# STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE (SOP)
## SOP-01A: Master Seller Onboarding & Store Activation Process (Full Workflow)

| Document ID | Version | Effective Date | Process Owner | Target Audience |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| SOP-01A | 1.0 | September 4, 2026 | Marketplace Admin Team | Marketplace Admins, Internal Support, and Onboarding Specialists |

---

### 1. Objective & Scope
**Objective:** To outline the complete end-to-end process of onboarding a new seller onto the Goozone platform—from initial user registration, profile verification, financial credential setup, package purchasing, offline payment approval, store customization, and final marketplace publication. 

**Scope:** This master document covers both the **external seller actions** and the **internal administrative actions** required to securely register, verify, and launch a merchant's store on `gooon.com` [1].

---

### 2. System Prerequisites & Required Tools
- **Seller Tools:** 
  - Access to a web browser (desktop recommended) [1].
  - Business details (Store name, address, phone number, product descriptions) [1, 2].
  - Bank Account Details (for automated/manual payouts via bank transfer) [3].
  - Proof of Payment/Screenshots (for package upgrades paid offline via Paywise or other methods) [4].
- **Admin Tools:**
  - Goozone Marketplace Admin Panel Credentials [1].
  - Access to merchant communication channels (WhatsApp Business account, support email) [2, User instructions].
  - Paywise / Financial Verification Portals (to verify offline receipts) [5].

---

### 3. Process Frequency & Service Level Agreements (SLAs)
- **Execution Frequency:** On-demand as new merchants register.
- **Verification & Approval SLA:** Admin reviews must be completed **within 2 to 24 hours** from submission [User instructions].
- **SLA Acceleration Path:** Sellers are instructed to message Goozone Support on **WhatsApp** to expedite approval [User instructions].

---

### 4. End-to-End Step-by-Step Procedure

```
[Seller Register] ➔ [Seller Verify Request] ➔ [Admin Approves Verification] (SLA: 2-24 hrs)
        │
        ▼
[Seller Sets Payouts] ➔ [Seller Buys Package] ➔ [Admin Approves Payment] (SLA: 2-24 hrs)
        │
        ▼
[Seller Customizes Shop] ➔ [Seller Uploads Product] ➔ [Admin Toggles Shop "Live"]
```

#### Phase 1: Initial Seller Registration (Seller Action)
1. **Access Registration Portal:** Navigate to `gooon.com` and click on any of the three **"Become a seller"** buttons located at the top header, middle callout, or bottom right footer [1].
2. **Complete Registration Form:** Input the following credentials:
   - First and Last Name [1].
   - Phone Number (Select correct country code, e.g., Trinidad and Tobago or Colombia, and enter valid digits) [1].
   - Valid Email Address (This serves as the primary account login) [1].
   - Account Password [1].
   - Shop Name (e.g., "Pacetas") and Shop Address [1, 2].
3. **Submit Registration:** Click **"Register"** to generate the unverified account profile [2]. 

#### Phase 2: Merchant Identity Verification (Joint Action)
1. **Seller Verification Request (Seller):**
   - Log into the newly created account at the seller dashboard [2].
   - Complete the mandatory prompt explaining:
     1. How the seller found Goozone (e.g., Google, email, social media) [2].
     2. A clear description of the products they sell (e.g., "100% organic mushrooms") [2].
   - Click **"Apply"** [2].
2. **Review & Approve Merchant (Admin):**
   - The admin team (Sydney/Mr. Fiverr) receives an automated email notification of registration and verification request [2, 5].
   - Log into the **Marketplace Admin Panel**, go to **Sellers**, locate the unverified seller record, click **Options**, and select **Verification Info** [2, 3].
   - Review answers. If they align with Goozone's standards, click **Accept** [3]. This triggers a confirmation email to the merchant [3].

#### Phase 3: Payout Method Setup (Seller Action)
1. **Access Withdrawal Settings:** Log back into the verified Seller Dashboard and navigate to the **Payout Settings / Payout Information** page [3].
2. **Input Bank Information:** 
   *Note: Goozone processes payouts exclusively via direct bank transfer [User instructions].*
   - Select option to accept bank payments [3].
   - Enter **Bank Name** (e.g., RBC - Royal Bank) [3].
   - Enter **Bank Account Name** (must match business entity, e.g., "Posetas LLC") [3].
   - Enter **Bank Account Number** [3].
   - Enter **Routing Number / SWIFT code** if applicable [3].
3. **Save Settings:** Click **"Update Withdrawal Settings"** [3].
   *Crucial: The system blocks product uploads and package selection until bank details are submitted [3, 4].*

#### Phase 4: Account Tier & Package Upgrading (Joint Action)
1. **Package Selection (Seller):**
   - Navigate to the **Packages** menu on the sidebar, select **Upgrade**, and choose a subscription tier (e.g., Free Package or Paid Basic Package) [4].
2. **Execute Offline Payment (Seller):**
   - Select the offline payment method (e.g., **Paywise** or alternative) [4].
   - Click the provided integration link to complete payment via the external payment portal [4].
   - Capture a screenshot of the payment receipt showing the successful transaction [4].
   - Return to the Goozone dashboard, input the **Transaction ID**, upload the screenshot file, and click **Confirm** [4].
3. **Verify and Activate Package (Admin):**
   - Sydney logs into the Admin Panel, navigates to **Offline Payment Systems** ➔ **Offline Seller Packages** ➔ **Package Payments** [5].
   - Click **Open Receipt** to review the uploaded transaction screenshot [5].
   - Sydney, Mr. Fiverr, or the designated operations lead reviews the receipt and confirms the funds on the corporate account [5].
   - Click **Approve ➔ Yes, Approve** [5].
   - *Result:* An email is sent to the seller confirming package activation and its monthly expiration date [5].

#### Phase 5: Shop Branding, Ingestion & Live Publication (Joint Action)
1. **Store Customization (Seller):**
   - Go to **Shop Settings** to complete the storefront's appearance [8].
   - Upload a professional store logo (minimum size: 100x100px) and a main banner (suggested size: 1920x360px) [8, 16].
   - Paste their Google Maps Business Location URL [8, 16].
   - Complete the **SEO Meta Title** and **Meta Description** [8, 16].
   - Click **Save** [8, 16].
2. **First Product Ingestion (Seller):**
   - Follow *SOP-02* to upload at least one active product with stock quantities [7].
3. **Final Store Publication (Admin):**
   - **DO NOT** publish blank, unbranded, or unstocked storefronts [7].
   - Once the Admin confirms the seller has a logo, banner, and active product uploaded, log into the Admin Panel, navigate to **Sellers**, and toggle the shop’s activation switch to **ON** [7, 8].
   - *Result:* The store is now live under the **Brands** page on `gooon.com` and open for customer transactions [7, 8, 9].

---

### 5. Expected Outcomes & Deliverables
- **Successful Registration:** A verified merchant dashboard with completed payout settings [2, 3].
- **Active Subscription:** An approved package reflecting a valid monthly expiration date [5].
- **Live Storefront:** A published storefront complete with branding (logo and banner) and at least one purchasing-enabled product [8, 9].

---

### 6. Potential Roadblocks & Troubleshooting

| Operational Roadblock | Root Cause | Action/Resolution Path |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **Seller cannot add a product / "No Active Packages" error** | Seller tried to skip the Payout Settings configuration or failed to buy a package [3, 4]. | **Sellers:** Complete the Bank Payout Settings first, then navigate to Packages ➔ Upgrade to select a package [3, 4]. |
| **Seller completed payment but package is still inactive** | Admin has not reviewed the offline receipt yet, or payment proof was incorrect [4, 5]. | **Admins:** Check **Offline Seller Packages** in the Admin panel [5]. Ensure verification occurs within 2-24 hours [User instructions]. **Sellers:** Send a WhatsApp message to support to expedite manual check [User instructions]. |
| **Store is configured but not visible on the Goozone directory** | The store is unactivated/unpublished in the admin console [7, 8]. | **Admins:** By default, new accounts are unpublished. Visually audit the store's profile (logo, banner, active product) [7]. If complete, toggle the active switch to **ON** in the Sellers database [7]. |