Product Description

Many websites are designed purely to address an immediate requirement. Sites displaying product ranges will inevitably need to change as the product range changes. Invariably this requires paying the website developers to make the changes. The costs involved often lead to compromises when updates are required. This does not have to be the case.

 

We develop websites that you can update – whenever and as often as you like, at no extra charge. We use the technology to make this operation as simple as possible. The only equipment requirements are a PC and a connection to the Internet. The only technical skills required are the ability to log onto the website, enter a user name and password and to be able to fill in forms.

 

The product consists of two websites. The first is the product catalogue available to the general public. The Second is the Administration Centre that is only available to authorised site administrators.

The Public Site

The initial page that visitors see is an introductory page that describes the site and is used to promote the website on the Internet. An example is shown below.

 

 

The content of the Initial Page is tailored to individual requirements.

Startup Page

On entering the site a visitor will be presented with a simple explanation of how to use the site.

 

The basic appearance of the site can be altered. The images, company logos and colour schemes are defined at the website specification stage. If the appearance of the site has to change extensively then the additional design work will have to be quantified and the additional costs calculated.

 

 

 

 

  The menu on the left hand side of the screen will offer five options:

 

Home The home page gives comprehensive overview of the company

Search Allows the visitor to search through the product catalogue

Services A description of the services provided by the company

Contact Us Contact details for the visitor to contact the company

Wish List A facility for the visitor to make a list of interesting items. The list is available on future visits and also available the members of your own staff.

Search Facility

The search facility is the area of the website that is used most by visitors. The visitor can narrow the selection of products by choosing specific manufacturers, specific type of product and specific product codes.

 

Detailed product sheets can be accessed by clicking on the text “Details” or on the thumbnail photograph. Items can also be added to the wish list. If choices of materials are available then a materials option will appear.

 

An example of a product sheet is shown on the next page. The list of manufactures is created by the owners of the website and administered through the administrative website. The classification of product type is entirely for the site owner to decide. Product type are defined on the administrative website.

Details Page

 

Services

The Services page simply describes any additional services available from your company. The Contacts page simply lists how a visitor to your site can contact you or visit your premises.

The Wish List

The wish list is a facility where a visitor registers with the website and is provided with a username and password. The visitor can add any items of interest to their wish list as a convenient way of keeping track of the items they have been looking at.

 

The data is stored in the company database. The data stored consists of the individuals contact details all with product details. The wish lists can be seen by company staff whom have given appropriate access rights. The information can be used in two ways. The first is simply to allow staff members to monitor what a potential customer is interested in, if they email or call the company. The second is to allow members of staff to add additional products to a customers list if they believe that they might be of interest. If the potential customer is on the phone and can still use the Internet, then they will immediately be able to view the additional products on their screen.

 

Similarly, when replying to an email enquiry the visitor can be asked to take another look at their wish list in order to see the additional product suggestions.

 

Many retailers want to be able to to print their own catalogues rather than handing out a multitude of manufacturers catalogues. Their own catalogue more accurately reflects the products they supply and also projects a strong company image. However, the costs are high and the process consumes a lot of time and effort internally.

 

Product catalogues can be created directly from the website. The catalogue consists of a customised front page, an index and a complete series of product detail pages (as shown on page 3).

The Administrative Website

The administrative website provides all the facilities to allow you to create, edit and delete information relating to manufactures, product types and individual products. In addition to this there is also a facility to upload pictures. The facility automatically converts the picture to a size and format that ensures maximum clarity whilst also displaying as quickly as possible for a visitor to the site.

 

The website consists of the following:

Home Page

 

The Home Page provides a brief description of all the utilities.

Product Types

The Product Types page allows the administrator to create, edit or delete product types.

The allocation of product types allows visitors to the site to narrow the scope of their search.

 

Products

 

The Products page allows an administrator to create, edit or delete a product.

 

The list can be filtered in the same way as on the main website.

The Product Details

The update screen displays a page that looks exactly like the printed product sheet, with the addition of three file name fields for the pictures.

 

As long the administrator is familiar with the product sheet then they will be able to fill out the form.

Manufacturers

The Manufacturers Page allows an administrator to create, edit or delete manufacturers from the list.

 

The system also records the directory into which images are stored and a priority value that determines the order in which products appear.

User List

The User List page allows an administrator to view a list of registered users for the website.

 

This is the utility where some users can be allocated administrative rights and gain access to either additional functionality.

Upload Files

The uploads files utility provides an administrator with the ability to upload graphics images onto the website.

A manufacturer is chosen first. This will determine the location where the files are to be copied.