October eCommerce Updates from Trellis Partners
Kate Dubovikova
Kate Dubovikova
October brought significant advancements to the eCommerce industry, with leading platforms and tools unveiling updates to enhance merchant operations and customer experiences. From BigCommerce’s revolutionary The Next Big Thing suite to Shopify’s upgraded customer login branding, and Loop’s innovative fraud detection tools, the focus remained on improving efficiency, personalization, and global reach.
Additionally, platforms like Tapcart, Rebuy, and Black Crow introduced features that simplify workflows and deliver powerful insights, while Salesforce expanded its eCommerce storefronts to empower small businesses. These updates collectively highlight the industry’s ongoing evolution toward smarter, tech-driven solutions tailored to meet the dynamic needs of merchants and shoppers.
Let’s dive into the main industry news from last month and all the major updates from our partners:
Industry News
Salesforce Expands eCommerce Storefronts to Starter and Pro Suites
Salesforce has extended its eCommerce storefront capabilities to its more accessible Starter and Pro Suites, priced at $25/user and $100/user per month, respectively. Previously, these features were exclusive to higher-tier plans like Commerce Cloud. This expansion enables small and medium-sized businesses to build and manage direct-to-consumer online stores directly within the Salesforce platform, integrating sales, service, marketing, and commerce functionalities into a single, unified interface.
By offering eCommerce storefronts in these lower-tier plans, Salesforce empowers growing businesses to enhance their digital presence without incurring significant additional costs. This move aligns with the increasing importance of digital channels, as 54% of small business revenue is expected to come from digital sources by 2025, up from 42% in 2023.
Salesforce With this update, businesses can quickly launch branded online stores, manage products and pricing efficiently, and deliver personalized customer experiences, all within the familiar Salesforce ecosystem.
October eCommerce Updates from BigCommerce
BigCommerce Unveils The Next Big Thing: Game-Changing Updates for Merchants
BigCommerce introduced The Next Big Thing, a suite of innovative updates designed to revolutionize eCommerce for merchants worldwide. Here’s a breakdown of the exciting new features:
- Composable Storefronts: Catalyst and Makeswift simplify creating flexible and scalable storefronts, giving merchants the tools to adapt to changing customer needs.
- Enhanced B2B Capabilities: Unlock new efficiencies with AI-powered quoting, buyer role-based access control, and an open-sourced buyer portal, driving smarter sales and streamlined operations.
- Omnichannel Excellence: Tools like Feedonomics’ Instant Commerce redefine the omnichannel experience, helping businesses connect with customers seamlessly across platforms.
- Global Selling Simplified: Improved localization options for products, pricing, payments, and shipping make it easier to reach international markets and grow your business globally.
- Checkout Optimization: Fastlane by PayPal and other tools help convert more shoppers into buyers with smoother, faster checkout experiences.
- Enhanced Security: Achieving PCI DSS 4.0 compliance ensures faster, safer operations, giving merchants peace of mind.
- Developer-Friendly Tools: New resources help developers deliver exceptional eCommerce experiences faster and more efficiently.
- AI-Driven Operations: Advanced AI tools optimize back-end operations, improving productivity and boosting revenue.
The Next Big Thing empowers merchants to sell smarter, faster, and globally with the latest in eCommerce innovation. Don’t miss out on these transformative updates!
Fastlane by PayPal
BigCommerce introduces Fastlane by PayPal, a game-changing checkout solution that’s already driving impressive results for merchants. Designed for U.S. customers, Fastlane offers a seamless, passwordless checkout experience that simplifies the buying process. By removing friction at checkout, it enables faster transactions and reduces cart abandonment, making it a must-have for merchants aiming to boost conversions.
Early adopters on BigCommerce have reported remarkable success, with Fastlane shoppers converting up to 50% better than non-Fastlane users. This powerful tool not only enhances customer satisfaction but also provides merchants with a competitive edge by delivering the smooth, efficient shopping experience today’s buyers demand.
For more insights on Fastlane and how it’s transforming eCommerce, check out Trellis’ recap of the PayPal Developer Day, which highlighted the introduction of Fastlane and its potential impact on merchants. Read the full article here.
With Fastlane by PayPal, BigCommerce merchants can take their checkout process to the next level—driving more sales, increasing customer loyalty, and staying ahead in the ever-evolving eCommerce landscape.
October eCommerce Updates from Shopify
Shopify has unveiled a major enhancement to customer accounts, giving merchants the ability to fully brand the customer login page. Previously, merchants could only add their logo to the page, leaving customers with a disjointed experience that felt disconnected from the rest of the store. With the latest update, the login page now inherits styles from the checkout editor, offering a cohesive and on-brand look that matches the rest of the storefront.
This update is a game-changer for creating a more seamless customer journey. By aligning the login page’s appearance with the store’s design, merchants can build stronger brand recognition and enhance customer trust. For more details about this new feature and how it compares to classic customer accounts, check out this article: Shopify’s New Customer Accounts vs. Classic.
With these updates, Shopify continues to empower merchants to deliver professional, user-friendly experiences that keep customers engaged and coming back.
October eCommerce Updates from Loop
Offset – A Smarter Way to Handle Returns
Loop has introduced Offset, an innovative consumer-paid returns model designed to simplify returns while reducing costs for merchants. Offset allows shoppers to pay a small fee at checkout in exchange for free returns later. This upfront approach not only provides customers with peace of mind but also ensures that merchants can fully cover the costs associated with returns, including shipping, Return Bar® drop-offs, and Loop’s software.
This model is a win-win for both merchants and shoppers. Merchants can improve their bottom line by eliminating unexpected return expenses, while customers enjoy a seamless and hassle-free return process. Offset demonstrates how Loop is reimagining returns to enhance customer experiences and streamline operations for merchants.
With Offset, Loop is setting a new standard for managing returns—efficient, cost-effective, and customer-friendly. For more details about how Offset works and its benefits, check out the full breakdown here: Learn More About Offset.
Fighting Fraud This Holiday Season
As the holiday season approaches, returns fraud poses a growing challenge for eCommerce merchants. Loop’s fraud detection product, launched in Q3, is already making a remarkable impact, helping merchants identify and stop fraudulent activity. Here’s a closer look at the statistics and insights from Loop’s dashboard:
- The Cost of Returns Fraud: Returns fraud cost U.S. retailers over $100 billion in 2023.
- Fraudsters Identified: To date, Loop has caught 3,516 fraudsters, attempting to steal a staggering $147,000 from merchants.
- Detection Rate: The system has successfully intercepted 87% of these attempts.
- Fraud Trends:
- Average fraudulent return value: $326.54
- Highest fraud count by one person: 52 (held by an Ohio resident—Go Buckeyes!)
- Largest attempted theft in a single return: $5,735 for dresses.
- Hotspots of Fraud:
- Most fraudulent city: Los Angeles
- Most fraudulent city per capita: Yorkville, OH
- Fraudsters in all 50 states.
Loop’s fraud detection system goes beyond just numbers, offering merchants the tools to protect their revenue during the busiest shopping season. From identifying trends like the frequent targeting of cell phone accessories to stopping large-scale fraud attempts, this product is proving to be an invaluable asset.
For merchants preparing for the holidays, Loop’s fraud detection ensures peace of mind while enabling a seamless shopping and returns experience for legitimate customers. Together, let’s keep the season bright and the fraudsters at bay!
October eCommerce Updates from Klaviyo
SMS Automated Conversations (Beta)
Klaviyo has launched the beta of its SMS Automated Conversations, a new feature designed to help merchants engage customers more effectively through text messaging. This innovative tool allows businesses to create automated, personalized conversations via SMS, enhancing customer interaction and streamlining communication.
With SMS Automated Conversations, merchants can provide quick answers to customer inquiries, share updates, and guide shoppers through the buying journey—all while saving time and effort. This feature is currently in beta, with more details expected in November, promising even greater functionality and insights for eCommerce businesses.
Stay tuned for updates on how this feature can elevate your customer engagement strategy!
Transforming Customer Engagement with AI
Klaviyo continues to lead the way in leveraging AI to enhance customer engagement and optimize marketing strategies. Two of its latest features, Reputation Repair AI and Email AI, are designed to help merchants deliver smarter, more effective campaigns.
- Reputation Repair AI: This tool helps merchants analyze and address email deliverability issues, improving sender reputation and ensuring marketing messages reach their intended audience.
- Email AI: Automates and refines email content creation, making it easier to draft compelling, personalized emails that resonate with customers.
These cutting-edge AI solutions enable businesses to save time, improve efficiency, and achieve better results in their email marketing efforts. Klaviyo’s commitment to innovation ensures merchants stay ahead in the ever-evolving eCommerce landscape.
October eCommerce Updates from Okendo
Okendo has launched a powerful new integration with Recharge, making it easier than ever for shoppers to redeem rewards on subscriptions. With this integration, discount codes automatically sync between Okendo and Recharge, allowing customers to effortlessly apply rewards to both new and existing subscriptions.
Shoppers can now redeem their rewards directly in Recharge’s customer portal, creating a seamless and hassle-free checkout experience. For merchants, this integration means greater customer satisfaction, improved retention rates, and enhanced loyalty programs.
October eCommerce Updates from Tapcart
Tapcart introduces App Studio, the ultimate mobile commerce platform designed to empower merchants with unmatched customization and control. This innovative tool allows brands to create tailored mobile apps with intuitive design tools and customizable layouts that adapt to their unique identity and business needs. Built on a React codebase and open platform, App Studio enables seamless development of fully custom mobile experiences without compromising quality or scalability.
App Studio isn’t just about design—it’s a complete solution for managing and optimizing your mobile commerce strategy. Syncing in real-time with your Shopify backend, it provides tools for drag-and-drop design, custom coding, integration management, and performance analysis. Merchants can easily manage marketing campaigns, keeping apps fresh and engaging for shoppers. With App Studio, you can create apps that scale alongside your business, ensuring long-term adaptability in an ever-changing eCommerce landscape.
Tapcart’s App Studio is more than a mobile app builder—it’s a collaborative platform for marketers, eCommerce leaders, and technical teams to build, manage, and optimize mobile shopping apps.
October eCommerce Updates from Rebuy
New Integration: Swap Package Protection x Rebuy Smart Cart
Swap Commerce and Rebuy have joined forces to launch a powerful integration that enhances the shopping experience while benefiting merchants. This integration seamlessly includes Swap Protect (Package Protection) within Rebuy’s Smart Cart, encouraging customers to opt in for package protection during checkout. With this feature, customers can ensure their orders are insured while merchants offload all claims resolution to the Swap team.
Key Benefits for Merchants:
- New Revenue Stream: Merchants receive a percentage back on package protection fees.
- No Cost to Brands: The package protection service is offered at no expense to the merchant.
- Higher Average Order Values (AOV): Customers are more likely to feel confident adding items to their cart when protection is available.
- Custom Branding: Swap Protect can be white-labeled to align with your brand (e.g., Skims Protect, Gymshark Protect).
For merchants not yet using Rebuy’s Smart Cart, a discount is available to make adoption even easier. This integration not only simplifies package protection for customers but also drives new opportunities for revenue and customer satisfaction.
Learn more about this game-changing collaboration here.
Rebuy Smart Cart Refresh
Rebuy has launched a major update to Smart Cart™, making it more intuitive and feature-packed to help merchants optimize their cart experience. With a revamped editor and new tools, setting up a high-performing cart drawer is now faster and easier than ever.
What’s New in Smart Cart™:
- Shopify Functions Support: Enable advanced customizations and dynamic functionality.
- Drag & Drop Component Editor: Simplify the process of creating and organizing cart layouts.
- Double-Wide Cart Layout Option: Introduce a sleek, modern design option for better cart visuals.
- Tiered Progress Bar Enhancements: Drive engagement with improved progress bar features.
- Login Component: Add a login feature directly in the cart to streamline user experience.
Merchants can now leverage out-of-the-box widgets like Buy More Save More and GWP (Gift with Purchase), explore Smart Cart Apps, or build custom templates to create carts tailored to their brand. These updates are designed to maximize cart performance and boost conversions.
For a detailed overview and setup guidance, check out the updated Smart Cart Help Docs.
Rebuy’s latest Smart Cart™ refresh empowers merchants to build the ultimate shopping cart experience while delivering value to their customers.
Smart Search: Custom Templates
Rebuy now offers custom templates for Smart Search, giving merchants the tools to add unique designs and advanced functionality to their on-site search engines. With these templates, merchants can fully customize the Quick View and Results Page, ensuring that search experiences align seamlessly with their brand and customer needs.
This new feature allows businesses to optimize their search functionality for better usability and engagement. Whether it’s tailoring the layout or enhancing search interactions, the custom templates offer flexibility to create a more intuitive and visually appealing experience for shoppers.
For more details on setting up and utilizing these templates, check out the Custom Templates Help Doc.
Rebuy’s Smart Search custom templates empower merchants to elevate their on-site search experience, driving customer satisfaction and improving overall site functionality.
Expanded Post-Purchase Offer Flows
Rebuy has significantly enhanced its Post-Purchase Offer Flows, allowing merchants to create up to 40 flows—a major increase from the previous limit of 10. This update provides greater flexibility in tailoring post-purchase experiences and product recommendations for customers.
Merchants can now set all 40 flows live simultaneously, prioritizing them in a top-down approach to ensure every rule aligns with their business goals. This expanded capability makes it easier to deliver highly personalized offers that drive repeat purchases, increase customer satisfaction, and boost overall revenue.
With this update, merchants have more control than ever to optimize post-purchase engagement and maximize the value of every transaction.
October eCommerce Updates from Black Crow
Black Crow AI now makes it easier for merchants to manage and schedule Predictive Offer forms directly within the portal. This new feature allows for seamless setup and scheduling, giving businesses greater control over when and how personalized offers are presented to their customers.
By optimizing the timing and targeting of Predictive Offer forms, merchants can enhance customer engagement, boost conversions, and drive revenue growth. Ready to get started? Access the portal and take advantage of this streamlined functionality here.
This update empowers businesses to make smarter, data-driven decisions about their promotional strategies, delivering more impactful offers to the right customers at the right time.
Conclusion
The October eCommerce updates showcase an industry dedicated to innovation, efficiency, and enhanced customer experiences. Whether it’s through AI-powered insights, streamlined processes, or tools that drive customer engagement, these advancements equip merchants with the resources to thrive in an ever-changing market.
As the holiday season approaches, these updates not only set the stage for a successful end to 2024 but also signal a promising future for businesses and consumers alike. The commitment to improving accessibility, security, and scalability ensures that eCommerce will continue to adapt to the demands of a global, tech-savvy audience.
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