E-commerce Site Development

Detailed technical specifications are essential for creating a website with predictable results. They help structure the tasks and leave nothing for assumption to avoid miscommunication. That’s the key to the success of any project. The client gets exactly the product that was agreed upon.

Technical specifications have the form of a document describing the goals and objectives set for developers: project functionality features, structure, timeframe, and implementation/distribution plan.

Moreover, technical specifications aim to establish a clear idea of the project goals. Tasking should be precise, inaccurate technical specifications can disrupt the work plan and deprive the company of commercial benefits from the project.

Drawing up technical documentation involves collaboration between the team and the client.

Detailed information on the project allows the team to devise an optimal development strategy, and think over the specifics and characteristics of the future product, taking into account the client’s requirements.

A well-defined project structure specified in the document protects the client from additional unplanned expenses that might arise without it.

Wireframing process is creating visual flowcharts that define the interface architecture and arrangement of all elements on the pages of the website or mobile application.

Such prototypes demonstrate and determine where exactly and in what proportions functional blocks will be implemented. A prototype forms the basis, and then designers create a visualization of the project. Recommendation materials and references agreed upon with the client and reflected in the technical specifications can also help the designers. Generally, the materials relate to colors, shapes, and logos that should organically appear on the new site.

The modern approach assumes the presence of block elements for arranging content on pages. Under this approach, any new page can be assembled of existing elements in an original or standardized layout. It makes further content management easier even in cases when a client decides to do it on their own.

When the layouts and elements are ready, they are sent to the client for approval.

Then design layouts are sent to the front-end developer, whose task is to turn the template into code and connect the layout with the control system.

First, a home/landing page is created. Then, all subpages are added following the site hierarchy. Dynamic elements and adaptability for mobile devices are implemented after the static layout is ready. Then, layout files go through testing by an expert who scans for bugs on the user side using various devices and browsers, checks the code validity, and whether the final layout corresponds to the initial one.

The results of this stage are provided to the client.

This stage includes configuring the server, implementing functional areas of the site and linking them to the CMS system database, integrating the CMS system with the user part, connecting the site (if necessary) with external services, for example, warehouse programs or banking gateways, comment services. If it is necessary to develop plugins from scratch, this scope of work on the visual part is taken over by the front-end developer, and the back-end programmer is responsible for the functional implementation.

Generally, several back-end developers take part in a project. Our team uses Github and BitBucket control systems to enable high-quality simultaneous development.

In our company, QA (quality assurance) occupies a special place. We not only do testing as such, but we also ensure the quality of the final product. The process starts with the communication with our clients who inform us about their general needs and the ultimate goal. At this point, we figure out how to make sure that the final product will be spotless. Further, (at the stages of design creation, development, implementation) we responsibly keep on pursuing our goal – creation of an excellent product. This implies design development that fully satisfies our customers & the application of the latest technologies & writing autotests for catching bugs at the earliest stage & compiling a complete project documentation (test plan, checklists, test cases, etc.)

This stage comes before delivery to the client and includes final testing of the project, code review, code optimisation, and project launch.

It is important to test all the aspects so that a user doesn’t face any errors in the release version and a client doesn’t miss the commercial benefit.

Each software module and all the visual elements are thoroughly checked for errors and breakdowns.

We use code validators and cross-code reviews to ensure that the project complies with current web standards and meets all the requirements of the technical specification.

Valid code is required for cross-browser and cross-platform compatibility, as well as for SEO.

After the site has been thoroughly checked, the next step is uploading the project to the server.

After successful uploading, the project is checked again to ensure its integrity and exclude possible errors.

Maintenance after project delivery includes monitoring, improvements, and regular updates. It is important to remember that a website is more of a service than a product. Submitting and uploading the site to the client’s server is not enough.

It is necessary to monitor the website under load within 1-3 months to ensure that it works correctly for mass use. That will adjust its performance if the client’s business has a seasonality factor.

For example, a feedback system added to the website will enable the detection of possible problems that only end users face.

In this case the highest priority is to fix the problems as quickly as possible – If you don’t, one day you may find your clients prefer using a different site.