LIBRARY

Explore insights on eCommerce and digital platforms for manufacturers and distributors in PHCP, PVF, HVAC, Electrical, Wire & Cable, and more.

As Contractors Consolidate Do Relationships Matter
Chances are one of the service trucks you have seen drive by has recently changed hands. Private equity investors have purchased nearly 800 HVAC, plumbing, and electrical companies since 2022.
B2B eCommerce Digital Strategy
Why are we just doing this now?
Not feeling ready to bring in an outside company is common. But waiting for internal perfection is a recipe for missed opportunities and prolonged inertia.
Digital Strategy B2B eCommerce
Healthy Site Search is Business Critical
Everyone knows site search for an online store should work “well,” but how strongly does it impact revenue?
Site Search 14 Focus Points
VIDEO: Beth Ladd From ASA at ASA Network 23
We talk with Beth Ladd about all the exciting things coming out of ASA including product data transfer between Manufacturers and Distributors.
Video ASA
What is Search Intent?
Subtleties in eCommerce product searches can indicate a variety of meaning and desired results.
Site Search 14 Focus Points
VIDEO: Dean Mueller From DSG at ASA Network 23
We Talk to Distribution Expert Dean Mueller from DSG.
Video ASA
Helping Clients with Product Data
Read about some of the tactics Layer One implements to help our clients achieve product data success.
Product Data 14 Focus Points
VIDEO: ASA Network 23 Recap
See interviews and insights from ASA Network 23 in Orlando.
Video ASA
Are we at a Disruption Point for PHCP Distribution?
Are we seeing a revenue shift away from distributors that don't have an eCommerce offering?
B2B eCommerce Digital Strategy
DSG Guest Post: Are You Getting the Most from Your eCommerce Solution Partner?
Learn how to evaluate and select the right partner.
B2B eCommerce
Auto Sync Product Data Feeds to PIM
Getting product data from a 3rd party is a great way to provide value to your customers. But how much time and effort are you spending on every import?
Product Data B2B eCommerce
Optimizely Performance and Stability
Optimizely performance and stability are critical to successful eCommerce. These are the most common reasons for an underperforming or shaky site.
B2B eCommerce Optimizely
Empower Search (Focus Pt. 4)
More than half of B2B buyers prefer search to navigation. Ensure you're making products easy to find and buy.
14 Focus Points Site Search
Product Data Quality (Focus Pt. 3)
It's no secret that having quality product data drives sales. The priorities are accuracy, completeness, and consistency, but are you leveraging all dimensions of the data? Layer One takes a holistic look at product data quality with actionable optimization strategies.
14 Focus Points Product Data
Iterative Thinking (Focus Pt. 2)
A stepped approach to testing and refining through a feedback cycle is key to digital success.
14 Focus Points
Site Performance/Stability (Focus Pt.1)
If your site doesn't operate well customers won't use it and Google will bury it. Regardless of any other features and improvements, a site should first perform and be stable.
14 Focus Points
Distributor eCommerce Now 20 Percent of Sales and Accelerating
Predictions of a post-COVID slump in online usage didn’t materialize for distributors. Instead, all those folks who got used to buying online when they didn’t have a choice have embraced the channel and – apparently – talked their coworkers into joining the digital customer club.
B2B eCommerce Digital Strategy
The Future of HVAC: Attending the 2023 Auer Expo
Attending the Auer Expo was a fantastic experience that provided insights into the latest developments in the HVAC industry. The event brought together a diverse group of engineers, dealers, industry experts, and manufacturers from around the world, creating a vibrant atmosphere for learning and networking.
B2B eCommerce Digital Strategy
What Engineers Want from a Manufacturer’s Website
The B2B buying market has changed radically for almost all professions, and engineers are no exception. Here's what engineers said they wanted in their shopping experience, and what may happen if companies don't adapt.
Digital Strategy B2B eCommerce
Personalization in B2B eCommerce
B2B buying is complex and involves various departments, all while customers want to minimize the time and effort it takes to make purchasing decisions. Learn how to understand your customer on a deeper level using the right data for B2B, B2C, and B2X buyers alike.
Digital Strategy B2B eCommerce
Processing JSONL
Quick demonstration of JSONL, a data format that is appearing in more and more systems.
SOFTWARE ARCHITECTURE
The Pitfalls of JavaScript Libraries
JavaScript libraries have revolutionized web development by providing developers with powerful tools, frameworks, and pre-built components to expedite the creation of interactive and feature-rich web applications. However, a growing trend of incorporating an excessive number of JavaScript libraries into projects can introduce pitfalls that developers need to be mindful of.
User Experience SOFTWARE ARCHITECTURE
Dazzlingly Easy Sitecore Content Comparison with Razl
This post introduces a tool called Razl, which is very helpful in moving Sitecore items between environments.
Sitecore
What you need to know about event driven architecture
There are many architectures available to the development teams; in this post we take a look at event driven architecture. Whether building a new system or maintaining an existing system, we'll examine the basic components and the benefits of the design.
SOFTWARE ARCHITECTURE
The Differences Between JSS React Developer Modes
With multiple development modes available, we review the pros and cons to working in disconnected, connected, or integrated mode.
Sitecore
Getting final Sitecore configurations anywhere, anytime, with Sitecore ConfigBuilder
Sometimes you need access to the final Sitecore configuration file, but you can't make use of ShowConfig.aspx
Sitecore
Providing Content Customization
Content Authors deserve more flexibility. Here is how we provide a more dynamic experience.
User Experience Umbraco Sitecore
Creating Your First JSS React Application
A step by step guide laying the foundation to building your first Sitecore JSS React application.
Sitecore
Content Security Policy Management in Sitecore
Our new Security Header Accelerator allows marketers to run experiments with an agile mindset more easily.
Sitecore
Prevent XSS Attacks with a Nonce in the Content Security Policy
Cross Site Scripting attacks can be a danger to visitors of your website. This post explains how to prevent them using a nonce in your Content Security Policy.
Screencast - Triggering Marketing Automation Campaigns
Sitecore's Marketing Automation engine is a powerful tool in your toolbox. We will cover how to trigger an automation campaign in this screencast.
Sitecore Video
Screencast - Installing Sitecore Forms Extensions
Sitecore Forms Extensions allows for 9.0 - 9.3 Sitecore customers to quickly capture xDB contacts. This screencast covers how to install Sitecore Forms Extensions and configure your first form to capture the data.
Sitecore Video
Screencast - How to Publish a Sitecore Form
Sitecore Forms is a powerful WYSIWYG form editing tool. This video covers the flow to publish a Sitecore Form.
Sitecore Video
Screencast - Introduction to SXA Rendering Variants
SXA Rendering Variants allow for rapid, iterative development. Learn more about Rendering Variants in this screencast.
Sitecore Video
Webinar - Strategies for Maturing Your Ecommerce Experience
Navigating the commerce space is harder today than it has ever been. How do you know where you are compared to your peers? What is a logical next step? How much will it cost? In this webinar your hosts from Layer One and Sitecore will begin to answer these questions for you.
Digital Strategy Sitecore B2B eCommerce
HTTP Header Series: Feature-Policy
In our opening to this series, we discussed some of the reasons for Security Headers. In this post we will describe in more detail the (currently experimental) Feature-Policy header which provides a mechanism to allow and deny the use of browser features.
Optimizely Umbraco Sitecore
HTTP Header Series: Referrer-Policy
In our opening to this series, we discussed some of the reasons for Security Headers. In this post we will describe in more detail the Referrer-Policy header which controls how much information is sent in the Referrer HTTP header.
Optimizely Sitecore Umbraco
HTTP Header Series: Content-Security-Policy
In our opening to this series, we discussed some of the reasons for Security Headers. In this post we will describe in more detail the Content-Security-Policy header that allows web site administrators to control resources the user agent is allowed to load for a given page. This header is critical is defending against cross-site scripting attacks.
Optimizely Sitecore Umbraco
Four things you wanted to know about Sitecore JavaScript Services
There are lots of great reasons to choose a Sitecore JSS site. From a software development perspective, Sitecore JSS embraces the most modern development practices and paradigms.
Sitecore
HTTP Header Series: The "Xs"
In our opening to this series, we discussed some of the reasons for Security Headers.  In this post we will describe in more detail some of the security headers that still bear the “X” prefix
Optimizely Sitecore Umbraco
HTTP Header Series: HTTP Strict Transport Security
In our opening to this series, we discussed some of the reasons for Security Headers. In this post we will describe in more detail the need for the HSTS header.
Optimizely Sitecore Umbraco
HTTP Header Series: Security Headers
Understand how defining these HTTP headers can help reduce your site vulnerability and make the user experience more secure.
Optimizely Sitecore Umbraco
The European General Data Protection Regulation Change Is The Biggest Since 1995
Layer One Media’s clients do business worldwide. As such, they are constantly collecting data on their customers and website visitors. Recently, the EU and Parliament adopted new regulations that will not only effect third party cloud providers but the companies that collect data as well. Following is a bulletin we think you’ll find helpful in preparing for the change.
Digital Strategy
Sitecore Commerce Accelerator leverages Sitecore Commerce
Sitecore Commerce is ready for manufacturers and distributors. We've pre-built the features most B2Bs are looking for Multi-Featured Homepage and search, Multiple Payment Processing Options, Welcome and View Personalization, Product Category, Listing and Detail,Cross-Sell, Up-Sell products and more!
Sitecore
Configuring Dependency Injection in Umbraco
This webinar will explore pre-sales, sales and post sales personalization tactics that will make your company easier to do business with and build digital brand loyalty.
Umbraco
Decreasing Umbraco Feature Development Time with Models Builder
ModelsBuilder is a tool that is built into the Umbraco platform since version 7.4. What it does is allow the development team to use the Umbraco back office to define the necessary document types for a feature. Then the tool will generate the files necessary for the developer to begin interacting with the document types in the code.
Umbraco
Why is B2B Commerce so difficult?
Manufacturers and Distributors are hearing the call from their customers – “lower costs and be easier to do business with!” For most, this means providing a streamlined digital commerce experience from relevant information to fulfillment and post-sales support. So what do I keep hearing from manufacturers as to why B2B digital commerce is so hard?
B2B eCommerce Digital Strategy
4 Key Considerations for Integrations
Creating meaningful integration is where the distinction between creating business value and busywork lies. Poor integration adds to maintenance, may cause your site to load slowly and more to keep track of in the long term. So, the question becomes: how do you determine what provides the most meaningful business value that becomes most useful to integrate with?
Digital Strategy
Managing Channel Conflict with Extended Supply
Since the early 90s, the trend in mid and large size B2B companies has been to consolidate their decentralized procurement groups and streamline their supply chain operations optimizing their buying power, supplier relationships and of course, reduce cost. This optimization typically lends to procurement groups purchasing product and services for multiple ship-to locations.
B2B eCommerce Digital Strategy
Post-Sales: B2B Digital “Ease of Doing Business”
In the second post, we reviewed digital pre-sales for digitally servicing your customers and the third focused on sales phase. As the fourth and final in a four-part series, we will review the critical post-sales phase for Digitally servicing B2B Customers.
B2B eCommerce