Redstage Launches 40-Day M2 Accelerator to Help B2B’s Get on Magento 2 Fast

Redstage Launches 40-Day M2 Accelerator to Help B2B’s Get on Magento 2 Fast

by | Feb 24, 2020 | eCommerce Platforms, Press

JERSEY CITY, NJ – Today Adobe’s Magento-Specialized eCommerce Partner Redstage announced the launch of our B2B Accelerator, B.A.S.E. The “B2B Accelerator Suite for eCommerce” helps B2B companies migrate to Magento 2 (Adobe Commerce Cloud) in 40 to 60 days.

Redstage’s Chief Revenue Officer Hasan Elkomey expressed his excitement for the launch. “We were one of the first agencies to publicly warn merchants about Magento 1 End of Life,” Elkomey said, “Now we have the fastest Magento migration solution on the market for B2B companies, who are historically underserved in the eCommerce arena.”

Redstage built the B2B Magento accelerator by combining a series of home-grown solutions developed over a decade of building and migrating Magento sites.

“Our culture of ‘Work smarter, not harder’ was the key that brought the M2 accelerator to life. We’re always compiling reusable components and DevOps tools we develop to better serve our clients.” Adam Morris, Redstage’s Founder and CEO added.

Redstage’s B.A.S.E. accelerator is the most recent in a continuous roll-out of solutions for Magento 1 merchants. Other solutions offered by the agency include a special “Magento Migration Loan” facilitated through Redstage’s partnership with PayPal/Braintree. Both solutions are intended to assist B2B and B2C merchants as Magento 1 End of Life approaches in June of 2020.

The announcement comes shortly after the firm completed replatforming four Magento 1 stores for Zwilling J.A. Henckels to Adobe Commerce Cloud, influencing a 50% increase in overall revenue.

 

About Redstage

Redstage Worldwide LLC is a web development agency specialized in building websites on leading eCommerce platforms. Redstage is an Adobe Commerce Cloud Partner and Magento Enterprise Partner known for B2B eCommerce transformation and their intimate understanding of B2B business operations.

 

 

3 eCommerce Technologies B2B Sellers Need for 2021

3 eCommerce Technologies B2B Sellers Need for 2021

by | Feb 12, 2020 | System Integrations, Web Development

In 2020, customers became bolder with their demands and expectations. You may have learned how to satisfy them with evergreen content, site optimization, and fraud protection. However, as 2021 picks up, merchants need to stay one step ahead of the competition by studying trends and going beyond customer expectations. Through convenience, conscious consumerism, and flexibility, these 3 eCommerce technologies help B2B companies boost sales and improve shopping experiences.

1. Conversational Search in the Rise of Convenience

 

voice search device for flexibility

 

Conversational Search is designed to mirror spoken search requests rather than keywords. Siri and Alexa changed the way shoppers navigate the Internet and retailers are finding new ways to implement “Conversational Search” in their SEO strategy. Thanks to technologies like Klevu, customers can interact with a search engine and find answers using their normal, natural language. Activating Conversational Search on your site gives customers easy, on-demand, and frictionless access to the information and products they want.

Conversational Search for B2B

Automated email blasts and informal sales outreach alone, no longer close B2B deals. 30% of web browsing sessions will be conducted without a phone screen this year. Ensuring your online store is ready to provide a simple experience through search is key. To reach your customers, you must:

1. Research: Optimizing search requires getting to know your potential customers. Research and learn the questions they’re asking, challenges they’re facing, their priorities, goals, favorite products, and the phrases they’re using to search for products you provide.

2. Optimize: Once you know your customers’ burning questions, conduct a full search audit, and optimize your site. Remember, 90% of executives research using their mobile devices before making a purchase decision. You can better serve your customers when your site feels conversational and your voice search feature is user-friendly on all devices.

3. Create Content: Voice-search optimization requires your content to reflect your buyers’ needs. It should be easy for your customers to navigate your site search through natural conversation. Include “ask keywords” in your voice search strategy that answers your buyers’ questions. Some examples include, “how can I strengthen my eCommerce strategy? ” or “what are the product benefits?”

2. Loyalty’s Place in the Rise of Conscious Consumerism

 

loyalty card in wallet for flexible purchases

 

In 2020, “Conscious Consumerism” became mainstream. Now 65% of global consumers make belief-driven purchases. In addition, 66% of shoppers choose to stay loyal to brands that share their values.

Implementing platforms like Loyalty Lion will allow merchants to create unique loyalty programs. This will make it easier for customers to practice “Conscious Consumerism” while building authentic relationships between you and your customers.

Loyalty programs employed by companies like Stay Wildish are built upon members completing monthly challenges in exchange for points. Shoppers can then donate their points to non-profit organizations. This keeps customers returning to engage with the program as they earn social rewards they value.

Customers who are aligned with your mission are more willing to act as advocates and share brands with others who have similar values. By appealing to what your customers want, you’ll secure their loyalty long-term and increase their lifetime value.

Loyalty for B2B

To encourage your existing customers to return, implement a loyalty program in your B2B strategy that can help you acquire like-minded customers who will convert faster and stay loyal longer. According to B2B Marketing Academy, loyal customers are five times more likely to make a purchase and forgive mistakes. They’re also seven times easier to upsell if you include:

1. Personalization: One loyal customer equals a steady source of income. While B2B companies offer a smaller pool of customers than B2C, it’s critical to add a more personalized touch.  Your customers are online, meet them there. Personalize their emails, and provide multiple ways to communicate messages to them such as text alerts. Personalization efforts can drive a six-fold increase in sales!

2. VIP Rewards: Customers love specialized perks. Don’t waste a good email without offering your customers exclusives like reward points, product sampling, and early access to promotions. Keep your customers’ goals in mind by figuring out how your reward points can directly impact their lives and be useful beyond your company’s objectives.

 

3. New Expectations Demand Shipping Flexibility 

 

Shipping Flexibility

 

Customers want options, and they want them on their terms. Fast shipping, however, is no longer an option but an expectation. Retailers need to start looking at innovative and alternative shipping services and tools like ShipperHQ to meet these new expectations and create new and better experiences for customers.

BOPIS (Buy Online, Pickup In-Store) is a relatively new buying option that continues to rise in popularity. Like B2Cs, B2B companies are implementing this strategy to change how they interact with their customers. Just think about it, if your customer needs a machine part or tool that day, BOPIS allows them to buy it through your website in minutes and pick it up at a nearby store, reducing their project timeline. This also helps with items that have shipping restrictions and can take a long time to arrive where the customer needs them.

Additionally, 75% of BOPIS users make unplanned purchases while they’re in your store, according to Agilence. If Home Depot, Lowes, and Amazon can offer BOPIS options, it’s time more manufacturers and distributors take advantage of this powerful technology.

Other buying options include above-and-beyond services like same-day, white-glove, or in-home delivery. The construction, wholesale and distribution, and automotive industries can benefit greatly from it. For example, construction employees are often sent out to pick up orders. Same day delivery can save project managers time and money. These implementations will keep merchants ahead of their competition and improve customer experiences.

Shipping Flexibility and B2B

B2B customer demographics are shifting. Millennials are becoming decision-makers and they’re expecting miracles. More than next day delivery options are driving sales, they’re relying on innovation and technological advantages to make their lives as buyers easier. Shipping is one of the buyer’s final touchpoints and  B2B companies can improve these experiences through:

1. Price Transparency: B2B customers expect online stores to reveal shipping costs before purchasing. Consider options that are fast and can cut down shipping costs.

2. Flexible Returns: The ability to provide flexible and easy return options will make or break your reputation. To keep your customers’ trust, provide a clear and easy return policy on your website and include return labels with shipments.

3. Efficient Distribution Strategies: B2B eCommerce sales in the U.S are expected to exceed $1.18 trillion by 2021. Success in the marketplace comes from adapting to customer demands but also being aware of rising threats. Adding more distribution centers and new technologies that can improve tracking of shipments, real-time traceability, and threat detection such as environment monitoring can help streamline logistics.

 

Final Thoughts

Your recipe for success in 2021 is to take today’s latest technical capabilities and implement them, while also looking ahead to future trends. Effectively engaging customers at the beginning of their shopping journey, encouraging repeat purchases through advanced search, loyalty programs, and shipping convenience should be at the forefront of B2B executive’s minds.
 
Olam International, a multi-national agriculture distribution powerhouse, has already implemented new shipping solution ShipperHQ along with advanced search by Amasty and Customer Approval extensions from MagePlaza with Redstage’s help. Utilizing Magento 2’s out-of-the-box B2B feature set, we helped Olam digitize operations for multiple multinational stores; OlamSpices.com, OlamSpecialtyCoffee.com, and OlamEdibleNuts.com. The latter of these being the first and only online portal for edible nut distribution in the world. B2B companies that not only keep up with trends but stay ahead of them will remain one step ahead of their competitors as well.
 
To find out how you can integrate these technologies and more into your 2021 eCommerce strategy, book your free consultation with Redstage today. And if you’re thinking about upgrading to Magento 2 but are strapped for time, learn more about our 40-day B2B accelerator here. 
Redstage Partners with Salesforce Commerce Cloud to Help Merchants Grow

Redstage Partners with Salesforce Commerce Cloud to Help Merchants Grow

by | Jan 31, 2020 | eCommerce Platforms, Press

Salesforce, the global leader in customer relationship management, invited Redstage to join their exclusive Salesforce Commerce Cloud (SFCC) partnership program. Redstage is now listed as an official partner on the Salesforce AppExchange to provide eCommerce development services to SFCC merchants.

With a shared vision and a wide range of capabilities, Salesforce and Redstage now collaborate to digitally transform online companies. As a jack of all trades, whether it’s keeping track of marketing campaigns, improving productivity, or integrating with other apps, Salesforce can execute and complete any long-term vision.

Partnering with Salesforce helps us further our mission to create leaders in eCommerce. With the ever-changing habits and demands of today’s buyers, our clients require a unified customer experience across all touchpoints. To that end, Salesforce Commerce Cloud will be the most important set of tools in our arsenal. We are integrating Salesforce as a core part of our strategy going forward.

— Adam Morris, CEO of Redstage.

With this partnership, Salesforce and Redstage have a unique opportunity to provide a higher standard of service, expertise, technology, and insights for online sellers using Salesforce’s complex eCommerce solutions. Services will include:

1. Salesforce Migrations

You can control the migration process by switching from legacy platforms such as Magento, Big Commerce or Shopify Plus. To conquer sales and increase revenue, Salesforce has a unique ability to save valuable time and resources through its streamlined capabilities.

2. Commerce Cloud Integrations

Becoming more efficient and productive is easier with the right technology on your side. Salesforce’s scalable handpicked technology ranges from data and campaign management, app development, search optimization, and personalization tools.

3. Salesforce Conversion Optimization

Merchants will now be able to make wiser decisions with reliable data backing them up. With an in-depth business analysis equipped with technology and optimization strategies that will convert sales, you’ll never have to act on a gut feeling again.

The world is being reshaped by the convergence of social, mobile, cloud, big data, community, and other powerful forces. The combination of these technologies unlocks an incredible opportunity to connect everything together in a new way and is dramatically transforming the way we live and work.

— Marc Benioff, CEO, Salesforcre

As Redstage and Salesforce move forward with this agreement, the pair will continue their commitment to empowering clients with the right technology to accelerate eCommerce initiatives. Looking for a start? Redstage has launched in the Salesforce App Exchange for all B2C merchants.

For all your Salesforce and Commerce cloud development needs, visit http://www.redstage.com/salesforce-development and schedule a free consultation.

Not All Chargebacks Are Created Equal… Here’s Why.

Not All Chargebacks Are Created Equal… Here’s Why.

by | Jan 14, 2020 | Commerce Strategy, System Integrations

If you read the last two articles in this series, you know “killer customers” often take advantage of DTC companies’ return and shipping policies. By now you’re probably thinking “What else can go wrong?” Well, we’re sorry to say, the list is quite long.

In 2018 Chargebacks 911 reported chargeback fraud cost merchants up to $40 billion per year. With increase in eCommerce activity over the past 2 years, we can expect that number to be even higher today. While the holiday season is behind us, the chargeback season has just begun. Continue reading to learn 2 more ways abusive customers attack your profits and how you to prevent them.

1. Friendly Fraud

 

woman looking at computer and smiling possibly committing friendly fraud

 

“Friendly Fraud” is when a customer files a refund or dispute with the bank instead of with the merchant. Committing friendly fraud involves no malicious intent and can be easily overlooked by the customer. In many cases, a customer may notice an unfamiliar purchase, receive an item that doesn’t match the description, or can’t reach a customer representative.

Friendly fraud may sound harmless, but it can severely threaten your bottom-line. In fact, the method accounts for 86% of all chargeback volume and is difficult to identify.

Preventing Friendly Fraud

Most customers don’t understand the negative effects a chargeback has on merchants. Therefore, preventing friendly fraud requires a multi-step, ‘nip it in the bud’ approach. Here is how it’s done…

      1. Make it easy for customers to quickly contact you.

Don’t give your customers a reason to go to their bank to file a dispute. Your customer service contact information should be accessible to anyone at any time. Include this information in all communication correspondence and social media platforms. Proving 24-hour support via phone or live chat (with these options clearly visible on your site) are great ways to ensure your customers come to you first.

      2. Provide clear product descriptions.

To prevent unnecessary chargebacks and increase conversion rates, customers should receive the same product described in the product description. Making sure your product descriptions are detailed and accurate can save you major losses.

By centralizing complete product data and then enriching product descriptions and specifications, product information management systems help reduce the chances of errors across multiple channels. This results in more users getting exactly what they are looking for.

–– Lynn Torbert, Director of Sales, Jasper PIM

      3. Verify all shipping and tracking information.

With all so many reports about new shipping scams, it’s important to create detailed shipping terms and conditions. Once tracking information is verified and the purchase is complete, customers should also receive a copy of all shipping and tracking information. This could come in hand in case a customer claims an unauthorized purchase. However, that’s another, more malicious type of fraud…

2. Deliberate Chargeback Fraud

 

Woman holding cash after commiting Chargeback Fraud

 

Opposite from friendly fraud, deliberate chargeback fraud is when a customer contacts a bank with the intention of disputing a purchase. Similar to an “Item Not Received” scenario, a customer intends to obtain the product or service for free. This type of online fraud is equivalent to brick and mortar shoplifters, accounting for 35% of all fraud losses.

In less extreme cases, chargeback fraud occurs when a customer experiences buyer’s remorse. They don’t want to confront the merchant, so they dispute the charge with their bank instead. In extreme cases, customers may dispute large orders by claiming they are fraudulent charges. This hurts the retailer’s reputation with the bank and pulls profits out from under them.

Providing a fast and frictionless customer experience is a priority for merchants, but can be costly without the right considerations. For example, most sites allow customers to file a dispute with one click. This makes it difficult to prevent chargeback fraud and leaves merchants empty-handed.

Preventing Chargeback Fraud

Since deliberate chargebacks and friendly fraud both heavily impact profits, your best option is to get customers to handle their disputes with you, rather than their bank. Whether it’s buyer’s remorse or an unauthorized purchase claim, you need to protect your bottom line. Consider implementing the following defense mechanisms on your online store…

       1. Provide a clear and flexible return policy.

Customers should know what items they can return and how to go about returning them. For example, add a 30-day deadline on returns and provide return labels with all online purchases. With this flexibility, customers are more inclined to resolve their return issues with you. Also, this will make customers less likely to take advantage of your return policy.

       2. Be prepared to fight back

For customers who claim an unauthorized purchase, evidence is key. There are many places you can acquire proof of purchase to protect yourself, especially during the checkout-process. Double-check shipping and tracking information, replay phone conversations and track down social media accounts if you choose to fight a fraudulent chargeback. This information can be the difference between saving your profits or watching money walk out the door.

Final Thoughts

Modern merchants need to understand the differences between deliberate chargebacks and friendly fraud. To protect customers and your relationships with them, you must successfully weed out the bad actors who purposely seek to defraud you. Remember, your goal is to protect your merchandise, revenue, and profits. Finding the proper fraud defense can be time-consuming, but we’ve done our homework to make it easy for you. If you’re interested in learning more about Redstage’s Security and Maintenance Bundles to help you strengthen, monitor, and maintain your site, schedule a FREE consultation today!  

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5 Things You Need to Know About PayPal’s Magento Migration Loan

5 Things You Need to Know About PayPal’s Magento Migration Loan

by | Dec 11, 2019 | eCommerce Platforms, Web Development

The clock is ticking and Magento 1’s end of life (end of support) is right around the corner. For over a year, we’ve provided webinars, E-books, and security insights to help ease your migration worries. Now, Redstage teamed up with PayPal to provide access to Magento Migration loans for qualifying merchants.

With a “no merchant left behind” mentality, Redstage and PayPal are committed to making sure all business owners can scale further while fully experiencing the power of Magento 2.  Here are 5 ways to get the best out of your migration experience.

1. Why You Should Migrate

 

Hour glass in rocks for countdown to migrate

 

Magento 1 support ends on June 30, 2020. While it may be difficult for some merchants to say goodbye, more revenue is waiting to be unlocked with Magento 2. On average, a Magento 1 Migration takes 6-10 months to complete and with 7 months until the platform sunsets, merchants are running out of time. More importantly, you’re missing out on additional revenues. Migrating to Magento 2 gives merchants access to a newer and more advanced eCommerce platform that provides security, functionality, and flexibility. Grab our free Magento Migration eBook here, or read on for a quick breakdown:

Security

With good reason, we’ve shared many tips on how to help protect your online store from fraud. End of Life means the end of security, and once June rolls around there will be no more Magento 1 security patches to save you. Hackers have familiarized themselves with the platform and broken extensions make their job easier. In the past year, Magento has released over 10 security patches for M1 (that’s at least 1 a month), and developers have stopped upgrading M1 extensions to focus on M2. These constant breaches leave your store, customers, and your bottom line at risk.

A positive customer experience is measured by many things, most notably how safe your customers feel. 41 percent of consumers switch retailers due to poor personalization and lack of trust. Magento 2 shows merchants are taking security seriously as the platform provides security updates with bug fixes, back-end administration protection, and encryption for credit card information.

Functionality

60% of B2B buyers demand a seamless customer experience and 47% expect traditional retailers to be as agile as Amazon. Magento 2 is committed to delivering a better shopping experience that allows merchants to produce a fast, simple, and frictionless checkout experience across all devices. Page loading and checkout speed have increased by 50 percent and 38 percent respectively, compared to the Magento 1 platform. The Magento 2 migration is the perfect recipe for a successful customer experience.

In a world where responsive design is trying to give customers all the same functionality we have on desktop in mobile, there may be a divergence here where we have to start thinking about different mobile experiences. Customers need to be able to go through the entire journey, from the research perspective to pricing, negotiation, approval, and purchase, ALL through their smartphones. Millennials will switch to your competitor immediately if you can’t give them that entire experience.

–Adam Morris, CEO, Redstage.

Flexibility

As our ongoing Mobile Optimization Initiative shows, Magento 2 gives merchants total control over creating a great user experience. The platform includes highly customizable themes and over 2,000 extensions. Your customers are more likely to come back for more if you continue to meet their expectations, so keep impressing them by upgrading your experience on different devices. Customize your theme in a way that highlights your brand and tells your brand’s story, or highlight products and provide a secure checkout all in one place.

38.8% of total Magento Merchants (Community or Enterprise) are still on various versions of M1. By not upgrading, merchants are putting themselves and their customers at risk. Magento 1 sites, among a dwindling community of users, will face a lifetime of declining usability, patchwork fixes, increased upkeep costs, and a higher level of maintenance than if they migrate to a new site or platform.

– Aidan Mcknight, Solutions Engineer, Redstage

2. The Migration Loan Explained

 

Upclose shot on open book for loan explanation visual

 

Migrating your website, budgeting for next year, and making sure you meet your end of the year sales goals can be overwhelming. The Magento Migration Loan can ease your worries, especially if you haven’t budgeted for migration.

The loan can help your businesses experience the new and improved advancements of the Magento 2 platform and provide the means to help keep your customers safe. PayPal and Redstage understand that the future of retail is digitally optimized. Online retail sales are expected to reach $735 billion by 2023. However, more than half of today’s retailers do not have access to debt or equity financing to help scale their business.

This migration loan is a first step to bridging the gap in financing solutions for online businesses. To  accomplish your migration with a Magento Migration Loan, you must first apply for the Magento Migration loan here. Loans can range from $5,000-$500,000 with no hidden charges attached2. Upon approval, WebBank will transfer funds to your business’s bank account as fast as the next business day 3.

3. How to Apply and Receive the Credit

 

close up on man filling out application for loan

 

To secure a full credit on the cost of financing your migration, start by applying for the Magento Migration loan by visiting the LoanBuilder application page. If approved, you must follow these three steps to receive the credit4.

  1. Sign a Magento renewal license invoice that shows at least one payment.
  2. Open a PayPal Business Account.
  3. Sign a 3-year processing contract or renewal agreement with Braintree and process with Braintree on your new Magento 2 website for at least 3 months.

Benefits of Braintree

Driving revenue and maximizing business opportunities are crucial in scaling your business. To fully experience the power of Magento, should also be taking advantage of Braintree. The global payment partner is the missing piece you need to combine safe and frictionless customer experience like those seen in our recent tests. Braintree is a payment platform that delivers mobile and web payment systems in a single, seamless integration.

This year, there are approximately 1.92 billion digital buyers out there. That number is expected to almost double by 2021. The smart money is using this time to plan and test new ways to unlock more holiday revenue. The Magento migration loan is your first step to guaranteeing a prosperous future.

Moreover, Braintree offers other ways to drive revenue and maximize business growth overall. The single integration allows you to reach more buyers around the world, reduce checkout friction, increase efficiency, and migrate fraud risks. Remember, a fast, safe, and frictionless checkout experience increases conversion rates.

4. How to Become Eligible

 

Woman with green jacket throwing confetti celebrating becoming eligible for migration loan

 

If you’re operating on the Magento 1 platform and have been in business for at least 9 months, you’re halfway through the eligibility process. Your business must also be located and operated in any of the 50 United States or Washington, D.C. and earning at least, $42,000 in annual revenue. That’s it!

Unfortunately, the M1 end of life comes at a time outside of the normal re-platforming strategy for many clients. When we design and build on the latest technology, we want to amortize the costs for as long as possible and switch only when the pressure from competitors and customers increases. I love that PayPal is helping our clients solve this problem by helping them fund the migration process. This makes the process much easier to handle from a cash flow perspective and allows us to invest in a customer experience that’s outside of the normal cycle.

– Adam Morris, CEO, Redstage

Final Thoughts

With roughly 200 days remaining on the Magento 1 End of Life countdown the time for procrastination is over. Each day merchants wait, their revenue, customers, and reputation are at risk. Redstage and PayPal are committed to helping businesses grow and thrive, showing merchants how to unlock the revenue they deserve and build positive customer experiences. In the name of a prosperous and profitable 2020, revitalize your brand, enhance your customer experience, check your eligibility, and apply now for a chance to enjoy a fully credited migration loan from PayPal.

If you work for in B2B, click here to learn how you can migrate to Magento 2 in just 40 days!

 

 

Disclosures
1 The lender for the LoanBuilder Loan is WebBank, Member FDIC. This is an invitation to apply and not an offer or commitment to provide capital. Applicants must satisfy certain requirements to be eligible. WebBank is not affiliated with the offer to receive a full credit on the cost of financing and the credit is not part of your credit agreement with WebBank.
2 In addition to the fixed fee (Total Interest Charge) for the loan, the only other cost is a $20 Returned Item Fee that is only assessed if a payment is returned.
3 The lender transfers funds to your business’s bank account as fast as the next business day if the lender has received the documents the lender asked for and approved the loan by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (excluding bank holidays).
4 Merchants will receive the full credit from PayPal within 6-8 weeks of having fulfilled all three migration requirements. Merchant may be contacted by a Braintree Enterprise Sales Representative to receive more information about creating a merchant account with Braintree.