E-commerce Project Setup

Building an e-commerce website. Project setup, home page, login, register pages, OAuth integration, database design, and user authentication system.

1

E-commerce Project Overview

In this module, we'll build a complete e-commerce website from scratch. This project will demonstrate all the Django concepts we've learned so far and introduce new features like OAuth authentication, user management, and e-commerce functionality.

Project Features

  • User authentication and registration system
  • OAuth integration (Google, Facebook, GitHub)
  • Product catalog and search functionality
  • Shopping cart and checkout system
  • Order management and tracking
  • User profiles and preferences
  • Admin panel for product management
  • Payment integration (Stripe, PayPal)
  • Email notifications and confirmations
  • Responsive design for mobile and desktop

This e-commerce project will be a comprehensive application that showcases real-world Django development practices and modern web application features.

Project Goals

  • Apply all Django concepts learned in previous modules
  • Build a production-ready e-commerce application
  • Implement modern authentication and security practices
  • Create a scalable and maintainable codebase
  • Learn real-world development workflows and best practices
2

Project Setup & Configuration

Setting up a new Django project for e-commerce requires careful planning and proper configuration. We'll create a well-structured project that can scale as the application grows.

Project Structure

  • Main project directory with settings and configuration
  • Separate apps for different functionalities
  • Static files and media handling
  • Environment variables and configuration management
  • Database setup and initial migrations
  • Development and production settings separation

A well-organized project structure is crucial for maintainability and scalability. We'll follow Django best practices and create a structure that makes sense for an e-commerce application.

Initial Setup Steps

  • Create virtual environment and install dependencies
  • Initialize Django project with proper settings
  • Set up version control (Git) and .gitignore
  • Configure database (PostgreSQL for production)
  • Set up static files and media handling
  • Configure environment variables
  • Create initial project structure

We'll use modern development practices including environment variables, proper dependency management, and version control from the start.

3

Database Design & Models

A well-designed database is the foundation of any e-commerce application. We'll design a comprehensive database schema that handles users, products, orders, and all related data.

Core Database Models

  • User: Extended user model with profile information
  • Product: Product catalog with categories, images, and pricing
  • Category: Product categorization and organization
  • Order: Customer orders and order history
  • OrderItem: Individual items within orders
  • Cart: Shopping cart functionality
  • Address: User addresses for shipping and billing
  • Review: Product reviews and ratings
  • Wishlist: User wishlists and favorites

Each model will have proper relationships, constraints, and methods to ensure data integrity and provide useful functionality.

Database Relationships

  • User → Orders: One-to-many relationship
  • User → Addresses: One-to-many relationship
  • User → Reviews: One-to-many relationship
  • Product → Category: Many-to-one relationship
  • Product → Reviews: One-to-many relationship
  • Order → OrderItems: One-to-many relationship
  • User → Wishlist: Many-to-many relationship
  • Product → Cart: Many-to-many relationship

The database design will support all e-commerce functionality while maintaining data integrity and performance.

4

User Authentication System

User authentication is a critical component of any e-commerce application. We'll implement a comprehensive authentication system that includes traditional email/password registration and modern OAuth integration.

Authentication Features

  • Email and password registration
  • Email verification and account activation
  • Password reset and recovery
  • OAuth integration (Google, Facebook, GitHub)
  • User profile management
  • Session management and security
  • Two-factor authentication (optional)
  • Account deactivation and deletion

We'll use Django's built-in authentication system as a foundation and extend it with custom functionality and OAuth integration.

OAuth Integration

  • Google OAuth: Most popular and widely used
  • Facebook OAuth: Social media integration
  • GitHub OAuth: Developer-friendly option
  • Secure token handling and storage
  • User data synchronization
  • Account linking and merging

OAuth integration will provide users with convenient login options while maintaining security and data privacy.

5

Home Page Design & Implementation

The home page is the first impression users have of your e-commerce site. We'll create an engaging, user-friendly home page that showcases products and encourages user interaction.

Home Page Components

  • Hero section with featured products or promotions
  • Product categories and navigation
  • Featured products showcase
  • Latest products and new arrivals
  • Special offers and discounts
  • Customer testimonials and reviews
  • Newsletter signup
  • Footer with links and information

The home page will be responsive, fast-loading, and optimized for both desktop and mobile devices.

Home Page Features

  • Dynamic content loading
  • Product search and filtering
  • Quick view product functionality
  • Add to cart from home page
  • User-friendly navigation
  • Mobile-responsive design
  • Fast loading and optimization
  • SEO-friendly structure

We'll implement modern design patterns and ensure the home page provides an excellent user experience.

6

Login Page & Authentication Flow

The login page is where users access their accounts. We'll create a secure, user-friendly login system that supports both traditional and OAuth authentication methods.

Login Page Features

  • Clean and intuitive login form
  • Email/password authentication
  • OAuth login buttons (Google, Facebook, GitHub)
  • Remember me functionality
  • Password reset link
  • Registration link for new users
  • Error handling and validation
  • Security features (CSRF, rate limiting)

The login page will be secure, accessible, and provide a smooth user experience.

Authentication Flow

  • User enters credentials or chooses OAuth
  • System validates credentials or OAuth tokens
  • User account is verified and activated
  • Session is created and user is logged in
  • User is redirected to intended page or dashboard
  • Failed login attempts are handled gracefully
  • Security measures prevent brute force attacks

We'll implement proper security measures including rate limiting, account lockout, and secure session management.

7

Registration Page & User Onboarding

The registration page is where new users create accounts. We'll design a comprehensive registration system that collects necessary information while maintaining a smooth user experience.

Registration Page Features

  • User-friendly registration form
  • Email verification process
  • Password strength requirements
  • Terms of service and privacy policy
  • OAuth registration options
  • Profile information collection
  • Email preferences and newsletter signup
  • Account activation and welcome process

The registration process will be streamlined while ensuring we collect all necessary information for a complete user profile.

User Onboarding Process

  • Account creation and email verification
  • Welcome email and getting started guide
  • Profile completion and preferences setup
  • First-time user experience and tutorials
  • Account activation and login
  • Personalized recommendations
  • Customer support and help resources

A good onboarding process increases user engagement and reduces abandonment rates.

8

OAuth Integration & Social Login

OAuth integration allows users to sign in using their existing social media accounts. This provides convenience for users and can increase registration rates.

OAuth Providers

  • Google OAuth: Most popular, reliable, and secure
  • Facebook OAuth: Large user base, social features
  • GitHub OAuth: Developer-friendly, tech audience
  • Twitter OAuth: Social media integration
  • LinkedIn OAuth: Professional networking

We'll implement OAuth integration using Django packages and follow security best practices.

OAuth Implementation Steps

  • Register applications with OAuth providers
  • Configure OAuth settings and credentials
  • Install and configure Django OAuth packages
  • Create OAuth login views and URLs
  • Handle OAuth callbacks and user data
  • Link OAuth accounts to existing users
  • Implement account merging and linking
  • Handle OAuth errors and edge cases

OAuth Security Considerations

  • Secure token storage and handling
  • User data privacy and protection
  • Account linking and merging security
  • OAuth provider security requirements
  • Regular security audits and updates

OAuth integration will provide users with convenient login options while maintaining security and data privacy.

9

User Profiles & Account Management

User profiles allow users to manage their personal information, preferences, and account settings. We'll create a comprehensive user profile system.

User Profile Features

  • Personal information management
  • Address book and shipping addresses
  • Order history and tracking
  • Wishlist and favorites
  • Account preferences and settings
  • Email preferences and notifications
  • Security settings and password management
  • Account deactivation and deletion

User profiles will be comprehensive and provide users with full control over their account and preferences.

Profile Management

  • Profile editing and updates
  • Avatar and profile picture upload
  • Privacy settings and data sharing
  • Communication preferences
  • Account linking and OAuth management
  • Data export and account portability

We'll implement proper data privacy controls and give users full control over their personal information.

10

Security Implementation & Best Practices

Security is crucial for any e-commerce application. We'll implement comprehensive security measures to protect user data and ensure secure transactions.

Security Features

  • CSRF protection for all forms
  • XSS prevention and input sanitization
  • SQL injection protection
  • Secure session management
  • Password hashing and salting
  • Rate limiting and brute force protection
  • Account lockout and security measures
  • Data encryption and secure storage

We'll follow security best practices and implement multiple layers of protection.

Security Best Practices

  • Regular security audits and updates
  • Secure coding practices and guidelines
  • Input validation and sanitization
  • Error handling and logging
  • Secure communication (HTTPS)
  • Data backup and recovery procedures

Security will be a top priority throughout the development process.

11

Deployment Preparation & Production Setup

Preparing for deployment involves configuring the application for production environments, setting up servers, and ensuring the application is ready for real users.

Deployment Considerations

  • Production server setup and configuration
  • Database configuration and optimization
  • Static files and media handling
  • Environment variables and secrets management
  • SSL certificates and HTTPS setup
  • Domain configuration and DNS setup
  • Monitoring and logging setup
  • Backup and recovery procedures

We'll prepare the application for production deployment while maintaining security and performance.

Production Features

  • Performance optimization and caching
  • Database optimization and indexing
  • CDN integration for static files
  • Load balancing and scalability
  • Monitoring and alerting systems
  • Automated backups and recovery

The application will be production-ready with proper monitoring, security, and performance optimization.