Frequently Asked Questions

MerchantBuilders is a web-first commerce and delivery management platform specifically designed for construction material merchants. We help local suppliers digitize their business operations with online storefronts, order management, and delivery tracking tools.

MerchantBuilders is designed for:

• Merchants & Suppliers: Construction material sellers looking to digitize their business
• Builders & Contractors: Professionals who need to order materials regularly
• Homeowners & Buyers: Individuals buying construction materials for projects

No, MerchantBuilders is not a marketplace. We provide merchants with their own independent web storefront and business management tools. Unlike marketplaces, merchants maintain full control over their pricing, customer relationships, and operations without paying commission fees.

To become a merchant:

1. Click the "Become a Merchant" button on our website
2. Fill out the registration form with your business details
3. Our team will contact you for verification
4. Complete the onboarding process with our assistance
5. Start uploading your products and accepting orders

There is no registration fee to join MerchantBuilders. We offer transparent pricing plans based on your business needs. You can start with our basic plan and upgrade as your business grows.

We require basic business documentation for verification:

• Business registration certificate (if applicable)
• GST registration (if applicable)
• Valid government ID proof
• Business address proof
• Bank account details for payments

There's no limit to the number of products you can upload on MerchantBuilders. You can add your entire construction material inventory including cement, steel, rods, paints, tools, and all related supplies.

Yes, you have complete control over your pricing. You can update product prices at any time through your merchant dashboard. Price changes are reflected immediately on your storefront.

Absolutely. Our inventory management system allows you to:

• Set stock levels for each product
• Receive low stock alerts
• Mark products as out of stock
• Track inventory across multiple locations
• Automatically update stock after sales

Customers can place orders through multiple channels:

• Web Storefront: Direct access via your unique store URL
• QR Code: Scan QR codes at your physical store
• Mobile Web: Optimized for smartphones and tablets
• Direct Links: Share product links via WhatsApp or email

No app download is required. MerchantBuilders is a web-first platform that works on any device with a web browser (Progressive Web App). This makes it easy for customers to order without installing additional apps.

You receive instant notifications through multiple channels:

• WhatsApp Alerts: Immediate notifications on your WhatsApp
• Dashboard Updates: Real-time updates in your merchant dashboard
• Email Notifications: Optional email alerts for each order
• Order Queue: All orders appear in your central order management system

Our smart delivery system allows you to:

1. Receive order with delivery details
2. Assign to your delivery team with one click
3. Delivery agent receives notification and accepts job
4. Agent picks up materials and heads to delivery location
5. Complete delivery with OTP or photo verification

Yes, both merchants and customers can track orders in real-time. The tracking system shows:

• Order confirmation and processing status
• Dispatch time and expected delivery
• Live location updates (when available)
• Delivery completion confirmation

We provide multiple proof of delivery options:

• OTP Verification: Customer enters OTP to confirm receipt
• Photo Proof: Delivery agent can capture photo at delivery point
• Digital Signature: Customer can sign on delivery agent's device
• Delivery Notes: Optional notes and comments

Yes, MerchantBuilders supports multiple payment options:

• UPI payments (Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm, etc.)
• Credit/Debit cards
• Net banking
• Cash on Delivery (COD)
• Wallet payments

Yes, you can enable or disable COD as per your business preference. The platform supports both online payments and cash on delivery, giving you flexibility to serve all types of customers.

Professional invoices are automatically generated for every order. Features include:

• Customizable invoice templates with your branding
• Automatic tax calculations (GST compliance)
• Digital delivery to customer email
• Downloadable PDF invoices
• Invoice history and management

Yes, security is our top priority. We implement:

• HTTPS encryption for all data transmission
• Secure payment gateways with PCI compliance
• Regular security audits and updates
• Data backup and disaster recovery systems
• Secure authentication and access controls

We protect your data through multiple layers:

• Encrypted database storage
• Role-based access controls
• Secure API integrations
• Regular security patches
• GDPR-compliant data handling
• Your data is never shared with third parties

Yes, our WhatsApp integration uses secure API connections. We only send order notifications and never share sensitive customer information through WhatsApp. The integration is end-to-end encrypted and follows WhatsApp's business API security standards.

We provide comprehensive support:

• Onboarding Assistance: Dedicated support during setup
• Technical Support: 24/7 platform support
• Merchant Training: Training sessions for your team
• Operational Guidance: Best practices for digital operations
• Phone, Email & WhatsApp Support: Multiple contact channels

Yes, we offer product onboarding assistance including:

• Bulk product upload templates and guidance
• Product categorization assistance
• Image optimization tips
• Pricing strategy consultation
• Inventory setup support

You can reach our support team through:

• Phone: +91 12345 67890 (Business hours)
• Email: support@merchantbuilders.in
• WhatsApp: Chat support via business WhatsApp
• Dashboard: Built-in support chat in your merchant panel
• Contact Form: Visit our Contact page

Yes, you can add multiple staff members to your merchant account with different access levels:

• Admin: Full access to all features
• Manager: Order and delivery management
• Staff: Basic order processing
• Delivery Agent: Delivery assignment and tracking only

Yes, we provide granular role-based access control (RBAC) that allows you to:

• Define custom roles for different team members
• Control access to specific features and data
• Set permissions for viewing, editing, or deleting
• Track user activity and actions
• Quickly add or remove access as needed