Ecommerce Activity 2 - evaluating site components

Written by: Jonathan Briggs

October 9, 2009 [2345 views]

UPDATED 10/10/09 - Feedback form added.

This week's exercise asks you to look at some of the interface components introduced during today's lecture.

You will select 3 of the following interface components and then find UK ecommerce sites (in the same sector) that include these components particularly well.

Guided navigation
Internal search
Customer reassurance
Product exploration
Product recommendation systems

Here is what you need to do

Research your chosen components and see what other sites say about the essential features of these components within eCommerce - work out how you would define the features of each component - you will need to feedback these definitions
Choose a category of products such as electrical, music, men’s fashion, shoes or sports ware.
Find 3 stores in the category and choose major UK high street names (shops or brands)
Now take each of your stores in turn and look at how well they implement your chosen interface components - choose the best store for each component - you will need to be able to explain your choice
Take a screenshot (400 pixels wide at 72dpi) to illustrate the best version of each component you found (3 screen shots needed)

Here is a feedback form for your answers:

http://www.surveygizmo.com/s/189148/ecommerce-activity-2

Please note that this is quite a complex survey (with conditional logic). Please post comments below if it does not work as you expect.

Recent comments:

On October 12, 2009 at 12:51 PM, Gopi Krishna Manivannan wrote:

Hi Jonathan,

I took both your modules back in 2006/2007 (E-Commerece and Mobile Business). This has inspired me to learn more about this area and I am now working With American Express & doing a part time Masters in E-Commerce at Sussex University. 3 years on this website is still very useful. I find the way you teach and present things very simple to understand, easy to learn and very innovative. Keep up the good work!

Kind Regads,
Gopi.

Jonathan replies: Thanks Gopi and it is great to know that many past students are looking at the site. Please feel free to add you comments and your experiences. I hope the Masters goes well.

On October 13, 2009 at 9:31 PM, Pablo wrote:

Hello,

I just submitted the 2nd activity for e-commerce and received the receipt, but each of the answer slots are blank. Could you check to see if they are blank for you, or if it's just a problem with the receipt e-mail.

Many thanks,
Pablo

Jonathan replies: It might be a problem with the receipt as the logic on this survey is quite complex - don't worry, even if you get a blank receipt, I have received your work.

On October 14, 2009 at 12:24 PM, Jan wrote:

Good afternoon,
I am trying to get through the first page of the survey, however there is always a problem with my image - it is formatted to 400px width, 72ppi and jpg or png, either of them generated an error. Any suggestions what I might still be doing wrong. Many thanks, Jan

Jonathan replies: I have reset the question so that it is not required although I would like everyone to try and upload an image. Make sure that your images have the right file extension (.jpg,.gif or.png).

On October 15, 2009 at 5:24 PM, Abdul Rehman Habib wrote:

Hi Sir,

I was wondering if you have recieved my activity 2 for e-commerce, I completed the activity and submited it on time but the answers slot are blank on the receipt... This is how it looks like...

PAGE 2 QUESTIONS:5. From your research, how would you describe what is meant by: [%%PAGE_PIPED_VALUE%%]? 6. Which of your chosen stores did you think had the best [%%PAGE_PIPED_VALUE%%]? 7. Explain why you think this store has the best  [%%PAGE_PIPED_VALUE%%] ? 8. Upload a screen shot (400 pixels wide at 72dpi) to illustrate your answer.

Jonathan replies: See the answer below

On October 15, 2009 at 9:36 PM, Sarah wrote:

Jonathan,
After submitting activity two on Tuesday night, I noticed that the receipt was blank from question 4 onwards.
I also noticed that I was only asked to answer questions on two out of the three characteristics that I had chosen, where my peers had answered questions on all three.
Now, I did save and continue my activity at a later time after the 4th question, but I do not see how this would've affected the later questions.
I am concerned that my posting has not worked correctly. Can you please advise if I need to repeat this in order to receive full marks (I have all my answers in a word document if necessary)?
Thanks.

Jonathan replies: Don't worry - I think it is because of the advanced logic I have used - I have all the work.