As a global conference for partners and developers, Shopify Unite is held to announce new product updates and improvements every year. Shopify Unite 2021 was successfully closed last month, and here are some new updates that every merchant on this platform needs to know.
Update 1. Online Store 2.0
With the introduction of Online Store 2.0, you will have absolute control over the aesthetic and layout of the store. Besides, you can also get access to the data that gives your customers a standout experience they’ve never had before.
Online Store 2.0 means that there will be higher levels of customization without code editing. It offers users some features like sections and blocks, or drag-and-drop - all of which allows business owners to rearrange, add or remove content so that every page in the web store can be personalized easily. To make it better, in the Online Store 2.0, users are free to display or edit product details - they gain more flexibility to store the content and data on their website.
With the help of some advanced customizations like the Theme Check or Shopify Github, brands can go beyond the borders, and developers can create and deploy themes just within the wink of an eye.
Update 2. Shopify Email
As the name suggests, this is an out-of-the-box tool for email marketing. You can integrate Shopify Email directly with your online store to track the email engagement metrics, conversions, and add-to-carts from one place only.
Shopify Email offers you a gallery full of ready-made templates. Choose some templates you like to share sales, new product launches, or product restock announcements.
Starting from this August, you can use custom fields to personalize the emails and enhance your email campaigns.
Update 3. Local Pick-up Shipping Option
New features lead to more shipping options, and thanks to Shopify Scripts, customers can now enjoy the local pick-up experience on Shopify Plus. This option is highly recommended for businesses that manage inventory in many locations and have difficulties in fulfilling orders in their online stores.
Local pick-up means that customers will pick up the order from the designated locations, instead of waiting for your shipment. For instance, if there are none of the red shoes in your warehouse but location A (one of the pick-up retail locations) has stock, then the shoes will be available for pickup, instead of available for shipping.
Update 4. Payments Platform
In addition to shipping, payment options are another concern of Shopify, as the right payment method helps a lot in increasing the checkout experience.
Each country has its own preferred payment method, for example, credit cards are on top in the US, but QR code is most used by online shoppers in Brazil. Because of that diversity, Shopify decided to launch Payments Platform - a tool that enables developers to make unique payment gateways as apps on Shopify. The Platform works well with the latest checkout procedure and will unlock future opportunities for merchants to sell at different places all over the world.
Update 5. Greater Order Value with BNPL
The Buy Now Pay Later feature allows customers to check out with a larger cart size, therefore increasing conversion and AOV for your online store. With the Shop Pay Installments, shoppers can buy products first, then pay for them later with the purchases split into four interest-free payments.
At the time being, the feature is available for orders ranging from $50 - $1000, with taxes and shipping already included.
Update 6. Storefront API
New Shopify’s Storefront API allows users to build up personalized themes and UI. It also unlocks more commerce capabilities for the store, such as curbside pickup, subscription plans, international pricing, and so on…
With the current developer frameworks, you can easily make a non-Liquid custom storefront and turn all of the screens (mobile apps, web pages, or even smart mirrors) into a shopping channel for your brand.
Update 7. Handshake - Shopify’s Wholesale Marketplace
As a wholesale marketplace of Shopify, every item here is powered by Shopify - so the products’ quality is ensured. The procedure couldn’t be more simple: all you need to do is signing up, setting the price, and publishing catalogs from your Shopify admin. For existing wholesalers, the platform even permits flexibility in moving transactions to Shopify. Quite great, isn’t it?
Different from other marketplaces, Handshake doesn’t charge users for any sign-up commissions or fees. However, it is a must for every supplier to go through an application process and to be approved by Shopify. For buyers, there must be a confirmation that they have a reseller ID.
With handpicked and unique products, Handshake is also a place that retailers and brick-and-mortar shop owners should visit to improve their offerings. In addition to that, its personalized product recommendations constantly help visitors discover new items, so this marketplace is really worth a try if you are sourcing new products to sell.
We also give a list of the best Shopify apps for wholesalers in 2021. Check out the article if you’re finding a way to start your wholesale business!