What you are doing

Add a feature

Extend a site that already exists.

• Add one feature without breaking things

  Difficulty: intermediate

  How to ask for something new on a site that already works.

  Guide

• Add or change one feature

  Defines one visitor capability, its expected flow, and its required interface states.

  Prompt

• Ask before adding paid services

  Fills the constraint part

  Treat this as a firm implementation constraint: ask before adding paid services.

  Pattern

  Copy

• Change a website you already have

  Difficulty: beginner

  How to ask for a change without breaking the parts that work.

  Guide

• Do not add a backend

  Fills the constraint part

  Treat this as a firm implementation constraint: do not add a backend.

  Pattern

  Copy

• Do not add authentication

  Fills the constraint part

  Treat this as a firm implementation constraint: do not add authentication.

  Pattern

  Copy

• Form

  A set of fields where a visitor enters information and sends it to the site.

  Word

• Help visitors find an answer in their own words

  Fills the feature part

  Place a search input near the content, start suggesting matches after 2 characters, and submit the full query on Enter. Show the result count, highlight the matching words, and offer two broader ideas when there are no results. Do not make visitors choose a category before they can search or show an empty page without guidance.

  Pattern

  Copy

• Let visitors choose, pay for, and track an order

  Fills the feature part

  Let visitors add items from a clear list, review quantity and total in a persistent basket, then choose delivery or collection before payment. Show fees, estimated timing, and any unavailable item before the final confirmation. Do not hide charges until the last step or lose the basket when the visitor changes one option.

  Pattern

  Copy

• Let visitors manage their own details

  Fills the feature part

  Offer sign in and account creation with email, password, and a clearly labelled reset option. After sign in, show the visitor their name, the 3 to 5 most useful account actions, and a visible sign-out control. Do not require an account before a visitor can browse, and explain why any personal detail is needed.

  Pattern

  Copy

• Let visitors reserve a time without calling

  Fills the feature part

  Ask for date, time, party size or service type, and contact details in that order, showing only times that are available. Confirm the booking immediately with the key details and send the same summary by email or message. Do not make visitors submit a form before showing whether a time can be booked.

  Pattern

  Copy

• Preserve existing functionality

  Fills the constraint part

  Treat this as a firm implementation constraint: preserve existing functionality.

  Pattern

  Copy

• Website feature

  A capability that lets a visitor accomplish something on the website.

  Word