CIS8100 Assessment 2 (2026): E-commerce Business Model Report and Prototype Website Development

Assessment Overview and Context

Digital enterprise assessment tasks at upper undergraduate and postgraduate level require integration of strategic analysis, applied system development, and evidence-based reporting aligned with current e-commerce practices. This assessment builds on established CIS8100 structures used across Australian universities, particularly those aligned with University of Southern Queensland delivery models, while incorporating updated expectations for platform usability, cloud deployment, and consumer analytics.

Assessment Details

• Course Code: CIS8100
• Assessment Title: Assignment 2 – E-commerce Business Model Report and Prototype Website
• Weighting: 30%
• Word Limit: 3000 words (Report component)
• Due Date: Week 9 (Current Semester 2026 delivery)
• Submission Format: Report (Word/PDF) and Website URL

Academic Integrity and Submission Requirements

Assessment must reflect independent work developed in accordance with institutional academic integrity policies. Collaboration is limited to conceptual clarification; all analytical, written, and technical outputs must be individually produced. Submissions are routinely evaluated using text-matching and collusion-detection systems. Failure to comply may result in penalties consistent with university policy frameworks.

Referencing must follow Harvard AGPS conventions, with accurate in-text citations and a complete reference list. Minimum expectation requires at least ten peer-reviewed or academically credible sources beyond prescribed course materials. Direct copying is not acceptable; synthesis and paraphrasing are required to demonstrate critical engagement.

Learning Objectives Assessed

• Evaluate technological, behavioural, and market drivers influencing digital enterprises
• Critically analyse e-commerce business models in contemporary contexts
• Design and implement a functional prototype website aligned with a strategic plan
• Communicate findings in structured, professional report format suitable for management audiences

Assessment Task Description

Students are required to design an e-commerce business concept based on an allocated online business category and develop both a strategic report and a working prototype website using a content management system such as Joomla or a comparable modern platform. Cloud-based deployment is expected to reflect current industry practice, with emphasis placed on usability, accessibility, and structured content presentation.

Report Structure and Requirements

Preliminary Sections

• Title Page with student details and word count
• Letter of Transmittal
• Executive Summary
• Introduction (approx. 300 words, including business name rationale)

Section 1: Industry Structural Analysis (Approx. 600 words)

Conduct a structured analysis of the selected industry using recognised frameworks. Discussion should include competitive intensity, barriers to entry, supplier and buyer power, and substitute threats. Application of models such as Porter’s Five Forces, PESTLE analysis, and SWOT analysis is expected, supported by current industry data.

Section 2: E-commerce Business Model (Approx. 1200 words)

Analyse core components of the proposed business model:

• Value Proposition
• Revenue Model
• Market Opportunity
• Competitive Environment

Discussion should demonstrate clear alignment between strategy and digital execution, including consideration of scalability and sustainability in online markets.

Section 3: Online Consumer Behaviour (Approx. 600 words)

Evaluate consumer decision-making in digital environments, particularly the gap between browsing and purchasing behaviour. Consider usability design, trust factors, pricing transparency, and conversion strategies supported by current research.

Conclusions and Recommendations (Approx. 300 words)

Summarise key findings and provide actionable recommendations supported by analysis presented in the report.

Appendix 1: Reflective Project Journal

Maintain a chronological record of research and development activities, including time allocation, sources accessed, and decision-making processes. Entries should demonstrate iterative learning and project progression.

Prototype Website Requirements (30 Marks)

• Functional CMS deployment on cloud hosting platform
• User-friendly layout and responsive design
• Core pages: Home, About, Contact
• Effective navigation structure and working links

Marking Criteria

• Industry Analysis and Application of Frameworks (10 marks)
• Business Model Development and Strategic Insight (20 marks)
• Consumer Behaviour Analysis (10 marks)
• Report Structure and Professional Communication (5 marks)
• Referencing and Academic Rigor (5 marks)
• Reflective Journal Quality (10 marks)
• Prototype Website Functionality and Design (30 marks)
• Total: 100 marks

Sample Paper Writing Help Response Excerpt

An effective e-commerce business model integrates strategic positioning with consumer-centric digital design, where value creation is directly linked to user experience and trust formation. A proposed online retail platform targeting sustainable fashion consumers demonstrates how differentiation can be achieved through ethical sourcing transparency and interactive product storytelling. Consumer behaviour research indicates that perceived trust and ease of navigation significantly influence conversion rates, particularly in first-time users, as supported by Consumer behaviour in e-commerce: trust and website quality. Revenue generation in this model combines direct sales with subscription-based loyalty incentives, which may enhance customer retention over time. Competitive analysis suggests moderate entry barriers due to platform accessibility, although brand credibility remains a critical constraint for new entrants. Strategic alignment between market opportunity and digital execution strengthens long-term viability.

Empirical studies indicate that website usability metrics such as load speed, mobile responsiveness, and checkout simplicity correlate strongly with reduced cart abandonment rates. Research published in electronic commerce journals shows that even marginal improvements in interface design may increase transaction completion rates by measurable margins. Industry case examples from leading platforms reinforce the role of integrated analytics in refining consumer engagement strategies.

Students often ask how to distinguish a high-performing business model section from a descriptive one. Strong responses move beyond listing components and instead demonstrate how each element interacts within a coherent system supported by evidence. Comparative evaluation of at least two competitors strengthens analytical depth and aligns closely with marking criteria focused on critical thinking and application.

Recommended References

Laudon, K.C. and Traver, C.G. (2022) E-commerce: business, technology, society. 17th edn. Pearson. Available at: https://www.pearson.com

Gao, L. and Bai, X. (2019) ‘Online consumer behaviour and its relationship to website atmospheric induced flow’, Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 48, pp. 20–28. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jretconser.2019.01.012

Gefen, D., Karahanna, E. and Straub, D. (2018) ‘Trust and TAM in online shopping’, MIS Quarterly. Available at: https://www.jstor.org

Chaffey, D. (2022) Digital business and e-commerce management. 8th edn. Pearson. Available at: https://www.pearson.com

Turban, E. et al. (2021) Electronic commerce: a managerial and social networks perspective. Springer. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-02315-1

• CIS8100 assignment 2 e-commerce business model report and Joomla prototype website guide
• E-commerce Model Report
• Build E-commerce Report and Prototype Website Assignment Guide
• Digital Business Model and Website
• Strategic report and prototype website development task
• Write a 3000-word e-commerce business model report and develop a prototype website using Joomla or similar CMS with Harvard referencing.
• Compose a 10–12 page report analysing an e-commerce model and submit a functional prototype website for assessment.
• Develop a business model report and prototype website for a digital enterprise assignment.

 Assessment (Week 11 – Assignment 3)

Course: CIS8100 Digital Enterprise Systems

Title: Digital Strategy Evaluation and Analytics Report

Description: Students will critically evaluate the performance of their developed e-commerce prototype using web analytics, usability testing, and customer engagement metrics. The task requires integration of tools such as Google Analytics or equivalent platforms to assess traffic, conversion rates, and user behaviour patterns. A 2000–2500 word report must present findings, identify performance gaps, and recommend strategic improvements. Academic sources and real data interpretation are required, with Harvard referencing applied throughout.