Cemre Yılmaz

Project: Düşünbil Kitap

Building an Independent Online Bookstore

Background Problem Goal Process What did not work Outcome Reflection

Role: UX Designer, Web Developer
Duration: 2018 – Present
Tools: WordPress, WooCommerce, PayPal API

Background

Düşünbil Publishing sought to create its own online bookstore to sell their magazines and philosophy and social science books directly to readers, rather than relying on third-party marketplaces.

Problem

Düşünbil wanted to:

  • Build a self-hosted sales channel.
  • Ensure the payment process was legally and technically compliant.
  • Simplify the order and communication flow for customers.

Challenges:

  • Necessity to establish customer confidence in direct payments.
  • Limited budget, no dedicated development team.
  • Need for a system that could be maintained easily by non-technical staff.

Goal

To develop a minimal, transparent, and cost-efficient online sales platform that:

  • Enables readers to browse and purchase books smoothly,
  • Integrates trusted payment systems,
  • Reduces operational dependency on external distributors,
  • Aligns visually with the Düşünbil brand.

Process

  • Research: Compared e-commerce solutions and plugins to balance cost, legal requirements, and usability.
  • Design: Designed a clean, distraction-free interface focusing on book covers, short descriptions, and easy checkout.
  • Implementation:
    • Built the store using WordPress and WooCommerce,
    • Integrated PayPal and bank transfer options,
    • Customized the checkout flow for clarity and trust,
    • Ensured GDPR compliance and SSL security.
  • Testing: Conducted test purchases, refined payment workflows, and ensured mobile responsiveness.

What did not work

In 2021, PayPal discontinued operations in Turkey, forcing a complete rework of the payment infrastructure. Although PayPal had been the most user-trusted solution, its removal created friction for customers and required urgent replacement.

After evaluating several options (İyzico, Shopier, PayTR), I selected PayTR due to its cost efficiency, ease of integration, and long-term stability. This decision led to a second integration phase and front-end updates to communicate the new payment flow clearly to users.

Outcome

  • Achieved full operational independence from third-party online sellers.
  • Maintained operational continuity despite major payment system changes.
  • Improved customer retention and satisfaction after streamlining checkout and communication.
  • The bookstore continues to serve as the main sales channel for Düşünbil Publishing.

Reflection

This project highlighted the importance of resilience and adaptability in digital infrastructure. Unexpected changes and unforeseeable developments can occur at any stage of a digital project — designing with modularity and open-source flexibility proved crucial.

If I were to revisit this project, I would implement user feedback surveys at each major change (e.g., PayTR transition) to better measure perceived trust and usability.