Teaching an E-commerce class - can students create storefront but not go live?

[indigohope]

hello,

I will be teaching E-Commerce. Is it possible for my students to create a store but never ever go live? I want them to learn the design and mechanics behind it; but being under 18 I don't want them to have anything published out there, on the internet.

Do you know if it is possible for me to do this?

Thank you so much!!

[MollyMcIntyre]

Good question, I'm also interested in whether it is possible to make a showcase for students. It would be interesting to do this for a student project. This semester, I'm writing an essay about student leadership and how it helps them advance their careers. If you are interested in reading  get more information In my opinion, learning new skills reveals unexpected character traits of students, including leadership qualities. I noticed this on the example of those who study the humanities after classmates were gathered to create their own online store and divided into roles who are responsible for design, technical part, etc., they actively searched for information on the Internet, discussed, shared opinions. For my essay, the possibility of creating such a showcase as a practical tool would greatly help me.

[clairemattocksk]

I'm still waiting for an answer too.

[emmaparkers]

Thanks for this

[Commaking]

Certainly, in an e-commerce class, you can allow students to create their own online storefronts without actually making them live or accessible to the public. This approach can provide a valuable learning experience without the need for students to invest in hosting, domain names, or dealing with real customers. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to structure this exercise:

Select a Platform: Choose an e-commerce platform or website builder that is user-friendly and suitable for beginners. Shopify, WooCommerce (for WordPress), or Wix are good options.

Create a Sandbox Environment: Ensure that your e-commerce platform allows for the creation of test or development stores. Most platforms offer this feature for experimentation.

Set Up Student Accounts: Get good student result to create their own accounts on the platform , if required.

Assign a Project: Define the scope and objectives of the project. For instance, you could ask students to:

Choose a niche or product category.
Create a compelling brand and store name.
Customize the store's appearance (theme, colors, logo).
Add products (you can use dummy or sample products).
Set prices and discounts.
Implement payment gateways (use test modes if available).
Configure shipping options.
Create and edit content (product descriptions, policies, etc.).
Design a user-friendly navigation structure.
Optimize for mobile devices.
Test the checkout process.
Set up analytics tools (Google Analytics or platform-specific options).
Guidance and Resources: Provide instructional materials, tutorials, or resources to help students through the process. You can also conduct hands-on workshops to teach them how to perform specific tasks.

Mentorship: Assign mentors or provide opportunities for students to ask questions and seek guidance as they work on their storefronts.

Review and Feedback: Schedule regular check-ins or submission milestones for students to submit their progress. Provide feedback and suggestions for improvement.

Presentation: Have students present their storefronts to the class, highlighting the design choices they made, the user experience, and any challenges they encountered.

Privacy and Security: Emphasize the importance of privacy and data security. Ensure that students understand that these storefronts should not be used for real transactions or collect real customer data.

Closing and Cleanup: Once the course is over, guide students on how to safely deactivate or delete their test stores to ensure data protection.

By allowing students to create storefronts without going live, you provide them with a valuable hands-on experience in e-commerce, covering various aspects of online store setup and management, while maintaining control over the privacy and security of their projects.