Magento 2 is one of the most robust eCommerce platforms to run any business. It was an obvious choice to build a customized online gun store for our new client. The client was a family-owned online firearms dealer based in Texas and wanted to create a superior eCommerce store for selling firearms and accessories. Below we elaborate on how the leading Magento development company Virtina built a fully functional online firearms store for the client.
Build a custom Magento 2 store for your online firearms business
Custom FFL Dealer Locator Tool Development to Streamline Online Firearms Purchase
Selling firearms online is no easy task. The dealer can not send most firearm products directly to the customers because it is illegal. As per the rules and regulations concerning the sale of firearms online, you can only ship products to the nearest licensed FFL (Federal Firearms License) dealer. The customer must go to the FFL dealer to physically collect their order.
Our experts were quick to come up with a solution for this problem. We created a custom FFL Dealer Locator tool for the client's Magento 2 store. The tool allows the customer to input their ZIP code and displays a list of licensed FFL dealers in the location. Customers can use the list to choose the nearest FFL dealer and have their firearm products sent to them.
We use a minimalist design and interface for the FFL Dealer Locator tool. It allows the end users to quickly and efficiently use the custom FFL Dealer Locator tool promptly and efficiently and eliminate unnecessary confusion. Even someone new to the interface can easily navigate and utilize the online tool because the minimalistic approach is significantly intuitive.
Tailor-made APIs for Selling Products Directly From Multiple Vendors
The Magento 2 store we built for the client allows them to sell firearms directly from a vendor. The supplier or manufacturer can dropship the products directly to the FFL dealer. To accomplish this, we had to connect the client's Magento 2 store with multiple systems belonging to various firearms suppliers or manufacturers.
Furthermore, manufacturers use unique systems to relay essential data like product information to external systems like the client's Magento 2 store. Hence, we had to create customized APIs that work seamlessly with the supplier/manufacturer's internal system. Since every software system is unique, we had to overcome new and sometimes more complex challenges when developing custom APIs.
Besides that, we had to ensure data standardization while transferring information to and fro using multiple APIs. Any error in the communication could lead to end users seeing the wrong products, prices, or images, significantly impacting user experience. Our expert team ensured the communication using the custom APIs was flawless and uninterrupted, providing a better user experience.
Payment Gateway Integration for High-risk Firearms Business
Payment gateway integration is often challenging for developing an eCommerce website. Believe it or not, the same process is even more complex regarding online firearms stores. Payment gateway integration for an online gun store is unique and challenging because most brands consider it a high-risk business.
However, the high-risk status of online firearm business is primarily due to the negative reputation and bad publicity associated with firearms. The experts at Virtina are all too familiar with these challenges and can help online firearm stores with flexible payment gateway integrations. We even created a custom platform for selling guns online based on the powerful Magento 2 platform.
Enhance the flexibility of your Magento 2 store with advanced payment integrations
The experts at Virtina also ensured that the client's Magento 2 store supports various payment options, including ACH payments and eChecks. Our client also has the opportunity to integrate transnational payment gateways in their Magento 2 store. As a result, the customers on the client's Magento 2 store can choose a convenient payment method for buying firearms and accessories.
Automatic Product and Inventory Update for Easy Magento 2 Store Management
Since we developed the client's online firearm store from scratch, we equipped it with many tailor-made features and functionalities. One of the most attractive features we included in the Magento 2 store is the Automatic Product and Inventory Update feature. The feature enables the Magento 2 store to update its products and inventory without manual intervention.
As a result, the customer can buy products from different vendors in the client's Magento 2 store. It enables the client to sell an extensive line of products and add even more vendors if or when needed. Hence, the client can scale up their operations significantly easier. But, they must connect the new vendor's system to their website using a custom API.
Besides that, our Magento development team also equipped the client's eCommerce store. However, the customers can only drop ship some items to their home addresses because of federal and state laws. The client can dropship other items to the nearest FFL dealer the customer specifies. Customers can go to the FFL dealer and collect their firearms at a location of their choice.
Custom Scalability Enhancement and Tailored Search Options
We at Virtina always prioritize the scalability of the websites we develop. It was no different for the online firearm dealer. The Magento 2 store we created for the client can offer a new line of products by integrating new vendors into their system. Our client can quickly scale up their operations by incorporating new plugins for additional features and functionalities.
We also ensured the customers could easily find the item they wanted regardless of how many products the client sold. Virtina experts tailor-made a search and filter option that allows customers to apply various parameters to find the right product. The filter option lets the customer choose the brand, caliber, and more.
Scale up your Magento 2 store and expand your business operations today
Custom Magento Development With Advanced Settings for an Online Firearms Dealer
The Magento developers at Virtina created a technically superior online firearms store for the client that meets all their eCommerce needs. We equipped the client's website with advanced features and capabilities like FFL Dealer Locator. The result is a highly intuitive online firearms store that can serve the end users' and admin's needs.