This guide provides a structured path for developers to learn, build, and maintain solutions on Optimizely Commerce, distinguishing between Commerce Connect and Configured Commerce where relevant.
Comprehensive fuide to unlock the full potential of Optimizely Commerce
What is Optimizely Commerce?
Optimizely Commerce provides robust B2C and B2B e-commerce solutions, digital merchandising, order management, and customer management. Its key features include product catalog, pricing, promotions, and order processing capabilities.
Core commerce concepts
Key concepts in Optimizely Commerce include product catalog (products, variants, categories, attributes), pricing and promotions (price lists, discounts, coupons, campaigns), order management (carts, orders, shipments, returns), customer management (accounts, users, roles, personalization), and integrations (ERP, PIM, CRM, payment gateways, shipping providers).
Getting started
Your first steps with Optimizely
Kickstart your Optimizely Commerce development journey by exploring environment setup for both Commerce Connect and Configured Commerce. Gain insights into understanding the commerce user interface for effective collaboration, and learn to design intuitive product models for merchandisers, with resources readily available to launch your first project.
Environment setup
For Commerce Connect, environment setup requires configuring a local .NET development environment, a database (SQL Server), and integrating Optimizely Commerce NuGet packages. For Configured Commerce, it involves setting up a local development environment (Visual Studio, SQL Server) and installing the Configured Commerce solution.
Configuring your commerce
For Commerce Connect, configuration primarily involves cloud deployment and identity management. For Configured Commerce, it focuses on understanding the platform's architecture and its extensive integration capabilities.
The commerce user interface
Beyond code setup, a deep understanding of the Optimizely Commerce user interface is crucial for developers. It ensures seamless collaboration with merchandisers and a better grasp of the end-user experience, leading to more effective product delivery.
Product catalog
For Commerce Connect, this involves programmatic product creation and updates, managing variants, bundles, and product relationships, and integrating with PIM systems. For Configured Commerce, it focuses on product import/export, extending the product data model, and managing complex product hierarchies and attributes.
Ready to launch your first project?
You've verified your setup and are eager to see your work in action. This section provides the essential resources and guidance to help you kickstart your first Optimizely project, ensuring a smooth transition from setup to successful deployment.
Validate your expertise: Get certified
You've mastered development, integration, and management within Optimizely Commerce. Now, formalize your expertise and demonstrate your proficiency with official Optimizely certifications. These credentials validate your skills and open doors to new opportunities in the world of digital commerce.
Level up
Core commerce development
Explore core Optimizely Commerce development, including customizing search, managing pricing and promotions, streamlining order and checkout processes, and handling customer and account management for both Commerce Connect and Configured Commerce.
Search and merchandising customization
Commerce Connect allows customizing search by adding index fields and creating search indexers. Configured Commerce enables customizing the search rebuild process, including adding custom fields to product documents and modifying search behavior through pipelines for enhanced performance and relevance.
Pricing and promotions
Implementing custom pricing logic and extending the promotions engine for Commerce Connect. Creating custom rules for pricing and promotions for Configured Commerce.
Order management and checkout
Commerce Connect handles order manipulation (create, load, save) and component management. Configured Commerce uses a pipeline architecture for cart and order processing, enabling customized checkout flows and integrations.
Customer and account management
Commerce Connect focuses on user and organization data, groups, and basic authentication. Configured Commerce offers B2B account hierarchies, roles, custom pricing, and PunchOut integrations.
Optimizely Configured Commerce Mobile SDK
Optimizely Configured Commerce Mobile SDK enables building customizable native mobile apps using API SDKs (Dart/C#) and a Flutter-based UI SDK. Quickstart involves setting up Flutter, VS Code, Android Studio, Xcode, Apple Dev account, and configuring app colors and domain.
Mastering Optimizely
Architectural excellence and innovation
This section is tailored for seasoned front-end developers and architects looking to maximize Optimizely's potential. Explore advanced architectural patterns, custom integrations, and strategies for delivering high-performing, scalable digital experiences.
Security
Authentication and authorization (ASP.NET Identity, custom providers). PCI DSS compliance considerations for payment processing. Security best practices for e-commerce development.
Performance and scalability
Caching strategies, optimizing database queries, load balancing for Commerce Connect. Performance tuning, caching mechanisms, and strategies for high-volume B2B transactions for Configured Commerce.
Integrate Optimizely products
Optimizely Commerce Connect integrates with ODP for data export, while Configured Commerce integrates with Product Recommendations to enhance conversions through product feeds and tracking.
UI customization and extensibility
Commerce Connect allows extending promotions and pricing logic. Configured Commerce offers extensive UI customization through custom pages, themes, templates, and overriding controllers for bespoke user interfaces.
Staying current
Essential resources for Optimizely developers
In the fast-paced world of digital experience development, staying informed is key to success. This section provides critical resources to help you keep pace with Optimizely's evolution, anticipate future changes, and leverage the latest tools and features to their fullest potential.
Stay up-to-date with release notes
Keep track of the latest features, improvements, and bug fixes across all Optimizely products. Understanding release notes helps you leverage new capabilities and prepare for upcoming changes. View release notes: Commerce Connect, Commerce Mobile, Configured Commerce, Product Information Management, Product Recommendations
Influence the future with the product roadmap
Get a glimpse into Optimizely's strategic direction and upcoming innovations. The roadmap provides insights into planned features and helps you align your development efforts with future platform capabilities. Explore the roadmap
Additional resources for every stage
Here's a curated list of essential resources to support your journey with Optimizely, no matter your experience.
Developer docs
Your go-to source for comprehensive API references, SDK guides, and technical articles.
Optimizely World
Connect with other Optimizely developers, share insights, and find solutions in our vibrant community forums.
Slack / chat
Engage in real-time discussions, ask quick questions, and get support from peers and Optimizely experts.
Academy
Advance your skills with structured courses and certifications designed for Optimizely developers. Explore Academy courses
Support
Access direct assistance from Optimizely for technical issues and personalized help. Contact our support professionals