For sellers
Seller Handbook
A practical guide to setting up your storefront, managing inquiries, showcasing your work, and growing your business on EthioMade.
Section 01
Getting started
Four steps take you from application to a live storefront that customers can find and trust.
Create your account
Apply through the Join page. Once approved, you'll receive access to your seller dashboard where you can build and manage your storefront.
Complete your profile
Add your business name, a professional description, your specialties, location, price range, and availability so customers know exactly what you offer.
Write your story
Tell customers who you are, how you work, and what makes your craft distinct. An honest, personal story builds trust before any inquiry is sent.
Upload strong images
Your portfolio is your first impression. Use clear, well-lit photos that show the quality and range of your work. Add more as your catalogue grows.
Section 02
Building a strong profile
Your profile is your storefront window. Every field you complete increases the chance a customer contacts you instead of scrolling past.
Business name
Clear and easy to remember — ideally matching your social handles.
Description
What you make, how you make it, and who it's for. Keep it focused and honest.
Categories & specialties
Clothing, jewelry, bags, leather, wedding — be specific so the right customers find you.
Region & location
Customers want to know where you're based and whether you can deliver or meet in person.
Price range
Give customers a realistic sense of your starting prices. Vague pricing leads to wasted inquiries.
Availability
Let customers know if you're open for new orders, custom work, or currently at capacity.
Section 03
Showcasing your work
Photography is the single biggest factor in whether a customer sends an inquiry. You don't need a professional studio — but you do need well-lit, honest, detailed images.
- Natural light is your friend. Shoot near a window or outside. Avoid harsh flash.
- Show multiple angles. Front, back, detail close-ups, and the item in use or worn when relevant.
- Include scale. Customers want to know the actual size — use a hand, a mannequin, or a prop.
- Organise your portfolio clearly. Group similar items. Label custom work, wedding orders, and past orders separately.
- Add helpful descriptions. Materials, dimensions, turnaround time, and care instructions remove friction before the inquiry is sent.
Section 04
Managing inquiries
Every inquiry is a potential order. How you handle the first exchange determines whether it becomes one.
Respond quickly
Customers who get a reply within 24 hours are far more likely to proceed. First response sets the tone.
Clarify the details
Ask about event type, budget, timeline, sizes, customisation needs, and delivery expectations before quoting.
Use inquiry statuses
Mark inquiries as New, Contacted, or Closed to keep your dashboard organised and follow-ups timely.
Stay professional
Clear, respectful communication — even when declining a request — reflects well on your business.
Section 05
Building trust
Reviews, accurate information, and consistent delivery are what turn a first-time buyer into a repeat customer — and what move your profile up in customer confidence.
- Keep your profile information accurate and up to date
- Be transparent about pricing, timelines, and what's included
- Deliver on what you promise — reliability is your reputation
- Encourage satisfied customers to leave a review
- Handle complaints or misunderstandings privately and professionally
Section 06
Growing on EthioMade
Your profile isn't a one-time setup. The sellers who grow fastest treat it as a living business asset.
Keep it current
Update your availability, prices, and contact details whenever something changes.
Add new work regularly
Fresh portfolio items signal an active business and give returning visitors a reason to reach out again.
Improve over time
Better photos, clearer descriptions, and a stronger story are worth revisiting every few months.
Let reviews do the work
Completed orders and verified reviews are the most persuasive thing on your profile. Ask satisfied customers to leave one.
Section 07
How ranking works
Where you appear in browse and search results is earned, not bought and never based on how early you joined. Search results always put what the customer typed first, then use the same quality signals to order equally relevant matches.
Reviews & ratings (30%)
Customer reviews carry the most weight. Consistent quality moves you up; a single bad review won't sink you thanks to Bayesian averaging.
Review volume (20%)
The number of reviews you've received matters. Reaching 10 reviews earns full credit — it signals a track record customers can trust.
Portfolio depth (15%)
Profiles with 8+ well-captioned images earn full portfolio credit. Fresh work counts.
Profile completeness (15%)
Bio, specialties, location, price range, availability, contact and social details — every completed field helps.
Availability (10%)
Profiles marked as accepting orders rank ahead of paused ones. Keep your status honest and current.
New seller visibility
Recently approved sellers get a temporary boost for their first 60 days, so you're discoverable while you earn your first reviews.
Fair rotation
An hourly shuffle means the same profiles don't permanently occupy the top spots. Everyone gets seen.
If paid placement is ever introduced, sponsored profiles will be clearly labeled and will never affect organic ranking.
Section 08
Seller standards
EthioMade is a curated marketplace. Every seller is expected to uphold these standards — not as rules, but as the foundation of a credible business.
Honest
Describe your products and services accurately. No misleading photos or inflated claims.
Responsive
Reply to inquiries within a reasonable time and keep customers informed.
Reliable
Meet agreed timelines or communicate early if something changes.
Professional
Treat every customer interaction as a reflection of your brand.
Quality-driven
Deliver work that matches or exceeds the expectation you set.
Ready to start selling?
Join a curated marketplace built for Ethiopian and African-inspired makers. Apply today or sign in to manage your existing storefront.