CAPTCHA, short for Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart, is used to determine whether the user on your website is human or not. Its purpose is to stop spam and protect your website from possible attackers.

Where do you encounter CAPTCHA?

When filling out a form or creating an account, you’ve probably encountered a CAPTCHA. You need to decode and enter a string of distorted numbers and letters into a prompt box. Correct entry means access. And incorrect means denial. 

This program worked well for a long time, but eventually, the bots outsmarted the system. Research determined that bots had a 99.4% success rate when deciphering and entering distorted text. While humans only had a 33% success rate, the CAPTCHA was doing the opposite of its original intention. 

Enter Google’s reCAPTCHA in 2014!

Recaptcha gave prompts to users based on their interactions on the web page and their mouse movements. reCaptcha was built to identify the difference between human movements and bots. It displays a prompt and checkbox- and once they take the desired actions, users get another set of instructions involving identifying squares that host a specified image.  

This has proven to be highly effective in deterring spam.

So, here’s the big question, do you need CAPTCHA or reCAPTCHA on your eCommerce website?

The answer is undeniable; yes, you need all the security you can get.  Cyber-attacks, copycat sites, and data hackers have become some of the biggest obstacles for online businesses and consumers. Therefore, consumers put a lot of stock into a company that takes the extra step to secure their personal information. After all, you wouldn’t want to live in a house with no locks on the doors. 

How do you add reCAPTCHA to your eCommerce website?

eCommerce platforms like WordPress and Magento have purchasable extensions. Front-end developers can install all these in no more than a few hours.

Jola is a North American company specializing in developing B2B and B2C Magento eCommerce websites. With a decade of experience, they’ve proven themselves to be a team worth building with. Get in contact now.

The Honeybee of Digital Evolution. 

Progressive web applications are like an invasion, creeping into our lives with their prompts to add to the home screen, faster speeds, push notifications, and offline abilities. Over the years, PWA’s have grown in usage and popularity, becoming a buzzword back in 2018. Since then, PWA’s have been implemented into hundreds of websites and installed on millions of devices. 

So what is a Progressive Web Application?

Choosing between a website and a mobile application was a decision that many companies faced, and most continue to face today. Choosing between accessibility, looking at cost, considering maintenance and functionality is a huge part of effectively running an eCommerce business since operational expenses make up a significant portion of the budget. With so many citing this issue, Google looked for a solution. A program (software) that could offer all the benefits of both entities, with minimal to no drawback. That’s how Progressive web applications were created.

PWA’s or Progressive Web Applications are a happy marriage between the concept of native applications and websites, resulting in faster, installable web pages that resemble and work like a native app but have the reach of the internet.

Progressive web applications have specific characteristics; they’re incredibly fast, provide an integrated user experience, offer offline reliability, and generate high user engagement. But that’s not all it takes to understand PWA, so let’s dive in.

PWA’s are Fast.

When it comes to mobile usage, speed is the most important aspect for any user. Studies show that 53% of users abandon a website that takes 3 seconds or more to load. You must be thinking that 3 seconds isn’t that much time, but in reality, you can take nine steps, speak seven words, tie your shoelaces, peel a banana(and take a bite), and even fold a shirt in just 3 seconds. 

Naturally, time is taken for granted unless you feel the effects, like when waiting for a page to load to a website that you’ve just opened. Instantaneous load times retain users by reacting to their requests in record time and delivering the information they need without anticipation.  That’s how Progressive web applications are changing the narrative on speed. 

PWA’s integrate the user experience. 

The answer to getting more eyes on your website comes from accessibility. The mobile experience has always had its ups and downs. While web browsing has come a long way on desktops, users still experience a challenge when interacting positively on mobile browsers. 

With PWA’s, mobile users can experience a website in the format of an app. From opening the web app to viewing the information and personalizing settings, everything feels and works like a native application. Studies show that mobile users spend 87% of their time using apps and a mere 13% using their mobile browsers. This highlights a need for an experience that users can easily familiarize themselves with. 

These images are a perfect example of how PWA’s integrate the user experience. All of the images are taken from PrimaLighting. The first is the website; note the URL at the top of the screen. However, in image 2, the page is identical, but the only noticeable difference is that there is no URL bar. That’s because we took image 2 after Primalighting was installed. The information and features available didn’t change; only the accessibility and experience did. Likewise, in image 3, we see that PrimaLighting exists in the recent drawer, just like any other app.

PWA’s offer offline reliability.

In the age of broadband, being online is a round-the-clock occurrence. A privilege we take for granted until we try accessing our web browser only to get a no connection message. There’s never a need to consider your internet connection with PWA’s since the information is always available even when the internet is not. 

Take this for example; You’re an assistant working in a busy city like New York, taking the train daily to commute. Your trip includes numerous dead spots and extended periods without an internet connection. However, your job entails finding products that your client may need. Not having a steady connection can significantly impact your day. How? No connection means no browsing. It also means that if you were viewing a product on a website that wasn’t built using a PWA, that you’d lose the information you were browsing until your connection was steady enough. PWA’s can maximize your productivity in whatever space you’re in with whatever connection type you’re dealing with. 

These images reflect the offline reliability of a website PropacImages built as a Progressive Web Application. The PWA notifies a user that their internet connection has been severed and browsing in Offline mode. However, users are still able to navigate throughout the pages and read any text information.

PWA’s drive engagement.

Before PWA’s, native apps had the leg up on eCommerce websites because of their successful engagement resources; push notifications.

What are they? Simply one of the greatest tools for re-engagement ever created. With native apps, mobile users receive notifications daily or, however they choose, containing offers and reminders at their fingertips. Users consistently engage with these notifications, whether from mobile games, social media, or tracker apps. 

By becoming a PWA, an eCommerce business inserts itself into a user’s daily activity by giving them push notifications that contain offers based on their recent activity, reminders to check out and buy, and even events that the eCommerce business may be running.

Some of you might be thinking that emails already serve this purpose. Still, in reality, not everyone consistently checks their email. Some users also sign up for on-site offers with an email address that they aren’t particularly keen on checking regularly. However, as a PWA, you can bridge the gap by giving your customers timely, targeted push notifications that they encounter the second they check their phones, which, according to Asurion, is a whopping 96 times a day.

PWA’s lack limitations

Something fundamental sets Native apps aside from PWA’s, and that’s their codependent nature. Native apps rely on digital distribution software to exist and be accessible to users. On the other hand, since PWA’s are essentially webpages, all a user needs to access and install is a web browser. Without it, users are unable to search, find, and ultimately download the app. 

When a user visits a website built as a PWA, their information is logged. When they revisit the website, the user is prompted to install. Once the PWA is installed, the user also receives an onscreen message of the installation success. Whether on the home screen or in the app menu, they now have instantaneous, single-touch access to the content that would otherwise need to be found through web navigation. 

 These three images showcase Primalighting, a website that was built as a PWA. The first image is a representation of the installation prompt. It was first shown at the bottom of the screen, and when tapped, told the user to install. The second image shows you the app-like appearance at the bottom of the home screen, allowing Primalighting and PropacImages to fit right in. The last image shows the open window after tapping the Primalighitng app; it shows the logo and app name, just like a native app would upon opening.

Make the switch!

As the world continues to digitize, and people become increasingly reliant on mobile accessibility, an eCommerce business may find themself losing their footing in customer reach. That’s why it’s important to keep your business updated by changing. Jola Interactive is a North American leader in Magento business solutions and PWA; get in contact with them today for a free site evaluation to get your business on the path to success.

With unprecedented growth in the last decade, eCommerce has become a monster in consumer-based revenue. Traditionally, smaller businesses were out of these markets, but small businesses have flourished, thanks to users consuming and creating content geared towards exposure and recognition. 

Over the last two years, small businesses have gained a foothold in the eCommerce industry, with most advertising on TikTok, Youtube, and Instagram, as a way to gain exposure and push traffic to their eCommerce, local, or hybrid businesses. 

However, even with this positive increase, it is estimated that only about 26% of small businesses have an eCommerce store. A saddening statistic that lends to the notion that most small businesses may not survive the current recession or be able to withstand the next digital revolution.

Remembering that not everyone is savvy enough to build their own website, we’ve listed two ways to give small businesses a platform that may help increase exposure—also, jumpstarting growth and revenue.

Online Marketplaces 

Online Marketplaces or 3rd party platforms are excellent places to set up virtual stores and sell products. Websites like Amazon, eBay, and even Walmart allow sellers to create their own accounts, take orders while tracking inventory, and allow shipping, ultimately giving them their own eCommerce store. 

From a marketing standpoint, Amazon regularly promotes items and has different ways to have products from sellers featured. Based on previous searches or other demographic information, they also suggest items to members. And as the biggest online retail platform, with over 50 million monthly users, Amazon has come up with other programs that allow influencers, TV personalities, and more to review, post, and advertise products listed on Amazon. 

Through the symbiotic relationship, businesses get an eCommerce platform along with helpful marketing, unlimited exposure, and increased revenue. The hosts gain a hosting fee and additional commission fee on sales. And the products are able to reach new audiences without restrictions. 

eCommerce Platforms

eCommerce platforms such as Shopify, WordPress, and Magento Open Source offer business owners the ability to build their online stores from scratch without personally utilizing complex code.

Most have drag-and-drop features. This allows minimal website customization, page and content management, and other easy-to-use tools that can help with a business’ scalability and even optimize layouts for mobile usage.

In addition, these websites come with various tools, plugins, and extensions that can be added to the website at a cost. They also make email remarketing, retargeting, and personalization possible in your brand strategy.

But, perhaps one of the best features is that these sites offer resources. They make sure that the eCommerce website has security implemented and help with SEO optimization, which is key to getting a website discovered. They also offer out-of-the-box payment and shipping options that make supplying your customers easier. 

Their social media integration tools also make advertising and sharing more streamlined for users. Creating a simplistic experience that makes gaining and keeping customers fairly easier. 

However, every pro has a con. And the biggest drawback of using these platforms is that they are time-consuming to manage and offer limited customizations. 

That’s why hiring an eCommerce developer is the way to go. They build and monitor your site to ensure that your online business is always running at its best. Most importantly, a developer means code. Code ensures the ability to customize your eCommerce business to the smallest detail. Giving you the individuality and brand differentiation needed to stand out. 

In closing, 

The only way forward is digital. By shifting into a hybrid or fully eCommerce business model, a small business can see immediate and continuous growth. With the right advertising and marketing, of course. Which is great for the economy and the business owner.

At Jola, we are always striving to bridge the gap. And we hope that your journey forward leads you to a bright future. As eCommerce specialists, we’re here to answer any of your questions. Reach out today!

This post was updated for clarity and relevance on 8/10/22

We are sure you would want to know why it is that eCommerce remains our primary focus when it comes to utilizing the Magento platform. Thus, we have listed a few reasons down for you to trust Magento beyond words:

1. Bigger brands trust it – with the increasing use of smartphones, more and more people are shopping online through this medium. You might not have thought so – but there are bigger brands – like Samsung, Nike, Lenovo etc. –who trust Magento CMS. This may come as a surprise for you – but it is a fact and we hope that this bolsters the faith you have in this platform.

2. Open source –You know this is the major reason why most people even head to Magento in the first place. Once you have learned Magento  – you can make the best use out of it and we are sure you would be able to garner the best results for yourself. However, if you are too busy managing your business – you can always outsource your work or hire a professional who would help you develop a Magento website for your eCommerce platform.

3. Magento ’s second name is eCommerce – It is needless to say that Magento was developed in the first place so that it could support all kinds of eCommerce platforms. The power that Magento can confer to your business is unimaginable. You are most likely signing up for success and it is going to help you go a long way. The features and designs of this platform are enchanting – they will blow your mind and you would not be able to stop thinking about Magento (as soon as your eCommerce website development comes to your mind).

4. Load time – Having mentioned the magic that Magento embodies, you must understand that this platform means great performance. If a website takes a lot of time to load – the customers are likely to leave it within no time because the attention span of the people has been divided. If not this then they will switch to something else. Thus, you have to ensure that you gather their attention and in a jiffy. Do you know how is that possible? Through Magento, because the load time is so low – you do not have to worry at all.

5. Task task, all the way – While you are working on Magento  – you must rest assured that you are not missing out on anything important. You are only signing up for the best time of your life, in terms of efficiency. Why? Because this platform is going to help you work on various tabs at the same time and you do not have to think twice that your time is being wasted. Magento would save your time, at best, and meanwhile, you are working on so many things at once – it is going to ensure that you can also monitor your website’s performance.

6. SEO friendly – You know it is important for you to relevant and current. In this world of fast evolution, you cannot be laid back. You have to work and you have to work hard. In terms of Google – you have to use relevant keywords and there are have to be enough so that you can be easily found. I know you might be wondering whether Magento is SEO-friendly or not, amidst the many benefits that this platform has to offer – SEO friendly is yet another benefit that you can rely upon. It will help you rank better and you would be easily found. You know – you could thank me when you are successful but most importantly, you would be thanking Magento.

7. Flexibility –We all like doing our thing without being stopped; thus, we like exercising authority without being restrained by anything in this world. Do you know which platform is going to help you do so? You got it, it is Magento. It is going to help you have the time of your life because of how flexible this platform is. You can use as many features and as many designs as you want and there is no limit to how creative you want to be. From the front-end to the back-end, everything is going to work wonders because you are going to experiment with it as much as you want.

8. Integration is great – You know this is your platform – tailor-made for you when it allows you to make use of it as much as you want without any interruptions. When you are developing an eCommerce platform – you might want to put various payment gateways in place or make use of Google analytics and whatnot. Now you might be worried whether the platform you use is going to allow you to do so. Allow me to reintroduce you to Magento. The platform is going to help you be at ease without any doubt.

9. Support – Yet another important component for you to judge a service is the after-sales service that you receive. On similar lines, is the support system of Magento. No matter what issue it is that you are facing – they are going to help you resolve it so that you get back to work as quickly as possible. It is a reliable platform that offers safety, security and stability. Isn’t all that exactly what you have been looking for all this while in a platform. With the efficiency of the support staff of this efficient platform – you are going to enjoy a seamless experience that is going to allow you to go along way ahead.

Summing it up…

Thus, Magento has got a lot to offer you. It provides great flexibility and aptly meets the needs of clients. Merchants love it because of the vast number of functionalities and features, Magento provides out of the box.

What next? Looking for a trusted Magento website development company? Then head to Jola Interactive for full-scale Magento website development and maintenance services. The proficiency of our team experts can help you gain a competitive edge in the market.

So, why wait for more. Just contact us today and we will surely help you meet your business demands!!

Now that we have a better understanding of what specifically you would be upgrading within your platform, let’s take a closer look at the components that make up the LAMP stack and the affects that upgrading has on them.

Operating system

As far as operating system go, most Linux options today are updated on a regular basis and you should make sure your system administrator implements these updates. Chances are you’ll find a CentoOS or Ubuntu server on most websites and updating them is quite easy, everything can be done with a couple of terminal commands.

Database

We have run some parallel tests between websites that were built with MySQL versions 5.1 to 5.7 and have found that there was not much difference in terms of how the site functioned speed wise, but upgrading your database can still provide your site with bug and security fixes that can overall help the health of your site.

Apache

Apache is an integral part of the web and is fairly consistwnt with it’s releases (updates) for the last two decades. Similar to databases, our development team did not see a considerable difference in how any updates to this affected the speed of a site.

PHP (Hypertext Preprocessor)

It’s been now almost two years since the release of PHP 7 and we’ve had some really good experiences with it. The major improvement is, of course, performance. PHP 7 is incredibly fast compared to previous versions and the overall feeling is that pages load much faster for our clients and their customers. Not only is there a difference for our clients and their consumers, but from a site development standpoint, we have found that PHP 7  has helped with the previously long load times when working with Magento by turning off cache and css/js merging. With thanks to the good people at Inchoo and their Inchoo_PHP7 extension (which solves a few Magento to PHP7 backward compatibilities), we’ve already upgraded a dozen of our client sites (utilizing Magento 1.9 CE). These upgrades went smoothly and the responses from our clients were very positive.

Overall Benefits

These four components: Operating System, Database, Apache, and PHP are the four supports that keep your site up and running. As you can see from the research, testing, and comparisons that we’ve made, keeping these components up to date and healthy will not only mean that your site will be secure and bug free, but also means that you’ll have happier customers and better sales with minimum effort.