Anyone who is inexperienced in Internet technologies may be intimidated by the phrase “online store”. In reality, there is nothing mysterious and otherworldly in web commerce technology. There is only very sophisticated software. The function of this software is to make the site visitor see all the information in a convenient form, as well as to solve certain problems with the help of this software.
Software that the customer receives in the form of a working site, can be divided into two fundamentally different parts. The first part - conditionally standard programs developed for hundreds and thousands of users, for example, the WordPress content management system or the Wooocommerce plugin. The second part is software developed specifically for the customer. The task of this software is to link together all the capabilities of standard software tools, and also solve those problems for which there are no ready-made solutions. This article is devoted to the software from the second part of this classification.
In order to develop a specialized part of the project, the contractor must have a document that will list required functions and characteristics of the future site. On the one hand, the contractor cannot guess the wishes of the customer. On the other hand, the customer does not always have complete information about the capabilities of a particular software. Therefore, we will try to list the usual stages and the typical milestones for the development of an online store. For the sake of clarity, we will use the WordPress/Woocommerce technology, however, all the information below is quite applicable to other technology options. Note that many of these milestones are valid for creating a corporate portal or personal blog.
Often, contacting technical support does not bring results, web studio programmers solve problems and fix problems on their own.
Often the specialized software modules such as templates (for Wordpress we use the term “theme”) are rarely used. They are used by a small (several hundred, or even less) number of programmers. In this regard, in the event that there is an error in the code, there is a possibility that this error will not be detected immediately.
There are often errors related to the lack of compatibility of the purchased template with new versions of software such as Wordpress, Woocommerce, etc.
The appearance of the menu in most paid templates is programmed by the template developers.
Elimination of possible layout and/or logic errors, which are often found in template developers, especially in the mobile version of the menu.
Product categories can be created automatically from the product categories available in the system (original development by the programmers of our web studio).
As a rule, the product categories menu is not a part of the paid templates software, with rare exceptions. Therefore, it is necessary to develop the menu layout, both for stationary and mobile devices.
Integration of structured XML, XLS, or other files with the product database of an existing online store using specialized software.
Non-standard software, with the help of which product prices in an online store become dynamic, i.e. they depend on the amount of the order, the category of the buyer, etc.
The feasibility of costs for the placement of original texts discussed in detail in this article. The system of categories serves to organize publications if the number af them does exceed several dozen.
The site administrator has the opportunity to publish one-page articles that automatically fall into in the appropriate category sections. All publication lists have automatic pagination (the so-called fragments that a site visitor can scroll through).
There are many frequently used JavaScript/jQuery plugins to implement the photo gallery, they are usually free. The task of the programmers is bind server-side image management algorithm to the external presentation of the photo gallery.
Uploading of images to projects based on technologies HTML/CSS or PHP template engine, executed by web studio staff. The customer could upload images by himself, in case of the site that have a content management system such as Wordpress.
It is recommended to upload photos with captions and alternative texts.
Web studio employees could develop a simple loto for the customer.
The logo is placed in the upper left corner site pages. On some sites, the logo is duplicated in the page footer.
Иногда, в зависимости от технического и художественного решения, логотип на мобильной версии размещается по центру экрана устройства.
The favicon is a small stylized image, which is displayed on the browser tab. It helps PC user to navigate in their open tabs. In addition, some search engines display a favicon in search results.
A simple favicon can be designed by employees of our web studio.
We will be able to change the color and nature of the background and frames. We will select the appropriate colors for the page elements, choose sizes and typefaces.
Such pages are called static pages because the nomenclature of them is predefined in the terms of reference. Pages of feature articles can be called dynamic, because in the terms of reference the number of such articles is not regulated. Accordingly, in the online store the product description pages are also dynamic.
The professional template comes with numerous widgets. Widgets are a logically separate block on the top, side or bottom panel of the site, which implements the logic for displaying or managing data. Placing widgets significantly improves the appearance and improves the quality of the functionality.
Here are just some of the parameters which we have to configure: currency display format, trade zones, delivery options, payment options, etc.
If the site visitor has passed the registration procedure, then he has additional features: personal account, order history, etc.
The site registration in the services “Google for Webmasters” and “Yandex-Webmaster”.
Create a special XML file with a list of all the site pages. This file is necessary for more complete and faster indexing of the site by search engines.
To speed up indexing, you need to place at least a few links to various pages of the site. Links can and should be posted both on social networks and in articles published on other sites on the Internet.
Counters can be placed explicitly, or they can be hidden. For an in-depth analysis of site usability, improving the conversion of advertising clicks, it is necessary to install analytical software, such as “Google Analytics” and “Yandex Metrics”.
The file is required for the correct indexing of the site by search engines.
The log entries contain the texts of feedback messages that have been verified by captcha, as well as additional information about orders.
There are a lot of options for improving the quality of the site. We have listed the main ones. In each specific case, the terms of reference must be clarified according to the wishes of the customer and based on the analysis of competitors operating in the market.
