Chapter 2. Settings and Configurations

If you've ever used Magento in the past to operate an online store, you'll find that the backend of Magento 2 has changed considerably. The developers at Magento basically started from scratch in redesigning the administrative portal.

The user interface (UI) of the backend is much cleaner, more readable, and more logical. It was created on top of a responsive framework so that you can manage your store using anything from a tablet to a desktop computer, and the UI adjusts accordingly. The backend still won't work on a smartphone, as managing a Magento store on a phone would be incredibly difficult. The UI designers also improved grids—the table—style listing of products, customers, and so on—which makes it much easier to get your work done.

But more than just a pretty face, the Magento backend is your store's "back office." It is the place where you control how your store will operate, as well as what it will sell. Any retail business has certain business rules, such as shipping, payments, inventory management, returns and refunds, currency conversions, and much more.

Once you understand the many configurations possible in a Magento 2 installation, you'll realize your desired processes better, and will be able to leverage Magento to increase sales, satisfy more customers, and improve your e-commerce profitability.

In this chapter, we will do the following things: