Strategies used to address challenges encountered during website development in South Africa

Background: Whether a website design is a simple static page of plain text, a complex e-commerce matrix or a progressive web application, the journey is riddled with challenges. In terms of online users, every second counts when interacting with a website. It is estimated that 2 seconds is the acceptable webpage loading latency that users are willing to tolerate before abandoning a webpage. Users expect web applications to be more usable, reliable, secure, personalised and context-aware. Objectives: This study sought to identify the challenges faced and the strategies used during website development, and to then map a conceptual framework to address these challenges. Method: The 7Cs framework was the theoretical framework underpinning the study. Based on qualitative research, 12 website developers were sampled in Gauteng Province, South Africa, using non-probability sampling methods. Results: The 7Cs Website Development Scheme (7CWDS) charted from the research findings shows that the following strategies are essential in overcoming website development challenges: (1) good communication between developer and client, (2) agile planning and acceptance of project scope, (3) creation of website drafts and acceptance, (4) flexible website designs, (5) agile website development using a step-by-step approach, (6) website connections to Google Analytics, (7) connecting website to social media and (8) website cybersecurity scanning and testing. Conclusion: The study developed the 7CWDS as a toolkit that underlines critical strategies to address common challenges in website development, and presents them in a logical hierarchy and order of execution.