Monday 30 October 2017

Choosing JavaScript Charting Library - Few factors to take into account



The websites and web applications nowadays need to provide information in an appealing and easy-to-understand way. The web developers can easily enhance a website’s user experience by presenting information through interactive charts. They even have option to choose from several open source and licensed charting software according to their preferred programming languages.
The JavaScript programmers can create interactive and appealing charts by using popular charting libraries like Google Charts, D3.js, ChartJS, Chartist.js, Chartkick, Smoothie Charts, Float and Fusioncharts.  Some of these JavaScript charting libraries are open source and free, whereas others are available as licensed software.
Also, these libraries differ from each other in term of features, supported chart types, and rendering technology. Hence, a single JavaScript charting tool may not meet varying data visualization needs of individual projects. The web developers must compare these JavaScript libraries based on a number of parameters to choose the right charting software.
7 Factors to Consider while Comparing JavaScript Charting Libraries
1) Paradigm
Like other software development tools, JavaScript charting libraries also follow two distinct paradigms – declarative and imperative. The libraries following declarative approach require developers to select the chart type and set up the configuration option. The tools render interactive charts based on the input provided by web developers. On the other hand, the charting libraries following imperative approach allow web developers to visualize data by writing code and following specific steps. However, they simplify data visualization by providing helper methods. The web developers need to choose the right paradigm according to their skills and expertise.
2)  Supported Chart Types
Each JavaScript charting library allows you to present information through a variety of charts – line, pie, bar, area, scattered and bar. But the types of charts supported by individual libraries differ. For instance, most widely used JavaScript charting libraries do not support radar, network, and funnel charts. Likewise, some libraries lack the capability to render 3D charts. It is always important to provide information through the most appropriate chart to keep the website visitors engages. Hence, the developers must keep in mind supported chart types while comparing these libraries.
3) Customization Options
The charting libraries make it easier for developers to present information and data through various types of charts. But the developers still need to customize the charts to make the information easier to understand. Some charting libraries do not allow users to customize the charts according to their precise needs. Hence, the developers must opt for charting libraries that allow them to customize various aspects of chart – title, legend, responsiveness, zoom, and tooltip.
4) Rendering Technologies
Each JavaScript charting library renders charts through specific technologies. For instance, some libraries render charts through HTML5 Canvas, whereas others render charts through Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) and Vector Markup Language (VML). SVG is a XML-based vector image format, whereas VML is a XML-based file format. On other hand, HTML5 Canvas comes with capability to render charts in immediate mode. At present, the chart rendering technologies are not supported by each browser. Hence, you must compare the rendering technology used by each charting library according to the targeted browsers.
5) Databinding
Most widely used JavaScript charting libraries do not support databinding. Only selected libraries currently allow developers to bind the charts directly with data source. The option enables developers to update data asynchronously in the charts. Also, they can fill the data asynchronously after initializing an empty chart. When a charting library supports databinding, it becomes easier for developers to render charts dynamically with updated information. The web developers must check if the charting library supports databinding to render data-driven charts.
6) License
A developer has option to choose from both open source and licensed JavaScript charting libraries. The licensed charting tools provide several additional features and supports complex chart types. But a developer has to incur additional expenses to avail the features provided by commercial charting tools. On the other hand, the open source JavaScript charting libraries help developers to visualize data without increasing project overheads. Hence, the JavaScript developers must check the license of the library according to their budget.
7) Support
The web developers can consider licensed JavaScript charting libraries to avail prompt maintenance and support. The open source libraries are also supported by active communities. But certain open source JavaScript charting libraries lack adequate support. There are even a number of libraries which have not been updated for a long time. Hence, it becomes essential for web developers to check if the JavaScript charting library is maintained and supported proactively by the community.
On the whole, a web developer has option to choose from several JavaScript charting libraries. But he must evaluate the pros and cons of these widely used JavaScript charting libraries according to precise data visualization needs of individual projects. Also, he needs to compare these libraries based on key parameters like features, interactivity, and compatibility.

Wednesday 25 October 2017

7 Reasons Why Offline Businesses need Website Development



According to the annual economic forecast released by the National Retail Federation (NRF), “Retail industry sales, which exclude automobiles, gasoline stations and restaurants, will grow between 3.7 and 4.2 percent over 2016. Online and other non-store/online sales, which are included in the overall number, are expected to increase between 8 and 12 percent.” The forecast indicates that a large percentage of customers nowadays prefer web stores to local and offline stores.

Each offline business nowadays needs a website to capture the online sales growth. The local business owner can use the website as a powerful tool to reach out to more customers, promote their products/services more effectively, and beat competition over a longer period of time. Also, the website will help the local business to enhance in-store shopping experience and create a base of loyal customers. There are also a number of reasons why each local or offline business must launch a website without any delay.

7 Reasons Why Local and Offline Businesses Must Launch Their Own Websites
1) Most Customers Nowadays Use Internet
The data posted on several websites depict a steady increase in the worldwide internet usage and penetrations. Many customers nowadays prefer online stores to local stores to avail attractive deals and speed up the buying process. Likewise, many customers use online search engines and social networks to gather information about various products and services. A local business owner can use the website as a powerful tool to communicate with both customers and prospects.
2) Reach Out to More Customers
Each local or offline business owner frequently explores ways to boost sales and generate more revenue. The website will make it easier for the offline business to reach out to more customers. The owner can launch an ecommerce website to sell its products to customers residing in various regions. Also, the website will help the local business to promote it products more aggressively by targeting customers regardless of their geographic location.
3) Sell Products 24 Hours a Day
Often brick-and-mortar stores have to comply with local regulations for shopping hours. The local business owners have to open and close their shops or stores at specific hours. Also, they have to deploy additional staff to keep the offline stores open 24 hours a day. The ecommerce website will enable the offline business owners to sell their products round the clock without deploying additional staff and incurring additional overheads.
4) Take Advantage of New Sales Channels
The ecommerce websites enable local businesses to connect and communicate with customers directly without using conventional channels of distribution. The absence of distribution channels helps the business owner to boost sales by offering attractive deals and discounts to customers. There are a number of ecommerce platforms that enable local business owners to generate more revenue by taking advantage of multiple online sales channels. Hence, the owner of a local business can use the website as a tool to integrate online and offline sales seamlessly.
5) Boost Offline Sales
A local business owner can also use the website as a powerful tool to drive its in-store sales. He can use the website just like conventional business cards to provide information to customers and prospects. The offline business owner can always launch a simple but appealing website to make it easier for customers to find contact details like store location, email addresses and phone number. Also, it can use the website as a tool to convey additional information about various products and make it easier for customers to conduct pre-purchase research.
6) Help Customers to Perform Pre-Purchase Research
Many customers nowadays perform elaborate pre-purchase research to buy the best product. Most customers nowadays use online search engine to gather information about specific products and compare similar products. Many customers even use the internet to conduct pre-purchase research while buying products from a local store. A local business owner can make it easier for customers to perform pre-purchase research by posting relevant and updated product information on the website. Also, he can persuade customers to visit his store by posting customer reviews and experience on the website.
7) Create a Base of Loyal Customers
The ecommerce websites have completely changed the way the customers perform pre-purchase research and purchase products. Each customer nowadays loves web stores that deliver personalized shopping experience. A local business can use robust web analytics services like Google Analytics to track and monitor website traffic consistently. The analytics services will further help the business owner to know the choices and preferences of individual customers. A local business owner can take advantage of the analytics services to optimize the in-store and online shopping experience and build a base of loyal customers. He can even request the most loyal customers to promote the local business on various social networking platforms.
Many offline business owners still think that website development is a complex and expensive process. But the ecommerce platforms have already simplified custom business website development. Also, a local business can easily reduce website development cost by opting for an open source ecommerce platform or content management system. Hence, a local business can launch its own websites in a simple and inexpensive way.

Monday 16 October 2017

The Importance of Mobile App Testing




Recently, Android overtook Windows as the most popular operating system for accessing the internet. Also, total amount of time spent by consumers on mobile apps has been increasing consistently. With consumers spending more digital time on in mobile apps, each enterprise must launch mobile app to reach out to more customers, promote its products, and boost sales. But the entrepreneur must remember that a user has option to choose from an array of apps with similar features and functionality.


He must make the mobile app standout the crowd to accomplish more downloads.  Also, he must make the application deliver richer user experience across various devices and platforms to prevent user abandonment. An enterprise must focus on the app’s accessibility, functionality, usability, security, and performance to enhance its user experience. Likewise, it must detect and repair all defects and performance issues in the app to ensure consistent and heavy use. An enterprise must test the mobile app elaborately to enhance its user experience, popularity, and marketability.


Why Enterprises Must Test Their Mobile Apps Elaborately?


Prevent User Abandonment


Several studies show consumers spending more digital time in mobile apps. But users spend most time on just five mobile apps. Also, many users abandon mobile apps after one use. Hence, it becomes essential for enterprises to prevent user abandonment to keep the mobile apps profitable and generate more revenue. The testers perform a variety of tests to identify the defects or issues that affect the app’s user experience directly. They further get the critical bugs or defects fixed to enhance the app’s quality, user experience, and marketability.


Accelerate Hybrid Mobile App Development


The choice of mobile app differs from one user to another. Likewise, users also access a single app on various devices and platforms. Many enterprises opt for cross-platform or hybrid mobile apps to reach out to more users and accomplish more download. The user experience delivered by a non-native mobile app differs from one device or platform to another. The testers must test the hybrid mobile apps with varying devices and platforms to produce more reliable test results. Also, they need to repeat the tests under varying user conditions to ensure that the app delivers richer user experience across devices, platforms, and networks.


Users Now Have Option to Assess Quality of Apps


Major mobile platforms like iOS and Android enables users to assess the performance of individual apps. For instance, Android Nougat enables users to assess the performance of apps and services based on memory and RAM usage. Likewise, iOS 11 will help users to clean up both memory and storage space by rarely-used apps. It even allows users to offload the unused apps automatically by selecting a specific option. Hence, the users can easily identify and uninstall the worst performing mobile apps. The enterprises can easily prevent users from offloading their mobile apps by testing the performance of the mobile app based on key parameters.


Overcome Device and Platform Fragmentation


At present, Android has a much larger worldwide market share than other mobile platforms. But Android is an open source mobile operating system. Google allows device manufacturers to alter and customize its mobile operating system according to their precise needs. Hence, the hardware and software features of devices powered by the same version of Android differ. Also, the penetration rate of the latest version of Android is much lower than its earlier versions. The device and platform fragmentation makes it challenging for developers to create mobile apps for world’s most popular mobile platform. The enterprises must test the mobile app thoroughly to make it popular by overcoming the device and OS fragmentation.


Make the App Marketable


Nowadays, a user has option to choose from several mobile apps with similar features and functionality. The enterprises have to promote their mobile app aggressively to reach out to more users and accomplish more downloads. Many enterprise promote their mobile apps through various channels to increase number of downloads. The smart entrepreneurs emphasize of developing marketable apps to boost the digital marketing campaigns and accomplish more downloads. The quality of a mobile app directly impacts its marketable. When the app is tested thoroughly, it becomes easier for marketers to promote the high quality app aggressively and effectively.


Monetize the App Effectively


Most users nowadays prefer free apps to paid apps. Enterprises have to make their mobile applications available as free apps initially to attract and impress prospective users. Many enterprises nowadays launch both free and paid versions of the same apps to accomplish more download. The smarter entrepreneurs even implement various app monetization options – in-app advertisement, in-app purchase, subscriptions and native advertisement – to generate revenue despite launching free apps. The entrepreneurs must launch a high quality app to implement the app monetization techniques effectively. When the app is tested elaborately, it becomes easier for developers to monetize the app and generate revenue.


Check If the App is Working Correctly


Each enterprise has to invest time, effort, and money to launch a mobile app. But there are always chances that the app may not meet all its requirements. Likewise, the app may not work in the proper and expected way. The testers perform a variety of tests to check if the mobile app meets predefined business requirements. Also, they use various tools and frameworks to assess the mobile app’s user experience based on its accessibility, functionality, usability, performance, and security. The test results help the enterprise to ensure that the mobile app is working properly and meets its precise needs. Also, the test reports help enterprises to make crucial decisions about promoting and launching the mobile app.


On the whole, each enterprise must implement a formal testing strategy to make its mobile app marketable, popular, and profitable. The mobile app testing strategy must clearly define the tests to be performed, balance real devices and emulators, and combine automated testing. An enterprise also has option to get its mobile app tested by both external and internal testers. It can even accelerate mobile app testing by involving selected users in the testing process.