If you run a professional online shop, you know: Content is no longer just an addition but a decisive factor for the shopping experience. Images, texts, videos, and interactive elements determine whether visitors become buyers. However, classic CMS tools are often cumbersome, require deeper HTML or CSS knowledge, and do not fit seamlessly into the shop system.
The Smartstore CMS Page Builder addresses this issue. It was specifically developed for e-commerce use, fully integrated into Smartstore, and combines intuitive operation with the latest technology. The goal: create content without programming, manage it flexibly, and always ensure an optimal, responsive design.
In the following, we present the features, benefits, and practical applications in detail.
Technological Basis: Why CSS Grid Layout Makes the Difference
A unique selling point of the Page Builder is the use of the native CSS Grid Layout. This layout system is now standard in modern browsers and offers decisive advantages:
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Performance: Layouts are based on lean, standards-compliant code, not heavy, proprietary frameworks.
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Flexibility: Rows, columns, and cells can be freely arranged and configured – even for complex, nested layouts.
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Future-proof: As it is a W3C standard, long-term compatibility is guaranteed.
Unlike many modular editors that generate their own code and are difficult to maintain, Smartstore consciously relies on a standards-compliant solution.
WYSIWYG Editor: Design Content Without Programming
The Page Builder strictly follows the WYSIWYG principle (What You See Is What You Get). Every adjustment – from text changes to image placements to complete layouts – is immediately visible in the editor.
Benefits for Shop Operators
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No code required: HTML or CSS knowledge is unnecessary.
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Short learning curve: Marketing staff can independently maintain content.
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Direct feedback: Changes are immediately noticeable without intermediate steps.
Benefits for Developers
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Relief: Developers no longer have to handle simple content adjustments.
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Compact code: The editor generates lean, valid code, which protects shop performance.
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Extensibility: Layouts can be easily adapted to more complex requirements.
Real-Time Drag & Drop
An outstanding feature is the real-time functionality: Content is not only dragged into the editor but placed without delay.
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Texts, images, and videos can be dragged directly into cells.
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Banners and sliders can be flexibly integrated.
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Products and product groups can be seamlessly integrated – ideal for landing pages with direct purchase options.
This speed enables work almost like in a graphic program – intuitive and efficient.
Powerful Grid Layout
The grid system is the heart of the builder. Users can define individual grids and determine the following parameters:
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Number of columns and rows
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Spacing between cells
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Individual widths and heights
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Possibility to overlap cells
This allows for the creation of layouts that go far beyond simple 1- or 2-column structures. This feature is particularly crucial for campaign sites, homepages with a storytelling focus, or visual product presentations.
Effects & Interactive Elements
In addition to structural construction, the builder offers a variety of design and interaction elements that make content more dynamic:
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Animations (fades, movements)
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Hover effects (e.g., color change or zoom)
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Overlays for image and video elements
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Parallax scrolling for dynamic backgrounds
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Flat boxes & megasizing for modern product presentation
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Gradients, borders & tints for individual design
This makes pages not only informative but also emotionally appealing - a crucial factor for the conversion rate.
Responsive Design on All Devices
A key advantage lies in the device-dependent adaptation:
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Layouts can be individually defined for smartphones, tablets, and desktops.
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Content can be shown or hidden depending on the device.
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Example: On mobile devices, a compact banner is displayed, while on desktops, a large-format gallery is shown.
The result: optimal user experience for all customers – regardless of the device.
Content Library & Storytelling
The Page Builder works with a content library where content is organized in so-called stories.
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Stories range from small widgets to complete pages.
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Content can be saved, reused, and customized.
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Blocks can be flexibly combined, even overlapping.
This turns content marketing into a storytelling tool: retailers can create themed worlds, design campaigns, and emotionally engage customers.
Target Pages & Publication Control
The content can be precisely controlled:
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Assignment to menu items (e.g., landing page for “summer collection”)
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Integration into widget zones (e.g., homepage banner or footer content)
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Scheduled publication (e.g., campaign start on Black Friday)
This greatly facilitates the planning and automation of marketing measures.
Theme Integration & Scalability
The builder is fully embedded into the existing Smartstore architecture.
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Automatic adoption of theme parameters like colors, typography, and layout options.
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Compatibility with multi-store environments – ideal for retailers with international shops.
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Multilingualism: Content can be maintained in all available languages.
This ensures a consistent brand identity across different markets and languages.
Update Security: Content Remains Intact
A common problem with individual themes: During a shop update, customizations are lost or require manual migration. The Smartstore Page Builder solves this problem as content is automatically transferred to new versions.
This means: minimized maintenance effort and maximum future-proofing.
Practical Examples
1. Emotional Product Presentation
A fashion retailer uses banners, product groups, and videos, combined with parallax effects, to emotionally stage a new collection.
2. Device-Compatible Campaigns
An electronics shop presents large comparison tables on desktops, while a simplified, scrollable view is shown on smartphones.
3. Time-Controlled Actions
A grocery shop activates seasonal offers only for certain periods – automatically at the start and end of the campaign.
4. International Multistore Strategy
A retailer with multiple country shops maintains content in different languages, adapts layouts per market, and still retains central control.
Conclusion
The Smartstore CMS Page Builder uniquely combines user-friendliness with technological sophistication. For retailers, this means: faster work, more flexibility, and better conversion rates.
For developers, it is a future-proof foundation that works with standard technologies, offers update security, and does not hinder individual customization.
with which shops can design content visually, responsively, and in line with the brand. Smartstore thus lays the foundation for a modern shopping experience that convinces and builds customer loyalty.
Do you still have questions about the Smartstore “CMS Page Builder”? Or would you like to give us feedback directly? You can reach us via the contact form, send us an email at info@smartstore.com, or call us from Monday to Friday between 10 am and 4 pm at +4923153350.