The Incredible Benefits of Magento 2

The Incredible Benefits of Magento 2

 

Magento just took everything to a whole new level with Magento 2.0. Magento 2 offers a superior feature set compared to nearly any other eCommerce platforms but you may ask yourself… What are the real benefits of Magento 2?

Originally, we thought that Magento 2 would simply be a major upgrade from Magento 1, but it’s actually much, much more than that. The file structure, admin panel organization and themeing system are all highly upgraded from the original Magento branch. What we would like to discuss are the major benefits of Magento 2.X and why you should embrace these changes and all of the opportunities for improvement that an upgrade will bring your business. As long time members of the Magento Community, we compiled a list of all the features and changes we love in an attempt to familiarize you with the improvements.

Let’s get started with the basics.

Intuitive Dashboard for User Admin:

The new Magento Admin is intuitive, easy to use, fully mobile responsive and accessible on any device. This update allows you to effortlessly configure your administrative workspace to manage products, process orders, and analyze customer data. You now have the ability to turn on or off any column in your view and drag it into the position of your choosing which allows you to quickly access the information you need when you need it. You can save the specific view and return to it in the future. Multiple admin users can create and edit products without fear of data conflicts. Menu grouping by function- system or eCommerce all modules are more logically organized and user friendly.

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Real Time notifications of Updates

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Data Grid & Keyword Search:

Combine your use of full text searches with keyword searches and SEO for greater customer satisfaction and greater exposure of your products. Omnichannel capabilities allow you to connect your site to other sites such as Ebay in order to increase the exposure of your products and their sales.

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Visual Merchandiser:

You can reduce optimization time with the drag and drop tool and the new automated sorting tool.

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Reporting & Analytics

Built in reporting and support for google analytics and google tag manager.

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More Opportunities for Magento Customization & New Speeds

Magento 2 provides more opportunities for customization without changing core site functionality. It organizes everything under the app structure and allows every module to have its very own directory where you can access all Magento templates, layouts, etc. Setting up new products is a breeze with a guided process that allows you to easily configure your product values such as size, color, and price. The new Magento Attributes give you an opportunity to recreate and better your site and gives you the motivation you need to reevaluate your Magento Performance to make it a better experience for your customers.
Other Magento eCommerce features include its partnership with Varnish Cache, a leading http accelerator technology for fast page loads and server loads which are making Magento sites work much faster than in previous versions. The efficient updates have improved query performance and speed dramatically.

Guided Migration

Magento 2 has a robust a migration tool to help with the data migration between platforms. This assists with store setup, products, customers, orders, and promo rules, but theme and code customizations which includes 3rd party extensions will not be transferable. This is a very interesting tool that we’re excited to see grow into an even more powerful system.

 


At Redstage, we always treat new Magento versions with caution and wait patiently while the new version is tested by the real world and the outstanding Magento community of partners and merchants. Magento 2.0 was released in November of 2015 and it’s truly ready to be your eCommerce platform!

Cloud Architecture: A Close Up of Magento Enterprise Cloud Edition

Cloud Architecture: A Close Up of Magento Enterprise Cloud Edition

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In April of this year, Magento launched its Enterprise Cloud Edition. A Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) environment designed specifically for Magento 2.0 and runs on Amazon Web Services (AWS). Sounds fancy right? Pretty much! But as an eCommerce merchant I’m sure you’re wondering how you will benefit from this new software and why it’s different from anything you may have currently.

Let’s zoom in a little to look at Magneto’s new baby and its benefits. So what exactly is Magento Enterprise Cloud Edition? Magento themselves describes it as a platform-as-a-service offering that enables rapid deployment of fully customizable, secure, and scalable web storefronts, combined with a leading hosting and managed services infrastructure. Designed to support Magento Enterprise digital commerce software, Magento Enterprise Cloud Edition takes advantage of the architecture and functionality enhancements provided by versions 2.0.5 onward. In simpler terms, the new Cloud Edition enhances Magneto’s Community and Enterprise offerings. Magento enterprise Cloud Edition is hosted; setting up and managing a Magento store is a lot easier for merchants now.

Magento Enterprise Cloud Edition is fully customizable; merchants can now offer customers’ differentiated experiences while they benefit from simplified integration and the ability to respond to changing technology.

The new Cloud Edition also runs on the Amazon Web Services (AWS), to the merchants this means that they will always be ready for high volume in demands for their products, Black Friday and Cyber Monday, will no longer be a nightmare and merchants can spend more time optimizing their stores for customers’. The new platform running on AWS ensures that merchants have the capability to respond to a rapidly changing environment, continuously deploy innovations, and not worry about the day-to-day management of infrastructure.

Breaking barriers as the first of its kind in a post software as a service (SaaS) era. It offers customers the benefits of cloud computing usually associated with SaaS solutions but with a highly performaing and scalable PaaS platform.
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Magento’s Chief Product Officer, describes the new Cloud Edition as a “game changer.” At the core of Magento Enterprise Cloud Edition are an innovative PaaS that enables merchants and their system integration partners to adopt continuous delivery practices by providing best-in-class DevOps, release management and cloud management tools that make deploying, testing, promoting and operating multiple environments rapid, easy and manageable.

For more information about Magento’s Enterprise Cloud Edition visit their website here.

Redstage Among The First Group Of Shopify Plus Partners

Redstage Among The First Group Of Shopify Plus Partners

shopify_plus_partner_blogIncreases service offerings for clients through the Shopify Plus Partner Program

Hoboken, NJ – June 15, 2016 – Redstage Worldwide LLC, a boutique agency providing enterprise class eCommerce services to clients, today announced an enhancement to the their service offerings. They will be among the first group of digital marketing and design experts to partner with Shopify Plus for the launch of the Shopify Plus Partner Program; further advancing the future of eCommerce and how businesses succeed.

The new Shopify Plus Partner program will broaden Redstage’s reach in the eCommerce industry and allow them to help thousands of online merchants grow and expand through a partner ecosystem that connects brands with accomplished eCommerce agencies like Redstage. Shopify Plus is a cloud-based, multichannel commerce platform for high growth, high volume merchants. Shopify Plus’ platform benefits for Redstage clients include overall lower infrastructural costs, handling of high order volume, multiple payment options for customers, mobility support, and integration of existing IT platforms.

Expressing his enthusiasm about the launch of the Shopify Plus Partner Program, Redstage CEO Adam Morris said, “We’re very happy to add Shopify Plus to our platform offerings. Shopify Plus gives us a powerful enterprise level toolbox. The platform allows top brands and retailers to reach customers on their preferred shopping channels at an unprecedented speed of implementation.”

“We’re excited to welcome Redstage to the new Shopify Plus Partner Program,” says Loren Padelford, VP and GM, Shopify Plus. “Their experience developing innovative eCommerce properties for their clients was a key factor in having the agency as a launch partner.”
Redstage’s partnership with Shopify Plus will create new opportunities for their clients to benefit from innovative, social and conversational commerce strategies that will improve long term brand awareness. To learn more please visit: https://redstage.com/shopify-plus/or Redstage’s website www.redstage.com. To learn more about the Shopify Plus Partner Program, please visit www.shopify.com/plus/partners.

About Redstage
Redstage is a global leader in eCommerce solutions and consulting for online merchants around the world. Built by marketing experts and backed by a brilliant development team, Redstage has worked with over 600 online stores over the past 8 years. Redstage can design, build, launch and support your store by truly becoming your partner in eCommerce. Redstage is currently supporting the eCommerce needs of companies like SpaceX, Red Dress Boutique, Jura/Capresso, Pixi, Pat LaFrieda and many more.

3 Ways to Increase Conversion Rates with User-Generated Content

3 Ways to Increase Conversion Rates with User-Generated Content

Joanna Alter
This is a guest blog post by Joanna Alter. Joanna Alter is the Co-marketing Manager at Yotpo where she helps businesses maximize the marketing potential of user-generated content.

3 Ways to Increase Conversion Rates with User-Generated Content
User-generated content impacts conversion rates at every step of the customer journey. It attracts shoppers’ attention, allows them to build a relationship with your brand, and provides authentic and relevant information that helps with purchasing decisions.

UGC refers to any content voluntarily created by your customers and shared publicly. This can include reviews, user-generated photos or customer Q&A. Giving your customers a platform to voice their opinion brings overwhelmingly positive results for your business. Here are three proven ways to increase conversion rates with UGC.

Boost Shopper Confidence

Word of mouth marketing is the best advocacy your store can get. If someone recommends your store to a friend, they are almost certain to check it out. Not only will they visit your site, but they will arrive with their friend’s positive experience fresh in their mind.

Customer content is the online version of word-of-mouth marketing. Displaying customer reviews, photos and questions on your site provides social proof that gives customers the information and confidence boost they need to make a purchase decision.

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For example, shoppers who arrive at this Rhone product page will see reviews from past buyers that address common pain points specific to buying exercise apparel like itchy seams, shirt length and versatility. Shoppers trust customer content more than they trust branded content. Displaying UGC throughout your site builds trust in your brand and increases sales.

Establish a Relatable Brand Image

User-generated photos are an effective way to reach online audiences that are overwhelmed with content.

Providing immediately visible social proof by including authentic customer reviews and photos on your store and in social media allows you establish a relatable brand image and brings more shoppers to your site. Customer pictures that show people enjoying your product evoke an emotional connection from the viewer. They identify with the experiences and are able to picture themselves enjoying your products as well.

Your biggest fans and most dedicated customers are one of the most valuable marketing resources you have. Getting them to participate in UGC campaigns provides you with repurposable content that you can use across marketing materials and that is relatable for your customers. For example, Boom uses customer photos throughout their website so that shoppers can see how the makeup looks on actual customers. The user-generated photos and reviews provide genuine and relevant information for shoppers that helps them make their purchase decision.

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User-generated content elevates an online store’s existing resources, building a community of shoppers and customers who provide social proof for the brand and its products.

Such communities break down barriers between individual online shoppers, which in turn leads to conversions and increased trust in your brand.

Let Your Customer Service Shine

A Yotpo study of 1.3 million customer reviews reveals the importance of good service to online shoppers. Responding to customer reviews and questions highlights your brand’s personality and values, and increases sales and brand loyalty by showing new shoppers and existing customers alike that they are a priority.

All stores receive negative reviews for one reason or another, but this is not entirely a bad thing. Brands should see negative product reviews as an opportunity to show off top-notch customer service, as JerkyXP did in the example below.

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Responding to negative reviews is your store’s chance to ensure that customers remember a positive and helpful experience with your brand, as opposed to the initial bad one. Attentive and helpful responses really pay off. 95% of unhappy customers will return to your store if their issue is resolved in a timely and efficient manner.

Key Takeaways

  1. User-generated content is relatable and valuable to your customers.
  2. Social proof from customer content like reviews, pictures and Q&A gives shoppers the information and confidence they need to convert into buyers.
  3. UGC is an effective channel for brands to engage with their customers and build lasting relationships.