A quick introduction before we list the 10 points…

Project Timescales – We will work with you to produce your new online shop as quickly as possible, however,?project timescales vary depending on numerous factors, please note that your online store may take less or more time depending on its specifications and other variables. Production times can be extended by the following:

Overdue Information There’s a selection of information we need from you to build your online store, ranging from content to access details, and if you’re unable to provide this information within two weeks of project commencement, this will delay production.

Incomplete Information Sometimes clients are not wholly aware of their internal processes, with those who do the work being more in the know than those who run the company. If information provided to ACTISmedia is incomplete, this is NOT the responsibility of ACTISmedia. While ACTISmedia will ask questions about back-office and website processes, we are not mind-readers nor do we have a full understanding of your business or organisation like you do. Therefore, plans, strategy, and work will be undertaken solely on the information provided. Work will need to be paid for by the client even if more processes and changes are required at a later date.

Bespoke Functionality If you request functionality that’s currently not included within our wide range of existing platform features, this will require bespoke development. This will extend production times as all bespoke functionality must be scheduled in with relevant departments, researched, written, and tested before we can integrate it into your site. Third Party Requirements: If your store requires integration with third-party?software solutions (for example, an EPOS system), any service provision delays from third parties will extend our production times.

Bespoke Service Requirements Any requirements from you that fall outside of our standard service offering (for example, off-site training) are likely to extend production times as we need to make arrangements to accommodate your specific needs.

 

10 THINGS THAT DELAY A PROJECT

Our production process is the result of years of experience and insight gained from successfully launching hundreds of online stores, so we know exactly what needs to be done, and when. Even with the smoothest of systems, however, delays can still happen, so we’ve outlined potential causes to the right the good news is, you can help to avoid almost all of them.

1. INCOMPLETE PROJECT PAPERWORK ? DELAYS IN PROVIDING ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:

  • Stage 1 Paperwork Project Brief, Project Agreement
  • Stage 2 Paperwork Design Sign-off
  • Stage 3 Paperwork Project Sign-off

2. OVERDUE PROJECT PAYMENTS- FAILURE TO PROMPTLY MAKE THE FOLLOWING PAYMENTS:

  • Stage 1  Initial Deposit
  • Stage 2 Design Completion Payment
  • Stage 3  Final Payment

3. DESIGN DELAYS

  • Delays in selecting or approving design
  • Failure to promptly provide site logo
  • Delays in providing design feedback / requests for changes / approval / sign-off / payment

4. MISSING SITE CONTENT

  • Incomplete content (About Us, Terms & Conditions, Delivery Policy, Delivery
  • Rates, Returns Policy, Privacy Policy)
  • Lack of details for special offers & incentives (such as 10% off first order, free delivery over X, loyalty program info)
  • Lack of key contact info (such as site contact telephone number, store addresses, and email addresses)
  • Incomplete multi-language translations (if applicable)

5. INCOMPLETE PRODUCT DATA

  • Incomplete CSV population (products, newsletter subscribers)
  • Lack of product images (creation, manipulation, upload)
  • Incomplete EPOS Integration, including product population (if applicable)
  • Lack of link data for 301 Redirects (applicable for redesigns of existing sites)

6. PAYMENT GATEWAY DELAYS ? DELAYS IN PROCEEDING WITH, OR PROVIDING, THE FOLLOWING:

  • Mobile Payment Gateway Application / Login Details
  • Primary Payment Gateway Application / Login Details (Sage Pay, etc.)

7. LACK OF LOGIN DETAILS ? DELAYS IN PROVIDING ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:

  • 3rd Party Login Details (such as eBay, Amazon, WhosOn, Postcode Anywhere)
  • DNS Management Info (Required for Domain Name transfer)
  • Social Media Info (such as Facebook & Twitter Page Details)
  • Google Analytics Logins

8. MOVING GOALPOSTS & CHANGING YOUR MIND

  • Design changes after design sign-off
  • Mid-production changes to agreed functionality
  • Changes to existing module functionality

9. LIMITED CONTACT / AVAILABILITY

  • Limited availability due to holidays/sickness
  • Lack of availability of admin system training

10. RESOURCE ISSUES LEAD TIMES CAN INCREASE DUE TO THE FOLLOWING:

  • Bespoke Tech Development (longer lead times for the development of new features)
  • Staff holidays / sickness
  • Seasonal peaks