jQuery (and javascript)

Isn't technology supposed to make life easier? I recently built a tool for a provider of an ERP system, to allow his clients to automatically publish inventory to their business websites and keep the sites in synch with his system. It got me thinking (again) about automation, and how business can do more with tools they're already using.

A lot of people - even companies - that provide technical services find themselves in the unfortunate position of being viewed as "the techs" and ignored when discussion turns to policy, marketing, or other topics relating to business management and strategy - the domain of consultants. This can be the case whether the tech is a twenty-something fresh out of school, or someone who's been in the industry for decades.
It's difficult to change people's perception once you've been slotted into a role. Far better to set expectations at the beginning of a relationship than try to change mid-stride.

I should have known better, but I was hit with a wave of panic when the government announced the beginning of the corona virus lock down. I thought that might be it for my business. How would I get new clients? What about the meetings I had already scheduled? What if everybody stopped spending? Even in a digital business it's sometimes difficult to see past traditional expectations.

To my eternal relief, I learned better.

Viewing your website(s) as a necessary expense rather than as an investment that's expected to produce a return is a critical misstep. Business owners often have a difficult time defining the role of their Website in their online presence and marketing. People often confess to feeling overwhelmed by technology, and rather than deal with the complexity, they settle for a site that's less functional than a business card or a billboard.

Closed storefronts, a few parked cars, the odd piece of litter, someone walking their dog. Nothing to see here folks, move along.

Once the COVID-19 crisis passes, the world will have changed. The global jump in e-commerce isn't just a blip, it's the new normal. Its become more important than ever to position your business to continue whether or not face-to-face meetings are possible.

Short Answer: Yes. It's getting more imperative with each passing day that you get up to speed with modern best practices, empower your workforce with tools they can use anywhere, and connect with your customers in the ways they've come to expect from big brands.

I’m uniquely qualified to dispense this advice because I’ve been working from home for over a decade, most of my clients have never met me in person, and even co-workers only see me up close a few times a year, if at all.

No matter what you do for a living, there are a few smart moves you can make to keep things moving during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Turn browsers into buyers.
On the surface, E-Commerce Development is straightforward: set up an online shop with a bunch of products and a shopping cart, checkout, and payment processing, user account, order management capabilities, that has a dashboard the store owner can use to track and change order info, add, remove, or modify products, process payments, etc.

All easy, right? The technical part is well-trodden ground, with dozens of existing solutions that you can just set up and deploy. No need to reinvent the wheel, just pick your favorite system and put up a shop.

All true, but: the devil is in the details.