Here is a list of product releases and updates for mid-July from companies that offer services to online merchants. There are updates on visual search, personalized checkout, last-mile delivery, mobile app creation, augmented reality, and Amazon Prime Day.
Got an ecommerce product release? Email releases@practicalecommerce.com.
Ecommerce Product Releases
Etsy Plus available to sellers. Etsy has made Etsy Plus available to select sellers and will release it to all sellers within the month. Etsy Plus offers advanced features to make a brand stand out with customizable options, including new banner templates and featured listing options that put your products in the spotlight. Additional features include email management, discounts on web addresses, and listing and ad credits.
Etsy Plus
Snapchat builds camera search for tie-up with Amazon. According to TechCrunch, inside the code of Snapchat’s Android app is an unreleased “visual search” feature to identify an object, song, barcode, and more. The feature works by sending data to Amazon and other partners. After an object or barcode is scanned, users can “See all the results at Amazon.”
Amazon launches last-mile delivery with entrepreneurs. To develop a last-mile delivery ecosystem, Amazon is promoting the Amazon Delivery Service Partner program to entrepreneurs. Partners can start a business with as little as $10,000 using Amazon’s technology and processes. Amazon’s increased volume will drive growth as partners focus on building their team.
Google introduces Google Ads, Google Marketing Platform, and Google Ad Manager. Google is introducing simpler brands and solutions for its advertising products: Google Ads, Google Marketing Platform, and Google Ad Manager. The new Google Ads brand represents its full range of advertising capabilities — on Google.com and across other partner sites and apps — to help marketers connect with people using Search, watching videos on YouTube, exploring new places on Google Maps, and more. DoubleClick advertiser products and the Google Analytics 360 Suite is now Google Marketing Platform. And DoubleClick for Publishers and DoubleClick Ad Exchange are now in a unified programmatic platform, Google Ad Manager.
Google Ads Blog
PayPal Checkout launches personalization for each shopper. PayPal has introduced new technology to present relevant payment methods. Smart payment buttons will update to display the right set of options for each customer, based on location. In addition to local alternative payment options, the Smart Payment experience will include access to PayPal’s suite of checkout options, including PayPal, Venmo, and PayPal Credit.
eBay adds digital content. Ten digital comic bundles have been released with the launch of Madefire’s eBay store. The bundles include digital content from DC Comics, IDW Publishing, Image Comics, Dark Horse Comics, and Archie Comics. It’s the first time eBay has allowed digital content to be sold directly on its site since 2008.
Shopgate joins Shopify Plus technology partnership. Shopgate, a SaaS shopping app, has joined the Shopify Plus Technology Partner Program. Shopgate will extend its mobile app platform capabilities to Shopify Plus merchants via an integration. The Shopgate platform will allow retailers to harness the benefits of a mobile app with segmented push notifications, digital wallets, barcode and QR code scanners, and other features based on the native capabilities of a mobile device.
Shopgate
Visionet launches HauteLogic digital fashion management solution. Visionet Systems has announced the launch of HauteLogic, a cloud-based business management solution for the fashion and apparel industry — wholesale, online retail, brick and mortar retail, and apparel manufacturing. Built on the Microsoft Dynamics 365 cloud platform, HauteLogic features a single end-to-end system, modular design, pre-configured fashion related processes, embedded analytics for real-time operational visibility, and more.
Showpad releases augmented reality features to deliver more immersive buyer experiences. Showpad, a unified sales enablement platform, has launched augmented reality features to provide a more immersive buyer experience for large and complex products. The new capabilities allow salespeople to leverage 3D models through Showpad’s iOS app to better educate customers. Showpad will use Apple’s ARKit in the Showpad iOS app, allowing users to project 3D models in a real, physical environment.
Amazon launches Prime Day 2018 with multiple promotions. Amazon’s Prime Day launched on July 16 at 12 p.m. Eastern Time. Prime Day will extend from 30 hours in 2017 to 36 hours in 2018, with more than 1 million deals exclusively for Prime members, plus select deals at all U.S. Whole Foods Market stores. Prime members from around the world can shop hundreds of thousands of deals this Prime Day from small and medium-sized businesses selling on Amazon Launchpad, Amazon Handmade, Amazon Exclusives, and more.
Amazon Prime Day 2018