Design & Development
The nuts and bolts of an ecommerce site are design and development. We address design innovation and trends — including layouts, colors, photography, logos, video, and more. We explain the basics of code — HTML, CSS, JavaScript — as well as platforms, themes, plugins, open source, and related topics.
Code | Design & Dev Tools | Platforms & Apps | Schools & Resources | Typography & Fonts | User Experience-
Platforms & Apps
13 Easy-to-use CRMs
November 8, 2022 • Sig Ueland
A customer relationship management tool can help a business grow and scale at an affordable price. Here is a list of simple CRMs for businesses of all sizes.
-
Platforms & Apps
Ecommerce Product Releases: November 2, 2022
November 2, 2022 • Sig Ueland
Ecommerce merchants enjoy non-stop innovation from vendors and service providers. This installment of “Product Releases” includes updates on pop-up retail, rewards programs, live commerce, and more.
-
Platforms & Apps
3 Up-and-coming Mobile Shopping Experiences
October 23, 2022 • Armando Roggio
The evolution of smartphone-based shopping continues. Three technologies could soon dominate that experience. We explain.
-
Platforms & Apps
Ecommerce Product Releases: October 17, 2022
October 17, 2022 • Sig Ueland
This installment of new services that could help merchants includes updates on shipping and fulfillment, sales tax, digital advertising, mobile commerce, and more.
-
Platforms & Apps
16 Free Open-source Content Management Systems
October 9, 2022 • Sig Ueland
Here is a list of content management systems for creating websites, managing media, organizing mailing lists, facilitating online stores, and more.
-
Design & Dev Tools
How AI Powers Ecommerce Recommendations
October 4, 2022 • Al Gharakhanian
Ecommerce product recommendations are increasingly powered by machine learning. We explain three such models and suggest implementation tactics for small businesses.
-
Platforms & Apps
Ecommerce Product Releases: October 3, 2022
October 3, 2022 • Sig Ueland
Twice monthly we publish a list of new services, updates, and collaborations that could help merchants. This installment includes updates on visual search, artificial intelligence, international shipping, and more.
-
Design & Dev Tools
25 Free Tools to Test Your Website
September 26, 2022 • Sig Ueland
Regular testing of the health and vitality of an ecommerce site will ensure optimal performance. Here is a list of tools to test sites for download speed, user experience, accessibility, and more.
-
Platforms & Apps
The Rise of the Ecommerce Marketer
September 26, 2022 • Armando Roggio
With new sophisticated tools and platforms, the ecommerce industry has shifted from requiring highly-technical leaders to primarily needing marketers.
-
User Experience
3 Questions Every Home Page Should Answer
September 20, 2022 • Barbara Carneiro
Modern consumers are deluged with information. Our brains subconsciously adapt, using three questions to cull out what's important. Websites should address those questions — quickly.
-
Schools & Resources
13 New Ecommerce Books for Fall 2022
September 19, 2022 • Sig Ueland
Once a quarter we publish a rundown of new books that could help online merchants. This installment includes titles on brand building, international ecommerce, demand creation, and more.
-
Platforms & Apps
Ecommerce Product Releases: September 18, 2022
September 18, 2022 • Sig Ueland
This installment of our twice-monthly rundown of new services that could help merchants includes updates on live shopping, warehousing and distribution, cryptocurrency, and more.
-
Design & Dev Tools
20 Free Web Design Tools from Summer 2022
September 12, 2022 • Sig Ueland
Every three months we publish a rundown of free tools — design, usability, page builders, more — that could advance an ecommerce site. Here's our summer 2022 installment.
-
Platforms & Apps
Ecommerce Product Releases: August 31, 2022
August 31, 2022 • Sig Ueland
This installment of new services for merchants includes updates on last-mile logistics, creator partnerships, pay-in-4, and more.
-
Schools & Resources
11 Web Design Podcasts for Online Merchants
August 29, 2022 • Sig Ueland
There are many resources for staying current on design-related topics. Here's our all-new update to a list of podcasts on user experience, ecommerce design, and more.
-
Platforms & Apps
Ecommerce Product Releases: August 15, 2022
August 15, 2022 • Sig Ueland
This installment of our twice-monthly rundown of new services for merchants includes updates on same-day deliveries, fraud prevention, SMS purchasing, and more.
-
Design & Dev Tools
12 Tools to Create Infographics
August 2, 2022 • Sig Ueland
Infographics are popular among consumers for conveying complex information clearly and concisely. Here is a list of simple-to-use tools for organizing and creating.
-
Platforms & Apps
35 Free Google Tools for Small Businesses
July 25, 2022 • Sig Ueland
Google offers a wide array of free tools for entrepreneurs and small business teams. Here is a list of Google tools for productivity and communication, digital marketing, web development, and more.
-
User Experience
Design Every Page for the Desired Outcome
July 25, 2022 • Barbara Carneiro
When developing an ecommerce website, merchants should ensure every page guides visitors towards the desired outcome. Longtime design guru Barbara Carneiro explains.
-
Platforms & Apps
Ecommerce Product Releases: July 17, 2022
July 17, 2022 • Sig Ueland
Ecommerce merchants enjoy nonstop innovation from vendors. Our mid-July rundown of new services that could help sellers includes social shopping, shipping and fulfillment, and more.
-
Design & Dev Tools
No-code Apps Are Everywhere
July 3, 2022 • Armando Roggio
No-code tools and platforms allow users without programming skills to create apps and workflows. Shopify, Squarespace, Webflow, BigCommerce, Wix — all offer no-code capabilities.
-
User Experience
6 Accessibility Basics Cause 97% of Errors
June 28, 2022 • Joseph C. Dolson
An accessible ecommerce site doesn't require an expert. Learn the six most common accessibility errors and how to fix them in-house.
-
User Experience
How to Design a Website Footer
June 21, 2022 • Barbara Carneiro
Designed correctly, website footers carry much value for a brand. The key is to focus on the footer's purpose and desired outcome. Our design and usability guru explains.
-
Platforms & Apps
Dropbox Shop and Creator Ecommerce
June 21, 2022 • Armando Roggio
The creator economy is embracing ecommerce. Dropbox Shop is among the most recent examples of SaaS platforms jumping at the opportunity.
-
Platforms & Apps
Ecommerce Product Releases: June 15, 2022
June 15, 2022 • Sig Ueland
Twice a month we publish a rundown of new services, updates, and collaborations that could help merchants. This installment includes updates on social commerce, cryptocurrencies, mobile card readers, and more.
-
Schools & Resources
11 New Ecommerce Books for Summer 2022
June 13, 2022 • Sig Ueland
Once a quarter we publish a rundown of new business books that could help ecommerce merchants. This installment includes titles on sales conversions, brand development, social media marketing, gaming, and more.
-
Design & Dev Tools
20 Free Web Design Tools from Spring 2022
June 6, 2022 • Sig Ueland
Designing an ecommerce site doesn't have to cost money. Here is a list of free web tools and design elements for spring 2022. There are project collaboration tools, site generators, checkout optimizers, and more.
-
Platforms & Apps
Ecommerce Product Releases: June 2, 2022
June 2, 2022 • Sig Ueland
Ecommerce merchants enjoy non-stop innovation from vendors and service providers. This installment of “Product Releases” includes updates on social commerce, customer service, and returns management.
-
Platforms & Apps
Ecommerce Product Releases: May 17, 2022
May 17, 2022 • Sig Ueland
This installment of "Ecommerce Product Releases," our twice-monthly rundown of new services that could help merchants, includes digital currencies, checkout tools, freight logistics, and more.
-
User Experience
Web Design for Everyone Pleases No One
May 17, 2022 • Barbara Carneiro
The ages of shoppers impact web design and messaging. Each generation has unique preferences, desires, and habits. Merchants who recognize this will have higher conversions.