Hi, I’m Himal Rasaily, a computer
engineering student. I’ve been working on an exciting project: an e-marketplace
for Surkhet. The journey has been full of learning, challenges, and growth.
I want to share what I’ve learned while building this platform and what I’m
focusing on next.
What
is the E-Marketplace?
The idea behind this project is
simple: create an online platform that connects buyers and sellers in Surkhet.
Local businesses can list their products for sale, and buyers can easily
browse, compare, and make purchases. The goal is to make shopping easier for
buyers and help sellers reach a bigger audience. This will be an important tool
for supporting local businesses and boosting the economy in Surkhet.
Technologies
Used
For this project, I’m using a mix of
tools that allow me to build both the frontend and the backend of the platform.
Here’s a breakdown:
- PHP: PHP
is used for the backend logic. It handles everything from user
registrations to processing payments and managing orders.
- HTML/CSS:
These are used for building the layout and design of the website. I’ve
made sure that it’s responsive, so it works well on mobile devices too.
- JavaScript:
JavaScript helps to add interactivity, such as product filtering, cart
management, and real-time updates.
- Bootstrap:
I’m using Bootstrap for quick and easy styling, ensuring that the platform
looks modern and professional.
- MySQL:
The database stores all of the important information, like user accounts,
product details, orders, payments, and reviews. It helps me keep track of
everything efficiently.
Core
Features
This e-marketplace will have several
key features that will help users, sellers, and admins.
For
Buyers:
- Product Search and Filters: Buyers can search for products and filter results
based on price, category, ratings, and more.
- Wishlist:
Buyers can save products they like for later.
- Secure Checkout:
The platform supports different payment methods like PayPal, eSewa,
Khalti, and bank transfers, allowing buyers to make secure
payments.
- Order Tracking:
After purchasing, buyers can track the status of their orders.
- Product Reviews:
Buyers can leave reviews to help others make informed decisions.
For
Sellers:
- Product Management:
Sellers can easily add, edit, or remove their products.
- Sales Analytics:
They can view their sales reports and track performance.
- Order Management:
Sellers can manage incoming orders and track deliveries.
- Payment Management:
They can track payments made through different methods.
For
Admins:
- User Management:
Admins can monitor and manage buyer and seller accounts.
- Seller Verification:
Ensuring that sellers are legitimate is crucial, so I’ve added a
verification system for new sellers.
- Platform Analytics:
Admins can track overall platform activity, including sales, product
views, and user engagement.
For
Employees (Sellers):
- Product and Order Management: Employees will have access to help sellers manage
their listings and orders.
Challenges
and Solutions
While developing this project, I
faced a few challenges that taught me valuable lessons:
- Fake Email Registrations: One of the challenges was preventing fake email
sign-ups. To solve this, I implemented email verification to ensure
that only real users can register. I also added a captcha to
prevent bots from signing up.
- Integrating Multiple Payment Methods: Handling payments from different methods like PayPal,
eSewa, and Khalti wasn’t easy. But I worked through this by
integrating each of their APIs, ensuring that buyers have a variety of
secure options to choose from.
- Ensuring Smooth User Experience: One of the main goals is to provide a seamless experience
for both buyers and sellers. This means the platform needs to be easy to
navigate and fast. I worked on optimizing the database and front-end code
to make sure that pages load quickly and the user interface is simple and
clean.
Future
Plans
This project is still in
development, and I’m always looking for ways to improve it. Some features I
plan to add soon include:
- AI Recommendations:
I want to incorporate AI to recommend products to users based on their
preferences and past purchases. This will help buyers discover more
products they’re likely to enjoy.
- AI Chatbot:
I plan to add a chatbot to handle customer inquiries, making it easier for
buyers and sellers to get quick support.
I’m also focused on marketing
the platform. My goal is to attract local buyers and sellers in Surkhet. I plan
to use a mix of traditional and digital marketing strategies, including
social media, flyers, and local partnerships. I believe this will help the
platform grow and reach more people.
Conclusion
Building this e-marketplace has been
a challenging but rewarding experience. I’ve learned a lot about web
development, from coding the backend to creating a user-friendly design. Every
challenge has helped me grow as a developer, and I’m excited to keep improving
the platform. My ultimate goal is to help local businesses in Surkhet thrive in
the digital age, and I’m looking forward to seeing how the project evolves!
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