Preparing Your Products for the Online Store: A Complete...
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Gettting Started

9
  • Retail Management System: A Shopkeeper’s Guide
  • Creating Your Ficos Account
  • Complete Store Profile
  • Setup Product Categories: A Guide for Store Owners
  • How to Set Up Your Products on Ficos
  • How to Create a New Sales Order in Ficos: A Step-by-Step Guide for Store Owners
  • How to Add an Expense: A Simple Guide for Shopkeepers
  • How to Create a Purchase Order in Ficos: A Shopkeeper’s Guide
  • How to Add a Refund in Ficos: A Step-by-Step Guide for Store Owners

Manage Inventory

13
  • Effortless Stock Management Explained for Retail Owners
  • Setup Product Categories: A Guide for Store Owners
  • How to Set Up Your Products on Ficos
  • Import Products: A Step-by-Step Guide for Shopkeepers
  • Printing Product Labels: A Shopkeeper’s Guide to Efficient Inventory Management
  • Monitoring Stock Changes: A Guide for Retailers
  • Manually Adjust Stock: A Guide for Shopkeepers
  • Adjust Product Price: A Simple Guide for Store Owners
  • Exporting Products or Inventory: A Guide for Shopkeepers
  • Mastering Product Categories: A Guide for Store Owners
  • Editing Product Details: A Step-by-Step Guide for Store Owners
  • Disabling a Product: A Step-by-Step Guide for Shopkeepers
  • Mastering Demand Forecasting with Ficos: A Practical Guide for Shopkeepers

Manage Sales Orders

9
  • Retail Sales Order Processing: A Complete Guide for Store Owners
  • How to Create a New Sales Order in Ficos: A Step-by-Step Guide for Store Owners
  • Adding Payment to Sales Orders: A Simple Guide for Store Owners
  • Start Taking Card Payments in Minutes: A Guide to Ficos Retail & Stripe
  • How Shop Owners Can Easily Cancel Sales Orders Step by Step
  • How to Print Sales Order/Invoice in Ficos for Shop Owners
  • How to Print Payment Receipt: A Guide for Shopkeepers
  • How to Share a Sales Order Invoice: A Guide for Shopkeepers
  • How to Export Sales Orders in Ficos: A Step-by-Step Guide for Store Owners

Printing & Barcode Scanning

6
  • Barcode Scanning in Ficos: Simplify Your Retail Operations
  • How to Set Up a Bluetooth Printer in Ficos: A Complete Guide
  • How to Print Sales Order/Invoice in Ficos for Shop Owners
  • How to Print Payment Receipt: A Guide for Shopkeepers
  • How to Print Expense Orders in Ficos: A Guide for Store Owners
  • How to Print a Refund/Return Order in Ficos: A Guide for Shopkeepers

Expenses

8
  • Expense Management Features: Simplify Financial Tracking with Ficos
  • How to Set Up Expense Categories: A Guide for Store Owners
  • How to Add an Expense: A Simple Guide for Shopkeepers
  • How to Attach Expense Receipts to Expense Orders
  • How to Cancel an Expense in Ficos: Simplify Your Financial Management
  • How to Print Expense Orders in Ficos: A Guide for Store Owners
  • How to Share an Expense in Ficos
  • How to Export Expense Orders: A Guide for Shopkeepers

Refunds

7
  • Introduction to Refunds in Ficos: Streamline Your Retail Processes
  • How to Add a Refund in Ficos: A Step-by-Step Guide for Store Owners
  • How to View a Customer’s Refund History in Ficos
  • How to Cancel a Refund in Ficos: A Step-by-Step Guide
  • How to Print a Refund/Return Order in Ficos: A Guide for Shopkeepers
  • How to Share a Refund Order in Ficos
  • How to Export Refund Orders: A Guide for Store Owners

Customer Management

13
  • Introduction to Customer Management: Elevate Your Retail Game
  • How to Add a Customer: A Simple Guide for Store Owners
  • Customer Loyalty Program: Rewarding Your Most Valued Shoppers
  • Customer analysis tool for small retail businesses
  • How to View a Customer’s Purchase History in Ficos
  • How to Export a Customer’s Sales Orders
  • How to View a Customer’s Refund History in Ficos
  • How to Export a Customer’s Refund History in Ficos
  • How to View and Export Debtors in Ficos
  • How to Bulk Import Customers: Save Time and Stay Organized
  • How to Export All Customers
  • How to Edit a Customer’s Details in Ficos
  • How to Disable a Customer in Ficos: Keep Your Database Clean and Organized

Suppliers

8
  • Best Practices for Supplier Management in Small Retail Stores
  • Step-by-Step Guide for Shopkeepers to Add Suppliers in Ficos
  • How to Edit and Disable Suppliers in Ficos: Simple Steps for Retailers
  • How Store Owners Can Track and Export Suppliers Owed for Timely Payments
  • How to Manage and Track Purchase Orders from a Supplier
  • How to solve record-keeping challenges by Exporting a supplier orders
  • How Store Owners Can Overcome Manual Data Entry with Bulk Supplier Import
  • How Store Owners Can Export Suppliers for Better Audit and Compliance

Purchase Orders

6
  • How to Create a Purchase Order in Ficos: A Shopkeeper’s Guide
  • Add Payment and Attach Supplier Receipt to Purchase Orders
  • How to Check-in Purchase Order Items in Ficos: A Shopkeeper’s Guide
  • How to Manage and Track Purchase Orders from a Supplier
  • How to Cancel a Purchase Order in Ficos: A Shopkeeper’s Guide
  • How to Print, Export, and Share Purchase Orders in Ficos: A Complete Guide

Reports

23
  • Customer Sales Report for retail store owners: Track Sales, Improve Cash Flow, and Manage Debts
  • A Simple Guide to Financial Overview Reports for Shopkeepers
  • Understanding Your Profit and Loss Report: A Simple Guide for Shopkeepers
  • Understanding Your Expense Summary Report
  • Expense Trends Report: Simplifying Financial Planning for Storekeepers
  • Understanding Your Expense Audit Report: A Simple Guide for Shopkeepers
  • Understanding Your Tax Summary Report: A Simple Guide for Shopkeepers
  • Understanding Your Detailed Tax Report: A Simple Guide for Shopkeepers
  • Average Order Value Explained: Insights for Retailers to Increase Revenue
  • Retail Sales by Staff: A Beginner’s Guide to Tracking and Improving Team Performance
  • Understanding the Retail Sales by Product Report: A Comprehensive Guide for Shopkeepers
  • Understanding Sales by Category: Essential Insights for Retail Business Owners
  • Interpreting Stock Alerts: A Step-by-Step Guide for Retail Success
  • Spotting Inventory and Price Anomalies – A Store Owner’s Guide
  • Product Sell-Through Rates Explained: Helping Store Owners Make Better Decisions
  • Prevent Overstocking and Waste: The ABC Analysis Solution
  • How the Percent of Inventory Sold Report Helps Retail Store Owners Track Stock
  • How the Days of Inventory Remaining Report Helps Shopkeepers Balance Stock Levels
  • How the Ficos Inventory Balance Report Empowers Retail Success
  • Track Inventory Worth with the Inventory Value Report: A Shopkeeper’s Guide
  • Customer Aging Report for Store Owners: How to Spot and Solve Overdue Payment Problems
  • Understand New vs. Returning Customers: A Guide for Shopkeepers
  • Supplier Performance Report: Solve Delivery Delays and Payment Issues for Retailers

Store Insights

15
  • Mastering Your Spending: Understanding High Expense Alerts
  • How the Store Insights Welcome Module Helps You Stay Ahead in Retail Management
  • Understanding the Financial Overview Dashboard in Store Insights
  • Unusual Vendor Alerts: Insights for Smarter Supplier Payments
  • Outstanding Debts Alert: Managing Customer Payments with Confidence
  • Why Top Sellers Store Insights Matter: A Comprehensive Guide for Shopkeepers
  • Mastering Sales Trends: Essential Store Insights Every Retailer Needs
  • Why Slow-Moving Products Insights Matter: A Comprehensive Guide for Shopkeepers
  • Understanding Average Order Value Store Insights: A Guide for Shopkeepers
  • Top Customers Store Insights: Understanding and Leveraging Your Best Buyers
  • High-Value Customer Inactivity Insight
  • Inventory Balance Store Insight: Optimize Stock for Maximum Profitability
  • Top Staff Performance Store Insight: A Store Owner’s Guide
  • Unusual Discount Store Insight: Detecting and Managing Discount Anomalies
  • How Peak Periods Store Insight Helps Shopkeepers Optimize Sales and Staffing

Staff Management

5
  • How to Add a Staff Member to Your Store in Ficos
  • How to Edit a Staff Profile in Ficos
  • How to Modify Staff Permissions in Ficos: A Guide for Store Owners
  • How to Disable a Staff Member in Ficos
  • Staff Roles & Permissions Reference: A Practical Guide for Shopkeepers

Online Store

2
  • How to Set Up Your Ficos Online Store & Delivery
  • Preparing Your Products for the Online Store: A Complete Guide
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Preparing Your Products for the Online Store: A Complete Guide

#

Preparing Your Products for the Online Store: A Complete Guide #

 

Hey Ficos Merchants! Your new Online Store is a powerful tool to reach more customers, but its success depends on one key thing: well-prepared products. A great product photo, a compelling description, and smart organization can be the difference between a visitor and a customer. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to make your products shine online. Let’s get started!

About the Author: This article is written by the Ficos Retail team. With years of experience building mobile-first solutions for businesses that operate both online and offline, we have an in-depth understanding of the challenges small retailers face. This guide was developed to help our user community get the most out of the new unified commerce features. Learn more about our mission at the official Ficos website.

 

Why Prepare Your Products? Key Benefits for Your Online Store #

 

Taking the time to properly prepare your products for online sales isn’t just about looks—it directly impacts your success and makes your life easier:

  • Increase Customer Trust: Professional photos and clear, detailed descriptions show customers you care about quality, making them more likely to buy.
  • Improve Discoverability: Well-named products and organized categories help customers find what they’re looking for quickly, reducing bounce rates.
  • Drive More Sales: Using homepage flags like “Featured” or “Bestseller” draws attention to key items, encouraging impulse buys and highlighting your most popular products.
  • Reduce Customer Inquiries: A great description that answers common questions (like materials or size) saves you time by preventing unnecessary customer service chats and emails.
  • Create a Professional Brand Image: A well-curated online store looks professional and trustworthy, setting you apart from the competition.

 

By preparing your products thoughtfully, you’re investing in a better customer experience and a more profitable online channel.

 

A Closer Look at Your New Online Product Tools #

 

When you edit a product, you’ll find a new “Online Store” section with powerful tools to control how your items appear on your website:

  • “Sell Online” Switch:
    • What it is: The master switch for each product. If this is off, the product is hidden from your website. Turn it on to make it available for purchase online.
  • Online Description Field:
    • What it is: A dedicated text box for your web description. This is your chance to write a compelling sales pitch that convinces a customer to buy.
  • Homepage Flags:
    • What they are: Simple switches to promote products. Use “Mark as Featured” to highlight specific items, “Mark as Bestseller” for popular goods, and “Mark as New Arrival” for your latest stock.
  • Category Homepage Options:
    • What they are: In the category settings, you can now “Feature on Homepage” and upload a “Category Image”. This is crucial for creating an attractive, easy-to-navigate storefront.

 

Step 1: Navigate to Your Inventory Manager #

 

Everything related to your products lives in the Inventory Manager.

  1. Go to Business Manager:
    • From your main Dashboard, find the “Business Manager” section.
    • Scroll through the icons and tap on Inventory.
  2. Find Your Product:
    • On the Inventory Manager screen, you can tap the (+) button to add a new product or tap on any existing product to view its details.

 

Step 2: Enable and Describe Your Product for Online Sale #

 

Once you are on the **Add/Edit Product** screen, scroll to the bottom.

  1. Find the “Online Store” Section:
    • Tap the “Sell Online” switch to turn it on. The product is now ready to be shown on your website.
  2. Write a Great Description:
    • In the “Online Description” text box, write a clear and appealing description. Describe the product’s benefits, features, and what makes it unique.
  3. Set Homepage Flags:
    • Decide if you want to promote this item. Turn on the switches for “Featured,” “Bestseller,” or “New Arrival” as needed.

 

Step 3: Organize and Feature Your Product Categories #

 

Great organization helps customers shop. Let’s make your categories look professional.

  1. Navigate to Manage Categories:
    • From the Inventory Manager, tap the three vertical dots icon in the top right corner and select Manage Categories.
  2. Edit a Category:
    • Tap on a category to edit it. Here you will find the **”Homepage Options.”**
    • Turn on the “Feature on Homepage” switch.
    • Set a “Sort Order” number to control its position (e.g., 1 appears before 2).
    • Most importantly, upload a high-quality “Category Image.” This is what customers will see and click on your homepage.

 

Step 4: Upload a High-Quality Product Image #

 

A picture is worth a thousand clicks. A great photo is essential for online sales.

  1. Go to the View Product Screen:
    • From the Inventory Manager, tap on the product you want to update.
  2. Tap the Image Area:
    • On the product detail screen, tap the main image placeholder.
    • You can choose to take a new photo with your camera or select an existing one from your gallery.

 

Your Product Readiness Checklist #

 

Before moving on to the next product, run through this quick checklist.

Task Completed?
“Sell Online” Switch is ON Ensures the product is visible on your website.
Compelling Online Description Written Tells customers why they should buy this product.
High-Quality Image Uploaded The most important element for online sales.
Assigned to a Featured Category Makes the product easy for customers to find.

Important: A product will only appear online if the “Sell Online” switch is on, and it has been assigned to a category.

 

Practical Tips for a Great Online Store #

 

Make your store even better with these simple tips:

  • Be Consistent: Try to use a similar style for all your product photos (e.g., same background, same lighting) to create a professional, cohesive look.
  • Think Like a Customer: When organizing categories, think about how your customers would search for products. Keep it simple and logical.
  • Update Regularly: Use the “New Arrival” flag to keep your homepage fresh and give returning customers a reason to see what’s new.

 

Conclusion #

 

By thoughtfully preparing your products and categories, you can create a professional and effective online store that drives sales and builds customer trust. Taking these extra steps is the key to unlocking the full potential of your new Ficos commerce platform. For more helpful tips, visit the Ficos Documentation. Happy selling!

Frequently Asked Questions #

Where do I write the online description for a product? #

You can add or edit the online description on the “Add Product” or “Edit Product” screen. Scroll down to the “Online Store” section, and you will find a multi-line text box specifically for the “Online Description.”

Why isn't my category showing up on my homepage? #

For a category to appear on your homepage, two conditions must be met. First, you must turn on the “Feature on Homepage” switch in that category’s edit screen. Second, it’s highly recommended to upload a “Category Image” to ensure it displays correctly and looks professional.

Can I use a different description for my online store than my POS? #

Yes! The “Online Description” field is separate from any internal notes you may have. This allows you to write a customer-facing description for your website while keeping any internal product notes private.

What happens if I don't upload a product image? #

If you don’t upload an image, your online store will display a default placeholder image. While functional, this can look unprofessional and may reduce customer trust. We strongly recommend uploading a clear, high-quality photo for every product you sell online.

How do I control the order of my featured products or categories? #

For categories, you can set a “Sort Order” number when you edit the category. For featured products, the order is managed in the “Homepage Editor” in your Online Store settings, where you can arrange the layout of your entire front page.

I'm Jordah, and I built this for you #

Creating a professional online presence is one of the most important steps to growing your business. That’s why I designed these tools to be simple, powerful, and fully integrated with the Ficos app you already use.

The Online Store features are made to help you create a beautiful storefront without the hassle. Let Ficos support you on your journey to success.

Get the Ficos App

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Updated on October 3, 2025
How to Set Up Your Ficos Online Store & Delivery
Table of Contents
  • Preparing Your Products for the Online Store: A Complete Guide
  • Why Prepare Your Products? Key Benefits for Your Online Store
  • A Closer Look at Your New Online Product Tools
  • Step 1: Navigate to Your Inventory Manager
  • Step 2: Enable and Describe Your Product for Online Sale
  • Step 3: Organize and Feature Your Product Categories
  • Step 4: Upload a High-Quality Product Image
  • Your Product Readiness Checklist
  • Practical Tips for a Great Online Store
  • Conclusion

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