NetSuite Web Site Design Blog

Multiple eCommerce Web Sites In One Dashboard

2008-05-02T01:31:00.011-04:00

New Netsuite web designs using Multiple eCommerce Web Store Management. The original site was launched last year, now the client has expanded to maximize their ROI and build 2 more websites within the same Netsuite account. All 3 websites are using the same system to manage accounting, inventory, customer service, plus the content and look and feel of the ecommerce stores.

Example of one Netsuite dashboard managing all 3 sites.

New Netsuite Web Design - Site #1

New Netsuite Web Design - Site #2

Learn more about Multiple (Multi-Store) eCommerce Web Sites using NetSuite in the latest video podcast from Alex Designs. Subscribe to the podcast at alexdesigns.tv

Using eCommerce Software custom templates?

2008-04-20T16:19:00.010-04:00

One of the best things about being a Netsuite web designer, is the ability to customize the ecommerce templates at almost every level. In all of our projects, we produce at least four templates: Homepage, Category Template, Category Items Template, Item (Product) Template and a custom shopping cart design (some limitations). There are a few other sub-templates needed as well, like for related items and checkout. These templates are then added to the web store theme, then the CMS and product category will continue to use these ecommerce templates every time another page is created.

This company sells ATM Parts.

Site was completed by alexdesigns

Questions: Netsuite Web Design or marketing?

Ask a good question - get a real solution! Click Here

NetSuite OneWorld Solution Is Here!

2008-04-16T21:06:00.004-04:00

Today, Netsuite introduced OneWorld, which adds real-time management and consolidation capabilities for companies that are multinational or have multiple subsidiaries. OneWorld is the biggest architectural change to NetSuite since its inception, according to company CEO Zach Nelson. OneWorld should help the company meet its goals in its first year as a public company.

Read the entire article here.

Netsuite Web Design - Hobbies, RC & Fun Stuff!

2008-04-06T23:23:00.006-04:00

Here is a new Netsuite Web Design that we just launched. This site was already on Netsuite, it just needed a redesign, please a recoding in CSS (as much as possible) to improve natural SEO rankings. Get all the latests ecommerce designs that we release - subscribe to the RSS feed.

Please let us know what you think

POST A COMMENT - CLICK HERE

Netsuite Web Design - Homepage for the Best Hobby Shop

Netsuite Web Design - Product page for the Remote Control Helicopter

Site was completed by alexdesigns

Netsuite eCommerce - Ask A Question Now!

2008-03-23T17:14:00.008-04:00

A lot of people contact me with questions about Netsuite ecommerce, Netsuite web design, Netsuite SEO or just ecommerce in general! Are you having trouble setting up your ecommerce web store or just not making as much money as you think you should be. Maybe you need recommendations for a developer to help you with custom ecommerce business processes. There are no stupid questions! This site was created to help you with your ecommerce setup, design / user experience or even Internet marketing. So go ahead and ask ANY question you want and I will answer it. Ask a question now - click here.

Ask a good question - get a real solution!

If you ask a good question, I may even write a post about your topic and review your site to find a solution. So when you post a question, provide a link to your Netsuite or general ecommerce website. Also, please do not post a question with your name "ANONYMOUS". This is like FREE Netsuite eCommerce consulting. Most consultants would charge to answer these questions, but after building a ton of ecommerce websites I just really want to see your business be successful. Of course, I will also link to your website. So it will be a nice external link for you too. Ask a question now - click here.

Your eCommerce friend,
Alex Harris

Send this post to a friend - click here!

eCommerce Web Design for Musical Instruments

2008-03-15T13:40:00.007-04:00

When you are doing ecommerce web design using Netsuite, it is tough to continually roll out new concepts and still try and maintain best practices. The last thing you want to do is create a super cool new design, but the user experience is confusing and your conversation rates begin to drop.

In this new design, we maintained our best practice standards but introduced a new navigation structure using dynamic CSS and JavaScript. We used a horizontal rollover navigation that stays selected when you arrive at the respective category. This site just went live, so we are still fixing a some of the bugs. So take a look, and let us know what you think!

This is site sells Musical Instruments online...

Netsuite Web Design - Homepage Template

Netsuite Web Design - Item Template

Site was completed by alexdesigns

NetSuite Will Transform Your Business

2008-02-27T01:03:00.005-05:00

When potential clients ask me why they should use NetSuite versus another ecommerce platform. The answer is simple... NetSuite Will Transform Your Business. It's an investment of time and money to take your business to the next level. Not only can you customize the NetSuite Web Designs, but you get everything combined in one software to Maximize ROI. This includes Accounting, CRM and Reporting. So you only need one dashboard to grow your business.

Not sure what what NetSuite is?

NetSuite is just a tool that makes managing your business simple.
Find out more about NetSuite by starting a FREE Trial - Click Here.

NetSuite Web Design: Lingerie Clothing and Shoes

2008-02-21T01:49:00.003-05:00

Woohoo watch out. Lingerie Diva has been redesigned and it is sexier than ever. This web site design is 100% NetSuite ecommerce. Just recently went live and it really came out great. Plus, this site has some nice features like the enlarge photo light box and stylized checkout process. Take a look...

Netsuite Web Design: Homepage

Netsuite Web Design: Item Page

Should be interesting to see what leads starting coming in now...
Site was completed by alexdesigns

NetSuite Tips: Basics - Back Up Your Code

2008-02-19T00:57:00.003-05:00

Here is a quick tip for anyone (web developer or non-techie) just starting an eCommerce website built on web based applications. It is a basic rule that you should follow to avoid breaking your website when updating the code of a Netsuite web store theme.

Ecommerce applications like Netsuite, Volusion and even Yahoo stores have text area form fields in their apps to enter HTML/JS code for the templates. Because these input fields are very small, it is very easy to delete or change this code. I was asked to fix this unintentional problem several times, but it could have been avoided. The solution is simple, copy all the code out of the text area fields and into .html files every time. Then you have a backup of this files, plus edit them using a WYSIWYG like Dreamweaver or a text editor.

Here is an example of an item template from a Netsuite web store theme. The code is moved from the text area field into a txt file. Simple, until you forget to do it.

Have any questions? Post them here...

NetSuite Web Design for Tennis Supplies

2008-02-13T18:39:00.006-05:00

Here is a new NetSuite Web Design that is now live. The design and strategy are straight forward, but they have a lot of products (SKU) in their catalog. Overall, I think it came out great!

Now, it is ready to start the next phase: SEO updates on a monthly basis, along with a conversion rate optimization plan. This design, CSS/HTML and SEO set up was for 10-S Tennis Supply Court Equipment

NetSuite Web Design (Homepage Template)

NetSuite Web Design (Item Template)

Site was completed by alexdesigns

ERP Implementation was completed by Skyytek

B2B Business To Business Web Design

2008-02-07T01:27:00.000-05:00

Here is a new web site design focused on B2B - Business to Business. We did the custom creative redesign and CSS/HTML. Now the new site is now live. Take a look and let us know what you think.

This is an example of the type of stuff that we do that is not done using ecommerce. The focus is define persona click paths to teach visitors about the business and turn them into a lead. This results in a higher conversation rate from lead to sale by improving the quality of leads that are captured.

Homepage for USA.net - Email Hosting and Exchange Hosting

List of services page for USA.net - WEB-BASED EMAIL

Site was completed by alexdesigns

NetSuite Web Design - Toy Store

2008-01-21T22:51:00.000-05:00

Wow, one month in the New Year and this is my first post. 2008 is shaping up to a great year. Many of the NetSuite web designers and NetSuite web developers have been pumping out some great work. The community is thriving with talent, plus the software is getting tremendous exposure. This year I expecting to see some of the best work yet.

Do you have a new design? Post it here today!

Here is one we just finished:

NetSuite Web Design - Online Toy Store for babies and up

Site was completed by alexdesigns

NetSuite IPO Prices At $26 a Share

2007-12-19T22:11:00.000-05:00

Business software company NetSuite Inc. on Wednesday priced its initial public offering of stock at $26 a share, higher than the company's anticipated range of between $19 and $22 a share. NetSuite said it will trade under the ticker "N" on the New York Stock Exchange, beginning Thursday. NetSuite, a provider of business software via Internet subscription, had conducted a so-called "Dutch auction" that saw it raise its anticipated price range for the IPO twice in the past two days. Credit Suisse Securities acted as book-running manager for the IPO, while W.R. Hambrecht + Co. acted as co-manager, NetSuite said in a prepared release.

Article here.

NetSuite raises estimated IPO price yet again

2007-12-19T11:36:00.000-05:00

This is getting a little crazy...
The hosted business software company initially set the range at $13 to $16. Then changed it to $16 to $19. Now the estimated price range for NetSuite's IPO now stands at $19 to $22, which the company believes will net it about $115.9 million.

NetSuite on Wednesday boosted the estimated price range for its IPO (initial public offering) for the second time in just two days, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Article here.

Netsuite IPO raises to $16 to $19 per share

2007-12-18T20:41:00.000-05:00

NetSuite, in an amended registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission raised the estimated price range for its IPO to $16 to $19 per share.

The previous price range for the 6.2 million share offering was $13 to $16 per share.

NetSuite Files to Raise Up to $118 Million in IPO. NetSuite still expects the offering to price after the stock market closes on or about Wednesday, December 19, 2007, but reserves the right to change the pricing date.

Original article here: http://www.cnbc.com/id/22309217

NetSuite IPO - Auction has started

2007-12-10T10:10:00.000-05:00

NetSuite Inc. today announced that the auction for its proposed initial public offering of its common stock has commenced. NetSuite announced that it expects the offering to price after the stock market closes on or about Wednesday, December 19, 2007.

Find more out more details here:
NetSuite IPO

Full story here:
NetSuite IPO to price next week

NetSuite IPO - Ticker "N" - Dec. 21, but maybe earlier

2007-12-06T10:06:00.000-05:00

NetSuite's IPO is currently planned for Dec. 21, but the Wall Street Journal, citing observers, notes the offering could launch sooner, should investor interest be strong. The stock will be listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker "N".

Articles posted:
Wall Street Journal
ZD Net
Webware

Still waiting on a update to the official page here:
NetSuite IPO

eCommerce & NetSuite Web Design Invitations

2007-12-04T01:31:00.000-05:00

Another busy year is coming to a close and we are finishing those last few projects before New Years 2008. Did YOU release a new web design this year? Go ahead and post it here - or comment on the new NetSuite Web Design we just finished below. This is an ecommerce website for "Invitations & Holiday Gifts".

Homepage:

Item Template:

NetSuite Web Design completed by: alexdesigns

Web Worker Daily Feature: Alex Designs LLC

2007-11-15T10:43:00.000-05:00

Today I was featured on Web Worker Daily sharing my experiences running a 100%-online web consulting and design business.

Here is an excerpt from the article:

How has the web changed your working life? Alex Designs LLC is a 100% online business. I never travel to visit clients, so we give demos to clients around the world. We don't even have an office. All of my designers and developers are in different states. Plus, I have never met 99% of my clients. This cuts my overhead costs and streamlines everything into a nice productive system. We use web based SAS programs for accounting, project management and CRM. Everything is web based. Now we even work from our iPhones.

Read the entire article here.
Let me know your thoughts...

Custom Web Tags in NetSuite Theme

2007-11-15T02:20:00.000-05:00

Are you understanding the NetSuite Theme better now? In this post I will show you examples of using "Custom Web Site Tags" in your NetSuite Theme.

What are Custom Web Site Tags?
You can define custom tags to customize specific aspects of your store. You create custom tags to define information for each individual tab in your Web store. Then, you insert these tags into your HTML templates. You define your tag substitutions on tab and category records.

They are NetSuite's version of "INCLUDE" files.

Tips when creating tags:

Use all CAPITAL LETTERS with no spaces, but you can use underscores
Add a default value (if needed) but add a DIV with an ID around HTML, like below

Here is an illustration of how I set up my Custom Web Site Tags in the NetSuite Theme. Initially this may look complex, but really it is basic HTML/CSS. NetSuite still uses TABLES, so the Custom Web Site Tags are added to each TABLE cell (TD). This is a little tricky so if you have questions, post a comment.

So why do I want to use these?

Here are a few reasons.

You have a non-secure image or tracking pixel and need to switch it between HTTP and HTTPS
You want to change a marketing banner between different categories
You want to completely remove a right or left column on certain pages
You want to host HTML pages and use "INCLUDE" files to make updates easier

Here is an example of site that utilizes Web Site Tags on NetSuite hosted HTML pages. EnergyFirst sells Protein Shakes and they have a lot of content. We used the tags to easily create hundreds of custom designed articles, content sections and landing pages. Creating HTML pages gave us more flexibility with the design, plus .html pages are said to be better for NetSuite SEO.

Are you using web site tags? Post a comment or ask a question.

Personalize Your Ecommerce Experience

2007-11-13T23:05:00.000-05:00

Every web marketer should be thinking about "personas" when developing a website. To learn more about this, InternetRetailer.com has a great article explaining the benefits of Persona-lizing a site.

Here is a little clip...

Successful persona users have seen their conversion rates and revenues jump. While persona work usually occurs as part of a larger redesign project, making it hard to pinpoint the specific payback, Staples' online revenue went from $3 billion to $4.9 billion within two years after a major site redesign that included the development of seven personas and a decision to design primarily for the two most important ones.

Next chance, I will show some examples of how we use these methods to design and develop NetSuite Ecommerce Websites. Read the article.

Future of Web Design - FOWD 11/7 & 11/8

2007-11-05T10:22:00.000-05:00

Here is where we will be this week, NYC - November 7th, 2007

The Future of Web Design is all about getting together leading practitioners and thinkers in the web design field to talk about trends, directions and exciting new happenings in the medium. This isn't just another web event, but one that's dedicated to the creativity in the profession, bringing back the 'design' and drawing together the diverse fields that doing 'web design' now represents.

The FOWD will take place at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center (New York City) which boasts state of the art facilities and amazing views of the Hudson river.

If you in the NYC area this week, you should be attending...

NetSuite Web Design Theme Explained

2007-11-01T23:32:00.000-04:00

I receive a lot of NetSuite questions, but the most popular NetSuite web design question is "How does the web site theme work?" It's pretty easy once you understand how each of the templates and layouts are grouped together. So I have created a diagram to be used as a cheat sheet.

The theme is broken up into the standard Header (Logo and Tabs Template), Left Side Navigation, Content Area Template, Right Side Navigation and Footer. Each section can be removed or changed in size to totally customize your NetSuite Web Design.

The main area I want to point out is the "Content Area Template". This area changes based on the website section you are on. For example, when clicking a category link, the content area will then use the Category Level Layouts and Templates. A "layout" is simply a wrapper of two templates. The two custom templates are known as "list" and "list cell". In HTML terms that means, the "layout" is a TABLE tag, the "list" is the HTML contained inside that TABLE, and finally the "list cell" is the actual TD for each item that is displayed. This is also known as nested HTML tables.

TIP: Use NetSuite Help, really, it works well. Do a search for "Web Site Tags" in the NetSuite Help to get the full list of all the tags that can be used in each of the Theme sections and different custom templates.

Please let me know if this was helpful (or confusing) in anyway. Post Your Feedback - Click Here!

Netsuite IPO and Larry Ellison Stock Lockbox

2007-10-30T18:28:00.000-04:00

Larry Ellison puts his NetSuite IPO shares in 'lockbox'. Original article is from ZDNet.

NetSuite in an SEC filing on Tuesday said that Larry Ellison is putting his shares - all 639,298,039 of them - into a "lockbox" that diminishes his control over the company.

ZDNet has a few theories on this amendment to NetSuite's current IPO plans... see them here.

NetSuite 2008 Upgrades & Customer Focus

2007-10-27T00:45:00.000-04:00

The NetSuite Partner Conference was a great success from many perspectives. The NetSuite community is a strong and talented group of companies looking to make difference with "One System, No Limits". This starts with the great staff at NetSuite, from Zack Nelson (CEO) and Evan Goldberg (CTO) to the product team, sales team, marketing/PR staff and professional services. The staff has displayed their dedication to improving their product by being innovative and focusing on the end user. The same goes for the partners selling the product and the customers they serve. NetSuite is One Integrated System to Manage Your Entire Business. The web based includes Accounting / ERP, CRM and Ecommerce to run your business more effectively, fully integrating your web store and back-office. Start A Free Trial.

The theme was clear in every presentation...
The #1 goal is customer satisfaction.

Here are some announcements that I would like to share with you... Please note that these upgrades have no set date for release but they are on the radar screen. Next year there will be two upgrade releases next, they are named 2008.1 and 2008.2 - one in the middle of the year and the other towards the end of year.

Starting with a heavier focus on improving the product using customer input. NetSuite Support Center will receive a face lift, making it easier to submit enhancement requests. This includes a voting system and a way for customers to see the most requested upgrade enhancements. This creates a great customer to customer (c2c) community outside of the user group. I see being very powerful and the screen shots of the Support Center were pretty slick. Also, there has been better documentation released and will continue to be updated more frequently.

Highlights from the 2008.1 upgrade:

Checkout for ecommerce
The checkout for ecommerce will have more options focused on reducing checkout abandonment rates. This may include a one page checkout process. That would be huge, as the current checkout process is 4-5 steps. The solution will improve ecommerce user experience, then increased conversion rates equaling more web store sales.

Improved web site speed and performance
This was said to be the #1 number goal for the web store. Akamai will be used to accomplished this through image and file caching. The websites that are not in the USA will benefit the most since the image caching servers will be closer to the users computer.

Multiple ship-to addresses capability
This will only be on the back office and not included with ecommerce but it is a great first step.

Multi-site web store enhancements
The new features include the ability to use different pricing on each of your web stores and also use different payment processors. For example, you can now create a discount web site using the same inventory but with reduced prices.

Improved web analytics
Page view and keyword campaign reports will be improved.

Marketing campaigns and marketing templates will get a face lift
Currently you have to go through several steps to set up your marketing campaigns and marketing templates. This user experience will be consolidated to reduce the steps to set up your campaigns.

Highlights from the 2008.2 upgrade:

2008.2 release is mainly focus on a new back office system for "Service Companies"
Similar to using Microsoft Project, you will be able to track a project from start to finish. This includes tracking the revenue, accountability and time for each services. The ability to forecast revenue on each project allows you make your business more profitable and tracked directly into accounting. The feature is very detailed, even down to the "task" and "email" level. Nice work, this is a perfect fit for any professional services project.

Dynamic merchandising for ecommerce
The ability to organize your items by best margins, inventory and ect.

Domain Changes At Checkout
No date for this, but they are considering a better domain structure for the secure checkout process in the shopping cart of the web store. The recommended structure that was sugggested was "yourdomainname.netsuite.com"

Google Checkout
Yes, Google checkout is coming to NetSuite eCommerce. This enhancement was said to be very popular with the customer base so they have figured out a way to integrate it. Since the demand was so popular, this will rollout sometime in 2008.

This is just a brief list of features that are coming out in 2008, but it really is exciting. It is great to see the NetSuite staff, partners and customers coming together to push the product in the right direction. I am proud to be apart of this great and growing community! Want to learn more? Visit NetSuite for more details.