How we have been developing and supporting the VodaPlus e-commerce platform for 3 years

At the start, we already had a working online store on 1C-Bitrix and a mobile version implemented using the platform.

The main task was to keep the system in working order and gradually adapt it to VodaPlus’ changing business processes.

In the process, tasks of different levels arose.:

• automation of data exchange with 1C;
• catalog and price operation;
• development of the bonus program;
• calculation and application of bonuses when placing an order;
• setting up delivery zones;
• developing a mobile purchase scenario;
• promo codes and promotions;
• updating your personal account;
• push notifications;
• correcting errors in the shopping cart and placing orders;
• optimization of the existing site logic.

In other words, the project has gradually moved beyond the classical technical support.

Linked an online store with 1C

1C was the company’s main accounting system, so automating data exchange between it and the site became an important part of the work.

We have set up and refined the processes related to:

• the product catalog;
• prices;
• bonus accounts;
• bonus transactions;
• customer data;
• by orders;
• regular data import.

In particular, automatic loading on a schedule has been set up for the catalog and prices, instead of having to update information manually on a regular basis.

This made it possible to use the site as a full-fledged client interface on top of the existing accounting system, without forcing employees to manually duplicate data.

Implemented and developed a bonus system

One of the essential parts of the project was working with the loyalty program.

The bonuses were linked to the built-in 1C-Bitrix «Internal Account» mechanism. When XML files were received from the accounting system, the system could create a user’s bonus account, change its balance, and record the corresponding operations.

To control the exchange, we additionally used a separate Highload block «Bonus Log», where bonus accrual and debit operations were stored. This made it possible to track incorrect situations and resolve disputes with clients.

They were being finalized on the site’s side:

• displaying the bonus balance;
• history of charges and debits;
• calculation of the order amount that can be paid with bonuses;
• the logic of applying bonuses in the basket;
• the user’s personal account.

As a result, the bonus program has become part of the standard purchase scenario, rather than a separate manual process.

We have developed a system of delivery zones

For VodaPlus business, the cost of delivery depends on the territory in which the customer is located.

Therefore, we have implemented and consistently refined the delivery zones.

The functionality included working with territories, their configuration, and the logic of determining the cost of delivery. About 35 hours were allocated for the very development of the zones’ functionality, after which additional improvements and corrections of related scenarios were carried out.

The work of the zones in the mobile version was also finalized separately.

This is a fundamentally important functionality for an online delivery store: the user must receive the correct delivery terms for his address before completing the order.

The mobile version was being developed

The mobile application was not developed from scratch by us — it was implemented using 1C-Bitrix as a PWA.

Our team continued to develop it along with the main site.

Among the improvements:

• correcting the operation of the shopping cart;
• displaying detailed order information;
• canceling an order from your merchant profile;
• operation of delivery zones;
• displaying product images;
• customer profiles;
• mobile banners;
• promo codes;
• push notifications;
• adapting the interface to different devices;
• correction of navigation and display errors.

For example, a scenario was separately finalized in which, after deleting all products from the shopping cart, the user had to return to the catalog of the mobile version, and not to the main site.

Added tools for promotions and promo codes

During the development of the project, it became necessary to support marketing mechanics directly in the online store.

We implemented the loading and processing of data for promo codes, including through XML files, and also refined the logic of applying discounts and promotions in the basket.

For example, a special promotion with a coupon for a fixed amount of a certain basket size was worked out separately.

Thus, marketing activities could be implemented directly within the existing sales system.

The design and client scenarios were being finalized

During the support period, a large number of small but important changes were made to user scripts.

Including:

• search;
• basket;
• making an order;
• personal account;
• delivery display;
• working with addresses;
• mobile navigation;
• filters;
• banners;
• notifications;
• displaying information about the order.

For example, the logic of checking the address and processing an incorrectly specified address when placing an order was corrected.

This is a typical example of working on an e-commerce product, where a small error in the interface can directly affect the user’s ability to complete a purchase.

Over the three years of our work, we have not only maintained the existing website, but consistently developed it around the real VodaPlus business processes.

As a result:

• The online store continued to develop based on 1C-Bitrix;
• automated key data exchange with 1C;
• automated catalog and price loading;
• implemented the integration of the bonus program;
• A mechanism for logging bonus transactions has been created;
• automated use of bonuses when paying;
• delivery zones are implemented taking into account the customer’s territory;
• improved the PWA version of the store;
• improved mobile ordering scenarios;
• added promo code and promotion tools;
• personal account and notifications were developed;
• the number of manual operations when working with the catalog and bonuses has decreased.

The main result is that the website is no longer just an online store showcase. It has become part of the company’s unified digital infrastructure related to 1C, delivery, loyalty program and mobile sales channel.