November 2020 Product Newsletter: Exciting Updates and Integrations
Topic of the Month: Ecommerce & Shopify Integration
The ecommerce industry is booming. Online shopping has been trending upward for years, but the pandemic has caused these trend lines to spike exponentially. For example, the number of Shopify merchants have tripled since the COVID-19 outbreak.
If you’ve recently launched a new ecommerce site to generate sales, you’re just barely scratching the surface with the opportunity in this space. To take your ecommerce business to the next level, you need an ecommerce mobile app.
Buildfire seamlessly integrates with Shopify. So driving mobile sales with our platform is a breeze for anyone.
Key Takeaways
- Ecommerce Growth: Shopify merchants have tripled since the pandemic began.
- Mobile App Necessity: An ecommerce mobile app is crucial for maximizing sales potential.
- Seamless Integration: Buildfire offers easy integration with Shopify for enhanced mobile sales.
- Adaptation Strategy: Businesses must adapt with apps to thrive in the current market.
- Educational Demand: There’s a rising demand for educational apps due to virtual learning trends.
Don’t think you need an app for your online store? Think again. Check out this data-driven article that explains why every ecommerce site MUST HAVE a mobile app.
COVID-19 has forced businesses to adapt or die. Launching an ecommerce site is a step in the right direction, but an app will take you to new heights.
November App Spotlight: Courses and Educational Apps
Our team has seen a huge demand for educational apps over the last month. Again, this is directly tied to the pandemic.
So many classes across all education levels have gone virtual. Some specific verticals that we’ve seen utilizing mobile apps for online learning include:
- Cosmetology Courses
- Work Seminars and Webinars
- Life Coaching
- Cooking Classes
Businesses and educational institutions need a way to get learning materials into the hands of users. This can be anything from video lessons to Zoom meetings.
In addition to the simple way of displaying and organizing educational content, Buildfire also makes it easy to monetize courses with in-app purchases or subscriptions. You can set up a paywall, so users are required to purchase your learning materials.
We recommend the following plugins for educational apps:
- Video Note Taker
- Drip Content (for new courses every day or week)
- User Created Checklists
- Free Text Questionnaire
- YouTube and Vimeo
Lots of businesses already have a database of users. You can seamlessly grant access to your current database by using our Zapier integration or SSO to translate purchases.
Product Updates and Enhancements
Our developers and engineers have had a busy month. With the new iOS 14 release, we had to perform all of the compatibility checks for the platform, apps, and plugins. We also addressed some minor bug fixes and made enhancements to the following 14 marketplace plugins:
- Free Text Questionnaire
- Review and Approve
- Loyalty
- Coupon and Deals
- Folder 1.0
- Media Center Manual
- Image Carousel
- Journal
- Home Page Grid Layout
- Media Center RSS
- Outline Action Item Folder
- Dynamic List
- People
- Questionnaire
Another noteworthy enhancement was made to the Image Previewer. Some users reported that they were unable to zoom on PWAs with this feature. We made a quick fix, so now you can zoom without any problems.
Two new premium templates were released last month. We also have four brand new features that are currently in the works (so keep an eye out for next month’s newsletter for details).
Bluetooth and iBeacon Integration
We’re excited to announce the addition of Bluetooth and iBeacon to the Buildfire SDK.
This really opens up the capabilities for IoT and smart devices. These integrations will allow us to create apps that interact with hardware and firmware in real life (use apps to control things in the physical world).
There are tons of potential use cases here. Some examples include fitness, people tracking, device control, and so much more.
I’m sure we’ll be keeping you updated with more on this subject as we start building more apps that leverage these integrations. So stay tuned to upcoming newsletters.
Places 2.0 Enhancements
Places 2.0 got some seriously cool upgrades. Here’s a quick run down of everything we’ve done :
- Create a private chat directly with an individual business or location
- Add CSV Merge
- Added import CSV loading bar
- Added import CSV error log
- Add Language Tab for configurability of buttons and wording
- Allow admin to turn on/ of “Get Directions” and “Contact Us” button
Search Bar for the Control Panel to help navigate to your plugins faster
We have introduced a search bar for the Control Panel! You can search directly for your plugins by name, search by all the instances of a new plugin type, and even add new plugins directly from the search bar without having to navigate to the Marketplace.
It will even remember the last three plugins that you were working on for quicker navigation!
Buildfire Plus
Buildfire Plus is our newest service offering. It’s something we’ve been working on for a long time, and I’m super excited about its value to our clients.
This is perfect for anyone that is looking for a strategic partner in an app development project.
The service includes white-glove services that go above and beyond basic consultancy and development. Some of the noteworthy highlights of this service include:
- Competitive analysis
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Frequently Asked Questions
How does Buildfire integrate with Shopify for ecommerce apps?
Buildfire offers seamless integration with Shopify, allowing businesses to easily create mobile apps that drive sales. This integration simplifies the process of managing your ecommerce store on mobile platforms.
What are the benefits of using Buildfire for educational apps?
Buildfire provides tools to easily organize and monetize educational content through in-app purchases or subscriptions. This makes it ideal for businesses and institutions looking to distribute learning materials effectively.
How can I use Bluetooth and iBeacon with Buildfire?
With the addition of Bluetooth and iBeacon to the Buildfire SDK, you can create apps that interact with IoT devices, enabling functionalities like fitness tracking and device control.
What new features does Buildfire offer for app development?
Buildfire has introduced new premium templates and enhanced existing plugins to improve app functionality. These updates ensure compatibility with the latest iOS releases and enhance user experience.
How does Buildfire Plus enhance app development projects?
Buildfire Plus offers strategic partnership services, including competitive analysis and white-glove consultancy, to help clients achieve their app development goals efficiently.
