DEVELOPER RESPONSIBILITIES SUMMARY
95% Developer Work Model
High-End Furniture E-Commerce Website Project
Overview: This document outlines all developer responsibilities when handling 95% of the project work. The client provides assets, content, requirements, and business decisions. The developer handles all technical implementation, configuration, build, and optimization work.
1. INFRASTRUCTURE & HOSTING SETUP
Server & Environment Configuration
Estimated Hours: 10 hours
- Set up and configure Elementor Hosting Cloud Sell XL environment
- Configure staging environment for testing and client review
- Set up database and optimize database structure for WooCommerce
- Configure PHP settings, memory limits, and server optimizations
- Set up SSL certificate (Let's Encrypt or configured purchased certificate)
- Configure domain DNS settings if client delegates this responsibility
Client provides: Hosting account access (if already purchased), domain information, SSL preferences
2. WORDPRESS & ELEMENTOR PRO INSTALLATION
Core Platform Setup
Estimated Hours: 5 hours
- Install and configure WordPress core with latest stable version
- Install and activate Elementor Pro with proper licensing
- Install and configure WooCommerce plugin and all required extensions
- Set up WordPress user roles, permissions, and admin accounts
- Configure permalink structure optimized for SEO
- Install and configure security plugins (Wordfence, Sucuri, or similar)
- Set up performance optimization plugins (caching, image optimization, etc.)
- Configure WordPress and plugin settings for optimal performance
3. WOOCOMMERCE CONFIGURATION
E-Commerce Platform Setup
Estimated Hours: 40 hours (1000+ products)
- Configure WooCommerce general settings (currency, tax, measurement units)
- Set up product catalog structure (categories, tags, attributes)
- Configure product types (simple, variable, grouped, etc.)
- Set up custom product fields and meta data using ACF or similar
- Import product data from client-provided CSV/Excel spreadsheets
- Clean, validate, and format product data before import if needed
- Test product imports and verify data accuracy
- Configure product display options (grid layouts, sorting, filtering)
- Set up product variations and attribute combinations for variable products
- Configure stock management and inventory tracking
- Set up related products, cross-sells, and upsells
Client provides: Product spreadsheet (CSV/Excel), product specifications, pricing, inventory data
4. PAYMENT & CHECKOUT CONFIGURATION
Payment Gateway Integration
Estimated Hours: 8 hours
- Install and configure payment gateway plugins (Stripe, PayPal, Afterpay, Apple Pay, etc.)
- Integrate payment gateway APIs using client-provided credentials
- Configure payment methods, currencies, and processing rules
- Set up secure checkout flow and payment form customization
- Test payment processing in sandbox/test mode
- Configure order statuses and payment notification emails
- Set up tax calculation rules based on client requirements
- Configure multi-currency support if required
Client provides: Payment gateway account credentials, API keys, preferred payment methods
5. SHIPPING & FULFILLMENT SETUP
Shipping Configuration
Estimated Hours: 10 hours
- Configure WooCommerce shipping zones (domestic, international, etc.)
- Set up shipping methods (flat rate, table rate, free shipping, etc.)
- Import and configure shipping rate tables provided by client
- Set up weight-based or dimension-based shipping calculations
- Configure white-glove delivery integration if required (API integration)
- Set up shipping class assignments for products
- Configure order export formats for fulfillment partners
- Test shipping calculations across different scenarios
Client provides: Shipping rate tables, delivery partner information, shipping zones
6. DESIGN & ELEMENTOR TEMPLATE BUILDING
Visual Design & Layout Creation
Estimated Hours: 50 hours
- Build custom Elementor Pro templates for all pages (header, footer, product pages, etc.)
- Create responsive layouts based on client wireframes/design references
- Implement brand colors, typography, and design system from brand guidelines
- Build header navigation with mega-menu functionality if required
- Create footer templates with widgets, social links, newsletter, and policies
- Design product catalog pages with custom grid layouts (3-col, 4-col, masonry)
- Create product detail page templates with image galleries, variations, and custom fields
- Build home page with hero sliders, product showcases, and content sections
- Create blog/journal templates if content marketing is included
- Implement custom animations and interactions (subtle, moderate, or high level)
- Configure quick-view modals or direct PDP flows
- Build wishlist and product comparison functionality if required
- Ensure mobile responsiveness across all templates and breakpoints
Client provides: Brand guidelines, logo files, color palette, typography, wireframes/design references, UX preferences
7. IMAGE & MEDIA MANAGEMENT
Asset Processing & Optimization
Estimated Hours: 25 hours
- Receive and organize all product images and brand assets
- Perform image editing if required (color correction, background removal, retouching)
- Resize and optimize images according to specifications (format, resolution, file size)
- Convert images to WebP format for performance
- Upload all images to WordPress media library
- Organize media library with proper naming conventions and folder structure
- Assign product images to corresponding products
- Configure image galleries and lightbox functionality
- Implement lazy loading and image optimization plugins
- Handle video content integration (self-hosted or YouTube/Vimeo embeds)
- Optimize all media for web performance and Core Web Vitals
Client provides: Product images (raw or edited), brand photography, video files, logo assets
8. CONTENT POPULATION & COPY IMPLEMENTATION
Content Integration
Estimated Hours: 20 hours
- Populate all static pages (About, Contact, Policies) with client-provided copy
- Format and style content to match design system and brand guidelines
- Write or edit copy only if explicitly requested (otherwise uses client content)
- Populate product descriptions from client-provided content
- Create blog/journal posts if content writing is in scope
- Write alt text for images if client delegates this responsibility
- Implement content in Elementor with proper typography, spacing, and styling
- Ensure content is responsive and displays correctly on all devices
- Format legal pages (Privacy Policy, Terms of Service) from client drafts
Client provides: All copy content (Google Docs, Word, or formatted documents), product descriptions, blog content
9. SEO IMPLEMENTATION & OPTIMIZATION
Search Engine Optimization
Estimated Hours: 12 hours
- Install and configure SEO plugins (Yoast SEO, RankMath, etc.)
- Implement meta titles and descriptions using client-provided keywords
- Configure Open Graph and Twitter Card metadata
- Implement schema markup (JSON-LD) for products, organization, reviews
- Optimize URL structure and permalinks for SEO
- Configure XML sitemaps and submit to search engines
- Set up robots.txt and optimize crawlability
- Implement breadcrumb navigation with schema
- Optimize image alt text with SEO keywords
- Configure canonical URLs and handle duplicate content
- Set up Google Search Console integration
- Implement structured data for rich snippets
Client provides: SEO keyword spreadsheet, target keywords per page/product, SEO strategy
10. ANALYTICS & MARKETING INTEGRATION
Tracking & Marketing Setup
Estimated Hours: 8 hours
- Set up Google Analytics 4 with proper tracking configuration
- Configure Google Tag Manager and implement tracking tags
- Set up Meta Pixel and Conversions API (CAPI) for Facebook advertising
- Implement e-commerce tracking for WooCommerce (GA4 enhanced e-commerce)
- Configure conversion tracking for goals and events
- Integrate email marketing platforms (Mailchimp, ConvertKit, etc.) with API keys
- Set up email capture forms and pop-ups
- Configure abandoned cart recovery if email platform supports it
- Implement social media integration (Instagram feed, Facebook shop sync, social login)
- Set up social sharing buttons and widgets
- Configure UTM parameter tracking for campaigns
Client provides: Google Analytics/Tag Manager IDs, Meta Pixel ID, email marketing API keys, social media credentials
11. ADDITIONAL FEATURES & FUNCTIONALITY
Advanced Features Implementation
Estimated Hours: 15 hours (variable based on feature requirements)
- Install and configure product review/rating plugins if required
- Implement gift card functionality if required
- Configure loyalty program or rewards system if requested
- Set up customer accounts with order history, saved addresses, wishlists
- Create custom email templates for order confirmations, shipping notifications
- Set up accounting software integration (QuickBooks, Xero) if required
- Configure inventory management system sync
- Implement multi-language/multi-region support if required (WPML, Polylang)
- Build custom features (subscriptions, memberships, appointments, B2B pricing)
- Set up AR/VR or 3D product views if requested
Client provides: Third-party account credentials, API keys, integration requirements, feature specifications
12. ACCESSIBILITY & COMPLIANCE
Legal & Accessibility Standards
Estimated Hours: 10 hours
- Implement ADA/WCAG compliance (Level AA preferred) across all templates
- Ensure keyboard navigation and screen reader compatibility
- Add proper ARIA labels and semantic HTML structure
- Configure cookie consent banners for GDPR/CCPA compliance
- Format and publish legal pages (Privacy Policy, Terms of Service, Cookie Policy)
- Ensure proper form validation and error messaging
- Implement proper heading hierarchy and document structure
- Test with accessibility tools (WAVE, Lighthouse, etc.)
Client provides: Legal document drafts, compliance requirements, accessibility standards preference
13. PERFORMANCE OPTIMIZATION
Speed & Performance Tuning
Estimated Hours: 8 hours
- Configure caching plugins (WP Rocket, W3 Total Cache, etc.)
- Optimize database queries and remove unnecessary data
- Implement image lazy loading and optimization
- Minify and combine CSS/JavaScript files
- Configure CDN integration if applicable
- Optimize Core Web Vitals (LCP, FID, CLS)
- Set up performance monitoring (GTmetrix, Pingdom, etc.)
- Optimize server-side caching and PHP performance
- Implement code splitting and async loading where appropriate
- Test and optimize page load times across devices
14. TESTING & QUALITY ASSURANCE
Comprehensive Testing
Estimated Hours: 20 hours
- Perform cross-browser testing (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge)
- Test responsive design across mobile, tablet, and desktop devices
- Test all e-commerce functionality (add to cart, checkout, payment processing)
- Verify product imports and data accuracy
- Test form submissions and email notifications
- Check all internal and external links
- Verify SEO implementation and metadata
- Test accessibility compliance
- Perform security scanning and vulnerability checks
- Test performance and page speed
- Verify all integrations are functioning correctly
- Create staging environment for client review
15. LAUNCH COORDINATION
Go-Live Management
Estimated Hours: 6 hours
- Coordinate launch process and timeline
- Perform final pre-launch checks
- Handle DNS updates if delegated by client
- Configure production environment settings
- Verify all systems are operational post-launch
- Monitor site performance and errors during launch
- Assist with any launch-day issues
Client provides: Launch approval, final content sign-off, domain access (if needed)
16. POST-LAUNCH SUPPORT & TRAINING
Handoff & Documentation
Estimated Hours: 30 hours (over 30-90 day support period)
- Provide post-launch bug fixes during support period (30-90 days typically)
- Document all customizations and integrations
- Provide credentials documentation and access information
- Ongoing maintenance services (if agreed upon)
- Handle WordPress, plugin, and theme updates during support period
- Monitor security and apply patches during support period
- Manage backups during support period
17. ONGOING MAINTENANCE (IF INCLUDED)
Long-Term Maintenance Services
Estimated Hours: Variable (typically quoted separately)
- WordPress core, plugin, and theme updates
- Security monitoring and threat response
- Performance optimization and database maintenance
- Backup management and restore testing
- SSL certificate renewal
- Uptime monitoring and alerting
- Third-party integration maintenance
- Content updates and minor modifications
- Emergency support and incident response
Note: Ongoing maintenance is typically quoted separately and requires a separate maintenance agreement.
TOTAL ESTIMATED HOURS
233 hours
Note: Additional hours may be required for ongoing maintenance, extra revisions, or scope changes.
Hours breakdown excludes Section 17 (Ongoing Maintenance) which is typically quoted separately.
SUMMARY
Developer Handles (95% of work):
- All technical setup, configuration, and implementation
- Design implementation from client-provided assets and references
- Content population and formatting
- Image processing and optimization
- Integration setup and configuration
- Testing, quality assurance, and bug fixes
- Launch coordination and post-launch support
- Training and documentation creation
Client Provides (5% of work):
- All content, copy, and product descriptions
- Brand assets (logos, images, brand guidelines)
- Product data spreadsheets
- Business decisions and requirements
- API keys, account credentials, and third-party access
- Final approvals and sign-offs
- Feedback and revisions
This summary is based on the Full-Service Website Requirements Questionnaire