- Higher Profits: Own online store can mean an extra R62 per item.
- Full Control: Manage brand, customer data, and sales directly.
- Simplified Selling: Ficos Bio Link offers an all-in-one solution for online and in-store sales.
The South African Retailer’s Online Dilemma
- Monthly subscription: R400-R460 (even if you sell nothing)
- Commission fees: 5%-18% of every sale
- Fulfillment fees: R20-R250+ per item
- Storage fees: R4-R450 monthly for slow-moving stock
Marketplace dependency vs. Ficos Freedom: A Profit Showdown
| Feature | Selling on Takealot | Selling with Ficos Online Store (Bio Link) |
|---|---|---|
| Profit Per Sale | Lower (high commissions) | Higher (no marketplace commissions) |
| Brand Control | Limited | Full control |
| Market Access | Immediate (large existing user base) | Grow your own (through direct marketing) |
| Operational Complexity | Managed by platform (for fulfillment) | Unified and simplified (in-house via Ficos) |
| Costs | Monthly subscription + high commissions + fulfillment fees | No extra costs (included in Ficos) |
How to ‘Make a Plan’ with Your Ficos Online Store
Go to Settings > Online Store in your Ficos app. Enable your storefront and set your unique URL (like ficos.app/@yourstore). Upload your logo and choose a theme.
Go to your inventory and simply toggle ‘Sell Online’ for each product. No complicated listings. No separate systems.
Put your Ficos Shop Link in your Instagram bio, Facebook page, WhatsApp status. Everywhere your customers are.
Customers browse, order, and pay securely via Stripe. The money goes straight to you. No middleman taking a cut.
Handle online orders, assign deliveries, track inventory – all from your Ficos dashboard. No switching between apps.
Pro Tip from Jozi
- Add your Shop Link to every WhatsApp message you send to customers
- Put it in your email signature
- Share it on all your social media posts
- Print it on your receipts and business cards
- Tell every in-store customer: “Follow us online at this link”
Got Questions?
How much does Ficos Online Store cost?
The Online Store is included in your Ficos subscription. Plans start at $15/month (≈ R280) for the Bronze plan (2 stores, 250 products). There’s a 7-day free trial (30 days if referred). No extra commissions or fees on your sales.
Does Ficos work without internet/offline?
Yes! Ficos works offline for in-store sales. Your online store needs internet for customers to browse, but you can manage orders and inventory offline once they’re in your system.
Is Ficos better than selling on Takealot?
For control and profits: yes. Takealot takes 5%-18% commission plus monthly fees. Ficos keeps all profits with you. But you need to drive your own traffic – which is easier than you think with your Bio Link everywhere.
Is my customer data safe with Ficos?
Absolutely. Your customer data belongs to you. Ficos uses bank-level security with Stripe for payments. You own your customer relationships, not a marketplace.
How do I drive traffic to my own online store?
Share your Bio Link everywhere: social media bios, WhatsApp, email signatures. Tell in-store customers to shop online. Run simple promotions. Start with your existing customers – they already trust you and will buy directly if you give them the option.
What our clients say
I used to lose stock every week. Now I track every single item from my phone.
Nayebare Jenuario
★★★★★Business has never been easier. No hardware costs, just my phone. I stopped replying to DMs, I just send the link and the sales come in!
Fort High
★★★★★Excellent app. Very useful for managing my boda riders and tracking cash.
Christian TABARO
★★★★★How It Works
Ready to Start?
South Africa Delivery Guide: Profitable Zone-Based Pricing
The Silent Killer of South African E-commerce Right now, as you read this, 55% of potential customers are abandoning their shopping carts on South African online stores. It is not because they do not want […]
Winning Online Sales in South Africa: Takealot vs Bio Link
Key Takeaways: Higher Profits: Own online store can mean an extra R62 per item. Full Control: Manage brand, customer data, and sales directly. Simplified Selling: Ficos Bio Link offers an all-in-one solution for online and […]
Ficos Shop Link: South Africa’s Free WhatsApp Digital Catalog
Key Takeaways: Stop losing out on sales – get a free online store for WhatsApp today. Reach millions of South African customers directly where they are – on WhatsApp. Turn your inventory into instant profits […]
Stop Supplier Ghosting: The Offline Credit Book for South African Shops
Key Takeaways: Suppliers delaying credit approvals for weeks leaves your shelves empty. Lost invoices in emails mean you overpay or miss payment deadlines. Damaged supplier relationships cost you better pricing and terms. Your phone buzzes. […]
South Africa Shopkeepers: Stop Paying Fines for Lost Receipts
The letter from SARS sits on your counter. R10,000 fine for “incomplete records.” You look at the shoebox in the corner, receipts spilling out like confetti. Load shedding hit at 5pm yesterday. The lights went […]
