In “After Magento 1, build something special,” my previous post, I suggested looking at alternatives to migrating to Magento 2. Support for Magento 1 will end in June 2020. The first question in selecting a new platform is to decide if it’s worth the price. Set aside emotions. Does your ecommerce site make a decent […]
Migrating ecommerce platforms is more than moving data Read More »
Magento stopped supporting version 1 this month. Many ecommerce businesses running Magento 1 will be looking for alternatives. There is no shortage of recommendations and advice. Leading contenders include Shopify, WooCommerce, and Open Cart, among others. All have strengths and weaknesses. No-hassle ecommerce? Take Shopify. Its marketing materials claim to take the hassle out of
Relying on one or two platforms for ecommerce revenue is risky. It is relatively easy to build a business on Amazon and eBay. Both marketplaces can present your merchandise to millions of potential customers. But the tradeoff is becoming vulnerable to their foibles. For example, one or both could suspend you for any reason. Such a
For most businesses, daily operations do not change based on who is in political power. Companies are primarily affected by their own decisions, not by the government. However, occasionally there are exceptions. Here in the U.K., it is Brexit. In the U.S., it is the trade tariffs and the threat of the President to close
Last week whilst I was walking my dogs I noticed an advert on the back of a bus. It was promoting adverts on the back of buses. It suggested that more people would see the advert than an equivalent ad on social media. It was a bold promise. Even if true, was it worth it?
Time is running out for the thousands of merchants still using Magento 1.9 or older. Support for Magento 1.9 is due to expire by June 2020 at the latest. But more importantly, support for PHP 5.6 has already expired. PHP is the scripting software that Magento runs on. Most hosting companies will be demanding that
Brexit is not that complicated for the average ecommerce retailer. Large companies and suppliers that import goods may be affected by increases in tariffs. There could be delays in receiving the goods. But this should not affect small to midsize merchants. And most of the problems will likely occur between the U.K. and mainland Europe.
Now that the holidays are over, it is time to review your business. In my December post, I suggested that January and February was a good time to do this. I suggested capturing critical holiday sales data to help with this analysis. A business is not isolated. It must evaluate internal capabilities as well as
Cultural changes affect all merchants — ecommerce and brick-and-mortar Read More »
Most ecommerce retailers are now fulfilling the holiday order rush. The vast majority of merchants depend on sales in November and December. It can be the difference between a good year and going bust. This is why planning and preparation are so important. It is too late now to plan for this 2018 season. But when
Very often people launch businesses with friends and family. The reason, typically, is that friends and family are trustworthy. But what happens when things go wrong, or when people disagree? In the U.K., many small ecommerce businesses are set up as limited companies. The structure is the legal equivalent of U.S.-based C or S corporations
Address potential business conflicts during good times Read More »
