But for most UK B2B organisations, the real blocker to using AI agents isn’t intelligence, ambition, or even technology choice. It’s something far more mundane: data.

This article isn’t about selling AI, and it isn’t a how‑to guide. It’s an awareness piece aimed at helping B2B teams level their thinking, understand what actually needs fixing first, and work out how much time they really have to prepare.

Key Takeaways

• AI agents won’t work reliably without clean, structured product, pricing and customer data
• Most B2B teams get more immediate value from automation before they attempt autonomous agents
• “Agent-ready” usually means boring improvements: data ownership, consistency, and predictable workflows
• You don’t need to be ready tomorrow, but being unprepared by 2027–2030 will start to hurt
• The best preparation is quiet: reduce duplication, remove friction, and make data trustworthy

What People Mean by “The Agent Age”

When people talk about the “agent age”, they usually mean software that can do more than answer questions. An agent can check stock, validate pricing, place orders, raise documents, or trigger workflows without a human clicking every button.

In B2B terms, this might eventually look like:

• An agent reordering stock within agreed limits
• An agent validating whether a customer is entitled to buy a product
• An agent converting emails, spreadsheets or messages into structured orders

That future isn’t imaginary. But it’s also not something most businesses are realistically ready for yet.

The Uncomfortable Truth: AI Fails Before It Starts

Most AI initiatives fail long before the AI becomes the problem.

They fail because:

• Product data is inconsistent or incomplete
• Images are missing, duplicated or stored in the wrong places
• Pricing logic lives in people’s heads or spreadsheets
• Customer entitlements aren’t clearly defined
• Different systems disagree on what is “correct”

Humans work around these issues every day. Software does not. AI agents amplify the problem because they depend entirely on structured, trustworthy data.

The Boring Data Problem (and Why It Matters)

In real B2B implementations, most of the hard work is not front‑end design or clever automation. It’s normalising data so that machines can rely on it.

This includes things like:

• Consistent product codes and variants
• Clear units of measure
• Accurate stock positions
• Reliable pricing rules
• Accessible, correctly linked product images

This work is slow, unglamorous, and often underestimated. But without it, automation stalls and AI becomes unreliable.

Why Automation Comes Before Agents

There’s a natural order to all of this.

Before you can trust an agent to act, you need to trust your workflows. Before you can trust workflows, you need clean inputs and predictable outputs.

This is why many businesses see more immediate value from automation than from AI:

• Reshaping incoming orders into a consistent structure
• Validating data before it enters core systems
• Reducing manual handling and re‑keying

Automation creates the stable ground that agents will eventually stand on.

So How Urgent Is This, Really?

One of the most common questions is timing. Are businesses already late? Is this a one‑year problem, a two‑year problem, or something closer to 2030?

A realistic view looks like this:

Now to the next 12 months

Most AI agent solutions are still experimental. Businesses that are fixing data quality, simplifying workflows and improving integration are doing exactly the right thing.

The next 2–3 years

This is when pressure increases. Larger customers start assuming structured data. Manual exceptions become costly. Automation becomes expected rather than impressive.

By the end of the decade

Businesses that haven’t addressed core data and workflow issues will feel constrained. Not obsolete, but slower, more expensive to run, and harder to integrate.

You don’t need to be ready for AI agents tomorrow. But by the end of the decade, not being prepared will hurt.

What “Agent‑Ready” Actually Means (Without the Jargon)

Being agent‑ready does not mean deploying AI everywhere.

It means:

• You know where your source‑of‑truth data lives
• Your product data is structured and complete
• Your pricing rules are explicit, not tribal knowledge
• Your workflows are predictable and observable
• Your systems can talk to each other reliably

If those foundations are in place, adding AI later is far less risky.

A Calm Way to Start Preparing

Preparation doesn’t require a big transformation programme.

For many B2B organisations, the most useful steps are:

• Audit where product data actually lives
• Identify where humans are compensating for system gaps
• Reduce duplication between ERP, ecommerce and spreadsheets
• Introduce automation where it removes friction, not control

None of this is about chasing trends. It’s about making the business easier to run.

Conclusion: Prepare Quietly, Not Hastily

The agent age will most likley arrive gradually, not overnight.

Businesses that succeed won’t be the ones that rushed to adopt AI first. They’ll be the ones that quietly fixed their data, simplified their workflows, and built systems that software can trust.

Preparing for that future isn’t about being futuristic. It’s about doing the boring work well and giving yourself options when the time is right.

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The post Preparing for the Agent Age: Why Boring Data Matters More Than AI appeared first on Portal People.

For manufacturers, distributors and B2B service providers, the challenge isn’t keeping up with trends, it’s understanding which changes actually matter, and which ones can safely be ignored. This article offers a grounded, UK-focused view of where B2B eCommerce really sits today, based on credible industry sources and real operational reality rather than marketing noise.

This is not a “how-to” guide. It’s an awareness piece, designed to help UK B2B leaders sense-check what they’re hearing against what’s actually happening.

Key Takeaways

• UK B2B eCommerce is already a £180bn+ market and continues to grow steadily
• Buyer expectations are shifting towards digital self-serve, particularly for repeat orders
• For many UK B2B organisations, automation tends to show measurable operational value more quickly than broader AI initiatives
• AI adoption is increasing, but remains measured due to governance and data concerns
• Execution speed and operational clarity now matter more than strategy alone

The Size of the UK B2B eCommerce Market

The UK B2B eCommerce market is already substantial and in many respects larger than consumer ecommerce.

Independent market analysis estimates UK B2B eCommerce to be worth approximately £180–£190 billion per year, with continued growth forecast through the latter half of the decade as more trade moves through digital channels.

Sources such as IMARC Group and GFS Deliver consistently point to rising digital adoption across UK manufacturing and distribution, even if the exact figures vary by methodology.

How UK B2B Buyer Behaviour Is Shifting

UK B2B buyers haven’t suddenly become consumer shoppers, but their expectations have undeniably changed.

• Product research increasingly happens online before speaking to sales
• Repeat ordering and account management are expected to be self-serve
• Digital channels are now part of the “normal” buying journey

Industry insight from providers such as BigCommerce UK shows that digital experiences are now expected for repeat and bulk purchasing.

This doesn’t remove the need for sales teams, but it does mean that friction in digital processes is far more visible than it used to be.

AI in UK B2B: Adoption Without the Hype

Artificial intelligence continues to attract attention, but adoption in the UK remains pragmatic rather than aggressive.

• Search and product discovery
• Customer support assistance
• Reporting and analytics

Research from IT Pro and Algolia shows measurable ROI in specific use cases, while full automation remains limited.

In the UK, AI is typically used to support decisions rather than replace them, reflecting concerns around governance and data control.

Automation: The Quiet Foundation of B2B eCommerce

In many cases, this kind of automation is invisible to customers — but very noticeable to operations teams.

Many organisations operate across ERP systems, spreadsheets, email-based ordering and structured files such as XML or CSV. Managed automation helps bridge these gaps without forcing customers to change how they work.

• Transforming XML or CSV orders into modern structured formats
• Validating and standardising data before it enters core systems
• Reducing manual handling and operational bottlenecks

This approach improves speed, accuracy and reliability while keeping systems and data under control.

Data Privacy and Trust in the UK B2B Market

Data privacy and governance remain critical considerations for UK B2B organisations.

Many businesses handle sensitive commercial data such as contract pricing and customer agreements. As a result, adoption of new technology is often shaped by the need to maintain control and trust.

• Keeping sensitive data within known systems
• Using automation to move data safely
• Introducing AI incrementally where governance allows

This measured approach reflects the realities of long-term B2B relationships.

What Actually Matters for UK B2B Teams in 2026

• Execution speed – reliable order flow
• Operational clarity – pricing accuracy and clean data
• Digital accessibility – self-serve without friction
• Measured adoption – technology that delivers real value

The strongest performers are rarely the most experimental. They focus on fundamentals and steady improvement.

Conclusion: Progress Over Hype

UK B2B eCommerce in 2026 is less about chasing trends and more about removing friction.

AI will continue to influence the market. Automation already does. But neither replaces the need for solid execution, data discipline and operational understanding.

For most UK B2B organisations, progress comes from practical improvements that compound over time.

Download the PDF

The post What’s Really Changing in UK B2B eCommerce in 2026 (A Practical UK Perspective) appeared first on Portal People.

This guide will break things down for you, explain how to approach API documentation, and provide simple examples in PHP and JavaScript to get you started.

What is an API?

Think of an API as a waiter in a restaurant. You (the client) tell the waiter what food you want, and the waiter (API) delivers your request to the kitchen (server). The kitchen (server) prepares your food (data) and the waiter brings it back to you.

In technical terms:

• Client: Your application or code.
• Server: The place that stores the data.
• API: The intermediary system that delivers your request to the server and brings the response back to you.

API Architectures: REST vs SOAP

Before diving into examples, it’s important to understand two common types of API architectures: REST and SOAP. Most modern APIs use REST, but some older systems use SOAP.

REST (Representational State Transfer)

REST APIs follow a set of architectural principles, such as stateless communication and the use of standard HTTP methods like GET and POST. RESTful APIs are widely used because they are lightweight, scalable, and work over HTTP, which makes them ideal for web services.

Here’s what RESTful APIs commonly use:

• GET to retrieve data.
• POST to send or create data.
• PUT to update existing data.
• DELETE to remove data.

REST APIs usually return data in JSON format, which we’ll explain shortly.

SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol)

SOAP is an older protocol that relies on XML for exchanging information between client and server. It’s more rigid and heavyweight compared to REST. SOAP has built-in error handling and is often used in enterprise-level services that require high security or complex transactions, like financial services.

Here’s what SOAP typically uses:

• WSDL (Web Services Description Language) to define services and operations.
• XML for formatting the request and response messages.

In general, unless you’re dealing with legacy systems, you’ll most likely work with REST APIs in your development.

Understanding API Documentation

API documentation often includes methods like GET and POST with very little explanation on how to use them. Let’s demystify this.

• GET: Use this method when you want to retrieve data from the server.
• POST: Use this method to send data to the server (like submitting a form).

Here’s an example from typical API documentation:

GET https://api.example.com/users
POST https://api.example.com/users
    

This means:

• You’d use GET to fetch user data.
• You’d use POST to send new user information.

When interacting with an API, you’ll usually:

1. Make a request to a specific endpoint (e.g., /users).
2. Send data (if needed) as part of the request.
3. Receive a response, usually in JSON format.

What is JSON?

When you make a request to an API, the server typically responds with data in JSON format. JSON stands for JavaScript Object Notation. It’s a lightweight, easy-to-read data format that’s used to structure data. It’s the standard format for exchanging data between a server and a client.

Here’s what JSON looks like:

{
  "name": "John Doe",
  "email": "john@example.com",
  "age": 30
}
    

JSON is structured as:

• Key-value pairs: Each piece of data has a key (e.g., "name") and a corresponding value (e.g., "John Doe").
• Arrays: Collections of data, like lists (e.g., [1, 2, 3]).
• Objects: Nested key-value pairs (e.g., another JSON object inside the current one).

JSON is widely used because it’s simple and works well with JavaScript. It’s also easy to convert between JSON and objects in most programming languages.

Using an API: Simple PHP and JavaScript Examples

PHP Example: Using GET to Fetch Data

<?php
// The API URL
$api_url = "https://api.example.com/users";

// Get the data
$response = file_get_contents($api_url);

// Decode the JSON response into an associative array
$data = json_decode($response, true);

// Output the data
print_r($data);
?>
    

Explanation:

• file_get_contents() sends a GET request to the API URL.
• The response is in JSON format, which we decode into an array using json_decode() so it’s easy to work with in PHP.
• The data is then displayed using print_r().

JavaScript Example: Fetching Data with fetch()

<script>
// The API URL
const apiUrl = "https://api.example.com/users";

// Use fetch to get the data
fetch(apiUrl)
  .then(response => response.json()) // Parse JSON response
  .then(data => {
    console.log(data); // Log the data to the console
  })
  .catch(error => {
    console.error("Error:", error); // Handle errors
  });
</script>
    

Explanation:

• fetch() sends a GET request to the API URL.
• The response is converted to JSON using .json().
• We log the data to the console for inspection.

Sending Data with a POST Request

Let’s see how you can send data using POST requests in both PHP and JavaScript.

PHP Example: Using POST to Send Data

<?php
// The API URL
$api_url = "https://api.example.com/users";

// The data to send
$data = array("name" => "John Doe", "email" => "john@example.com");

// Use cURL to send the POST request
$ch = curl_init($api_url);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_RETURNTRANSFER, true);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POST, true);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POSTFIELDS, http_build_query($data));

// Get the response
$response = curl_exec($ch);
curl_close($ch);

// Output the response
echo $response;
?>
    

Explanation:

• curl_setopt() is used to configure the cURL request to send a POST request with data.
• The data is encoded into a query string using http_build_query().

JavaScript Example: Sending Data with POST

<script>
// The API URL
const apiUrl = "https://api.example.com/users";

// The data to send
const data = {
  name: "John Doe",
  email: "john@example.com"
};

// Send the POST request
fetch(apiUrl, {
  method: "POST",
  headers: {
    "Content-Type": "application/json"
  },
  body: JSON.stringify(data) // Convert the data to JSON format
})
  .then(response => response.json()) // Parse the JSON response
  .then(data => {
    console.log("Success:", data);
  })
  .catch(error => {
    console.error("Error:", error);
  });
</script>
    

Explanation:

• fetch() is used to send a POST request with data.
• The data is converted to JSON format using JSON.stringify() and sent in the request body.
• The server’s response is then logged to the console.

Conclusion

APIs are powerful tools that allow applications to communicate and share data. While API documentation can be confusing at first, once you understand the basics of making GET and POST requests, reading JSON data, and how to send data, you’ll be able to integrate with most APIs. Start small with simple API calls in PHP or JavaScript, and over time, you’ll be ready to tackle more complex API projects!

The post A Beginner’s Guide to Using APIs: How to Get Started appeared first on Portal People.

Identify Repetitive Tasks That Drain Resources

Start by auditing your business processes to identify tasks that are handled manually and consume a lot of time, such as data entry, reporting, and customer order processing. Operations managers often find that tasks involving multiple data systems or software. Like transferring customer information from an eCommerce platform to a CRM are prime candidates for automation. List these processes, evaluate their frequency and time requirements, and estimate the potential savings if automated.

Integrate Your Core Systems for Seamless Data Flow

When systems like ERP, CRM, and inventory management are disconnected, employees often resort to manually inputting or transferring data between platforms. Integrating these core systems ensures information is automatically synchronized in real time. For instance, integrating your ERP with an eCommerce platform means that when a customer places an order, inventory levels update automatically, and the order information flows to the ERP without manual intervention. This kind of integration drastically reduces manual work, minimizes errors, and keeps your data aligned across departments.

Automate Data Entry and Routine Documentation

Manual data entry is error-prone and time-consuming. Automating data entry tasks through tools like Robotic Process Automation (RPA) or workflow software can be a game-changer. These tools capture data, enter it into the necessary systems, and even generate routine reports automatically. For example, automated tools can pull sales data from your CRM and generate monthly reports, sparing your team from manually exporting, formatting, and analyzing the data. This automation frees up time for your team and provides reliable, real-time data for better decision-making.

Streamline Order Management for Faster Fulfillment

Manual order processing, especially for businesses managing high volumes of orders, can lead to delays, miscommunications, and even order errors. Automating order management from the moment an order is placed until it’s shipped can save countless hours. With an automated system, orders are quickly confirmed, processed, and marked for shipping without requiring manual tracking. As a bonus, these automations can notify customers of their order status in real-time, improving customer satisfaction and freeing your team from having to answer tracking inquiries.

Leverage Workflow Automation for Cross-Departmental Tasks

Operations often involve tasks that span multiple departments, requiring approvals, updates, or hand-offs between teams. Workflow automation software enables you to set up automated sequences for these cross-departmental tasks. For example, when the finance team finishes processing an order, the system can automatically notify the shipping department to prepare the shipment. Using workflow automation tools like Zapier allow you to create if-then conditions, so specific steps trigger the next task without needing manual follow-up. This efficiency reduces bottlenecks and lets everyone work more seamlessly across the business.

Encourage a Culture of Continuous Improvement

Lastly, empowering your team to actively identify and propose solutions for tedious tasks can significantly improve efficiency over time. Continuous improvement frameworks, like Lean or Kaizen, encourage employees to recognize inefficient processes and suggest better workflows or automation opportunities. An engaged team that regularly evaluates processes and suggests automation can lead to a continually optimized business.

Final Thoughts

Reducing manual processes isn’t just about boosting efficiency; it’s about freeing your team to focus on what matters. By integrating systems, automating routine tasks, and streamlining workflows, you can create a more efficient, agile operation that keeps employees engaged and customers satisfied. If you’re ready to start, consider a comprehensive process review, and choose the areas where automation and integration can have the biggest impact.

The post How to Reduce Manual Processes in Your Business appeared first on Portal People.

Eliminate Manual Data Entry and Minimize Errors

Manual data entry is tedious and prone to mistakes, especially when managing orders, customer information, or inventory across multiple platforms. Integrating your ERP automates data synchronization across departments, ensuring real-time accuracy without manual intervention. This way, when a sale is made on your eCommerce site, inventory levels adjust in the ERP automatically, preventing overselling or stockouts. The saved time and error reduction lead to smoother operations and fewer corrections, freeing up staff for higher-priority tasks.

Achieve Real-Time Insights Across Departments

Without an integrated ERP system, accessing up-to-date data requires time-consuming reporting and reconciliation across departments. Integrated ERPs provide real-time data flow between your sales, finance, and supply chain teams, allowing for on-the-fly decision-making and streamlined resource allocation. This instant access to data supports better forecasting, faster reaction times to changes in demand, and reduces the need for meetings to align teams on recent data updates.

Improve Customer Experience Through Faster, Consistent Service

Today’s customers expect efficient service and fast order fulfillment. ERP integration helps you meet these demands by unifying customer data and order history. For instance, when sales and support teams have instant access to the latest order status or customer preferences, they can respond to inquiries more effectively and personalize interactions. This consistency improves customer satisfaction, turning one-time buyers into repeat customers and building brand loyalty.

Enhance Inventory Management for Just-in-Time Ordering

With ERP integration, your inventory is always up to date and reflects actual stock levels. This enables just-in-time ordering, which helps prevent overstocking and understocking, reducing holding costs and wastage. Integrating your ERP with eCommerce, warehouse management, and even supplier platforms provides a holistic view of inventory, allowing you to react instantly to supply chain changes or spikes in demand. As a result, your team can make smarter purchasing decisions, minimizing idle inventory and maximizing available stock for sales.

Optimize Workflows with Automated Processes

ERP integration allows for the automation of repetitive, rule-based tasks like invoicing, reporting, and order processing. Automation not only accelerates these processes but also reduces the likelihood of human error. For example, you can set up automatic order fulfillment workflows based on specific conditions (e.g., in-stock items are shipped immediately). Automating these steps speeds up the entire order-to-cash cycle, giving you more control over workflows and a faster turnaround time on tasks that used to require multiple touchpoints.

Final Thoughts: A More Efficient, Data-Driven Operation

Incorporating ERP integration into your operations is more than a technology upgrade, it’s an investment in efficiency, customer satisfaction, and data-driven growth. By eliminating manual tasks, providing real-time insights, and improving customer service, ERP integration sets your team up for long-term success. If you’re ready to streamline and simplify your operations, consider exploring our ERP integration service.

The post 5 Ways ERP Integration Can Streamline Your Operations appeared first on Portal People.

Responsive design is all about making websites look good and work well on every device whether it’s a tiny mobile screen, a tablet, or a huge desktop monitor.

Let’s break down the key elements of responsive design and how they help create a better user experience.

What is responsive design?

Responsive design means designing your website so that it automatically adjusts and adapts to different screen sizes. This allows your site to be usable and readable no matter how it’s being viewed. With more and more people browsing on mobile, responsive design is a must!

Why is responsive design important?

Mobile traffic: A large portion of website visitors use mobile devices. Without responsive design, you risk a poor user experience, and that can lead to high bounce rates (where users leave quickly) or lost customers.

SEO: Google favours mobile-friendly sites in search results, so if your site isn’t responsive, it could hurt your SEO performance.

User experience: Responsive sites provide a cohesive experience across devices.

Key elements of responsive design

Fluid grid layout
In a responsive design, the layout of the page is based on a flexible grid. Instead of setting fixed pixel sizes for columns and sections, you use percentages. This allows the page to stretch or shrink depending on the screen size, maintaining the overall structure without getting squished or breaking.

Media queries

Media queries are CSS rules that let your website detect the size of the screen and adjust the layout accordingly. For example, you can use media queries to change the number of columns, adjust font sizes, or rearrange elements on a page. Here’s a simple example:

@media (max-width: 768px) {
.sidebar {
display: none; /* Hide sidebar on small screens */
  }
}

This rule hides the sidebar when the screen width is less than 768 pixels, making the page cleaner on smaller devices.

Flexible images

Images in responsive design need to adjust just like the layout does. You don’t want a huge desktop-sized image loading on a tiny mobile screen. The trick here is to use relative units for image sizing, like this:

img {
  max-width: 100%; /* Image will scale to fit its container */
}

This ensures that the image will resize and keep its aspect ratio to fit within the width of the screen, preventing overflow issues. With this method the size in MB of the image file does not change. There are other methods available if different images are required to load for different screen sizes.

Responsive fonts

As we discussed in the fonts article, text needs to remain readable across all devices. Fonts should scale up or down depending on the screen size. For example, you might want larger fonts for mobile users to make text easier to read on small screens:

@media (max-width: 600px) {
  body {
  font-size: 1.2rem;
  }
}

This increases the font size for screens that are 600 pixels or smaller, ensuring mobile users don’t have to squint.

Navigation tweaks

Menus that work great on desktops often don’t translate well to mobile. For example, a multi-level dropdown menu might work fine with a mouse, but on mobile, users will struggle to tap tiny links. Responsive design uses techniques like hamburger menus or simplified navigation to make mobile browsing easy.

Tools and frameworks for responsive design

If you’re building a website from scratch, it can be overwhelming to account for all screen sizes. Luckily, there are frameworks like Bootstrap or Tailwind CSS that come with built-in responsive grids and components. They allow you to quickly create layouts that work on any device without needing to write a lot of custom code.

For example, using Bootstrap’s grid system, you can create a layout that automatically adjusts across different screen sizes:

<div class="row">
  <div class="col-md-6">Half width on medium screens and larger</div>
  <div class="col-md-6">Other half</div>
</div>

On mobile, this layout will stack vertically, and on larger screens, the columns will sit side-by-side.

Testing your responsive design

It’s important to test your website on different devices and screen sizes. While resizing your browser window can give you an idea of how things look, you should also test on real devices whenever possible. Tools like Google Chrome DevTools allow you to simulate different device screens from your desktop, giving you an easy way to check your design.

Responsive design and performance

While making your site responsive is crucial, it’s also important to keep performance in mind. Responsive design isn’t just about shrinking things down for mobile; it’s about optimising for speed too. Make sure you’re:

• Using optimised images that load quickly on all devices.
• Minimising the use of heavy scripts or animations that could slow down mobile performance.
• Leveraging lazy loading to delay loading large resources until they’re needed.

Conclusion

Responsive design isn’t just a nice-to-have anymore it’s essential. By ensuring your website looks great and functions well on all devices, you’ll improve user experience, increase engagement, and even boost your SEO. Whether you use a framework like Bootstrap or build from scratch with media queries, the goal is always the same:

Keep things fluid, flexible, and fast!

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The post A Beginners Guide to Responsive Design appeared first on Portal People.

That’s where lazy loading comes in to save the day! But what is it, and why should you care? Let’s dive into the basics.

What is Lazy Loading?

Lazy loading is a technique in web development that delays the loading of images, videos, or other media until they’re actually needed. Instead of loading everything on a webpage as soon as you visit it, only the content you immediately see is loaded. As you scroll down the page, other elements are loaded just in time.

Imagine you’re reading an article with a lot of images. Without lazy loading, the browser will try to load all of the images at once, even the ones you won’t see until you scroll down. With lazy loading, it only loads the images that are in view.

Why Should You Use Lazy Loading?

Here’s why lazy loading matters:

1. Faster page load times
   Your website loads quicker because only visible content is displayed first. Users don’t have to wait ages for everything to appear, and faster websites mean happier users.
2. Better performance on mobile devices
   Many people browse websites on mobile phones, where speed and data usage are important. Lazy loading helps save bandwidth by not loading everything at once, which is especially useful for people with slower connections or limited data.
3. Improved SEO rankings
   Google values page speed and performance, so a faster site with lazy loading can boost your search engine rankings. It’s a win-win: better user experience and better visibility in search results.
4. Less strain on your server
   Since fewer resources are being loaded upfront, lazy loading reduces the load on your web server, making it more efficient and scalable, especially when handling many users at once.

How Does Lazy Loading Work?

The concept behind lazy loading is simple, but the way it works depends on how a website is built. Here’s a basic rundown:

Placeholder content
Initially, placeholder elements (like empty boxes or a blurred version of an image) are shown where images or videos will eventually load. This prevents awkward gaps in the layout while waiting for media to load.

Load on scroll or interaction
As the user scrolls down the page or interacts with certain elements (like clicking a “load more” button), the actual media files are fetched and loaded in real time. This creates the illusion that everything is already there but is actually being revealed as needed.

Implementing Lazy Loading

If you’re a beginner, you don’t need to be a coding wizard to implement lazy loading on a website. Many content management systems (CMS) like WordPress already have lazy loading features built in, or you can add a plugin. For those who enjoy a bit of code, here’s how lazy loading is commonly applied:

HTML attribute:
The simplest way is by adding a loading=”lazy” attribute to your image or iframe elements.

For example:

<img src="image.jpg" alt="example image" loading="lazy">

Checkout W3Schools for more info and practice.

JavaScript libraries:
For more complex sites, you might use JavaScript libraries like Lazysizes to handle lazy loading. These offer more flexibility and control over how and when content loads.

When Not to Use Lazy Loading

While lazy loading is fantastic, it’s not always the best choice in every situation. For instance:

Above-the-fold content:
You don’t want to lazy load images or content that appear at the top of the page (above the fold), as that’s what users see first. Loading this content immediately gives a better experience.

Critical media:
If a video or image is crucial to the page’s message or functionality, make sure it loads right away. You don’t want users waiting for key content to appear.

Wrapping It Up

Lazy loading is a simple but powerful technique to boost website speed and improve user experience. By loading only what’s necessary at the moment, you ensure that your visitors aren’t left staring at a blank page, waiting for everything to load. It’s a great tool to have in your web development kit, especially as users become more impatient with slow-loading sites.

So next time you’re working on a website, give lazy loading a go and see the difference it makes. Your users (and your server) will thank you!

Download the PDF

The post Lazy Loading in Web Development: A Beginners Guide appeared first on Portal People.

Understanding Your Needs and Business Objectives

Your website is more than just an online presence, it’s a tool to achieve your goals. Are you showcasing your work, selling products, or providing information? Understanding your business objectives will help you narrow down the kind of website builder that best fits. For example, an eCommerce site has different requirements from a simple blog. Also, think about your budget and the time you have to maintain the site. If you’re not keen on dealing with updates, security patches, or troubleshooting, you might want to consider solutions that take care of those things.

Audience Size and Scalability

Next, consider the size of your audience and how much you expect it to grow. A small portfolio site with limited traffic will have very different scalability needs to an online shop expecting thousands of visitors a month. Some platforms are better equipped to handle spikes in traffic or growth, while others might struggle to keep up as your audience grows.

Future-Proofing and Flexibility

Finally, think about the future. Will your website need to evolve over time? You might start with a simple website, but if you anticipate needing advanced features as your needs develop, like integrating with third-party apps or building out a member-only section you’ll need a solution that can grow with you. The more flexibility you have, the less likely you’ll need to start again with a new platform later.

Now that you have a clearer idea of what you need, let’s explore the different types of website-building tools available and how they might fit your vision.

Drag-and-Drop Website Builders

What they are: Drag-and-drop builders make it easy to build a website without knowing how to code. You simply pick a template, drag elements (like text, images, or buttons) onto the page, and customise them. These platforms usually come with built-in hosting, so you don’t need to worry about that part.

Ideal for: Beginners, small business owners, or anyone who wants to get a website live quickly and easily.

Features

• Ease of Use: No coding or design skills are needed.
• Quick Setup: You can have a website up in hours.
• Design Freedom: Many platforms offer pre-made templates that you can adjust to fit your style.

Considerations

• Limited Flexibility: While great for simple sites, these builders might not offer the customisation or complex features some users need.
• Ownership: You typically don’t own the infrastructure of your site. You’re using their platform, so moving your site elsewhere is often difficult.
• SEO Control: Many drag-and-drop builders offer basic SEO tools, but they might not give you the deep customisation options needed for advanced SEO strategies.

Examples: Popular names in this space include Wix, Squarespace, and Weebly, but there are many others that offer similar solutions.

Open Source Content Management Systems (CMS)

What they are: A CMS is a more advanced tool that allows you to manage your website’s content without needing to code (though some coding knowledge can help). The CMS software gives you the framework to build anything from simple blogs to complex eCommerce stores.

Ideal for: Users who want more control over their website, including design, hosting, and functionality.

Features

• Flexibility: You can build just about anything with a CMS. It’s perfect if you plan to scale your site or need advanced features.
• Customisable: With themes and plugins, you can add whatever functionality your site needs, whether it’s an online store, a membership area, or a portfolio.
• Ownership: The site files and content are independent of the hosting services so if you want to switch hosting providers, you can move your site.

Considerations

• Learning Curve: While not overly technical, CMS platforms can take more time to learn.
• Maintenance: You are responsible for keeping the site updated and secure, although managed hosting/patch management services can handle this if required.

Examples: WordPress is the most well-known CMS, but others like Joomla, Drupal, and Ghost offer different flavours, depending on your needs.

AI-Powered Site Builders

What they are: The newest trend in website building, AI-powered builders, use artificial intelligence to design your site for you. You provide basic information, and the AI generates a website, often with little need for customisation on your part.

Ideal for: Users who want the fastest, easiest setup and don’t need much control over the final design.

Features

• Speed: These tools can build a functional website in minutes.
• Simplicity: You don’t have to choose a template, set up pages, or worry about design—it’s all done for you.

Considerations

• Limited Control: The AI does most of the heavy lifting, which means you may have little say in the finer details of the design.
• Lack of Flexibility: If you want to make significant changes or add custom features later, it could be tricky or not possible.
• Ownership: Like other platform-based builders, moving the site elsewhere is usually complicated or not a viable option.

Examples: Some drag-and-drop builders (like Wix or GoDaddy) now offer AI-powered site-building tools, and new standalone AI-based services are popping up.

Developer-Friendly Platforms and Frameworks

What they are: These are the go-to solutions for tech-savvy users or businesses with unique needs. They offer complete control over your site, from the design to the code. These platforms might involve building a website from scratch or using a web framework (a collection of pre-written code to speed up development).

Ideal for: Advanced users, developers, or companies needing custom solutions or heavy-duty websites.

Features

• Ultimate Flexibility: You control everything from the design to the back-end functionality. It’s ideal if your site needs to do something unique, like integrate with specific software or handle a large volume of traffic.
• SEO: Developers can fine-tune SEO settings for maximum optimisation.
• Scalability: These platforms grow with your business, handling complex features and increased traffic with ease.

Considerations

• Technical Expertise Needed: Unless you hire a developer, building and maintaining a site on these platforms can be daunting for non-technical users.
• Time-Consuming: Building a site from scratch can take more time compared to other solutions.
• Maintenance: You are responsible for ongoing updates and management of code changes.

Examples: Frameworks like Ruby on Rails, Laravel, YII or Django are popular among developers. Many CMS platforms like WordPress can also be extended and customised with developer help.

eCommerce Platforms for B2C (Business To Consumer)

What they are: If you’re looking to build an online store, you might consider a dedicated eCommerce platform. These platforms are tailored for selling products, managing inventory, and handling payments.

Ideal for: Small to large businesses that need to sell products or services online.

Features

• All-in-One Solution: eCommerce platforms handle everything from product listings to payments.
• Customisable: Most allow you to create a unique shopping experience, by adding custom features like discount codes or customer reviews.
• SEO: Many platforms come with built-in SEO tools to help your products rank on Google.

Considerations

• Costs: eCommerce platforms can be pricier than traditional website builders due to transaction fees and premium features.
• Limited Beyond Selling: They’re great for shops but might be overkill if you’re building a site that doesn’t primarily focus on selling products.
• Examples: Shopify, BigCommerce, and Magento are some well-known names, but many CMS platforms like WordPress also have eCommerce options through plugins.

eCommerce Platforms for B2B (Business-to-Business)

What they are: For businesses that operate in the B2B (Business-to-Business) space, eCommerce platforms designed specifically for this purpose are key.

B2B eCommerce sites typically require more complex features than B2C (Business-to-Consumer) sites, such as bulk ordering, negotiated pricing, and multi-user accounts.

Ideal for: B2B businesses that need an online storefront to manage orders, invoicing, and account-based pricing.

Features:

• Tailored for Business Transactions: B2B platforms allow for bulk orders, tiered pricing, and custom user experiences that cater to businesses rather than individual consumers.
• Integration with ERP & CRM Systems: These platforms are built to integrate with business software such as enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems or customer relationship management (CRM) tools, which is essential for handling large inventories, customer data, and detailed order management.
• Advanced Product Catalogues: B2B eCommerce often involves detailed product catalogues, with complex variations of products, which the platforms are designed to handle.

Considerations

• Cost: B2B platforms can be more expensive than standard eCommerce platforms due to their advanced functionality.
• Complex Setup: Getting all the integrations and features set up correctly can take time and often requires development help.

Examples: Some platforms, like our own B2B eCommerce Platform,  Magento and BigCommerce, offer robust B2B solutions, while others may require custom development or plugin extensions on a general eCommerce platform.

So, Which One Is Right for You?

The solution that is right for you depends on a number of factors such as your ultimate goal and the amount of time and technical know-how you have to commit to developing your website. There are many options available covering many disciplines and the options in this article are by no means exhaustive.

The online world is constantly changing both technically and in terms of user expectations so whatever your initial goal keep in mind that owning and running a website is likely to be an ongoing evolution as you understand what aspects of your initial idea are working well and which ones could be dropped or improved.

Further Reading

What is Hosting and which one should you get ?

Beginners Guide To Domain Names

Glossary Of Web Development Terms

What is Integration and Why Should You Care?

Web Development: Structured Data vs. Visual Page Builders: Unveiling the Underlying Differences

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The post How to Choose the Right Website Building Solution appeared first on Portal People.

Let’s break down the process of deciding on the best stock code format for your business.

What Are Stock Codes?

A stock code is a unique identifier assigned to each product in your inventory. It helps you keep track of products, manage orders, and avoid confusion between similar items. Without a structured system for stock codes, things can quickly become chaotic.

Manufacturer Codes vs. Custom Codes

One of the first decisions you’ll need to make is whether to use the manufacturer’s stock codes or create your own.

Manufacturer Codes: These are provided by the supplier or manufacturer. They can save time since they’re already established, but they may not suit your internal systems. Manufacturer codes can be long and inconsistent across different suppliers, leading to confusion.

Custom Codes: Creating your own stock codes gives you more control and consistency. You can format the codes in a way that makes sense for your team, whether by category, size, colour, or another factor.
Should Each Part of the Code Have Meaning?

A good practice when creating stock codes is to assign meaning to each part of the code. This way, anyone in your business can glance at a code and know exactly what it refers to. For example, a well-structured

stock code might include:

Category or Product Type: A section of the code that defines what type of product it is, like “ELEC” for electronics or “APP” for apparel.

• Brand: An identifier for the brand, such as “NIKE” for Nike products.
• Product Specifications: Include size, colour, or other key details, such as “BLU” for blue, or “M” for medium size.
• Serial Number: A unique number at the end to differentiate between similar items.

So, a code might look like this: ELEC-NIKE-BLU-M-001.

While creating meaningful codes adds clarity, you’ll also need to balance it with practicality. Too many details can make the code long and cumbersome.

How Long Should a Stock Code Be?

There’s no hard rule on how long stock codes should be, but it’s worth considering these factors:

• Readability: Long codes can be confusing and prone to input errors. Aim to keep codes short and easy to read without sacrificing the meaning.
• System Constraints: Some systems might have limits on how many characters can be used in a stock code. Before settling on a format, check your inventory system’s requirements.
• Scalability: Think about the future, can your code format accommodate growth? Will your codes still make sense when you expand your product line or start offering more variations?

In general, a stock code between 6 to 12 characters is common, but it varies based on the complexity of your inventory.

Industry Standards and Best Practices

The best approach to stock codes often depends on your industry. Some industries have established standards, while others leave more room for personal choice. Here’s a quick overview:

• Retail and Fashion: It’s common to see codes broken down by product type, size, and colour, especially in businesses that manage a lot of variations.
• Electronics: Some businesses use manufacturer codes, while others opt for internal codes to reflect product categories and technical specifications.
• Automotive: Part numbers are often detailed, and specific industry standards might apply. Many businesses will use the manufacturer’s part number as their stock code.
• B2B/Wholesale: Codes are often customised to reflect product categories, clients, or specific order requirements.

No matter your industry, consistency is key. If your codes follow a logical, consistent pattern, it’ll be easier for your team to manage inventory and for systems to track items accurately.

Personal Choice or Industry-Dependent?

While some industries do have specific requirements (like the automotive industry or pharmaceuticals), in most cases, how you structure your stock codes is up to you. What’s important is that your system works for your business and your team.

If you’re in an industry where there are no strict guidelines, here are some things to consider:

• How will you and your team search for products? Codes should be intuitive and easy to remember.
• Will you be integrating with other systems? If your stock codes need to align with suppliers or eCommerce platforms, make sure your system is compatible.
• Do you have a small or large catalog? Large inventories may benefit from a more structured, meaningful code system, while small businesses might keep it simple.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right stock code format is an important step for managing your inventory efficiently. Whether you decide to use manufacturer codes or create your own, the key is to ensure your system is clear, consistent, and scalable. Take some time to think about what works best for your business, and don’t be afraid to refine your system as your needs grow.

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The post Choosing the Right Stock Code Format for Your Business appeared first on Portal People.

What Are Price Bands?

Price bands are predefined pricing levels that apply to different customers. Instead of setting a single price for each product, you can create multiple price levels (or bands) and assign them to customers based on their purchasing agreement or status.

For example, you might have:

• Price Band 1: Standard retail price
• Price Band 2: Discounted price for regular customers
• Price Band 3: Wholesale price for bulk buyers

Each band reflects a different price point for the same product, depending on the type of customer ordering it.

How Price Bands Work in Our Software

Our software simplifies this by allowing you to set up price bands as numbered prices 1 – 9 per customer and stock code. You can assign a specific price band (Up To 9 Price Bands By Default) to each customer, which automatically links them to the appropriate stock code price band when they place an order.

Example Scenario

Let’s say you have a product, “Widget A,” with different price levels:

• Price 1: £10 (retail)
• Price 2: £8 (for loyal customers)
• Price 3: £6 (for wholesale customers)

If Customer X is on Price 1, every time they order “Widget A,” they will be charged the retail price of £10. On the other hand, if Customer Y is on Price  2, the system will automatically apply the £8 price when they order the same product.

Benefits of This Approach

• Consistency: No need to manually adjust pricing for each customer’s order. Once you’ve assigned a customer to a price band, the system automatically selects the right price based on the stock code.
• Flexibility: You can easily offer different pricing levels for various types of customers (e.g., regular buyers, and large clients) without complicating your stock management.
• Efficiency: When a customer places an order, the system automatically pulls the price from the stock code linked to their assigned price band, speeding up the process and reducing errors.

How to Set Up Price Bands

Setting up price bands is straightforward. Here’s how it works:

1. Define Price Bands for Each Stock Code: Start by setting the different price levels for each product in your inventory. For example, under the stock code for “Widget A,” you’ll create the three price bands Price 1 (£10), Price 2 (£8), and Price 3 (£6).
2. Assign Price Bands to Customers: Once your price bands are in place, you can assign each customer to a specific band. In the customer profile, you’ll simply provide the relevant price band (e.g., Price  2 for loyal customers).
3. Automatic Price Application: From there, the system handles the rest. When a customer on Price 2 orders “Widget A,” the price of £8 is automatically applied, without any manual intervention needed.

Flexibility with The Price Matrix

Our software also gives you the ability to create custom price rules if you need to tailor pricing for specific customers. Let’s say you have a VIP customer who gets a unique discount that isn’t part of your regular pricing structure. You can create a custom price just for them and assign it to their profile. This way, every time they place an order, they’ll receive their personalised pricing.

The Price Matrix offers huge scope for custom pricing, we will explore this further in a dedicated article.

Managing Price Bands Over Time

As your business grows and customer needs change, you may need to adjust your price bands. Our software makes this easy. You can:

• Update Prices by Band: If your costs change, you can update prices within a specific band for a product. For instance, if your supplier raises their prices, you can adjust Price 2 for “Widget A” from £8 to £9, and the system will reflect that in all future orders for customers assigned to Price Band 2.
• Reassign Customers: If a regular customer becomes a wholesale client, you can easily move them from Price Band 2 to Price Band 3. Their future orders will now be priced according to the new band.

Conclusion

Price bands are a powerful tool for managing customer-specific pricing. By allowing you to set up different pricing levels per customer and per stock code, both Datafile Business Software and our very own B2B eCommerce website platform ensures that customers always pay the right price based on their agreement with your business. This not only saves time but also helps maintain consistency and accuracy in your pricing strategy.

Whether you’re managing retail customers, loyal buyers, or wholesale clients, price bands offer the flexibility you need to keep everyone happy and your business running smoothly.

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