In the age of information technology and digitalization, everyone is trying to promote and sell their products using marketplaces. This is the modern way to do business; and it’s the best way to attract potential buyers from different parts of the world.

However, online business is not as easy as it seems. We will talk about all the pros and cons in this area with Igor Iemelianov, who has a PhD in Computer Science and is the CEO of IT Delight, an online store development company that has been providing e-commerce development services since 2012.

Tell us a little about your company. What makes it unique?

IT Delight was founded in 2012 in Ukraine, with the head office located in Kharkov. Our team of professionals develop solutions on Magento, a popular open-source e-commerce platform that provides a flexible and scalable solution for online merchants. Our clients are e-commerce companies from the USA, Australia, and Western Europe.

Our company is unique in that it provides its customers with not just an attractive website template, but a complete and long-term e-commerce business strategy. IT Delight has successfully implemented many projects involving trading platforms for our clients. We have been operating for more than ten years, and during that time, we have encountered various obstacles and challenges to overcome. We have accumulated a significant amount of knowledge and know how to lead in the e-commerce sector.

What key principles have brought success to your company?

The success and popularity of our company points to the fact that we follow certain rules. Interaction in the company is built on the following principles:

• People first. We value each of our employees, because human relations are the foundation that must be strong in order to build something more. The company is ready to invest in the professional development of its team.
• Expertise. In our work, we combine engineering excellence with the most important human values. Not a single technological perfection should stand in the way of a humane attitude towards a person.
• Flexibility. Our thinking is able to adapt to changing, new circumstances for the greater good. We are always looking for modern ideas and effective solutions for their implementation.
• Trust. We prefer the formation of a hierarchy, because leaders in IT Delight have a very important role – to prepare the ground for people to make their own decisions.

What areas of e-commerce do you have experience in?

We serve industries such as healthcare, fashion, jewelry, automotive, medical supply and equipment, cosmetics and makeup, and more. We have a very diverse portfolio with experience in almost all areas of online business. Our team is constantly improving its skills in current markets, and we are studying innovations to gain knowledge of newly formed industries.

What types of projects do you use Magento for?

Magento is one of the most powerful content management platforms out there. It is used by many well-known and resource-intensive online stores. The platform is suitable for large companies looking to scale their online business. For small stores, the system may seem complicated due to the small number of products. However, if such a store plans to expand and grow, then it is worth starting with Magento, which is a reliable CMS with proven high performance that supports large stores.

Tell us about your new Pro Magento community.

We have created a place for open communication between Magento developers. However, anyone interested in the development of Magento can join the community. We are focused on sharing experience and knowledge in the field of e-commerce, which is what our community is aimed at. This helps to improve the quality of the industry as a whole, as well as the level of professionalism of each developer. As a member, you can ask questions, speak at virtual meetings, post articles, and more. And, of course, receive valuable feedback.

What’s your advice to those looking for an e-commerce professional?

Many clients reach out to our company as a last-ditch effort – they come to us dissatisfied with the work of other agencies. They express frustrations such as e-commerce platforms that don’t work properly, have weak security, and even that target the wrong type of audience.

At IT Delight, we take full responsibility for the quality of our work. Not all companies can boast the same thing. Thus, it’s very important to choose a reliable expert who will offer a guarantee. First of all, you should choose a firm with proven experience and solid implemented programs. Then consider the cost of services to assess the price/quality ratio.

What aspects should an e-commerce company focus on?

First, you need to have a promising idea and a desire to develop it. You’ll need to build and establish competent work within the company, and create a positive atmosphere that will contribute to the growth of each individual employee – and as a result, the company as a whole.

At IT Delight, we consider leadership roles to be extremely important. Strong leadership builds a foundation of solid decision-making by all team members, thereby creating a fertile ground for development. In addition, you must, of course, love the work that you are doing – otherwise nothing will come of it.

Can you tell us about current trends in e-commerce?

Perhaps the main trend in the development of e-commerce is the active introduction of various forms of content that can colorfully demonstrate all the possibilities of the product directly on the website of the online store. For example, video marketing has already been mastered by most companies. Videos can help the buyer evaluate the product from all sides.

In addition, the introduction of 3D rendering is another trend gaining popularity. This technology makes it possible to effectively attract the attention of a potential client by involving several senses. Finally, AR (augmented reality) technology creates a “virtual fitting room” where the image of the product is superimposed on the face/figure in accordance with the features and proportions of buyers. Now you can virtually try on any clothing item to get an idea of what it will look like on you.