The TransPacific Software Blog
In the midst of a challenging three-year pandemic and lockdowns, many brick-and-mortar jewellery retailers turned to eCommerce for survival. Shopify, witnessing exponential growth during this period, currently dominates 20% of the eCommerce platform market share.
Why Choose Shopify for Your eCommerce Store?
If you're looking for a sleek and stylish eCommerce website without extensive customization, Shopify is an ideal choice. As a hosted platform, it might have some limitations in terms of c...
Lab-grown diamonds are marketed as an "ethical and cheaper" alternative to natural diamonds and yet identical to Natural diamonds right to the atomic level.
Off late, opting for Lab-grown diamonds over natural diamonds seems to be catching up with the consumers. By some research reports, the global lab-grown diamonds market size was valued at $19.3 billion in 2020 and is projected to reach $49.9 billion by 2030.
Presently, TransPacific Software engineers are busy integrating Lab diamond modu...
"Why my diamond search not showing diamond videos? one of the most common questions asked to us after developing a jewellery e-commerce website. To answer, we have to dive into diamond inventory sources.
Most of the jewellery websites source their diamond data from either diamond suppliers or Peer to Peer (P2P) diamond exchanges like Rapnet IDEXonline , Polygon or MID E-commerce websites seldomly hold diamonds in stock; rather they integrate diamond inventory data through supplier API's throug...
On purchase of an engagement ring, a buyer may be looking for a pairing wedding band. If his/her experience with engagement ring purchase is good with your jewelry website, the buyer may certainly re-visit to pick a matching wedding band.
Alternatively, buyers who already have purchased an engagement ring from another website may be looking for better matching band options on your website
Both the scenarios create an excellent opportunity for upselling Wedding bands
Buyer's Journey to...
When Ariana's husband decided to gift her exquisite diamond earrings on their 10th wedding anniversary, Ariana decided to select the earring, suiting her style and taste. Ariana wanted to make sure that the earring will be of her choice. She preferred a self -selection over a surprise gift.
Arina browsed through top online jewelry websites, finalized her earrings, and clicked the "Drop a Hint" button to DM her husband her choice.
" Drop a Hint" is a sleek functionality allowing the user...
"Return Policy" is one of the most visited pages on any online jewelry store. Of course, for obvious reasons. The buyer's number one anxiety is what if the jewelry is not to the satisfaction?
For years TransPacific Software has been building diamond and jewelry e-commerce shops for the world's who's who in the jewelry industry. Our observation is; jewelry e-shops don't accord as much importance to the "return policy" page as it deserves
Return Policy pages are copied from a template and tuck...
One of our clients, a large jewelry retailer from Sydney Australia, has at least 3 fold increase in his sales since we got him a "ring builder" feature on his website. The only complaint he has is Can the ring builder be faster?
The customization of diamond engagement rings is in high demand. A desire for an exceptional bespoke ring-like none-other is a growing trend.Most of the jewelry eCommerce websites developed by TransPacific Software have a ring builder feature which forms as high as 75...
A guide to first-time e-commerce venturers
To our surprise, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Transpacific is receiving more enquiries from Jewellers across the globe for creating their e-shop than ever. As per our CRM data, amongst them, 50% are first-time venturers in e-commerce, and remaining have a basic informative website, sort of e-brochure.
Due to CoronaVirus Lockdown, most of the jewelers have their brick and mortar shops shut and expected to remain closed for a long time. The only life...
The un-controlled file structure with more than 70,000 files is making Magento CE vulnerable to malicious attacks. Magento need organised and well-audited growth before it crumbles under its own weight
In July 2019 Many of the Magento based eCommerce shops were hit by the dreaded "Magento Killer" virus. Some of them also included high profile jewellery websites developed by TransPacific Software.
The Magento Killer changes core settings in the infected Magento installations, stealing credi...
By Prashant Telang , Director TransPacific Software
Having a great e-commerce website without a good hosting server is like having a Bugatti without wheels .My advice don't cut corners with hosting package.
TransPacific Software creates top end ecommerce websites for diamond and Jewellery Industry. These are built on frameworks like Magento, Woocommerce, OpenCart, Prestashop etc. A good hosting package makes them fast, SEO friendly, secure and with almost 100% uptime.
How to select...
Sometimes technology mashups produce wonders
Here is an example: Magento 2 + AngularJS = super efficient Build my engagement ring Tool
One of the most sought-after tool in a jewellery website is " build My own engagement ring"
Its a three step process wherein a buyer first selects a ring design followed by a diamond and then review the final product before check out.
It's an intuitive interactive tool which reported as high as 70% better conversions. However, it suffers from a drawba...
A picture is worth a thousand words. But when it comes to a "Visually Sold Product" like jewellery & diamonds it's worth a million words.
In a recent research on buyer's journey for online jewellery purchase, it is found that as high as 25% jewellery buyers use Google images search. This is due to Google's "product Image snippet" which appears in the text search results.
For example for a search string "diamond engagement rings in 18K rose gold" the search results along with the text r...
A Checklist for Migration
You and your Magento Developer finally decided to migrate your Magento 1.x shop to the latest Magento 2.x. here is a quick checklist to achieve the migration process in a painless way.
In this post, we will NOT dive into why you should migrate. There are plenty of the posts you will find online justifying why the migration is needed. And rightly so unless you are OK with your Magento 1.x shop getting obsolete in next 12 months.
Magento 2.x is next generation Mag...
Most of the jewellery images displayed on e-commerce websites are either high-quality CAD renderings created on rendering software like Autocad, Blender, Maya or professionally snapped photographs of real jewellery.
In both cases, certain guidelines need to be followed.
Here is a cheat sheet of 8 points.
1) Too much white space around:
One of the biggest issues we face is; client provides jewellery images with too much white space around. Your website visitor wants to view the jewell...
Guest author Nikolay Piriankov is Founder and CEO of Taylor Hart (Erstwhile RarePink.com) a custom jewellery e-tailer based out of London.
Starting an online jewellery business is not easy and to build a successful e-tailer may take years. We started working on Taylor Hart in 2012 and it took us five years to get to where we are now - having delivered over 2,000 customized engagement rings to over 20 countries since we started. So what are some of the challenges founders will face on this jo...
How come your jewelry sales are going down?
There’s simply too much competition around, especially online. According to Research and Markets data, the global jewelry market is expected to grow 5% annually over the next five years. And while online jewelry stores make up a small percent of all jewelry stores, 4% to 5% percent to be specific, they are expected to grow at a faster rate and make 10% of the global jewelry market by 2020.
But you know what the worst part is?
They all use the s...
Machine learning for Diamond Pricing
Over the last several weeks TransPacific Software is working on various Linear and Neural Network models using Google's TensorFlow AI library to achieve fairly accurate diamond pricing tool. This tool can be used to find the fair price of the diamond in the current B2B market.
Complexity in Pricing model:
Sometimes to a consumer diamond prices appear illogical. For example, a 0.5 carat diamond has price double than the 1.25 Carat Diamond on the sa...
One of our regular clients from New York approached us with a tough question. How to improve SEO ranking of their Informational pages on the e-commerce website.They along with their SEO consultants had done everything right...white Hat SEO, good quality content, well-attended on-page SEO; still things were not improving.
The client has a popular diamond and Jewellery website Built on Magento CE 1.9 . It has more than 5000 products and 100,000 diamonds listed. The entire website is designed and...
Are you not getting enough sales through your e-commerce website? One of the reasons could be product images.
As the world leader in Jewelry and Diamond eCommerce TransPacific Software regularly advises its client on actionable tips to achieve maximum sales on their e-store and top of the list is " to have 360° interactive product images.
Static product photographs is a pass. The user expects a better intimate connection with the product; especially when it's a high-value item like jewelle...
How to protect your eCommerce cart from Fraud orders and save time and money
TransPacific specialises in developing premium diamond and jewellery e-commerce websites. The merchandise on these websites is expensive; regularly attracting fraudsters and rogue buyers.
So how do merchants protect themselves ?
Here are few real life cases.
Case 1
A New York based diamond trader received an order for 2.0 carat diamond costing $6000. The address seemed perfectly deliverable. The call to...
If your eCommerce website is not giving you required conversion rate audit your website with these simple web tools.
Tools are culled out by TransPacific Software's Expert developers for non-technical e-commerce website owners.
Scan your websites with these tools and send the report to your developers for corrective action.
Page Speed
To check how many Javascript and CSS files are on your website and if any are blocking page rendering.
https://varvy.com/pagespeed/
A simpl...
The post is Authored by Prashant Telang Founder Director of TransPacific Software . Transpacific Software is Mumbai India based firm specializing in eCommerce. Transpacific has worldwide leadership in establishing premium website for Diamond and jewelry industry For more info contact [email protected]
Auto generated e-mails are the most important feature of your eCommerce store. Unfortunately, it's also the most neglected one.This post gives you a checklist of Managing and testing aut...
Guest post by Brad Goldman , of Allan A. Goldman Inc.Stonemangems.com
A life changing experience
If you’re aiming for a B2B wholesale ecommerce site, (without mountings), the budget and project is less demanding than creating a Retail site but you still need to be ready for a life changing experience.
I’m not talking about a Yellow page type web site that you create, load with about 30 nice images and leave unattended once completed. I’m talking about an order taking ecommerce site that y...
Prestashop is one of the top open source eCommerce platforms; especially popular in European Union Countries
The Project: Complex jewelry site with create your jewelry feature
Recently a client from Paris awarded a complex jewelry ecommerce website development to TransPacific Software.
Most of the Jewelry eCommerce sites have “Build an Engagement Ring” feature but this one had multiple create your own jewellry options.
Create your engagement ring starting with setting selection....
TransPacific Software is establishing eCommerce businesses for a decade. Some of the biggest and most successful ecommerce websites in diamonds, gems Jewelry industry are designed and developed by TPS.
One of the most frequently asked question is: Which Shopping cart should I select to develop my ecommerce cart?
This generic question is followed by some additional assorted questions such as
Which shopping cart software gives top SEO?
Which shopping cart is the technologically most a...
TransPacific Software recently created a complex color stone website for a New York based color stone dealer. www.stonemangems.com
Creating a Color Gemstone search engine for an e-store is complex. Unlike diamonds ; Color stones have numerous categories and attributes.
Color Gemstone Search attributes
Stone Material: Agate, Ruby..
Filter By color: multiple color and sheds like red, blue
Stone Type: Lab created, Untreated , imitation
Shape: round, square..
Further they come under...
Our extensive experience in developing eCommerce websites took us through lot of pain areas. One of them is dilemma over using a ready theme or do custom design. Here is a low down on what to do.
You decided to develop eCommerce store. Finalized your eCommerce platform to be Magento (or Woocommerce or Prestashop or Opencart...). Next step; you started drooling over those great looking ready to plugin themes from popular theme markets like Themeforest or Templatemonster. You selected a nice l...
5 reasons for spending more than 30% time in requirement gathering and planning.
Planning your Ecommerce website? Want to move to the development phase ASAP? Dont be overhasty, TransPacific suggests that you spend more time resources in the planning and requirement gathering phase.
We have put together a list that shows the good side of planning and the ugly side of insufficient planning:
1. Don’t Jump the Gun - Avoid Cowboy Coding:
Many software development companies make a mistake...
"Request for Quote" for an eCommerce website development is that document which has to be submited to a potential development firm eliciting quotations for eCommerce website creation. Typically, an RFQ seeks an itemized list of prices for something that is well-defined and quantifiable. Creating comprehensive RFQ is one of the critical steps in a successful eCommerce project.
TransPacific Software receives numerous "Requests for quote" (RFQ) . RFQs range from eCommerce website development in M...
TransPacific Software is world's leading Diamond and Jewelry e-commerce developer. Based on our extensive experience here is our take on future of Jewelry eCommerce .
1) Transcending beyond jewelry websites
Jewelry eCommerce looks to be crossing its Tipping Point. Jewellery e-stores are getting sophisticated, competitive and technology savvy. They are not just e-commerce sites but a complete jewellery design , selection and buying experience.
2) Mediocre jewellery sites will not sa...
If you are an Entrepreneur thinking big in eCommerce, you need a technology partner who nurtures your idea as their own. Since 2006, TransPacific Software has worked with entrepreneurs as their trusted technology partner.
From initial hand holding to transferring the end product (your eCommerce website) to your in-house support team, we at TransPacific Software will work with you as an extended team.
In order to help you further refine your idea and concept, we follow agile methodology...
If you initially opted for Magento Enterprise version (EE) (with around $18000/Yr. cost) and would like to revert to free Magento Community version (CE) how do you do it? Here are valuable insights from our experience.
There are two approaches.
Removing EE files:
1) You can try to downgrade your installation of EE by removing enterprise files. There is a blog written here
However this approach does not work. At least we did not suceed.
The better but more lengthy approach which works i...
If you are a B2B diamond trading company or a diamond dealer; you should have your own diamond trading platform . You can list your inventory with mark-ups and have your sub-dealers as its members.
TransPacific has developed an integrated Platform for B2B diamond trading Here are the features:
The platform comes with:
Responsive website
Android and IOS app
Demo is available on:
https://diamonddealer.transpacific-software.com/
For backend admin walk-through contact us on connec...
Google labeling your site as hacked is nightmarish. You will lose almost 95% traffic and 100% SEO.
What is a hacked site.
When google bot detects malicious script or spam links inserted within your website; it identifies it as “hacked” . Further Google takes a manual review and if reviewer confirms the malicious script inserted within your website, it labels it as “Hacked” In search results Google will explicitly warn visitors that its a “hacked site”.
Hacking of a site may happen on a...
Joomla an open source and free Content Management system when teams up with VirtueMart an e-commerce component of Joomla; makes a powerful combination. A Popular choice for jewelry diamond e-commerce stores.
Our Challenge : Add 200K diamond records
Our challenge was to integrate more than 200,000 Diamond records from Rapnet, IDEX and Polygon in Joomla+virtualmark to create a fast diamond search engine.
The diamond search skims through thousands of diamond records to filter stones on variou...
Don’t go for an eCommerce site if you are on a shoestring budget.
Suppose you have a budget of say $2000; you can get an e-commerce site developed by hiring low cost developer from any of the freelance websites like elance, Fiverr, Guru or Odesk. But be rest assured; the website will never give you sales.
Low cost, Low quality e-commerce websites don’t give conversions
Today’s eCommerce landscape is hyper-competitive. Users are careful about from which e-store they buy.
Your e-store ne...
We work on numerous Magento based websites and in particular diamond and jewelry e-commerce stores. Impressed by powerful features; Magento is the shopping cart of choice for many e-store owners. However after building the Magento shop and customizing its design, we realize that many of these e-shops are unable to go in production or are extensively delayed.
Impressed by powerful features; Magento is the shopping cart of choice for many e-store owners. However after building the Magento shop a...
Check out the demo on : http://goo.gl/a7eVQM
3D Interactive jewelry models rendered on your browser with WEBGL technology
WebGL is a JavaScript Library for rendering interactive 3D graphics within any compatible web browser without the use of plug-ins.
Now all modern browsers are incorporated WEBGL including Chrome, Firefox, Safari IOS
What it means for jewelry e-commrece ?
A 3D model of a jewelry you can interact with mouse and scroll wheel.
A boon for custom made bespoke...
Recently one of our European clients came up with a requirement of developing an enterprise wide jewelry e-store with Rapnet diamond data integration. The client wanted development on Prestashop. Prestashop is an open Source popular e-commerce framework similar to Magento and Opencart.
The Catch: Prestashop integration with Inventory Link( Raplink)
However the catch was : client had Raplink services with Rapaport (instead of DLS service)
More info about Raplink and DLS click.
Raplink e...
Your jewelry e-commerce store has a great designs, exquisite jewelry, competitive pricing but visitors are not converting into buyers. You are baffled and dont know what to do. You are burning a lot of cash on Google ad-words campaign, still visitor conversion rate is low.. What could be the reason?
Based on my companys years of experience in designing and developing e-stores for diamond and jewelry industry here are some insights and a list of Nine and a half(9.5) questions to ask..
Is yo...
Update Dec 2021: Check out blazing fast ReactJS based Engagement ring builder here
Prerequisites
Rapnet login and Rapnet Instant Inventory subscription
More info on subscription can be found on Rapnet website
WooCommerce and Rapnet Instant Inventory API
Diamond & jewellery websites developed on Woocommerce ( A WordPress e-commerce plugin) require integrating diamond data from diamond trading exchanges like Rapnet, IDEXonline, MID or Polygon.
Unlike Magento or Shopify, which are bu...
Most of the first time ecommerce starters have their priorities skewed. At least that’s what our experience is. Invariably they will start researching open source shopping carts and going through hundreds of spin-off article on Prestashop v/s Magento v/s Opencart…. Or which shopping cart is the most SEO friendly. This is like putting cart before the horse.
starting an Ecommerce website
First things first:
Want to start a ecommerce venture. Get your data and photographs organized. The big...
Update November 2017
The original blog post was published in 2015; since then many positive developments have happened on Magento and Rapnet API front. With next-generation Magento 2; things are much better for Rapnet Instant Inventory Integration. Do visit the demo on https://magento2-demo.transpacific-software.com/
Rapnet has almost discontinued DLS service instead Rapnet instant Inventory service needs to be integrated which considerably reduces server load
“Rapnet” and Diamond tradin...
Recently Google announced its support to schema.org markup for organization logos, a way to connect your site with an iconic image. A great way to increase your brand awareness.
What it means is:On your home page you can mark-up your company logo with schema.org organization markup . The logo will be displayed in Google Knowledge Graph or in Googles search results (its at the discretion of Google as to where they will display the logo).
Marking up your logo with schema.org organization mar...
How Rapnet diamond Listing is Integrated in your e-commerce website
member can indicate if their inventory list is available to other members. they can also have selected members to view the list
Design your own jewelry and provide it a personal touch through online Design it Yourself tools.
Jewelry and engagement rings is one of the fastest in the growing design-it-your space; because it is extremely personal and highly configurable. Jewelry is the perfect fit for an online design tool that lets you mix and match colorful jewels and precious metals.
Each piece that you design is built to order and is likely a one-of-a-kind. Custom jewelry is a great way to express your individuality...
Let me give you an illustration. Recently I posted a technology related questions on quora.com under “Technology trend” topic (refer to the screenshot).
The question is “After Kodak which company to bite the dust in 2013 due to technology tidal wave?
Would it be Nokia or Research In Motion; What's your prediction?”
Remember ! Search technology is without brain
Along with the question Quora provided a slew of related topics: Tides, Hudson Bay, Physical Oceanography and wind waves”. Tota...
So how many e-mail/text messages you receive when you make a purchase from the net ???….
Have you ever counted the number of communications one gets after a purchase from net.
Recently I bought a book from a well know Indian Portal. As soon as I completed my purchase through CC; the constant stream of e-mails and text messages started.
It started with Thank you, next day it was “order is booked” after two days “order shipped” next day order delivered followed by thank you for shopping. Ad...
Factors that put customers off your e-store
Site appears insecure for on-line Transaction (no certifications, no BBB accreditation)
Technical Glitches on the site (page not found or spits out ugly code)
Insufficient images and product information (can't make out if it is an apple or a cherry)
Difficult to use shopping cart (you just added an item but it disappeared as you left your computer to attend a phone call)
Checkout form too long and time consuming (when will it end?)
Poorly-d...
Diamond rings with inscriptions are quickly gaining traction among couples who take these engravings as a sign of expressing their love.
Diamonds are forever. Being a romantic symbol for any couple, it has become an essential element of wedding and engagement rings that stuns onlookers. Apart from the monetary value that diamonds carry, their intrinsic and emotional value is beyond words. Diamond rings with inscriptions are quickly gaining traction among couples who take these engr...
