Merchant Admin Panel Documentation

The Merchant Admin Panel is your central hub for managing all aspects of your online store. This comprehensive platform allows you to:

• View and manage orders
• Add and edit products
• Analyze sales performance
• Manage your account and finances
• Configure store settings

This documentation will guide you through all features and functionalities to help you efficiently manage your store.

The admin panel is divided into several main areas:

1. Header - Contains the logo, navigation toggle, and user menu
2. Sidebar - Main navigation menu with access to all sections
3. Content Area - Displays the active section's content

Use the sidebar to navigate between different sections of your store management. The sidebar remains collapsible on mobile devices for optimal space usage.

Throughout the admin panel, you'll encounter several common control elements:

Tabs - Used to organize related content within a section. Click on different tabs to view different sets of information.

Filters - Allow you to narrow down displayed data based on specific criteria like date ranges, status, or categories.

Search - Located in various sections to help you quickly find specific orders, products, or other items.

Action Buttons - Perform specific operations like adding new items, editing, deleting, or exporting data.

The system uses toast notifications to provide feedback on your actions:

• Green notifications indicate successful operations
• Yellow notifications provide warnings or important information
• Red notifications alert you to errors or issues that need attention

Notifications automatically disappear after a few seconds, but you can dismiss them manually by clicking the close button.

Logging In: Access your admin panel by visiting your store's admin URL and entering your credentials.

Logging Out: Click on your profile picture in the top right corner, then select "Logout" from the dropdown menu.

Modals (pop-up windows) are used throughout the admin panel for:

• Adding or editing products
• Viewing order details
• Updating order status
• Confirming actions
• Processing payments

To close a modal, you can either:

1. Click the "X" button in the top right corner
2. Click outside the modal content area
3. Press the Escape key on your keyboard

The Dashboard is the default landing page when you log into your Merchant Admin Panel. You can also access it at any time by:

1. Clicking on the "Dashboard" option in the sidebar navigation menu
2. Clicking on the logo in the header area

The Dashboard provides an at-a-glance overview of your store's performance with several key components:

Summary Cards - These four cards display crucial metrics:

• New Orders - Number of new orders with trend indicator
• Revenue - Total revenue with trend indicator
• New Customers - Number of new customers
• Low Stock Items - Products that need restocking

Each card shows the current value, a label describing what it represents, and a trend indicator showing whether the metric is increasing or decreasing compared to the previous period.

The Dashboard includes time filters that allow you to view your performance data for different time periods:

• Today - Shows data for the current day only
• This Week - Shows data for the current week (Sunday to Saturday)
• This Month - Shows data for the current calendar month

To change the time period:

1. Locate the "Period" filter in the top right area of the Dashboard
2. Click on the dropdown menu
3. Select your desired time period

The Dashboard will automatically update all charts and metrics to reflect the selected time period.

The Sales Performance chart visually represents your store's revenue over time, helping you identify trends and patterns.

This chart includes:

• Daily, weekly, or monthly revenue data (depending on your selected time filter)
• Interactive elements - hover over data points to see exact values
• Period selector to switch between 7 days, 30 days, and 12 months views

The Top Selling Products chart displays your best-performing products based on sales volume or revenue.

This chart helps you:

• Identify your most popular products
• Spot emerging trends in product popularity
• Make informed decisions about inventory management
• Plan promotions and marketing campaigns

The chart typically uses a bar graph format, with products on one axis and sales metrics on the other.

The Customer Activity chart provides insights into customer engagement with your store, including:

• New customer registrations over time
• Customer purchase frequency
• Returning customer rates
• Customer engagement metrics

This information is valuable for understanding customer behavior and loyalty, which can inform your customer retention strategies.

The Dashboard is designed to provide actionable insights that can help you make informed business decisions. Here's how to leverage this information:

1. Inventory Management - Use the Low Stock Items alert to ensure you never run out of popular products
2. Marketing Planning - Identify peak sales periods to time your promotions effectively
3. Product Strategy - Analyze which products are performing best to inform future purchasing decisions
4. Customer Acquisition - Track new customer numbers to measure the effectiveness of your marketing efforts
5. Revenue Forecasting - Use historical sales data to predict future revenue and plan accordingly

To access your orders management section:

1. Click on the "Orders" option in the sidebar navigation menu (shopping bag icon)
2. You'll be taken to the orders dashboard showing all recent orders

The orders section provides a comprehensive view of all customer purchases, with filtering and sorting capabilities to help you manage order fulfillment efficiently.

The orders section includes powerful filtering options to help you find specific orders:

Status Filter: Filter orders by their current status:

• Pending - New orders that need processing
• Processing - Orders being prepared for shipment
• Shipped - Orders that have been dispatched
• Completed - Orders successfully delivered
• Cancelled - Orders that were cancelled

Date Filter: Filter orders by time period:

• Today - Orders from the current day
• This Week - Orders from the current week
• This Month - Orders from the current month
• All Time - View all orders regardless of date

Search: Use the search field to find orders by:

• Order ID
• Customer name
• Customer email
• Product names in the order

The orders table displays all relevant information about each order in a structured format:

Columns in the orders table:

• Order ID - Unique identifier for each order
• Customer - Customer name and email address
• Date - Order date and time
• Items - Number of products in the order
• Total - Order total amount
• Status - Current order status with color coding
• Actions - Available operations for each order

The table is sortable by clicking on column headers and paginated for easy navigation through large order volumes.

To view detailed information about a specific order:

1. Locate the order in the orders table
2. Click the "View" button (eye icon) in the Actions column
3. A modal will open with comprehensive order details

Order details include:

• Complete customer information (name, email, phone)
• Delivery address and instructions
• Detailed list of products with quantities and prices
• Order subtotal, shipping cost, and total amount
• Payment method and status
• Order history and status timeline

Keeping order statuses updated is crucial for customer communication and inventory management:

To update an order status:

1. Locate the order in the orders table
2. Click the "Update Status" button (circular arrow icon) in the Actions column
3. Select the new status from the dropdown menu
4. Add optional notes about the status change
5. Click "Confirm" to update the status

Status workflow:

• Pending → Processing: Order is being prepared for shipment
• Processing → Shipped: Order has been dispatched to the customer
• Shipped → Completed: Order has been successfully delivered
• Any status → Cancelled: Order has been cancelled (requires reason)

You can create orders manually for phone orders, in-person sales, or other special circumstances:

To create a manual order:

1. Click the "Create Order" button in the top right of the orders section
2. Fill in customer information (or select existing customer)
3. Add products to the order with quantities
4. Set shipping method and address
5. Apply discounts if applicable
6. Select payment method and mark as paid if payment was collected
7. Click "Create Order" to finalize

Use cases for manual orders:

• Phone orders from regular customers
• In-person sales at markets or events
• Replacement orders for damaged items
• Special pricing arrangements for wholesale customers

You can export order data for record-keeping, accounting, or analysis purposes:

To export orders:

1. Apply any desired filters to narrow down the orders you want to export
2. Click the "Export" button in the top right of the orders section
3. Select export format (CSV, Excel, or PDF)
4. Choose date range for the export
5. Select which data columns to include
6. Click "Export" to generate and download the file

Export formats and their uses:

• CSV - For data analysis in spreadsheet software or custom systems
• Excel - For accounting and reporting with formatted tables
• PDF - For printing or sharing with team members

During peak seasons or sales events, you may need to process large volumes of orders efficiently:

Strategies for managing high order volumes:

• Use status filters to focus on orders that need immediate attention
• Batch process orders with similar characteristics (same shipping method, etc.)
• Use the bulk update feature to change statuses for multiple orders at once
• Print shipping labels in batches to streamline fulfillment
• Set up automated status updates for common workflow steps

Bulk operations:

1. Select multiple orders using the checkboxes in the first column
2. Click the "Bulk Actions" button that appears
3. Choose the operation to perform (update status, print labels, export selected)
4. Confirm the action to apply it to all selected orders

Efficient order fulfillment is key to customer satisfaction and business success:

Fulfillment best practices:

• Process orders daily - Aim to process new orders within 24 hours of receipt
• Communicate proactively - Send shipping confirmations and tracking information promptly
• Standardize packaging - Create consistent packaging processes to reduce errors
• Verify addresses - Double-check delivery addresses before shipping, especially for international orders
• Handle exceptions promptly - Address shipping delays, out-of-stock items, and other issues immediately

Creating an efficient fulfillment workflow:

1. Check for new orders first thing each business day
2. Print picking lists organized by product location in your warehouse
3. Batch orders going to similar destinations for shipping discounts
4. Update order statuses immediately after processing each stage
5. Conduct regular audits to ensure inventory accuracy

To access your product management section:

1. Click on the "Products" option in the sidebar navigation menu (box icon)
2. You'll be taken to the products dashboard showing your product catalog

The products section allows you to manage your entire inventory, including adding new products, editing existing ones, organizing categories, and monitoring stock levels.

Adding new products to your catalog is a straightforward process with these steps:

Efficiently manage your product catalog using filters:

Category Filter: View products in specific categories or sub-categories

Status Filter: Filter by Active, Inactive, or Low Stock status

Search: Find products by name, SKU, description, or other attributes

View complete product details:

1. Locate the product in the products table
2. Click the "View" button (eye icon) in the Actions column
3. A modal will open with all product information, images, and variants

The product view shows how customers will see the product, including all images, descriptions, pricing, and availability.

Update product details as needed:

1. Locate the product in the products table
2. Click the "Edit" button (pencil icon) in the Actions column
3. Update any product information in the edit form
4. Click "Save Changes" to update the product

Common reasons to edit products:

• Updating pricing or discounts
• Adjusting stock quantities
• Adding new images or improving descriptions
• Correcting errors in product information
• Adding new variants or options

Temporarily remove products from your store without deleting them:

1. Locate the product in the products table
2. Click the status toggle button (eye icon) in the Actions column
3. Confirm the status change

Reasons to deactivate products:

• Temporarily out of stock but planning to restock
• Seasonal products out of season
• Products undergoing updates or changes
• Testing customer interest before full launch

Permanently remove products from your catalog:

1. Locate the product in the products table
2. Click the "Delete" button (trash icon) in the Actions column
3. Confirm the deletion in the confirmation dialog

Before deleting a product, ensure:

• There are no pending orders containing the product
• The product is not part of any active bundles or promotions
• You have exported any needed product data for records

Export your product catalog for analysis, backup, or migration:

1. Apply any desired filters to narrow down products
2. Click the "Export" button in the top right
3. Select export format (CSV, Excel)
4. Choose which product fields to include
5. Click "Export" to generate and download the file

Common uses for product exports:

• Inventory analysis and planning
• Migrating to a new platform
• Creating offline backups
• Generating printed catalogs or price lists

Effective inventory management prevents stockouts and overstocking:

Setting up inventory alerts:

1. Edit a product and navigate to the inventory section
2. Set a "Low Stock Threshold" - the quantity at which you want to be notified
3. Save the changes

Managing inventory:

• Regularly check the "Low Stock" filter to identify products needing restocking
• Update stock quantities as you receive new inventory
• Use the bulk edit feature to update multiple products at once
• Set products to "Out of Stock" status when inventory is depleted

A well-organized product catalog improves customer experience and operational efficiency:

Catalog organization strategies:

• Create logical categories and subcategories that mirror how customers search for products
• Use consistent naming conventions for similar products
• Implement a standardized SKU system for easy inventory management
• Use product tags for cross-category filtering and search
• Regularly review and prune outdated or underperforming products
• Organize products by season, collection, or theme when applicable

Optimizing product listings:

1. Use high-quality, multiple-angle product images
2. Write clear, detailed product descriptions with specifications
3. Highlight key features and benefits
4. Include sizing charts, compatibility information, or usage guides where helpful
5. Optimize product titles for search with relevant keywords

To access your store analytics:

1. Click on the "Analytics" option in the sidebar navigation menu (chart icon)
2. You'll be taken to the analytics dashboard with performance overview

The analytics section provides data-driven insights into your store's performance, customer behavior, and sales trends to help you make informed business decisions.

The analytics overview presents key metrics at a glance:

Summary cards showing:

• Total Revenue - Overall sales performance
• Total Orders - Number of transactions
• New Customers - Customer acquisition rate
• Store Visits - Traffic volume to your store

Interactive charts including:

• Revenue by Category - Sales distribution across product categories
• Customer Acquisition - New vs. returning customer trends
• Product Performance - Best-selling products and revenue contributors

Analyze performance across different time periods:

Available time filters:

• Last 7 Days - Short-term trends and recent performance
• This Month - Current monthly performance
• This Quarter - Seasonal trends and quarterly planning
• This Year - Annual performance and year-over-year comparisons

Comparing time periods:

1. Select a time period from the dropdown filter
2. All charts and metrics will update to reflect the selected period
3. Use the comparison feature to view performance against previous period

Detailed analysis of your store's revenue performance:

Revenue metrics:

• Total Revenue - Gross sales amount
• Average Order Value - Revenue per transaction
• Revenue Trend - Growth or decline compared to previous period

Revenue charts:

• Daily/Weekly/Monthly Revenue Trends - Visual representation of sales over time
• Revenue by Channel - Sales distribution across different acquisition channels
• Revenue by Location - Geographic distribution of sales

Analysis of order volume and transaction patterns:

Order metrics:

• Total Orders - Number of transactions
• Conversion Rate - Percentage of visitors who make a purchase
• Abandoned Cart Rate - Percentage of started but not completed purchases

Order charts:

• Orders Over Time - Order volume trends
• Order Status Distribution - Proportion of orders at each fulfillment stage
• Average Order Value Distribution - Range of transaction values

Understand how customers find and interact with your store:

Acquisition metrics:

• New vs. Returning Customers - Customer loyalty metrics
• Acquisition Channels - Where your customers come from (organic, social, direct, etc.)
• Customer Lifetime Value - Long-term value of acquired customers

Behavior reports:

• Time on Site - Engagement duration
• Pages per Session - Depth of site exploration
• Device Usage - Desktop vs. mobile shopping patterns

Identify your best-performing products and categories:

Product performance metrics:

• Units Sold - Volume of each product sold
• Revenue Contribution - Percentage of total revenue from each product
• Profit Margin - profitability of each product
• Sales Velocity - How quickly products sell

Using product performance data:

1. Identify best-sellers to ensure adequate stock levels
2. Discover underperforming products that may need promotion or discontinuation
3. Spot product combinations frequently purchased together
4. Identify seasonal trends for specific products

Understand which product categories drive your business:

Category analysis:

• Revenue by Category - Sales distribution across your catalog
• Category Growth Trends - Which categories are growing or declining
• Category Profitability - Margin analysis by category

Strategic applications:

1. Allocate marketing budget to high-performing categories
2. Identify opportunity areas where category performance lags behind market trends
3. Optimize inventory investment based on category performance
4. Plan category expansions or reductions based on performance data

Export analytics data for external analysis or reporting:

Export options:

1. Select the data you want to export using filters
2. Click the "Export Report" button
3. Choose export format (CSV, Excel, PDF)
4. Select specific metrics to include
5. Set date range for the exported data
6. Click "Export" to generate and download the report

Common use cases for exported reports:

• Financial reporting and accounting
• Investor or stakeholder updates
• External data analysis in specialized tools
• Historical performance archives

Transform data into actionable business intelligence:

Data-informed decision making:

• Inventory Planning - Use sales velocity data to optimize stock levels
• Marketing Allocation - Direct budget to highest-performing channels
• Product Strategy - Expand winning products and categories
• Pricing Optimization - Test and refine pricing based on demand elasticity
• Customer Retention - Identify and nurture high-value customer segments

Creating an analytics routine:

1. Schedule regular analytics review sessions (weekly, monthly)
2. Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to track
3. Set up automated reports for routine monitoring
4. Create dashboards for different team members based on their needs
5. Use data to inform both tactical day-to-day decisions and long-term strategy

To access your financial accounts and settings:

1. Click on the "Accounts" option in the sidebar navigation menu (wallet icon)
2. You'll be taken to the accounts dashboard with balance overview

The accounts section allows you to manage your store's finances, including viewing balances, processing payouts, reviewing transactions, and managing your subscription.

The Balance tab provides an overview of your current financial status:

The Transactions tab provides a detailed record of all financial activities:

Manage your store subscription plan and billing:

Track and manage your earnings withdrawals:

Configure how you receive your earnings:

Adding payout methods:

1. Navigate to Payout Settings in the Settings section
2. Click "Add Payout Method"
3. Select method type (Bank Transfer or M-Pesa)
4. Provide required account details
5. Verify the method if required (small test transaction)
6. Set as default if desired

Bank account requirements:

• Account holder name (must match your business registration)
• Bank name and branch
• Account number
• Routing/Sort code (if applicable)

M-Pesa requirements:

• Registered phone number
• Account name matching M-Pesa registration

To access your store configuration settings:

1. Click on the "Settings" option in the sidebar navigation menu (gear icon)
2. You'll be taken to the settings dashboard with various configuration tabs

The settings section allows you to customize all aspects of your store operation, from basic information to payment processing and shipping configurations.

Configure basic store information and appearance:

Configure how you accept customer payments:

Configure how and when you receive your earnings:

Configure how you handle product delivery:

Create customized shipping rules for different regions:

Customize your store's visual appearance:

Connect your social media profiles to your store:

Finalize and confirm your configuration changes:

Saving settings:

1. After making changes, click the "Save Settings" button
2. Some changes may require confirmation before applying
3. A success message will confirm your settings were saved
4. Some changes may take effect immediately while others may require cache clearing

Settings confirmation:

• Critical changes (like payment or shipping settings) may require extra confirmation
• Always review changes before finalizing
• Test important changes in a controlled manner before full implementation

Green notifications indicate successful operations:

Common success messages:

• "Order status updated successfully"
• "Product added successfully"
• "Settings saved successfully"
• "Payout requested successfully"

Characteristics of success messages:

• Green background color
• Checkmark icon
• Brief, clear description of the completed action
• Auto-dismiss after a few seconds

Yellow and blue notifications provide important information:

Common warning messages:

• "Low stock alert for [Product Name]"
• "Subscription will renew in [X] days"
• "Some orders need attention"

Common info messages:

• "New feature available"
• "System maintenance scheduled"
• "Seasonal promotion opportunity"

Characteristics of warning/info messages:

• Yellow or blue background color
• Exclamation point or information icon
• May require acknowledgment before disappearing
• Often include additional actions or links

Red notifications alert you to problems that need attention:

Common error messages:

• "Failed to process payout - insufficient funds"
• "Error updating product - please try again"
• "Connection error - changes not saved"
• "Payment processing failed - check payment method"

Characteristics of error messages:

• Red background color
• Error or warning icon
• Often include specific error codes or details
• May persist until manually dismissed
• Frequently include troubleshooting suggestions

Effective troubleshooting minimizes downtime and frustration:

Systematic troubleshooting approach:

1. Read the message carefully - Note specific error codes or instructions
2. Check for simple solutions first - Refresh the page, check your internet connection
3. Review recent changes - Did you recently modify settings or add new products?
4. Search help documentation - Many common issues have documented solutions
5. Contact support if needed - Provide specific error details for faster resolution

Preventative practices:

• Keep your browser updated to the latest version
• Clear your browser cache periodically
• Use supported browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge)
• Avoid making multiple changes simultaneously when possible
• Test changes in a controlled manner before full implementation

Withdrawing your earnings from sales:

Step-by-step withdrawal process:

1. Navigate to Accounts → Balance tab
2. Check your Available Balance (cleared funds ready for withdrawal)
3. Click the "Withdraw" button
4. Enter the amount to withdraw (or select "Full Balance")
5. Select your preferred payout method (bank transfer, M-Pesa, etc.)
6. Review the transaction details and fees
7. Confirm the withdrawal request
8. Note the estimated processing time (typically 1-3 business days)

Important considerations:

• Some funds may be "pending" due to payment processing periods
• Minimum withdrawal amounts may apply depending on your payout method
• Transaction fees may be deducted from the withdrawal amount
• Keep records of withdrawals for accounting and tax purposes

Efficiently expand your product catalog:

Batch product addition strategies:

1. Prepare product information in advance - Use a spreadsheet to organize details
2. Use consistent formatting - Standardize product titles, descriptions, and images
3. Leverage duplicate features - Copy similar products and modify details
4. Utilize bulk upload tools - Use CSV import for adding multiple products at once
5. Set aside dedicated time - Batch process product additions for efficiency

CSV import process:

1. Download the product template CSV file
2. Fill in product details following the format guidelines
3. Save the file as CSV (UTF-8 encoding)
4. Use the import tool to upload your CSV file
5. Map CSV columns to product fields
6. Review the import preview for errors
7. Execute the import and monitor progress
8. Review imported products for accuracy

Keep customers informed about their order status:

When to update order status to shipped:

• After packages have been handed to the shipping carrier
• When tracking numbers are available
• Before the end of the business day for same-day shipping promises

Updating shipped orders in bulk:

1. Filter orders by "Processing" status
2. Select all orders that have been shipped
3. Use the bulk action menu to update status to "Shipped"
4. Add tracking numbers if available
5. Confirm the status change

Adding tracking information:

1. In the order details view, locate the shipping section
2. Enter the tracking number provided by your shipping carrier
3. Select the shipping carrier from the dropdown
4. Save the tracking information
5. Customers will automatically receive tracking notifications

Plan and execute successful sales promotions:

Pre-campaign preparation checklist:

1. Inventory assessment - Ensure adequate stock of promoted products
2. Pricing strategy - Set discount levels and sale prices
3. Promotional materials - Prepare banners, email templates, and social content
4. Website readiness - Test site performance under increased traffic
5. Team preparation - Ensure staff are ready for increased order volume
6. Shipping coordination - Arrange for additional shipping capacity if needed

Setting up sale prices in the system:

1. Use the bulk edit feature to update prices for multiple products
2. Set sale start and end dates for automatic price changes
3. Create a dedicated sale category or collection for easy navigation
4. Test the customer experience before launching the sale

Monitoring during the campaign:

• Track sales performance in real-time using the analytics dashboard
• Monitor inventory levels to avoid stockouts
• Watch for technical issues or site performance problems
• Be prepared to adjust strategies based on early results

Establish a routine for daily financial oversight:

Daily review checklist:

1. New orders - Process orders received since last review
2. Payments received - Verify payments match order totals
3. Payout status - Check status of pending and processed withdrawals
4. Refunds processed - Review any refunds issued
5. Subscription payments - Note any recurring billing activities
6. Transaction discrepancies - Investigate any mismatches or errors

Using the transactions tab for daily review:

1. Filter transactions by "Today" to see daily activity
2. Export the daily transactions for record-keeping
3. Compare transaction totals with your bank deposits
4. Note any failed transactions that need attention

Reconciliation best practices:

• Perform daily reconciliation to catch issues early
• Keep detailed records of each day's transactions
• Investigate discrepancies immediately rather than letting them accumulate
• Use the notes field to document unusual transactions or resolutions

When expected items don't appear in order or product tables:

Common causes and solutions:

• Filters applied - Check if filters are hiding items
• Pagination - Items may be on other pages
• Search terms - Clear search field to see all items
• Status settings - Inactive products won't appear in some views
• Data sync delay - New items may take a moment to appear

Troubleshooting steps:

1. Clear all filters and search terms
2. Check different pages using pagination controls
3. Verify the item exists in the system using global search
4. Refresh the page to ensure data is current
5. Check if items are hidden due to status settings

When payout requests fail or encounter issues:

Common withdrawal errors:

• Insufficient funds - Requested amount exceeds available balance
• Invalid bank details - Account information is incorrect or outdated
• Bank processing issues - Temporary problems with banking systems
• Threshold not met - Amount below minimum withdrawal requirement
• Verification required - Additional identity confirmation needed

Resolving withdrawal issues:

1. Check the error message for specific details
2. Verify your available balance covers the withdrawal amount plus fees
3. Confirm your bank account details are correct and current
4. Ensure your account meets any minimum balance requirements
5. Contact your bank to confirm they're not blocking the transaction
6. If problems persist, contact support with specific error details

When customer payments fail or encounter problems:

M-Pesa specific issues:

• Insufficient balance - Customer doesn't have enough funds
• Transaction cancelled - Customer cancelled the payment request
• Network issues - Temporary problems with mobile networks
• Wrong PIN - Customer entered incorrect M-Pesa PIN

Card payment issues:

• Declined card - Issuing bank rejected the transaction
• Expired card - Customer's card has expired
• AVS mismatch - Address verification failed
• Insufficient funds - Card doesn't have available credit/balance

Addressing payment issues:

1. Check the specific error code in the transaction details
2. For M-Pesa: Ask customer to ensure sufficient balance and correct PIN
3. For cards: Suggest customer contact their bank or use alternative payment method
4. Retry the payment after a short time for temporary issues
5. Implement alternative payment options to reduce checkout abandonment

When logo uploads don't work correctly:

Common upload issues:

• File too large - Exceeds maximum file size limit
• Wrong format - File type not supported
• Dimensions too small - Image doesn't meet minimum size requirements
• Corrupted file - File is damaged or incomplete
• Browser issues - Browser extensions or settings blocking upload

Troubleshooting logo uploads:

1. Check file size and compress if necessary
2. Convert to supported format (PNG, JPG, SVG)
3. Ensure image meets minimum dimension requirements
4. Try a different browser to isolate browser-specific issues
5. Clear browser cache and cookies
6. Try uploading a different image to test if the issue is file-specific

When financial reports show unexpected or incorrect totals:

Potential causes:

• Time zone differences - Reports based on UTC vs local time
• Filter misapplication - Filters excluding relevant transactions
• Data sync delays - Recent transactions not yet reflected in reports
• Refunds or adjustments - Negative transactions affecting totals
• Currency conversion - Exchange rate fluctuations affecting totals

Investigating report discrepancies:

1. Verify the date range and time zone settings
2. Check applied filters to ensure they're not excluding relevant data
3. Export raw transaction data for the period to verify totals manually
4. Look for large refunds or adjustments that might be affecting totals
5. Confirm whether totals include or exclude taxes and fees
6. Check if currency conversion rates are affecting international transactions

Identifying issues that require assistance from the support team:

Contact support for:

• System outages - When the platform is completely inaccessible
• Payment processing failures - Persistent issues with payment integration
• Data discrepancies - Unexplained inconsistencies in financial reports
• Feature malfunctions - Core features not working as expected
• Security concerns - Suspected unauthorized access or data breaches
• Bug reports - Persistent software errors affecting operations

Before contacting support:

1. Document the issue with screenshots or screen recordings
2. Note error messages exactly as they appear
3. Record what you were doing when the issue occurred
4. List steps you've already tried to resolve the issue
5. Gather relevant order numbers, transaction IDs, or product SKUs

Providing effective support requests:

• Be specific and detailed in your problem description
• Include relevant account information but not sensitive passwords
• Specify the urgency of the issue (critical, high, medium, low)
• Note if the issue affects your ability to process orders or serve customers
• Follow up if you don't receive a response within the expected timeframe

Essential order management tasks and how to perform them:

Action	How To
View new orders	Dashboard → Orders card or Orders section → Filter by "Pending" status
Process an order	Orders → Click order → Update status to "Processing"
Mark order as shipped	Orders → Click order → Update status to "Shipped" → Add tracking info
Create manual order	Orders → Click "Create Order" → Fill in details
Export order data	Orders → Apply filters → Click "Export" → Select format

Essential product management tasks and how to perform them:

Action	How To
Add new product	Products → Click "Add Product" → Fill in details → Save
Edit product	Products → Find product → Click "Edit" → Make changes → Save
Manage inventory	Products → Filter by "Low Stock" → Edit products → Update quantities
Deactivate product	Products → Find product → Click status toggle → Confirm
Bulk edit products	Products → Select multiple products → Click "Bulk Actions" → Choose operation

Essential analytics tasks and how to perform them:

Action	How To
View daily performance	Analytics → Set time filter to "Today"
Check revenue trends	Analytics → Sales Performance chart → Select time period
Identify best sellers	Analytics → Product Performance section
Analyze customer acquisition	Analytics → Customer Acquisition chart
Export reports	Analytics → Click "Export Report" → Select format and data