NextJS E-Commerce Site with Payload CMS

Introduction

• Build Next.js powered e-commerce site with admin panel
• Key features: hero section, categories, new collections, ongoing deals, shop features, and footer
• Utilizes Next.js, Stripe, and TypeScript
• Admin panel for page management, products, categories, orders, etc.
• Uses Payload CMS for backend functionality

Project Overview

• Homepage: Hero section, categories, deals, and features
• Shop Page: Browse products, apply filters, and view product details
• Product Details: Product info, recommendations, add to cart
• Cart System: Modify quantities, real-time pricing, delete items
• Authentication: Login, register, recover password
• Checkout: Streamlined process, payments via Stripe
• Account Page: Personal info, order history, current orders
• Admin Panel: Full control over the site from custom pages, products, orders, categories, customers, SEO, and more

Setup and Configuration

Environment Setup

• Use Payload CMS's starter with Next.js and TypeScript
• Configure Payload CMS in the project
• Add necessary environment variables (DB URIs, Stripe keys, etc.)

Key Points

• Payload CMS allows defining schemas in TypeScript
• Ability to manage both content and functionality via a sleek admin panel
• Deployment capabilities with Vercel (coming soon with free tier on Payload + Vercel integration)
• Focus on creating scalable, secure, and customizable e-commerce solutions quickly

Implementation Details

Home Page Layout

• Hero Section: Implemented using customHero component
• Categories Section: Dynamic categories with images
• Deals of the Month: Countdown timer for deals
• Footer: Contact and social media links

Shop Page

• Display products filtered by categories or keywords
• Infinite scroll for better performance
• Integrate Payload CMS to fetch products dynamically
• Include sorting functionality for products (latest, oldest)

Product Details Page

• Show detailed info, related products, and add to cart functionality
• Ensure images are properly handled and displayed via Payload CMS
• Modify and style page layout using Tailwind CSS classes

Cart and Checkout

• Cart Page: Display cart items, manage quantities, show subtotal and total
• Checkout Page: Integrated payment handling using Stripe
• Customize look and feel of the cart and checkout pages
• Real-time updates of cart items and pricing

User Authentication

• Login/Register/Recover Password: Styled pages for seamless user experience
• Protected Routes: Ensure account and checkout pages are accessible only to authenticated users
• Utilize Payload CMS's built-in authentication mechanisms

Admin Panel

• Custom Pages: Add and manage various pages from the admin panel
• Product Management: Easily add, update, or delete products
• Order Management: Track and fulfill customer orders
• Category Management: Organize products into categories for better UX
• SEO Management: Optimize pages and product listings for search engines

Deployment and Maintenance

• Vercel: Deploy the application using Vercel for optimized performance
• Payload Cloud Integration: For media storage and API integrations
• Progressive Enhancements: Make use of Next.js and Payload updates

Future Enhancements

• User Profiles: Enable advanced user profiles and preferences
• Analytics: Integrate tools for tracking and analytics
• Marketing Integrations: Utilize tools for email marketing and promotions
• Advanced Filtering: Add more advanced product filtering and sorting options
• Enhanced Admin Features: Continuous improvements to admin capabilities for better site management

Conclusion

• Payload CMS with Next.js provides a powerful stack for building modern e-commerce solutions
• Focus on high performance, scalability, and customizability
• Continuous learning ensures developers stay up-to-date with best practices and technologies