Order tracking

Welcome to Tradeit! If you’re a new vendor on Tradeit, Zimbabwe’s leading online marketplace, it’s important to keep your customers informed about the status of their orders. This article explains how you can track customer orders, update order statuses, and ensure transparency to build trust with your buyers.

🛒 What Is Order Tracking?

Order tracking allows your customers to monitor the progress of their purchases from the time the order is placed to the time it is delivered. As a vendor, you are responsible for keeping the order information up to date — especially if you use couriers like Swift, ZimPost, CourierConnect, or even private transport services like Kombi-based deliveries in local towns.

📍 Why Is Order Tracking Important?

1. Builds buyer trust – Customers feel more confident when they can see their order is being processed and dispatched.
2. Reduces disputes – Clear tracking reduces inquiries and complaints.
3. Improves your vendor rating – Quick and transparent updates enhance your credibility.

🧑‍💻 Step-by-Step: How to Manage and Track Orders on Tradeit

Step 1: Log into Your Vendor Dashboard

• Go to Tradeit Vendor Dashboard
• Use your vendor credentials to log in.

Step 2: Access the “Orders” Menu

• From the left-hand menu, click on “Orders”
• You will see a list of customer orders, sorted by date.

Each order will show:

• Order number
• Customer name
• Order total
• Order status (e.g., Processing, Shipped, Completed)

Step 3: Update the Order Status

When you start processing an order:

1. Click on the order number to open the order details.
2. Review the items, customer address, and payment status.
3. Scroll down to the “Order Action” panel.
4. Use the “Change Status” dropdown to update the order stage:
   • Pending – Payment not yet received.
   • Processing – Payment received; preparing order.
   • Shipped – Item has been dispatched.
   • Completed – Order delivered and fulfilled.
   • Cancelled/Refunded – Only if necessary.

👉 Example: If you’re shipping a 5kg bag of mealie meal to Gweru via ZimPost, you can mark the status as “Shipped” once you’ve handed it over to the courier.

Step 4: Add Tracking Details (Highly Recommended)

To provide full tracking info:

1. Scroll to the Shipping section in the order detail page.
2. Click “Add Tracking Number”
3. Fill in:
   • Shipping Provider: e.g., “ZimPost”, “CourierConnect”, “Swift”, or “Kombi – Harare CBD”
   • Tracking Number: The waybill or parcel ID
   • Shipping Date
   • Optional Note to the customer (e.g., “Expect delivery in 2-3 days”)

✅ Tradeit automatically sends these tracking details to the customer via email.

🧾 Example: Tracking an Order for a Bulawayo Buyer

You are selling school shoes to a customer in Bulawayo:

1. You receive the order.
2. You package the shoes and ship them via Swift Courier.
3. The Swift waybill is ZW12345678.
4. Go to the order in your dashboard → Mark as Shipped
5. Click Add Tracking Info:
   • Provider: Swift
   • Number: ZW12345678
   • Shipping Date: 15 May 2025
   • Note: “Shoes dispatched via Swift. Delivery expected in 48hrs.”

🧠 Tips for Local Vendors

• Bulawayo or Mutare deliveries? Use city-based delivery services and mention their name as the courier.
• Selling produce like tomatoes or mangoes? Update customers quickly since such items are time-sensitive.
• Using EcoCash payments? Only mark an order as “Processing” once payment reflects.

📬 FAQs

Q: What if my customer didn’t receive their package but I marked it as “Completed”?
A: Reach out to the courier immediately. Provide the tracking number to the customer and initiate a follow-up. Always wait for confirmation before marking an order “Completed”.

Q: Can I track an order if I use Kombis or local transporters?
A: Yes. While they may not provide official tracking numbers, you can still add a note such as:
“Dispatched via Kombi to Mbare Musika – contact driver John +263 77 XXX XXXX”.

🧾 Summary Checklist

By staying consistent with updates and using the built-in tracking tools, you’ll reduce customer queries and ensure a smooth experience on Tradeit.

Need help? Contact Tradeit Support for assistance.