Christianna Cannon

As feature-rich as Shift4Shop is, eCommerce is always moving forward. New advancements in technology lead to greater potential for online businesses, but they also lead to new customer expectations and new pain points for business owners and customers alike. That's one reason Shift4Shop has made it easy for developers to create apps that integrate with our eCommerce software: by building an app, you can expand Shift4Shop with new functionality and help your potential clients stay on top of the[...]

Just as not every eCommerce business is the same, not every product is the same. Selling typical retail items — say, kitchenware, toys, etc. — may be the most common business model, but it's hardly the only one out there. Some businesses, like online craft stores, rely on selling their products in fractional quantities rather than whole units. For example, a fabric store will only rarely sell an entire bolt of cloth, instead cutting it to order for sale by the yard. Other industries often[...]

Tax Day is the due date for filing federal income taxes in the United States. Since 1955, Tax Day takes place on April 15 with a couple of exceptions — if April 15 is a Friday, taxes are due the following Monday, April 18. If April 15 is on Saturday or Sunday, taxes are due the following Tuesday. The date is also different for anyone who files a US tax return but lives outside the US, receiving an automatic 2-month extension that moves their deadline to June 15. Despite these variables, though,[...]

Some products just go well together. This could be because they're used for similar purposes as part of an unofficial set, or because they complement each other in some way. Other products are intended as accessories to another item and cannot even be used alone. For some small products, like samples, it simply makes more sense to purchase them as a group. Regardless of why, some customers are going to want to purchase certain items together anyway, so why don't you make it easier (and more[...]

The holiday season is the most lucrative time of the year for eCommerce, and online retailers everywhere will soon be hit with a massive influx of orders. This is a vast opportunity for any business, but it's easy to become overwhelmed if you're not prepared. Fortunately there are several measures you can take to ensure you're ready for the large number of orders you may be shipping out during the holidays.

One crucial factor to be aware of is the deadline for shipping an order for it to arrive[...]

Shipping can be a stressful part of eCommerce for customers and retailers alike. Problems with delivery mean extra work for both the buyer and seller, with the online store sometimes taking the blame regardless of the source of the issue. When shipping is as smooth as possible, customers have a better experience and brands receive a benefit to their reputation.

Shipping carriers have made numerous improvements to the process, aimed at peace of mind and convenience for customers expecting an[...]

Nothing opens doors like education, and none of it would be possible without the hard work and dedication of teachers all over the globe. World Teachers' Day is a special holiday to commemorate their devoted efforts to bring knowledge to students of all ages and to help them find their passions and craft their futures. At Shift4Shop, we're immensely thankful to the teachers in our lives who helped us discover and hone our skills, whether in marketing, writing, design, development, or any other[...]

Smart business owners are always looking for advantages, and anything that saves time and effort is a big one. Tons of apps have been developed with this exact purpose in mind, bringing convenient methods of organization, management, and much more. Central to this ideal of efficiency is automation, in which software handles a task rather than a human worker.

Automation doesn't just save time, it also ensures every action is done consistently and eliminates the possibility of human error.[...]

Procrastination is a problem that can affect anyone of all ages and in all walks of life. It's something we're all familiar with, and many people struggle with it on a daily basis. No matter the task we're supposed to be doing, the urge to put it off can be strong. But why do we procrastinate, and how can we stop it? Imagine how much more productive we could be if we can figure out how to put an end to this behavior — we could have more time for the things we love, become more successful in[...]

You experience eCommerce every day. It's everywhere, and it's getting much harder to find someone who has never made a purchase online. If you've identified eCommerce as a (virtual) land of endless opportunity, you're right. But how does eCommerce work and how do you get started?

In this article, we'll introduce you to eCommerce and the different parts that come together to create the successful online stores we've all heard of — and we'll walk you through the basics of getting started to [...]

Dogs have a well-deserved reputation as man's best friend. For longer than recorded history, dogs have been at our sides providing everything from security to companionship. Today, dogs continue to prove themselves as valuable (and adorable) members of society. While we can show our appreciation with treats and belly rubs, we humans have taken it a step further with the creation of National Dog Day, a holiday specifically for celebrating our canine friends.

As you can imagine, the market for[...]

International Beer Day is a day of appreciation for beer and the breweries that bring it to fine establishments and backyards everywhere. Since its beginnings in Santa Cruz, California in 2007, the event has expanded to 80 countries across 6 continents — and no wonder, since beer has been one of the world's most popular beverages for most of human history. This annual holiday takes place on the first Friday of August, placing it on August 2 this year (tomorrow, in fact).

Product variations are one of the cornerstones of eCommerce, and it's impossible to shop for certain products without them. Apparel comes in multiple sizes and colors, furniture comes in different wood finishes, bed linens come in different patterns; the list goes on and on. All these variants are great for giving customers more choices, but sometimes product variations can be difficult for online sellers to deal with — especially if you have a large number of them. If you don't manage your[...]

One of the biggest benefits of eCommerce has always been its ability to expand your business far beyond the local market. By building an online store, even the smallest garage-based startup can serve customers far outside its own neighborhood, across hundreds or even thousands of miles. Online retail makes the world a more accessible place.

Even better, if you choose to go international with your business, the tools exist today to make it possible even if you're still relatively small.[...]

The growth of eCommerce has made the internet into the world's largest marketplace. Billions of people across the globe go online, sometimes multiple times per day, to keep up with current events, post on social media, play games, and of course to shop! It's now easier than ever before for brands to extend their reach far beyond their local community and even nationwide and overseas. Since the internet brings everyone together, all your potential customers all over the world may as well be your[...]

The idea of combining business ownership with fatherhood can be intimidating, but dads everywhere are making it work. How? To celebrate Fathers' Day this year, we put out a call to Papa-preneurs of all types to come forward and tell us their stories, share their experiences, and enlighten us with all their favorite eCommerce tips. We have to say we received some great responses from successful dads eager to share with us — and with you!

Several hard-working dads chimed in with actionable[...]

World Environment Day is an annual holiday created by the United Nations, in which participating countries come together to discuss and implement solutions for environmental issues affecting the Earth. However, you don't have to have global reach to start helping the environment — in fact, the biggest difference always starts on a local level, among homeowners, and of course, small businesses!

We know millions of business owners worldwide are seeking ways to reduce their environmental impact[...]

Mothers already have a lot to do, but that doesn't mean you can't start your own business! While there are plenty of obstacles inherent in running a business while raising kids, millions of moms around the world are successfully balancing motherhood with entrepreneurship, and carry the proud title of Mom-preneur. But how do they manage to do it all?

In celebration of Mothers' Day this year, we reached out to Mom-preneurs in all types of eCommerce industries to learn their stories and find out[...]

We're sure you're aware of 3dcart's passion for eCommerce, but you might not know how much we also love our Earth. Our office is located in South Florida right by the edge of the Everglades, and water birds are a common sight just outside our back door.

With surroundings like these, it's no wonder we have such an appreciation for our natural world — and whenever we get a chance to bring eCommerce and the environment together, we can't resist!

That's why we've reached out to [...]

Everyone wants to be healthier. For some, it's about building the strength and stamina needed to excel in a favorite sport. For others, it's the desire to kick bad habits and create positive change that will boost self-esteem and overall well-being. Others search for a way to manage symptoms of a chronic condition, or otherwise improve their quality of life. There are thousands of possible motivators for a healthy lifestyle, and your own health and fitness goals can relate to any or all of them!