Blink StoreFront

The Blink StoreFront service is a Progressive Web Application (PWA) designed to enhance user interactions on your webshop. It utilizes headless architecture to deliver a smooth, responsive shopping experience. Below, clients can learn about the advantages of this implementation.

PWA advantages

  • Boost your conversion rate

    On Google blogs, you can access specific statistics demonstrating the improvement in conversion rates and user engagement following PWA implementation. We also encourage you to explore our client case studies for detailed insights into the effectiveness of our solutions.

  • Speed and SEO

    Citing official statements from Google, including "Speed is now a landing page factor for Google Search and Ads," it is evident that over the past few years, Google has increasingly emphasized the importance of website speed and usability. This trend clearly delineates the path that store owners must pursue to optimize for superior organic search rankings and to minimize advertising costs.

  • App-like experience

    Using a PWA website simulates the experience of a native desktop or mobile application.

  • Add to home screen

    Add to the mobile home screen is a function available in modern browsers that allows the user to "install" a web application - add a shortcut representing their favorite web application (or website) to the home screen, so they can access it later with a single touch.

  • Full-screen mode

    After "Installing" Progressive Web App on the phone, the entire display area is used by the PWA. Browser UI elements such as the address bar, navigation and status bar are hidden.

  • Headless

    PWA acts as an "overlay" on the backend of the store. PWA is not generated by the backend, it is linked to the backend via the API. This means that we are dealing with headless architecture here. Some advantages of this architecture are:
    - The possibility for different project teams to work on the backend and frontend
    - The loose coupling between the backend and frontend makes it easy to replace individual system components. E.g. changing store backend from Magento to Shopify, keeping frontend unchanged.
    - Fast design iterations
    - Easily integrate with other companies that are less disruptive to growth
    - Resilience to changes on the user interface side
    - Simpler implementation

Blink-cart PWA advantages

  • Great spikes in website traffic e.g. during advertising campaigns are no longer a problem

    Your server will take a breather and benefit from the new setup. Thanks to the implementation of PWA, you will significantly reduce the load on your server. The more traffic your store generates, the greater the profits resulting from the PWA implementation will be.

  • Single Page Application

    Our PWA operates on a Single Page Application architecture, which we believe is essential for a true PWA, although not all companies may recognize this. You can find "PWA modules" that actually add a manifest to the page and little more.

  • The fastest and least problematic installation

    Integration with your store, in the fastest variant, could be completed in one day. It is an extremely short time, since the implementation of PWA has so far involved months of work.

  • Lower development and maintenance costs

    Until now, implementing PWA has been a very costly affair. Thanks to our specialization in Progressive Web Applications, we have developed methods that automatize processes and drastically reduce the cost of implementation.

  • Mobile first

    Since more people now use phones than computers to browse the internet shops, when designing an application, we first design the perfect mobile version, which then serves to design the desktop version.

  • Multi Websites support

    We can easily generate independent PWAs for each of your "store view". Each view can have a completely independent appearance and functionality.

  • Platform-agnostic

    Our PWA is not integrated with just one type of software. This means that for example, if you are using Magento now, and in the future you change the software to PrestaShop or Shopify, your PWA from the client's side will not change, and the changes needed on our part to switch PWA backend will not require much work.

  • The least intrusive integration

    Our architecture assumes the least possible interference with the software of your store, in such a way that the installation and uninstallation of our PWA is possible in the shortest possible time.

  • Increasing security

    In our estimation, we should receive no more access from the stores that we work with than any ordinary visitor of the store. We will not have access to orders or customer data on our side. At the same time, integration with our service will make it possible to "hide" your store instance behind our PWA. Therefore, you will increase the resistance to attacks on the frontend of the store, because it does not have to be publicly available.

  • Demo available in 5 minutes

    A launch of a demo with your store offer is possible in 5 minutes, and you can run it yourself using the above form. On one of the ready-made templates, you can check how fast your store is running without spending money.

  • Personalization options

    As we are the author of our PWA, and we do not use ready-made solutions, we are able to meet your special requests regarding the appearance of PWA and functionality.

  • The fastest PWA on the market

    Our PWA is the fastest possible on the market. Check how it works on your phone and desktop computer.

  • Ready theme or custom implementation

    We can run PWA based on one of our ready-made graphics, or we can implement any graphics. We can use your current store graphic or encode PWA based on the design provided by your graphic designer.

  • Any location of the PWA possible

    We are flexible and the server your PWA will run on can be located in any country chosen by you on any continent. There is also no problem with installing CDN on request.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Admin Panel Changes Post-PWA Implementation

    From the store administrator's perspective, very little will change. The admin panel and all integrations with external systems remain the same, and the store continues to operate on the same server.

  • What is a Single Page Application (SPA)?

    A Single Page Application (SPA) allows the store's website to load only the necessary data without refreshing the entire page. For example, when a customer navigates between products, only the product information is loaded, not the entire website. This prevents the need to repeatedly download sections like the category menu, banners, and footer, improving speed and user experience.

  • What if my software is not supported?

    Please contact us. Our company can handle individual projects and integrate with any ERP and e-commerce system.

  • Where is PWA Located?

    To ensure optimal PWA performance, a complex infrastructure and server configuration are required. We have determined that the best approach is to run PWAs on our servers, which are specifically optimized for speed. This means you no longer need to worry about your store's performance in any situation, as this responsibility is managed by us.

    The physical location of your PWA can be coordinated with us. We offer the flexibility to host your PWA in Europe, America, or any other country. We can also integrate CDN networks for enhanced performance. Your store's backend will continue to operate as usual on your server.

  • What Technology Do We Use?

    From the PWA side, our scripts are written in React. For server-side rendering (SSR), we use the GatsbyJS framework, which is optimized for SEO by default. We have invested significant effort to further enhance its SEO optimization.

    Additionally, we can utilize other frameworks to meet our clients' specific needs, ensuring flexibility and customization in our solutions.

  • How Long Will Implementation Take?

    The implementation timeline varies based on the complexity and customization requirements:

    • PWA Demo: Opening the PWA demo takes approximately 5 minutes.
    • Standard Setup: With a ready-made graphic design and standard setup without custom modules, the PWA can be launched within 1 day.
    • Customized Setup: For non-standard graphics and specific requirements, the implementation time ranges from 2 weeks to a couple of months, depending on the project's complexity.
  • Is it Safe?

    At Blink-cart.com, we prioritize the safety of our system with two key architectural principles:

    • Limited Access to Your Store Database: We only require minimal API access to create a product catalog and authenticate customers. This means we do not have access to your store database. Consequently, even if our servers were compromised, your database would remain secure because we simply do not have the credentials to access it.
    • Robust and Flexible Infrastructure: Our infrastructure is designed for maximum resilience. Even though we use renowned data centers, and in the unlikely event that all our servers and backup servers were to fail simultaneously, our system is flexible enough to quickly disable the PWA and restore the original operation of your store.

    Additionally, our headless infrastructure enhances security by isolating the frontend of your store. From the moment of integration, you are protected from attacks exploiting frontend vulnerabilities, which are common in platforms like WooCommerce, Magento, and PrestaShop. Many store owners face issues due to delayed updates, leaving their stores vulnerable to automated attacks seeking known vulnerabilities. With our approach, such risks are significantly mitigated.

    General Safety of Headless Infrastructure

    Headless infrastructure offers several security benefits:

    • Isolation of Frontend and Backend: By decoupling the frontend from the backend, headless systems reduce the attack surface. Potential vulnerabilities in the frontend do not directly expose backend data and processes.
    • Reduced Vulnerability to Common Attacks: Traditional platforms often face security issues from outdated plugins or themes. Headless architecture, focusing on API endpoints, can minimize these risks as it relies on more controlled and secure API interactions.
    • Enhanced Scalability and Redundancy: Headless systems can leverage multiple servers and data centers for various components, ensuring high availability and quick recovery from any failures or attacks.
    • Customizable Security Measures: Since the frontend is independent, it allows for the implementation of customized security protocols tailored to specific needs without affecting backend operations.

    Overall, headless infrastructure like that employed by Blink-cart.com provides a more secure, flexible, and resilient environment for your e-commerce operations.

  • What is Needed to Create a Demo?

    To create a demo, we need access to the REST API of your online store. Specifically, we require "read" ("GET") access to the product catalog, product categories, and CMS pages.