Shopify Reunite 2020
Bonding the business community on Shopify is now more important than ever. We pull together and pursue a common goal - improving e-commerce for everyone, regardless of how the world around is changing .
In line with this vision, Shopify aired Reunite on 5/20/2020 - the first broadcast for Shopify store owners. A great opportunity for communities from different circles to come together and introduce news, improvements and provide insight into the future of e-commerce.
You can watch the entire Reunite recording on this video:
But if you prefer to read, we have prepared a summary of the key points for you. There is really enough, don't get overwhelmed and choose which area interests you. Some launches are completely new, others are improvements to existing versions of existing services. For easier orientation, we have added flags to each point. You can easily see which points relate to the Czech and Slovak markets.
#1 Financial products
Shopify Balance : 🇺🇸
A large part of online business is banking and financial products. Today's banking products are not exactly tailor-made for independent entrepreneurs. Shopify responds to this fact by putting its own tool in the hands of its merchants, developed specifically for entrepreneurs .
Shopify Capital 🇺🇸 🇬🇧 🇨🇦
A program that helps small businesses get easier financing. Although this service was available before, Shopify began expanding it during the coronavirus pandemic. Shopify Capital is now available in the UK and Canada in addition to the US. Expansion to other countries is planned soon.
This time is difficult not only for traders. Their customers don't have it easy either. Shopify has launched a new Shop Pay installments service (US only for now).
Customers can pay for goods in four installments without interest or fees. However, the merchant receives the full amount immediately, and the customer pays further installments directly to Shopify. There is no risk for the trader. The customer has the possibility of flexible repayment and the merchants get the opportunity to increase the volume of sales.
#2 E-shop
Express theme 🇨🇿 🇸🇰
With the dramatic increase in new e-shops, Shopify offers help in the form of tools to speed up their launch. One such tool is a new theme called Express .
The design of the theme is adapted especially for one-page shopping and is ideal for quickly launching an e-shop. Originally designed primarily for coffee shops and restaurants, it is built to support small and medium product catalogs. But it can be used by anyone who prefers simplicity and needs a quick launch of their e-shop. The theme is optimized for mobile interface.
Gift vouchers 🇨🇿 🇸🇰
Gift cards are now temporarily available on Shopify for free on all plans . Even in difficult times, customers can support their sellers.
Contributions and tips 🇨🇿 🇸🇰
Some types of business also need to use another type of rewards from their customers - contributions and tips. As more and more businesses of this type move online, Shopify has integrated this option into the checkout. You can set it up in your Shopify admin simply by following this guide.
The feature is suitable for businesses offering virtually any type of service. It can also be used to make contributions to charitable organizations.
Services for international sales 🇨🇿 🇸🇰
Shopify adds new features to e-shop setups that can be used mostly by merchants selling their goods internationally.
- Local domains - soon a function will be available to assign a local domain to the relevant country, currency or language of the e-shop.
- Tailor-made exchange rates - a new function is about to be launched at the end of this year. It will enable merchants who sell in multiple currencies to have a stable price even when the exchange rate fluctuates.
Redesign of e-shops 🇨🇿 🇸🇰
Last year, the e-shop design was adjusted so that all e-shop pages can be divided into sections. This year, you will be able to edit e-shops by simply dragging and dropping elements. You can thus modify the appearance of all pages without writing a single line of code.
The redesign will launch in the second half of this year, but it's available now in developer preview for Shopify Partners.
#3 Omnichannel and marketing
New Shopify POS 🇨🇿 🇸🇰
Trading is evolving. In the period from 3/13 to 4/24, sales through Shopify POS decreased by 71%. However, those same merchants replaced 94% of those losses with online sales.
This shows the need for a robust solution that connects physical and online sales . That's why Shopify made a change to its POS in May. A completely new, rebuilt, expandable system with a new design and omnichannel functionality was created.
The new POS is now available worldwide. In order to better adapt to the current conditions, Shopify provides all POS Pro features for free until the end of October 2020 .
Shopify Email 🇨🇿 🇸🇰
A new function to create marketing campaigns directly in your admin without the need for design or marketing knowledge.
Google shopping 🇺🇸
Marketers can now expand their audience more easily. Shopify has partnered with Google to allow its clients to add their products to Google Shopping for free. The Google Shopping application will serve them well for this.
This option is currently only available in the US, but will soon be expanded globally.
Facebook Shops 🇨🇿 🇸🇰
Shopify also joined forces with Facebook and created Facebook Shops - a new option to give merchants the opportunity to build a simple store under their own brand through Facebook or Instagram . The store syncs directly from Shopify. This option will be available in the coming months.
Shopify Ping 🇨🇿 🇸🇰
A new chat application, thanks to which the merchant can directly answer the customer's questions. It integrates with popular platforms like Apple Business Chat, Facebook Messenger and Shopify Chat. Pink is currently available on iOS and iPad, but an Android and web version is in the works for summer.
Shop 🇨🇿 🇸🇰
Shop is a new shopping assistant created by combining the features of Arrive and Shop Pay.
Thanks to the Shop application, customers can find shops in their vicinity and can thus support local businesses. The customer also sees product recommendations from sellers they have purchased from in the past. Thanks to Shop Pay, they can also buy, pay and track their shipment immediately.
The Shop application will be free for all merchants. You can activate Shop Pay in your Shopify account right now.
#4 Back office
Product states 🇨🇿 🇸🇰
You'll soon have more flexibility when working with products in the Shopify admin. You will be able to save products as a draft and publish later. The option to archive products will also be available.
Faster product creation 🇨🇿 🇸🇰
77% of merchants who switched from physical to online sales claim that adding products to the e-shop is the most time-consuming operation. And that's not exactly ideal.
The ability to add products directly from the phone and the creation of products in bulk are coming. It will be possible to add images, prices, variants, stock and more from one screen.
Purchase Orders 🇨🇿 🇸🇰
The service allows you to order, track and receive stock from suppliers. Soon there will be an option to use the scanning device on the Shopify mobile app. Purchase orders will be available to all merchants through their Shopify admin.
Redesign of the order list 🇨🇿 🇸🇰
The number of merchants selling online continues to rise. With the number of orders on the rise, Shopify has redesigned the order list to make it easier to use. Order fulfillment is thus accelerated.
#5 Traffic
Shopify Local Pickup 🇨🇿 🇸🇰
Shopify Local Pickup is a new option to set up personal pickup.
Shopify Local Delivery 🇨🇿 🇸🇰
Merchants around the world will soon be able to enjoy a simplified local delivery option. You will be able to set the local delivery area using a zip code or a distance radius. The prices of such transport and the minimum order value will also be adjustable.
Shopify Fulfillment Network 🇺🇸
A geographically dispersed network of fulfillment centers to provide fast, low-cost shipping to customers. Currently available in North America.
#6 Performance
Storefront renderer 🇨🇿 🇸🇰
It speeds up page loading by 40 to 200%, allowing merchants to get a better conversion rate.
Performance dashboard 🇨🇿 🇸🇰
From the summer, a performance dashboard will be available in the Shopify admin, thanks to which you will be able to better solve problems with performance and speed. You will understand what affects the performance of your e-shop. In the summer, Shopify will launch this feature for merchants to better understand how various actions, such as customizing code or installing apps, will affect the speed of their store. This will enable them to resolve performance issues more quickly and keep their businesses moving.
And if you don't have Shopify yet, give it a try. You will still have it free for 14 days.
We are here for you. Leave a comment under the article or contact us .
