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
Drupal Commerce Founder on Collaborative Code, Software Freedom, More
May 21, 2021 • Eric Bandholz
The viability of open-source ecommerce platforms may seem limited given the rise of SaaS providers such as Shopify and many others. Not so, says Ryan Szrama. He's the founder of Drupal Commerce. He wrote the code in 2005 as an addition to the open-source Drupal content management system.
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Platforms & Apps
Ecommerce Product Releases: May 16, 2021
May 16, 2021 • Sig Ueland
Here is a list of product releases and updates for mid-May from companies that offer services to online merchants. There are updates on fraud prevention, interactive video, campaign builders, product subscriptions, and sustainability tools.
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Platforms & Apps
15 Mind-mapping Tools for Entrepreneurs and Teams
May 10, 2021 • Sig Ueland
Mind mapping is a creative exercise to capture, organize, and structure ideas. It was once done on paper. But there are now tools for entrepreneurs and teams to develop mind maps, brainstorm ideas, and manage the resulting projects. Here is a list of mind-mapping and brainstorming tools for entrepreneurs and teams.
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Schools & Resources
15 YouTube Channels for Design and Development
May 4, 2021 • Sig Ueland
Interested in improving your web design and development skills? There are many options to learn — for beginners to advanced users. Here is a list of YouTube channels for web design and development.
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Platforms & Apps
Ecommerce Product Releases: May 2, 2021
May 2, 2021 • Sig Ueland
Here is a list of product releases and updates for late April from companies that offer services to online merchants. There are updates on storefronts, payment services, tax compliance, fraud protection, and virtual photo and video shoots.
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Platforms & Apps
13 WordPress Plugins for Membership Subscriptions
April 26, 2021 • Sig Ueland
A membership plugin can transform a WordPress site into a resource for subscription content, courses, a paid community, and more. Sell one-time or recurring access to specific posts, digital downloads,
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Design & Dev Tools
16 Tools to Create an Online Course
April 19, 2021 • Sig Ueland
An online course can generate revenue, grow an audience, and establish expertise. Given the range of helpful tools, it’s relatively easy to create, distribute, and monetize a course. Here’s a list of tools to create an online course.
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Platforms & Apps
Ecommerce Product Releases: April 15, 2021
April 15, 2021 • Sig Ueland
Here is a list of product releases and updates for mid-April from companies that offer services to online merchants. There are updates on live-stream shopping, eBay ad campaigns, customer experience platforms, loyalty programs, and more.
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Platforms & Apps
Ecommerce Product Releases: April 1, 2021
April 1, 2021 • Sig Ueland
Here is a list of product releases and updates for late March from companies that offer services to online merchants. There are updates on cryptocurrency payments, contextual bidding, carbon-neutral shipping, live-stream commerce, headless commerce, and more.
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Schools & Resources
11 New Ecommerce Books for Spring 2021
March 16, 2021 • Sig Ueland
Here’s a batch of new ecommerce books for your spring reading list. There are titles on branding, social media marketing, cross-border selling, podcasting, customer experience, transacting on Amazon and Shopify, and selling your business.
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Platforms & Apps
Ecommerce Product Releases: March 15, 2021
March 15, 2021 • Sig Ueland
Here is a list of product releases and updates for mid-March from companies that offer services to online merchants. There are updates on Amazon advertising, shipping rates, live-streaming, drone deliveries, fraud mitigation, and chatbots.
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Code
You Can’t Solve Accessibility with 1 Line of Code
March 14, 2021 • Joseph C. Dolson
Accessibility overlays are third-party web scripts that alter the user experience. Providers of overlays sometimes claim that installing their script will prevent lawsuits in the U.S. under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Let me be blunt: these products will not protect you from lawsuits or necessarily help visitors with accessibility needs.
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Design & Dev Tools
20 Free Web Design Tools from Winter 2021
March 8, 2021 • Sig Ueland
Free resources from the design community can add value to a website. Here is a list of new tools and design elements from winter 2021. There are website and page builders, icon libraries, pattern and color palette tools, free fonts, and a template marketplace. All of these tools are free, though some also offer premium versions.
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Design & Dev Tools
15 Easy-to-use Logo Makers
March 2, 2021 • Sig Ueland
A logo represents your store, your company, and your mission. A good logo stands out and builds trust. Here is a list of logo makers and design tools. All of these are inexpensive and easy-to-use.
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Platforms & Apps
Ecommerce Product Releases: March 1, 2021
March 1, 2021 • Sig Ueland
Here is a list of product releases and updates for late February from companies that offer services to online merchants. There are updates on live stream shopping, email marketing, managed hosting, and artificial intelligence-powered voice assistance.
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Design & Development
Even Small Companies Use AI, Machine Learning
February 24, 2021 • Armando Roggio
Data, technology, and people are at hand to make artificial intelligence and machine learning available to all commerce companies. To be certain, artificial intelligence and its sub-field, machine learning, have gone through cycles of inflated expectations followed by disappointments.
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Design & Dev Tools
13 Free Video Editors from Basic to Advanced
February 16, 2021 • Sig Ueland
The right software can help create compelling product videos, clips, or ads to share on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, or anywhere else. Many free video editors offer basic, easy-to-use features as well as advanced tools and effects for professional-quality. Here is a list of free video editors.
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Platforms & Apps
Ecommerce Product Releases: February 15, 2021
February 15, 2021 • Sig Ueland
Here is a list of product releases and updates for mid-February from companies that offer services to online merchants. There are updates on headless commerce, payment options, live-video shopping, artificial intelligence, collaborative web development, and more.
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Platforms & Apps
Ecommerce Product Releases: February 1, 2021
February 1, 2021 • Sig Ueland
Here is a list of product releases and updates for late January from companies that offer services to online merchants. There are updates on user experience tools, monetizing newsletters, promotional incentives, fulfillment, and hiring a developer.
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Platforms & Apps
Ecommerce Product Releases: January 17, 2021
January 17, 2021 • Sig Ueland
Here is a list of product releases and updates for mid-January from companies that offer services to online merchants. There are updates on delivery services, loyalty programs, social media management, payment solutions, and headless commerce.
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Platforms & Apps
15 Tools to Get Things Done
January 11, 2021 • Sig Ueland
Here is a list of tools to help you get things done. There are to-do lists, work timers, and project management platforms. Several tools are based on the Getting Things Done system. Others are based on the Pomodoro Technique. Nearly all of these have free plans.
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Typography & Fonts
19 New Free Commercial Fonts for 2021
January 5, 2021 • Sig Ueland
Adding a new font to your ecommerce site can create a fresh and unique look. Here is a list of fonts released in the last year. All are free for commercial use, though several are from larger premium font families. Before using a font, be sure to verify its terms.
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Platforms & Apps
Ecommerce Product Releases: January 3, 2021
January 3, 2021 • Sig Ueland
Here is a list of product releases and updates for late-December from companies that offer services to online merchants. There are updates on augmented reality, fraud prevention, customizable product services,
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Schools & Resources
14 New Business Books for 2021
December 29, 2020 • Sig Ueland
Here is a list of new and upcoming business books for entrepreneurs, managers, and creative professionals. Learn how to sell your business, harness the power of your developers, adopt the principles of success at Amazon, alter your thinking to achieve quick mastery, and more.
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Platforms & Apps
Charts: Shopify’s Share of Global Websites, Ecommerce Sales
December 15, 2020 • Anna Kayfitz
Shopify launched in 2004 in Ottawa, Canada, when its founders were dissatisfied with existing platforms to sell their snowboarding gear. Fast forward to 2020, and Shopify is a global brand. Total 2020 revenue will exceed $2 billion. Its common shares trade at roughly $1,000 each.
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Platforms & Apps
Ecommerce Product Releases: December 15, 2020
December 15, 2020 • Sig Ueland
Here is a list of product releases and updates for mid-December from companies that offer services to online merchants. There are updates on the return and dispute processes, fulfillment, personalization, contact center services, and merchant banking.
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Platforms & Apps
13 Favorite Productivity Apps for 2020
December 14, 2020 • Sig Ueland
Here are my favorite new mobile productivity apps in 2020. There are apps for secure browsing, team communication, email management, note-taking, task management, positive habits, event planning, relaxation breathing, and more. Most of the apps are free, though several also offer premium add-ons.
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Schools & Resources
Our Favorite Books of 2020
December 8, 2020 • PEC Staff
We asked our contributors to tell us the best book they've read this year. Here are their responses.
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Design & Dev Tools
20 Free Web Design Tools from Fall 2020
December 7, 2020 • Sig Ueland
Free resources from the design community can add value to an ecommerce site. Here is a list of new web tools and design elements from fall 2020. There are designer and developer apps, coding resources, graphic tools, fonts, and more. All of these tools are free, though some also offer premium versions.
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Platforms & Apps
Ecommerce Product Releases: December 1, 2020
December 1, 2020 • Sig Ueland
Here is a list of product releases and updates for late-November from companies that offer services to online merchants. There are updates on artificial intelligence, membership monetization, brand protection, international payments, and online returns.