Shopmax: A Web-Based E-Commerce Marketplace For The Uganda Christian University Community
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Date
2026-05-27
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Uganda Christian University
Abstract
No dedicated, centralised e‑commerce marketplace exists for the Uganda Christian University (UCU) community, forcing students and staff to rely on fragmented social media platforms for buying and selling. This project presents the design, development, and evaluation of ShopMax, a web‑based marketplace tailored for UCU. The system addresses inefficiencies such as lack of organisation, reliability, and centralised management. Data were collected through observation, interviews, and questionnaires involving students, staff, and local vendors. The system was developed using modern web technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Flask, SQLite) following the System Development Life Cycle (SDLC). Key features include secure user authentication (UCU email + Google OAuth), product listing and management, search and filtering, and an in‑platform messaging system. System testing – unit, integration, and user acceptance testing – confirmed the reliability and usability of the platform. User acceptance testing (n=18) gave average ratings above 4.5/5 for ease of use, search efficiency, and overall satisfaction. ShopMax significantly enhances accessibility, promotes student entrepreneurship, and improves transaction efficiency within the university environment. The system provides a scalable foundation for future enhancements such as payment integration and mobile application support
Description
Undergraduate