IMPLEMENTING MULTI-LINGUAL SUPPORT AND ONLINE CATALOGUE SYSTEM FOR A COMPANY WEB SITE

Abstract

This project aims to implement 3 main features to Singapore Handicrafts’ current web site. To implement multi lingual support with Chinese language being the priority, an improved online product cataloguing system, and a new overall theme design for the site. All 3 features were to be implemented using the same Content management system as their current web site. The primary programming language used in WordPress is PHP (Hypertext Pre-Processor).

Extensive research was done on the implications of Internationalisation and localisation of web sites. During this study, numerous crucial factors and considerations were identified. These findings lead to more careful and precise attention when designing and developing the site for multi lingual support. During the course of the project, other interesting web related topics such as Search Engine Optimisation arose. Research on the fundamentals of SEO was carried out for more in-depth understanding.

With the nature of this project, the User-Centered Design (UCD) approach was adopted for development. The 4 phases of UCD (Analysis, Design, Development, Testing & Evaluation) were carried out systematically to capture the appropriate information for analysis, design and development of this project. Feedbacks from users were also gathered to continually improve the prototype to a standard that met the user’s requirements.

The project produced reasonable results, with a full working prototype produced that could toggle seamlessly between supported languages (currently English and Chinese), a more organised product cataloguing system, and a new overall site theme design which was created with the company’s corporate colour in mind to instil a more definitive identity of Singapore Handicraft in the minds of customers.