway should seamlessly integrate with your website or eCommerce platform to ensure a smooth checkout process for customers.   Fees: Consider the fees charged by the payment gateway, including transaction, monthly, and setup fees, and make sure they’re affordable for your business.   Customer Support: Pick a payment gateway that offers reliable customer support to address any unforeseen issues during the payment process. What is a Payment Processor in eCommerce? A payment processor is a third-party service provider that facilitates transactions between a merchant and their customers. Payment processors handle the authorization, processing, and settlement of payment transactions in a secure environment.  eCommerce payment processors act as a bridge between the merchant's bank account and the customer's bank account, ensuring the secure transfer of payments. While payment gateways act as a conduit between the merchant and the payment processor, it is the payment processor that handles the actual transaction. Best Practices for eCommerce Payment Security Making online purchases is simple and convenient, but has historically also come with risks, particularly regarding payment security. As a result, businesses need to take extra steps to secure their eCommerce payment processing systems and protect their (and their customers’) sensitive information. Here are eCommerce payment security best practices: Use HTTPS and SSL encryption for security: HTTPS and SSL encryption ensures that all data transmitted between the customer's browser and the website is encrypted and can’t be intercepted by hackers. Implement two-factor authentication: Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security by requiring customers to enter a code or use a separate device to confirm their identity before completing a transaction. Store customer data securely: Proper storage of customer data incorporates a range of techniques, including using strong passwords, limiting access to sensitive data, and regularly backing up data to prevent loss in the event of a breach. Conduct regular security audits and updates: Security audits and updates involve regularly reviewing and updating security protocols, testing for vulnerabilities, and staying up-to-date with the latest security threats and technologies. Streamline Your eCommerce Payment Processing with Elastic Path Clearly, eCommerce payment processing involves many moving parts. Your customers expect a strong, seamless commerce experience, and will do business elsewhere if paying is a hassle or their data is breached. At Elastic Path, we’re dedicated to providing the best eCommerce payment processing solutions for businesses of all sizes. Our experts are always on hand to assist you in choosing and setting up an eCommerce payment solution that works for your brand. Get in touch and learn how Elastic Path can provide an eCommerce payment processing solution that serves your customers, boosts your brand, and grows your business.
    Topics: payment, gateway, customers, guide, online, data, fees, payments, business, processing, ecommerce, ultimate.
  • - TikTok will cease TikTok Storefront and its associated Shopify integration within the next two weeks. European merchants will need to sell directly on TikTok Shop in the future to attract customers on the rapidly growing platform. This change will soon apply to British merchants. Currently, they can still utilize TikTok…
    Topics: platform, directly, ecommerce, products, tiktok, plug, shop, storefront, sell, pulls, showcase, merchants.
  • Top 15 Ecommerce Platforms of 2023: Find the Best One for Your Business - Today's businesses need a reliable ecommerce platform to expand their online presence. Luckily, organizations can simplify operations, provide seamless shopping experiences, and manage their online stores more efficiently with an ecommerce platform.
    Topics: platform, business, free, templates, online, analytics, platforms, best, customizable, features, need, ecommerce, businesses.
  • Top 6 Ecommerce Trends You Need to Know in 2023 - In the modern world of accelerated digital advancements, the tech landscape of ecommerce is regularly evolving. With the groundbreaking growth in artificial intelligence and other technologies, how customers interact with respective brands has experienced a prominent shift.
    Topics: customer, online, ecommerce, need, tech, social, trends, modern, know, customers, trend, shopping.
  • Turn 'Likes' into Easy Sales — Why Social Commerce is Crucial for Growth - Buoyed by the rise of the creator economy and consumers' changing social media and shopping habits, social commerce has become a growth engine for the retail industry.
    Topics: content, products, likes, media, sales, online, consumers, ecommerce, shopping, creators, turn, social, commerce.
  • Want Better Internet Sales? Use This Overlooked Strategy - The employment of this service eliminates the need to hire, train and manage an in-house team, an endeavor that can drain substantial resources in terms of time and money.
    Topics: ecommerce, overlooked, dfy, customer, digital, service, business, data, services, businesses, operational, strategy, transforming.
  • - Irish ecommerce financier Wayflyer has renewed a 300 million dollar (276.7 million euros) debt line. It is currently deploying 2 billion dollars (1.84 billion euros) to more than 3,000 ecommerce business globally. Wayflyer was founded in Dublin in 2019. It has offices in the United States, Australia and across Europe.…
    Topics: opportunity, online, renewed, companies, ecommerce, million, billion, market, dollars, businesses, huge, wayflyer, financed, company.
  • - Last week, the winners of the biggest competition for online sellers in the Adriatic region were announced. The main award, Best in Adriatic, went to Slovenian online store Malinca. In total, 242 online stores from Croatia, Slovenia and Serbia entered the competition. The Web Retailer Award show was held on…
    Topics: announced, web, malincasi, stores, ecommerce, adriatic, award, won, retailer, winners, best, online.
  • - Ecommerce replatforming, or ecommerce migration, is more common than many business owners realize. Over time, the needs of your company and your customers will undoubtedly change. Technology in the ecommerce world will evolve, and your initial ecommerce platform may become… Continue reading What is Ecommerce Replatforming? The Guide to Ecommerce Migration
    Topics: data, site, guide, need, solution, replatforming, ecommerce, youre, migration, platform, process.
  • - One of the reasons Shopify is one of the world’s most popular ecommerce platforms, is that it’s constantly updating its functionality to serve the needs of evolving businesses. In the last few years, Shopify has introduced a range of new… Continue reading What is Shopify Markets? An Introductory Guide
    Topics: guide, shopify, introductory, using, local, markets, ecommerce, store, automatically, customers, sales, international.
  • - You’re not alone. One of the biggest challenges any ecommerce vendor faces, is knowing which high-demand products are most likely to increase their revenue. Trends can change quickly in the online landscape, and failure to keep up could mean you… Continue reading What to Sell Online in 2023: 20 Trending Products for Ecommerce
    Topics: customers, sure, market, online, products, right, ecommerce, help, selling, items, trending, sell.
  • Which is Better: Using a Marketing Agency vs In-house? - A common question eCommerce businesses ask themselves is if relying on a marketing agency vs in-house resources makes the most sense. The short answer is: it depends. Both options have several pros and cons—which approach you choose will be influenced by factors like the size and stage of your business, your existing marketing knowledge, and […]
    Topics: better, business, working, vs, team, inhouse, agencies, agency, using, internal, marketing, ecommerce.
  • Why Ecommerce Businesses Can't Afford to Stand Still During a Downturn (and What They Must Do Instead) - Here's how ecommerce businesses can take advantage of the current downturn and race ahead of the competition.
    Topics: economic, ecommerce, wait, businesses, need, organizations, transformation, technologies, downturn, succeed, platform, inflation.
  • Why Influencers and Ecommerce Should Be the New Power Duo for Your Business - The convergence of ecommerce with social media influencers creates a dynamic symphony of trust, engagement, and sales.
    Topics: influencers, online, sales, social, shopping, product, growth, trust, brands, impact, coupled, brand, ecommerce, digital.
  • Why Social Shopping Could be the Future of E-Commerce [Top Trends & Data from 500+ Social Commerce Pros] - Have you ever gone on social media with the intent of scrolling for entertainment, but left the app with a new purchase?
    Topics: trends, media, marketing, brands, future, social, ugc, commerce, selling, pros, data, sellers, content, community, customers, ecommerce, shopping.
  • - If you've used WordPress for e-commerce, you've probably heard of WooCommerce. It's the crown jewel of the ecommerce world and considered one of the best plugins for WordPress. Not only does WooCommerce boast a large collection of features in a… Continue reading WooCommerce Review (2023): The King of Ecommerce Plugins on WordPress
    Topics: review, product, theme, king, woocommerce, wordpress, ecommerce, plugins, products, plugin, free, site.
  • eCommerce Microservices Explained: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly - This post was originally published on October 21, 2018 and has been updated for accuracy and relevance to the current market. In today’s world, a one-size-fits-all commerce approach won’t get the job done. It is crucial that brands within eCommerce consistently evolve with today’s market demands and the needs of customers. One of the best ways to do this? eCommerce microservices. eCommerce microservices allow you to meet customer expectations in a fast and flexible manner, so you can always stay up-to-date with eCommerce best practices and new technologies.  But are you aware of all there is to know about eCommerce microservices? Let’s break down the good, the bad, and the ugly truth about microservices in eCommerce that brands like yours should know. What Are eCommerce Microservices? Microservices are small services that are loosely coupled, independently deployed, and organized around business capabilities that enable the rapid, frequent, and reliable delivery of large complex applications.  Though they were established a decade ago, microservices are still new to many commerce practitioners. While many developers are adapting to and experimenting with microservices for eCommerce, others have continued to shy away because of the perceived complexity and risk. That’s likely to change in future years, as Composable Commerce makes it easier to work in microservices architecture. As you decide whether an ecommerce microservices architecture is right for you, here’s what to consider: Need help evaluating eCommerce Solutions? Connect with an Elastic Path expert to answer all of your questions, set up a demo, access a free trial, or discuss pricing options. Get in Touch The Good: Benefits of eCommerce Microservices Microservices are known for unparalleled flexibility and modularity. Standing up a new customer experience and adding additional customer experiences can be done fast with microservices technology.  Microservices are fully independent: Separate platforms, deployments, and data storage capabilities exist separately from each other. If a developer needs to make a new microservice and works in Javascript, he or she can make the microservice in Javascript. They don’t need to learn a new language in order to keep growing the platform. This way, any new application can be built quickly and has a reduced time-to-market. This is the complete opposite of a full-stack monolithic suite, in which the most functionality lives in a single service that is tested, deployed, and scaled as a single unit. To get a platform working requires integration phases, quality assurance, and a shared language. Expanding the monolithic suite to include other touchpoints and devices requires a substantial customization, making it cost-prohibitive to explore new ideas.   The Bad: Common eCommerce Microservices Challenges When companies are moving from a monolithic to a microservices eCommerce solution, challenges do arise. After all, having a monolithic pattern means having infrastructure, licenses, and organizational structure built around a monolithic technology. The possible challenges of a full-on replatform of a solution that was not built from the ground up with APIs and microservices include: Laying off or retraining workers Dealing with duplicative data and connections Losing control of your database Adjusting your cross-functional organizational capabilities and communication These challenges don’t override the benefits of an eCommerce microservices architecture. Choosing an API-first, microservices-based commerce solution such as Elastic Path ensures that you have support as you incrementally replace your monolithic system and retrain your team. The Ugly: The Downside of Adopting eCommerce Microservices Without Support The biggest downside of microservices is the complexity that the mini-services introduce into your team’s developer architecture. When eCommerce microservices first came onto the scene, developers found that they were managing multiple microservices at once. It made for unlinked, challenging work and a process that wasn’t streamlined. Some developers have also encountered challenges tracking their changes and work after adopting a microservices architecture. The autonomy and independence microservices provide your team may also mean that the departure of a single teammate renders some of your architecture impossible to edit. For these reasons, having support when adopting eCommerce microservices is essential. One way Elastic Path Commerce Cloud helps is the inclusion of Packaged Business Capabilities (PBCs).  PBCs and microservices are not the same. PBCs are a grouping of APIs that serve a specific business capability. Microservices are tightly scoped and specific. PBCs are useful because they reduce complexity, enhance clarity, and are developed via business-centric planning. For brands looking for a business-centric eCommerce solution, PBCs are a strong option – and selecting and managing PBCs is made easier with Elastic Path. Should You Adopt an eCommerce Microservices Architecture? An eCommerce microservices architecture will provide the flexible foundation businesses today need to keep up with the ever-evolving commerce landscape. Implementing a microservices architecture benefits both developers and end users with: Abundant opportunities for customization. With the addition of multiple front-ends, you can easily and seamlessly integrate multiple new touchpoints for customers – all while staying connected to the same back-end. Quick and easy implementation. Due to the decentralization of the development process, microservices allow for rapid implementation of changes. This means you can go to market faster with new updates. A leaner technology stack. Since you are only adding what you truly need, you will be able to enjoy a streamlined and more efficient tech stack.  Front-end traffic won’t impact the back-end. In the past, developers have typically had to adjust the entire system to extend services. With microservices, the front-end and back-end are individually scaled, which means high traffic won’t impact what’s happening in the back-end.  Pick and choose the solutions you want. With eCommerce microservices, you can select services and solutions that specialize in your exact needs and enjoy a specialty-tailored approach. Moving Forward with eCommerce Microservices eCommerce microservices may be a major benefit for your business. While the developers of the past have experienced many pain points when adopting microservices for eCommerce, you can learn from their mistakes and adjust your microservices strategy to achieve business success.  At Elastic Path, we want to ensure that the ugly side of microservices never rears its head. Talk to an expert to discover how our team can help you implement a microservices architecture that fits your business needs and objectives.  
    Topics: ugly, explained, business, good, bad, microservices, monolithic, elastic, developers, solution, architecture, commerce, ecommerce, path.
  • eCommerce Search Engine Providers - What’s the Best eCommerce Search Engine? Last year, retail eCommerce sales exceeded $1 trillion for the first time in history. Clearly, consumers expect to find goods and services online. For your brand, meeting that consumer expectation means having a strong eCommerce search engine. Leading eCommerce search engines help your customers find exactly what they’re looking for with minimal effort, and give you insights into what your buyers are searching for. Site search is a powerful capability because a strong eCommerce search engine will fuel positive customer experiences. Positive customer experiences mean more business and repeat customers, and that means more revenue. Learn more about eCommerce search solutions and the best eCommerce search engines on the market. What Are eCommerce Search Engines? An eCommerce search engine is a specialized search engine that helps customers find products on your digital storefront. A strong eCommerce product search engine is able to interpret the search queries of your customers. If a customer types “dress” into your digital storefront’s site search box, your eCommerce search engine should give them products that fit that description. Note that an eCommerce search engine is different from a general search engine, such as Google. Google crawls the web to give information related to a search query. An eCommerce search engine exists specifically for and on your site and directs customers exclusively to products that you sell. How Does Choosing the Right eCommerce Product Search Engine Help You? Having a strong search engine included in your digital commerce experience comes with benefits that improve your customers’ experiences and your brand’s business. The benefits of an eCommerce search engine include: Improved customer experience: Consumers are able to find what they’re looking for, as their searches are answered fast with relevant results Site search enables eCommerce personalization, giving customers a shopping experience unique to their desires and habits You can collect more data on your customers, which helps you better target consumers in the future Customer conversion rates improve, and your business makes more money. In all, a strong eCommerce search engine helps you offer customers relevant products and improves the likelihood that they’ll purchase. eCommerce Site Search Solutions: Must-Haves As you evaluate eCommerce site search solutions, some functionalities are a must. Scalability Your eCommerce solution must be able to weather the  up-and-down nature of an online marketplace. At times, overall traffic will surge. At other times, searches for specific items will increase. For example, if you sell home maintenance equipment, people are much more likely to search your site for snowblowers in November than April. The eCommerce search engine you use must manage the highs of traffic and data without crashing your site or giving your IT department fits. Faceted navigation and filters  eCommerce search engines exist to move your customers closer to purchase, which means giving them the ability to search for products that have their exact specifications. To find the right product, customers want faceted navigation and filters. An effective eCommerce search engine will have visual cues that help customers narrow down to desired categories such as price, size, color, and more. Natural language processing (NLP) When customers type a query into your search site tool, they aren’t likely to put in the full, technical name of a product. Instead, they may search for “nike running shoe” or “red polka dot dress.” Natural language processing (NLP) is able to recognize a brand name or product specification and display products that match customers’ desires. NLP is integral to an eCommerce search solution because if a customer types “nike” into your search bar, they don’t want to see Reebok. If they search for “red shirt,” they don’t want to see green pants. If your customers’ language can’t be processed to produce appropriate product recommendations, they’re more likely to toggle to a third-party search tool that could route them to one of your competitors. No Zero Results The last thing you want is for consumers to search your website and your search engine provider to display to them absolutely nothing. Being given zero results causes consumers to bounce to a different website. A strong eCommerce search engine should show consumers relevant results for any search, not a blank page with nary a product. Artificial intelligence AI is significant to the present and future of eCommerce search engines. AI is especially important to providing highly personalized services and giving customers a fast, friction-free experience. Make sure your eCommerce site search solution has strong AI capabilities. Just like any partner in your eCommerce solution, a site search vendor needs to align with your business needs and goals and integrate well with your existing system. Get hands on with an Elastic Path Free Trial Start building the commerce experience your unique business demands with a free Elastic Path Commerce Cloud account. Get in touch with us and we will setup a Free Trial store for you for six weeks. Sign up for a free trial 12 Best eCommerce Search Engines Deciding on an eCommerce search solution isn’t easy. Learn about 12 eCommerce search engines that can help move your customers closer to purchase.   1. Algolia Headquarters: San Francisco, CA Website: algolia.com Overview: Algolia’s search as a service model indexes clients' sites to make for a simpler search task. The benefits include easy implementation and the ability to make changes quickly as needed. Algolia is known for their expertise in advanced search functionality, which is especially useful for catalog management. Algolia’s instant-on integration is available with Elastic Path’s Integrations Hub. Watch this demo to see how Algolia can be quickly and simply integrated into your digital commerce solution.   2. AddSearch Headquarters: Helsinki, Finland Website: addsearch.com Overview: AddSearch is known for a flexible, easily integrated product. Small business owners in particular turn to AddSearch because of its moderate cost and strong customer service.   3. Advanced Commerce Headquarters: London, United Kingdom Website: advancedcommerce.io Overview: Advanced Commerce’s GrapheneHC eCommerce platform includes a strong product search tool. GrapheneHC helps brands answer any search query and provide relevant results through intent recognition. GrapheneHC avoids null search results through predictive text, a synonym library, redirects, and a strong reporting tool.    4. Azure Cognitive Website: azure.microsoft.com Overview: Azure Cognitive Search is the only cloud search service with built-in AI capabilities that enrich all types of information to easily identify and explore relevant content at scale. Azure Cognitive Search provides an indexing and query engine and stores search indexes that brands create and manage. Azure Cognitive Search also has a query language for composing simple to complex queries.   5. Bloomreach Headquarters: Mountain View, CA Website: bloomreach.com Overview: With applications for content management, site search, page management, SEO optimization, and role-based analytics, Bloomreach is a central location where everyone who manages customer experience can come together to drive positive business outcomes.   6. Constructor.io Headquarters: San Francisco, CA Website: constructor.io Overview: Constructor prides itself on helping brands optimize site search for more than just relevance, instead viewing its eCommerce search engine as a product discovery tool optimized for business results. Constructor allows brands to personalize their entire product discovery experience with autofills and recommendations that target specific users’ shopping habits. Compared to other tools, Constructor gives brands strong control over exactly what shoppers see when they type in a given query.   7. Coveo Headquarters: Quebec, Canada Website: coveo.com Overview: Coveo provides search optimization for eCommerce applications, websites, and workplace enablement. Coveo’s solutions plug into any system, regardless of tech stack. You can start from scratch or use their pre-built integrations. Coveo’s users tend to be pleased with its analytics capabilities.   8. Google Cloud Search Headquarters: Mountain View, CA Website: cloud.google.com Overview: Google is a well-known market leader in search. Google Cloud Search builds on the powerful searching capabilities of Google and gives the customers of brands like yours to search websites and product catalogs. Google Cloud Search helps get customers to products by offering relevant search suggestions.   9. Handshake by Perficient Website: perficient.com Overview: Handshake is a modern Search Connector Framework that takes the guesswork out of getting content to index. Handshake manages connections, content, metadata, and permissions on a schedule. Handshake also provides a user interface that helps business users create connection pipelines.   10. LucidWorks Headquarters: San Francisco, CA Website: lucidworks.com Overview: Founded in 2008, LucidWorks initially provided support and consulting services for the Apache Lucene/Solr open-source search project. Currently, LucidWorks is the largest supporter of open-source search industry-wide. LucidWorks offers search, discovery, and analytics solutions from two platform products.   11. Sinequa Headquarters: New York, NY Website: sinequa.com Overview: Sinequa’s search optimization expertise applies to large organizations with complex information layers such as government agencies. Sinequa scores well in the marketplace for a smooth integration process.   12. Yext Headquarters: New York, NY Website: yext.com Overview: Yext offers customized search and discovery experiences based on natural language processing and AI. Yext’s real-time search analytics provides additional insights into what users are searching for,  and the questions they’re asking. Yext is known for strong, multi-format support capabilities. Choose an eCommerce Search Engine That Provides You Lasting Solutions Having a strong eCommerce search engine is essential to digital commerce success. Options abound, so evaluate your brand’s digital maturity and commerce goals before selecting an eCommerce search engine. Also remember that a robust, intuitive site search functionality is only part of what’s required to deliver customers an extraordinary shopping experience. Whether you’re choosing an eCommerce search engine or adding other digital commerce architecture, a Composable Commerce solution doesn’t have to break the bank. Check out Integrations Hub from Elastic Path for a library of no-code, instant-on integrations that reduce the time and cost of implementations so you can get live faster and vastly reduce your TCO.
    Topics: customer, site, ecommerce, business, search, engine, commerce, customers, providers, strong, product.
  • - Last year, more than 1.2 billion payments in the Netherlands were fulfilled through iDeal, the popular local payment method. This is an increase of 7.9 percent compared to 2021. The online payment method shows strong growth, despite a decrease of 5 percent in ecommerce purchases within the country. iDeal was…
    Topics: increased, method, market, transactions, vital, payment, dutch, ideal, european, payments, ecommerce, purchases, netherlands.
  • - Member states of the European Union collected 20 billion euros in VAT revenue last year through new ecommerce VAT portals. According to the European Commission, this demonstrates the success of the new filing options.Two years ago, the European Commission introduced new systems as part of its efforts to ensure a…
    Topics: vat, goods, european, ecommerce, revenues, states, euros, system, member, prove, oss, sales, success, collected.