The Ultimate Guide to Magento eCommerce Websites

Over the past few years, the Magento eCommerce platform has solidified its place as one of the best methods to getting your shop online and ensuring that it performs well on an international level.

While many business owners, retailers and entrepreneurs are exploring the possibilities of eCommerce for the first time, a huge number of people deciding to use Magento are transferring over from existing web stores that just don’t have the solutions they’re searching for. Even more interestingly, people who have enjoyed the benefits of what it has to offer since the very start are still discovering new and innovative ways to expand their business by pushing Magento eCommerce to its limits.

To truly reach the potential that the platform has to offer, it’s important to work with a professional Magento Developer, but if you’re just dipping your toe in the water, we’ve put together a helpful beginner’s guide to what you should expect.

Magento eCommerce Guide

Find the edition that’s right for you

There are numerous editions you’ll want to explore before you find the one that’s right for you. After all, there’s no point buying the most expensive version if you only require some features that are available in the base model. Do your research and know what best suits your needs by asking what it is you’re going to sell.

The Magento Enterprise Edition is a subscription-based, tailored package that’s a good fit for fast-growing or large businesses. Because it boasts so many extensions and features, you will have a huge amount of control over your website and how your products are sold. What’s more, the cost of entry also entitles you and your developer to expert support from the Magento team.

The Community Edition can seem somewhat more basic, but for those who know how to use it, you’ll be able to create professional, beautifully designed web stores at absolutely no extra cost. Some interesting features it does have includes multistore capability, related products features, up-sells and cross-sells. What’s more, you’ll also have access to a huge support community.

In general, the Community Edition is perfect for smaller businesses who are working with a skilled developer, but you should make sure to outline exactly what you require before you begin – upgrading from the Community Edition to the Enterprise Edition isn’t necessarily a straightforward affair.

Regardless of what you choose, there is a data version available of both that allows you to explore different themes and product displays without altering the look or functionality of your live website.

Explore extension options to get the most out of your Magento eCommerce store

There’s no point buying a Porche if you’re never going to drive it.

Any Magento developer in Dublin can list all the amazing features at your disposal, and will probably also have a few stories about stores they’ve come across that used absolutely none of them at all.

Because Magento has a flourishing community of user-generated content, when you want to do something with the platform, chances are you probably can. For many, this is what makes it the number 1 choice for eCommerce. Cost can sometimes be any issue. Extension prices are sometimes dictated by the amount of revenue they have the potential to increase. But the entry fee can be well worth the advantages that they provide.

Set up a robust database

Anybody who’s in business will attest to the old saying, ‘Knowledge is power!’

It’s an idea that’s as true for eCommerce as any other form of retail: The more information you have on your products, your market and your customers, the better you’ll be able to sell. The good news is that Magento is an incredibly impressive module for taking advantage of the information you have and helping to compile new databases to ensure the growth of your online shop.

Logistically speaking, you’ll be able to set your store name, establish shipping and payment methods, set email addresses for notifications, create products and product categories in a simple and intuitive way, as well take advantage of the settings in any extensions you’ve installed. On the Product side of things, you’ll be able to edit simple products, virtual products, downloadable products, grouped products, bundled products, and last, but not least complex or configurable products.

With all of these amazing options at your fingertips, you’ll wonder why you didn’t set up a Magento eCommerce years ago!

Finding a good Magento developer in Dublin and Ireland

There’s a lot of qualities you’ll need to look out for when you’re searching for the right Magento developer in Dublin or Ireland as a whole.

For one, you’ll need somebody who takes the time to understand what your business is about. After all, you won’t necessarily feel comfortable taking care of your website once it’s launched. A developer will need to be there to help you with problems that can range from small to large. If they can’t listen to what you have to say early in the process, then you can take this as a red flag that you might have issues down the line.

Secondly, you’ll want a Magento eCommerce developer who isn’t just technically savvy, but who also has a good eye for design and the talent the work with your brand. Yes, Magento has countless themes to make your website look clean and polished, but it still takes an eye for design to make a website that suits your business.

Lastly, you should make sure that they have experience with previous Magento websites. Ask to see a portfolio of work and have them point you in the direction of their eCommerce experience. This is the one sure way to find out if they know what they’re doing.

Our Magento development team are always happy to talk about what projects we’ve handled in the past and what we can do for you, so make sure you contact us when you’re ready to get your project started.