Web design - build a store guide for a department store.

Sophie Parsons 10X

Coursework Documentation file Appendix 2

My aim is to build a store guide for a department store. It must be easy to use, easy to read and easy to locate the things you need. I am also going to build a website for a concession. To build the store guide, I could use Microsoft Power Point, as it is an easy package and has all the functions that are needed to create a presentation. Also I thought that Power Point would be good to use as it fits the page and you can see what space you have to work with. I could also use Microsoft Word. This is because it has lots of tools. It allows you to create text boxes and it has graphic tools. To create the store guide, the hardware that I could use would be a keyboard, mouse and a monitor. The keyboard is used to input text into the system. The mouse is used to change around the layout of the screen and put in graphics. The monitor is simply used to display and show what you have put in using the keyboard and the mouse. To input images onto the system, I could use a scanner, the Internet, discs and a digital camera. Other hardware could be used, such as touch screens and light pens.

To create the website for a concession, I am going to use web-authoring software. This could be Dreamweaver, HTML, note pad and front page. Dreamweaver would probably be the best as it is very easy to use, it displays the information and the links are easy to use. To import graphics and text into the website, I could use Photo Editor and Microsoft Word. These packages would be better to use for importing graphics and text into subsystems, as they provide more tools and they have a wider variety of options to choose from.

The hardware that could be used to create the concession website could include a mouse, a keyboard, and a monitor. Other devices such as the Internet, which is an information source, could also be used, along with a scanner, digital camera to add images to my website.

To build my store guide, the hardware I used was a keyboard, a mouse, a monitor and a hard drive. I used the keyboard so that I could type text in. I used the mouse so that I could move the text and images around and place them where I wanted them. The mouse also allowed me to use the tools in the software, which I used in Microsoft Power Point. The monitor displayed my store guide as I was creating it. I used the hard drive to save my work so that I wouldn’t loose it. I could of used a scanner or a digital camera to import images that I had scanned or taken photo’s of, and imported them into each subsystem but I didn’t think this was appropriate as I wanted to keep my store guide quite simple.

Again, to build my website, the hardware I used was a keyboard, a mouse, a monitor and a hard drive. I used these for he same reasons as when I built my store guide. They were also very easy and quick to use. The alternative systems I could of used was a scanner and a digital camera, to import images onto the subsystem, but I decided this would have been quite advanced and would have taken longer to do. So I just used the Internet and the programme I was using to get my images for my website.

To build my store guide, the software I used was Microsoft Power Point, Clipart and Microsoft Word. I used Power Point to create the outline of my store guide as I thought it was the most appropriate and easy to use. It created a simple but very well presented, eye-catching store guide. This software let me link subsystems together. Power Point has tools so I could add text and graphics, although I used word to import text into my store guide. I used Microsoft Word as it had more choices, as it is a programme that specifies in writing. I used clip art to import images into my store guide. I used Clipart as it has a wide variety of pictures to choose from. I could have also used Printmaster but I found Microsoft Word and Clipart easier to use as I had used both of them before.

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To build my website, the software I used was Dreamweaver. It offered everything to be able to create a website such as hyperlinks and navigation bars. I also added a form into my website. I did this by using the controls e.g. Drop boxes and tick boxes, and this allows the visitors of my website to leave information about themselves if they wish, and it leaves me to contact them with any offers I have on my website. Dreamweaver is also web-authoring software which you need to create a website. I could of also used Front Page, Microsoft Word and HTML. I chose Dreamweaver as I had used it before and I felt confident using this software correctly. However, I used Microsoft Word to format and import my text into Dreamweaver, just like I did when I was building my store guide. It was easy to use and it had spell check. I also found a range of images while browsing through the Internet and from paint. I used these in my website to show what it is about. I also made a logo on paint. I edited the images from both paint and the Internet, into Photo Editor. By using this software, it makes the website quicker to load as it takes up less memory when you save the images as jpeg files. Once I had saved my images I imported them onto my website. By using jpeg, you can also resize you images, which I found very useful.

For my store guide I would use a rollerball to help the user navigate the system that has been put together. I have chosen the rollerball as I think it is the easiest device to use. It should be clear to users how it works, and it is the most convenient. It would be easy for people to see and read. Whereas a normal computer wouldn’t be a good idea because it could get damaged, vandalised and even stolen. People may not be able to see the screen very well if they only used a normal screen.

A touch screen could even be used but it could get damaged easily as it may be too sensitive for clumsy users. A Power Point Projector could also be used.

I have checked my website fully for errors that may have occurred while making my website. I checked to see if all the colours go together well and I made sure the website was eye-catching, as I want people to be attracted to it. I also checked for any errors in general, including spelling, grammar and presentation. To do this I used spell check to check the text. I also proof-read the website. I used tick boxes and drop boxes to reduce any errors that could occur. I made sure the website was as accurate as possible. Users to search through my website would use a normal 15-inch monitor screen, mouse and keyboard. I made the website as clear as possible by using a navigation bar that clearly indicates the buttons, as when your mouse moves over them, they highlight by changing colour.

To use my store guide efficiently, I would use a rollerball to display my system, but another output device that could be used would be a touch screen. They are easy to use and people would want to use it as they would be attracted to them. People could see the information clearly, as it would be enlarged. The colours and pictures would attract people to want to go and look at the store guide and hopefully they would find it useful to them.

The website allows people to look through and hopefully enjoy the information that they can see on their screens. The information is effective and simple so people will find it interesting. If the users found the system complicated, they wouldn’t be interested in looking through the website. Users will be able to use the website to their full advantage even if their monitor is 14”, 15”, 16”, 172 or 21”. As the information in the website will fit in well and it will be easy to read. The users can also use their output devices to print out any data they might need from the website, by using a printer. If the printer is colour, the user is at a full advantage of the website as they can print off the colours. If the printer is only black and white, the user is at a slight disadvantage, as they will not have made full use of the website, as they can only print the information in back and white. There are many types of printers including bubble jet, LaserJet, inkjet, colour laser, plotter drawings, which I used to print out drawings, and dot-matrix, which you cannot use to print off images.

Another output devices that I could have used are speakers. I could have added sound to my website so that the users could listen to music or information while browsing through my website.

I am going to create a website for my fashion store, Ooh-la-la. From my research I have noted down some information that I want to put onto my site. I want to make the website as effective and useful as possible so that customers are satisfied with the service I have to offer, and hopefully they will want to use the system again in the near future.

The website will include different subsystems for the different types of fashion products I have made available to buy online. There will be a contact form on the website where customers can email the store with any enquires or complaints they have. There is also a space for them to leave their details, so that their enquiry can be dealt with and answered quickly. There will also be an order form so the customers can buy the items online to save them going directly to the store itself. They will have to simply choose the products and click on a button, and simply fill out the details. It is a faster, more effective way to shop.

There will be pictures and information on the products available, so that the customers get a clear picture of the items that they are purchasing. I am making the website as easy as possible for the user, so they do not have any problems buying their desired products.

This section should include reference to your initial design diagrams, details of ‘problems’ and changes that you have made when creating the system, reference to annotated printouts of the system (not all pages need to be printed). Clear reference to subsystems, and the way in which the user will input information into the system and the way that information will be displayed for the user. In order to achieve the higher marks you must indicate how the system has been developed.

I think that an ICT based system for a store is a very good idea. It will increase the trade and business, as the Internet is now a facility used by millions of people worldwide. Many people use the Internet nowadays to buy all their shopping, as they may not get time to go to the shops. Also most businesses use ICT and the net and their employees will be browsing through the Internet on a daily basis. Also customers all over the world will be using the website, whereas if the store didn’t have a website, customers would only be local, making the sales minimal. Businesses without a website will only be able to advertise locally, through magazines and posters.

After doing my research I have found out that there is a similarity between the system I have created and a real retail ICT system. This is because they both have contact forms and order forms to fill out. They both have pictures and information of the items available. Although a real retail ICT system would be more advanced, and would be of a higher standard.

Some training would be needed because someone will need to know how to deal with enquiries and complaints that have been made. Also they will need to know how to deal with the orders and technical difficulties that may occur, preferably someone with ICT skills.

I have included some instructions on the front page of my website, on how to use the website correctly. I have made the website as straightforward as I possibly could. I have given instructions on how to use the buttons to get to the different products that ‘Ooh-la-la’ has to offer. I have also given instructions on how to use the navigation buttons to link other subsystems.

To make any alterations to your website, you should do the following:

Open Macromedia Dreamweaver MX.
Open the file you wish to modify (in my case I go to edit sites, cw sophieparsons.)
Go to file open.
Open the file that you want to make changes to.
Click cut at the picture you want to delete.
Click on already existing text and delete as appropriate.
To insert an image, click on the insert menu, and choose insert image.
Once you have chosen the image, edit it so it will link to an enlarged picture.
You can then insert any text you wish to include by using the keyboard.
Make sure your work is saves by going to file, save all.
Make sure you preview in iexplore and check the links is working correctly.

After I modified my website using the instructions above, I realised that the instructions I gave weren’t as clear as they could have been. So I decided to redo them:

Open Macromedia Dreamweaver MX.
Click on edit sites.
Look for your files (In my case cw sohieparsons.)
Click on the local root folder, enter N:CW1sparsons
Click on the default images folder and open the file you wish to modify.
Go to the pictures you wish to make changes to.
Click on the picture and delete if appropriate.
Highlight the text you wish to modify.
Delete the text you want to get rid of.
If you want to insert a new image, go to Insert, Image. You have to select the image you want to insert and click OK.
Edit the image so that it will link to an enlarged picture. Click on the link folder, in the properties box, click on OK where the enlarged picture appears.
Insert any text you want to, using the keyboard.
Go to file, save all.
Preview in iexplore and check the link for the enlarged picture is working.
Close the iexplore.

If any changes need to be made to the order form, for example, if you want to add an extra row:

Click where you want the row to go and right click.
Click insert row.
Use the keyboard to write anything next to the box.
In another box, you can insert a text field or any form object.
To do this, click where you want the form object.
Click insert and form objects.
Choose form objects and the form object you want to apply.
If you want to delete any existing form objects, right click where you want to delete, and select cut.

Every walk of life is now computer literate. The use of ICT in the wider world is rapidly increasing. ICT is now a great part of retail. If it wasn’t for ICT then retail wouldn’t be a big as it is. ICT is used in everyway of retail without even realising it. ICT can be used in so many different ways. Major shops such as Marks and Spencer’s and Sainsbury’s have websites where you can order your shopping online without even going out of your front door. The shopping will also be delivered to. These websites are much better than the website I created as commercially used websites are designed by highly skilled, highly paid developers who have to train to build websites of these standards. For example on my website you cannot order my products online where as on the commercially used websites you can. When you go to the ‘Contact us’ form on my website it doesn’t actually work, where as on a commercial website, it would. The commercial websites need to be of a high standard because otherwise customers would not bother using the system and the ‘retail world’ would loose money because of this. Also the commercially used websites are much more complicated than my website. This is because website designers have much better, more complicated equipment to use, where as I could only use equipment which was available to me at school and at home. I tried to keep my website as simple as possible where as website designers would want their websites to be as interesting as possible so that customers would find the website that is offered to them interesting and good to use so they spend their money. Websites are not only helping the profit for the store itself, but the websites also help the customer’s as well as it gives them a bigger opportunity to shop where ever they may be, even if they are at work, every office etc uses ICT and the internet.

ICT is used every second of every day in retail. For example in Marks and Spencer’s and Sainsbury’s, computers are used to monitor every sale made, in every shop, every day. Computers can track every delivery made to every shop all over the country to gain the maximum profit. The only manual job made in the retail industry is paper work. Cash registers and the networks are all ICT systems. Nowadays, there is a bar code system where every item has a barcode. The barcode is read by a laser, which is then registered into a network. Every person who is employed by one of these companies has a number, and head office can see what they are doing at any time. It is very unusual that there is any communication between people nowadays. Everything is done through an ICT based communication room. The communication room can read tills, which goes to head office so they can check the financial side of things.

The retail cycle is where an ICT ‘hand held terminal’ is used to record stock. ‘The hand held terminal’ a wares staff when stock is low. This is an advantage as it saves time.

There are lots of computers linked to the IT centre. There are millions of ICT systems invested. There are 16,000 jobs to process information. This is an advantage as it keeps lots of people employed.

There is a customer inside unit. This is the place where staff can check by ICT systems to see if stock gets to the right places. There are 14,00 suppliers. Orders are placed to the suppliers in the mornings for lorries to leave. An IT monitor can see how much content has gone into the items. This is a swipe and control IT based system.

There is lots of ICT used in the delivery of the shops contents. This includes an Isotrack. This can follow drivers wherever they are. It can tell the speed they are going, where it is and when it arrives and departs from its designated destination.

When staffs are filling the shelves, every tray has a label and a priority number. This is a much quicker and easier for staff to see where to stack the shelves. There is a drop plan that is above every shelf so that staff know where to stack everything. Before the drop box plan everything was done manually which took longer.

Shops have much better security, with better cameras and detectors.

There are three types of training courses that use ICT that are taken before or during a job, that teach you more about the job and how to do things. Internal training is where you take the training at the job itself. External training is where you are sent away on a course. The third is cascade training, which is when one person goes on a course, and they then can teach others. This is the cheapest of the courses.

Although ICT seems to have helped retail tremendously, there are still a few disadvantages. For example if the ICT system was to go wrong for any reason, then this would cause a major problem to retail industry. Where the retail industry has grown so large, small shops have been forced to close down, as they do not make a lot of money because nowadays more and more people are using the bigger stores, as it is easier. This forces people out of jobs. Small shops have to increase their prices and customers prefer to shop elsewhere. This then makes money for the larger companies.