When I launched my third “brilliant” side project last year (don’t ask about the first two), I was hit with an annoying realization: having a website is crazy expensive. Ten bucks here, $15 there, and suddenly I was paying more to keep it alive than I was hoping to make selling my cute little stickers. So I started looking for alternatives, and that’s when I stumbled onto BonoHost’s lifetime web hosting plan. No monthly bills. No tiered “basic” vs “pro” nonsense. Just one payment, unlimited everything. Naturally, I was suspicious. But I took the plunge, and months later, I haven’t paid another cent, and everything still runs like clockwork. Here’s what you actually get For a one-time fee ($58.50 with code BONO10 at checkout, normally $64.99), you get unlimited websites, domains, bandwidth, email addresses, databases, and storage. No caps. No creeping usage fees. It also includes a beginner-friendly control panel and one-click installs for 1,500+ apps—like WordPress, e-commerce stores, CRMs, and more. Basically, BonoHost gives you the tools most other providers hide behind paywalls—and the support staff hasn’t ghosted me once. What it doesn’t include (but that’s OK) You’ll still need to buy your own domain name (think: myweirdproject.com), which usually runs $10–$15/year through registrars like Namecheap or GoDaddy. There’s no way around that. Also, this is shared hosting. So, while it works great for blogs, portfolios, and small business sites, it’s not meant for running a high-traffic SaaS empire or spinning up an AI chatbot with GPU needs. A no-brainer for anyone tired of paying monthly forever If you’re launching a blog, freelancing, selling art, or just want your own corner of the internet, this hosting plan gives you what you need without the recurring charge. It’s like buying your own coffee maker instead of paying $6 at a time for someone else to do it at Starbucks. Use code BONO10 at checkout to drop the price from $64.99 to $58.50 (MSRP is usually $1,614.60, so this is a crazy-good deal on an unlimited web hosting plan). StackSocial prices subject to change. _ BonoHost Unlimited Plan: Lifetime Web Hosting Subscription See Deal

McDonald's announced that it is closing its spin-off, CosMc's. Scott Olson/Getty Images 2025-05-24T18:14:23Z Save Saved Read in app This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account? McDonald's is closing its CosMc's spin-off drink shops. CosMc's, which launched in 2023, drew comparisons to coffee shops like Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts. McDonald's sales declined this year amid economic uncertainty. McDonald's announced on Friday that it is closing its CosMc's spin-off line of Starbucks-style drink shops.McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski said in the company's last earnings call that drinks from CosMc's would be introduced to "hundreds of McDonald's restaurants" in the future."In connection with this next phase of testing, we will begin closing all stand-alone CosMc's pilot locations in late June, and the CosMc's app will be discontinued," a McDonald's spokesperson told Business Insider.When it opened in 2023, CosMc's drew comparisons to Starbucks. Its menu included coffees, teas, lemonades, slushes, breakfast sandwiches, and small donut-like pastries called "McPops."In a December 2023 meeting with investors, Kempczinski said that CosMc's is a "small format concept with all the DNA of McDonald's but its own unique personality.""Its menu includes new customizable drinks, sweet and savory treats and familiar favorites such as the Egg McMuffin," Kempczinski said in the meeting.In its announcement on Friday, McDonald's said CosMc's served as a good testing ground for different new flavors, and it plans to blend the "out of this world tastes" of CosMc's drinks into "the McDonald's experience.""What started as a belief that McDonald's had the right to win in the fast-growing beverage space quickly came to life as a multi-location, small format, beverage-focused concept," the company said. "It allowed us to test new, bold flavors and different technologies and processes — without impacting the existing McDonald's experience for customers and crew."The closing of CosMc's comes as McDonald's faces its lowest sales since the COVID-19 lockdowns. US same-store sales at McDonald's declined 3.6% during the first quarter.With low-income diners pulling back their spending over the past year due to economic uncertainty, McDonald's saw even more middle-income buyers do the same during its first quarter, Kempczinski said in an earnings call."People are just being more judicious in cutting back on visits," he told investors.

Starbucks in South Korea has barred customers from using the names of South Korea’s six presidential candidates in their orders ahead of next month’s presidential election. A Starbucks Korea spokesperson told NBC News the policy was introduced “in order to prevent inappropriate and abusive use of the names.” The decision comes as South Koreans have increasingly used their Starbucks’ orders to make a political statement—ordering via app under presidential candidates’ names, and using phrases in support of or to oppose them, forcing baristas to call them out for pickup, per NBC. Some examples of those orders include: “Arrest Yoon Suk Yeol” and “[opposition leader] Lee Jae-myung is a spy,” per the BBC. According to Starbucks, the company needs to “maintain political neutrality during election season” and will lift the ban on June 3 after the election, the BBC reported. Like many South Korean businesses, Starbucks is seeking neutrality amid the charged political atmosphere around the election, stemming from former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s brief martial law declaration and subsequent impeachment trial, which has deeply divided the East Asian democracy. Similarly, Naver, South Korea’s biggest search engine, has disabled the autocomplete feature on searches for the candidates, a common practice for the tech giant during an election cycle, according to the BBC. The six presidential candidates’ names that Starbucks has banned are: Lee Jae-myung, from the country’s liberal Democratic Party (DP); Kim Moon-soo, from former president Yoon Suk Yeol’ conservative People Power Party (PPP); and Lee Jun-seok, Kwon Young-kook, Hwang Kyo-ahn, and Song Jin-ho. As Fast Company previously reported, Starbucks recently posted “disappointing” earnings results for the second quarter of fiscal 2025 that ended on March 30. Unlike in the previous quarter, Starbucks did not beat analyst revenue expectations of $8.83 billion and an adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of 49 cents, according to Yahoo Finance. Instead, the company posted a revenue of $8.76 billion and an adjusted EPS of 41 cents. One key metric, U.S. comparable store sales, declined 2% in Q2. Shares in Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ: SBUX) were trading up about 1% on Friday.

Some people possess an innate talent for finding gifts on a budget. No matter the occasion (anniversary, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day) or recipient (wife, boyfriend, teens, in-laws), they somehow nail it every time — winning the unofficial "best gift-giver" award among those who are lucky to know them. If you're not the most intuitive gift giver, fear not. We've put together a list of the best gift ideas for under $50. These unique, budget-friendly gifts won't break the bank, and you might even see some solid discounts on them if you're lucky. Opens in a new window Credit: Uncommon Goods Acupressure Tension Release Mat For relieving tension Great for the person who loves trying out the latest alternative therapies, but is perhaps a bit squeamish around needles. Lay on it, roll it up and use it as a pillow, or even stand on it to help relieve tension built up in the body throughout the day. Buying Options $48 from Uncommon Goods Opens in a new window Credit: Crock-Pot Crock-Pot Electric Lunch Box For having a hot lunch For that person who has everything. We love this electric lunch box with an internal capacity of 20 ounces, an ideal side for a personal meal portion. Available in four different colors, the stainless steel interior can be removed and washed in the dishwasher. Buying Options See Details Opens in a new window Credit: Nisaku Hori Hori Garden Knife For those who love to garden A beloved tool for anyone who spends all their spare time in the garden. Part knife and part trowel, the stainless steel blade includes measurements so you always have a sense for depth when planting. Plus the serrated side helps tackle tough soil and weeds. Buying Options $29 from Amazon Opens in a new window Credit: Roku A Roku Express 4K+ For Netflix binge-watchers Mashable contributor Callum Bains called the Roku Express 4K+ a "fast, no-nonsense streaming device with a price to match." (It's our favorite budget media player on the market.) Plug it into a TV's HDMI port for all-in-one entertainment and hands-free voice control. Buying Options $39.99 from Amazon Opens in a new window Credit: Kasa Kasa Smart Plugs For a quick home upgrade Set a schedule for the living room lights, use the app to turn on the white noise machine in the nursery, or pair with an Alexa device to make them voice-activated. Smart plugs provide greater control over the devices within a home and are a quick and simply way to upgrade a space. Buying Options $29.99 from Amazon Opens in a new window Credit: YETI YETI Rambler Stackable Mug For coffee fiends If they frequently take their coffee into the great outdoors, whether that's on their porch or on a camping trip, grab them a Yeti Rambler mug. It's dishwasher-safe and comes in tons of colors, from basic black to fire-engine red. Buying Options $30 from Amazon Opens in a new window Credit: Dash Heart-shaped waffle maker For cute little breakfasts What's cuter than a tiny heart-shaped waffle maker? A tiny heart-shaped waffle maker with a tiny heart-shaped waffle inside. Breakfast is about to get so adorable — especially when they realize they can make heart-shaped hash browns, too. Buying Options $19.99 from Amazon Opens in a new window Credit: JBL Wireless JBL earbuds For daily commuters Who says you have to pay $300 for a decent pair of true wireless earbuds? JBL has proven time and again that it can deliver high-quality audio — and for a lot less than its competitors. These buds are available at Amazon for just a hair under $50, but you can usually grab them for a lot less. Buying Options $49.95 from Amazon Opens in a new window Credit: Hemlock Park A crackling wood-wick candle For candle-heads These unique candles ditch the standard cotton wicks for wood wicks, and that results in a crackling effect that will remind you of sitting around a campfire. If you're tired of the same old candles, they bring some excitement to the product category. This complex and woodsy scent uses pleasing notes of palo santo wood, myrrh, bergamot, amber, frankincense, and rosewood. Buying Options $24.95 from Amazon Opens in a new window Credit: Lodge Cast Iron A Lodge cast iron skillet For home chefs Cast iron skillets are the versatile workhorses of any kitchen — they retain heat tremendously well and can be used for almost any dish, from steak to skillet cookies. (They're also durable enough to be used over a campfire, if your recipient's into that.) Lodge's pans come pre-seasoned for immediate use and can last for decades with proper care. Buying Options $26.71 from Amazon Opens in a new window Credit: Stasher Stasher bags For eco warriors Stasher's popular reusable bags are made from heavy-duty, food-grade silicone that can be frozen, boiled, microwaved, baked, and tossed in the dishwasher. They come in myriad sizes, colors, and shapes, including snack pouches, bowls, and new "beauty bags" for makeup. Buying Options $18.99 from Amazon Opens in a new window Credit: Wild One / Mashable composite A Wild One Treat Pouch For dog parents "Walkies," but make it fashion. Wild One's Treat Pouch has a hidden compartment for a roll of poop bags and adjustable carrying straps that let you wear it like a crossbody bag or a fannypack. It's available in at least five colors (depending on the season) and overall super stylish — you'd never know it was made from recycled water bottles. Buying Options $44 from Amazon Opens in a new window Credit: National Geographic A National Geographic Earth Science Kit For young scientists If you know a kid who goes crazy for science experiments, this STEM gift kit will delight them to no end (and make you their favorite grown-up). It comes with over 15 activities — including crystal growing, building a volcano, and unearthing geological treasures — that are both easy to follow and easy to clean up after. Buying Options $29.99 from Amazon Opens in a new window Credit: LEGO A LEGO Orchid building kit For LEGO masters This bestselling kit from LEGO's Botanical Collection for adults builds into a realistic orchid with six large flowers, two newly opened buds, and a fluted pot (complete with some "bark mix" the actual plant would grow in). It contains 608 pieces, so it'll take the better part of an afternoon to assemble. No watering or pruning required! Buying Options $49.99 from Amazon Opens in a new window Credit: OXO An OXO Brew Compact Cold Brew Coffee Maker For coffee connoisseurs Starbucks gift cards are a nice gesture, but categorically lame. The Mashable's Choice Award-winning OXO Brew Compact Cold Brew Coffee Maker is a better way to gift someone their next caffeine fix: "[It] pays for itself in one or two brews, and the cold brew concentrate it produces is consistently strong, velvety smooth, and richly flavorful," wrote contributor Sam Stone. Buying Options $34.95 from Amazon Opens in a new window Credit: Apple An Apple AirTag For forgetters This quarter-sized Bluetooth tracker works seamlessly with the Find My app, which comes pre-installed on iPhones and iPads — super convenient for anyone who's already plugged into the Apple ecosystem. If an item the AirTag is attached to ever gets lost or misplaced, its owner can pull up its last-known location on their device or ask Siri to find it. Buying Options $29 from Amazon Opens in a new window Credit: AnotherStudio Houseplant ornaments For plant parents Made by the London-based design company AnotherStudio, these miniature metal ornaments are cute accessories for houseplant pots and terrariums. If you don't think your recipient would be into the mushrooms (available in brass and stainless steel), they also come in impressively detailed animal, flower, and fruit shapes. Buying Options $17.88 from Etsy Opens in a new window Credit: Hearth and Hand Cookbook stand by Hearth & Hand™ with Magnolia For the home chef Cooking from a recipe you found online is great — until you have to keep touching your phone every few minutes to see it. Gift the home chef in your life this aesthetically pleasing stand to give them a much-needed kitchen assist. Built to easily hold a cookbook at reading level, it'll just as easily accommodate a tablet, phone, or 2-in-1 laptop. Buying Options $19.99 from Target Opens in a new window Credit: Piecework Puzzles A Piecework puzzle For puzzlers Mashable's most dedicated puzzle fiends swear by Piecework, which makes unique puzzles out of stunning (and intricately detailed) photos. This 500-piece puzzle won't drive anyone too crazy, but if your puzzle fan loves a challenge, check out the brand's 1,000-piece sets. Buying Options $34 from Piecework Opens in a new window Credit: PetSafe A PetSafe Bolt Automatic Laser Light Cat Toy For cat parents For senior culture reporter Christianna Silva and their feisty cat, Colby Jack, the Mashable's Choice Award-winning PetSafe Bolt "was a godsend...It works reliably, solves a problem, turns off automatically, and is virtually hassle-free." It operates in two modes, so your recipient can control it themselves or set it to a random pattern and have their cat burn off some energy solo. Buying Options $23.95 from Amazon Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Vitamix personal-size blender For making smoothies Personal, portable, and extremely adorable — that's the name of the game with this 16-oz travel blender from beloved kitchenware brand Ninja. Ideal for meal prepping the night before or stashing in a cooler for a quick, on-demand smoothie, this is one of those practical gifts that quickly turns into a fun (and did we mention cute?) daily ritual for its recipient. Buying Options $49.88 from Walmart Opens in a new window Credit: Shutterfly A custom Shutterfly photo book For sentimental types Starting around $25, Shutterfly's photo books can be personalized from top to bottom with different layouts, bindings, cover finishes, stickers, and ribbons — it's like scrapbooking on steroids. If you're looking for a gift idea that'll speak from the heart and be cherished for years to come, they're guaranteed to bring a tear to the eye of any parent or significant other. Buying Options See Details Opens in a new window Credit: Le Creuset A Le Creuset Mini Round Cocotte For foodies Yes, you can gift someone a Le Creuset cocotte for less than $50 — a *very small* Le Creuset cocotte, but the point technically still stands. Made from nonstick stoneware that's safe for oven, broiler, microwave, and dishwasher use, the 8-ouncer is a nice size for individual cobblers and pot pie. It's available in colors like Cerise (pictured), Artichaut, Nectar, Chambray, Azure, and more. Buying Options $32 from Le Creuset Opens in a new window Credit: BaBylissPRO A BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Mini Straightening Iron For beauty buffs Ideal for on-the-go touch-ups, this miniature version of BaBylissPRO's premium flat iron can get as hot as 430°F. It features the exact same titanium-ceramic plates as the standard size (only these are half an inch wide), which are designed for even heating and reducing frizz. Buying Options $34.99 from Amazon Opens in a new window Credit: Clarkson Potter 'What's for Dessert: Simple Recipes for Dessert People' For bakers From "Dessert Person" Claire Saffitz comes this beginner-friendly cookbook with over 100 simple and efficient recipes for sweet treats. (Emphasis on "simple and efficient" — none of them require a stand mixer and only half need a hand mixer.) Entries are accompanied by beautiful retro-style photography and helpful troubleshooting tips. Buying Options $37.50 from Amazon Opens in a new window Credit: Annapurna Interactive 'Stray' For PlayStation gamers Available for PS4, PS5, and PC (via Steam), "Stray" is a 2022 third-person game that follows an orange tabby cat who's trying to escape a grungy cyberpunk city — and yes, you play as the cat. Mashable tech and games reporter Alex Perry described it as a stunning sci-fi adventure "with a sweet story, endearing characters, and some truly gross art design at times (in the best way)." Buying Options $39.99 from Best Buy Opens in a new window Credit: LIFX A LIFX Color smart bulb For techies LIFX Color smart bulbs are vibrant and easy to install — and unlike the Philips Hue variety, they don't require a bridge or a hub to work with WiFi. Mashable contributor RJ Andersen has replaced about half the bulbs in their house with these things: "Would I recommend [LIFX bulbs] to anyone looking to tip-toe into smart lighting? Absolutely," they said. Buying Options $39.99 from Amazon Opens in a new window Credit: Stanley A Stanley Quencher H2.0 FlowState Tumbler For hip sippers TikTok's favorite reusable drinking vessel is a 40-ounce, travel-friendly tumbler with a removable straw, a comfort-grip handle, and an insulated, stainless steel body that can keep drinks iced for up to 40 hours. It comes in a bunch of trendy colors, including some limited-edition ones that'll earn you some extra cool points. Buying Options $45 from REI Opens in a new window Credit: Kenneth Bachor / Mashable A Death Digital fisheye lens For amateur videographers Death Digital's fisheye iPhone lens makes it possible to recreate the unique style of '90s music and skateboarding videos with your smartphone. It earned our Mashable's Choice Award for its durable build quality and user-friendliness: "For under $50, it’s a great timeless accessory that’s small and easy to throw in your pocket," wrote contributor Kenneth Bachor. Buying Options $45 from Death Digital Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack For Nintendo Switch gamers Nintendo's premium membership tier unlocks online play, libraries of classic retro games, cloud saves, and access to select DLCs. (That includes 48 additional courses for "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe" and the "Happy Home Paradise" expansion for "Animal Crossing: New Horizons.") A year-long individual plan comes in just under $50, which is easily one of the best deals in gaming. Buying Options $49.99 from Nintendo Opens in a new window Credit: Yonanas A Yonanas soft-serve machine For ice cream lovers The Yonanas is a borderline brilliant kitchen gadget from Dole that can successfully turn frozen fruit into a smooth, soft serve-adjacent dessert — a great gift for regular ice cream eaters who want to switch things up, *or* anyone who follows a vegan, keto, or dairy-free diet. Another Mashable Choice Award-winner, it "seriously impressed" contributor Michelle Rostamian. Buying Options $49.99 from Amazon Opens in a new window Credit: Necessaire Necessaire body wash For pampering This eucalyptus-scented body wash from the trendy brand Necessaire is the perfect "fancy-version-of-a-staple" gift. (That's also why we're suggesting the large pump bottle.) There are also exfoliators, serums, and body lotions available, just in case you want to make it a set. Buying Options $38 from Amazon Opens in a new window Credit: Bloomscape A high-tech mister For advanced plant care For plant parents who really go the extra mile, the Mossify Mistr sprays a "continuous fine mist" to keep humidity-favoring plants happy. Think spray bottle, but fancy: This is great for the person who likes to have a USB-compatible version of everything. Buying Options $50 from Bloomscape

We may earn a commission from links on this page.When I first reviewed the Boox Palma e-reader, I called it the ideal solution to your doomscrolling habit—a device as portable and pocketable as a phone, with an adaptable Android operating system that allows you to run any apps you want, but with an e-ink screen that is both easier on the eyes and not nearly as stimulating to stare at as your smartphone’s LED display. Weirdly, by looking like a smartphone but feeling just a little bit worse to use (complimentary), this little device helped me smash my 2025 reading goal in fewer than six months.But doomscrolling isn’t a mobile-only problem (at least, not for me)—it’s just as easy to get sucked into the latest political outrage when I’m scrolling Bluesky on my laptop via my web browser, never mind that I'm supposed to be writing. So I decided to take a cue from the Palma fans on Reddit and explore transforming my Palma into an on-the-go productivity device: a coffee shop-friendly word processor that wouldn’t leave me pretending to work while I was really scrolling social media or wandering down another Wiki-hole.To put it to the test, I decided I would write up my findings on the Palma itself—yes, I wrote this entire article on an e-reader. BOOX Palma 2 Mobile ePaper Fingerprint Recognition Smart Button Dual Speakers Microphones (White) $299.99 at Amazon Shop Now Shop Now $299.99 at Amazon iClever Foladable Bluetooth Keyboard $54.99 at Amazon Shop Now Shop Now $54.99 at Amazon SEE -1 MORE How to turn your Boox Palma (or other Android e-reader) into a mini-word processorBecause the Palma runs on an open version of Android, using it as a replacement for your laptop is as simple as connecting a Bluetooth keyboard. (While the Palma is my favorite e-reader, you can use a similar setup on any open Android e-ink device—not just those from Boox, like the Note Air 4C and Note Max, but also from competitors like Bigme and Hisense.) In the interest of keeping my setup as svelte and portable as possible, I opted for the iClever BK08, a slim foldable that, when stored, is roughly the size and thickness of the Palma itself. It even has a trackpad and comes with a little cloth carrying case that has enough room to fit my favorite little e-reader. (Annoyingly, it does not fit the little foldable stand that comes with the keyboard.) Credit: Joel Cunningham Getting it set up was simply a matter of enabling Bluetooth on my Palma, putting the keyboard in pairing mode, and opening up Google Docs. (Well, and also spending five minutes looking for the setting to disable the onscreen keyboard when a physical keyboard is attached.) To do this on the Palma, you'll need to go into the system-level Settings app, scroll to More Settings, then tap Language and Input. Tap Current and select ONYX Keyboard as your default. Next, connect the keyboard via Bluetooth, open your Google Doc, and tap on the screen to bring up the onscreen keyboard. Tap the settings icon (it looks like a hexagon with a hole in the center) and then Switch Keyboard. Turn the slider next to Show virtual keyboard to off. (These directions will obviously vary if you're using a different Android-based e-reader, like the Bigme B751C, which I have yet to test out.)With this accomplished, you're all set to begin treating your e-reader like a teeny tiny laptop.What it's like to write on the Boox PalmaIf you’ve ever tried to search for something on your Kindle using the clunky onscreen keyboard, you might be expecting the experience of typing onto an e-ink screen would be a similar exercise in frustration. I had my own doubts, given I wasn’t thrilled with the performance of Boox’s own keyboard dock for the Note Max tablet I tested last year. But the iClever keyboard impressed me–the build quality feels good, it's small but not unreasonably so for shorter writing sessions, and it even has a small touch-sensitive trackpad that allowed me to click around within Google Docs (though to be honest, just using the touch screen is faster and easier). Performance-wise, I noticed no significant delay between pressing the keys and the characters appearing on the screen. To be fair, this likely has less to do with the keyboard (which is a sturdy little device, and fun to fold and unfold, but likely any Bluetooth keyboard will perform similarly) and more to do with Boox’s speedy refresh modes, which do their darnedest to make the Palma's e-ink screen as responsive as the LED on your smartphone. Do they get there? Kinda. Ish. If you put the Palma in “speed” mode, you can watch YouTube on the Palma and almost make out what’s happening onscreen. But typing is way less graphically intense, and as a word processor, this little e-reader is as speedy as you need it to be.The setup is great for writing without distractions: No intrusive notifications, no new tabs to click away to just for a second. Depending on how you configure your settings, the smaller display can also mean you'll only see a few lines of text at any given time, which can be a boon if you're the kind of person who gets caught up in obsessive on-the-fly editing: You'll be able to quickly get the words out, and leave the revisions for later, when you're back in front of a "real" computer.The biggest hiccup I experienced had nothing to do with the keyboard at all. For some reason, the Palma didn’t want to play nice with the free wifi at Starbucks. I could connect to it, but the popup menu where you agree to the terms of use kept crashing before I could enter my email address and click “agree.” One could argue this is a feature and not a bug—you can’t waste time online if you can’t get online—but I also wasn't able to back up my writing to the cloud without connecting to my iPhone's hotspot.The bottom lineAs fun and functional as I found this setup, I’m not suggesting you toss out your laptop in favor of an e-reader—full disclosure, I did not edit and insert the images into this review using the Palma, and I didn’t even bother trying to connect it to the Lifehacker CMS. But if you just want to be left alone with a blinking cursor, it’s kind of ideal. I wrote the preceding 1,000 words more or less in one go, without navigating away from Google Docs to check my email or respond to texts or a notification from Instagram, which is, er, not my usual workflow (no one tell my boss; I am very good at staying on task, I swear). 

Real-world journeys that blend digital, physical, and emotional touchpointsAt the very beginning, there were no templatesWhen e-commerce first took off, every website was a handcrafted experience. Brands hired developers to code their stores from scratch, pouring hours into every layout decision and line of code. It was messy, expensive, and full of quirks — but each site had a personality. No two stores looked alike, and that uniqueness helped brands stand out (for better or worse).Then came the era of standardization. Platforms like Shopify and Magento made it easy to spin up an online store in hours, not months. Templates took over, and with them came the rise of best practices, grid systems, and polished uniformity. This shift was supported by principles like Jakob’s Law, which tells us that users spend most of their time on other sites — so experiences should feel familiar. It was the golden age of efficiency — just not of originality. But now, the pendulum is swinging back. More and more brands are breaking free from the template mold, crafting distinctive, memorable experiences that turn browsing into something closer to brand theatre. Conversion matters — but so does character.Luxury is leading character-based e-commerceWhile living in Shanghai, I saw firsthand how luxury brands embraced digital experiences without compromising their identity. Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Prada proved that people were willing to buy high-ticket items online, long before it became the norm. I still remember the buzz when someone in Shanghai bought a Ferrari online. It was a wake-up call: e-commerce had matured.Luxury brands, especially in China, began investing in beautifully crafted websites that didn’t just sell — they told stories. They became pioneers of what best-in-class online shopping could feel like. Before diving into broader industry examples, let’s look at a few luxury sites that show how to combine simplicity, usability, and brand immersion.Louis Vuitton offers a seamless journey through thousands of products while maintaining an elegant, editorial aesthetic. It’s a smart balance of information density and calm navigation that respects the user’s cognitive load.Celine made a bold move with a unique left-side navigation that breaks convention without breaking usability — bringing core controls within easy reach and inviting curiosity through layout.Dior invites you to explore the craftsmanship behind its products before nudging you toward e-commerce. This thoughtful sequence taps into the Peak-End Rule: people remember the emotional peak and the ending, not every step. Dior ensures both are on-brand and memorable.Louis Vuitton’s website combines seamless site loading with elegant visuals and best in class navigation.Celine came up with a unique left side navigation.Dior wants you to first see how their bags are handcrafted before even going into the ecommerce section.Delightful Experiences Powered by Modern TechToday (in 2025), designing great e-commerce experiences is both more challenging and more exciting than ever. Why? Because we now have more tools at our disposal — AI-powered chatbots, recommendation engines, immersive video, and more. But technology alone isn’t enough. It takes smart experience design to turn these tools into something customers truly value.Dior — Recovering from “Out of Stock” with GraceWhen a friend of mine rushed to Dior’s website after seeing their new foundation stick on TikTok, it was already sold out. Instead of a dead end, the site invited her to leave her email for a restock alert. The next day, she received an email with a direct link to her shade, picked “pick up in store,” and shortly after, got a personalized WhatsApp message from a Beauty Advisor. Dior turned a moment of friction into an orchestrated omnichannel success story — from anonymous browser to known customer (capturing someone’s email on your site should be one of your key objectives).Dior’s “Alert me” CTA leads to an email capture.Oysho — Communicating Lifestyle & QualityOysho is a masterclass in how to blend emotional connection with functional UX. The website immerses you in a world of wellness, movement, and slow fashion. It’s not just about the products; it’s about how you’ll feel wearing them. Their art direction — light-filled photography, calm color palettes, and minimal design — reinforces a brand identity centered on mindful living.From a UX perspective, the site is quietly brilliant. Returning users immediately see their order status, creating a sense of continuity (and reducing anxiety). Gift-wrapping flows and personalized messages add thoughtful delight, while back-in-stock alerts close the loop with zero friction.Gifting options on Oysho include a personal message, gift wrapping and not including the cost of the purchase. Very thoughtful.The site does an excellent job of communicating the functional benefits of their clothing — like breathable or high-resistance fabrics — using clean, unobtrusive icons. These subtle visual cues enhance decision-making without adding friction, creating a sense of trust and product clarity. It’s a design tactic Uniqlo also uses effectively, especially for their tech-enhanced basics, where innovation needs to be conveyed clearly but without overwhelming the shopper.Oysho strikes a perfect balance between inspire and shopping.In doing so, Oysho taps into the Aesthetic-Usability Effect — the perception that beautiful interfaces are more usable, which increases patience and satisfaction even when minor issues arise.Uniqlo — The Online/Offline QueenUniqlo continues to quietly disrupt the fashion world with a digital ecosystem that just works. The brilliance lies not in bells and whistles, but in a frictionless, service-oriented approach that integrates online convenience with in-store immediacy.Here’s what sets Uniqlo apart:Check store inventory in real-time, down to color and size — even when you’re in-store. Using the app, you can scan a product tag to instantly see which sizes or colors are available nearby.Reserve online, pick up in store the same day — a perfect blend of impulse and instant gratification.RFID self-checkout in physical stores is almost magical: just drop your clothes into the checkout tray, and everything is automatically scanned. No barcodes. No awkward folding. Just out.Membership benefits are effortlessly cross-channel — simply scan your member code from the app, and you’re recognized whether shopping online or in person. It’s a seamless loyalty experience that doesn’t ask customers to jump through hoops.Behind all this is a Uniqlo does this beautifully, absorbing backend complexity to offer a surprisingly intuitive customer journey.Making the checkout very simple while capturing the users membership information to connect offline to online experiences.Same day click and collect make it convenient to order online things that I can pick up later when I go out for lunch with is close to a Uniqlo store and don’t have to wait for it to be delivered to my home.Starbucks — Best-Value Membership ExperienceStarbucks has created a digital flywheel powered by simplicity and consistency. Everything revolves around one app. It’s your loyalty card, your payment tool, your order-ahead assistant, your offer inbox — and your direct line to perks. It all feels effortless, but that’s precisely the point. Compare that to other retailers who force you to log into a website just to check your points — assuming you even remember your password. Starbucks eliminates those micro-frustrations entirely.And because it’s a native app, it taps into core mobile capabilities — like GPS for finding nearby stores, integrated payment, and real-time push notifications — without ever feeling like it’s trying too hard. This kind of thoughtful integration is exactly what makes omnichannel UX feel natural, fluid, and genuinely useful.The loyalty system is brilliantly simple: earn one star per dollar, unlock rewards. That’s no accident — it’s the Endowed Progress Effect at play. By giving users visible progress toward a reward, they’re far more likely to stay engaged and repeat behavior.Even better, the app is context-aware. It remembers your preferences, tailors offers, and knows your go-to store. It’s a prime example of personalization that empowers, not overwhelms.Starbucks Loyalty Points System — You always get rewardedNike — Personalization at ScaleNike has been one of the standout players in making personalization feel purposeful. Their site and emails adapt to your browsing and buying habits, surfacing just the right styles, sizes, and drops at the right time.This isn’t just smart targeting, Nike speeds up decision-making and makes the experience feel curated rather than crowded.Nike Personalised Newsletter ScreenshotMovie Theatres — What Not to DoTo truly appreciate great digital experiences, sometimes it helps to look at the frustrating ones. Buying a movie ticket online can still feel like dropdown-menu bingo: toggle between times, dates, locations, screen sizes, and seat availability until you’ve clicked yourself into submission. Then brace for upsells, fees, and a confusing confirmation page.And yet — movies are all about emotion, immersion, and excitement. Why doesn’t the digital journey reflect any of that? Imagine a platform that knows your favorite genres and actors, recommends the perfect showtimes, remembers your seat preferences, and rewards you with season passes or early access to premieres. Why not offer family bundles, VIP red carpet nights, or mood-based movie suggestions?There’s so much opportunity here to create something magical. Instead, most theatre sites treat ticketing like a utility — transactional, impersonal, and joyless. It’s a missed chance to design for passion.Closing ThoughtsWhile we now have more advanced tools than ever — from AI and real-time data to responsive frameworks — great customer experiences still don’t happen automatically. It takes skilled UX and CX designers to ask the right questions, map the right journeys, and infuse every digital touchpoint with brand identity and human insight.The best e-commerce experiences today don’t just convert. They connect. They inspire. They make people feel something. And that’s where design makes all the difference.Great CX isn’t just built. It’s designed — thoughtfully, intentionally, and with the end user at heart.Here a couple of resources that are worth exploring.Blurring boundaries: The online-offline fusion in Tech & Durables retailIn-Store & Online: Designing For the Changing Behaviors of Today's ShoppersNielsen Bridges Online and Offline Behaviors with Innovative Cross-Platform Offering5 brands that nail the art of omnichannel UX was originally published in UX Collective on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.