# STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE (SOP)
## SOP-01B: Seller Onboarding & Store Activation (Merchant-Facing Guide)

| Document ID | Version | Effective Date | Process Owner | Target Audience |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| SOP-01B | 1.0 | September 4, 2026 | Marketplace Admin Team | New and Onboarding Merchant Partners (Sellers) |

---

### 1. Objective
Welcome to Goozone! This step-by-step guide is designed to walk you through registering your seller account, getting verified, setting up your direct bank deposit credentials, choosing an operational package, and configuring your virtual storefront. Following this guide ensures your shop is activated and ready to receive orders in the shortest time possible.

---

### 2. Required Tools & Materials
- **Computer or Smartphone** (Desktop browser recommended for setting up products) [1, 11].
- **Business Details:** Store name, store contact number, physical store address [1].
- **Branding Assets:** Store logo (at least 100x100px) and a hero banner image (recommended 1920x360px) [8, 16].
- **Bank Account Details:** Local bank name, account name, account number, and routing number (if applicable) [3].
- **Payment Method Proof:** If signing up for a paid package, your Paywise or other transaction receipt screenshot [4].

---

### 3. Timeline & Speeding Up Your Approvals
- **Standard Admin Wait Times:** Each administrative review step (Verification and Package Approval) typically takes **between 2 to 24 hours** [User instructions].
- **⚡ Fast Track Path:** If you want to speed up your activation, send a quick message to our team on **WhatsApp** immediately after submitting any approval requests [User instructions].

---

### 4. Step-by-Step Store Setup Procedure

```
[1. Register Account] ➔ [2. Submit Verification] ➔ [Wait 2-24 Hrs for Approval] (WhatsApp to speed up)
                                                                 │
                                                                 ▼
[5. Customize Storefront] ➔ [4. Choose Package] ➔ [3. Input Bank Payout Details]
        │
        ▼
[6. Upload First Product] ➔ [Store Audit & Launch by Goozone Support]
```

#### Step 1: Register Your Seller Account
1. Open your web browser, navigate to **`gooon.com`**, and locate any of the **"Become a seller"** buttons [1]. They are located in the top header, middle sections, or the bottom right footer [1].
2. Fill out the registration form with your information:
   - Your First and Last Name [1].
   - Your Primary Contact Phone Number [1].
   - Your Business Email Address (This will be your permanent login) [1].
   - A secure Password [1].
   - Your Shop Name (e.g., "Pacetas") and Shop Address [1, 2].
3. Click the **"Register"** button [2]. 

#### Step 2: Apply for Seller Verification
1. Log into your new dashboard using your email and password [2].
2. You will see a verification screen. Fill in the two required questions:
   - *How did you reach us?* (Select Google, Social Media, Email, etc.) [2].
   - *Describe the products you sell.* (Be descriptive, e.g., "We sell organic locally-grown mushrooms") [2].
3. Click **"Apply"** [2].
4. **Approval Interval:** Our team will review your application. Please allow **2 to 24 hours** for approval. You will receive an email once verified, or you can send a **WhatsApp message** to speed up this step [3, User instructions].

#### Step 3: Enter Your Bank Transfer Information
1. Once you receive your verification email, log back into your dashboard [3].
2. Navigate to **Payout Settings** or **Payout Information** in the sidebar [3, 17]. 
   *Note: Goozone processes all seller payouts directly via direct bank transfer [User instructions].*
3. Enter your banking information:
   - Select option to receive bank payments [3].
   - **Bank Name** (e.g., RBC - Royal Bank of Trinidad and Tobago) [3].
   - **Bank Account Name** (Must match your business or personal name on your bank statement, e.g., "Posetas LLC") [3].
   - **Bank Account Number** [3].
   - **Routing / SWIFT Number** (if applicable) [3].
4. Click **"Update Withdrawal Settings"** [3].
   *Crucial: The dashboard blocks package upgrades and product uploads until your bank details are saved [3, 4].*

#### Step 4: Choose and Upgrade Your Package
1. In your dashboard menu, go to **Packages** ➔ **Upgrade** [4, 17].
2. Select your desired package:
   - **Free Package**
   - **Paid Package** (Basic or other tiered plans) [4].
3. If choosing a Paid Package, select your offline payment method (e.g., **Paywise**) [4].
4. Follow the listed instructions. Click the Paywise payment link to make the transaction externally [4].
5. **Upload Proof of Payment:**
   - Take a screenshot of the successful payment page or receipt [4].
   - Enter your unique **Transaction ID** in the field [4].
   - Upload the payment screenshot file under the attachments section [4].
   - Click **Confirm** [4].
6. **Package Verification Interval:** Goozone's financial team will verify your payment receipt **within 2 to 24 hours** [5, User instructions]. (Once again, feel free to **WhatsApp us** to speed this up!) [User instructions].

#### Step 5: Complete Your Store Settings & Branding
*Note: Our team will not publish a blank store to the public. You must upload your brand assets to ensure professional presentation [7].*
1. Go to **Shop Settings** in the dashboard [8, 16].
2. Upload your **Shop Logo** (must be at least 100x100px) [16].
3. Go to Google Maps, search for your business location (or a general region like "Chaguanas, Trinidad and Tobago"), copy the map URL, and paste it in the **Google Maps Address Link** field [16].
4. Fill in the **Meta Title** and **Meta Description** (This helps customers find your store directly via Google search) [8, 16].
5. Scroll down to the **Main Banner** section and upload a banner image (size: 1920x360px) [8, 16].
6. Click **Save** [8, 16].

#### Step 6: Create Your First Product
- Before your shop can go live, you must upload at least one physical or digital product to your inventory [7]. Please refer to **SOP-02: Physical Product Uploads** or **SOP-03: Managing Products & Digital Products** for step-by-step instructions.

#### Step 7: Final Store Activation Review
- Once you have completed steps 1 to 6, the Goozone Administration Team will perform a final audit of your store's layout [7].
- If your profile contains a logo, a banner, and active products, we will publish your storefront [7, 8].
- You will see your store go live under the **Brands** page of `gooon.com`! [7, 8]

---

### 5. Standard Troubleshooting & Support

| Common Issue | Root Cause | Fix / Solution Path |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **I can't see the "Packages" page or upload products** | Bank details are missing [3, 4]. | You must fill in and save your Bank Payout information under **Payout Settings** first [3, 4]. |
| **My store is complete, but I can't find it on Goozone's website** | The store is in "Unpublished" state awaiting final review [7, 8]. | If you have uploaded a logo, banner, and product, contact Goozone support on **WhatsApp** to perform the final launch audit [7, User instructions]. |
| **I can't upload my banner or logo** | Incorrect file format or size [16]. | Ensure your images are saved as JPEG or PNG. Logos must be at least 100x100px, and banners should be 1920x360px [8, 16]. |