Introduction

Spree Commerce was created on Ruby on Rails platform in 2007. Long in short, Spree Commerce is a comprehensive e-commerce framework that offers entrepreneurs a customizable and open-source solution. It is just a free collection of programs that web developers can utilize to design and create captivating digital storefronts. Spree Commerce is an ideal resource when you are looking to develop and market a digital store. It is an ideal resource because it boasts a streamlined set of core functions that can be customized according to your requirements. Today, software development companies can bring their vision to the world by building eCommerce stores for businesses to meet the required design specifications. Thus, Spree Commerce allows you to control every aspect of development. Here are reasons why you should choose Spree Commerce and how you can use this excellent source.

Why is Spree Commerce an Ideal Solution? 

7 Reasons to Choose Spree Commerce

Customization

If you require frequent upgrading and improvement in the software, then Spree Commerce is the best modular platform. Therefore, you can get a personalized solution tailored according to your specific needs. For getting an “out of the box” solution, you cannot take account of everything. Spree developers have the advantage of providing a base that suits the client’s needs and is highly flexible in different extensions. Moreover, the developers can also create new personalized extensions with minimum effort. 

Integration Flexibility

Most of the latest online stores offer the flexibility to integrate third-party solutions, including payment gateways. So, we have a Spree Commerce platform that supports the integration of most popular systems. Moreover, from payments tools to third-party solutions, Spree Commerce features aren’t limited to any constraints. 

Scaling

Suppose your initial plans about your online store aren’t much broader but remember it is only the beginning. Everyone should always consider the possibility of future business development. You might be confused about how it will affect the eCommerce hosting solution. The fact to understand here is that business development leads to project scale. As a result, your web resources should be ready to support higher loads. However, if your chosen solution isn’t powerful enough, then you can expect to face some significant losses in the future. Thus, using Spree Commerce will help you avoid unwanted outcomes. This latest web technology allows you to expand the resources and grow your business values seamlessly.

Mobile-First Approach

Perhaps, the most successful eCommerce resources today are compatible with all browsers and support all mobile versions. Spree Commerce was created by keeping the fact of a mobile-friendly approach in mind. Consequently, web solutions on Spree Commerce ensure UI intuitiveness giving an online store with responsive design right out of the box. 

Marketing Opportunities

Getting an appealing online store is not enough to grow your business. It requires promotion to attract as many customers as possible. The advantage you enjoy here is the rich functionality of Spree that offers lots of marketing-focused features. Some of these features are integrated search engine optimization, the ability to connect coupons, advanced user analytics, additional means of communication, simplified campaign management, high-level marketing, etc. 

Omnichannel

eCommerce evolution has a logical product approach known as omnichannel. It is a strategy that puts the client into the spotlight and reveals some ideal shopping conditions. Moreover, it ensures the best customer experience on all channels, platforms, and devices. So, this approach takes everything into account, from the store itself to the manager’s call. One of the most exciting benefits of Spree Commerce is that it allows you to serve capricious clients through the facility of remote guiding. 

Faster Development

We all know that Spree is built on Ruby on Rails that offers the highest development speed. Thus, Spree Commerce is the most desirable choice of all software development companies and clients due to its extra fast speed. 

When should you opt for Spree Commerce? 

You should build your eCommerce store with Spree Commerce if:

• When you are looking forward to launching an online store with the latest cool features and possibilities of customizing an online store. 
• Or you are striving to evolve your business, and that’s why foresee the need to scale the project with an increase of business values. 
• The last option when you should choose Spree Commerce is when you are interested in creating an exclusive and effective trading platform.

How to Setup Spree Commerce and Customize it? 

To help you use this wonderful source efficiently, here we  give you simple steps  to guide you:

1. How to set up SpreeCommerce
2. Layout customization
3. Checkout process customization

Setup Spree

Setting up spree commerce is very easy. To do that you require Rails(~> 4.2.6)

Rails (~> 4.2.6)

Once you have installed Rails, you need to add the following lines to your gem file:

gem 'spree', '~> 3.1.0.rc1'

gem 'spree_auth_devise', '~> 3.1.0.rc1'

gem 'spree_gateway', '~> 3.1.0.rc1'

Once, you have added the above-given lines, run ‘bundle install’ and later use the default generator to set up Spree

rails g spree:install –user_class=Spree::User

rails g spree:auth:install

rails g spree_gateway:install

This is all. You now have Spreecommerce installed on your machine. Give it a test run.

Layout customization

There are two ways you can edit spree commerce layout:

• Deface
• Customization by downloading the required file

Deface

Deface let you to customize erb templates without downloading that file. It allows you to use CSS3 style selectors to target any element.To deface,

First of all, make a new directory:
mkdir app/overrides
Create a new file with some meaningful name in this directory and add code like below

Deface::Override.new(

 :virtual_path => #{path_to_your_desired_file},

 :name => 'change view',

 :replace => “[data-hook=#{data_hook_name}]”,

 :text => “Add your own HTML here”

 )

* data-hook is like an id in html which let you select the div you want to change.
There are following actions available for Deface.

• :remove-

  Removes all elements that match the supplied selector

• :replace-

  Replaces all elements that match the supplied selector, with the content supplied

• :replace_contents-

  Replaces the contents of all elements that match the supplied selector

• :surround-

  Surrounds all elements that match the supplied selector, expects replacement markup to contain <%= render_original %> placeholder

• :surround_contents-

  Surrounds the contents of all elements that match the supplied selector, expects replacement markup to contain <%= render_original %> placeholder

• :insert_after-

  Inserts after all elements that match the supplied selector

• :insert_before-

  Inserts before all elements that match the supplied selector

• :insert_top-

  Inserts inside all elements that match the supplied selector, as the first child

• :insert_bottom-

  Inserts inside all elements that match the supplied selector, as the last child

• :set_attributes-

  Sets attributes on all elements that match the supplied selector, replacing existing attribute value if present or adding if not. Expects :attributes option to be passed.

• :add_to_attributes-

  Appends value to attributes on all elements that match the supplied selector, adds attribute if not present. Expects :attributes option to be passed.

• :remove_from_attributes-

  Removes value from attributes on all elements that match the supplied selector. Expects :attributes option to be passed.

Customization By Downloading Required File:

There is another way to customize spreecommerce layout i.e. through downloading frontend/app/views/spree folder to your project’s app/views.

• For admin panel download backend/app/views/spree/admin folder to your project’s app/views/spree.
• For layout files download frontend/app/views/spree/layouts/spree_application.html.erb and backend/app/views/spree/layouts/admin.html.erb to your project’s app/views/spree/layouts.
• Then modify the files as per your requirements of your project.

* Take note that the downloaded files include many lines of code in gem which will not be in use.

3.  Checkout Customization For Cash On Delivery And Free Shipment:

Add new file order_decorator.rb in app/models/spree/ and write following code to this file

checkout_flow do

go_to_state :address

#go_to_state :delivery

#go_to_state :payment, :if => lambda { |order| order.payment_required? }

#go_to_state :confirm, :if => lambda { |order| order.confirmation_required? }

go_to_state :complete

#remove_transition :from => :delivery, :to => :confirm
end

Since we want to implement the cash on delivery, I have commented out payment, confirm and  remove_transition processes from code and for free delivery, the delivery process is commented.

Wrapping it up:

Looking to design and customize your dream eCommerce store? Every business owner aims at growing a business each time it extends into the digital world. Clustox- Best eCommerce Store developers are here to build a captivating and result-driven online store. Reach out to the best IT consultants today to discover what eCommerce store resources will best suit your requirements. 

Are you looking for the right platform for your e-commerce development? Well, choosing an e-commerce platform when you are not a technology expert or have previous experiences with them is extremely complicated. Deciding about the best-fit e-commerce platform mapping your needs is important as the quality and content of the site are the main elements. These elements directly influence the conversion rates of your company. So, investing a lot of time in the search to select the best e-commerce platform is worth it. There are basically three solutions available for online store development. And today, from our experience in hundreds of online projects, we have enlisted here all the top 3 e-commerce platforms. You can check them with their advantages and disadvantages. From this, you can know about each and make an informed decision. Have a look at each platform given below:

Marketplace

If you want to sell over the Internet without complications, you only have to open your own space in a marketplace like eBay or sign up as an external seller in e-commerce websites like Amazon or FNAC. These platforms are nothing more than online shopping centers in which both companies and individuals offer their products and services.

The process of registering and creating a store in a marketplace is very simple and normally free. On the other hand, depending on the platform chosen, you will have to pay a series of commissions. The most frequent are:

• By sale, either a fixed amount, a percentage of the price or a combination of both.
• For the publication of advertisements within the platform or the appearance in a prominent place of the same.
• For the enjoyment of premium or advanced benefits (generally a fixed monthly or annual fee).

Advantage:

1. To be present in a marketplace, it is not necessary to make a significant initial payment. In many cases, the initial cost is zero.
2. It is not necessary to have programming knowledge, and there is no need to worry about the technical aspects of the platform because the updates are made automatically. This means you do not have to deal with issues related to hosting or servers.
3. Marketplaces usually have a customer service in which they guide you on all types of issues related to the sale through the Internet and the use of the various services of the platform.
4. You can start selling from minute one.
5. The capture of traffic to e-commerce pages is a considerable effort in terms of time and money. If you have your store hosted in a marketplace, you can benefit from the high resources that these platforms invest in to attract potential buyers (through email marketing campaigns, search engine advertising, television spots, etc.).

Disadvantages:

1. You have to accept the conditions imposed by the owner of the marketplace, whether you like it or not.
2. If your business is based on the sale of high volumes of goods or services with low added value or you decide to compete for price, the payment of commissions to the marketplace for each sale can take a significant part of your commercial margin.
3. Although some marketplaces have options that allow you to customize your store, the adaptations that you can introduce are usually minimal. Generally, they are limited to small design touches (such as the inclusion of your logo or the choice of different color ranges). This disadvantage is, without a doubt, the most important of all, since it limits the options in terms of building a brand image.

SaaS – Solution in the Cloud

Another popular solution to set up an online store is using SaaS (Software as a solution). SaaS online stores are pre-configured e-commerce solutions. The companies host them on their servers specialized in providing e-commerce services on the cloud. Shopify, Volusion, and BigCommerce, are a few examples that offer this solution. If you have a little knowledge about creating web pages, it is convenient for you to only charter a web server. It should allow you to start building your site from scratch in a more technical way. As a general rule, they will charge you a fixed monthly fee or a commission for each sale you make.

Advantage:

1. The initial investment that must be made to have your store on the cloud is usually relatively low. In most of these platforms a free trial period is offered).
2. As in the case of the marketplaces, you will not need to have technical knowledge (since updates are made automatically). There is no need to worry about hosting, nor you will have to make investments in the web development area and you can start selling immediately.
3. These platforms usually have a customer service from which they will solve your doubts and give you technical support.
4. They usually offer a more advanced level of personalization than the marketplaces and, as a general rule, you can easily add or remove the modules that the supplier puts at your disposal (such as logistics options, means of payment or calculation of taxes).

Disadvantages:

1. Normally the design of your store has to be done using preconfigured templates. In these templates, you can modify some areas such as the header or footer. However, some suppliers allow the layout of your e-commerce store to be customized to a greater extent, usually in exchange for an additional outlay.
2. As a general rule, you will not be able to make advanced ad hoc adaptations. For example, the integration of our ERP with the store or the implementation of a customized return management system.
3. In the same way as in the marketplaces, also, in this case, you will depend on the conditions imposed by the service provider.

Open Source Solutions 

The option most preferred by retailers and entrepreneurs to set up an online store is using open source solutions. The examples are Magento, WooCommerce, and Prestashop. These are the systems that offer you a platform with most of the necessary modules in many of the cases. They are usually easily manageable both in the business activity and in the configuration of the same. Unlike the options previously seen, the main expenses will correspond to the following items:

1. Accommodation rate in servers in a data center (or hardware and maintenance expenses if you choose to install in-house servers).
2. They derive the costs from the creation of the customized online store plus investments associated with the introduction of improvements or updates (or a considerable number of working hours, if the developments are carried out within the company itself).

Advantage:

1. You get 100% ownership of your online store. There is no dependency on conditions that the suppliers require (as in the case of marketplaces or SaaS stores platforms).
2. You can make the modifications that you consider appropriate in terms of design and layout of your e-commerce store.
3. This option allows the integration of services on demand. The examples are the merger of your ERP with the e-commerce store, the installation of an online after-sales service according to our specific needs) or the inclusion of any payment system alternative.

Disadvantages:

1. Higher initial cost than the other options, since you will have to create the e-commerce store from scratch using your own resources or entrusting it to a specialized e-commerce agency.
2. Need to have advanced technical knowledge – to manage updates or incidents that arise on a daily basis – or hire an external maintenance service provided by expert professionals in the management and programming of e-commerce platforms.
3. It is essential to have a quality hosting service that can support extensive traffic and databases.

So now with these three options are present. We hope you can make the right decision and choose the e-commerce platform that best suits your online store needs. For any further assistance, contact us directly and we would help you in every manner we can!

For an online business to be successful, it is necessary to plan each one of the details, from the design of the page to the email models that we will send to confirm the orders. One of the things that we must also take into account in our e-commerce, as part of the marketing strategy, is the payment method we will offer to our customers.

There are many different payment methods, each one with its characteristics and benefits. When we integrate the payment platform in our e-commerce, we must be clear about what benefit it represents for the user or client. For example, we can opt for the commonly known form of payment by card or traditional method of cash on delivery. But often the key lies in innovating with other systems, such as online financing platforms for customers, ideal for e-commerce with expensive products.

Let’s review the payment methods that you can integrate into your online business and its benefits:

1. PayPal

PayPal is a payment method born in 1998 and purchased by eBay in 2002. It then served as a platform to guarantee transactions at auctions and returns when the product did not meet the expectations of the buyer. Gradually they expanded it and PayPal became one of the most used payment systems.

PayPal acts as a mediator between the buyer and the seller so that the seller only receives an email of the subscription notice and the monetary amount corresponding to the item sold. This means that at no time the seller gets to know the personal data of the buyer, nor their account number. This security, together with the simplicity of the transaction, makes it possible to increase the conversion rates at checkout and the recovery of lost credits with card payment.

Advantages

• Widely known payment method all around the world.
• The method provides high-level security in terms of payment and buyer identity.
• Simple and easy to use the method to make purchases or sell online, all you need is a PayPal account.
• PayPal offers great flexibility. The user can deposit money in PayPal through card, transfer, another PayPal account or use it as a payment gateway.

Disadvantages

• PayPal charges a certain ratio of commission to the seller based on the number of sales.
• If a currency exchange is part of the payment, PayPal charges a commission to the buyer too.

Online payments through cards

The cards are plastic payment tools, numbered and magnetized, issued by a bank that authorizes its bearer to use them as a means of payment in the businesses attached to this system. The instrument they use to materialize these payments is the payment gateway, a.k.a. virtual POS, which is the online version of the classic dataphone that can be found in physical stores.

Online payment through cards is the most common and widespread form of payment today; therefore, it is essential for your online business. It is advisable to have an extremely secure and reliable card, payment gateway guaranteeing the privacy of users’ data. Add a virtual POS with authentication, so that the bank verifies the authenticity of the card.

At the time of payment, the buyer usually can choose between their cards, which can be credit or debit. The first option does not need to provide funds previously to the entity that assumes the debt while, in the second, the amount of purchases is deducted from the bank account at the time of purchase. To avoid possible frauds, the buyer receives a verification code.

Advantage

• The money is received in advance for the order placed.
• It is a form of immediate payment.

Disadvantages

• The seller has to pay a certain amount of commission.

Cash on delivery

This traditional method already known by all is the cash on delivery. It is one of the safest methods of payment. The customer pays for the product directly to the carrier, when he delivers the package so that their bank details are always safe. With this payment system, you will capture the attention of older buyers, who show greater reluctance to buy online.

Advantage

• If the customer does not pay for the merchandise, they will not deliver it.

Disadvantages

• The ratio of returns or failed deliveries are higher because this implies that the company bears the shipping costs until the payment is received from the buyer.
• The shipping costs are charged to the buyer once payments are made.

Bank transfers

Bank transfer is also a method that has lost strength over time. In this case, the online stores provide the customer with the data of a bank account so that they can proceed with the payment of the order, which will be managed once said payment is confirmed.

Advantages

• The money is received in advance before the order is dispatched.
• Low cost for trade because it does not require specific technical developments of connection in the online store.
• It does not charge commissions to the seller.

Disadvantages

• The delay in the purchase process, since until the seller does not receive the payment; they do not process the order.
• Involves the risk that the buyer does not make the payment, which reduces the conversion and makes it difficult to manage the stock.

Online payments through the mobile

Among the latest trends in electronic commerce is payment through our mobile devices. Within it, there are many types: the transfer of money between different users, the mCommerce or purchase in online stores through this device; or mobile payments at the point of sale through NFC technology or QR codes.

Likewise, mobile wallets are emerging in the form of apps that store the personal and banking data of the users in order to make transactions in a faster way and to have all the operations available with a single click. This is the case for Amazon Pay, Google Wallet, and Apple Pay.

Advantages

• Fast and easy way to pay online
• Eliminates the problem of change and lack of cash.
• Security and rapid control of expenses, income and transactions.

Disadvantages

• It is not useful for all audiences since those who do not have mobile (advanced age target) will not be able to enjoy these possibilities.

Virtual currency

It is not a bank, nor an intermediary company, nor an investment fund. The virtual currency uses peer-to-peer technology, where the management of their transactions and the issuance thereof the network carries it out collectively. The currency is called bitcoin – an online payment model that is revolutionizing the Internet since its use is exclusively online. You can use it to make any transaction, either to pay for a product in an online store or to send money to a family member at the other end of the world.

Users who want to use bitcoins have to buy them from someone who has them and wants to exchange them for Dollars.

 Advantages

• Bitcoins allow easy currency exchange.
• Its falsification is impossible.
• Money cannot be operated by anyone or frozen.
• Identity protection is guaranteed.

Disadvantages

• The current shortage of bitcoins currency.
• The transactions are irreversible.

With these many options available for your E-commerce payment method, you can facilitate your customers at best. Consider all the methods given above and decide what’s best for you and your online store. We recommend you to pick several and having multiple payment options increases conversion rates. Facilitating customers at the checkout also reduces the number of abandoned carts giving your business an extra boost!

If you have decided on what payment method, you prefer for your e-commerce give us a call. We can help you integrate it at a competitive price without any delay.

When we know that the world will soon have 2 billion smartphone users, we can not wonder that brands are investing heavily in mobile marketing. Today, the mobile is more than a bridge to the market. It provides effective marketing tools business and not necessarily expensive, such as geo-tagging, Bluetooth and push notifications, etc… We have prepared for you a list of mobile marketing tools to help you make the right choice.

Mobile Marketing Tools

The Wallet app (formerly Passbook)

The Wallet app allows users to use smartphone as boarding passes, movie tickets, coupons and gift cards. To use them, the customer only has to scan his smartphone during his time at the counter or at the checkout. The Wallet application was launched in 2012 by Apple with the release of iOS 6, but there are now equivalent to Android applications such as PassWallet or Pass2U Wallet etc. Some cards stored in the application include information based on the time or place and automatically appear on time or in the correct location. With this tool, you can remind your customers, as they pass near your store, they have a promotional coupon available. By synchronizing your application with Passbook you can provide comfort to customers, without having to make much effort.

The SMS                                            

The SMS has some clear advantages for mobile marketing. Their reading rate is up to 95%, 90% within 10 minutes after receiving the SMS , which makes this tool one of the most effective weapons of mobile marketing. Neither the sender nor the recipient need the internet connection to communicate, and SMS can be played on all mobile phones, not just smartphones. Finally, it is also possible to send SMS to users who are near the physical store to inform about offers and promotions.

The QR code

Although this technology has been around for some years, it is gaining popularity at present. Because of its relatively low rate of commitment, the QR code is used as a complement to other mobile marketing tools. It is above all good solutions that give information about products or services to consumers who wish to obtain. If it remains ineffective in attracting new customers, it can be used to retain those who already know your brand.

IBeacon

The IBeacon box works like a beacon broadcasting a signal to smartphone, which is in its vicinity. It will issue a message or push notification. Especially prevalent in local shops to send offers to customers who pass the physical store, the IBeacon technology can also be used for contactless payments with mobile phones.

The e-mail

Email marketing may sound old-fashioned, but the numbers say otherwise: according to a study from IAB the email open rate in high! There are many Send Email platforms. Make sure you choose one that gives you access to data on the performance of your email campaigns such as open rate, playing time and number of clicks on the links. With these stats, you can get inspired to improve your marketing strategy.

The Appvertising

The appvertising, or advertising in mobile applications has spread through the rise in the market for mobile applications where the free advertising model remains the main source of income. There are several types of mobile advertisements. For example, in the case of games, it is possible to encourage the player to view a promotional video by offering him a token which they can then use in the game. In this regard, remember that the ads should never alter the user experience of an application or mobile site.

Mobile applications

Some brands, in addition to making use of mobile advertising, decided to create their own application. This is certainly a selection of well-priced marketing strategy, but in certain sectors such as tourism and e-commerce, creating a mobile application can significantly increase sales.

Examples of successful mobile marketing campaigns

Domino’s Pizza: The famous pizzeria launched Domino’s Pizza Hero, a game on iPad. It invites users to create their own pizzas. It quickly became the third most downloaded app on iPad.

The North Face: One of the leading manufacturers of equipment and mountain clothing, The North Face. It uses the geofence to enable customers to easily find its stores. By participating in the loyalty program, the customer provides his mobile phone number and must activate the GPS. Then when he approaches a distance of one of the stores, he receives a text message communicating his address.

If you want to be the next example in the list, plan your strategy and knock at us for professional mobile app development services.

Do you want to create a mobile application? Have you woke up this morning with a creative idea for a perfect app? One that nobody else has thought of before, and you’re sure it will be very popular? Or have you found yourself with a problem you think you can solve? The answer to this question will determine whether your application will be successful or not. The problem is that you do not know where to start, design, programming…
Here we explain step by step to help you start creating your first mobile application:

Step 1: Identify an idea or problem

If you already have an idea for your application, go to step two. If not, read on. You want to create an application but do not have an idea? What you really need is to find a problem that needs a solution, and they are everywhere. Successful entrepreneurs have been able to solve problems in a way that could not have imagined before. When you look around, every product and service you use was created to solve a problem. So try to look for problems in your daily life and make a list. Once you have an exhaustive list, and you can start thinking about how you can solve them.

Having a great idea is the starting point for each new project. However, before going to the app details, it is important to define the purpose of the app clearly. What are you going to do? What is your main attraction? What specific problem will be solved, or what activity is going to improve?

Step 2. Validate that there is a need in the market

Perform a validation show that there is a demand for your application, and you’re not alone who see the necessity. One of the possible ways to validate your idea is using the MVP Approach by creating a landing page that extensively detail the idea of the application and give the option to extend the information to users who request them by email, or by the use of Google Keyword Planner that analyzes the number of people seeking solutions to the same problem.

Another possibility is to analyze markets applications. Analyzes which applications are successful and what kind of problems they solve. Many times we can find applications that solve a problem but not the best way, and yet succeed as the only or the few existing. In that case, we must consider whether the application to be developed is able to improve the existing and cover that market.

Step 3. Draw the experience of the application

From the moment you begin to shape the application, do the simplest thing i.e. to make some simple sketches about the different functionalities of the application. It is important to shape what you have in your head so that a programmer can begin to understand what you’re trying to create. This step is useful to look at other existing applications that serve as inspiration and model that we can draw ideas. In this way, we will facilitate communication with the programmer.

Need a developer to create your app? We can help you. Ask us to quote here

Step 4. Register as developer

Once you have a clear idea, you need to register as a developer on that platform for you to have thought that it may be more appropriate. Do not be intimidated by the word “developer”. That does not mean you have to be a programmer, it is simply the name used for someone who publishes applications.

Step 5. Find a good developer

Hiring developer can be a lengthy process, but it is time well spent because largely the success of the project will depend on this. If you make a good choice, it will help you avoid any kind of unnecessary delays, costs, and trouble in the future.

Analyze their previous work of the company or developer to see their skills when translating ideas into an application and analyze whether they can develop your idea into a great application or not. You can also go to specialized companies with several developers and extensive experience to ensure better results.

Step 6. Application Development

We cannot always be sure about the choice made by the developer so there is the possibility of ordering the development in parts. This practice helps you test their skills i.e. if the first tasks do not deliver the desired results you can pick a new developer without making any investment. One way to do this is to divide the project into three phases:

1. Icon – ask the programmer to design the application icon in size 512 x 512 for the version of iTunes. You probably have several ideas for icons.
2. Basic application – ask the programmer to edit a basic application that can open and display a simple message. It is a process that does not take more than 10 minutes. The idea here is not to prove their programming skills, but to determine how they work. This application must include the icon to check how it will look on your phone.
3. App delivery – When the programmer provides you a trial version of your application, you must create something called an “ad hoc”, a version of the application that can be run from the iPhone without using the App Store.

Step 7. Test Applications

This phase is very important to ensure the smooth functioning of the application. Do not be the only tester, let other people use it because they can find new needs or provide feedback that can improve the app functionality.

Test each and every one of the functions more than once so that you make sure it works properly. Make a list of the suggested improvements extracted from the information obtained during testing by yourself and other users. Share the list with the developer to make changes. Once again test improved functionalities to make sure these works properly.

Step 8. Integrate Analytics

Analytics helps control downloads and user activity. You can use tools like Flurry which is available for free or Localytics that offers both free and paid pro services.

Step 9. Publish the application in the App Store

Once tested the application and have made the necessary changes, it is time to launch the application through the App Store. The time Apple will take to review and approve or reject your application will depend on whether you’re sending it as an individual or as a company. If you are an individual, it takes three to seven days. If it’s a company, it will have to wait for seven to 10 days.

Step 10. Marketing Application

In the App Store there are thousands of great apps, so to achieve success make your way. For this, you must take into account a number of aspects such as ASO and the ones that may influence the successful downloads. Choose some keywords, try different icons and descriptions to see which of them attracts more users and generate more downloads, perform external promotion applications market, buying advertising, are some of the techniques that can be applied.

Step 11. Obtain Feedbacks

If possible, provide the application free for a while in order to attract new users. Analyze feedback from these users to improve the implementation and launch of new improved versions.

Step 12. Improve application

The first time you launch your app to App Store, it is an initial basic version. Over time there may come new ideas to improve the application. Also, the feedback from users guide you the way can go on to incorporate new features. After launch when you have more users, you can also find faults that must be corrected. The more you improve the application more likely you are to have greater success.

There are many things to think about when creating, designing and launching an app. New apps, unlike apps that are already in the store and only have to be updated, has to take into account all the details. To help you do not leave anything on the way we have prepared this ‘Checklist for launching your app’. Have a look!

Technical Preparation

Implement The Latest Version Of Android Or IOS

Take advantage of being the first version of your app to surprise the user. Implement all the newest features that have appeared on Android or iOS. This will also increase your chances of getting media and blog posts.

Use Version Control For Code

If you’re not already doing it, it’s time to start. It will be invaluable if, for example, you want to repair a critical bug for v1.0, but you are already working on v2.0 for a while.

Deep Linking Or Deep Binding

If you do not use this technique, your app will be isolated from the rest of the digital world. It is also one of the techniques to build ‘user-friendly’ experiences.

Customize Onboarding

The user coming through a deep link, and opening the application for the first time, should get to the content they are looking for. If on the contrary, it has downloaded through the stores, the experience should be different. Customize deep linking to offer unique experiences tailored to different users. This customization increases the registration rate in apps by up to 70%.

Configure Push Notifications

The push notifications are useful and equally dangerous. We must find a way to use them to retain users, but not to disturb all who have our app on their devices.

Implement Analytics In Your App

It’s very important that you know what’s going on with your app. What screens do users visit and which not? What metrics are interesting for your business model? etc. Define a powerful analytics strategy to get all the relevant information.

The Mobile Marketing Strategy

Discover And Test Competing Apps

More than 50,000 applications are released per month, and your goal for your mobile application is to stand out from the rest. For this, answer these questions: Are you really bringing value to your new app? Research well your competition, what can you emulate? What errors can you avoid with your app? etc.

Prepare The Way To Be Highlighted In Stores

Getting your app highlighted on the cover of iOS or Android stores can help you get a good amount of initial downloads. But there is a problem! Unfortunately the stores do not have advertising space on their home pages so to appear as outstanding we have to earn it. And you only have one chance, so… do not throw your app until it’s ready for real!

Implement ASO And Do SEO For Your App

Did you know that 95% of Internet experiences still start with search engines? SEO is vital for the web pages of mobile friendly companies. In the case of new apps it is also important to appear in traditional search engines. But we also have to work the specific positioning for apps: the ASO. Without it, it will be difficult for users to find you in stores.

Create Social Network Accounts For Your App

Be present in Social Networks, especially Facebook and Twitter, and manage them on a regular basis. Even before launching the app. You can present what your app will do and link potential users to your landing page.

Prepare A List Of Influencers And Bloggers In Your Sector

It is important to know the most relevant people in the apps and market sector that you work with. So you can contact them to tell them what your app is going to do and encourage them to try it out.

Prepare A Press Kit

Prepare a press kit with relevant information such as images, logos, explanatory texts, etc.

Pre-Launch New Apps

Beta Testing Program

Testers can help you detect usability errors, bugs, navigation problems, versions on different devices, etc. in the beta version of your app. That’s why it’s so important. We can anticipate changes to be made before launch. You can also become promoters or ambassadors for your app on the day of the definitive launch, and even get your first few reviews.

Test The Beta And Prototype With Potential Customers

Do not use only the testers. Do a test with potential customers, people who fit the exact profile of your client. This will give you a better idea of how customers are going to navigate and where you should improve the app.

Create A Landing Page

It is essential to be present in the network, not only in the stores. Prepare a landing page or landing page to start promoting your app even when you do not have it launched.

Find Your App

The global app market has much more potential than just a geographic zone. If you bet on a global app, make sure you have the versions for each country.

Check The Official Guides Before Sending Your App To The Stores

Before launching the mobile application and sending it to the stores, read the official guidelines of the Apple Store and Google Play. Make sure you follow the rules and guidelines that apply to each one.

Bonuses

Add A ‘Feedback’ Channel In Your App

A low score in stores will make your downloads and your visibility dwindle. To avoid bad reviews you can add functionality within your app to report complaints and suggestions from users.

Implement An Error Reporting Tool

Every time the app fails you should know. Implement an error reporting tool to fix these errors.

Create An Effective Testing Strategy

Nothing drives faster to failure than an app that closes and continually fails, and valued with a star in stores. Create a test strategy to be able to detect these failures before the users and solve them before launching.

Defines A Stream That Collects User Data. Objective: Improve Engagement

25% of users only open the app once. And the retention rate after 90 days after discharge does not exceed 14%. We must continuously analyze the interaction of users with our app to be able to define campaigns of re-engagement and loyalty to our users.

Use The Right Measurement And Loyalty Tools

And not just the right tools, the right metrics to know how your application is going and how we can improve.

Add Content Sharing Option

If your app has relevant content, you should give users the option to share them if they want.

Launch Day

Intensive Public Relations Tracking

It’s time to use that press kit and the list of industry contacts you’ve prepared in the mobile marketing strategy phase. Ideally, you’ll be back in touch – it’s best if you write them earlier – to let them know you’ve already launched the app. Send them a test or the beta version of the app so they can try it out.

Get At Least 5 Reviews Of ‘5 Stars’ As Fast As Possible

As we said before, getting as many positive reviews as possible on launch day is key. This is the only way to make the store stand out on your homepage. Visibility and organic downloads at the same time. Get at least 5 reviews with the highest score. You can use friends, family and contacts to achieve it.

Make Your First Users Feel Special

You can give some reward to your first coming users; it will help you in making them feel special. Thus you would be able to get them back into the app. You can give them messages of appreciation, discounts, content, etc.

Use Paid Ads To Give The App A Boost

Payout campaigns can be very expensive for continuous growth. But as an initial strategy to get an initial push, it may be indicated. You will gain visibility during the first few days to continue organic growth later.

Set Up Google Alerts With The Name Of Your App

This is an effective way to know who is talking about you, through what means they talk about you, etc.

Send The App To ‘Product Hunt’

Web Product Hunt is the best way to access all that mass of techies and experts in technology and apps. Remember that here you also have only one chance.

After The Launch

Prepare An App Update

Yes, you may think you do not need it, but the users prefer updated versions of apps and not the first versions of new apps.

Monitor Reviews, Opinions And Mentions To Your App

Through social networks, through Google Alerts, or any other medium. You must be aware of who has spoken to you and who continues to do so. It will allow you to detect through bad opinions what you should improve and thus improve your rating.

Promote Yourself With Video Ads

Video is one of the formats that generate more engagement. Take advantage of a video promotion.

Create A Referral Program

It will help you multiply growth if you do it right. Put your ‘Invite’ button well visible to get your users to recommend you and get you the new users.

Improves Latency And Performance

Users expect the app to work very fast and well. Try to improve load speed and app performance overall. This point is especially critical in mobile games.

Repeat All Of The Above

Even if you have succeeded in accomplishing these steps, your path does not end here. This is just the beginning. The launch of the app is done once, but the promotion must be continuous. So, are you ready?

Expanding our expertise, we – the Clustox family – feel great to share with you, our new work domain i.e., Payment solutions. We recently penetrated this industry by providing the Payment solution to a well-reputed company that helps small businesses to use EPOS software just as the big giant setups. During recent years we have seen EPOS technology improve melodramatically. These overpowering systems are fixated on transactions, catalog handling, and cash managing. Here are some details of what we did for our client and how the system works. Keep on reading to understand the details.

What Is EPOS?

An electronic point of sale (EPOS) system links back-office and shop-floor processes to generate an efficient retail management system. This authoritative marriage of hardware and software is the whole thing on the principle that all the retail business’ operations are intertwined — from processing buyer transactions to marketing inventiveness. However, the latest adaptations do so much on top. And as they distribute competencies in more than a few areas of a retail company, they are perfect for small industries that need to tab for every single penny. Whether you want an EPOS system into your business or require an elevation, know that EPOS is something that can offer benefits.

Benefits Of An EPOS System?

We understand the requirements of enterprises and large-scale companies and are happy to get them on the road to digital transformation. Leverage our technical and industry-explicit expertise to plan, develop, and scale your modern enterprise solution. Our convention enterprise application development services are a remarkable fit for industries that need contemporary technologies to course their businesses. Let’s just be honest here. The latest technology offers a lot of perks and benefits. And here are a few selective benefits of adding an EPOS to your organization:

• Accept cards to let your customers have the privilege
• Improve Customer Experience
• Fast, efficient, and reliable technology
• Inventory Management
• Comprehensive Sales Analysis Reports
• Competent Labour Management
• Accounting Integration
• Specific Cash Management
• Digital Slips
• Advertising Opportunities

How An EPOS Can Help You?

A great deal of retail and cookery businesses are nowadays assembling email addresses straight from their clients. EPOS systems let you get email addresses, mailing addresses, and mobile numbers on cash records, computer VDUs and mobile expedients. This initiates a respected marketing catalog you can use to support new products and distinct suggestions. The normal EPOS system can store enormous sums of data on the spending behaviors of your customers. You can source this information to generate directed advertising ideas you know will influence the right individuals. Let’s say, you can propose the right stimulus to a customer, built on their earlier buying behaviors. And you’ll see just who might be interested in buying or purchasing your newest products and distinct offers.

Businesses And EPOS And How It Is Transforming

A growing number of businesses are uniting their EPOS systems to their CRM software. Analyzing sales data and consumer habits is an important part of developing marketing tactics, so it makes it logical to hitch them together in this method. This method is critical for comparatively small businesses that find in-house publicizing a test, as it tears the budgets of production, postage, and resources. Your EPOS can be the propelling force behind all your advertising exertions. Up-to-date EPOS technology can nowadays show the in-store elevation at the goal of acquisition. HD screens transmit HD records and snapshots of merchandise and extended entities — flawless for instigating propulsion procurements at cash records. There’s additionally the option of producing an extra income stream via third-party P.R. for local industries in several sectors for your business.

Gain the Recompences Of An Advanced EPOS System Can Provide

EPOS systems are seldom accepted off the hook. They are custom-made to the precise requirements of the business in question. Whether they use old-style registers, mobile gadgets, or a pattern of the two, they can be modified to meet any category of any form of customer-facing company. Our professionals not only hustle up the development procedure but also present you with quality resources. No matter how complex a solution, project, or development is – we’ll offer you the most leading, ascendable, and customizable EPOS solutions to address your business requirements.

Overview Of The Project

Our project of developing a payment processing solution is unique as it lets businesses process payments using mobile devices. To make that possible, we created a third-party API that could communicate between the mobile devices and some highly reliable card reader terminal models, used with most EPOS solutions across the globe.
Connect With Us To Build Your EPOS Today! Schedule Your Free Consultation

How We Made It Possible And What Can The Solution Do?

We implemented our client-specific protocol, to communicate with their card reader terminal, over TCP/IP. Our well-documented API provides non-blocking methods, to perform transactions and get reports from the terminal via callbacks. Integration with our API is made easy by accompanying integration guides, for both Android and iOS. Each API has an associated callback method to provide the extracted data from receipts and reports, received from Card Readers, thus providing a fluent, non-blocking user experience. Here is exactly what we made possible through our software:

Before Implementing Software

After Implementing Software

Clustox – Your Partner For Digital Transformation

If you’re planning to develop a large-scale technology alteration, consider Clustox as your technology regiment. We’ll inspect your present systems and propose the most cost-operative choice. Together, we’ll contrive modifications and accomplish your digital transformation purposes. As of now, we are a globally renowned tech partner. And, well-known setups use our software for ensuring the beat of the digital set up of requirements. If you also need any assistance in acquiring the E-Commerce solution, connect with us as our team will be more than happy to help you out.