Learn how to set up your professional store with our step-by-step Vendor Dashboard Guide.
Your Complete Guide to Managing Your Caribbean Impact Market Store
Welcome to the Caribbean Impact Market (CIM)! This guide will help you navigate your vendor dashboard and manage your online store successfully.
Table of Contents
- Getting Started
- Dashboard Overview
- Main Menu Guide
- Settings Configuration
- Quick Start Checklist
- Best Practices
Getting Started
Your Dashboard Home
When you log in, you’ll see your Dashboard – your command center showing: – Sales overview and statistics – Recent orders – Profile completion progress – Quick action buttons
Pro Tip: Complete your profile to 100% to unlock all features and build customer trust!
Main Menu Guide
1. Dashboard 🏠
Your home base with key metrics and quick actions.
What you’ll see: – Total sales and revenue – Recent orders – Profile completion status – Important notifications
Action: Check daily to stay on top of your business!
2. Help Desk 💬
Get support FROM the CIM Support Team.
Use this when: – You have technical issues – Need help with features – Have account questions – Want to report bugs
How to use: – Click “Add New Ticket” – Describe your issue clearly – Include screenshots if helpful – Track ticket status (Open/Closed)
3. Announcements 📢
Important updates from CIM.
What you’ll find: – Platform updates – New features – Policy changes – Maintenance schedules – Special promotions
Action: Check weekly to stay informed!
4. Badge 🏅
Track and earn achievement badges.
Available badges: – Featured Seller – When CIM features your store – Years Active – Longevity milestone – Verified Seller – Complete identity verification – Trending Product – Hot-selling items – Sale Amount – Revenue milestones – Founding Vendor – Early adopter (Est. 2025) – CIM CLUB – Exclusive CIM seller
Why badges matter: Build trust and credibility with customers!
5. Booking (Tours & Stays) 📅⭐
For tourism, hospitality & experience vendors
Use this if you offer: – Tours and excursions – Accommodations (hotels, guesthouses, eco-lodges) – Activities and experiences – Equipment or space rentals – Time-based services
Features: – Manage bookable products – Calendar view – Resource management – Availability settings
Note: If you sell physical products, use “Products & Services” instead.
6. Coupons 🎟️
Create discount codes and promotions.
Two types: – My Coupons – Your store’s discount codes – Marketplace Coupons – Platform-wide promotions
Create coupons for: – First-time customers (e.g., WELCOME10) – Seasonal sales (e.g., SUMMER20) – Bulk orders (e.g., BULK15) – Loyal customers (e.g., VIP25)
Best practices: – Set expiry dates – Limit usage if needed – Track performance – Promote on social media
7. Delivery & Availability 📦
Set your delivery schedule and store hours.
Configure: – Delivery time slots – Store pickup hours – Service availability – Operating calendar
Calendar features: – Month/week/day/list views – Block unavailable dates – Set recurring schedules
Important for: Managing customer expectations and preventing booking conflicts.
8. Followers 💚
See customers who follow your store.
Track: – Follower names – When they followed – Growing audience
Use followers for: – Building community – Announcing new products – Special follower-only deals – Understanding your fan base
9. Onboarding ✅
Complete your vendor setup (one-time).
Sections: – Personal information – Business details – Bank information – Compliance agreements
Complete this first! Required before you can sell and receive payments.
10. Orders 🛒
Manage customer orders.
Submenus: – All Orders – View and manage all orders – Add New Order – Manually create orders (phone/in-person sales)
Order statuses: – Pending payment – Processing – On hold – Completed – Cancelled – Refunded – Failed
Features: – Search and filter orders – Export order data – Bulk actions – Order details and tracking
Action: Check daily and process orders promptly!
11. Customer Questions ❓
Answer pre-purchase product questions.
What this is: – Public Q&A on product pages – Customers ask before buying – Your answers help ALL potential buyers
Examples: – “Does this come in blue?” – “What’s the size?” – “Is this organic?”
Best practice: Respond within 24 hours to increase sales!
12. Products & Services 📦
Manage your product catalog.
Features: – Add/edit/delete products – Import/export products (bulk) – Filter by category, status, stock – Track views and performance
Product fields: – Name, description, price – Images (multiple) – SKU, stock quantity – Categories and tags – Variations (size, color, etc.)
Tips: – Use high-quality photos – Write detailed descriptions – Set accurate stock levels – Update regularly
13. Reports 📊
Analyze your business performance.
9 Report Types:
- Products – Best sellers, performance by product
- Revenue – Income over time
- Orders – Order volume and trends
- Variations – Performance by product options
- Categories – Sales by category
- Stock – Inventory levels
- Statement – Financial summary
- Quote Reports – Custom quote requests
- Return Reports – Return/refund data
Use reports to: – Identify best sellers – Plan inventory – Track growth – Make data-driven decisions
Action: Review weekly to optimize your business!
14. Quote Requests 💼
Handle custom pricing inquiries.
For: – Bulk orders – Custom products – B2B clients – Special services
Process: – Customer submits quote request – You review details – Provide custom pricing – Convert to order if accepted
Perfect for: Wholesale, events, corporate clients.
15. Return Requests 🔄
Manage product returns and refunds.
Track: – Return details – Product information – Return type and status – Customer information
Handle professionally: – Respond quickly – Follow your return policy – Process refunds promptly – Learn from return reasons
Good returns = customer trust!
16. Payment Hold 💸
View funds held in reserve.
What this is: – Funds held for security (chargebacks, disputes) – Minimum withdrawal threshold: $100 – Standard marketplace practice
Track: – Current reserve balance – Transaction history – Withdrawal eligibility
Note: Funds release to “Withdraw” once threshold is met.
17. Reviews ⭐
Manage customer feedback.
Review statuses: – Approved (published) – Pending (awaiting response) – Spam (flagged) – Trash (deleted)
Best practices: – Respond to ALL reviews (positive and negative) – Thank customers for positive feedback – Address concerns professionally – Use feedback to improve
Reviews = social proof = more sales!
18. Staff 👥
Add team members to help manage your store.
Add staff for: – Order processing – Customer service – Product management – Shared responsibilities
Features: – Multiple user accounts – Role-based access – Activity tracking
Security tip: Only add trusted team members and remove access when they leave.
19. Store Analytics 📈
Detailed traffic and performance insights.
6 Analytics Tabs:
- General – Overall store performance
- Top Pages – Most visited products
- Location – Customer geography
- System – Device/browser data
- Promotions – Campaign effectiveness
- Keyword – SEO performance
Use analytics to: – Understand customer behavior – Optimize marketing – Improve product offerings – Target the right audience
20. Customer Support 🎫
Help customers with post-purchase issues.
Handle: – Order inquiries – Product questions – Technical support – Complaints and issues
Ticket system: – Search by customer – Filter by status – Track resolution – Maintain communication history
Fast response = happy customers!
21. Import/Export 🛠️
Bulk product data management.
Import: – XML or CSV files – Bulk add products – Update existing products – Migrate from other platforms
Export: – Backup product data – Edit offline (Excel) – Accounting records
Best for: Large catalogs, seasonal updates, platform migration.
22. Withdraw 💰
Request payouts of your earnings.
Payment methods: – PayPal (1-3 days) – Bank Transfer (3-7 days) – Skrill (1-3 days)
Requirements: – Minimum balance: $50 – Verified payment method – Completed onboarding
Track: – Current balance – Payment history – Pending withdrawals
Action: Set up payment method before your first sale!
Settings Configuration
Store Settings 🏪
Configure your store profile and policies.
Key sections: – Store name, logo, banner – Category and contact info – Location and address – Store hours and vacation mode – Terms and conditions – Biography and description – WhatsApp support integration – Cart minimum/maximum amounts
Payment Methods 💳
Set up how YOU get paid.
Add: – PayPal account – Bank transfer details (IBAN) – Skrill account
Important: Verify all details carefully – errors delay payments!
Return Policy 📋
Define your return and warranty terms.
Configure: – Warranty label – Warranty type – Detailed return policy (rich text)
Include: – Return window (e.g., 30 days) – Condition requirements – Refund vs exchange policy – Who pays return shipping
Clear policy = fewer disputes!
Shipping 📦
Set up shipping zones and rates.
Create zones: – Local (same island) – Regional (Caribbean) – International – Rest of world
Per zone, offer: – Standard shipping – Express shipping – Free shipping (over threshold) – Local pickup
Pricing options: – Flat rate – Weight-based – Free over $X – Calculated rates
Social Media 📱
Link your social profiles.
Platforms: – Facebook – Instagram – X (Twitter) – LinkedIn – Youtube – Pinterest – Threads – Flickr
Why link social: – Build credibility – Cross-platform engagement – Showcase content – Grow audience
Store SEO 🔍
Optimize for search engines.
Configure: – SEO title (60 chars max) – Meta description (155 chars) – Meta keywords – Facebook Open Graph (title, description, image) – Twitter Card (title, description, image)
SEO = more visibility = more sales!
Verification ✅
Complete identity verification (KYC).
Required: – Address proof (utility bill, bank statement) – Company documents (registration, tax ID)
Choose one ID: – Passport – National ID – Driving License
Benefits: – Verified Seller badge – Faster payments – Customer trust – Full feature access
Quick Start Checklist
Before Your First Sale:
- Complete Onboarding (personal, business, bank info)
- Upload store logo and banner
- Write store biography
- Set up payment method (PayPal/Bank)
- Configure shipping zones and rates
- Write return policy
- Add first products (with photos and descriptions)
- Set up social media links
- Complete verification (for Verified badge)
- Test your store (click “Visit Store”)
Daily Tasks:
- Check Dashboard for new orders
- Process pending orders
- Respond to customer questions
- Answer reviews
- Check Help Desk for support updates
Weekly Tasks:
- Review Store Analytics
- Check Reports (sales, inventory)
- Update product stock levels
- Post on social media
- Review and respond to all customer communications
Monthly Tasks:
- Request withdrawal (if balance ≥ $50)
- Review and optimize product listings
- Analyze best sellers
- Plan promotions and coupons
- Update SEO if needed
Best Practices
Product Listings
✅ Use high-quality, clear photos (multiple angles)
✅ Write detailed, honest descriptions
✅ Set accurate stock levels
✅ Use relevant categories and tags
✅ Price competitively
✅ Update regularly
Customer Service
✅ Respond within 24 hours
✅ Be professional and friendly
✅ Honor your policies consistently
✅ Go above and beyond when possible
✅ Turn complaints into opportunities
Order Fulfillment
✅ Process orders same-day or next-day
✅ Package securely
✅ Provide tracking when available
✅ Communicate delays proactively
✅ Follow up after delivery
Marketing
✅ Post regularly on social media
✅ Use high-quality photos
✅ Run seasonal promotions
✅ Encourage customer reviews
✅ Engage with your followers
Financial Management
✅ Track all income and expenses
✅ Withdraw regularly
✅ Keep records for taxes
✅ Monitor your Payment Hold balance
✅ Verify payment details carefully
Need Help?
Contact CIM Support:
- Help Desk (in dashboard) – Submit a ticket
- WhatsApp – Primary support channel (fastest!) +31850041137
- Email – For non-urgent inquiries
Support Hours:
Monday – Friday, 8 AM – 5 PM AST
WhatsApp available 24/7 for urgent issues
Tips for Faster Support:
✅ Be specific about your issue
✅ Include screenshots when helpful
✅ Provide order/product numbers
✅ Check Announcements for known issues
Welcome to CIM!
You’re now part of a vibrant Caribbean marketplace connecting local vendors with customers worldwide. We’re here to support your success!
Questions? Contact us via Help Desk or WhatsApp.
Ready to sell? Complete your onboarding and add your first products!
🌴 Happy selling on the Caribbean Impact Market! 🌴
Welcome to Your CIM Online Store!
This guide will help you set up your products or services on Caribbean Impact Market. We’ll go through each field step-by-step so your listing looks professional and attracts customers.
Getting Started
Before You Begin, Have Ready:
- Product/service name
- Photos (clear, high-quality images)
- Price information
- Description of what you’re selling
- Any special details (discounts, stock info, etc.)
Step-by-Step Field Guide
1. Title ⭐ (Required)
What it is: The name of your product or service
Example: “Caribbean Culinary Journey – Farm to Table Experience”
Tips:
– Keep it clear and descriptive
– Include key words customers might search for
– Make it catchy but honest
2. Permalink 🔗
What it is: Your product’s web address (URL)
How it works: This is created automatically from your title
Example: https://caribimpact.market/product/caribbean-culinary-journey-farm-to-table/
Tips:
– Usually you don’t need to change this
– If you do edit it, keep it short and use dashes between words
– No spaces or special characters
3. Product Type
Downloadable ☑️
– Check this if customers download a file (e-book, music, digital art, etc.)
– Leave unchecked for physical products or services
Virtual ☑️ – Check this if it’s a service or digital product (no shipping needed)
Examples: consultations, online courses, tours, experiences
Leave unchecked for physical items that need shipping
4. Category 📂 (Required)
What it is: What type of product/service you’re selling
Available Categories:
– Island Tourism & Experiences
– Food & Beverages
– Arts & Crafts
– Agriculture & Farm Products
– Health & Wellness
– Education & Training
– Home & Living
– Fashion & Accessories
– Technology & Electronics
– Professional Services
– And more…
Tips: Choose the category that best fits your product
This helps customers find you when browsing
5. Price 💰 (Required)
What it is: How much your product/service costs
Format: Enter amount in USD currency ($)
Example: 715.00
Note: The system shows “You Earn: $680.20”
CIM takes a 5% commission on sales. You keep 95% of the sale price. Commission covers platform fees, payment processing, and support
Tips:
– Research similar products to price competitively
– Factor in your costs, time, and value
– Round to whole numbers or .99 for psychology ($49.99 vs $50.00)
💱 Currency Setup for Vendors
All vendors must enter their product prices in USD, which is the base currency of the Caribbean Impact Market platform. Our system will automatically convert and display prices to customers in their local currency (e.g., TTD, EUR, GBP, XCD, AWG) based on their location. This ensures a consistent experience for international shoppers while keeping pricing standardized across the marketplace.
Tip: If you’re pricing in another currency, feel free to use a currency converter tool to calculate your USD amounts.
Just a reminder — CIM’s focus is regional, with potential reach into the U.S., Canada, and Europe, especially among the Caribbean diaspora.
6. Discounted Price 🏷️ (Optional)
What it is: A sale or promotional price
How to use:
– Enter the discounted price
– Set “From” and “To” dates for the sale period
– Leave blank if no discount
Example:
– Regular Price: $715.00
– Discounted Price: $599.00
– From: 2025-12-01 – To: 2025-12-31
Tips:
– Great for holiday sales, promotions, or early bird specials
– Creates urgency and attracts buyers
7. Brand 🏢 (Optional)
What it is: Your business or brand name
Example: “Moore’s Island Tours” or “Edrian’s Authentic Experiences”
Tips:
– Use your business name consistently
– Helps build brand recognition
– Leave blank if you prefer not to display it
8. Tags 🏷️ (Optional but Recommended)
What it is: Keywords that help customers find your product
Example: caribbean, farm-to-table, culinary tour, local food, sustainable, eco-tourism
Tips:
– Use 5-10 relevant tags
– Think about what customers would search for
– Separate tags with commas
– Include location, product type, and key features
9. Short Description 📝 (Required)
What it is: A brief summary (1-2 sentences) that appears in search results
Example:
“Experience authentic Caribbean cuisine with our farm-to-table culinary journey. Taste fresh, locally-grown ingredients while learning traditional cooking methods from local chefs.”
Tips:
– Keep it under 160 characters if possible
– Highlight the main benefit or unique selling point
– Make it exciting and inviting
10. Description 📄 (Required)
What it is: Full details about your product/service
What to Include:
– What it is and what’s included
– Benefits and features
– Who it’s for
– How it works or what to expect
– Any requirements or things to know
– Why customers should choose you
Example Structure:
🌴 About This Experience
[Describe what customers will get]
✨ What’s Included
– Item 1
– Item 2
– Item 3
🎯 Perfect For
[Who should buy this]
📍 Location & Duration
[Where and how long]
💡 What Makes Us Special
[Your unique value]
📋 What to Bring/Know
[Any requirements]
Tips:
– Use bullet points for easy reading
– Add emojis for visual appeal (optional)
– Be honest and detailed
– Answer common questions
– Highlight what makes you different
11. Inventory 📦
Manage Inventory for This Product ☑️ – Check this if you have limited stock or availability
SKU (Stock Keeping Unit) – Your internal product code (optional) – Example: “TOUR-001” or “CFT-2025”
Stock Status – In Stock – Available now – Out of Stock – Not currently available – On Backorder – Can order but delayed
Enable Product Stock Management ☑️ – Check this to track inventory automatically – Enter how many you have available – System updates when someone buys
Allow Only One Quantity ☑️ – Check this if customers can only buy one at a time – Good for tours, experiences, or limited items
Tips:
– For services/tours, set stock to your available spots
– Update regularly to avoid overselling
– Use “Out of Stock” when fully booked
12. Other Options ⚙️
Set Your Extra Product Options – Add custom fields if needed (size, color, date selection, etc.) – Most vendors can skip this
Product Status – Published – Live and visible to customers – Draft – Saved but not visible yet – Pending – Waiting for approval
Visibility – Catalog & Search – Appears everywhere (recommended) – Catalog Only – Only in your store, not search – Hidden – Not visible to customers
Purchase Note – A message customers see after buying – Example: “Thanks for booking! We’ll contact you within 24 hours to confirm your tour date.”
Enable Product Reviews ☑️ – Let customers leave reviews (highly recommended!) – Builds trust and credibility
13. Badges Options 🏅
New Product? ☑️ – Check this if it’s a new offering – Shows a “NEW” badge on your listing
Custom Badge Text – Add your own badge text – Example: “Vacation with Purpose”, “Best Seller”, “Limited Time”, “Eco-Certified”
Tips: – Use badges to highlight special features – Keep text short (2-3 words max) – Don’t overuse—one badge is usually enough
14. Frequently Bought Together 🛒 (Optional)
Select Products – Choose other products customers often buy with this one – Creates bundles and increases sales
Discount – Offer a discount when bought together – Example: 10% off when buying both
Number of Items to Get Discount – How many items needed for the bundle discount
Tips: – Great for related products/services – Increases average order value – Example: Tour + Local Craft Souvenir
Photos & Images 📸
How to Add Photos:
1. Click “Add Product Image” or “Upload”
2. Choose high-quality photos from your device
3. Add 3-5 images showing different angles/aspects
4. Set one as your main “Featured Image”
Photo Tips:
– Use clear, well-lit photos
– Show your product/service in action
– Include people enjoying the experience (if applicable)
– Use landscape orientation (horizontal) for best display
– Minimum 800×800 pixels, ideally 1200×1200
Before You Publish – Checklist ✅
- Title is clear and descriptive
- Category selected
- Price entered correctly
- Short description written (1-2 sentences)
- Full description complete with details
- At least 3 high-quality photos uploaded
- Tags added (5-10 keywords)
- Stock/inventory set (if applicable)
- Product reviews enabled
- Product status set to “Published”
After Publishing 🎊
What Happens Next:
1. After your product has been reviewed by us your product goes live on CIM
2. Customers can find and purchase it
3. You’ll receive notifications when someone buys
4. Payment is processed and sent to your account
5. You fulfill the order and communicate with the customer
Tips for Success:
– Check your dashboard daily for orders
– Respond to customer questions quickly
– Update inventory regularly
– Ask happy customers to leave reviews
– Promote your CIM listing on social media
Need Help? 🆘
Contact Support:
– WhatsApp:+31850041137
– Email: support@caribimpact.market
– Facebook Messenger: Caribbean Impact Market
– Instagram:
Common Questions:
Q: Can I edit my listing after publishing?
A: Yes! Go to your dashboard, find the product, and click “Edit.”
Q: How do I add more products?
A: Click “Add New Product” in your vendor dashboard.
Q: When do I get paid?
A: Payments are processed within 5 – 7 days after delivery directly to your bank account.
Q: Can I offer different pricing for locals vs tourists?
A: Contact support—we can help set up custom pricing options.
Quick Reference – Field Priority
Must Complete (Required):
1. Title
2. Category
3. Price
4. Short Description
5. Full Description
6. At least 1 photo
Should Complete (Recommended):
7. Tags
8. Brand
9. Product reviews enabled
10. Stock status
11. Multiple photos (3-5)
Optional (Nice to Have):
12. Discounted price
13. Custom badge
14. Frequently bought together
15. Purchase note
You’ve got this! 💪 Take it one field at a time, and you’ll have a professional listing in no time.
Welcome to the CIM family!