Author: Ajay Sahoo

What Makes Flutter the Best Cross-Platform for Mobile App Development ?

Posted on by Ajay Sahoo

Mobile app development is rapidly evolving, tech companies around the world are releasing disruptive cross-platform technologies making it easier and efficient to craft stunning mobile apps.

Flutter app development is one such cross-platform technology that has taken the industry by storm.

Flutter, created by Google, is an open-source UI software development toolkit that allows developers to create native apps for mobile, web, and desktop from a single codebase.

This means that with Flutter, developers can build stunning and high-performance apps for iOS, Android, and more, using a single codebase. This ability greatly streamlines the development process and enhances consistency across platforms.

An Introduction to the Widget-Based Flutter Architecture

An Introduction to the Widget-Based Flutter Architecture

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  1. Widget-Based Architecture:

At the heart of Flutter development architecture is its widget-based approach. In Flutter, everything is a widget – from the smallest UI elements like buttons and text to entire complex layouts.

This includes both the visual components that users see and the structural components that define the app’s behaviour.

This concept of encapsulating different parts of an app’s UI and functionality as widgets enables Flutter app developers to simplify the development process and promotes code reusability.

  • Stateless Widgets:

Stateless widgets are immutable, meaning they don’t change over time or in response to user interactions.

They represent the static elements of an app’s user interface, like icons, text labels, and images.

Since these widgets do not have internal state, they can be thought of as pure functions that take input and return UI elements based on that input.

  • Stateful Widgets:

Stateful widgets, on the other hand, are mutable and can change their appearance or behaviour over time.

These widgets are used to manage dynamic user interactions, such as updating the display when a user taps a button or enters data into a text field.

Stateful widgets maintain a “state” object that can be updated, triggering the widget tree to rebuild and reflect the changes.

  1. Widget Tree and Element Tree:

The widget-based architecture forms a hierarchical structure known as the “Widget Tree.”

The Widget Tree represents the arrangement of widgets within the app’s user interface. It defines how widgets are nested within each other and establishes the visual hierarchy of the app.

When the app is run, it takes the Widget Tree and converts it into an “Element Tree.” Elements are an optimized representation of widgets and form the basis for rendering.

Flutter’s rendering engine then uses the Element Tree to efficiently paint the UI on the screen.

  1. Reconciliation and “Hot Reload”:

One of the standout features of Flutter’s architecture is its reconciliation process.

When changes are made to the Widget Tree – for example, when a user interacts with an element – it efficiently calculates the difference between the previous and updated trees.

This process is known as “reconciliation” or “diffing,” and it ensures that only the necessary parts of the UI are updated, optimizing performance.

Moreover, it’s “Hot Reload” feature is closely tied to its architecture.

Hot Reload allows Flutter app developers to make changes to the code and instantly see the results in the app without restarting it.

This rapid iteration cycle enhances productivity and expedites the development process.

  1. Platform Channels and Native Integration:

While the platform aims to provide a consistent experience across platforms, it also acknowledges the need for platform-specific features and capabilities. To achieve this, Flutter incorporates “platform channels.”

These channels allow the code to communicate with native code written in languages like Java (for Android) and Swift (for iOS).

This way, developers can access native device functionalities and seamlessly integrate platform-specific features while still maintaining the majority of the codebase.

What is Flutter Used For?

What is Flutter Used For

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  1. Mobile App Development:

Flutter is most renowned for mobile app development. Developers can create high-quality, visually appealing, and performant apps for both iOS and Android using a single codebase.

This significantly reduces development time and resources while maintaining a consistent user experience across platforms.

  1. Web App Development:

With the introduction of the platform for web, developers can build interactive and dynamic Flutter web applications using the same codebase as their mobile apps.

This provides a seamless experience for users across different devices and platforms.

  1. Desktop App Development:

Its adaptability extends to desktop platforms as well. Developers can use the platform to create native desktop applications for Windows, macOS, and Linux.

This enables the development of cross-platform desktop apps with a unified codebase.

  1. Progressive Web Apps (PWAs):

The mobile app development platform enables the creation of Progressive Web Apps, which are web applications that offer an app-like experience to users.

PWAs can be installed on users’ devices and provide offline access, push notifications, and other native-like features.

  1. Embedded Systems:

Its lightweight nature and versatile architecture make it suitable for developing applications for embedded systems, such as IoT devices and smart appliances.

  1. MVPs and Prototypes:

For startups and businesses aiming to validate their ideas quickly, Flutter rapid development capabilities and Hot Reload feature are beneficial for building minimum viable products (MVPs) and prototypes.

  1. Cross-Platform Solutions:

Companies looking to launch their apps on multiple platforms simultaneously benefit from Flutter cross-platform app development features.

This not only reduces development time but also maintains a consistent app experience across various devices.

  1. Enterprise Applications:

It can be used to develop enterprise-level applications, such as CRM systems, project management tools, and internal communication platforms.

Its performance, customization options, and cross-platform capabilities cater well to the needs of modern businesses.

  1. Gaming and Interactive Apps:

Although it is not primarily designed for heavy gaming, it can still be used to create lightweight games and interactive applications with simple animations and graphics.

  1. Educational Apps:

The cross platform app development platfom’s user-friendly UI capabilities make it suitable for developing educational apps, interactive learning platforms, and e-learning applications that engage users through dynamic content.

  1. Social Media Apps:

The flexibility and customizable UI components of Flutter make it a good choice for creating visually appealing social media apps with features like news feeds, user profiles, and real-time updates.

What are the Drawbacks of Flutter App Development?

What are the Drawbacks of Flutter App Development

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  1. Large App Size:

Flutter mobile apps can have a larger file size compared to native apps due to the inclusion of the Flutter engine and various widgets.

This might result in longer download times, particularly for users on slower connections.

  1. Limited Native Functionality:

While the mobile app development platform provides a wide range of pre-built widgets, there might be cases where you need to access platform-specific features or interact with native APIs.

Although the platform channels enable communication with native code, it can introduce complexity and require additional development effort.

  1. Learning Curve:

If your development team is not already familiar with Dart (Flutter’s programming language) or the widget-based architecture, there might be a learning curve involved in getting up to speed with Flutter’s concepts and best practices.

  1. Less Mature Ecosystem:

While the ecosystem is growing rapidly, it might not yet have as many third-party libraries, plugins, and tools available as more established frameworks.

This can potentially lead to challenges if you’re looking for specific functionalities that aren’t readily available.

  1. Limited Access to Native Design Patterns:

It has its own design language known as “Material Design” for Android and “Cupertino” for iOS.

While these design patterns provide a consistent look and feel across platforms, they might not fully align with the native design guidelines of each platform, which could be a concern for some applications.

  1. Platform-Dependent Bugs:

Since it renders its own UI components, there might be cases where platform-specific bugs or inconsistencies arise.

This could result in certain issues not present in native applications.

  1. SEO Challenges:

While ‘Flutter for web’ allows you to create web applications, the SEO (search engine optimization) capabilities might not be as strong as those of traditional web frameworks. This could affect the discoverability of your web app.

  1. Limited Access to Low-Level APIs:

For applications requiring deep integration with low-level hardware features or specialized libraries, Its abstraction might limit access to certain APIs or functionalities.

  1. Continuous Updates:

The rapid evolution of Flutter app development means that you need to keep up with frequent updates and changes to the framework.

While updates often bring improvements, they can also introduce compatibility issues with existing code.

  1. Not Ideal for Intensive 3D or Graphics Applications:

It’s important to carefully assess these drawbacks against the benefits and requirements of your project.

In many cases, the advantages of the hybrid app development platform might outweigh these challenges, but it’s crucial to make an informed decision based on your project’s unique needs and constraints.

Top 10 Apps Developed Using Flutter

  • Google Ads:
    Google Ads is an advertising platform used by businesses to promote their products and services. Google itself recognizes the potential and has developed parts of the Google Ads app using Flutter.
  • Alibaba:
    The Alibaba Group, a global e-commerce giant, used Flutter to create the Xianyu app. This app is designed for online shopping, showcasing its versatility in the e-commerce domain.
  • Reflectly:
    Reflectly is a popular mindfulness and journaling app. It utilizes its capabilities to provide an intuitive and visually pleasing user interface for users to journal their thoughts and emotions.
  • Hamilton Musical:
    The official app for the hit Broadway musical “Hamilton” was developed using Flutter. It demonstrates how it can be used to create immersive and interactive experiences for users.
  • Dream11:
    Dream11 is a well-known fantasy sports app that allows users to create virtual teams and compete in real sports leagues. The app’s dynamic and responsive UI is powered by Flutter.
  • PostMuse:
    PostMuse is a social media app that enables users to create and share visually appealing posts on various platforms. The app’s design and animations are a testament to its capabilities.
  • Hookle:
    Hookle is a social media app designed for entrepreneurs and small business owners to manage their social media presence. It combines features like posting, scheduling, and analytics in a Flutter-powered interface.
  • Cryptograph:
    Cryptograph is a cryptocurrency tracking app that provides users with real-time updates and data on various cryptocurrencies. Its performance is utilized to display dynamic graphs and charts.
  • NuBank:
    NuBank, a popular fintech company in Brazil, uses Flutter to build parts of their mobile app. The app offers digital banking services to its users and showcases its capabilities in the finance sector.

What Makes Flutter The Best Mobile App Development Platform for Business Owners?

  1. Faster Time-to-Market:

Developing with Flutter significantly reduces the time required to build and launch apps on multiple platforms.

With a single codebase for iOS, Android, and potentially more, you can simultaneously target a wider audience and expedite your time-to-market.

  1. Cost-Efficiency:

Maintaining separate development teams for different platforms can be costly.

Its cross-platform mobile app development approach streamlines development, thereby reducing labour and operational expenses, making it an economically smart choice for businesses.

  1. Consistent Branding:

Flutter ensures a consistent user experience across various platforms.

Your app’s branding, design, and features remain cohesive, reinforcing your brand identity and offering a seamless experience to users.

  1. High-Quality User Experience:

Its widgets and customizable UI components enable Flutter developers to create visually appealing and engaging user interfaces.

This enhances the overall user experience, which is essential for customer satisfaction and retention.

  1. Rapid Development and Iteration:

The Hot Reload feature allows developers to instantly view code changes in the app, speeding up debugging, testing, and refining the app’s features. This rapid iteration cycle supports quick adjustments to meet changing business needs.

  1. Wider Audience Reach:

By creating apps for iOS and Android simultaneously, you maximize your audience reach. This is especially advantageous for startups and businesses aiming to expand their user base quickly.

  1. Engaging User Interfaces:

With Flutter, you can create captivating animations and dynamic interfaces that capture users’ attention, fostering user engagement and encouraging longer app usage.

  1. Responsive Customer Support:

Due to its active community, Flutter benefits from continuous updates, bug fixes, and a vast repository of resources.

This provides a reliable support network for businesses during and after app development.

  1. Adaptable for Various App Types:

Flutter is not restricted to a specific type of app. Whether you’re building e-commerce platforms, social networking apps, utilities, or more complex applications, its versatility allows it to cater to your business’s needs.

  1. Flexibility for Future Growth:

As your business evolves, you might want to expand your app’s functionality or target new platforms. Its adaptability allows you to scale your app to meet future demands.

Top Trends in Flutter App development to follow in 2023

  • Increasing Popularity:
    Flutter’s popularity has been on the rise since its introduction, with a growing number of developers and companies adopting it for app development due to its advantages in cross-platform development.
  • Active Community:
    It benefits from a vibrant and active community of developers, contributing to its growth through open-source projects, plugins, and helpful resources.
  • Growing Number of Apps:
    The number of apps developed using the cross-platform technology has been increasing steadily across various domains, including e-commerce, social networking, finance, and more.
  • Integration with Web and Desktop:
    The addition of web, desktop platforms has expanded its use cases, making it more versatile for creating multi-platform applications.
  • Strong Google Support:
    Google’s continued backing and investment in Flutter development indicate its commitment to the framework’s long-term growth.
  • Third-Party Packages:
    The ecosystem has seen the development of a wide range of third-party packages, aiding developers with pre-built solutions for common functionalities and components.
  • Enterprise Adoption:
    Larger enterprises and businesses have started to recognize the benefits of Flutter, leading to its adoption in various industries and sectors.
  • Performance Improvements:
    The team consistently works on improving performance, with each update bringing optimizations that enhance app responsiveness and speed.
  • Cross-Platform Dominance:
    The convenience of building for multiple platforms from a single codebase continues to drive its popularity, especially for startups and businesses looking to minimize development costs and time.

Top 5 Flutter App Development Companies

Andolasoft:

Andolasoft is a leading Flutter app development company that offers web, mobile, cross-platform and hybrid app development services.

With expertise in various technologies, Andolasoft focuses on delivering end-to-end solutions to businesses of different sizes.

They provide a comprehensive range of services starting from app conceptualization to design, development and post-deployment marketing services.

Comprehensive Flutter Development Services Offered by Andolasoft

  • Custom App Development
  • API Document and Integration
  • Flutter App Consulting
  • Support and Maintenance
  • Migration and API Integration
  • MVP Development
  • Flutter App Debugging and Testing
  • UI/UX Design

Droids on Roids:

Droids on Roids is a mobile app development company known for its expertise in building innovative and user-centric applications.

They specialize in both iOS and Android app development, including Flutter.

The company has a team of skilled developers, designers, and product managers who work together to create high-quality mobile experiences.

CreateThrive:

CreateThrive is a digital product agency that offers a wide range of services, including mobile app development using Flutter.

They emphasize a user-centered approach, focusing on understanding the client’s needs and delivering solutions that align with business goals.

CreateThrive aims to create applications that drive growth and success.

Merixstudio:

Merixstudio is a software development company specializing in web and mobile app development, design, and consulting services.

While primarily focused on web technologies, Merixstudio also offers Flutter app development to create cross-platform solutions that provide a consistent experience across different devices.

Somnio Software:

Somnio Software is a development agency that provides various services, including mobile app development using technologies like Flutter.

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They aim to build applications that are user-friendly, innovative, and tailored to meet the needs of their clients’ businesses.

Their expertise extends to both UI/UX design and backend development.

Top Things to Consider Before Hiring a Flutter App Development Company

  1. Expertise in Flutter:

Verify the company’s expertise in Flutter development. Look for a team that has experience working with the framework, understands its nuances, and can effectively leverage its features to create high-quality apps.

  1. Portfolio and Case Studies:

Review the company’s portfolio and case studies. This will give you insight into their previous projects, the industries they’ve worked in, and the types of apps they’ve developed using Flutter.

  1. Client Reviews and References:

Seek out client reviews and testimonials. Ask the company for references you can contact to learn about their experience working with the development team, communication, project management, and overall satisfaction.

  1. Technical Proficiency:

Assess the technical skills of the development team. They should be capable of handling your app’s requirements, including any complex functionalities, integrations, and customization needs.

  1. Communication and Collaboration:

Effective communication is key to a successful partnership. Ensure that the company communicates clearly, understands your project’s goals, and collaborates effectively with your team.

  1. Quality Assurance Practices:

Ask about the company’s quality assurance practices. A robust testing process ensures that your app is bug-free, stable, and provides a seamless user experience.

  1. Design Capabilities:

Design is a crucial aspect of your app, so evaluate the company’s design capabilities. They should be able to create visually appealing and user-friendly interfaces that align with your brand.

  1. Support and Maintenance:

Discuss post-launch support and maintenance. A reliable development partner should offer ongoing support, updates, and fixes to ensure your app remains functional and up to date.

  1. Project Flexibility:

Consider how flexible the company is in accommodating changes or additions to the project scope. Projects can evolve, so having a development partner that can adapt to your needs is valuable.

  1. Cost and Budget:

While cost is a consideration, focus on the value the company provides rather than solely on the lowest price. Aim to strike a balance between quality and budget.

  1. Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA):

If your app idea involves proprietary information, ensure the company is willing to sign a non-disclosure agreement to protect your intellectual property.

  1. Legal and Contractual Details:

Carefully review the contract terms, including ownership of the source code, payment schedules, project milestones, and any warranties provided.

  1. Transparent Pricing:

Seek a company that provides transparent pricing, including a breakdown of costs for different development stages and any additional charges that might arise.

Conclusion

In a world where mobile app development is pivotal for business success, Flutter stands out as a game-changing framework.

Its single codebase, exceptional UI capabilities, and wide-ranging platform support make it an ideal choice for businesses looking to create high-performance, visually appealing apps.

Despite a few limitations, the benefits that Flutter offers undoubtedly position it as one of the best cross-platform mobile app development platforms available today.

FAQs

Q: Is Flutter suitable for complex app development?

A: Absolutely! Flutter’s flexibility and rich widget library make it a strong candidate for developing complex and feature-rich applications.

Q: Can I use Flutter for web and desktop app development?

A: Yes, Flutter has extensions that allow you to develop for the web and desktop platforms alongside mobile.

Q: What is the difference between Flutter and other frameworks like React Native?

A: While both Flutter and React Native are popular for cross-platform app development, Flutter provides a more consistent UI and allows for faster development with its “Hot Reload” feature.

Q: Are Flutter apps slower since they are compiled to native code?

A: No, Flutter apps are compiled to highly efficient native ARM code, which ensures excellent performance comparable to natively developed apps.

Q: Is Flutter a good choice for startups with limited resources?

A: Yes, Flutter can be an excellent choice for startups as it allows them to build apps for multiple platforms with a smaller development team, thus saving resources.

Everything You Need to Know About Laravel The PHP Framework

Posted on by Ajay Sahoo

In the dynamic world of web development, staying ahead requires the use of robust frameworks that facilitate efficient app development. Laravel application development has gained immense popularity for its elegant syntax, powerful features, and extensive community support.

In this guide, we’ll delve into the core aspects of Laravel, exploring its features, benefits, and why it’s a top choice for modern web application development.

What is Laravel?

It is an open-source PHP framework known for its elegance and simplicity. It provides developers with a toolkit for building web applications following the Model-View-Controller (MVC) architecture.

With Laravel, the process of creating scalable and maintainable applications is streamlined, making it an ideal choice for both beginners and experienced developers.

Top Stats and Facts about Laravel

  • GitHub Stars:
    It has amassed over 70,000 stars on GitHub, making it one of the most starred PHP repositories and showcasing its strong community support and adoption.
  • Developer Satisfaction:
    According to the 2020 Stack Overflow Developer Survey, it was among the top 5 most loved frameworks, with 72.1% of developers and Laravel development companies expressing satisfaction with it.
  • Google Trends:
    As of recent data, it consistently maintains a strong presence in Google search trends, reflecting ongoing interest and adoption by developers around the world.
  • Laracasts Subscribers:
    Laracasts, an online learning platform focused on Laravel, boasts over 50,000 subscribers, highlighting the demand for quality tutorials.
  • Package Downloads:
    The PHP package repository has been downloaded over a billion times, underscoring the widespread usage of its ecosystem.
  • Forge Users:
    Laravel Forge, a server management tool for its applications, has served over 1 million websites, showcasing its utility and adoption in deployment workflows.
  • Nova Adoption:
    Laravel Nova, an administration panel for over 30,000 licenses sold within a year of its launch, highlighting its popularity.
  • Meetups:
    Its global community hosts hundreds of meetups worldwide, providing a platform for developers to learn, share experiences, and network.
  • Conference Attendees:
    Laracon, an annual conference, attracts thousands of attendees from different parts of the world, demonstrating the worldwide interest in Laravel.

How Big is the Laravel Community?

The community is a vibrant and inclusive ecosystem of developers, enthusiasts, and experts who share a common passion for the Laravel PHP framework.

Known for its welcoming nature and collaborative spirit, the community actively contributes to the growth and advancement of the framework.

It offers a wealth of resources, including extensive documentation, tutorials, forums, and social media groups, where members can learn, share insights, and address challenges.

The community plays a vital role in shaping the framework’s direction by offering feedback, suggesting improvements, and creating valuable packages and extensions.

Reason To Choose Laravel By Website Owners and PHP Developers

Why Do PHP Developers Love Laravel?

 

  • Rapid Application Development:
    Its built-in features, templates, and tools expedite the development process, allowing developers to create functional applications quickly. This feature is particularly beneficial for Laravel development services to meet project deadlines and respond to business needs promptly.
  • Robust Ecosystem and Community Support:
    The ecosystem offers a wealth of pre-built packages, extensions, and libraries that cover a range of functionalities. The active and supportive community provides extensive documentation, tutorials, and forums, facilitating continuous learning and troubleshooting.
  • Modularity and Code Reusability:
    Its modular architecture encourages developers to break down Laravel applications into smaller, reusable components. This promotes efficient code organization, reduces redundancy, and simplifies maintenance and updates.
  • Modern Practices and Security Emphasis:
    It aligns with modern development practices and emphasizes security features such as hashed password storage, data validation, and protection against common web vulnerabilities. This focus on security provides developers with confidence in building secure applications.

Why Website Owners Love Laravel?

 

  • Rapid Development and Time-to-Market:
    Its built-in features, pre-built templates, and developer-friendly tools accelerate the Laravel website development process.
    This allows business owners to launch their websites quickly, getting their products or services to market faster and gaining a competitive edge.
  • Scalability and Future Growth:
    Laravel’s modular architecture and code organization make it easy to scale websites as businesses grow. Business owners can add new features, functionalities, and sections without facing major disruptions to the existing website structure.
  • Customization and Unique Branding:
    Its flexibility allows business owners to create highly customized and unique websites that align with their branding and user experience requirements. This level of customization helps businesses stand out in the crowded digital landscape.
  • Security and Data Protection:
    Its security features, including hashed password storage, protection against cross-site scripting (XSS), and SQL injection prevention, offer robust protection for sensitive business data and customer information. This helps build trust among users and enhances data security.
  • Community Support and Cost-Efficiency:
    The Laravel community offers extensive documentation, resources, and pre-built packages that business owners can leverage to enhance their websites without reinventing the wheel. This community support reduces development time and costs, making Laravel a cost-effective solution.

What are the Top Features of Laravel?

  • Elegant Syntax and Developer-Friendly Tools:
    Its elegant and expressive syntax is a hallmark feature. It promotes clean and readable code, making collaboration and maintenance a breeze. Additionally, the framework provides developer-friendly tools like Artisan, a powerful command-line interface that automates tasks and accelerates the Laravel development workflow.
  • Blade Templating Engine:
    The Blade templating engine is a standout feature that simplifies view creation. With features like template inheritance, conditional statements, and loops, Blade empowers developers to build dynamic and reusable templates. This enhances code organization and reduces redundancy in views.
  • Eloquent ORM (Object-Relational Mapping):
    Eloquent ORM, simplifies database operations by representing database tables as classes. Its fluent syntax allows developers to interact with databases using intuitive methods, eliminating the need for complex SQL queries.
    Eloquent also handles relationships between tables effortlessly, enhancing code readability.
  • Integrated Authentication and Security:
    It comes equipped with integrated authentication scaffolding, enabling developers to implement user authentication and authorization effortlessly.
    The framework also offers robust security features, including hashed password storage, data validation, and protection against cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks. This makes Laravel development services one of the most sought after technologies by website owners.
  • Modularity and Composer Integration:
    The framework embraces a modular approach, allowing developers to break down applications into smaller, reusable components. This modularity enhances maintainability and code reusability.
    Composer, a PHP package manager, seamlessly integrates external packages and libraries, promoting a more efficient Laravel development process.
  • Routing and RESTful Resource Controllers:
    It simplifies routing with its clear and expressive syntax. It offers resource controllers that expedite the creation of RESTful APIs, reducing the effort required for common CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) operations.
  • MVC Architecture and Separation of Concerns:
    Laravel follows the Model-View-Controller (MVC) architecture, promoting a clear separation of concerns. This separation enhances code maintainability, scalability, and collaboration among developers working on different parts of the application.
  • Testing and Debugging Tools:
    It encourages robust application development with built-in testing support. Developers can write unit and integration tests to ensure the application’s reliability. The framework also includes PHPUnit integration and Dusk for browser testing.
  • Lively Community and Extensive Documentation:
    Its active community contributes to its growth by providing extensive documentation, tutorials, forums, and packages. The community-driven nature ensures that developers have a wealth of resources for learning, sharing insights, and troubleshooting issues.
  • Innovation and Forward Compatibility:
    Laravel is known for its innovative features and continuous updates. The framework remains aligned with modern development practices and industry trends, ensuring that developers have access to the latest tools and capabilities.

What are the Top Benefits of Laravel?

Excellent Performance even under High Pressure Load:
Laravel excels in delivering outstanding performance even when applications face high-pressure loads. This is largely attributed to Laravel’s use of the Blade templating engine, which compiles templates into optimized PHP code.

Flexibility:
One of Laravel’s standout features is its flexibility, allowing

Business owners design a web app tailored to their specific needs. The framework enables developers to modify individual components without disrupting the entire application’s functionality.

Easy Maintenance:
Laravel’s emphasis on clean and readable code significantly simplifies the maintenance process. This, in turn, reduces the complexity of debugging and updating applications, saving time and resources throughout the application’s lifecycle.

Better Performance With Caching:
Caching plays a pivotal role in enhancing web application performance. Laravel offers a robust caching system that supports various drivers, including file, database, and in-memory caching. This facilitates Website owners to build web apps that have faster response times and improved overall performance.

What Are The Pros and Cons of Laravel PHP Framework?

Laravel, as a popular PHP web framework, comes with a set of pros and cons that developers should consider when choosing it for their projects.

Here’s an overview of the advantages (pros) and disadvantages (cons) of using Laravel:

Pros of Laravel:

  • Modularity and Code Reusability:
    Its modular structure promotes code reusability, making it easier to manage and maintain applications.
  • Integrated Authentication and Security:
    Laravel includes authentication scaffolding and security features, helping developers implement user authentication and protect against common vulnerabilities.
  • Composer Integration:
    Its integration with Composer streamlines package management, enabling easy inclusion of third-party libraries.
  • Active Community and Documentation:
    The vibrant community offers extensive documentation, tutorials, and support, aiding developers with resources and solutions.
  • Testing and Debugging Tools:
    The PHP framework promotes testing with built-in support for unit and integration tests, ensuring application reliability.
  • Innovation and Modern Practices:
    It stays up-to-date with industry trends, introducing new features and updates that align with modern development practices.

Cons of Laravel:

  • Learning Curve:
    Beginners may face a learning curve due to its rich feature set, although comprehensive documentation and resources are available.
  • Performance Overhead:
    Laravel’s abstraction layers can introduce slight performance overhead in complex applications, although advancements are continually made to optimize performance.
  • Breaking Changes:
    Major version upgrades might introduce breaking changes, requiring adjustments in existing codebases during updates.
  • Customization Complexity:
    The framework streamlines development, extensive customization might require a deeper understanding of the framework.
  • Resource Intensiveness:
    The framework features and tools can require more server resources, affecting hosting costs and infrastructure decisions.
  • Dependency Management:
    The use of third-party packages can lead to potential version conflicts and dependency management challenges.
  • Less Suitable for Small Projects:
    For very small projects, the framework feature set might be overkill, and a simpler framework might be more appropriate.
  • Overhead for Simple Tasks:
    For simple tasks, its comprehensive features might add unnecessary complexity and overhead.

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Ultimately, the decision to use the technology should be based on the specific project’s requirements, team’s familiarity with the framework, and the balance between its benefits and drawbacks.

List of Popular Websites Developed on Laravel

  • Laracasts: Laracasts, an online learning platform for web developers.
  • Invoice Ninja: Invoice Ninja is an open-source invoicing application.
  • Asana Rebel: Rebel is a healthy lifestyle web app.
  • MasterClass: MasterClass offers online classes with experts.
  • Laravel Official Website: The official website of Laravel itself is a prime example of a site built on the framework.
  • Lirio: Lirio, a behaviour change AI platform, leverages the platform to deliver solutions for improving human behaviour and well-being.
  • World Walking: World Walking promotes physical activity and well-being through its platform.
  • Crowdcube: Crowdcube, a popular crowdfunding platform, uses the technology to facilitate investment and fundraising.
  • Barchart: Barchart provides market data and financial technology solutions.

Tips To Hire Laravel Developers

Hiring expert Laravel developers can significantly impact the success of your web development projects. Here are ten essential points to consider when looking to hire skilled Laravel developers:

  • Define Project Requirements:
    Clearly outline your project’s scope, goals, and technical requirements. This will help you communicate effectively with potential candidates and ensure they understand the project’s objectives.
  • Laravel Expertise:
    Look for developers with proven experience and expertise in Laravel development. Assess their portfolio, past projects, and contributions to the Laravel community to gauge their skills.
  • Technical Proficiency:
    Evaluate candidates’ technical skills in Laravel, including their knowledge of Laravel’s features, Eloquent ORM, Blade templating, routing, and Laravel’s ecosystem of packages.
  • Problem-Solving Skills:
    Laravel developers should be adept at troubleshooting and solving complex coding challenges. Assess their problem-solving abilities through technical assessments or coding exercises.
  • Communication Skills:
    Effective communication is crucial for successful collaboration. Ensure Laravel experts can clearly articulate their ideas, understand your requirements, and provide updates throughout the development process.
  • Adaptability:
    Laravel developers should be able to adapt to evolving project needs, integrate third-party tools, and leverage Laravel’s extensive ecosystem to optimize project development.
  • Attention to Security:
    Laravel emphasizes security features, so hire developers who prioritize secure coding practices, including protecting against vulnerabilities like SQL injection and cross-site scripting (XSS).
  • Teamwork and Collaboration:
    Evaluate developers’ ability to collaborate and communicate effectively. Team players who can contribute to discussions, share insights, and collaborate effectively are invaluable.
  • Problem-Solving Mindset:
    Laravel developers should possess a problem-solving mindset, capable of identifying potential bottlenecks, performance issues, and optimization opportunities throughout the development lifecycle.
  • Review Past Projects:
    Review past projects developed and delivered by the Laravel development agency. Checkout testimonials and reviews given by their customers to better gauge the expertise of the company.

Andolasoft is a premier Laravel development company dedicated to crafting innovative web solutions that empower businesses to thrive in the digital landscape.

With a deep-rooted commitment to excellence, Andolasoft combines its technical prowess, industry insights, and a passion for innovation to deliver high-quality Laravel applications.

Conclusion

The framework’s popularity in the PHP ecosystem can be attributed to its modern features, developer-friendly syntax, and active community.

Its rapid development capabilities, robust security, and rich ecosystem of packages make it an ideal choice for web application development.

If you are looking to craft engaging web apps for your business’s digital presence hire professional Laravel developer services.

By choosing Laravel, developers and businesses can craft sophisticated web applications that deliver an exceptional user experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What are the Requirements of Laravel Development?

To embark on a successful Laravel project, you’ll need a server that meets certain criteria. Firstly, ensure that your server supports PHP, specifically version 7.3 or higher.

Additionally, Laravel requires several PHP extensions, including OpenSSL, PDO, Mbstring, Tokenizer, XML, and Ctype extensions. A compatible database management system, such as MySQL or PostgreSQL, is essential to store and manage your application’s data.

A web server like Apache or Nginx, configured to route traffic to your Laravel application’s public directory, is necessary for serving your application to users.

Q2: What is the Difference Between Laravel and PHP?

Laravel and PHP are related but distinct entities in web development. PHP is a scripting language used for building dynamic web applications. Laravel, on the other hand, is a PHP framework that sits on top of PHP.

It offers a structured and organized way to develop web applications by providing pre-built tools, libraries, and features that simplify common tasks and promote efficient coding practices.

Q3: How does Laravel enhance code maintainability?

It follows the Model-View-Controller (MVC) architecture, promoting a clear separation of concerns. This separation enhances code maintainability by compartmentalising different aspects of the application, making it easier to manage and update code without affecting other components.

Q4: How does Laravel foster rapid application development?

The framework fosters rapid development through its integrated features, such as the Blade templating engine, routing system, Artisan command-line tool, and packages that automate common tasks. These tools expedite development, enabling Laravel application development companies to create applications efficiently.

Q5: How Andolasoft develops Laravel Applications?

Andolasoft develops Laravel applications through a systematic and collaborative approach that encompasses various stages of the development lifecycle.

The development process involves coding and optimizing the application for performance and scalability. We perform extensive testing to ensure that the application is bug-free and functions seamlessly.

Andolasoft’s team of expert Laravel developers follows best practices, adheres to coding standards, and maintains clear communication with the client throughout the project.

A Complete Guide to Usage of Python in Application Development

Posted on by Ajay Sahoo

Python, an open-source programming language, is widely utilized in various domains such as data science, machine learning, web development, application development, Fintech, and more.

Python application development in particular, is highly sought-after for the creation of web and mobile apps.

According to StackOverflow, Python is the fastest-growing programming language and the top choice among developers.

In fact, nearly 2% of all websites on the internet utilize Python as their server-side programming language.

Python was initially developed by Guido Van Rossum in the late 80s, and since then, its popularity has continued to soar.

If you’re interested in Python, understanding its usage in web and mobile technologies is crucial.

What is Python?

Python is a versatile general-purpose programming language that goes beyond web development. Unlike HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, Python can be used for other types of software development as well.

Python finds its application in various areas, including:

  • Server-side web and mobile app development
  • Desktop app and software development
  • Processing big data and other mathematical calculation
  • Writing system scripts

Python is highly sought after for two main reasons: its ability to handle a wide range of tasks and its beginner-friendly nature. 

Python boasts a simple syntax that makes it accessible to anyone looking to learn and get started with programming.

Python application development included but not limited to web app development, mobile app development, data science, machine learning, artificial intelligence, wearable OS development, business intelligence and more.

Top 7 Python Programming Language Usage

Top 7 Python Programming Language Usage

(Source: statista.com)

  1. Application of Python in Data Science

Today’s most talked about usage in Python is in data science. It is a process of extracting information and insights from data which includes Machine Learning, Data Visualization and Data Analysis.

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Machine Learning is the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) where machines are programmed to learn without having to program what to do. It enables computers to program themselves.

A good example of ML algorithms include the video suggestions and recommendations you get from applications such as YouTube and NetFlix.

  1. Why Python for machine learning and artificial intelligence

Why Python for machine learning and artificial intelligence

Since the inception of Python it has been used for scientific and numerical computing. Moreover, because ML is basically numerical computing, Python is extremely useful for ML.

With the introduction of technologies and frameworks like Tensorflow by Google, Python has become the de-facto language for ML applications. Pytorch – another deep learning platform started by Facebook has also gained popularity.

Python comes bundled with scikit-learn which is a simple and easy-to-use ML package enabling developers to get started on Machine Learning pretty  easily.

Additionally, Python comes with scikit-learn, a simple and easy to use ML package that can get you started very easily in Machine Learning. You can see the increase of popularity in these ML platforms in the graph below.

     3. Python for Data Visualization

Python is widely used for data visualization and data analysis. With the exponential growth of data generated on the internet (2.5 quintillion bytes daily), data analysis becomes crucial for businesses to effectively harness this vast amount of information.

Data visualization plays a vital role in helping companies make sense of large datasets.

By visually representing data, businesses and researchers can identify patterns and forecast the future impact of those patterns.

Rather than presenting raw numbers on a table, visualizations make data more meaningful and impactful. 

Libraries such as matplotlib and seaborn simplify the process of creating bar graphs, distribution maps, and heat maps, allowing users to derive valuable insights with just a few lines of code.

     4. Python for web development

Web development includes activities such as creating websites and web-based software applications.

It consists of two main components: the client-side, which runs code on the browser, and the server-side, which processes logic and interacts with databases and other servers.

While JavaScript is a popular choice for client-side development, Python shines on the server-side. 

Python web frameworks like Django and Flask enable efficient development of dynamic web applications without the need to learn a client-side language like JavaScript.

Python web frameworks, such as Django Rest Framework, significantly reduce development time by automating common web development tasks. Its ease of use makes it a preferred choice among tech enthusiasts.

     5. Python for Application Development

Python offers several advantages for application development, including reduced development time and effort. 

It is ideal for prototyping due to its robustness, scalability, speed, and versatility, making it suitable for both small-scale and enterprise-level projects.

According to a research by iDataLabs – 69% of companies that use Python are small (<$50M in revenue), 9% are medium-sized ($50M – $1000M in revenue) and 16% are large (>$1000M in revenue).

Python provides a database API that simplifies connections to databases like MySQL, Oracle, and PostgreSQL. 

Its ability to interface with languages such as C and Java allows developers to leverage functionality from other programming languages in Python applications.

Python is often likened to building blocks that can be combined to create new applications. By carefully selecting and integrating these blocks or modules, developers can create applications more efficiently. 

Additionally, Python’s open-source nature enables developers to contribute new packages to solve problems and share them with the community.

     6. Python for automation scripts

Python excels in scripting, allowing developers to write small programs that perform multiple tasks automatically. 

It is ideal for such purposes as it emphasizes quick and easy coding. Web scraping, for instance, is a popular use case of Python scripting. 

It involves parsing websites and extracting relevant data, which can then be stored in formats like CSV for further analysis using machine learning algorithms.

    7. Python in Fintech

Financial technology or Fintech, is a technology that automates and improves the delivery of financial services. 

This includes online banking, stock market trading, online transactions, and bitcoin transactions using blockchain applications.

Fintech is utilized in various finance-related sectors such as investment, portfolio management, banking, education, and fundraising.

According to a survey by HackerRank – Python is among the top three most popular languages used in financial services companies and one of the top languages in FinTech.

Python’s ease of use and modular nature makes it the perfect programming language for Fintech.

It is also an ideal choice of programming language for fintech because it can be employed for machine learning and data science libraries and capabilities.

For example, using machine learning to automatically detect fraud through payment history can save companies millions of dollars. 

That’s why top financial institutions like Stripe, Revolut, and Robinhood incorporate Python in their software development.

Furthermore, Python finds application not only in Fintech but also in other industries such as game development, GUI application development, networking, testing, robotics, and embedded applications.

Advantages of Python Programming Language

  • Easy to Learn and Write:

Python is a high-level programming language with a syntax that resembles natural language. This makes Python easier to read and understand, requiring fewer lines of code compared to other languages like C/C++ and Java.

  • Improved Productivity:

The simplicity of Python allows developers to focus more on problem-solving rather than spending time understanding complex syntax. This leads to writing less code and achieving higher productivity, as well as faster debugging.

  • Interpreted Language:

Python is an interpreted language, executing the code line by line. It stops execution and reports errors if any are encountered. Debugging becomes easier as Python provides feedback on the first encountered error, even if multiple errors exist.

  • Typed Dynamically:

Python doesn’t know the type of variable until the code is run. It automatically assigns the data type during execution. Python application developers don’t need to worry about declaring variables and their data types.

  • Free and Open-Source:

Python is free to use and distribute due to its open-source license. Users can modify the source code and distribute their own versions of the Python programming language.

  • Vast Libraries:

The Python library is huge where you can find almost all the functions you need to perform coding tasks. Python application developers don’t have to depend on external libraries.

If you intend to use an external library you can use Python package manager (pip) which makes it easier to import other packages from Python package index (PyPi) which consists of over 2 million packages.

  • Portability:

In other languages such as C and C++, you need to change the code each time you run on different platforms but with Python you can write it once and run it anywhere.

Disadvantages of Python Programming Language

  • Slower Speed:

As mentioned above, Python’s nature as an interpreted language means that it executes each line of code sequentially, resulting in slower execution.

The dynamic nature of Python is also responsible for the slow speed of Python because it has to do extra work while executing the code.

  • Python is not Memory Efficient:

Python’s usage of memory for storage and execution is significantly higher than that of other programming languages, which renders it unsuitable for constructing applications that require memory optimization.

  • Inefficient Mobile Computing:

Python is typically used in server-side programming. Because Python is not memory efficient and has a slow processing power it is not the most suitable application development technology for mobile app development.

  • Database Access:

Python application development is stress-free but interacting with databases is slower because Python databases are still slower and somewhat outdated compared to other popular technologies.

What Makes Python Suitable for Mobile Application Development?

As mentioned above, developers can use Python to create mobile applications as well. In this section we will explore the possibility of using Python for mobile app development.

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Python was not commonly employed for mobile app development because iOS and Android do not support interpreter languages.

But today, with the emergence of several frameworks such as Python GUI frameworks Python can be used to develop apps for Android and iOS devices.

Types of Apps You Can Develop Using Python

  • Audio-Video Apps:

Using Python libraries such as OpenCV and PyDub Python app developers can create music and video-playback and streaming applications for mobile phones.

  • Game App Development:

Using Pygame python app development companies can quickly create game prototypes and test them in real-time. Some of the most popular games such as “Battlefield 2”, “EVE Online” and “World of Tanks” are developed using Python programming language.

  • Blockchain Application:

Since the inception of blockchain it has become one of the most widely used technology trends. It is difficult for developers to create blockchain applications but Python makes it easier.

Python developers use frameworks such as Flask to create endpoints for various features of blockchain.

  • Machine learning apps:

Machine learning is yet another technology that has emerged in the past decade. It is an algorithmic technology which provides data for intelligent decision making. Python offers free libraries such as Pandas and Scikit to develop ML apps with ease.

Wrapping Up!

Python has emerged as a versatile programming language; its ease-of-follow syntax and wide range of applications has made it one of the most sought after programming languages by developers.

Python today has numerous resources and tools which makes python app development even more developer-friendly.

If you are planning to develop mobile apps using Python you can leverage its ease-of-use, diversity and flexibility for various mobile and web app development faster than any other programming languages.

FAQ:

  • Can Python be used for mobile app development?

Yes, Python can be used for mobile app development. Platforms like Kivy, BeeWare, and Pygame enable cross-platform mobile app development. Python’s ease of use and rich library support make it a viable choice for mobile applications.

  • What role does Python play in data-driven applications and machine learning development?

Python plays a crucial role in data-driven applications and machine learning development. Its extensive libraries like Pandas, NumPy, and scikit-learn enable data manipulation, analysis, and building machine learning models, making it a preferred language for data scientists and AI developers.

  • Can Python be used for developing enterprise-level applications with high scalability and performance?

Python is suitable for developing enterprise-level applications with high scalability and performance. Frameworks like Django and Flask provide robust web development capabilities. Python’s asynchronous programming features in libraries like asyncio enhance application performance.

  • Are there any specific industries or sectors where Python is particularly prevalent in application development?

Python’s versatility and ease of use have made it prevalent in various industries and sectors. It is commonly used in web development, scientific research, data analysis, artificial intelligence, finance, and automation, among others.

  • How does Python facilitate rapid prototyping and agile development practices?

Python’s concise syntax and extensive libraries accelerate the development process, making it ideal for rapid prototyping and agile development. Its readable codebase and shorter development cycles allow developers to iterate quickly, adapt to changes, and deliver projects efficiently.

WooCommerce vs Shopify: Which is Better For Your Online Store?

Posted on by Ajay Sahoo

Are you thinking about starting your own ecommerce store or want to upgrade your existing ecommerce to a newer more dynamic platform then WooCommerce or Shopify are the two best options you have at your disposal.

WooCommerce and Shopify are the two most popular and biggest ecommerce platforms existing today. Together they enjoy nearly 80% of all ecommerce stores in the world.

As per market share WooCommerce is the most popular and the easiest-to-use ecommerce platform but Shopify is not to be ignored as it provides many features that are on-par or in some areas surpass WooCommerce.

Today, in this blog we are going to weigh WooCommerce vs Shopify, listing out their offerings across various categories so that you can make an informed choice when opting for an ecommerce platform for your next website.

WooCommerce vs Shopify – Side-by-Side Comparison

WooCommerce Shopify
Number of users 6.5 million users 4.4 million users
Market share 64.39% in ecommerce platforms 15.60% in ecommerce platforms
Number of Themes 5562 free and paid themes 133 free and paid themes
Plugins and extensions 700+ WooCommerce extensions 8000+ applications for Shopify store
Cost WooCommerce is free to use but customers pay for hosting, domain name, and extensions. Three pricing plans – Basic ($39/mo); Shopify ($105/mo); Advanced ($399/mo)
Free Trial Length WooCommerce is a free and open-source software 14 days free trial, no credit card required
Hosting Hosting is not included Hosting is included
Blog Best in class blog content creation Limited blogging features
Mobile Version Depends on the theme Yes
Email Newsletter Yes, but using a plugin Yes
Help and Support An active community publishes help content on forums and blogs. Support from theme and plugin editors Support over phone, chat, email, documentation, forum
Sales Commissions No From 0.5% to 2%
Storage Space Depends on Server size Unlimited

An Overview (WooCommerce vs Shopify)

WooCommerce

WooCommerce is an open-source platform which is a plugin for WordPress to turn any WordPress site into an ecommerce store.

It was launched in 2011 where WooCommerce quickly gained popularity in the eCommerce industry and has since then become world’s most popular eCommerce solution with over 6 million users and counting.

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The CMS (Content Management System) provides easy-to-use content addition features to store owners. This open-source platform comes with tons of advanced features and unlimited customization options; making it a great option for first-time store owners who want to set-up their online store with-in a budget and want to be able to scale-up or down when needed.

Shopify

Unlike WooCommerce, Shopify is not an open-source platform but provides tons of powerful features to meet various needs such as payment gateways, dropshipping, blogging, website security, SEO optimization, marketplace connection and more.

Shopify charges a monthly fee to set-up its store: Basic ($39/mo); Shopify ($105/mo); Advanced ($399/mo). Compared to WooCommerce, Shopify is much easier to set-up and is easier for beginners to build an online store from scratch.

Note: Both Shopify and WooCommerce feature easy store setup and don’t require coding skills. New users can easily set-up a basic store but for store customization you would need to hire WooCommerce development company or Shopify development agency.

Ease of Use

WooCommerce (4/5)

WooCommerce has a steeper learning curve; creating a basic ecommerce site is not biggie but to develop a professional looking online site with all its bells and whistles you will need the help of a professional.

Because WooCommerce is an open-source platform a number of editors from around the world develop WooCommerce plugins and extensions for the store which can be cumbersome if you are new to WooCommerce.

Shopify (4.5/5)

Shopify is the easiest-to-use of the two ecommerce platforms. Once you become familiar with the ecommerce platform it becomes fairly easier for new users to get things around in Shopify.

Moreover, Shopify is a hosted ecommerce platform which means it takes care of a ton of technicalities for you. A few aspects of ecommerce hosting such as domain name, hosting, and security (SSL) certificates are taken care of by Shopify.

With Shopify you don’t have to install, manage or update any software so there is no worry about security and backups.

Store Build Time & Themes

WooCommerce (3.5/5)

If you start from scratch or build on your own, WooCommerce can be challenging to set-up. Its basic store set-up has an amateur storefront which may not be everyone’s cup of tea.

To create a truly stunning online store you would need to buy themes, integrate SEO plugins, payment gateways, and other additional functional modules to improve your site features and capabilities.

Although it’s easier to begin with, getting a fully-functional eCommerce store on your own using WooCommerce is rather difficult. But store owners have a ton of creative control when using WooCommerce.

WooCommerce’s entry theme is fully responsive on mobile devices but to make your online store truly stand-out you need to put in hours of coding for customization.

Shopify (4.5/5)

Shopify is the best option for store owners who want to make their ecommerce store live faster and quicker.

Unlike setting up a store with WordPress the process is not manual and there is no dependency on external agencies like hosting providers, and data servers to manage your store.

In a nutshell Shopify will let you get your store live quicker than WooCommerce. When you have limited technical skills, Shopify is the best option.

Shopify theme stores have over 100+ free and paid themes to choose from. Moreover, Shopify themes are very polished – created with the latest design trends in mind.

Plugins & Integrations

WooCommerce (4.5/5)

Installing apps and plugins enables you to add more features to your store. On both platforms you can install apps to add extra functionality such as payment integration, SEO optimization, marketing metrics, social media and more.

Being an open-source platform WooCommerce relies on plugins to improve store features and there are over 50,000+ different plugins across various categories to choose from.

This enables you to build a bespoke website without any limitation. And if you hire a professional WooCommerce development agency you can bring your wildest ecommerce ideas to reality.

Shopify (3.5/5)

Shopify is a paid platform which suggests the brand has its own set of guidelines for plugins which is why there are only 1200+ free and paid apps in contrast to WooCommerce’s 50,000+ different plugins.

With Shopify, you can integrate marketing features such as email marketing, social media integrations, store locator features, drop shipping, analytics, and marketing plugins.

Payment & Transactions

WooCommerce (4.5/5)

When it comes to payment integration WooCommerce offers the best support hands-down. It has support for over 50 extensions in payment processors and gateways such as Stripe, PayPal, Authorize.Net, Cryptoniq, and more.

WooCommerce supports all popular payment methods such as credit cards, bank transfer, Apple Pay etc.

Shopify (4/5)

Shopify supports major payment methods such as Shopify Payments, PayPal, Stripe, Authorize.Net, Opayo, Verifone, WorldPay, Klarna, Square etc.

SEO Optimization

WooCommerce (4.5/5)

SEO or Search Engine Optimization is the key to attracting new customers and is a must needed feature in any ecommerce platform. When it comes to WooCommerce it offers the most comprehensive SEO optimization capabilities than Shopify.

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With WooCommerce you can install plugins to optimize store URLs, optimise meta titles and descriptions, enable breadcrumbs, add product descriptions, images, tags and more.

Shopify (4/5)

Shopify offers multiple SEO optimization features but not to the extent WooCommerce provides. With Shopify you can optimize store links, remove duplicate URLs, set-up store blog, and page redirects.

Data Security

WooCommerce (3.5/5)

Providing high-level security to your customers is an important aspect of being a trust-worthy eCommerce store as you will not only be processing customer’s money but also holding their personal information.

When it comes to security Shopify offers better security features with built in SSL certificate and PCI-DSS compliance.

WooCommerce is not automatically PCI-DSS compliant and doesn’t have its own SSL.

Shopify (4.5/5)

It takes care of store security for you because it’s a hosted platform. Shopify has built-in SSL (Secure Socket Layer) providing security when processing customer’s payment and personal information.

It is also PCI-DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) compliant and there is no additional effort required from store owners to set up any other security features.

Pricing

WooCommerce (4.8/5)

WooCommerce is free to use where store owners have to pay only for hosting and other plugins and themes they install to improve website performance.

Because WooCommerce is free to use it offers a wider scope of store customization options.

Shopify (4/5)

Shopify offers only a 3-day trial and three pricing plans.

  • Basic ($39/mo) – $1/month for the first 3 months
  • Shopify ($105/mo) – $1/month for the first 3 months
  • Advanced ($399/mo) – $1/month for the first 3 months
  • Get 10% discount on annual plans

Final Thoughts

When we weigh in all the features they both stack-up close to one another. So, which eCommerce platform really is the best option for? The answer is it depends!

If you want a ton of customization options and can cough out thousands of dollars WooCommerce is the best solution for you. The platform itself is free to begin with but to avail advanced store features you need to hire a professional WooCommerce development agency. Who can set-up a powerful eCommerce store and can customize it as per your business requirement.

On the other hand, Shopify doesn’t provide much customization option but you can set-up a trend-setting ecommerce store in a few clicks. Shopify provides built-in hosting, and payment gateway integration which makes it easier for store-owners, who don’t have coding skills, to set-up and make their online store go live in a few days if not hours.

Andolasoft is a leading WooCommerce development agency providing custom ecommerce development solutions to global customers. If you are looking for an ecommerce development partner we can collaborate to bring your ideas to reality using the latest open-source technology.

What is the Role of Volume in Forex Trading?

Posted on by Ajay Sahoo

what is volume in forex

When the volume is high, there are lots of traders opening positions and thus creating momentum. In case volume declines while the trend continues, this trend is probably set for a reversal. If the market reaches a new peak on lower volume compared to the prior peak, a trader will usually look for an opportunity to go short. In case the market reaches a new dividend etfs to buy and watch for 2021 bottom and volume marks a new high, it is likely that the market may test again or surpass that bottom.

The eventual breakout from the trading range occurs, accompanied by a massive increase in volume, as losing traders are in a hurry to exit. If the breakout occurs on low volume, this signifies that traders show little emotional commitment to the new trend, while the market is likely to return into the range. When price moves in a market, it is often because it rides the waves of higher trading volumes. Sometimes, those waves are part of a larger tide pushing the price into a trend. Other times, a swirl in the ocean of volume causes somewhat erratic price movements.

This suggests that the price movement is more likely to be sustainable and not just driven by a few market participants. On the other hand, when there is low volume during price movements, it suggests that there is a lack of enthusiasm and conviction among traders. When there is a price breakout during a current trend, and the volume decreases, it indicates a higher probability of a false breakout and signals traders to hold onto their trades. The real breakout occurs when the currency pair prices break above or below their current prices with an increasing volume. This indicates traders to place orders along with the market and increasing volume.

what is volume in forex

I had a few hundred British pounds saved up (I grew up in England), with which I was able to open a small account with some help from my Dad. I started my trading journey by buying UK equities that I had read about in the business sections of newspapers. I was fortunate enough in my early twenties to have a friend that recommended a Technical Analysis course run by a British trader who emphasized raw chart analysis without indicators. Having this first-principles approach to charts influences how I trade to this day. Remember, volume alone should not be used as the sole basis for trading decisions. It is essential to consider other technical and fundamental factors alongside volume analysis to gain a comprehensive understanding of the market.

Importance of Volume in Forex Trading

Some trading platforms provide volume indicators that can be added to charts. These indicators calculate volume based on the number of ticks or the number of contracts traded. However, it is important to note that these volume indicators may not be as accurate as in the stock market due to the decentralized nature of the forex market. Consider the EUR/USD currency pair, which has been in a downtrend. A trader notices that the volume increases substantially as the price approaches a significant support level.

Understanding the Significance of Volume

You hold onto the position as long as the currency pair price is trending higher than the resistance level. In case the currency pair volume stops increasing during the current trend, there is a chance of potential reversal. To confirm this, traders can use the 20-period moving average trendline along with the OBV indicator. When the currency pair prices are continuously rising, they depict a strong upward trend which also means that there is a strong buying interest for the currency pair. This, in turn, leads to an increased volume being traded from the buyer’s side and signals market continuation. On the other hand, when the markets are choppy and are not following a particular trend, it depicts that the volume being traded is low, and the markets can fxopen introduces stp accounts potentially reverse.

Therefore, forex volume should be used as a relative measure rather than an absolute one. The OBV trendline strategy makes use of price trendlines to determine if there is an increasing volume in the market or a decreasing volume. Traders can compare the volume being traded today to the volume that was traded for a currency pair over the last one to five years.

Forex Trading Strategy Based on Analyzing Multiple Time Frames

Both are useful metrics for traders and typically they have a high positive correlation of up to about 90%. Studying stock volume is the best place to start if you want to learn more about volumes. For any market, in case volume is 25% and more higher than the average volume during the past two weeks, it is referred to as “high volume”. In case volume is 25% and more lower than the average volume during the past two weeks, it is referred to as “low volume”.

  1. Equally, a high volume of sellers relates to the price going down.
  2. I identify the bullish or bearish setup using price action with the trading volume as a confirming factor in all my examples.
  3. VO measures currency pair volume by determining the relationship between a slow-moving and fast-moving average.
  4. With this strategy, you can limit the total amount of contribution in the forex market compared to the overall average daily volume traded, which helps in minimising risks.

Using volume to confirm a breakout

When volume starts to decrease while the price continues to rise, it may indicate a weakening uptrend. This divergence between volume and price can be a warning sign of a possible trend reversal. Similarly, when volume starts to decrease while the price continues to fall, it may suggest a weakening downtrend. Traders can use this information to anticipate potential trend reversals and adjust their trading strategies accordingly. The forex market is the largest and most liquid financial market in the world, with trillions of dollars being traded daily.

what is volume in forex

Forex trading is a decentralized market where currencies are bought and sold. It is known for its high liquidity and constant price fluctuations, making it an attractive market for traders around the world. When it how to become a web development consultant comes to analyzing the forex market, there are several tools and indicators that traders use to make informed decisions.

The more recent the data being compared, the higher the chance of future volume prediction being correct. When the big players start opening positions, something called ‘directional bias’ begins, the price continues to move towards desired levels and tick volumes increase. Just remember, when a big player makes a move, it can have a huge effect on price and trend. Three, tick volume represents the number of price changes during a specific period of time, for instance 1 hour. I trade the major Forex pairs, some Futures contracts, and I rely entirely on Technical Analysis to place my trades. I began trading the markets in the early 1990s, at the age of sixteen.

The role of volume in Forex trading, then, in a sense, is to be able to follow the institutions, and leverage what you know for profit. Volume during reactions against the underlying trend also needs to be examined. When a bull trend is followed by a drop, volume usually increases, as market players are anxious to take profits. When the drop in prices continues, but volume also drops, this is an indication that buyers are no longer active or selling pressure is spent. When volume plays out, this shows that market reaction is almost over and the bull trend is poised for resumption. When trading is in a range, volume usually remains low, because traders seem to be indecisive about market direction.

Top 10 Best Marketing Automation Tools For Your Business Growth

Posted on by Ajay Sahoo

Most businesses look for a Marketing Automation tool to effectively handle their Marketing team. Marketing Automation is an important step to improve your marketing operation.

If you are looking for the right Marketing Automation Software for your business, then it is going to be quite difficult.

Therefore to help you with this, here I have listed the top 10 automation tools that will help you choose the right Marketing Automation Tools.

The marketing automation industry has reached a $500m market and it is expected to reach $64bn by 2024. According to a report by Salesforce’s state of marketing report, 67% of marketing leaders are using the marketing automation platform and 21% are planning to use one.

63% of companies using marketing automation systems have beat down their competitors.

What are Marketing Automation Tools?

Marketing Automation tool handles routine marketing tasks. Common Marketing automation workflows includes behavioral targeting, email marketing and personalized advertising.

Marketing Growth(Source: Animemania.com)

80% of businesses have generated more leads in their business by using the Marketing automation software.

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Top Marketing Automation Tools:

1. Marketo:

It is known as the best marketing Automation software and includes many best features. It has a full suite feature that doesn’t only help the marketing manager to handle the email campaigns but it also helps the sales team with their sales process. It also has a marketplace, known as launch point and has lots of integrations.

In the below image you can see the dashboard of Marketo automation tools that highlights the engagement rate, unsubscribed users, total members and other important details.

Marketo

Who uses it

Marketo is the tool used by organizations who want advanced features automation software.

2. Customer.io:

The main reason to use Customer.io is it’s very much flexible. It is a lightweight UI with fast and personal customer support.

Customer.io was developed recently but has become more popular because it is easy to use and provides lots of features. It is used to trigger mails based on page views and events.

Customerio

As shown in the below image, with Customer.io you can easily track and send your emails and take necessary actions to get more leads and convert them into your loyal customers.

Who uses it

Companies who are looking for marketing automation and want a lightweight UI, then this is the perfect tool for them.

Also the companies who are in search of the automation tools with advanced features, and provide more flexibility and customization, then it’s the right tools.

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3. Hubspot:

Hubspot offers a free version of their software; it doesn’t include any kind of marketing automation features. If you want to use Hubspot for marketing automation then you need to spend a large amount. It is inbound marketing software.

With Hubspot Automation tools you can easily get a graphical representation of the lead generation and other important parts as given below.

Hubspot

Who uses it

It is best for small business owners. It also provides additional marketing features beyond email marketing.

4. Convertkit:

It is a simple marketing automation tool, which is designed primarily for content creators and bloggers. Beginners who are in search of the best marketing automation tools.

With Convertkit you can get  a quick look on the visual automation such as what’s happening in your sales funnel as shown in the above given imageConverkit

Who uses it

It is one of the best marketing automation software for the beginners and the content based industries.

5. Omnisend:

Omnisend Marketing Automation platform is a completely new tool in the marketing automation field. It provides many innovative features, including integrations like Facebook messenger and Whatsapp.

It has helped many large e-commerce marketers to market across several channels.
With Omnisend, you can easily get a detailed report on the sales performances and other reports as given in the above image.Omnisend

Who uses it

It is used by many leading E-commerce businesses. Many small and big E-commerce industries also use these tools for better marketing.

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6. ExactTarget:

It stood out from other automation tools because of the system’s ability to target communications through multiple channels.

Many marketing automation software focus on email, with ExactTarget lets you target on the mobile application notification and shows messages that appears directly on the dashboard.

ExactTarget

In the above given image it has represented the distribution of companies who are using ExactTarget according to their revenue. This shows that every form of business is using these tools.

Who uses it

It is a tool for the company that desires to go above and beyond marketing automation. Companies who are looking for a future in marketing automation and wants to connect with the customers in various channels.

7. Active Campaign:

This tool is used by many small businesses. It is one of the best marketing automation platforms, and the first tool that provides visual automation sequence builder.

Companies can develop strong and complex automation sequences without the need of learning about the features.

Active Campaign

With Active Campaign you can easily handle all the marketing details. As shown in the above image you can easily manage your emails with all necessary details.

Who uses it

Many small sized businesses run these marketing automation tools as it is completely affordable and holds all the latest features.

8. Pardot:

It is the marketing automation tools that fulfill all the needs of B2B marketers. It supports all the necessary things like B2B analytics and account based marketing solutions.

By using Pardot automation tools you can use lots of features such as integration with the sales force, track the visitor’s activity in your website, engagement, custom landing page and many other features as given in the below image.

PardotWho uses it

All the B2B marketers prefer using Pardot as it is one of the best marketing automation tools with all the necessary requirements for a B2B market.

9. Rejoiner:

It is a managed marketing automation platform. Unlike other automation tools, where a user pays for the subscription fee and then figures out about the tool used, rejoiner share this accountability with everyone.

It is an intuitive and well tailored platform for many SaaS and eCommerce businesses. Its incremental improvement will help in major growth in revenue.

As rejoiner Automation Tools  is a best tool for Email marketing, that shows a representational data of the total marketing overview as given in the below image.

RejoinerWho uses it

Most SaaS business and Ecommerce business use this automated marketing solution for better outcome and revenue generation.

10. UserFox:

It is a new marketing automation tool. However, it provides a lightweight interface and is designed to trigger emails based on events.

With UserFox Automation tools you can easily get more customers, get demographic representation on your marketing process and other necessary data as shown in the above image.

UserFoxWho uses it

It is a top marketing automation platform for tech companies as it provides lightweight interfaces that are mostly needed by the tech companies.

I’ve worked with the team at Andolasoft on multiple websites. They are professional, responsive, & easy to work with. I’ve had great experiences & would recommend their services to anyone.

Ruthie Miller, Sr. Mktg. Specialist

Salesforce, Houston, Texas

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FAQ:

1. What are the necessary features of a Marketing Automation Tools?

A marketing automation tool helps to :

  • Manage lead
  • Get real time alerts
  • Organized workflow
  • Trigger responses from customers
  • Personalized messaging

 2. How does marketing automation help?

Marketing automation software provides lots of benefits:

  • You can analyze the data of your marketing activity and get the insight of all the activities that are done by you and your prospect customers.
  • The tools make follow-up and generate leads more easily.
  • It allows us to track the visitors and their activities right from the beginning.

3. How do you make the best use of marketing Automation Tools?

With the Marketing Automation Tools you can lead your customers to create a path in which they get more engaged with your brands. You can use the marketing automation tools to send mass emails, utilize the psycho graphic data, used to deliver emails for optimal times.

4. Why should I use Marketing Automation Tools?

As in the process of automation lies several steps in the marketing and sales that gives your team more time to focus on the overall strategy and nurture the leads.

It means more prospects and more customers. Marketing Automation provides a richer and more detailed view on your customers’ behavior.

Conclusion:

Choosing the right automated marketing solution for your team can become quite difficult, but by considering the right things will help you to choose the right tools.

Looking for the right integrations, reporting strength, testing functions and other important factors will help you to choose the right marketing automation system for our business.

However, with this blog we can guide you with the automation tools. If you want to create your own automation tools for your business or other purposes, Andolasoft dedicated developers will help you with it. Contact us, for detailed discussions.