# Roadmap — Noble Collectable

Phased development plan for the football card store.

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## Phase 1 (Current Session) ✅ COMPLETE

### Deliverables
- [x] Project documentation suite (`docs/*.md`)
  - PROJECT_OVERVIEW.md
  - TECH_STACK.md
  - INFORMATION_ARCHITECTURE.md
  - ADMIN_GUIDE.md
  - DEPLOYMENT.md
  - BRAND_GUIDE.md
  - ROADMAP.md (this file)
- [x] Logo design & brand guidelines
  - 3 logo concept variations (SVG)
  - Color palette
  - Typography guidelines
  - Logo files in `brand/logo/`

### Decisions Made
- Platform: **WordPress + WooCommerce** (portability, non-tech admin, payment flexibility)
- Style direction: **Bold mainstream sports-retail** (Topps/Fanatics-inspired)
- Bilingual: **FR/EN support** via Polylang
- Hosting: **cPanel shared hosting** (client self-hosted)

### Exit Criteria
- All docs are readable, cross-referenced, and technically accurate
- Logo is finalized and approved by client
- Brand guide is complete

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## Phase 2: Local Environment & Theme Scaffolding

**Timeline:** 2–3 weeks after Phase 1  
**Owner:** Yousha (developer)  
**Entry point:** See below

### Deliverables
- **Local WordPress + WooCommerce Docker environment**
  - `docker-compose.yml` for quick startup
  - Local database (MySQL)
  - WooCommerce pre-installed
  - Polylang pre-installed
  - Stripe/PayPal test mode ready

- **WP Child Theme scaffolding**
  - Directory structure: `wp-content/themes/noblecollectable-child/`
  - Base HTML/CSS templates (header, footer, homepage, product listing, product detail)
  - Basic styling in bold sports-retail direction
  - Responsive mobile-first approach

- **Product taxonomy setup**
  - Categories: League, Team, Set, Era (create & populate examples)
  - Attributes: Grade, Condition, Edition Type, Autograph (configure as filterable)
  - Sample products added (5–10) for testing

### Entry Point for Phase 2

**Prerequisite:** You must have finalized and approved the logo/brand guide from Phase 1.

**Immediate next step:**
1. Create `docker-compose.yml` in project root
2. Spin up WordPress + WooCommerce locally (`docker-compose up -d`)
3. Install Polylang, Stripe plugin
4. Create WP child theme directory
5. Build homepage template with hero, featured products, brand content

**Reference files from Phase 1:**
- [`INFORMATION_ARCHITECTURE.md`](./INFORMATION_ARCHITECTURE.md) — Product taxonomy, page structure
- [`BRAND_GUIDE.md`](./BRAND_GUIDE.md) — Colors, typography, logo placement
- `artifact.html` — Existing reference (boutique-style) — for layout ideas only; final direction is bolder

**Do NOT:**
- Deploy to cPanel yet
- Set up real payment provider credentials (use test keys only)
- Invite client to test (wait until Phase 3)

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## Phase 3: Product Catalog, Payments, Bilingual Launch

**Timeline:** 3–4 weeks after Phase 2  
**Owner:** Yousha + Client (admin training)  
**Audience:** Internal testing, then client beta

### Deliverables
- **Full product catalog imported**
  - CSV import script or manual entry of 20+ sample products
  - High-quality images optimized
  - All attributes & categories populated
  - Pricing set

- **Payment gateway integration**
  - Stripe: API keys configured (test → live migration path documented)
  - PayPal: Alternative option tested
  - Webhook setup for order confirmations

- **Bilingual setup live**
  - French & English versions functional
  - All product descriptions translated (or client to translate)
  - Admin guide available in both languages (optional)

- **Shipping & taxes**
  - Shipping zones configured (EU standard/express, international)
  - Tax rules set up if needed

- **Client training**
  - One-on-one walkthrough of admin panel
  - How to add products, manage orders, process payments
  - Backup & security overview
  - Runbook handoff (see [`ADMIN_GUIDE.md`](./ADMIN_GUIDE.md))

### Entry Point for Phase 3
- Phase 2 theme & scaffold complete
- Logo approved
- Client available for training

### Testing Checklist
- [ ] Add product via admin → Product appears on shop → Add to cart → Checkout works
- [ ] Payment test (Stripe test card) → Order created → Email confirmation sent
- [ ] Filter by category → Results correct
- [ ] Filter by grade/condition → Results correct
- [ ] Bilingual: Switch FR/EN → Content changes, URLs change
- [ ] Mobile: Site responsive, touch-friendly
- [ ] Admin: Client can add 1 product without developer help

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## Phase 4: Go-Live on cPanel

**Timeline:** 1 week after Phase 3 testing  
**Owner:** Yousha + cPanel host support  
**Audience:** Public

### Deliverables
- **Deployment to cPanel**
  - WordPress installed via cPanel one-click or manual FTP
  - Database migrated from local Docker
  - Theme & plugins uploaded
  - Payment provider set to live mode (if approved)

- **Go-live checklist**
  - [ ] HTTPS/SSL certificate active
  - [ ] Automated daily backups enabled
  - [ ] Payment gateway live & tested
  - [ ] Email notifications working (order confirmations, admin alerts)
  - [ ] DNS/domain pointing correctly
  - [ ] Google Analytics (optional) set up
  - [ ] SEO basics: robots.txt, sitemap.xml

- **Launch announcement**
  - Social media posts (if desired)
  - Email to existing customers
  - Newsletter signup live

### Post-Launch Support
- **Week 1:** Developer on-call for issues
- **Week 2–4:** Monitoring, minor fixes, optimization
- **Ongoing:** Monthly check-ins, updates, client support

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## Post-Launch: Ongoing & Future Enhancements

### Regular Maintenance (Every session)
- WordPress core & plugin updates
- Security patches
- Backup verification

### Medium-term Enhancements (Months 2–6)
- **Advanced inventory:** Low-stock alerts, reorder workflow
- **Email automation:** Abandoned cart recovery, repeat customer offers
- **Analytics:** Sales dashboard, customer insights
- **Wishlist/account features:** Customers can save favorites, order history
- **SEO optimization:** Meta descriptions, schema markup for collectibles
- **Social proof:** Customer reviews, testimonials, ratings

### Long-term Enhancements (6+ months)
- **Marketplace:** Allow third-party sellers (if scaling)
- **Grading service integration:** Real-time PSA/BGS verification API
- **Digital editions:** NFT/blockchain card sales (if strategic fit)
- **Mobile app:** iOS/Android companion app
- **AI recommendations:** "Customers who bought Mbappé also bought Haaland"

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## Communication & Decisions

### Decision Points

| Phase | Decision | Options |
|-------|----------|---------|
| Phase 2 | Docker or manual local setup? | Recommended: Docker (faster, cleaner) |
| Phase 3 | Single payment gateway or multi? | Recommended: Start with Stripe, add PayPal later |
| Phase 3 | Translate product descriptions client-side or hire translator? | Depends on volume; recommend client does 5-10 translations as examples |
| Phase 4 | EU VAT tax on sales? | Recommend: Configure if selling internationally; consult accountant |
| Post-launch | Customer reviews & ratings? | Recommended: Enable; builds trust |

### Communication Protocol

- **Weekly standups** (during Phase 2–3): 30-min calls on Monday with developer & client
- **Async updates:** Slack/email for quick questions
- **Issue tracking:** Use GitHub Issues or Trello for bug reports/feature requests
- **Client approval gates:** Logo (Phase 1), theme preview (Phase 2), go-live (Phase 4)

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## Risk Mitigation

| Risk | Probability | Mitigation |
|------|-------------|-----------|
| **cPanel host doesn't support PHP 8.0+** | Low | Pre-check hosting specs before Phase 4; have backup host ready |
| **Stripe/PayPal API integration issues** | Medium | Test in Phase 3 sandbox thoroughly; have manual payment fallback (email/invoice) |
| **Client overwhelmed by admin panel** | Medium | Extra training sessions; create video walkthroughs for common tasks |
| **Product images too large/slow site** | Medium | Use WP Smush plugin; test with 500+ images locally |
| **Data loss during migration** | Low | Always backup before Phase 3→4 transition; test restore process |

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## Success Metrics (End of Phase 4)

- ✅ Store is live and accessible at `noble-collectable.com` (or client's domain)
- ✅ Client can add a product from admin without developer help
- ✅ 5+ test orders processed successfully
- ✅ Bilingual switcher works (FR/EN)
- ✅ Mobile site is responsive
- ✅ All documentation is read by client & developer
- ✅ Automated daily backups are running

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## Notes for Future Developer

If you're picking up this project after Phase 1:

1. **Read all docs** in `docs/` folder first (start with `PROJECT_OVERVIEW.md`)
2. **Check Phase 1 deliverables:** Logo should be finalized and approved
3. **Environment:** Docker is available on developer's machine; PHP is not installed
4. **Client:** Non-technical, needs simple admin UX; prioritize clarity in theme design
5. **Deployment:** cPanel self-hosting is a hard requirement (no Shopify/Wix)
6. **Next step:** Enter Phase 2 → Docker setup + theme scaffolding

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## Contact

- **Developer (current):** Yousha Rizvi
- **Client:** Non-technical shop owner
- **Hosting:** cPanel (provider TBD)

**Questions?** Refer to the relevant doc file, or start a discussion with Yousha.

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**Last updated:** August 2026  
**Document owner:** Yousha Rizvi