Some of the Drupal E-commerce Modules You Should Look out in 2013!

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Drupal Ecommerce solution has a full basket – there is lot that this amazingly unique solution has to offer this year!

Slowly, but steadily Drupal ecommerce, has found a strong foothold in this immensely competitive E-commerce scenario. And with a multitude of extensions, plug-ins and modules getting added each time, it seems Drupal has come a long way!

Since, the year 2013 is expected to be one of the most dynamic years for IT and especially for Ecommerce; there is a buzz going on that ecommerce sites created on Drupal will have a huge array of powerful and advanced extensions as well as modules making them almost invincible.

Let us try to see which exciting modules are being expected to take Drupal Ecommerce solutions on the top are:

  • Ubercart

This highly exciting and fantastic open source e-commerce shopping cart gets completely incorporated within an online store created on Drupal. And thus, it enriches the store with a series of configurable product catalog, providing tremendous flexibility for creation of product system.

In short, you can get a more manageable online store – Just imagine, with features like single page checkout or automatic account creation and streamlined order processing, one could make the store more user-friendly, and eventually to earn more profits.

Moreover, this unique solution within your Drupal ecommerce site even brings a better and more secure payment system, and hence, giving that much desired quality “credibility” in the market.

  • Drupal store comes with a better “Pay”ment module

“Pay” is a unique and highly advanced Drupal module that is designed to create a secured payment processing system. And with this module; you can ensure that you can have payment back ends which solidly supported by world class payment gateways like Authorize.Net, Payflow, Pro, PayPal, Realex, SecurePay and Stripe.

  • An enhanced “Currency Exchange” process

With the advent of internet, the E-commerce is no longer restricted to a particular geographical region. It has transcended this barrier and thus, you need an extremely powerful module which supports currency exchange.

Drupal ecommerce solutions have a unique module that provides your online store with a strong currency conversion, currency data & information and amount/price display functionality. And so, in this way, one can easily solve the problems of different currencies.

  • A better “Invoice”

Invoice – This brilliantly created and incorporated Drupal extension makes taking care of records maintenance easy and faster. Along with Pathauto module; it instantly generates the titles and displays the invoice either in PDF or HTML format as per the user specification.

Impeccable Mobile Ecommerce Solution: Get your Online Store on Finger Tips!

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Smartphones are indeed Smart! – With a single tap on the device; you can do anything – even buy your favorite dress or a book or monthly supply of grocery – you can get anything and at any odd hour of the day.

As we know, the industry dynamics are rapidly shifting – Unlike the earlier days, retail industry is no longer space or time restricted – In this age of technological advancement; the markets are accessible simply with a click on a tap.

M-commerce or Mobile commerce is, no longer an alien concept! – In fact, it has played an active role in making “retailing” go global.

Since, we have become so much addicted to our Smartphones; most of us simply love to access various online shopping sites – Thus, it becomes all the more important for the virtual vendors to go “Mobile” with the online stores.

According to estimation; the biggies in the online retail industry have taken to mobile application in order to attract a huge number of customers (shoppers) to their stores and cash out on this latest trend.

Since, mobile ecommerce solutions have a multitude of benefits, however, here we intend to focus on a few of them and understand what makes M-commerce the need of the hour.

Expand the Customer base!

With every 6 in 10 mobile users, having a Smartphone (according to estimated number); M-commerce can give a tremendous boost to your online business. As people have mostly started accessing various sites from their phones, and therefore, you get a chance to present your virtual shop and expand the existing customer base.

Convenience  

Since we have an old saying “Customer is the king” – one needs to provide them with the best of facilities. And what can be a better way to provide full-functional online store on a handy tool called Smartphone!  The Mobile ecommerce solutions are specifically configured to work effectively on a smaller screen resolution. Hence, the customer finds it easy, quick and convenient to use the mobile phones to shop online.

 

Scope for Personalized solutions

A major reason why M-commerce solutions have attained so much popularity is the immense scope it provides for customization. A vendor can change the themes; modify the setting according to the varying demands coming in from a diversified pool of customers. Moreover, the users too find themselves at ease to change the contact information for billing and shipping processes as well as for e-payments.

In simple words, mobile ecommerce solutions offer tremendous thrust to an online web store by making it more appealing to the Smartphone users.

A content writer by profession, I just love to read about the advanced technologies and how it can affect our lives.

WordPress, Joomla Vs Drupal – Who is the Mightiest of all?

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Technology has progressed way beyond our imagination – Just look around, right from offices to homes and from cars to space crafts, we are completely engulfed by technology.

With advancing technology; we have a number of web resources and CMS (content management system), on internet. And these CMSs in a way make it possible to have solidly build websites which open the immensely wide and huge source of knowledge with a simple click.

Among a cluster of CMSs; WordPress, Joomla and Drupal are leading competing to reach the number one position!

Well, this competition is not surprising – configured with robustly build features; it really becomes difficult to determine which of these can be called mightiest of all. However, through this blog, we will just try to take a glimpse of the some of the unique attributes.

Extensions and Plug-ins:

Since, the websites are getting more dynamic and interactive; many of them even come with multimedia integration. And hence such web pages require solid extensions and plug-ins to make it work flawlessly. If we take a look at the extensions; WordPress takes the Cake with around 21210 extensions and plug-ins in its basket.

However, Drupal and Joomla are not lagging completely behind – They are competing well with 11000+ and 9000+ extensions respectively. And looking at the stiff competition; there still more to come!

Simplicity:

Now, commenting on this attribute is a still tricky! – Since, all the three CMSs are based on PHP and are open-source, they are not out and out complicated to use. However, if we compare these three; then definitely the ball lands in court of WordPress.

According to the technocrats; WordPress does not require great technical knowledge – A little technical understanding and you can successfully work on it.  In comparison, Joomla would prove to be a bit complicated; which requires proper training and understanding.

Drupal, unlike the former two, needs high level of technical expertise.

Popularity on Search Engines!

Looking at the numbers; it seems WordPress again wins the race! – According to an estimate WordPress was most searched with approximately 3700000+ searches. Since, it is widely known for creating simple, yet extremely eye-catching websites, it reins the chart of most search CMSs. Being followed by Drupal and Joomla, it again makes it to the top slot.

The Bottom Line

Looking at the above list of attributes; it seems that WordPress is the mighty one! – But, then we cannot and should not undermine the other CMSs. In this changing scenario, where technology changes with a blink of an eye – All three of the CMSs have their own importance.  In other words, for simple and attractive websites, you have WordPress and for an advanced and versatile site, you have Drupal.

A Mobile-Compatible Website is the New “In-Thing”!

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Smartphones is becoming a common sight – With every other person carrying Smartphone, it seems that the PC and laptops are getting outdated!

Technological ambit is extremely dynamic; with a blink of the eye the whole scenario changes – In fact, with the invention and development of devices like tablets and Smartphones; it seems that the whole world has come on our fingertips.

We can now easily perform any function that we otherwise have to perform on a full-fledged computer. This trend has given way to the “Mobile compatible websites”; which works seamlessly and brilliantly over the smaller mobile screen.

Since, the screen resolutions differ a lot (some Smartphones have a wider and longer display, while this may be not true for other phones); it becomes all the more important to create a website which works more effectively irrespective of the screen size.

Designing a mobile-compatible website will help you to recognize and reach to your potential customers on their phones. Some of the other advantages of mobile compatible sites are:

Enhanced User Experience: – Since, mobile compatible website are exclusively designed keeping in mind the resolution of the Smartphones; they work excellently on a smaller screen. The user may not find it difficult to view it or work on it.

Visitor stays longer!: – It is very normal to shut down the site, which takes time in loading, or which has very complicated navigation. And a mobile user is not very patient with the longer loading time, since, it may drain their battery. So, by designing a site which is “mobile-friendly”, there are all the chances that you may attract the users, as well as encourage them to stay longer around, going to other pages.

Reduced Loading time: – Since, the mobile compatible websites are specifically configured and designed to work effectively on dimension and resolution of a mobile browser, they do not take longer period of time to load, as compared to other sites, which are designed for other platforms.

Build a Brand becomes easy: – With an elegant, slick and high-quality website which can work well on the Smartphones, you get a better way to reach out to the customers (mainly using Smartphones). You can get a very robust platform through which you can communicate with the customers and therefore, can create your brand.

Competitive Edge: – With a mobile website, you have an added advantage to way to distinguish yourself in the extreme competition. When mobile clients; with a compatible site will be able to scroll down your site; which they can use to pull information.

The Amazing Art of Image Editing Services!

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I was always passionate about capturing the fine amalgamation of color, texture, design and beauty on camera and therefore, took up Fashion photography as a career!

And in these years as a photographer, I realized one thing that “Camera does something tells a lie”, especially today when image editing services have flourished tremendously.

We come across a variety of obstacles, while shooting – Factors like Bad lights, out of place locations (sometimes, we have to shoot indoors due to bad weather), wrong placement of shadows (again due to lights) – in fact even a pimple on the model’s face makes it difficult for us to click a “Picture Perfect” photo.

However, in the past few years, things have changed a little with the advancements in the photo editing services.

From my own experience, I have seen almost magical “changes” that photo editing can bring in to a not-so-good picture.

Okay, here I would like to share an incident, it was an important shooting assignment and so we decided to do a photo shoot in the woods.

Now, being so close to nature, we encountered a pack of birds, sneaking into frame every now and then. However, all kudos to the “photo retouching”; the unwanted “jungle creatures” were masked – So, when the final pictures in the magazine were published, there were only models!

See, how photo editing can have a “magical effect”! Image editing service is so fantastic that it can even change the background. Being a photographer, I have time and again struggled with the “Bad Lights” however, all kudos to this amazing service; my photos never lacked the professional touch.

It happens often that the back drop is dull, or the natural lights fade or even sometimes, Don’t Worry – photo editing services will enhance and brighten up the lackluster back drop and give the photo that unspoiled and ideal setting.

It can even mask the pimples, spots and even wrinkles on the model’s face – So, these pictures are virtually flawless.

One more thing that is just wow about image editing is color balancing – The basic lesson of any photography class is to maintain a balance between the colors. The setting should go well with the dress the models are wearing.

But, sometimes, we have to encounter problems related to the color and lighting. It is here that this amazing art come to our rescue! A highly resourceful and competent professional can easily play with the color schemes and lighting – they can change the hue, the shade, in fact, they can make the picture brighter if required.

By using a variety of tools, like Photoshop, these professionals can change the whole image – it can add, conceal any minute detail or even remove an unwanted object or background from the picture.

Responsive Web Designing – A New Age Approach to Web development!

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We have entered the post-PC era! Apart from the traditional desktops, we nowadays, heavily rely on laptops, iPads and the latest one Smartphones.

With these many devices entering the mainstream markets, it has become all the more important for web developers and designers to make websites which “fits” into all devices. And so, I wondered how do they manage to “fit” a website into different devices with varying dimensions.

Therefore, I took Google by storm to search for the wonder which makes site appear flawless and picture-perfect in any device. And I came across Responsive web design – and it was fascinating to read more about it.

Irrespective to the screen resolution, Responsive web design will make the “viewing” a treat for the eyes! Interesting, whatever be the screen size is, a responsive website will “adjust” the texts, images and videos according to the screen space.

In fact, it is being widely welcomed and applauded among the web developers, since, almost eliminates the need to have multiple versions for a single website. Moreover, I was completely amazed to notice that it proves to be a cost-effective solution, which can help the entrepreneurs to save those extra bucks, which they have to otherwise spend on getting multiple versions developed.

Well, now with Smartphones and tablets in our hands, we usually try to surf internet with these devices, and if your web sites (non-responsive, of course) is not impressive or attractive, the user would simply get away from the page. They would not have a good reason to stay for a longer time. So, it becomes all the more crucial to provide an enhanced interface to both PC and Smartphone and tablet users to access any websites from anywhere and at anytime.

In addition to all this, with responsive web design you can easily implement the SEO or search engine optimization. Sounds a bit confusing! – Fine let me explain – If you know SEO (even a little bit) you would know that every different version of a website requires their own set of links which are redirected to guide visitors to the correct device version.

So, when there is only one website; then there will just one set of link and no redirects. This in turn will makes the loading time lesser and speedy.

Moreover, responsive web designing is extremely “pocket friendly” –  It will not require many versions, thus, you can save those extra bucks here and moreover, you do not have to spend any resources on maintaining multiple versions of a single website.

Why HTML5 is here to Stay Longer?

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HTML5 created a buzz when it was first introduced mainly for several questions raised over its effectiveness. Initially, it was considered a DARK HORSE – However, today, HTML5 is seen a major trend-setter in the technological ambit due to some of highlighting aspects, which can be successfully used to created state-of-the-art web and mobile application.

In my previous blog, I mentioned some of the predictions made by the experts about HTML5 in the year 2013, and how it is here to Stay longer. Here, we will try to speculate some the reasons, why or what makes HTML5 so special that it is being considered a winner.

Smartphones are becoming the latest catch in the recent times – With every other person sporting a Smartphone, the technocrats are looking for a robust configured cross platform technology. And in HTML5, the developers see a solid technology, which would work completely flawless on different mobile platforms. Being integrated with CSS3 and JavaScript, HTML5 works competently and most effectively on a variety of mobile platforms.

  • Clean codes is something that has helped HTML5 gained a considerable repute – Since, clean and specialized code are easy to comprehend. So, even when the web or mobile application is deployed and made live, it still gives a scope of modifications. Moreover, with clean codes, the debugging too becomes easy and quick. Thus, the end result comes out to be a amazingly and robustly build web or mobile application.
  • With the advent of a variety of browsers like IE7+, Firefox, Safari 3+, Google Chrome, Opera, etc making a knock, it has become completely vital to have a web language that ably supports all these browsers. HTML5 is one such web language which making a mark due to its ability and compatibility to work successfully and efficiently on different web browsers.
  • With the technology becoming more dynamic, tech-enthusiasts are looking forward for various solid and immensely interactive features. HTML5 comes with a different of unique and vibrant features, which makes it a favorite tool about the developers to present feature-rich, quality and high-end web applications, which are not only attractive, but also functionally brilliant.
  • Well, saving the cherry for the end – HTML5 due to its extensively brilliant and unique features and functionalities has become favorite of many leading web developing companies. Most of these top companies utilize HMTL5 to create web applications. In fact, the internet users are falling head or heels in love of the feature-rich and dynamic web sites. And so, it is definitely here to stay for long!

Will the year 2013 prove to a landmark for HTML5?

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HTML5 received a little lukewarm welcome when it was first introduced in the year 2008. In fact, it raised a host of questions, rather than evoking an excitement!

However, with the passing years (with the advent on Smartphones, to be more precise), it has gained enough repute and recognition.

As a matter of fact, the good news came with World Wide Web Consortium declaring specifications for HTML5 and recognizing it as “feature complete”– To put this in simple phrase, it was recognized a “more stable (than before) platform” for the developers.

But, the big test is yet to come! HTML5 has to prove its worth completely before getting W3C standard in 2014. So, the present year 2013 is of utmost importance and we have a lot to expect from this amazing and unique platform in the coming days.

Let us see what HTML5 has for us in the year 2013:

HTML5 all set to acquire W3C standard!

With web becoming an important resource in the tech-savvy era; the world is demanding interoperability from web languages.

HTML5 and CSS3 with their penchant for clean codes and futuristic approach is all set to empower the web development! In fact, both these languages together are rapidly emerging as powerful tool for result-oriented web development. Developed on the lines of earlier versions, HTML5 has integrated more features, and provides a more robust solid interface that means a lot to the developers, who have to deliver web solutions. – Thus, we would expect it getting W3C standard in the near future!

Expect a Boom in demand for HTML5!

As per the industry gurus, HTML5 is here to stay and stay for longer! Various Market research surveys have shown a positive picture for this language. In fact, the surveys points to continuous surge in its adoption.

And so, the market is actually going to make a way for HTML5 in the coming days! Since it is a versatile platform it is fully suitable for smartphones, websites, mobile apps, or mobile-ready websites.

Want to have cross platform compatibility – Just call in for HTML5!

HTML5 actually started gaining a pace in year 2011. With the market flooding with a variety of Smartphones; the demand technology that offers cross platform compatibility has risen tremendously.  If we take a good look, we will find that almost every platform – mobile or web – is shifting to HTML5 (this surprisingly includes Blackberry OS and Windows 8).

And if industry experts are to be believed, HTML5 is truly true the cross-platform ready technology which comes with simple and ready to install modules.

HTML5 will be the next Path-breaker!

The biggies in the technological ambit are now taking a serious note of HTML5 – In fact, Google and Microsoft are relying and framing their policies keeping in mind HTML5. Speaking in other words, HTML5 is being emerging as a solid platform to deliver those power-packed web and mobile applications.

Now, this has actually given jitters to the already established Giants with HTML5 gradually making roads for itself. As a matter of fact, many field gurus, feel that in the near future, HTML5 will come out as a path-breaker in this constantly changing technological scenario.

Tips for Magento Developer: How to Improve Your Magento Store?

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The E-commerce market is getting tougher with each passing day – This makes it important for the Magento Developers to be constantly on their toes to enhance the Magento store.

Here are some of the tips which can help you to create brilliant virtual stores, which are at par with the global standard and perfectly suitable to meet growing requirements of the customers.

Enhance your Home Page!

Any customer, whether visiting the store for the first time or is a regular shopper, will gauge your shop from its home page. Therefore, a golden rule is to “Never Over Do anything”! The best way is to keep the appearance in sync with the contemporary mindset of your customers. Moreover, do not be a show off; do not explicitly display the exclusive products; rather drop hints to the customers.

This will serve the purpose of home page; i.e., to highlights the major features of the store and show a way inside.

Keep Categorization in Check

Complicated navigations can simply put off the customers; therefore, your primary target as a Magento Developer becomes to avoid Over-categorization.

This is a common thing which almost every Magento Developer does – While presenting the categories for the store they hardly try to define the categories properly. In fact, the best way is to keep categorization as simple and as crisp as possible. This will keep the navigation simpler as well as more precise.

Keep on posting updates!

How will a customer know that something new has arrived on your store? – The answer is to send newsletter and mails to update them about something that knock on your E-commerce shop. Using social media sites like Twitter Facebook will simply pull your presence online.

A customer loves interactive stores

The reason online shopping has become a craze is that it makes shopping experience more pleasurable with its interactive and dynamic features. So, your duty as Magento Developer includes embellishing the store with some multimedia tools, like videos or some intriguing animation. It will create an excitement among the customers to learn more about your company and your products. Therefore, it can lead to great lead generation and subsequently to extra sales and profits.

Give the Customers some space

A Golden principle every Magento Developer should remember – Respect the customer’s choice. You may want to create an impression on the customers, try not to stuff any product category with innumerable products, show things gradually and let the customer decide whether he or she wants to view all the products of that category. This way, at least the customers won’t feel that their shopping is being sabotaged and hence will lead to a sense of trust.