User Registration and Authentication: Allow users to create accounts, log in, and manage their credentials securely.
User Profiles: Enable users to view and edit their personal information, addresses, and payment methods.
Password Management: Provide functionality for users to reset forgotten passwords and update passwords securely.
Product Management:
Product Catalog: Display a searchable and filterable catalog of products with detailed descriptions, images, prices, and availability.
Product Categories: Organize products into categories and subcategories for easier navigation.
Product Reviews and Ratings: Allow customers to leave reviews and rate products.
Shopping Cart and Checkout:
Shopping Cart: Enable users to add, remove, and edit items in their cart, view cart contents, and see pricing details.
Checkout Process: Provide a streamlined checkout process that includes address entry, shipping options, payment processing, and order review.
Order Confirmation: Send order confirmation emails with details and a summary of the purchase.
Payment Processing:
Payment Gateway Integration: Integrate with payment gateways to handle transactions securely (e.g., credit/debit cards, PayPal).
Secure Transactions: Ensure that payment information is processed securely with encryption and compliance with PCI-DSS standards.
Order Management:
Order Tracking: Allow users to track the status of their orders, including shipping and delivery updates.
Order History: Provide users with access to their past orders and receipts.
Order Management for Admins: Enable administrators to view, process, and manage customer orders, including handling returns and refunds.
Search and Navigation:
Search Functionality: Implement a search feature to help users find products quickly using keywords, filters, and sorting options.
Navigation: Design intuitive navigation menus and links to enhance user experience and ease of finding products.
Customer Support:
Contact Forms and Live Chat: Provide contact forms, live chat, and/or customer support tickets for user inquiries and support.
Help Center: Include a help center or FAQ section with answers to common questions.
Promotions and Discounts:
Discount Codes and Coupons: Allow users to apply discount codes and coupons during checkout.
Special Offers: Highlight ongoing promotions, sales, and special offers on the website.
Content Management:
CMS Integration: Implement a content management system (CMS) for easy management of website content, blog posts, and promotional banners.
Dynamic Content: Support dynamic content updates such as featured products, banners, and announcements.
Analytics and Reporting:
Sales Reports: Generate reports on sales performance, customer behavior, and product popularity.
User Analytics: Track user behavior, conversion rates, and site traffic to inform marketing and optimization strategies.
Non-Functional Requirements
Performance:
Response Time: Ensure fast load times for pages, product searches, and checkout processes.
Scalability: The website should handle increased traffic and transactions, especially during peak times or sales events.
Reliability:
Availability: Maintain high uptime with minimal disruptions to ensure the website is always accessible.
Fault Tolerance: Implement mechanisms to handle system failures and recover from disruptions quickly.
Usability:
User Interface: Design a clean, intuitive interface that provides a seamless shopping experience across devices.
Accessibility: Ensure the website is accessible to users with disabilities, following web accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG).
Security:
Data Protection: Encrypt sensitive user data and ensure secure handling of payment information.
Authentication and Authorization: Implement robust authentication mechanisms and role-based access control to protect user accounts and administrative functions.
Compliance: Adhere to relevant data protection regulations (e.g., GDPR, CCPA) to safeguard user privacy.
Maintainability:
Code Quality: Maintain high-quality, well-documented code to facilitate updates, debugging, and future enhancements.
System Updates: Support regular updates and patches to address vulnerabilities and improve functionality.
Compatibility:
Cross-Platform Support: Ensure compatibility with various operating systems and devices (e.g., desktops, tablets, smartphones).
Browser Compatibility: Ensure the website works across major web browsers (e.g., Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge).
Backup and Recovery:
Data Backup: Regularly back up website data, including product information, user accounts, and transaction records.
Disaster Recovery: Have a disaster recovery plan in place to restore operations and data in case of major issues.
Legal and Compliance:
Privacy Policy: Clearly state privacy policies and terms of service to comply with legal requirements and build user trust.
Regulatory Compliance: Ensure the website complies with e-commerce regulations, including consumer protection laws and online transaction standards.