Abstract
Background: Whether a website design is a simple static page of plain text, a complex e-commerce matrix or a progressive web application, the journey is riddled with challenges. In terms of online users, every second counts when interacting with a website. It is estimated that 2 seconds is the acceptable webpage loading latency that users are willing to tolerate before abandoning a webpage. Users expect web applications to be more usable, reliable, secure, personalised and context-aware.Objectives: This study sought to identify the challenges faced and the strategies used during website development, and to then map a conceptual framework to address these challenges.Method: The 7Cs framework was the theoretical framework underpinning the study. Based on qualitative research, 12 website developers were sampled in Gauteng Province, South Africa, using non-probability sampling methods.Results: The 7Cs Website Development Scheme (7CWDS) charted from the research findings shows that the following strategies are essential in overcoming website development challenges: (1) good communication between developer and client, (2) agile planning and acceptance of project scope, (3) creation of website drafts and acceptance, (4) flexible website designs, (5) agile website development using a step-by-step approach, (6) website connections to Google Analytics, (7) connecting website to social media and (8) website cybersecurity scanning and testing.Conclusion: The study developed the 7CWDS as a toolkit that underlines critical strategies to address common challenges in website development, and presents them in a logical hierarchy and order of execution.
Highlights
In this competitive age, business organisations must strategise and appreciate the wideranging benefits of website development initiatives to streamline their workflow, reduce cost and expand their customer base (Knoke 2018)
This article focussed on identifying the challenges faced during website development, determine the strategies used and map a conceptual framework to address them
The 7Cs Website Development Scheme (7CWDS) framework charted from the research findings stands on: (1) agile planning and acceptance of project scope, timeframes and the terms of the contract, (2) creation of http://www.sajim.co.za website drafts and acceptance of wireframes, mock-ups and prototypes, (3) flexible website designs using dynamic and responsive layouts, (4) agile website development using a step-by-step approach, (5) website connections for Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) with secure HTTPS, (6) connecting websites to social media platforms while managing what can be shared and published and, (7) website cybersecurity scanning and testing
Summary
Business organisations must strategise and appreciate the wideranging benefits of website development initiatives to streamline their workflow, reduce cost and expand their customer base (Knoke 2018). When clicking on websites links, users often do so with the intent of obtaining information. On what is the acceptable webpage loading latency, Rempel (2015) reported that users are willing to wait an average of 2 seconds before abandoning the page. Users expect web applications to be more usable, reliable, secure, personalised and context-aware (Rempel 2015). Whether a website design is a simple static page of plain text, a complex e-commerce matrix or a progressive web application, the journey is riddled with challenges. In terms of online users, every second counts when interacting with a website. It is estimated that 2 seconds is the acceptable webpage loading latency that users are willing to tolerate before abandoning a webpage. Users expect web applications to be more usable, reliable, secure, personalised and context-aware
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