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University of Virginia

Description

E-commerce Platforms for the University of Virginia: CAV Program, UVA Bookstores, and Cavalier Computers

These three projects involved the design and development of e-commerce platforms serving the University of Virginia community. The websites—CAV Program, UVA Bookstores, and Cavalier Computers—offer a wide range of resources for students, faculty, and alumni, including technology products, books, apparel, and other university-branded merchandise. Below are the key stages of the work:

1. Discovery and Research

The initial phase involved understanding the specific needs of the University of Virginia and its diverse student body. The research focused on:
  • Analyzing competitor websites in the higher education sector to understand best practices for e-commerce platforms targeting students.
  • Identifying key features required to serve the needs of the university community, from technology products to textbooks and university-branded apparel.
  • Understanding the unique branding and messaging of each platform to align the designs with UVA’s identity.

2. UI/UX Design

With a clear understanding of the project goals, the next step was designing user-friendly interfaces that streamline the shopping experience:
  • Prioritized intuitive navigation and a clean, organized layout to facilitate easy access to various categories like tech supplies, books, and apparel. We worked on our Landmark theme, a very optimized solution for sites that have many banners and an appealing look and feel for e-commerce websites.
  • Ensured the three websites were fully responsive to provide a seamless shopping experience on any device, whether desktop, tablet, or mobile.
  • Integrated clear calls-to-action (CTAs) to guide users through the purchase process, from browsing to checkout.

3. Content Creation

Content was developed along with the UVA design and content team, emphasizing the university’s values and the benefits of shopping through these platforms:
  • Created concise, engaging banners that clearly explained the variety of products available, from laptops and accessories to course materials and UVA-branded clothing.
  • Highlighted the convenience of purchasing essential items directly through university-backed platforms.
  • Integrated high-quality images and product descriptions that provide a clear representation of available merchandise.

4. Development and Implementation

The development phase focused on building robust e-commerce platforms capable of handling a high volume of transactions:
  • Implemented the designs using HTML and SASS based on SuiteCommerce Advanced Netsuite platform, ensuring that each site is fast, responsive, and easy to navigate.
  • Integrated e-commerce functionalities, including shopping carts, secure payment gateways, and product filtering, to enhance the user experience.
  • Ensured cross-platform compatibility and optimized the sites for search engines to maximize visibility for prospective buyers.

5. Product Integration and Management

A crucial part of the project involved ensuring that each platform could handle a wide variety of products:
  • Integrated dynamic product listings for categories ranging from technology products and textbooks to apparel and gifts.
  • Enabled seamless inventory management and real-time stock updates to ensure accurate product availability for online shoppers.
These three platforms now serve as essential resources for the UVA community, offering easy access to everything from tech supplies to branded apparel, enhancing the overall university experience.
Details
  • Client University of Virginia
  • Date March 2022 - October 2023
Categories: UI DesignUX ResearchWeb Implementation