Performing Arts: Visual Arts: Media and Entertainment: Software and Digital Media: Cultural Heritage.
Creative individuals and businesses in the UK and India are provided with a personalized shopfront to showcase their offerings to both local and global audiences within the SHOP ONLINE creative marketplace. This marketplace does not charge vendors for advertising or listing their products for sale.
Each vendor receives a dedicated section to display product details, images, specifications, delivery options, variations, and pricing. The SHOP ONLINE platform offers artisans, musicians, storytellers, authors, and entertainers a fully functional online store, allowing customers to preview and learn more about each creator and their products.
Customers can easily add items to their shopping cart and use the integrated Ecwid secure checkout. Purchases can be made through Square Online e-commerce or the One-to-One checkout option, depending on the product type.
SoukUk works closely with vendors to determine the most appropriate sale prices, considering factors such as payment processing, currency conversion, PDF downloads, video streaming, physical delivery, and any third-party resources needed for production, like video filming or audio recording.
When ready to purchase, customers can configure their order with available options—including volume discounts, colors, and sizes—then add products to their cart, modify their order, provide their email address, agree to the terms and conditions, and select a delivery option. Products requiring physical shipping from within the UK or India can only be purchased through the One-to-One checkout. Finally, the buyer enters their billing address and selects ‘Place Order’ to complete the transaction.
Buying Process
Selecting ‘Place Order’ finalizes the e-commerce purchase or One-to-One transaction. Upon completion, the system automatically sends a copy of the transaction to the customer, the SoukUk marketplace administration, and the vendor.
- Security: Ecwid uses secure HTTPS protocols to protect sensitive customer information.
- Ecwid offers tools to manage shipping, and it automatically processes delivery payment during checkout.
- Payment Processing: SoukUk Marketplace uses Square, a secure online payment service provider (PSP), to facilitate transactions between vendors and buyers, except for those completed via the One-to-One purchase option. Square deducts transaction and currency conversion fees from SHOP ONLINE marketplace vendors in pounds sterling.
- Digital Products: SHOP ONLINE only facilitates the purchase, download, or online viewing of creative digital products within vendors’ checkout areas.
- Physical Products: The buyer and seller directly arrange all other purchases, including physical products, using the One-to-One checkout option. All purchase and delivery arrangements for these transactions are managed by the vendor and buyer. To read more about One-to-One…
- Responsibility for Taxes and Duties: Vendors and buyers are solely responsible for any income, sales, VAT taxes, or import duties related to transactions conducted within the SHOP ONLINE marketplace.
- Sales Records: The SoukUk Square Online vendor account management team maintains real-time sales transaction records for each vendor. These records detail management charges associated with Square Online and SoukUk marketplace checkouts, including fees for digital downloads, audiovisual content, private video purchases, and live-streaming commissions. Vendors may request a copy of their current sales income record, which is also provided at scheduled intervals.
Checkout Process:
Charges and Deductions Overview
1. Square Online Facilitation Fees:
- UK Card Transactions: 1.4% + 25p per transaction
- Non-UK Card Transactions: 2.5% + 25p per transaction
- Currency Conversion: If payment is made in a non-GBP currency, the buyer’s bank/card issuer handles the conversion, applying their own rates and potential fees.
2. SoukUk Marketplace Deductions:
- As a not-for-profit, SoukUk deducts a small percentage (typically 5%–8%) from each sale.
- This covers a portion of Ecwid’s monthly rental charges and the setup/maintenance time for vendor shopfronts and checkout processes.
- Additional deductions may apply for digital download or streaming service provider fees.
3. Payment Flow:
- After a sale, Square Online deducts its transaction fee (based on buyer’s card type).
- The net amount is credited to the vendor’s SHOP ONLINE marketplace account.
- The marketplace then deducts any administration fees and digital third-party service costs.
- The final balance is transferred to the vendor’s nominated bank account, whether in the UK or internationally.