Frequently Asked Questions
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General FAQ's
Absolutely! Please send through any questions and suggestions via the contact us information. This is a community improvement initiative and the focus will always be on making it a positive experience for the business community and public interactions.
BUYERS: For any questions or queries regarding a Seller, any of their products, services, pricing, availability, pricing, stock levels, trading hours, pickup/delivery options or things of that nature please contact the Seller directly. This can be done on the enquiry button on a Sellers individual store or by reaching out to them via one of their listed contact methods.
You can search for the store you are looking for in our Business Directory if you have trouble finding their store.
If you need to contact Support Local Shop Local directly, please send us an enquiry through our contact page and someone will get in touch with you.
SELLERS: If you need to contact Support Local Shop Local for any reason, please send us an enquiry through our contact page or you can contact us from within your Store Manager.
Support Local Shop Local has been built with security in mind. From a secure login system to industry leading payment processing, your details are safe. None of the retailers, or associated partners have access your credit card or payment details as they are stored securely with the payment processing agency such as paypal.
BUYERS:
Our website is specifically designed to be responsive and mobile friendly, so customers can utilise the site to quickly and easily purchase from stores without the need for a dedicated buyers app.
SELLERS:
There will be soon! We are currently working on a Store Manager app so that businesses can quickly and easily manage their store and all it’s functions anywhere, at any time from any device.
In the meantime, while you can access the Store Manager from any device with a web browser, we do recommend using the managing your store from a full size device such as a desktop or laptop for best results.
Just a smartphone and some things to sell. There’s plenty more that you can do but getting started really is easy and simple. Our goal is to make online trading easy, safe and accessible for all.
As a matter of policy we treat data with the respect it deserves. Shop Local Support Local contains no advertising so we don’t have to provide any data to keep advertisers happy. Where appropriate, such as assisting local governments with planning, aggregate anonymised data (for example, the number of purchases in March) may be released, but no personal data will be exchanged apart from that needed for the operation of the site (for example, staff that are helping to support you). Business Wodonga may occasionally contact vendors to offer support or assistance but this will be entirely optional as a value add, voluntary service.
Buyer FAQ's
Absolutely! All online instant payments are created and held securely by the PayPal payment gateway. PayPal is a PCI-compliant payment provider, which means they meet the highest standards for security.
Any other payment details (direct deposit/bank transfer etc) such as BSB and Account numbers are securely encrypted within the platform, can only be accessed by the store vendor via the stor manager and only provided to by the system to customers after they have provided their details and completed their purchases in the shopping cart system.
So we were able to provide a system free of fees or charges, customers will be making payments directly to the individual store via PayPal direct payment, Bank Transfer or Payment On Collection/Delivery (at their discretion) Due to PayPal regulations around this, the platform currently requires customers to complete orders on a per store basis.
If you place an order for a Product/Service (physical or digital) on our website (a “Product”), you are placing any order with the Seller of the Product, and not us. Please contact the Seller directly prior to purchasing if the shipping and delivery terms and costs are not clear on their listing. Support Local Shop Local will not be involved or held liable in any disputes involving shipping or receipt of products listed through this website. Any purchase or communication about products is to be made directly with the Seller.
This is an individual decision by each vendor. Check their directory listing for these details.
BUYERS: For any questions or queries regarding a Seller, any of their products, services, pricing, availability, pricing, stock levels, trading hours, pickup/delivery options or things of that nature please contact the Seller directly. This can be done on the enquiry button on a Sellers individual store or by reaching out to them via one of their listed contact methods.
You can search for the store you are looking for in our Business Directory if you have trouble finding their store.
If you need to contact Support Local Shop Local directly, please send us an enquiry through our contact page and someone will get in touch with you.
SELLERS: If you need to contact Support Local Shop Local for any reason, please send us an enquiry through our contact page or you can contact us from within your Store Manager.
Once you’ve picked your items and are happy with your order, click ‘Checkout’ to complete your order and pay. Each vendor will have their payment options clearly listed, such as paypal or payment upon pick up.
If you place an order for a product on our website, you are placing any order directly with the Seller of the product, and not us. This website is just an intermediary platform. If you have any issues with a purchase, please contact the Seller directly for a resolution. If a Seller accepts your order for the purchase of a product, then an agreement is formed between you and the Seller and you have rights directly and only against the Seller, and not against Support Local Shop Local. We are not a party to that agreement.
Please encourage them to sign up so you can buy from them. It’s free to join and there’s no monthly fees!
When you shop with Support Local Shop Local you shop directly with the small business themselves. We provide them with the platform to create a free online store that allows them to build exposure for their business, reach new customers and receive online sales. Your purchase and communication is made directly with the Seller through our platform. You can be assured that your money is going directly to the business in need.
Support Local Shop Local is merely a digital plaza that allows sellers and customers alike an online platform in which people can sell and buy goods and services.
Seller FAQ's
Absolutely! All online instant payments are created and held securely by the PayPal payment gateway. PayPal is a PCI-compliant payment provider, which means they meet the highest standards for security.
Any other payment details (direct deposit/bank transfer etc) such as BSB and Account numbers are securely encrypted within the platform, can only be accessed by the store vendor via the stor manager and only provided to by the system to customers after they have provided their details and completed their purchases in the shopping cart system.
We’ve got you covered! Any industry can use our business directory – repair services, accountants, eateries, doctors, hairdressers or even weekend market stalls.
There is no cost on the business directory and you get your own business listing page on the website that you can share out to your customers and easily be found with.
You can link your directory listing back to your own website, to booking systems, ordering systems the sky is the limit and you’ll even get a free backlink to your website to help with Search Engine Optimisation (SEO).
We’re building a one-stop shop for Wodonga and surrounding area that’s fair, sustainable, and – most of all – great for customers to find you.
Yes! If you have something to sell, and are registered and insured, please join in and let everybody discover your interesting products!
Smartphone cameras these days are pretty incredible. Even if your phone is 3 or 4 years old, the camera on it is likely to be excellent and very much suited to product photography. Just make sure there is good lighting, that you don’t take a photo too close to the subject or too far away, and upload it to your shop. You can take a photo and upload it immediately or choose from the library on your phone. It’s that simple!
Absolutely! We are here to help you every step of the way. We understand that not everybody is digitally savvy, and that is the entire reason for an initiative such as this. We will have many different resources available such as guides, videos and personal support provided from Ashlin Technology Services and Business Wodonga.
Yes. If you are struggling to get your store up and running or to add your products, please send an enquiry through the contact page and one of our team will get back to you within a short period of time to assist, each of our packages include at least 2hrs of included store setup support. You can also contact Ashlin Technology Services or Business Wodonga if you require further assistance.
You need to have a reasonable camera, but not an expensive one. The one on your phone is likely to be perfect for the job. There are local services that can offer assistance or any additional equipment so be sure to check out the community resources tab.
While not force, it is recommended all businesses have insurance as they are responsible for their customers, products and transactions directly and as such should have public and product liability to cover any unforeseen circumstances.
BUYERS: For any questions or queries regarding a Seller, any of their products, services, pricing, availability, pricing, stock levels, trading hours, pickup/delivery options or things of that nature please contact the Seller directly. This can be done on the enquiry button on a Sellers individual store or by reaching out to them via one of their listed contact methods.
You can search for the store you are looking for in our Business Directory if you have trouble finding their store.
If you need to contact Support Local Shop Local directly, please send us an enquiry through our contact page and someone will get in touch with you.
SELLERS: If you need to contact Support Local Shop Local for any reason, please send us an enquiry through our contact page or you can contact us from within your Store Manager.
You can direct all your customers to your own unique store page so they see all about you and your products, or you can encourage customers to the site in general to check out all the local businesses and what they have on offer.
It’s so easy – 3 simple steps is all it takes to get up and running online, selling to your customers.
Step 1: Go to our Seller Sign Up page and select your plan based your requirements, click the Sign Up button and complete the registration form. Your application will be reviewed by one of our team members and your online store and seller account will be created, you will then receive a confirmation email once your is ready to setup. (Average confirmation time is 3hrs but may take up to 48hrs during peak times)
Step 2: Log in to your Seller Portal then you will then be redirected to our Store Creation Wizard which will walk you through creating your store page.
Round up your business information… The more you detail you provide the better your customers shopping experience will be.
Make sure you have your logo and photos handy that you can use to upload and show off your business.
To enable instant online payments all you need is a PayPal account. If you don’t already have one you can get one by clicking here, otherwise you will need BSB/ACC details or can opt to receive payments in person/over the phone (MOTO).
Contact information (address, email, phone, social media, website etc) would also be useful for customers to be able to get in touch.
Step 3: Your store is now ready for customers to find in the directory, all you need to do then is add your products/services – pricing, photos, a short description, payment and shipping details are handy at this point.
It is quick and easy to manage your individual store, you just log in from the Seller Portal using any device with an internet browser and away you go Phone, Tablet or Laptop… Windows, Android or Apple… You can access your store from any platform. We also have a mobile app in production that will make managing your store, products, sales and customer communication even easier.
With our digital plaza platform there are multiple ways for you and your products to be found.
You may list your products in as many of the existing categories as you like. Please contact us if you have products in categories not currently listed and we can add them.
You may list up to 20 products on your website store with the COVID-19 Free Subscription (formerly Standard Store Subscription). If you need to add more products, please contact us and we will let you know options to increase your store limits or you can optionally upgrade yourself to one of the Premium upgrades (shown above) from within your Seller console.
To help businesses deal with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is entirely free to create a website store on the Support Local Shop Local website. There are no subscription, listing or transaction costs to the businesses or customers from us for using our platform for at least 6 months. PayPal may charge you their standard payment processing and fund withdrawal fees relevant to your PayPal account terms should you choose to utilise their payment gateway services.
You will receive orders initially by email. Shortly afterwards we will be enabling an SMS notification, and you will have your own dashboard where you can see all your orders in one place.
Business Wodonga Members get a free Business Directory listing and Premium Online Store valued at $299/yr included with their annual Business Wodonga membership, so using this Digital Plaza is entirely free for members.
If you receive an order for a product through our website, the buyer is placing any order directly with yourself, the Seller of the product, and not us. This website is just an intermediary platform. If you have any issues with a purchase, please contact the Buyer directly for a resolution. If a Buyer purchases a product through your store at Support Local Shop Local, then an agreement is formed between you and the Buyer and you have rights directly and only with the Buyer, and not against Support Local Shop Local. We are not a party to that agreement.
For your customers to be able to complete their transactions online in one go, you will need to have setup and verified a PayPal account. We can assist with setup of new PayPal accounts, however their account verification process may take an additional 1-2 days. PayPal may charge you their standard payment processing and fund withdrawal fees relevant to your PayPal account terms should you choose to utilise their payment gateway services. NOTE: PayPal is optional, you are not required to use PayPal. You can alternatively choose to provide buyer with bank transfer details upon the completion of their online order, or arrange other offline payment methods such as EFTPOS upon pickup/delivery, over the phone payment (MOTO
Don’t forget that now that you have a parcel going to a customer, you can put anything you want in there for free essentially. Add a catalogue, printed flyer with your latest products, or other initiatives. Be creative and use this as a way to build loyalty with new customers who may have walked past your shop a thousand times and not been inside.
Once the COVID-19 pandemic is over the things begin to return to normal, our service will still continue to exist and sellers and customers alike will still be able to utilise this platform and it’s services. Our free COVID-19 Store Subscription will exist for a least 6 months from time of sign up and be auto renewed for free during the pandemic should it progress longer than that, after that point Sellers will be given at least 3 months warning that the free subscription period is ending. At which time they can either choose the following option… A) Cease using our online store functionality but continue on our free Business Directory service (keep their existing store url and store information just not sell online) B) Alternatively they can opt to keep their online store fully functional by selecting on our other ongoing Online Store plans suitable to their needs.
Businesses with their own existing online stores can still utilise our system in many ways, they can just utilise our Business Directory functionality, or they can allow customers to shop their products with a Support Local Shop Local store and not have to double handle everything.
Depending on what plan you are on we have mutiple ways to do this…
- You can add an ‘external’ product to be added to your store (just link the product to your own shopping system to complete purchases)
- You can utilise our product import/export functionality
- You can integrate & sync purchases and stock levels directly between Support Local Shop Local and your own existing websites store via our API module (web developer help required).
If you are not sure which method is best for you please get in touch and we can help you get everything setup simply and smoothly.
This platform is ideal for Home and Micro businesses! All are welcome and we encourage you to jump on board and get your products and services out to the world! Any business can utilise our platform, but we do recommend every business has up to date registrations and insurances applicable to their business as Support Local Shop Local is merely an intermediary ‘Digital Plaza’ connecting local sellers and their goods to local customers and customers are making purchases directly with the seller not us.
We are planning digital marketing, radio and advertising at various places around the town. We also encourage each business to follow Business Wodonga on Facebook and Instagram so they can stay updated with all of the promotions. We will be partnering with various community associations to increase exposure and awareness. Combined voices create the clearest message and together we can ensure that traffic to the local businesses is strong and successful no matter what the current conditions are.
