Marketplace Membership FAQs/Support
Browse FAQs and helpful resources. Thank you for being part of the Shop Local RI community and selling your products in the Marketplace!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Business Directory Profile?
Shop Local RI's new Business Directory Profile is your business' landing page and main point of contact so new customers and shoppers can find you easily!
No matter which membership level you choose, every SLRI member can enjoys a Business Directory Profile to highlight your business' story, contact, products and services.
We encourage all of our members to use their Business Directory listing to the fullest extent possible. The most appealing page will include photos, great information, and a great banner!
Each Business Directory Membership includes:
- Business Profile Banner & Logo
- Business Description and Contact Information
- Easy-access Links
- Photo Gallery
- Meet the Seller
- Specialty tags to help with our search algorithms, and help visitors easily find the product & service categories, business specialties, and locations.
- Directory Members receive UNLIMITED POSTING in our NEW Private Shop Local Facebook community – exclusively for business members and focused entirely on the business of running your business, while networking and supporting other RI small businesses.
- Directory Members receive members-only Announcements and links to important small business information and opportunities in partnership with Commerce RI. Let’s make RI a business-friendly state!
- Directory Members are entered into a monthly drawing to receive ongoing promotion for that month. This includes ongoing social media, and a write-up with photos in the Shop Local RI newsletter, distributed to our largest audience (2600+ businesses and shoppers).
- Directory Members will receive discounts to NEW in-person workshops & events focused on Building a Resilient Business! (Coming in 2025!)
- Showcase your company in the best light possible!
Join the Shop Local Business Directory now!
Where do I begin to create a Business Directory Profile on Shop Local RI?
It's so easy to create a new profile, but first, be sure you don't already have one. The Shop Local RI website was first created during the pandemic and you may not remember or realize that you are already listed!
Please do a quick search on the site for your company name to confirm.
If you do not have a Business Directory Member Profile listed, it's easy to create one.
- Select “Register” in the top right corner of the website!
- Create your account using your email, name, and password.
- Hover over “Hi, <your name>” in the top right side navigation and a dropdown menu will appear. Select "View Dashboard."
- Once you're there, you can begin to create a great Business Profile!
If you DO have a Business Directory Member Profile listed, it's time to reclaim it! In a few easy steps, you can claim your already-existing Shop Local RI profile:
- Take a look at the email displayed on your already-existing Business Directory Member Profile, and use that email to begin your Login. (If you prefer to create your Business Directory membership using a new or different email, please send a note to hello@shoplocalri.com; and let us know. We will delete the "old" profile you will not use.)
- At the top right corner, select “Login” and then "Forget Password?"
- When you enter your business email, be sure to use the same email address listed in your Business Profile.
- You will receive a "Password Reset" email to reset your password.
- If your account is not found, you will receive the message "Invalid username or email."
- You'll need to create a new profile (see above).
- Hover over “Hi, ...<your name>” in the top right side navigation and a menu will appear select "View Dashboard."
- Go to Account Settings to create a new password for your Business.
Suggestions while creating your new Business Directory Profile:
When updating or creating your profile, here are some helpful tips to keep in mind:
- You may leave leave your street address blank, if you don’t want it public.
- You must include your city or town so that your business is searchable.
- Logo: A square format, .png or .jpg format will work best.
- Banner image: this image should be horizontal with no words or logos.
- Short Business Overview: less than 1,000 characters.
- Meet the Seller: Tell us about you and your business!! Why did you start it? What do you love about it?
- Photos are ALWAYS something that visitors love!
How many images can I add to my profile?
The number of images allowed is dependent on your level of membership.
How do I upgrade (or downgrade) my membership?
Go to your Business Profile Dashboard. (To get there, hover over “Hi, ...<your name>” in the top right navigation of the Home Page, and a menu will appear select "View Dashboard.")
Once you are in your dashboard, click to the Launchpad. Then click Manage Subscriptions at the top.
- Choose your desired level of membership.
- You will be able to Change, Upgrade, or Cancel your Plan at anytime.
- Follow the steps. We are always available for support, but we've designed the marketplace to be very user-friendly and intuitive!
- IMPORTANT: Be sure to set up your Stripe account so you can get paid!
- You can easily set up your Stripe account from your Shop Local RI Launchpad and select "Get paid." It is quick and easy.
Is my information secure while using this site?
Yes. The Shop Local RI platform is built on technology that takes security very seriously. We use the latest technology upgrades to secure your information. Shop Local RI uses Stripe, notable the most secure banking processing application, to process all payments, and Shop Local RI receives no credit card information. We will never share or sell any information on this site. For more information, please read our Privacy Policy.
What does Shop Local RI do to promote the Marketplace?
Like any great website, we use Search Engine Optimization extensively. Ongoing website updates also ensure that external algorithms are firing on all cylinders with the best internet functionality.
Shop Local RI consistently places our vendors and and their products on social media regularly with organic content, while also sharing their own posts and reels on our pages.
Many vendors have also chosen to be featured within SLRI's newsletter distribution, or with an ad on our site. Our goal is take a percentage of all membership revenue and drive as much traffic to the online marketplace as possible. We want to reinvest those dollars for more ad campaigns, Google Ads, billboards, radio and TV. We aren't there yet, but we are building.
As of 2024, we are able to advertise in RI Monthly each month. Driving traffic with promotions and a QR code.
Our analytics plainly demonstrate that advertising works! Let's help all businesses grow!
You'll see our promotions on The Rhode Show, Studio 10, social media, Rhode Island Monthly, Hey Rhody. We have top billing on the Broadway Buzz @PPAC, and can be found on 2023 Providence Business News' Book of Lists.
Can a customer purchase on my website AND on the Shop Local RI Marketplace?
Our ultimate goal is to encourage Rhode Islanders (and everyone else!) to purchase from a variety of RI businesses with one check-out. We consistently market and advertise to drive traffic to the marketplace. If your website is listed on your Business Profile page, then yes, shoppers can go to your website for a purchase.
Does Shop Local RI take any fees from the sale or shipping costs?
Your funds are processed by Stripe, so only their processing fee of 2.9% + 0.30 per successful card charge is held back and paid to Stripe. Your sales revenue is transferred directly into your bank account. You can easily set up your Stripe account from your Shop Local RI Launchpad and select "Get paid." It is quick and easy.
Depending on your Membership Level, your marketplace fee is outlined on our Become a Member Page. You will experience NO setup fees and NO hidden fees.
How does your Marketplace handle sales tax?
RI Sales tax is charged accordingly. Most items are charged at a 7% rate and those funds are part of your sale, deposited into your account for proper reporting. Clothes have a 0% tax.
Tax-exempt businesses will be able to choose that they are tax-exempt in the process of setting up their shop.
What happens when a sale is made?
When a Shopper buys from your online shop, you will immediately receive an email with your customer's contact and shipping information. We encourage all of our sellers to PLEASE act promptly to deliver the products or services, and "close" the sale on Shop Local RI.
We value being a reputable and trustworthy platform from which to buy!
May I get in touch with a customer?
When an order is placed, you will receive an email with your buyer's contact and shipping information. If there is a legitimate reason to contact the buyer, you will have their information.
If I have a Business Directory Profile, can I then decide to upgrade and begin selling products or advertising on Shop Local RI?
Yes! Since every Member has a Business Directory Profile, you can easily upgrade your membership and become a seller or advertiser in the marketplace!
We have different membership options to choose from depending upon how you'd like to set up your online shop. All the information you need, can be found in your Vendor Dashboard.
My business has multiple locations, does a Business Profile allow me to add those addresses?
No. You will need to create a new profile for each business location, which means you will also need to use a separate email for each Profile. We might suggest using your primary location as the searchable location, and adding the other location information in your opening introduction.
However, we can easily duplicate one profile to make it easier for you. Please reach out to us if you need assistance.
How do I contact Shop Local RI support?
Easy!! Visit our Contact Page for more information.
Why is it Important for me to shop local?
We believe that successful small business owners are the engine that creates strong, educated, thriving communities. By shopping local, we can:
Support our economy and keep dollars circulating in Rhode Island!
Shorten our supply chain and minimize energy resources needed.
Help our businesses by buying gift cards and gift certificates.
Highlight and support your local shops and businesses.
Keep employers and employees working and thriving.
Have those local RI products you love, delivered to your door!
