Importance of Software Design for E-commerce Website

This study explores the importance of software design for E-commerce websites and discusses elements such as data design, architecture design, interface design, and procedural design.

Report writing
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
A software design can be defined as a written description of software product which a software
designer or developer writes in order to make a software development team and giving overall
guidance of accomplishing goals and developing software. This present study will show
importance of knowing requirements of software for E commerce website or online trading as it
is the main trend. Due to several changes in climate and others it is important for customers and
businessmen to focus on online trading or E commerce for which they need to identify
requirement of software for E commerce website. A software design document consists of
several elements and information which allow software developer to make use of software and
accomplish their goals. Some information related to software design which this study will show:
data design, architecture design, interface design and procedural design. This data design
discusses or describes structure related to software. It also includes relationship and attributes
between data objects. In addition, architecture design includes information flowing
characteristics and transformation mapping method. It allows companies to identify boundaries
between outgoing and incoming information. It will also shows importance and reasons of using
software design document as it allows software development and companies to provide a brief
description of design of a system which is appropriate for software development. The purpose of
this study is to identify requirement of software and appropriate design for E commerce website
for promoting and encouraging online trading. By showing purpose of software design
document, appropriate technologies, architecture patterns and different logical and information
viewpoint it can accomplish the main goal and pre-determined objectives related to e commerce
website. By making use of different diagrams related to software development it will discuss the
main topic in an effective and detailed manner which will help it out in identifying best system
software design for E commerce website.
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Contents
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.............................................................................................................2
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................4
CONCEPTUAL MODEL................................................................................................................5
DESIGN VIEWPOINTS...............................................................................................................12
TRACEABILITY MATRIX.........................................................................................................18
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................20
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INTRODUCTION
E-commerce is the fastest growing platform or tool which gaining ground as an accepted
and used the enterprise paradigms. It will be implementing the website which provide
functionality for performing commercial transactions over the web. It is to be consider as
reasonable which understanding the process of online shopping on the web. The objective of
project is to develop the online website for providing the better quality of product as well as
service. However, it is implementing the purpose which mainly deals with the online shopping
for clothes.
An online store is consider as virtual on the internet where existing client can browse catalog
and select the product as per requirement. Many consumers are basically purchase the item
through internet. By using online platform, it will be collected in the shopping cart. At check-out
time, the shopping cart will be presented as an order. There are lot of information will be
required to complete through transaction. Generally client will fill the information and make
payment through online credit card.
Background of project
 Aim: The primary aim of project is to increase overall business productivity and
profitability in global marketplace.
 Objective: The objective of e-commerce website to reach the more and right customer at
right time. In order to generate high revenue which make available a large number of
product to their customers. So that they can make choice as per requirement (Guleria and
Ghrera, 2019).
 Importance: It is one of the most popular activities on the website of shopping. E-
commerce has a great deal of advantage over online store. Customer can easily search the
product information through large database of item and service. In order to identify the
actual price build an order over several data.
Purpose
The purpose of software design document is to give an overview of e-commerce website
design. It allows for developer to proceed the step with an understanding of what is to be built
and expected to give better facilities of consumer through online.
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Structure
An E-commerce website which mainly allows for both informal as well as formal in
developing nations to advertise and sell their good on the internet (Huang, 2019). Furthermore, it
will be described the design model of website so that they can design the overall architecture of
project. Usually, it accomplished an ER model which always support for explaining the vision of
project. In order to outline different stages of project and how e-commerce website will work.
CONCEPTUAL MODEL
Technologies used
Relational database management system is based on the conceptual framework that
mainly used by MySQL for performing different transaction statement. MySQL is based on the
open source RDBMS system.
Figure 1 RDBMS
The relational database has been implemented in the e-commerce website design or
development. It is considered as predominant choice for storage of information in the form of
database system. it is mainly collecting or gathering information such as financial records,
logistics information, manufacturing and personnel data (Tendulkar and et.al., 2019). RDBMS
have often replaced the hierarchical database and network because it became easier to understand
the overall functionality of system. However, Relational database has been challenged by another
object which mainly introduced in the attempt to find put the mismatch.
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Tool/ platform, hardware as well as software requirement specifications
It is setting the e-commerce website which require to use an appropriate technical needs
to be met for store and operate properly. Initially, Web server may create to make better e-
commerce store which are publically available on the web. It can be possible when creating e-
online commerce website by using domain name, hosting service. It provide the better service
that can easily purchase with reasonable price (SHAHPANCHAL and SHAH, 2019).
Sometimes, it will require to check the best hosting service and identify the specific requirement
of server. In order to installed on their web server in proper manner.
Software requirement
 Web server: It can refers as both hardware as well as software. Therefore, it is working
together. Webserver is based on the computer that stores software and different
component files such as HTML documents, CSS style sheet, JavaScript and images.
These are established the internal connection while supporting the physical data
interchange with multiple devices (ASARE SARKODIE and MICHAEL, 2019).
Sometimes, it is also connected with web. On the software side, a web server include
various parts that control how web user’s access hosted files. At the minimum an HTTP
server which is consider as a piece of software that can easily understand URL. So that it
can be accessed with the help of domain names. Therefore, website it stores and deliver
the content to end user’s device.
 PHP: It is a server scripting language which becoming popular among developers due to
its ability and interact with database system such as MySQL. PHP is using the
programing code for retrieve digital banner from database. In order to select the particular
data and sent it back to script calling (Chu, Lv and Zhao, 2019). It help for maintaining
the large amount of information or content that generally used in website. So as customer
can easily access information in proper manner.
 MySQL: It is based on the database management system that is used by developer to
store and retrieve large amount of information. If database is filling the content that
automatically organise or store from e-commerce website. MySQL is database language
that can store data in the form of tables so that it become easier to access in proper
manner.
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Essential PHP libraries/Modules
There are different type of PHP libraries/Modules used for developing and designing the
e-commerce website system. It mainly include Mbstrings, Mcrypt, Zlib, Zip and GD Library.
System Overview
E-commerce website has performed the different functionality which will provide the
better overview to check the availability of product by using internet.
Description of functionality:
 The user can register and view the available product but it require to enter personal
information during registration. Afterwards, the system automatically generate username
and password to the user (Luan and et.al., 2019). In this way, member can easily login to
check the information of particular item and service.
 E-commerce website give an authority of registered member who will purchase multiple
items in regards of quantity. System will automatically identifying the member who has
been registered in the website.
 Contact us page create which mainly controlled or managed by Admin in order to find
out the queries of customers. It is important for administrator to maintain the page if in
case customer directly connect with service provider. This will help for resolving the
issues or problem of consumer in regards of product as well as services (Chu, Lv and
Zhao, 2019).
 There are different roles available within e-commerce website such as user, admin and
visitors.
 User can view and purchase the particular item through website.
 Visitors can only the particular product. In another way, it can be said that they can
inquire the item which becoming suitable or not in term of quality, price.
 An administrator has performed the specific role when they provide extra privilege of
user as well as visitors. It can easily add, delete and update the information of users.
Furthermore, it can ship order to user based on the placed item by sending a
confirmation mail to user.
Modules
 Order module: when the client goes through checkout, information or data on their order
which automatically transferred to order section. In order to keep track the detailed by
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administrator. Sometimes, admin view all order made on the website (Chu, Lv and Zhao,
2019).
 Customer module: The owner of shop should know everything about the customer and how
it can easily manage the information. When client complete registration process, system will
automatically store data effectively and efficiently. To access client information, it could
login the admin panel.
 Mail Module: It is another important module that mainly used when OpenCart send email to
customer. In order to use the features such as newsletters, specials and communicate any
other store information.
Non-functional requirement
 Performance requirements: As it is generally used by other staff member within organization.
System should have a better efficiency in term of accuracy as well as speed. In this way, it
can easily control or manage large number of task that performed at same time. The proposed
e-commerce platform have a power to manage large amount of data where establishing the
coordination between client and server side.
 Safety requirements: As the proposed system is running to handle records such as customer
details, financial reports, product purchase details. These are considered the specific
information recorded within system. it is going to suppose for ensure the retaining of data
avoidance or eliminating any other causes like data loss (Chu, Lv and Zhao, 2019).
 Security requirement: The software should not allow any type of unauthorised access to
system modules. It should be maintained the privileges granted to user. Admin has decided
that who will give authority to access information. In this way, it can understand that overall
activities maintained by administrator in proper manner.
Architectural Pattern
In this project, It can be used the model view controller which becoming popular
software design pattern for developing e-commerce website. This type of controller is generally
made up of three different parts.
 Model: it is considered as lowest level of design pattern which is responsible for maintaining
and controlling large amount of data.
 View: it is basically used for displaying all portion of data where user can access through
website over internet.
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 Controller: It is another phase of software design pattern which mainly used software control
that can easily manage interaction between view and model.
MVC is the most popular concept which become isolated the application logic from the other
user interface layer. It always supports for separating multiple design pattern so that it become
easier for accessing the information by users (Nguyen, 2019). When a person send request in
regards of product as well as service. Controller can easily receive all type of request for
application and then perform work within model. Therefore, it can easily prepare data as
requirement through view. The data should be controlled and also generating the final response.
The MVC abstraction can basically represent in the different manner.
Figure 2 MVC architecture
List of report that are mainly generated
 Customer report: it can be accessed by administrator and also displaying the specific
information to track order, store credit for every customer through database.
 Order report: It can be accessed the report where it will get the information related customer
orders such as customer name, email, order status, customer group and product details (Chu,
Lv and Zhao, 2019).
 Shipping report: It can be accessed when implementing shipping method which being used
by customers. Sometimes, it displaying the shipping details in either monthly, weekly basis.
It can be depending on which option select by users.
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Project E-commerce system architecture and its work flow
Figure 3 Work Flow
In Figure-3, it is mainly representing the work flow of system which providing the better idea
that how will system perform different action in step by step manner.
System design
Initially, it is mainly focused on the logical structure which easily fulfilling the
requirement. Design phase is an important aspects for dealing with transformation of customer’s
need into logical working. Usually, design can be performed the multiple activities.
Primary phase design: In this step, system is basically designed at block level. These
blocks are created on behalf of analysis. In order to find out the significant problem during
execution process (Abrahams and Singh, 2019). Multiple blocks are created with different
function which easily emphasis with reduce the flow between different ends. Thus, all multiple
activities which necessary more interaction are kept in one block.
Secondary design phase: It is one of the most important phase which mainly describe the
design pattern in proper manner. There are various task involved in the design process in proper
manner. Design multiple block for entire system process which becoming compact or workable
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in task management. Furthermore, each design contain the database structure pattern in order to
specify the full detail of event or program. In order to achieve the desirable functionality of
system. However, it is designing the form of input as well as output of system. At last, it must
prepare the documentation report for representing the overall design patter, layout and structure.
DESIGN VIEWPOINTS
Logical Viewpoint
Figure 4 Class Diagram
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A class diagram in the unified modelling language which consists of structure diagram that
describe overall system by representing the classes and their attributes, relationship among
multiple objects. Class diagram is also used for data modelling which are representing both
elements, interaction in the applications. The overall design of system which contain number of
classes are determined and grouped together. It help for maintaining and controlling static
relation between them.
The class diagram is the main building block of object oriented modelling. Generally, it is
useful for purpose of conceptual modelling within overall structure of application. Sometimes, it
can be detailed modelling which easily translating models into programming code. In above
diagram-1 which mainly shows a domain model for online shopping (Howard, 2020 ). The
purpose of diagram is to introduce the common thing when customer access system for searching
information of product. The class diagram is mainly consists of users, customers, shopping cart,
order, account and web users. These are establishing the relationship between objects. It could be
used the common ground between the developer and analyst through class diagram.
Each customer has unique id, which directly linked to one account. So that user can
easily access to purchase item. Initially, it would require to register as web user and able to buy
item through online. Sometimes, consumer will not require to web user because they can
purchase item by phone (Chu, Lv and Zhao, 2019). Web user can login the name which server as
a unique id. Furthermore, Account has an own customer orders. Client may have no order so that
each order could refer to choose various payment option.
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Information Viewpoint
Figure 5 ER Diagram
An entity relationship diagram is combination of entity set that mainly stored and collected in the
database system. An entity in this context is an object and components of data. Entity is a set of
collection of similar entities in order to create relationship between them. Each and every entities
can have an attributes that mainly define its properties.
When building a dynamic e-commerce website which require to understand the flow of
information and identify different properties. Entity relationship diagram comprise as model
which providing the overview about the entire structure for collecting large amount of
information. ERD will help for developer to set up all essential information such as customer
detail, order information, product categories, payment, shipping and suppliers (Chu, Lv and
Zhao, 2019). These are establishing the relationship between one or more entities. In order to
establish the coordination between them.
In above diagram, ER model is type of abstract way to explain a database, generally, it
starts with the relational DB which stores data into tables (ASARE SARKODIE and MICHAEL,
2019). For instance, the entry in which database could point to different entries for each of phone
no. Each and every entity consists of unique primary key which established the relation with
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another one. Diagram is mainly created to design where entities and its relationship known as
Entity relationship model. Furthermore, it has identified the different entities such as order,
product, category, customer, payment. These are establishing a relationship between them.
Interface Viewpoint
User interface design is mainly focused with appropriate dialogues between system and
user. It is everything about the functionality of online e-commerce system. It will be starting
through logging into system even representing the desirable result or output. The interface is
mainly controlling the flow of screen and message (ASARE SARKODIE and MICHAEL, 2019).
Sometimes, it is also known as dialogue. There are different steps for providing the user interface
design.
 System user should be handled the awareness which informed the details about overall
functionality in step by step manner.
 The display screen should be maintained or formatted so that it become easier to give
instruction and message appear in the display areas.
 It allows for user to read the details, display long enough to control communication between
objects.
 It must include the default value for fields and enter the correct answer by users.
Any user can view online shopping portal, available the large item but user may login
through username, password (ASARE SARKODIE and MICHAEL, 2019). Afterwards, it will
be proceeds to the purchase products. The unregistered members require to register so that it
become easier for navigating to login page. Administrator will have access to modify different
roles, developer can coordinate with admin to update information on regular basis. Once user
register site, his/her default automatically performed in step by step manner.
Home Page
Order page
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Contact page
Admin page
Software interface
it has been require the necessary information which stoed for some kind of report. In
some situation, it is not supported by proposed system at same time (ASARE SARKODIE and
MICHAEL, 2019). In this way, The proposed system needed to export its data in the form of text
file whereas other application can easily import information in proper manner.
System Furture requirement
in another way, it has been described the nultiple features which help for giving a better
facilities and service to client.
 The system will be secured enough to rely in certain security condition.
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 User should not allows to delete, update and modify the records. this operation was held by
administrator for managing functionality. If Admin want to give privilege for selecting user
where they can edit their profile.
 User should allow to access the financial documentation reports (ASARE SARKODIE and
MICHAEL, 2019).
 Every users report should be protected or recorded within system. so that it easily access or
track information or data.
 Online system will provide the better facility of exporting its data in the format of text.
 Other system will able to integrated with different phases of development life cycle. In this
way, it can easily manage overall processes effectively and efficiently.
Interaction Viewpoint
Figure 6 Sequence Diagram
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A sequence diagram is generally representing the interaction between objects in sequential
manner. In order to interact with each other. Sometimes, it also used the event which may refer
to sequence diagram. It is widely used by other businessmen as well as developer to understand
the needs for existing system. Furthermore, it shows the object interaction while arranging in
appropriate time intervals (ASARE SARKODIE and MICHAEL, 2019). It depicts the classes
and objective which involved in the scenarios. However, it has been sending the message and
exchange between objects so that it require to carry out the functionality. Typically, it is
associated with use case that will be representing as logical view of system.
In above table, it has been summarized the flow of information and its overall
functionality. Initially, User want to access information about of particular product but it will
require to the register where sending a request. Afterwards, system will automatically store the
information or data. After successfully registration that individual login their account to access
information in proper manner (ASARE SARKODIE and MICHAEL, 2019). Moreover, customer
use their account to search the information of particular item and become easier to add in
shopping cart. In future, if person want to purchase the similar item which easier for accessing
detail in proper manner. Customer will get a lot of detail about the product so that it help for
purchasing best quality of item. When customer sending the request when system search data
from database and afterwards, it will provide the details to customer.
TRACEABILITY MATRIX
A traceability matrix can be defined as documentation that correlated any other two different
baseline documents. Sometimes, it is needs to established many-to-many relationship while
checking the completeness of relationship. This type of matrix will track the requirement and
search the availability of current project implementation.
The requirement of Matrix useful for developer to trace and map user needs with the help of
test cases. It will be captured essential proposed system according to client into single document.
In order to deliver the better conclusion of software development life cycle (ASARE
SARKODIE and MICHAEL, 2019). The primary purpose of traceability is to validate the needs
while checking through test cases. If in case it will not checking the overall functionality so as
need to maintain the software testing process.
Req. Functional requirements Design Non-
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id document functional
1. Main
requirements
Sub
requirements
Divide
category
Description Relationship
1. Entire
project
Payment
Service
Essential It will
provide the
online
service to
purchase
item
Composition Use cases Performance,
Usability,
security,
availability
1.1.1 Service
purchase
Browse
catalogue,
select item,
make
payment
required To make
purchase
the items,
make
payment an
palace order
Composition Use cases Performance,
Usability,
security,
availability
1.1.2 Purchase
Select item
Make
payment
Place order
Purchase
Select item
Make
payment
Place order
Excepted To view
item
information.
Select
particular
item
Pay
required
amount
Place or
finalize
item
Association Use cases Performance,
Usability,
security,
availability
Table: 1
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CONCLUSION
From the above study, it has been summarized that software design document helped
companies in developing software in an effective manner. By knowing all main key terms of this
system software document or written document, it can be easy for software development and
companies to make an effective and the best use of technologies and software design structure.
Software design structure related to e-commerce website also allows companies to accomplish
their goals or trading online. Further, it has also shown some technologies which are required for
software development as well as making E commerce website in an effective manner. By
identifying main functionalities of system related to E commerce software and website they can
make the best use of software which can help them out further in smooth functioning and
processing all business operations.
Lastly, this study has discussed making use of several diagrams like block diagram,
traceability matrix which can help them out in identifying and using architecture pattern in an
effective manner. Logical viewpoint and information viewpoint also can help in knowing
relation of software to project related to E commerce website and running all functions in a
smooth and effective manner.
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REFERENCES
Book and Journals
Abrahams, A.S. and Singh, T., 2019. An active, reflective learning cycle for e-commerce classes:
Learning about e-commerce by doing and teaching. Journal of Information Systems
Education. 21(4). p.6.
ASARE SARKODIE, D.A.N.I.E.L. and MICHAEL, A., 2019. AN E-COMMERCE WEBSITE
FOR THE SALE OF KENTE CLOTHES (Doctoral dissertation).
Chu, X., Lv, D. and Zhao, D., 2019, November. Personalized E-commerce Website Construction
Based on Data Mining. In Journal of Physics: Conference Series (Vol. 1345, No. 5, p.
052038). IOP Publishing.
Guleria, V. and Ghrera, S.P., 2019. Implementation of Payment Gateway in an E-Commerce
Website using Set Protocol.
Howard, E., 2020. Using Layout Review and Messaging Analysis to Form Localization
Hypotheses: An Example for Localization of E-Commerce Female Clothing Websites for
the Russian Market. In Digital and Social Media Marketing (pp. 263-273). Springer,
Cham.
Huang, Y.H., 2019. Developing a design system for an e-commerce website.
Luan, L. and et.al., 2019, May. Research on Cross-border E-commerce Professional Capabilities
and Training Modes of Talents. In 2019 International Conference on Management,
Education Technology and Economics (ICMETE 2019). Atlantis Press.
Nguyen, L., 2019. Building e-commerce solutions with Woocommerce.
SHAH, A., PANCHAL, N., SHAH, D. and SHAH, P., 2019. Object Detection Using Deep
Learning and Artificial Intelligence in E-Commerce.
Tendulkar, S.C. and et.al., 2019. Website Development for E-commerce Platform. IJETT. 6(1).
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