Bikeflex: Your Electric Bike Marketplace

Video Demo: Watch the Demo Here

Description:

Bikeflex is an e-commerce platform dedicated to electric bikes. It enables users to browse, search, and purchase electric bikes from a wide range of options. The platform is designed with user experience in mind, offering a seamless interface for both customers and administrators. Built using Django, HTML, CSS, and SQLite3, Bikeflex demonstrates the power of web technologies in creating a functional and responsive online store.

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Features:

1. Homepage: A welcoming interface showcasing featured electric bikes and the latest arrivals.
2. Product Listings: A catalog of bikes with detailed information, pricing, and filtering options.
3. Shopping Cart: Users can add items to their cart and adjust quantities before proceeding to checkout.
4. Checkout System: A secure and straightforward process for completing purchases.
5. User Authentication: Customers can create accounts, log in, and manage their orders and profiles.
6. Admin Panel: Administrators can manage inventory, update product details, and monitor orders.
7. Responsive Design: The platform is accessible on various devices, ensuring a consistent experience.

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File Descriptions:

• bikestore/: Contains the primary Django project files.

  • settings.py: Configures the project, including database setup and app registration.
  • urls.py: Defines the routing for all URLs in the application.
  • wsgi.py: Entry point for WSGI-compatible web servers to serve the project.

• store/: The core app responsible for the e-commerce functionality.

  • models.py: Defines the database schema for products, orders, and users.
  • views.py: Handles business logic and renders the appropriate templates.
  • forms.py: Contains forms for user input, such as login and product management.
  • templates/: Houses the HTML files for the website's frontend.
    • base.html: The main template structure for the site.
    • home.html: The homepage view.
    • product_detail.html: Displays a list of products with filtering options.
    • cart.html: Shows items in the shopping cart.
    • checkout.html: The checkout page.

• static/: Contains static assets like CSS, images, and JavaScript.

  • style.css: Stylesheet for the website, ensuring a clean and modern look.

• db.sqlite3: The SQLite3 database storing all application data, including user accounts, products, and orders.

• manage.py: Django’s command-line utility for administrative tasks.

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Design Choices:

Database Design:

I chose SQLite3 for its simplicity and compatibility during development. For a production environment, I would consider upgrading to a more robust database like PostgreSQL.

Template Structure:

The use of Django templates with a base file (base.html) ensures consistency across pages, making it easier to maintain and update the site.

User Experience:

A responsive design was prioritized to ensure usability across devices. Bootstrap was considered for styling but ultimately I opted for custom CSS to have more control over the look and feel.

Checkout and Payment:

Currently, the checkout process stops short of integrating a live payment gateway due to time constraints. However, the design allows for easy integration with services like Stripe or PayPal in the future.

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Challenges and Considerations:

Design Challenges:

• Balancing functionality with simplicity was a key challenge. I aimed to provide enough features for users without overwhelming them.
• Security was a major consideration. I implemented Django's authentication system and plan to add HTTPS and secure session management in the future.

Future Improvements:

• Payment Integration: Implementing live payment options for a complete e-commerce experience.
• Search Optimization: Improving the search and filtering system for better performance.
• Performance: Optimizing database queries and reducing load times with caching.
• Deployment: Moving to a cloud platform for wider accessibility and scalability.

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How to Run the Project:

1. Clone the repository:

   git clone https://github.com/Samuel-Nnadi/bikestore.git
   cd bikestore
   

2. Install dependencies:

   pip install -r requirements.txt
   

3. Run database migrations:

   python manage.py migrate
   

4. Start the server:

   python manage.py runserver
   

5. Open your browser and navigate to http://127.0.0.1:8000

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Acknowledgments:

• CS50: For providing a comprehensive course that enabled me to build this project.
• Django Documentation: For its excellent resources that guided the development process.
• Friends and Family: For their support and feedback.

Thank you for exploring Bikeflex!