For eCommerce businesses operating on the Magento 2 platform, the administration aspect of the website may seem initially daunting. However, with some basic understanding and a step-by-step approach, managing a Magento 2 website can be straightforward and even enjoyable. In this guide, we will cover the necessary groundwork to successfully administer a Magento 2 website, including configuration, product and category management, and user management.
Table of Contents
Understanding Magento 2 Configuration
Before anything else, it is essential to understand Magento 2’s configuration section fully. The configuration section pertains to various settings within the Magento 2 backend, including store information, payment methods, shipping, taxes, customer settings, and many more. To locate the configuration section in Magento 2, navigate to Stores > Configuration.
Store Information
Under the Stores > Configuration section, there is an option for Store Information, which displays the store name, email, and address. It is essential to keep this information up-to-date since customers use this information to contact the store.
Payment Methods
Merchants can choose from several payment methods in Magento 2, including cash on delivery, PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfers. Payment processing details such as PayPal credentials and credit card processing information can be entered in the Payment Methods section under Stores > Configuration.
Shipping Methods
The Stores > Configuration section also includes the shipping methods, which customers will see during checkout. Magento 2 offers a range of shipping carriers, including USPS, UPS, and FedEx, and you can even add custom shipping rates for specific products or product categories.
Customer Settings
In the Customers section under Stores > Configuration, merchants can manage customer settings such as registration options, login information, and password strength requirements. This section also provides the option to edit email templates, which send automated emails to customers during various stages of the online shopping process.
Product and Category Management
After configuring the necessary settings, the next step is to manage products and categories within the Magento 2 backend.
Creating Categories
To add a new category, navigate to Catalog > Categories > Add New Category. Enter relevant information such as category name, URL key, description, and meta tags. After creating the category, assign products to it in the Products in Category section.
Adding Products
To create a new product in Magento 2, navigate to Catalog > Products > Add New Product. Fill out the necessary fields such as product name, description, SKU, price, weight, and product images. To associate the product with a category, navigate to the Categories section and select the relevant category.
Managing Product Attributes
Product attributes are key for organizing products and making it easier for customers to find what they are looking for. To manage product attributes in Magento 2, navigate to Stores > Attributes > Product. Here, merchants can create and manage product attributes such as color, size, material, and many more.
User Management
Finally, managing users and their access levels are essential for successful website administration. In Magento 2, the four primary user roles are Administrators, Customers, Guests, and Store Managers.
Adding and Managing Administrators
To add a new administrator, navigate to System > Permissions > Users > Add New User. Fill out necessary fields for the new user, including their name, contact information, and login credentials. Next, assign the user to the appropriate user role in System > Permissions > User Roles.
Customer Management
Customers are users who sign up on the website to purchase products or create accounts to save their information for future purchases. During the customer account creation process, the system will ask the user for specific details, such as a name, address, and contact information. Merchants can manage customer accounts and order histories by navigating to Customers > All Customers.
Guest Management
Anonymous users who browse products or make purchases without signing up for a customer account are guests. Merchants can view guest information and order histories by navigating to Sales > Orders > View Orders.
Store Manager Management
Store managers have access rights to certain areas of the website, depending on their assigned user roles. To manage store managers in Magento 2, navigate to System > Permissions > Roles and create a new user role or modify an existing one.
Conclusion
Magento 2 offers a robust eCommerce platform with a vast range of configuration options, product and category management tools, and user management features. Although it may seem daunting at first, a step-by-step approach to managing the website’s essential features is the most effective way to ensure a smooth operation. With this guide, beginners can confidently navigate Magento 2’s administration and thrive in the eCommerce marketplace.