31189a - Progress challenge 03

Web environments

NOTE: This challenge will help you complete assessment 3.
• Consider the web environment(s) that best suits the scenario. Describe the environment and technologies you would recommend and reasons why (one page).
• You are not limited to one technology but may recommend a suite of web environments that would work well together.
• You will not have to build each web environment but will be asked to provide a sample screen design for one page of your own choice.
• In your analysis, consider why the solution would suit the target audience
• Ask your client (trainer) any further questions that you may have relating to the project via the forum. You may also find more information in existing posts in the forum.

Answer

The scenario is this: John (c/o The Bag Lady) wants recommendations on what would be the best web environment or technology available for the business.  The possibilities are endless, and we could go on about how which technologies would work best for that business.  However, that would take forever, so I have hand-picked a few I feel would work best.

Full website/e-commerce:  this site would not only advertise and display the merchandise but also accept online payments for the products.  Other information would have to include returns (or exchange) policies, privacy policies, online security (how will the site accept payments and how these payments would be secure), and a shipping policy.

There would need to be an accurate description for each product, including a serial number, a price, what materials were used in the manufacturing process, where it is made/sourced, where they get stored and so forth.

The other question is a static or dynamic website: especially since it is meant to be viewed on a desktop (so a fixed width is necessary) or on a tablet/phone (where the fluid width comes in handy).  Some well established organisations have both e.g. the ABC (Australian Broadcasting Commission).   However, a desktop site with a fixed with is best if one shops from home; a fluid width is best when one is shopping and on the go.

An ‘e-commerce only’ site: say, something like Café Press or Red Bubble, which takes a lot of the guesswork and logistics out of the business but one only gets to enjoy marginal profits (and yes, they make bags to carry things in).  This is especially useful if you are not familiar with the workings of a business or don’t have the facilities to manufacture or store the items, or access to shipping facilities.  Another alternative is Etsy (if you want to sell fully crafted items online) or there is eBay (takes care of all the shipping side of things).

Social media: I use Facebook so I would probably use this to promote my own products and services – not so much as an ecommerce site, but more to get the word out there.  I could try Twitter, but don’t currently have an account with them.  Either way, one can receive up to date news on the products; where the market stalls are going to be on a given day at any time, or what the latest sales are.

Blogs: If John has a story to tell behind each product, then a blog will be the shot.  Otherwise, it will not be of much use if it is not kept up to date and he either can’t update it himself or has no one to update it for him.  Word Press is one such blogging platform, Blogger is another (one that I use).

Interactive forms and calendars – Adobe Muse has interactive forms for online enquiries; there are probably add-ons available through their store, though I haven’t yet seen any for accepting online payments.  Google and Microsoft have interactive calendars available, as does Apple.

Discussion forums: these can be used in conjunction with other social media, like Facebook or Google+, where people can get together and share stories of their business experiences. 

E-newsletters serve the purpose of keeping customers up to date on the business and the products.

Sample screenshots – there are none at this stage, as I have none specific to The Bag Lady (apart from the one I am currently doing with Adobe Muse).  However, I can show you screenshots of my own business, Sedgie Art.

In my analysis, at this stage, I would probably do a website/e-commerce site, a Facebook page/discussion forum and an interactive form or calendar to begin with.  However, this is subject to change as John’s business needs may change and I might have to reassess what he needs.