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Vendor Guide
Everything you need to sell successfully on Varidi
This guide covers setup, product management, payments, and best practices for growing your campus business on Varidi.
Top 6 Tips for Success
Use clear, bright photos — listings with good images sell 3x more
Respond to buyer messages within 30 minutes for better ratings
Keep stock levels updated to avoid cancellations
Join flash deal campaigns for 10x visibility boosts
Write detailed product descriptions including size, material, and compatibility
Offer bundles to increase average order value
Setting Up Your Store
How do I register as a vendor?
Go to /vendor/register and fill in your business name, category, phone, email, and campus location. Our team reviews all applications within 24–48 hours and sends approval via email.
What documents do I need?
Just a valid MUT student/staff ID (for verification purposes). You'll upload this during registration. It's used only to confirm campus affiliation.
How long does approval take?
Most applications are reviewed within 24 hours (weekdays). You'll receive an email confirmation with your login credentials once approved.
Can I have multiple store categories?
Each vendor account is tied to one primary category, but you can list products across sub-categories within it. Contact support if you need multi-category access.
Managing Products
How do I add a product?
From your vendor dashboard, click "Add Product". Fill in the name, description, price, stock level, and upload at least one photo. Products go live immediately after saving.
What makes a good product photo?
Use natural lighting, a clean background, and show the actual product. Square images (1:1) work best. Avoid stock photos — buyers trust real photos more.
How do I manage stock levels?
Update stock from your dashboard. When stock hits 0, the product is automatically marked "Out of Stock" and hidden from buyers until you restock.
Can I offer discounts?
Yes. You can set a "Sale Price" on any product, and it will show a discount badge automatically. Flash deal participation requires applying through the dashboard.
Payments & Payouts
How do buyers pay?
Buyers pay via M-Pesa STK push at checkout. The payment is held in escrow until order delivery is confirmed, then released to your M-Pesa.
When do I get paid?
Payouts are processed within 24 hours of delivery confirmation. Funds are sent directly to the M-Pesa number you registered with.
What is the commission?
Varidi charges a 12% commission on each completed sale (Starter plan). Growth plan vendors pay 8%. Commission is deducted before your payout.
What if a payment fails?
If an M-Pesa payment fails, the order is held for 15 minutes. The buyer can retry. If not retried, the order is automatically cancelled and stock is restored.
Orders & Customer Service
How do I receive order notifications?
You'll receive a push notification in the Varidi app and an SMS when a new order comes in. Make sure notifications are enabled on your device.
What if I can't fulfill an order?
If you're out of stock or unable to fulfill, cancel the order immediately from your dashboard. The buyer is automatically refunded to M-Pesa.
How do I handle complaints?
Respond to buyer messages within 1 hour. For disputes, Varidi support mediates. Repeated complaints affect your vendor rating and visibility.
What is a good vendor rating?
Vendors with 4.5+ ratings appear higher in search results. Focus on product quality, accurate descriptions, and fast order preparation.