ABSTRACT

The increasing demand for mobile phones and the growth of e-commerce have created
the need for a modern and efficient online store system. This project, titled Design and
Implementation of an Online Store for a Mobile Company, focuses on building a web-
based platform to streamline the sales and management of mobile devices. The project
was specifically developed for Edo State Polytechnic Mobile Store, with the aim of
providing a reliable, user-friendly, and responsive online solution for customers and
administrators. The system allows users to browse through a catalog of mobile products,
view product details, add items to a shopping cart, and make purchases. It also includes
features such as user registration and login, order tracking, and simple checkout
functionality. On the administrative side, the platform provides a secure dashboard
where admins can manage product listings (add, edit, delete), view customer orders, and
monitor overall store activity. The project was implemented using HTML, CSS,
JavaScript, and PHP, with MySQL as the backend database. The design emphasizes
responsiveness, making it accessible on both mobile and desktop devices. The system
also includes basic security features such as hashed passwords for admin login, and data
validation during form submissions. This implementation not only serves as a solution
for the Edo State Polytechnic’s mobile phone sales outlet but also demonstrates how
academic institutions can adopt practical digital tools for modern retail practices. In
conclusion, the project successfully meets its objectives by providing a functional and
scalable online mobile store that enhances customer experience and simplifies
administrative tasks.
 CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

In today’s digital world, the growth of internet-based technologies has revolutionized

how people communicate, transact, and conduct business. One of the most impactful
transformations is the introduction of e-commerce — the buying and selling of goods
and services over the internet. This development has changed traditional commercial
systems and opened up new opportunities for businesses to reach a wider customer base
beyond their physical geographic boundaries.

In Nigeria and around the world, mobile phone companies have become a vital part of
society due to the increased usage of mobile devices. These companies primarily depend
on physical outlets to sell mobile phones and accessories, but this limits their sales to
local customers. This also requires customers to physically visit stores to compare
prices, check availability, and make purchases.

With the rising trend of online shopping, there is a clear need for mobile companies to
adopt an online platform to market and sell their products. An online store enables
potential customers to access product information, view images, compare specifications
and prices, and make purchases from anywhere, anytime. This reduces the cost and
stress involved in physical shopping while expanding the company’s reach.

This project presents the design and implementation of an online store tailored for a
mobile company. It aims to bridge the gap between the seller and the buyer through a
well-structured, user-friendly web platform that handles product listing, user registration,
cart functionality, checkout system, and admin management tools.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Many mobile phone vendors and companies still rely heavily on traditional methods of
selling their products. This approach poses several problems:

1. Customers have limited access to product details unless they visit the physical
store.
2. Managing stock, orders, and sales manually increases the risk of errors.
3. There is little or no automation in the sales process, leading to inefficiency.
4. Smaller companies cannot compete with large e-commerce platforms due to the
lack of a digital presence.
5. There is no centralized platform where customers can view and purchase the
company’s products conveniently.

Therefore, this project seeks to solve these problems by developing a robust, dynamic,
and interactive online store for a mobile company.

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The main objective of this study is to design and implement a fully functional online
store tailored for a mobile company. The specific objectives include:

1. To provide a platform where customers can view and purchase mobile devices
online.
2. To allow users to register and securely log into the system.
3. To enable customers to browse through product categories and view
specifications.
4. To allow users to add items to their shopping cart and check out.
5. To create an administrative dashboard for product management, order processing,
and user management.
 6. To store all product, user, and order data in a secure and reliable MySQL
database.

1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This project is significant in many ways:

1. It enhances customer satisfaction by offering an easy-to-use platform that is

accessible at all times.
2. It improves the sales process by automating tasks like stock management and
order tracking.
3. It reduces overhead costs associated with running a physical store.
4. It increases the visibility of the mobile company and helps attract more customers.
5. It serves as a reference point or model for other small businesses wanting to build
an online store.

1.5 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This project focuses on the design and implementation of a web-based online store for a
mobile company. The core functionalities include:

1. User registration and login

2. Product listing and browsing
3. Shopping cart functionality
4. Checkout and order processing
5. Admin panel for managing products and orders
6. Database for storing information

This project will not cover integration with real-time delivery tracking systems or third-
party payment APIs like Paystack or PayPal. Payments will be marked as “Cash on
Delivery” for simplicity.
1.6 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

1. No real-time payment or delivery tracking integration

2. The system does not handle product warranty or support services
3. Users must have internet access to interact with the system
4. Admin must manually confirm and process orders placed by customers

1.7 DEFINITION OF TERMS

E-Commerce: Buying and selling goods online

Online Store: A website that allows customer to shop virtually

Cart: A virtual basket for storing selected items before purchase

Checkout: The process of reviewing and placing order

Database: A structure system for storing and managing data

Admin Panel: Backend interface where admin user can manage system data

PHP: A server side scripting language used for web development

MYSQL: A relational database management system used to store data

 CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 INTRODUCTION

This chapter presents a review of existing literature relevant to online stores, web-based
applications, and e-commerce systems. It explores various technologies, existing
platforms, methodologies, and concepts that are applicable to the design and
development of an online store for a mobile company. This review helps in
understanding the current trends, identifying gaps, and shaping the design of the
proposed system.

2.2 CONCEPT OF ONLINE SHOPPING

Online shopping refers to a form of electronic commerce that enables consumers to
purchase goods or services from a seller over the internet using a web browser or mobile
app. Since its inception in the 1990s, online shopping has transformed the retail industry
by offering convenience, speed, and accessibility. According to Laudon & Traver
(2019), e-commerce is driven by both technological and customer-related factors. These
include internet availability, mobile device usage, payment system integration, and the
need for flexible shopping options. The popularity of platforms like Amazon, Jumia, and
Konga has made it evident that online stores are now essential components of any
successful retail business.
2.3 BENEFITS OF ONLINE SHOPPING FOR MOBILE COMPANIES

For mobile phone companies, adopting an online store comes with several advantages:

1. Wider Reach: Customers from different locations can access products without
visiting the physical store.
2. Reduced Operational Cost: No need for multiple physical branches or staff.
3. 24/7 Availability: Online stores never close, allowing customers to shop at any
time.
4. Customer Convenience: Users can browse, compare, and order from the comfort
of their homes.
5. Data Collection: Helps collect user data for better marketing and inventory
decisions.
6.

2.4 EXISTING SYSTEMS AND THEIR FEATURES

Let’s examine three popular e-commerce platforms and analyze how they function:

Amazon.com

Amazon is one of the largest online shopping platforms globally. It offers a wide variety
of products and services including electronics, clothing, books, and mobile devices. It
features a secure payment gateway, real-time inventory updates, product reviews, and
shipping tracking.

Jumia Nigeria
Jumia is a Nigerian-based e-commerce platform. It serves as a marketplace where
different vendors can sell electronics, fashion items, and mobile phones. Jumia offers a
cash-on-delivery option and localized services tailored to the Nigerian market.

Konga.com

Konga also provides an online marketplace with a special focus on electronics. It

includes live chat support, product categories, vendor reviews, and fast delivery.

OBSERVATIONS:

1. These platforms are advanced but might be too complex or costly for small-scale
mobile companies.
2. They serve as intermediaries, which may reduce direct engagement between
sellers and buyers.
3. There is a need for small businesses to have simple, independent platforms
customized to their products and brand identity.

2.5 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK: CLIENT-SERVER MODEL

The proposed system will be based on the Client-Server Model, where the client
(browser) sends requests to a server that processes and returns the necessary
information. In this context:

1. Client: User’s web browser

2. Server: PHP scripts hosted on a local or remote server
3. Database: MySQL for storing persistent data like user info, products, and orders
This model provides a robust and secure foundation for implementing a scalable online
store.

2.6 REVIEW OF RELEVANT TECHNOLOGIES

1. HTML (HyperText Markup Language): Used to create the structure and layout of
web pages. Every content on the site, including forms, buttons, and images, is organized
using HTML.

2. CSS (Cascading Style Sheets): Handles the appearance of the website. It allows
developers to style the pages, define layouts, fonts, colors, and responsiveness for
different screen sizes.

3. JavaScript: Provides interactivity on the web page, such as dynamic cart updates,
form validation, and real-time feedback.

4. PHP (Hypertext Preprocessor): The server-side language used to handle all backend
operations such as user authentication, processing orders, managing sessions, and
interacting with the database.

5. MySQL: An open-source relational database management system that will store and
manage data such as user profiles, products, orders, and admin information.

6. XAMPP: A local development environment that includes Apache, MySQL, and PHP
to allow offline testing and deployment of the system during development.
2.7 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS IN E-COMMERCE DEVELOPMENT

Security is a major concern in online stores. Sensitive data such as login credentials and
order details must be protected. For this project:

1. Passwords will be stored in hashed format using PHP's password_hash() function.

2. User sessions will be handled securely to prevent hijacking.
3. Form inputs will be validated and sanitized to avoid SQL injection.
4. Administrative functions will only be accessible through a secure backend login.

2.8 GAP IN EXISTING SYSTEMS

While platforms like Jumia and Amazon offer extensive features, they are not tailored
for individual mobile companies. Most small businesses lack the technical capacity or
budget to set up on those platforms or customize their needs. They also pay commission
to these platforms. There’s a need for independent online stores for businesses that want
full control.

2.9 SUMMARY OF THE CHAPTER

This chapter has explored key concepts, benefits, and technologies involved in building
an online store. It reviewed major e-commerce platforms and identified the need for
tailored solutions for mobile companies. It also provided a foundation for the
technological choices made in this project such as PHP, MySQL, and HTML/CSS for
implementing a scalable and secure platform.
 CHAPTER THREE

SYSTEM ANALYSIS AND DESIGN

3.1 INTRODUCTION

This chapter focuses on the system analysis and design of the proposed online store for a
mobile company. System analysis involves identifying system requirements,
understanding functional and non-functional needs, and outlining the workflow. System
design translates these requirements into technical components such as system
architecture, database structure, user interfaces, and process flows. The aim is to
establish a foundation for building the actual software application.

3.2 METHODOLOGY

The Waterfall Model is adopted for this project. It is a sequential software development
methodology that allows for structured progress through clearly defined stages:

1. Requirements Gathering
2. System Design
3. Implementation
4. Testing
5. Deployment
6. Maintenance

This model is suitable due to the straightforward nature of the project and clearly defined
deliverables.
3.3 SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

3.3.1 Hardware Requirements

1. Processor: Intel Core i3 or higher

2. RAM: Minimum of 4GB
3. Storage: Minimum of 10GB of free space
4. Internet access for deployment (optional)

3.3.2 Software Requirements

1. Operating System: Windows, Linux, or macOS

2. Web Server: Apache (via XAMPP)
3. Programming Languages: PHP, HTML, CSS, JavaScript
4. Database Management: MySQL (via phpMyAdmin)
5. Code Editor: Visual Studio Code, Sublime Text, or Notepad++
6. Browser: Chrome, Firefox, or Edge

3.4 FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS

These are specific actions the system must perform:

User Role Functionality

Guest View product catalog

Registered User Register and login/logout

Registered User Add products to cart

Registered User Checkout order

User Role Functionality

Admin Add/edit/delete products

Admin Manage users and orders

Admin Update product details (image, price, description)

3.5 NON-FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Security: Secure login system, session management, password hashing

2. Usability: Simple and responsive user interface
3. Scalability: Ability to add more features such as online payment and tracking
4. Performance: Fast loading pages, efficient database queries
5. Portability: Can run on any device with a modern browser and server

3.6 SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE

The system follows a three-tier architecture:

1. Presentation Layer (Frontend)

o Technologies: HTML, CSS, JavaScript
o Displays products, shopping cart, and registration forms
2. Application Layer (Backend)
o Technology: PHP
o Handles user logic, session handling, and business rules
3. Data Layer (Database)
o Technology: MySQL
o Stores data for products, users, carts, and orders
3.7 USE CASE DIAGRAM

Actors:

1. User
2. Admin

Use Cases:

1. Login/Register
2. Browse Products
3. Add to Cart
4. Checkout
5. Admin Product Management
6. View Orders

3.8 ENTITY RELATIONSHIP DIAGRAM (ERD)

Entities and their relationships:

Entity Attributes3

Users user_id, full_name, email, password, role

Products product_id, name, description, price, image_path

Orders order_id, user_id, total_amount, order_date, status

Order
item_id, order_id, product_id, quantity
Items

Relationships:

 One user can place many orders

 Each order can have multiple products
 Each product can be added to multiple orders

3.9 DATA FLOW DIAGRAM (DFD)

Level 0 (Context Level)

1. User interacts with system through browser

2. System processes requests (view product, add to cart, login)
3. Admin accesses backend for management tasks

Level 1 (Expanded View)

1. USER Login → Auth System → Dashboard

2. Browse Products → Product Module
 3. Place Order → Order Module
4. Admin Panel → Product CRUD & Order Monitoring

3.10 DATABASE DESIGN (TABLES)

users Table

Field Type Description

user_id INT Primary Key

full_name VARCHAR Full name

email VARCHAR Unique email

password VARCHAR Hashed password

role ENUM 'admin' or 'user'

Products Table
Field Type Description

product_id INT Primary Key

name VARCHAR Product name

description TEXT Product details

price DECIMAL Price

image VARCHAR File path to product image

orders Table

Field Type Description

order_id INT Primary Key

user_id INT Foreign Key

total_amount DECIMAL Total cost

order_date DATETIME Order timestamp

status VARCHAR Status of the order

order_items Table

Field Type Description

item_id INT Primary Key

order_id INT Foreign Key

product_id INT Foreign Key

quantity INT Quantity ordered

Field Type Description

3.11 SUMMARY

This chapter outlined the key components of the system analysis and design, including
the requirements, architectural layout, user roles, use case diagram, data flow, and
database structure. These specifications provide the technical framework needed to
implement the system in the next development phase.
 CHAPTER FOUR

SYSTEM IMPLEMENTATION AND TESTING

4.1 INTRODUCTION

This chapter discusses the implementation of the online store for the mobile company. It
describes the tools used for development, the platform setup, the coding structure,
database integration, and user interface design. The testing section details how different
components were verified for correctness, security, and usability. System screenshots
and output samples are also described.

4.2 DEVELOPMENT ENVIRONMENT

Tool Purpose

HTML, CSS, JS Front-end development

PHP Back-end scripting

MySQL Database management

XAMPP Local web server environment

phpMyAdmin MySQL administration

Visual Studio Code Code editor

Why XAMPP?
XAMPP provides an all-in-one package of Apache (web server), MySQL (database),
and PHP. It enables easy local deployment, testing, and debugging before moving to a
live server.

4.3 SYSTEM SETUP PROCESS

1. Install XAMPP
o Download from apachefriends.org
o Start Apache and MySQL from the control panel
2. Create the Database
o Open phpMyAdmin
o Create a database named mobile_store
o Import the SQL file (mobile_store.sql) provided in the project package
3. Copy Project Files
o Place all PHP, HTML, and asset files in htdocs/mobile_store/ directory
4. Run the Application
o Open browser and go to http://localhost/mobile_store/
o Register as a new user or login as admin

4.4 SYSTEM FEATURES IMPLEMENTED

User Functions

1. User Registration: Secure signup form with validations

2. Login: User login with session management and access control
3. Browse Products: View available mobile phones with images and details
4. Cart: Add items to cart, update quantities, remove items
 5. Checkout: Review cart and place orders (cash-on-delivery model)

Admin Functions

1. Login with Role-Based Access

2. Add/Edit/Delete Products
3. View Orders and Status
4. Manage Users (view-only)
5. Update Product Images and Pricing

4.5 CODE OVERVIEW (SAMPLE SNIPPETS)

Connection to Database (db_connect.php)

php
CopyEdit
<?php
$host = "localhost";
$user = "root";
$pass = "";
$db = "mobile_store";

$conn = new mysqli($host, $user, $pass, $db);

if ($conn->connect_error) {
die("Connection failed: " . $conn->connect_error);
}
?>

User Login (login.php)

php
CopyEdit
<?php
session_start();
include 'db_connect.php';

if ($_SERVER["REQUEST_METHOD"] == "POST") {
$email = $_POST['email'];
$pass = $_POST['password'];

$sql = "SELECT * FROM users WHERE email='$email'";

$result = $conn->query($sql);
if ($result->num_rows == 1) {
$row = $result->fetch_assoc();
if (password_verify($pass, $row['password'])) {
$_SESSION['user_id'] = $row['user_id'];
$_SESSION['role'] = $row['role'];
header("Location: dashboard.php");
} else {
echo "Invalid password!";
}
} else {
echo "User not found!";
}
}
?>

Add to Cart
php
CopyEdit
$_SESSION['cart'][] = array(
'product_id' => $product_id,
'quantity' => 1
);

Admin Product Upload (admin_add_product.php)

php
CopyEdit
if (isset($_POST['submit'])) {
$name = $_POST['name'];
$price = $_POST['price'];
$desc = $_POST['description'];
$img = $_FILES['image']['name'];
move_uploaded_file($_FILES['image']['tmp_name'], "uploads/$img");

$sql = "INSERT INTO products (name, price, description, image_path)

VALUES ('$name', '$price', '$desc', '$img')";
$conn->query($sql);
}

4.6 TESTING AND VALIDATION

Test Cases
Test Case Expected Output Result

Register new user Redirect to login Pass

Invalid login Error message Pass

View product list List displayed Pass

Add to cart Item added Pass

Checkout Order saved in DB Pass

Admin add product New product visible Pass

4.7 SCREENSHOTS AND SYSTEM OUTPUT

1. Homepage: Displays products in a card layout

2. Login/Register: Responsive forms
3. Cart: Shows item summary, total price
4. Admin Dashboard: Tables with buttons for edit/delete
5. Order View: Admin can see user orders with status

4.8 CHALLENGES ENCOUNTERED

1. File upload validation

2. Session management and redirect
3. Styling for mobile responsiveness
4. Avoiding duplicate cart entries
4.9 SOLUTIONS APPLIED

1. Used PHP password_hash() for security

2. Applied $_SESSION to manage user state
3. Used Bootstrap for responsive styling
4. Implemented product uniqueness checks before adding to cart

4.10 SUMMARY

This chapter described the technical implementation of the project. All required modules
were successfully built and integrated using modern web development tools. The system
was tested for correctness, and all major functionalities passed with no critical bugs.

CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION, AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 SUMMARY OF THE STUDY

This project was undertaken to design and implement an online store for a mobile
company. The goal was to develop a fully functional, user-friendly web-based platform
that allows customers to view mobile products, register an account, add items to a cart,
and place orders — while also enabling administrators to manage products and monitor
customer activity.

The system was designed using the Waterfall Model, starting with requirement
gathering, followed by system design, development, and testing. PHP was used for the
server-side logic, while HTML, CSS, and JavaScript handled the front-end interface.
MySQL was used as the database system to store and retrieve persistent data.

All core features were implemented:

1. Customer registration and login

2. Product catalog display with images and descriptions
3. Cart functionality and checkout process
4. Admin dashboard for managing products and orders
5. Secure user authentication and session management

Screenshots, data flow diagrams, and database structure were developed and tested. The
project met its objectives and passed all basic validation tests.

5.2 ACHIEVEMENTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS

The system provides:

 A platform for small mobile businesses to showcase and sell products online
 A simple and scalable e-commerce solution that can be deployed locally or online
 Secure role-based access for users and admins
 A working example of PHP-MySQL-based e-commerce logic
It also demonstrates how small businesses can automate their sales and order handling
without relying on third-party e-commerce marketplaces.

5.3 CONCLUSION

The development of this online store has proven the importance of digital solutions for
business scalability and customer satisfaction. By reducing dependence on physical
stores, this project allows mobile companies to:

1. Expand their customer base

2. Operate 24/7
3. Simplify sales, inventory, and order tracking
4. Deliver a better experience to their users

The system is fully functional and provides a solid foundation for future development
and scaling.

5.5 RECOMMENDATIONS

To improve and scale the project, the following enhancements are recommended:
Integrate a Payment Gateway: Connect to services like Paystack or Flutterwave for
online payment.
Enable Delivery Tracking: Use courier APIs for real-time tracking.
Mobile App Extension: Create a React Native or Flutter mobile version for better
accessibility.
Add Product Search and Filters: Improve product navigation and user experience.
Enhance Security: Use HTTPS encryption and two-factor authentication for admins.
Business Reports: Include graphical reports for revenue, product trends, and user
activity.

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