Magenta Madness: Incorporating the color of the year into your Magento webshop design
At the beginning of the new millennium, Pantone announced its first color of the year. 22 colors later, according to Pantone, Viva Magenta is the color of the year 2023. This bold shade of pink is described as a bold and vibrant hue that can add a touch of personality to any design. That includes a design of a shop, perhaps a Magenta color, on the Magento platform!
MAGENTA
If you are a color enthusiast, who keeps track of the latest trends, you certainly know about the magenta color. However, if you are not familiar with it, this might seem interesting. The dye was developed chemically, during the peak of the Industrial Revolution, in 1856, and it was first called “Fuchsine”. After a while, it was officially renamed to “Magenta” and its official name has a bloody origin. In 1859, France and Austria fought a ferocious battle by the Italian town of Magenta. The battlefield numbered around 10,000 dead or wounded, it was covered in red from the blood. From that moment to these days, the previously discovered red-pink color was called “Magenta.”
The Pantone Institute described this color as powerful, not aggressive, but in an assertive way. It represents a vigorous combination of both warm and cool tones, existing in the both physical and digital world. Pantone has just recently revealed the Color of the Year 2023, hence there isn’t a wide variety of the products in the exact shade yet. Incorporating this vivid and bold color into your website would surely make your site a standout and draw attention!
MAGENTO
Speaking about websites and about magenta, the first thing that comes to mind is – Magento. This platform was released 15 years ago, and it’s one of the most popular eCommerce platforms in the world. Over 250000 merchants worldwide are using it, including Coca-Cola, Nike, Lenovo, etc. Factor Blue is, obviously, fond of this platform with 13 years of experience working with it.
Besides the similarity in names, there is another connection between Magento and Magenta. A fun fact about this platform is that, when it was developed back in 2007, its logo was colored magenta. Logically, there were beliefs that this color was also an inspiration for the name of the platform. These sayings were inaccurate. “Mage” in its name stands for the term meaning “Wizzard” in the game “Dungeons & Dragons”. This makes Magento a magical platform, right?
When it comes to building a website on Magento platform, you can count on a highly scalable, multilingual, fashionable webshop. A variety of extensions for additional functionality allow store owners to further customize their webshops. That customization facilitates meeting business requirements and reaching goals and the needs of their target audience.
Combination of the two
One way to use magenta color in a Magento platform would be to integrate it as an accent color in the overall color scheme. This could be done by using it as the primary color for call-to-action buttons. Furthermore, you could be using it as an accent color in the site’s typography. Additionally, you could use magenta in the site’s product images, as well as in the background of key sections of the site.
Another way to use magenta in a Magento site would be to use it as the primary color in the design. This could be done by using a magenta background on the homepage or by using it as the main color for the site’s navigation.
Ultimately, the key to successfully incorporating a Color of the Year 2023 into a Magento website design is to use it in a way that complements the overall aesthetic of the site. That helps to create a cohesive and visually appealing experience for the user.
The use of color can help to set the tone and establish a brand identity. Equally important, the Magento platform comes up with a range of features and functionality for managing an online store.
Overall, combining the color magenta with the Magento platform can create a distinctive and effective e-commerce website. In other words, it brings a stand-out from the competition and provides a unique and engaging shopping experience for customers.
Innovations in ecommerce you should know about in 2023
“The only way to predict the future is to create it.”
Abraham Linkoln
This quote can surely be applied in the ecommerce industry, too. Online retail is, more than ever, evolving in order for businesses to remain competitive.
Our list of innovations that can blaze a trail in ecommerce includes:
- Virtual and Augmented Reality to ameliorate product’s presentation
- AI to personalize shopping experience
- Blockchain technology to improve security
- Livestream shopping to engage customers
- Mobile devices due to their convenience
- Headless ecommerce platforms development
1 – Augmented and Virtual Reality in ecommerce
As ecommerce keeps growing, shoppers’ expectations for a more interactive and fun shopping experience. Another area of innovations in e-commerce is the use of virtual (VR) and especially augmented reality (AR) for product visualization and demonstration. These two terms are actually very different.
VR is a completely virtual setting which usually requires some hardware. On the other hand, AR requires less physical equipment, and it blends the real-life environment with virtual elements. Both are fundamentally interactive and, as a result, lead to increased customer engagement. Even if a visitor doesn’t buy anything from your webshop, the time spent on your site will help to build a relationship with your brand and products.
These technologies are allowing customers to see how a product will look in their home or on their body. Trying out clothes, eyeglasses, or make-up products, for example, is of a great importance. Before making a purchase, consumers must be sure of how a product would look on them. It also allows preview of the placement of a certain furniture piece. Would those chairs look good next to your dining table? “Try before you buy” possibility assures you have a clearer picture of what you are purchasing. Besides improving buyer decision-making, virtual and augmented reality also reduce the return rate of the products that were bought online.
2 – Artificial intelligence in ecommerce
One of the trending innovations in ecommerce that has been gaining momentum is the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning to personalize the shopping experience for customers. This can include recommending products based on a customer’s past purchases or browsing history, as well as dynamically pricing products based on demand and other factors.
Personalized recommendations
Personalized recommendations are being created by using different algorithms like collaborative filtering, content-based filtering etc. The AI is taking the feedback ranging from the information such as: which links user clicks on, which categories are the main interest, which website does the user spend more time on, purchase history, user reviews on the products, etc. After getting all the data, the real-time analytics provide the personal recommendation for that user. This increases the engagement of the user on the platform and thus results in more purchasing. Statistics now show that 89% of businesses are investing in personalization.
Customer-centric search
This is another domain where AI plays its role. Online commerce platforms are getting millions and millions of searches per minute on their websites. In order to provide user-centric results for the customer, machine learning algorithms are being used. These algorithms analyze customer search patterns and behaviors to “see the world like you do”. Better understanding of preferences and intent empowers businesses to develop a customer-centric experience by search query auto-completion. The AI predictive analytics make it easier and faster for customers to find what they are looking for.
Conversational commerce
Many ecommerce retailers are already becoming more sophisticated with their AI capabilities, and one approach widely developing is known as conversational commerce. So what is a chatbot? By definition, it is a specific program that is designed to stimulate or maintain a conversation between human users and the robots. By automating order processes and providing all repetitive customer service, businesses lower cost, time and energy. Nowadays, chatbots are maturing and leveraging themselves to that extent that this become a necessity for the e-commerce industry. Online retailers, that have to manage a huge number of users at a single time, can’t find it practical to hire sales or customer representatives. The chatbot is the innovation in ecommerce that doesn’t only lay down the cost, but also provides a much better experience and at a much faster pace.
Managing the orders
Just imagine getting thousands of orders per hour and managing all of these orders manually. Won’t it be a mess? But again – here is the AI to save the day! AI is providing some out-of-the-box solutions to manage the orders and track the progress of them. They can manage the path of dispersing the orders in an optimized manner, with real-time updates for customers. Besides, the AI can decide routs in an optimized way, which reduces both costs to the company and delivery time. And convenient delivery options are providing a company a way to stand out in a competitive and demanding online market.
This is merely the tip of the iceberg of how the AI is playing a vital role in the future of the e-commerce industry.
3 – Blockchain technology in ecommerce
This innovative technology has a potential to improve payment security and supply chain transparency in ecommerce.
It can securely store and process payment information, making it more difficult for hackers to attack and access sensitive data. It can also be used to prevent fraudulent activities by creating a tamer-proof record of transactions. Blockchain payments are decentralized, they allow for transactions to be tracked from beginning to end, and recorded transparently. It also eliminates the need for third-party verification and can make it easier for customers to return and receive refunds.
Another area it can help with is the logistics business. Blockchain can track the entire supply chain process, from the origin of a product to its final destination. This increases the traceability and efficiency of, and reduces shipping costs and potential risks of counterfeiting.
4 – Livestream Shopping
Livestreaming isn’t a new thing. Its popularity rocketed within the gaming industry and social networking. However, livestream shopping is still something uncommonly practiced. Everywhere, except in China, it represents innovation in ecommerce. Livestream ecommerce has become a huge trend in China, logically, since it is the market with the biggest ecommerce empire in the world. After the dramatic growth among Chinese, this form of shopping became popular with the merchants in the whole Southeast Asia. Moreover, this marketing strategy also found its way to the west – Amazon has upgraded its livestreaming functions in 2022.
Live-streaming shopping represents a fun experience where a host, usually an influencer or a celebrity, streams a video to showcase a product with the purpose of selling it to viewers in real-time. While demonstrating the goods, the host answers questions from viewers and offers special discounts. Viewers have options to purchase the shown products directly through the streaming platform or website. It is the entertaining way of engaging with customers online, covering the importance of the social aspect. The interaction helps businesses build a sense of community and connection over the same product with their customers.
5 – Mobile devices
Not so much the innovation in ecommerce, but more of a trend, is using mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets. They have become increasingly popular in ecommerce in recent years. Due to their portable nature and constant internet connection, they are convenient to be used for online shopping anytime, anywhere. Many businesses are optimizing their websites and creating mobile apps, making it easier for customers to shop on-the-go. Mobile devices also store user’s information such as location, browsing history, and preferences. These can be used to provide a personalized online shopping experience. This trend is likely to continue as a number of mobile users constantly grows. Statista.com predicts that m-commerce retail sales are going to reach the growth to approximately 710 billion U.S. dollars.
6 – Headless ecommerce
Headless ecommerce is, by definition, an ecommerce platform where the frontend and backend are decoupled. This separation allows developers greater flexibility when building frontends, using any technology they choose. The backend remains used for managing products, processing orders, and handling customer payments. The connection between the frontend and backend is an API bridge, which allows development to be done faster. This innovative approach leads to improvements in scalability and better user experience. The website built this way behaves like a progressive web app (PWA) with all its virtues. Even when the connection is unstable or off, browsing and filling the shopping cart is allowed. It also boosts SEO rankings and supports personalized push notifications, which proved great importance in the competitive world of ecommerce.
Overall, it is likely that ecommerce will continue to evolve and be shaped by advances in technology, changing consumer preferences, and the needs of retailers. These and other innovations are helping to make online shopping faster, easier, and more convenient for consumers, and are driving the growth of the ecommerce industry. There is a list of ongoing things and we at Factor Blue are excited to be part of this exciting future.
How to choose an ecommerce agency
E-commerce is not an industry; e-commerce is a tactic.
Tobias Lütke
After the pandemics’ lockdown, the interest in online shopping has boomed. Due to the convenience of making a purchase with just a few clicks, the e-retail sales surpassed 5.3 trillion U.S. dollars worldwide in 2021. According to statista.com, the digits are going wild! The forecasts indicate that by 2026 the retail ecommerce market worldwide will make up to 8.1 trillion U.S. dollars. They also predict that the ecommerce is going to make up to an impressive 24% of global retail sales by 2026.
Yes, the numbers of online sales are increasing. However, a significant number of visitors leave the website before purchasing anything, and that number has been gradually rising to almost 70 percent in 2021. The reasons for abandoned online purchases are additional costs, taxes, fees, but people are also drawn back by errors on the website, total order cost not being calculated right away, too long checkout process, etc.
Two heads are better than one, so reaching out for the help of an ecommerce agency is a usual thing. That’s why choosing the right agency to be in charge of your online webshop is of a great importance.
What is an ecommerce agency?
These companies specialize in assisting businesses thrive in the online retails space through ecommerce platforms or their own websites. Ecommerce agencies can provide a variety of services and expertise. The range of services includes: website design and development, search engine optimization (SEO), marketing and advertising, consulting, and more.
What is the main feature of ecommerce agencies?
Their main feature is their competence to help businesses handle the complex and never-ending evolution of the world of online commerce.
Ecommerce agencies usually have a team of experts who are knowledgeable about the most recent trends and best practices in online retail. With their knowledge and resources, ecommerce agencies can grease the wheels of online businesses in so many aspects. They can help in reaching the goals, engaging with the target market, improving the online visibility and webshop performance… Depending on particular needs, they can build a new online store or optimize an existing one. Hence, the outcome of their services is the increase in sales and revenue.
Of course, not all the agencies cover all areas and meet everyone’s expectations. That’s why when choosing an ecommerce agency, it’s equally important to consider their experience and track record, as well as the specific services they offer.
What areas can an ecommerce agency help with?
Partnering with an ecommerce agency can be a valuable investment for businesses aiming to grow and succeed in the online retail universe. However, it is important to make sure that the agency is a good fit for the business and its goals.
Here are five specific areas that ecommerce agencies can bring the improvement to:
Website design:
They can create an attractive and user-friendly website that looks great on different devices and screen sizes. Also, if needed, they can redesign your current site in order to provide an appealing shopping experience to the customers.
Website development:
The team within the ecommerce agency can develop the webshop and assure it is optimized for conversions. They can also be assigned to integrate the webshop with other systems and platforms, such as payment processors, shipping and fulfillment services, and customer relationship management (CRM) tools.
SEO:
Ecommerce agencies can offer improvement of the search engine rankings and drive more organic traffic to the website through SEO strategies.
Marketing:
They can help businesses develop and execute marketing campaigns. A well-structured plan of promotions will reach and engage the target audience, whether through social media, email, or other channels.
Sales and customer service:
Ecommerce agencies can step in and manage the online sales and customer service operations of businesses, including order fulfillment and returns.
Overall, ecommerce agencies can provide a range of valuable support and expertise to businesses looking to succeed in the world of online commerce. Making a choice will depend on identifying specific services and capabilities needed from an agency.
Tips on how to choose an ecommerce agency:
In order to be able to choose the right ecommerce agency to help your business on the way to success, there are a couple of steps that should be followed:
Set your goals and objectives
Before choosing an ecommerce agency to partner with, you should determine your short-term, as well as your long-term goals. After you clearly define your objectives and target audience, those goals would be used as a starting point for developing the strategic plan. Implementing the strategy will ensure the competitive advantage of your online business.
Define your budget and schedule
Money doesn’t grow on trees, that’s the fact. So, you must be specific with the amount of this limited resource you are able to appoint for this cause. Being specific doesn’t mean being strict, of course. Because ecommerce is a continuous process that can encounter unplanned obstacles and maintenance in a longer period of time. In order to choose an agency that provides services you require, you must firstly assess what budget you have and what period of time you may need agency services for. Make sure you are aware that your newly developed webshop can’t be just left existing on its own.
Conduct research
Once you know what you are looking for, start conducting research on different ecommerce agencies. After verifying their credibility, you should look for the records of success with the clients within the same industry as yours. Aside from getting familiar with the information on the website of the agency, you could visit their brick-and-mortar office in case of proximity of their location. It would result in getting a clearer picture of how they operate and communicate with potential clients.
Ask for references and case studies
Before making a final decision, ask the agencies in your shortlist for references and case studies from past clients. In a careful consideration, you will get a sense of their skillfulness/competence/abilities and how they led other businesses to success.
Compare the cost
Of course, price tag is always an important factor to deal with. While getting the necessary information from multiple agencies, make sure to get the quotes, too. Comparing fees will add another column into your pro/con list. Higher hourly rate doesn’t guarantee expertise, while lower hourly rate doesn’t mean low quality services. You should carefully review all these aspects, when considering which ecommerce agency provides the best value for the money.
Communicate with the agency
Finally, open and straightforward communication with the agency you choose to team-up with is greatly important. In regard to avoiding any misunderstandings, make sure you are clear with explaining your goals and needs. Also, it is essential that you comprehend their process and timeline. Good communication with an E-Commerce consultant is crucial in ensuring a successful partnership.
