5 Reasons to switch from the Blueprint to Stencil BigCommerce framework

BigCommerce launched Stencil framework in 2016, before that they have Blueprint legacy framework.

Since 2016 BigCommerce launched many updates. Now, BigCommerce uses Google cloud platform, that makes it more secure and stable. BigCommerce launches new and innovative features regularly.

BigCommerce legacy stores have Blueprint theme, and still today many of the BigCommerce stores using the same framework. BigCommerce has launched Stencil theme that has some unique features like mobile responsive, SEO friendly, and easily customizable. If you have a BigCommerce store that has Blueprint framework and want to upgrade it to Stencil framework, please go through below that will help you to take your decision.

We found below 5 reasons why you want to consider moving to Stencil framework from the Blueprint framework.

1. Build For Mobile
2. Built-in SEO Capability
3. Website Speed
4. Easy Customization
5. Developer-Friendly Framework

1. Build For Mobile

We all can see the eCommerce growth on mobile devices. Day to day orders from mobile devices has increased. Any business cannot ignore the mobile devices for their eCommerce website. Stencil framework website builds for mobile; it supports and performs equally on mobile, tablet, and desktop devices. If you move on stencil framework on the BigCommerce platform, you will open the door for mobile and tablet devices. That directly helps to increase your site visits and ultimately, it converts to the revenue.

Mobile CSS is in-built with the stencil framework. BigCommerce allows you to customize it based on your business requirements.  

2. Built-in SEO Capability

Stencil theme provides the best user experience. The average Google page is around 90 for desktop and 74 for the mobile devices on the Stencil framework. These are good numbers if you are looking for the organic optimization of the website on desktop devices. Stencil framework keeps you ahead in the organic competition.

It is evident when you move your store from one platform to another, Or if the view – HTML of the website changes; you can see a downfall in organic optimization. Still, if you are moving on a better platform or upgraded store with a better view and user experience, it will coverup the downfall in quick time. If You are moving from Blueprint to Stencil, where only view – HTML will change. It is not a full migration where you can see a long downfall. The stencil is more flexible, SEO friendly framework that ultimately helps your website to improve organic ranking. Moreover, Stencil supports rich snippets, that allows search engines to get a better view of what’s you are selling through your website, at what price and your customer ratings.

3. Website Speed

The Stencil framework helps the website to load fasters and optimize well. Here are the reasons:

• Akamai Image Manager: BigCommerce stores with Stencil themes come with Akamai Image Manager. It will automatically manage and optimize each online image for the best suitable combination of image size, image quality, and the image file format. It means images will load faster for the website visitors and reduce page loading time. As a result, you can improve the user experience by adding video and high-quality images without affecting page load time.
• CSS & JS setup: Multiple JavaScript and CSS files are responsible for multiple requests and slow down the page loading process. Stencil framework combines and minifies JavaScript and CSS. That reduces the number of requests and keep them lighter in size. Single CSS and JavaScript reduces requests and helps page to load faster.
• Google AMP: Stencil framework supports Google AMP (Accelerated Mobile Pages), that enables the website to load faster on the mobile devices. Google AMP empowers the website design to be fast with pages and instant loading. It allows to update & set webpage content to the best suitable position where it attracts new customers.

4. Easy Customization

The Stencil framework is easy to understand and update. Stencil editor allows you to update storefront user interface without any coding. It enables you to update colors, fonts, and other user interface in a quick time and efficiently. The Stencil framework support localization, so it allows you to target any customer across the globe in their language. It means you can define numerous languages to translate within each theme based on a predefined schema. Stencil framework takes you globally and allows you to update the user interface quickly.

5. Developer-Friendly Framework

BigCommerce is a cloud-based open-source platform. The Stencil framework support you to build and verify your code locally without affecting your live environment. Stencil framework does this by referencing the production storefront. It means that you can view, update, and test local storefront version without the involvement of the production version.

Stencil framework code is more developer-friendly in compare to the Blueprint framework. Today, BigCommerce develops and releases all-new features on the Stencil framework. You need to keep one point in your mind that once you move to the Stencil framework from the Blueprint, you can not revert it.

Ask RedefineCommerece expert for the smooth transition from the Blueprint to Stencil framework. We help online business owners to migrate to BigCommerce from any eCommerce platform. RedefineCommerece is a Certified BigCommerce partner.

1. Build For Mobile
2. Built-in SEO Capability
3. Website Speed
4. Easy Customization
5. Developer-Friendly Framework