Adding a single product

Welcome to Tradeit — Zimbabwe’s trusted marketplace for buying and selling online! Whether you’re selling handmade crafts in Harare, second-hand electronics in Bulawayo, or farm produce from Mutare, this guide will walk you step-by-step through the process of adding a single product to your Tradeit store.

This article is perfect for new vendors who want clear, specific, and easy-to-follow instructions with local Zimbabwean examples to make your journey smooth and successful.

🎯 Objective

Learn how to list a single product on Tradeit, including:

• Setting the product name and price
• Adding product images
• Writing a Zimbabwean-context product description
• Managing stock
• Setting shipping options

🪜 Step-by-Step: How to Add a Product on Tradeit

Step 1: Log in to Your Vendor Dashboard

1. Visit https://tradeit.co.zw.
2. Click on the “Login” button in the top right corner.
3. Enter your vendor username and password.
4. After logging in, click on “Vendor Dashboard”.

📝 Tip: Bookmark your Vendor Dashboard for quick access.

Step 2: Navigate to the Products Section

1. In the left-hand menu of your dashboard, click “Products”.
2. Click on the “Add New Product” button (usually at the top-right corner).

Step 3: Fill in the Product Details

🏷️ Product Name

Give your product a clear and specific title.

Examples:

• “Fresh Avocados – Grade A (Macheke Farm)”
• “Samsung Galaxy A14 – Gently Used, 64GB”
• “Handmade Beaded Necklace – African Design”

🔎 Why this matters: Buyers in Zimbabwe often search by brand, product type, and condition.

🖼️ Product Images

Click the image upload box to add clear, high-quality photos of your product.

Tips for Images:

• Take photos in natural daylight.
• Use a clean, uncluttered background.
• Show multiple angles (front, back, packaging if applicable).

Local Example:
Selling Chibuku mugs? Upload one image of the mug on its own, one in someone’s hand for scale, and one in packaging (if boxed).

📝 Product Description

Use this section to clearly explain:

• What the product is
• Key features
• Benefits
• Local relevance

Example Description for a Handmade Clay Pot:

“This hand-crafted clay pot is made in Binga using traditional methods. Perfect for cooking sadza or matemba stew. Holds 3 litres. Durable and designed for open fire cooking.”

Use bullet points for clarity:

• Locally made in Binga
• Eco-friendly and reusable
• Safe for traditional cooking

Step 4: Set the Product Type

• Simple Product (default): For individual items like a single shirt or one phone.
• Variable Product: If your product has variations (like size or color), choose this.

For now, we’re focusing on Simple Products.

Step 5: Set Pricing

• Regular Price: Your standard selling price.
• Sale Price (optional): Discounted price (can be scheduled).

Example:

• Regular Price: USD 25
• Sale Price: USD 20 (for back-to-school promotion)

💡 Tip: Tradeit supports multi-currency (USD, ZWL, Rand). However, default pricing is shown in USD for consistency.

Step 6: Inventory Management

• Tick “Enable stock management”.
• Set Stock Quantity (e.g. 10 units).
• Stock Status: Set as “In Stock”.

Example:
You’re selling 15 bars of Zumbani soap. Set:

• Enable stock: ✅
• Stock Quantity: 15
• Low stock threshold: 3 (to get a warning when stock is low)

⚠️ Why it matters: Tradeit will automatically prevent overselling.

Step 7: Shipping Details

Set your product’s shipping options.

• Weight: Enter in kg (e.g. 1.5kg)
• Dimensions: L x W x H (in cm)

📦 Tradeit allows you to set custom shipping zones, but Zimbabwean vendors often use:

• Local delivery (e.g. Harare, Bulawayo)
• Nationwide courier (e.g. Mutare to Gweru via Swift or EMS)
• Pickup option

Set a flat shipping fee if needed.

Example:
For a small kitchen appliance:

• Shipping: USD 5 (Harare), USD 10 (Nationwide)
• Pickup location: Borrowdale, Harare

Step 8: Product Tags and Categories

Tags help customers find your product more easily.

• Examples: beaded, traditional, handmade, electronics, Zim fashion

Categories are pre-defined. Select the most relevant one.

• Example: Health & Beauty > Soaps or Electronics > Mobile Phones

Step 9: Submit Your Product

1. Scroll to the bottom of the product form.
2. Click “Create Product”.
3. Wait for the success message: “Product created successfully.”

Once approved (if moderation is enabled), your product will be live on https://tradeit.co.zw and searchable by customers across Zimbabwe.

🎁 Bonus Tips for Zimbabwean Vendors

• Use both English and Shona/Ndebele terms for traditional items. Example: “Mbira (Traditional Thumb Piano)”.
• Be transparent about item condition: Mention if it’s new, refurbished, or used.
• Leverage public holidays for promotions: Sell school supplies in December for the January back-to-school rush or offer discounts during Heroes Day.
• Mobile responsiveness matters: Over 80% of Tradeit shoppers browse via smartphones — ensure your product images and descriptions are mobile-friendly.

🆘 Need Help?

If you’re stuck or need help:

• Visit the Vendor Dashboard Help Center
• Email [email protected]
• Chat with our support team on WhatsApp via the Tradeit website

✅ Summary Checklist

Before publishing, make sure:

• Product has a clear name and title
• Images are clear and relevant
• Description is informative and Zimbabwean-friendly
• Pricing is competitive and visible
• Shipping is defined
• Stock is enabled (if limited)
• You selected the correct category

With this guide, you’re ready to start selling your first product on Tradeit — whether it’s organic honey from Nyanga, second-hand laptops in Harare, or local crafts from Victoria Falls.

Happy selling! 🇿🇼