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-
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Platforms & Apps
Ecommerce Product Releases: May 3, 2022
May 3, 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 augmented reality, international transactions, small business marketing, and more.
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Design & Dev Tools
20 Top Internet Service Providers in 2022
April 25, 2022 • Sig Ueland
Since 2014 we've published an occasional rundown of internet service providers, listing prices, download speed, data caps, and more. Here's our all-new 2022 installment.
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Design & Dev Tools
Ecommerce and Creator Tools Will Merge
April 21, 2022 • Armando Roggio
If engagement is central to broad economic growth, creators are a key financial driver. And that could give rise to a new generation of tools and services.
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User Experience
Visitors Seek Effortless Navigation and Design
April 18, 2022 • Barbara Carneiro
Consumers in the West read and write from left to right. Website navigation using that natural tendency is effortless and less stressful for visitors.
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Platforms & Apps
Ecommerce Product Releases: April 17, 2022
April 17, 2022 • Sig Ueland
Ecommerce merchants enjoy non-stop innovation from vendors and service providers. This installment of “Product Releases” includes updates on social commerce, the metaverse, brick-and-mortar, selling on Amazon, and more.
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Platforms & Apps
20 Platforms to Sell Digital Products
April 5, 2022 • Sig Ueland
Creators and merchants are producing innovative ebooks, courses, software, and more. Here's our all-new update of ecommerce platforms that sell and manage digital goods.
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Platforms & Apps
Ecommerce Product Releases: April 3, 2022
April 3, 2022 • Sig Ueland
This installment of "Ecommerce Product Releases," our twice-monthly rundown of new services that could help merchants, includes live streaming, next-day delivery, subscription payments, and more.
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Platforms & Apps
What I’ve Learned about Ecommerce Platforms
March 29, 2022 • Christopher Dobroth
Contributor Christopher Dobroth has spent 16 years in ecommerce. He has used many ecommerce platforms. Here's what he's learned to date.
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Schools & Resources
13 New Ecommerce Books for Spring 2022
March 28, 2022 • Sig Ueland
Once a quarter we publish a rundown of new business books that could help ecommerce merchants. This installment includes titles on analytics, podcasting, events, direct-to-consumer, and more.
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User Experience
The Best Navigation for Ecommerce Sites
March 27, 2022 • Barbara Carneiro
The best ecommerce navigation mimics human decision-making. Too many sites overwhelm visitors with complex menus and an avalanche of info.
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Platforms & Apps
Ecommerce Product Releases: March 15, 2022
March 15, 2022 • Sig Ueland
Twice monthly we publish a rundown of new services, updates, and collaborations that could help merchants. This installment addresses social commerce, shipping, virtual fitting, more.
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Design & Dev Tools
17 Free Tools for Color, Code, SEO, UI, More
March 14, 2022 • Sig Ueland
Rarely do small-to-midsize merchants need to spend a lot of money to improve the appearance and performance of their ecommerce sites. Here are handy, free tools for color, code, SEO, much more.
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Typography & Fonts
15 Sites for Free Commercial Fonts
March 7, 2022 • Sig Ueland
The perfect font for your design projects doesn't have to cost money. Many free options are available. Here are 15 sites offering free commercial fonts to download.
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Platforms & Apps
Ecommerce Product Releases: March 2, 2022
March 2, 2022 • Sig Ueland
Our latest rundown of new services that could help ecommerce merchants includes mobile payments, product recommendations, fulfillment, and more.
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Design & Dev Tools
20 Free Design Tools for 2022
February 28, 2022 • Sig Ueland
We update our rundown of free design tools every year. This 2022 installment includes apps for web design, logos, fonts, color palettes, photo and video resources, and much more.
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User Experience
How Information Design Drives Conversions
February 22, 2022 • Barbara Carneiro
Understanding visitors' goals and the steps you want them to take will help determine the layout of your site's information. We explain in this post, using four examples.
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Platforms & Apps
Ecommerce Product Releases: February 15, 2022
February 15, 2022 • Sig Ueland
Twice a month we publish a rundown of new products and services that could interest merchants. This installment includes mobile payments, B2B ecommerce, augmented reality, and more.
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Platforms & Apps
21 Google Workplace Apps
February 7, 2022 • Sig Ueland
Google Workspace is a comprehensive, cloud-based suite of apps to jumpstart productivity. Here's our rundown of Google's apps in Workspace and their purpose.
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Platforms & Apps
Ecommerce Product Releases: February 3, 2022
February 3, 2022 • Sig Ueland
Twice a month we publish a rundown of new services and products that could help merchants. This installment includes headless commerce, AR, AI, and more.
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User Experience
Ecommerce Design Is Critical (but Misunderstood)
January 18, 2022 • Barbara Carneiro
Done correctly, ecommerce design conveys trust and drives conversions. Its value is much more than being good on the eye. Longtime designer Barbara Carnerio cites three critical rules.