A Guide to Optimizely Commerce Solutions

Optimizely offers two commerce-focused solutions: Optimizely Configured Commerce and Optimizely Commerce Connect.

After acquiring Insite Software in 2019, Optimizely launched B2B Commerce, later renamed Configured Commerce. Commerce Connect, previously known as Episerver Commerce Connect, was rebranded as Optimizely Commerce Connect after Episerver acquired Optimizely in 2020.

This post will explain each commerce product before exploring Configured Commerce's key features and benefits.

What Is Configured Commerce?

Optimizely Configured Commerce (previously known as B2B Commerce) offers the capabilities to support the needs of enterprise business-to-business (B2B) and direct-to-consumer organizations.

Configured Commerce includes a headless commerce engine, front-end visual editor/CMS, catalog search engine, and various commerce capabilities, including Catalog Management, Cart and checkout, Catalog Search, Self-Service/My Account, Promotions, Personalization, and Pricing and inventory.

After Insite Software was acquired by Optimizely (then Episerver) in December 2019, its B2B commerce capabilities, focused on manufacturers and distributors, were integrated into the Optimizely DXP along with InsitePIM (now Optimizely PIM), InsiteCommerce Mobile (now Optimizely Mobile), and InsiteAnalytics (now Configured Commerce Analytics). These products now comprise many accompanying products that can be integrated into Configured Commerce.

What Is Commerce Connect?

Optimizely Commerce Connect (previously known as Customized Commerce) is a digital commerce suite available as part of Optimizely Content Cloud and Optimizely CMS. It lets companies create and deploy an e-commerce website using content management and back-end web shop management. Additionally, it is generally focused on B2C use cases.

Companies can use Commerce Connect to add catalog management, cart, pricing, transactional, order management, and promotional capabilities to their Optimizely-built websites.

However, Commerce Connect isn’t available as a standalone product; it can be purchased as an add-on to Optimizely CMS. As such, the rest of this article will focus on Configured Commerce.

Key Configured Commerce Features

Configured Commerce offers several features that can empower enterprises to create engaging shopping experiences.

Content Creation

Configured Commerce allows users to add products to any page or widget using simple drag-and-drop interactions. It also allows users to manage catalogs and create custom attributes across multiple sites.

Personalization

With Configured Commerce, personalized promotions and AI-driven product recommendations are possible. Optimizely allows companies to leverage first-party data capture for buyer personalization and automatically reach users with abandoned cart reminders to convert sales.

Pricing Control

Optimizely allows brands to assign pricing to each customer account and optimize pricing for one-page or multi-page checkout and integrated shipping, fulfillment, and payment options.

List Creation

Configured Commerce allows companies to use lists to simplify product reordering for buyers, leverage intelligent search for faster navigation, and deploy an omnichannel strategy.

Benefits of Configured Commerce

Optimizely’s Configured Commerce product offers several benefits.

Seamless Integration

Configured Commerce effortlessly integrates with critical systems like ERPs, ensuring smooth operations and uninterrupted sales. It also integrates with inventory management systems, product management systems, warehouse management systems, and return management systems.

Configured Commerce keeps the data between these synchronized so that users can easily track where their order is, see if it’s in stock, or split orders across delivery locations. For example, if a single order from an engine manufacturer gets delivered to three different Airline manufacturer locations. Features like this make Configured Commerce ideal for B2B use cases.

Scalability

Configured Commerce allows organizations to create an e-commerce stack that scales as needed. It also adapts to peak demand as traffic, product offerings, or regional reach expands.

Faster Time to Market

Configured Commerce offers out-of-the-box capabilities, including Catalog, Search, Checkout, and Promotions. This helps companies avoid lengthy development cycles and launch without the usual delays.

Improved User Experience

Configured Commerce can help companies boost engagement. Internal workflows, admin permissions, and intuitive interfaces empower employees, while personalized recommendations, one-page checkout, and AI-driven features keep customers returning.

Add Commerce Functionality to Optimizely

Creating engaging commerce experiences is essential for many modern enterprises, whether they sell manufacturing equipment or baby toys. Optimizely offers the solutions businesses need, whether using the Commerce Connect option for Optimizely CMS or the standalone e-commerce product Configured Commerce.

Oshyn is an Optimizely partner known for helping customers better leverage their site’s content, improve customer experiences, and drive business growth. This includes creating engaging commerce experiences.

Audio Digest wanted to create a simplified commerce experience that minimized abandoned shopping carts while maximizing revenue and upselling. They turned to Oshyn to build a new B2B headless website and implement a composable commerce approach to help them get more out of new and existing tech solutions.

The new solution powered by Configured Commerce allows a seamless experience across device platforms, integrates composable payment gateways, and allows AudioDigest to iterate rapidly to optimize conversion performance.

Learn more about how Audio Digest boosted sales by 130% in ten months in the case study, or contact us if you’re looking for help with your Optimizely commerce solution.