# Shopaise E-commerce Platform ## About Shopaise Shopaise is a comprehensive multi-tenant e-commerce platform that enables merchants to create and manage their own online stores with full e-commerce capabilities, including product management, order processing, payment handling, delivery management, and customizable storefronts. ## Core Platform Features ### Multi-Store Management - Create and manage multiple online stores from a single account - Domain-based store isolation with custom domain support - Role-based team collaboration with granular permissions - Individual store branding and customization ### Store Customization - Visual drag & drop page builder for easy storefront design - Customizable themes with rounded or square design preferences - Logo management with light/dark mode support - Color scheme customization and branding tools - SEO optimization with meta tags and search vectors ### Product Management - Comprehensive product catalog with variants and options - Real-time inventory tracking and low-stock alerts - Product categories and brand organization - Bulk product operations and management - Support for different storage conditions (refrigerated, frozen, ambient) - Product status management (draft, published, archived) ### Order Processing - Complete order lifecycle from cart to delivery - Multiple fulfillment methods: store pickup and courier delivery - Order status tracking with 13 distinct statuses - Delivery code verification for security - Order expiration handling (5-day automatic expiry) - Customer and store order cancellation options ### Payment & Payouts - Stripe integration with secure payment processing - Automated merchant payouts based on subscription plans - Platform fee structure with percentage and fixed fees - Payout scheduling: weekly (Enterprise) or bi-weekly (Basic/Premium) - Payout delays: 6-10 days depending on plan tier - Saved payment methods for customers ## User Roles & Permissions ### Store Team Roles - **Owner**: Full access to all store features and settings - **Admin**: Store management and user administration - **Manager**: Product and order management capabilities - **Editor**: Content and product editing permissions - **Support**: Customer support and basic order access ### Platform Users - **Merchants**: Store owners and their team members - **Customers**: End users shopping on stores - **Drivers**: Delivery personnel for courier services - **Platform Admins**: Super users managing the entire platform ## Subscription Plans ### Basic Plan ($19.99/month, $179.91/year) - 7% + $0.75 transaction fees - 10-day payout delay - Bi-weekly payouts (1st and 15th) ### Premium Plan ($99.99/month, $899.91/year) - 6.5% + $0.65 transaction fees - 8-day payout delay - Bi-weekly payouts (1st and 15th) ### Enterprise Plan ($299.99/month, $2699.91/year) - 5.5% + $0.60 transaction fees - 6-day payout delay - Weekly payouts (every Monday) ## Order Management System ### Order Statuses 1. Awaiting Pickup Location Approval 2. Pending 3. Processing 4. Ready for Fulfillment 5. Ready for Pickup 6. Waiting for Shipment 7. Scheduled for Delivery 8. Shipped 9. Delivered 10. Customer Cancelled 11. Store Cancelled 12. Expired ### Delivery Methods - **Store Pickup**: Customers collect from designated pickup locations - **Courier Delivery**: Third-party courier integration with real-time tracking - **Delivery Zones**: Geographic area management for delivery services ## SEO & Marketing Tools ### Built-in SEO Features - Custom meta titles, descriptions, and keywords - Advanced full-text search optimization - SEO-friendly URL structures - Image optimization with CDN delivery - Enhanced search capabilities for improved discoverability ### Marketing Components - Billboard carousels for promotional content - Featured product showcases - Category-based navigation and filtering - Brand management and display - Customizable homepage layouts ## Inventory Management ### Stock Control - Real-time inventory tracking across all variants - Automated stock decrements on order placement - Optional inventory restoration on order cancellation - Low stock threshold alerts with email notifications - Bulk inventory management tools ### Product Organization - Hierarchical category system - Brand-based product grouping - Product variants (size, color, custom options) - Flexible product attributes and specifications - Image galleries with multiple media support ## Analytics & Reporting ### Dashboard Metrics - Order analytics and sales performance - Revenue tracking and payout calculations - Product performance insights - Customer behavior analysis - Low stock monitoring and alerts ### Automated Reporting - Scheduled analytics updates - Email notifications for key events - Export capabilities for external analysis - Real-time order and inventory tracking ## Security & Authentication ### Security Features - Secure authentication and authorization - Role-based access control (RBAC) - Multi-factor authentication support - Session management with configurable timeouts - API rate limiting and request validation - Webhook signature verification ### Data Protection - Encrypted sensitive data storage - Advanced SQL injection protection - IP whitelisting for critical endpoints - Audit trails for all administrative actions - Secure token management and refresh ## Key Integrations - **Stripe**: Payment processing and merchant payouts - **Email Services**: Automated notifications and alerts - **CDN**: Asset delivery and image optimization - **Background Jobs**: Scheduled task processing ## Customer Support Features ### Self-Service Options - Comprehensive FAQ section covering all platform aspects - Order tracking and status updates - Account management and preferences - Delivery scheduling and modifications ### Support Channels - Contact forms and inquiry management - Help documentation and guides - Platform status and maintenance notifications - Community support resources ## API & Developer Tools ### RESTful APIs - Store management endpoints - Product catalog APIs - Order processing workflows - Payment and webhook integrations - Analytics and reporting endpoints ### Webhook Support - Real-time order status updates - Payment confirmation events - Inventory change notifications - Customer account activities - Delivery status tracking ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Platform Management **Q: How can I manage multiple stores on your platform?** A: Our platform allows users to easily manage multiple stores from a single account. You can create, customize, and monitor multiple stores seamlessly through your dashboard. **Q: Can I add staff or team members to help manage my store?** A: Yes, you can add staff or team members to assist in managing your store. Our platform offers role-based permissions, allowing you to control access and assign specific responsibilities to different team members. ### Store Customization **Q: How can I choose a domain for my online store?** A: You can personalize your online identity by selecting either a subdomain or a custom domain. This choice is crucial as it represents your brand and helps create a unique online presence. **Q: Can I customize the look of my online storefront?** A: Absolutely! Our platform offers powerful design tools including our drag & drop page builder that allows you to tailor your storefront to reflect your brand's identity. You have the creative freedom to make your store visually appealing to your visitors. ### Product & Inventory Management **Q: How do I manage products on the platform?** A: Managing products is easy with our efficient system. You can add, delete, or modify products effortlessly, ensuring that your inventory is always up to date. **Q: What does the inventory management system offer?** A: Our inventory management system provides comprehensive tools to keep track of your stock levels accurately. This helps prevent issues like overselling or underselling, ensuring smooth operations. ### Analytics & Marketing **Q: How can I use sales analytics to enhance my business strategy?** A: Our platform offers insightful analytics that empower you to make data-driven decisions. You can monitor sales, analyze customer behavior, and track important metrics to optimize your business strategy. **Q: What SEO and marketing tools are available?** A: We provide built-in SEO tools and seamless integrations with leading marketing platforms. This enables you to improve your online visibility, expand your reach, and convert more visitors into customers. ### Payments & Payouts **Q: How are payments and payouts handled on your platform?** A: Payments are processed securely through Stripe, a leading payment gateway. Payouts to merchants are automated based on your subscription plan, with different frequencies and delay periods to ensure secure transactions. **Q: What is a payout delay and why does it exist?** A: Payout delay is the number of days between when an order is delivered and when funds become eligible for payout. This delay (6-10 days depending on your plan) ensures transaction security, allows for dispute resolution, and follows industry best practices. It protects both merchants and customers by providing a buffer period for any order issues to be resolved. **Q: How often will I receive payouts?** A: Payout frequency depends on your subscription plan: Basic and Premium plans receive payouts bi-weekly (1st and 15th of each month), while Enterprise plans receive weekly payouts every Monday. Higher-tier plans also benefit from shorter payout delays for faster access to funds. **Q: When exactly will my next payout be processed?** A: Your next payout date is automatically calculated and displayed in your store dashboard. For weekly plans, payouts occur every Monday. For bi-weekly plans, payouts occur on the 1st and 15th of each month. Only orders that have passed the payout delay period and meet minimum balance requirements will be included. **Q: What is the minimum payout amount?** A: To minimize transaction fees and processing costs, there's a minimum balance requirement before payouts are processed. The minimum payout amount varies by region. If your eligible earnings are below this threshold, they'll be included in the next payout cycle when the minimum is reached. **Q: What happens if my payout fails or is delayed?** A: Our system runs daily recovery processes to ensure no payouts are missed. If a payout fails (due to insufficient Stripe balance, account issues, etc.), the system will automatically retry for up to 30 days. All payout attempts are logged with detailed failure reasons, and you'll be notified of any issues requiring your attention. ## Getting Started To begin using Shopaise: 1. Sign up for an account and choose your subscription plan 2. Set up your store profile and branding 3. Add your products and configure inventory 4. Customize your storefront using our page builder 5. Set up payment processing and delivery methods 6. Launch your store and start selling! For detailed guidance and support, contact our team or explore our comprehensive documentation.