Help Center
How can we help you?
Getting Started
5 questionsProducts
6 questionsOrders
5 questionsOnline Store
5 questionsSettings
5 questionsSubscription & Billing
6 questionsShipping & Delivery
3 questionsGoogle & Search Visibility
3 questionsStore Design
2 questionsIntegrations
13 questionsGetting Started
5 questions
After confirming your email, the onboarding wizard walks you through getting your store ready to sell. Steps differ based on the store type you chose.
Before you start
- A verified email (click the link in the confirmation email we sent).
- A store logo (optional now — you can add it later).
- For FullService stores: at least one branch address.
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1
Store details
Set your store name in Arabic and English (matters for SEO and Google visibility), contact phone, and address (for physical stores).
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2
First branch (FullService only)
If you signed up for FullService, enter your first branch: name, address, business hours. Add more branches later from Settings → Branches.
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3
Categories
Pick from ready categories (mobiles, laptops, clothing... depending on your store type) or add your own. The categories you pick form the basis of your storefront navigation.
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Theme
Choose from 10 storefront themes. Each has its own personality (Modern, Luxe, Tech, Boutique...). Customize the primary color and preview before applying.
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5
Payment methods
Enable what suits you: cash on delivery, bank transfer, InstaPay, mobile wallet, Visa/Mastercard. Card payments need Paymob or Kashier integration (set up later via Integrations).
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6
Add your first product
After finishing the wizard, the "Add Product" screen opens automatically. Add at least one product so your store becomes visible to customers.
Tips & common issues
- You can skip any step and come back later from Settings.
- The 5 steps (4 for StorefrontOnly) are required to activate the store — but you don't have to finish them all in one session.
- If you chose StorefrontOnly and want to upgrade to FullService later, do it from Settings → Subscription. The upgrade is one-way (you can't downgrade).
Adding a product takes 2 minutes if you have the photos and details ready. The platform auto-generates SEO for you, so you don't have to write meta tags manually.
Before you start
- Product images (at least 3, the cover image at minimum 1200×1200 to look good at all sizes).
- Price in EGP.
- A category (pick one from those you created during onboarding).
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1
Open the Products page
Sidebar → Products → click "Add Product" top right.
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2
Name and description
Write the name in both Arabic and English. A good description helps SEO — write 2-3 sentences about the product, its features, and who it suits.
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3
Price and stock
Price in EGP. If on sale, set "Compare-at price" and "Sale price". To track stock, enable "Track Stock" and enter available quantity.
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Images
Upload the cover image first (this is what shows in the product list). Then add gallery images. Images auto-convert to WebP for fast loading.
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Category and brand
Pick the primary category. You can add a product to multiple categories. If there's a brand, pick it (or add a new brand from Settings → Brands).
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Variants (optional)
For colors or sizes, enable "Variants" and add each with its own price, stock, and image. See the variants guide for details.
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Save and view in store
Click Save. The product appears in your storefront immediately. Click "View in store" at the top of the page to see it.
Tips & common issues
- Best images: white or light-grey background, clear lighting, the product centered.
- Long descriptions (200+ words) help your product show up in Google — even if you copy from the manufacturer's sheet.
- For many products at once, use bulk import instead of adding one by one.
Products
6 questions
Variants are different versions of the same product (a phone with 256GB, the same phone with 128GB). Each variant has its own price, stock, and image. Set them up correctly from the start — changing variants after sales creates inventory mess.
Before you start
- A saved product (add the base product first, then add variants).
- Clear understanding of the differentiators: colors, sizes, storage capacities, plan types... etc.
- Images for each color if colors visually differ (a black phone vs. a blue one).
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Open the product page
Products → click the product you want to add variants to.
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Enable variants
Scroll to "Variants" and toggle "Has Variants" on.
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3
Define attributes
Add the attributes that distinguish variants: e.g. "Color" + "Storage". The platform auto-generates a table with all combinations (Black-128GB, Black-256GB, Blue-128GB, Blue-256GB).
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Fill each variant's data
For each row: enter the price (if different from base), available quantity, and SKU if applicable. You can remove unavailable rows (e.g. no Blue-256GB).
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One image per color
If "Color" is a distinguishing attribute, attach an image per color. The image swaps in the product page when the customer selects a color.
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Save
Click Save. Variants appear to the customer as buttons (e.g. Color [Black | Blue], Storage [128GB | 256GB]).
Tips & common issues
- Important: Each variant's SKU must be unique (not duplicated with another product).
- For FullService stores, available quantity is tracked per branch. Use Inventory to manage quantities across branches.
- If you change variants after orders are placed, old orders keep their data at order time — they're not affected.
- Alpine auto-selects the first variant for the customer, so to make "Black" the default, put it first in the table.
Images decide more sales than anything else. A good photo lifts purchase rate 30%+ over a bad one. The platform handles the optimization for you.
Before you start
- High-quality images (1200×1200 minimum, 2000×2000 better).
- JPG or PNG format (we auto-convert to WebP).
- Max 10 MB per image.
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Open the product page
From the product list, click the product, scroll to the "Images" section.
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Upload the cover image first
This appears in product lists and Facebook ads. Pick the clearest, most representative shot.
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Add gallery images
Each shows on the product page. Suggested: front, back, side, details, in-use shot.
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Drag to reorder
Drag and drop to set the order. The first image is always the cover.
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5
Add Alt Text
Optional but useful for SEO and screen readers. Write a brief description in the language you sell in.
Tips & common issues
- White or light-grey background gives you flexibility — you can reuse the same image in Facebook ads without editing.
- Natural light beats phone flash by far. Early morning or an hour before sunset is best.
- If uploads are slow, compress beforehand (TinyPNG or Squoosh online). The platform optimizes but the upload itself is faster with a smaller file.
- For variants (colors), each color gets its own image — they don't go in the base product's gallery.
Importing via Excel or CSV lets you add 100 or 1000 products in minutes instead of one by one. The biggest source of import errors is file format — if the file isn't formatted right, the import fails.
Before you start
- An Excel (xlsx) or CSV (UTF-8) file with your products.
- Categories already created in your store (import links to existing categories — it doesn't create new ones).
- Product images either as URLs or uploaded to your public folder.
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Download the official template
Products → Import → "Download template". The downloaded file has ready columns (name, price, category...) and one example row.
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Fill the required columns
Required: name_ar, name_en, price, category. Optional but useful: description, sku, stock_quantity, images (image URL — separate multiple with `|`).
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Verify image URLs
If using URL images, ensure they are HTTPS and public (not behind a password). Or upload images manually first and use the file names.
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Save as Excel or CSV (UTF-8)
Critical for Arabic: choose "Save As" → "CSV UTF-8" (not regular CSV — Arabic characters will turn into garbled symbols).
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Upload the file
On the Import page, click "Choose file" and pick what you saved. You'll see a preview of the first 5 rows before the actual import.
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Review the preview
If there are errors (category not found, empty price...), the platform tells you which row. Fix and re-upload.
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Import
Click "Import now". For 1000 products this takes 30–60 seconds. The result report appears at the end.
Tips & common issues
- For files with more than 5000 products, split them into smaller files — not because of platform limits, but to make any errors easier to locate.
- SKUs must be unique within your store. If duplicated, the last row overwrites earlier ones.
- For products with variants (colors, sizes), import only the base products. Add variants manually after import.
- If import fails midway, what's saved stays — it doesn't roll back. Fix the problematic rows and re-import the rest.
Orders
5 questions
Returns are normal in selling — customers who get a smooth return experience come back to buy again. The platform handles all the documentation automatically (stock returns, refunds, invoice updates).
Before you start
- The order must be Completed — you don't return an order still in transit.
- A clear return policy (Settings → Policies) so customers know the limits.
- Decision: full return (100% refund) or partial (specific items only)?
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Open the original order
From Orders, search by order number or customer email. Open it.
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Click "Create Return Order"
Top right of the order details page. A return form opens.
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Pick products and quantities
Full = all items. Partial = specify only the returned items and their quantity.
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Select a reason
Dropdown: defective product, wrong size, customer changed mind, etc. The reason is logged in the monthly returns report.
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Set the refund amount
Auto-calculated from the returned items. You can deduct a return fee (e.g. 50 EGP) per your policy. Shipping is usually not refunded.
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Save
After saving, the return order gets its own number. The customer receives a confirmation email. Stock is automatically added back.
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Issue the actual refund
For cash payments, hand it to the customer when they bring the goods. For Visa/Paymob/Kashier, use the gateway's "Refund" button in their dashboard.
Tips & common issues
- For partial returns, verify stock returned to the correct branch (in FullService).
- Money isn't auto-refunded — you must process the refund manually in Paymob/Kashier. The platform records the adjustment only.
- The returns log shows in financial reports — important for accounting (it's subtracted from gross sales).
- For coupon-purchased items, the coupon is automatically returned to the customer's account.
Online Store
5 questions
The platform handles 90% of SEO automatically (sitemap, hreflang, meta tags, JSON-LD). The other 10% is up to you — and that's what separates stores that show up in Google from those that don't.
Before you start
- A domain (custom or subdomain.store-eg.com both work).
- Product content with substantial copy (not 5 words and done).
- Patience — SEO takes 2–6 months to start paying off.
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Confirm sitemap is generated
Open yourstore/sitemap.xml in a new tab. You should see XML with all your products and pages. If you get a 404, contact support.
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Connect Google Search Console
Go to search.google.com/search-console. Add a property with your store domain. Verify with HTML tag (the platform makes this easy under Settings → SEO).
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Submit your sitemap to Google
In Search Console: Sitemaps → add sitemap.xml. Google starts indexing your pages within days.
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Write SEO meta for each product
On the product page, scroll to the "SEO" section. Write: page title (max 60 chars), description (max 160 chars). If you skip these, the platform auto-generates from name+description, but your hand-written title is better.
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Add keywords
In the same SEO section, add keywords customers might search (e.g. "Samsung 256GB white phone"). Don't rely on English only — Arabic matters in Egypt.
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Optimize site speed
Big images slow your site and Google demotes you. Use compressed images 200KB-500KB. The platform converts to WebP automatically but the source file size still matters.
Tips & common issues
- Results show up after 2–6 months. Not in a day. Patience matters.
- For brand-new stores, post on Facebook and Instagram so Google finds links to you — backlinks help a lot early on.
- The platform supports hreflang for Arabic and English — a Saudi customer sees the Arabic page, a foreigner sees the English one. This matters.
- Avoid duplicate content — don't use the same description across 100 products. Each product needs unique copy.
A custom domain makes your store look professional (mystore.com instead of mystore.store-eg.com). Setup takes 5 minutes to an hour depending on your domain provider's DNS speed.
Before you start
- Pro plan or higher (this feature isn't in Starter or Growth).
- A domain bought from GoDaddy, Namecheap, or any registrar.
- Access to DNS Settings at your domain provider.
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Enable the feature in your plan
If still on Starter/Growth, go to Settings → Subscription and upgrade to Pro. Upgrade is instant.
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Open the Domain page
Settings → Domain. Click "Add Domain".
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Enter your domain
Type the domain without https:// or www (e.g. mystore.com). Click "Verify".
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4
Copy the DNS records
The platform shows specific records (CNAME, A) you must add at your domain provider. Copy the values.
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Open DNS settings at your provider
GoDaddy: My Products → Domain → DNS. Namecheap: Domain List → Manage → Advanced DNS. Each has a different panel but the meaning is the same.
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Add the records
Add the CNAME and A records as specified, exactly. Watch for whitespace.
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Wait for DNS propagation
DNS changes take 5 minutes to 2 hours to propagate across the internet. To check progress, use whatsmydns.net.
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Verify and enable SSL
Back in your store's Domain page, click Verify. Once DNS resolves correctly, Cloudflare provisions SSL automatically (15 minutes).
Tips & common issues
- If your domain is on Cloudflare (the registrar you bought from), add DNS records in Cloudflare itself. If on GoDaddy/Namecheap, add them there.
- If "Verify" fails after an hour, check whatsmydns.net for the CNAME — if it's still not propagating from your provider, wait longer.
- Once it works, visitors typing the .com URL go straight to your store. Old visitors with a bookmark on store-eg.com still work.
- You won't be able to remove the domain easily after linking — change takes another hour for DNS to unwind. Decide carefully.
Settings
5 questions
Each staff member gets a Role that defines what they can do in the store. Roles are pre-built but you can customize permissions if needed. Pick the right role from the start — changing a role later strips permissions from the staff member without warning.
Before you start
- Staff member email addresses (the invite goes to their email).
- Clear understanding of what each role does.
- For multi-branch stores: decide which branch each staff member belongs to.
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Open the Staff page
Settings → Staff. You'll see the existing staff list (you as the first owner).
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Send an invite
Click "Add Staff". Enter the staff member's email, pick a role, assign a branch if multi-branch. Click "Send Invite".
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Pick the right role
Roles: owner (you), manager (full management except plan changes), sales (selling and viewing orders), storefront_manager (online store management only), repair_engineer (repair tickets only).
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Staff accepts the invite
They get an email with a link. They click it, create an account with a password, and log in to the store. The invite is valid for 7 days.
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Verify permissions
After they log in, check that they see what they should. If something is missing, go to Staff → click the staff member → change the role.
Tips & common issues
- The owner (you) is the only one who can add new staff or change the plan. There is no Co-owner role.
- When a staff member leaves, go to Staff → click them → "Disable". We don't hard-delete to preserve sales history.
- All staff actions are logged in Activity Log — you can see who did what at exact dates and times.
- The sales role can complete a cash sale but cannot apply a discount higher than 5% without a manager's approval.
Subscription & Billing
6 questions
Shipping & Delivery
3 questions
Shipping in Egypt varies by governorate. Greater Cairo is cheapest, Upper Egypt and rural areas are more expensive. The platform supports all 27 governorates — set a different rate for each.
Before you start
- A sense of shipping costs from your shipping company (Bosta, Aramex, etc.).
- A decision: do you ship yourself or use a shipping company (Bosta API auto-creates shipments)?
- A decision: free shipping above a certain amount to encourage larger purchases?
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Open the Shipping Rates page
Settings → Shipping Rates. You'll see all governorates listed.
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Set the default rate
At the top there's a "Default rate" — applies to governorates without a custom rate. Set it to a middle value (e.g. 50–70 EGP).
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Set rates for specific governorates
Cairo, Giza, Qalyubia: typically 30–40 EGP. Alexandria: 40–50 EGP. Far Upper Egypt (Aswan, Luxor): 80–100 EGP. Match what your shipping company charges you.
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Enable free shipping (optional)
At the top there's a "Free shipping threshold". Set it to e.g. 500 EGP — any order above 500 ships free (you absorb the cost). This encourages larger cart values.
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Save
Click Save. Changes apply immediately to new orders — customers see the new rate at checkout.
Tips & common issues
- When using Bosta API, the rates you set here are what customers see — you pay Bosta different rates. The difference is your shipping margin.
- Customers hate hidden fees. Keep what they see in the cart matching what they pay — never add extra fees at checkout.
- For FullService stores with "Pickup at branch" option, enable it from this page — it shows free for customers near your branch.
Google & Search Visibility
3 questions
Google Analytics shows you who visits your store, where they come from, what they look at most, and when they abandon their cart without checkout. Free, setup is 10 minutes.
Before you start
- A regular Google account (Gmail).
- A decision: for a brand-new store, wait for your first 100 visitors before drawing conclusions — data below that doesn't give meaningful insights.
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Open Google Analytics
Go to analytics.google.com and sign in. If you don't have a GA account yet, click "Start Measuring".
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Create an Account and Property
Account name = your business name. Property = "My Store". Pick "Web". Enter your store URL (mystore.store-eg.com or your custom domain).
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Set up a Data Stream
After creating the Property, GA opens "Data Streams" — pick "Web". A Measurement ID like G-XXXXXXXXXX appears. Copy it.
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Paste it in your store
In your store: Online Store → Settings → scroll to "Analytics". Paste the Measurement ID into the "Google Analytics ID" field. Save.
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5
Verify it's working
Open your storefront in a new tab. Back in GA → Reports → Realtime. You should see "1 user" within a minute. If you do, it's working.
Tips & common issues
- Full data takes 24 hours to populate — Realtime is instant but big reports (Top Products, Bounce Rate) take a day.
- If you have an old GA Measurement ID like UA-XXXXXXX instead of G-XXXXXXXXXX, that's Universal Analytics which Google retired in 2023. You need a new G- ID.
- For detailed sales analysis (conversion tracking), enable Enhanced Ecommerce in GA Settings — it tells you which product was bought and which variant.
SEO is part art, part science. The art is writing content people actually want to read. The science is dialing in specific technical settings. The platform handles the science for you — the art is your job.
Before you start
- Time — SEO takes 2–6 months before you see real results.
- Original content (not copied from another site).
- Customer empathy — what do they type into Google when looking for something like yours?
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Product copy: 200+ words per description
A 5-word description = no one finds it. A 200+ word description = Google understands and ranks it. Write about: features, use cases, who it suits, how it differs from competitors.
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Use keywords naturally
Not "white phone white phone white phone" — Google catches spam. Write naturally and use the keyword 2-3 times in the text.
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Image filenames matter
Instead of "IMG_5234.jpg", use "samsung-galaxy-s24-256gb-white.jpg". Google reads filenames.
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Alt Text on every image
On the product page, set alt for images. Helps SEO and accessibility. Write a clear description: "Samsung Galaxy S24 in white, front view".
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Internal links between products
In a product description, link to a related product ("if you want a better camera, see [other phone]"). Internal links help Google understand relationships.
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Enable Google Shopping
Online Store → Settings → enable Google Shopping. The platform generates a feed Google uses to show your products with images and prices.
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"About" and "Shipping" pages
Google rewards stores with informational pages. Write a real "About Us" page (not just a sentence) plus shipping and return policy pages.
Tips & common issues
- Search Console reports tell you which keywords bring visitors. Focus on what works and double down.
- "Mobile Usability" in Search Console — fix any errors. Google ranks mobile-friendly stores higher.
- A custom domain (mystore.com) ranks higher than a subdomain (mystore.store-eg.com). Serious about SEO? Buy a domain.
- Blogging helps a lot — every new article = a new page in Google. The platform has a built-in blog (Pro+).
Store Design
2 questions
Integrations
13 questions
Paymob is Egypt's leading payment gateway — accepts Visa, Mastercard, Meeza, digital wallets, and Fawry. Setup takes about 10 minutes once your Paymob account is approved. (Alternatives: Kashier is simpler to set up, Fawry is for cash payments.)
Before you start
- An active Paymob merchant account (commercial registration and tax card required at signup).
- Approval from Paymob's onboarding team (1–3 business days).
- Owner or manager role on your store.
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1
Sign in to your Paymob dashboard
Open accept.paymob.com and log in. If you don't have an account, start at paymob.com → "Get Started".
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2
Open the API Keys page
From the side menu: Developers → API Keys. You'll see a page with four keys.
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Copy the four keys
API Key, Secret Key, Public Key, and HMAC Secret. The HMAC is critical — it's how we verify webhook calls actually came from Paymob and not someone spoofing.
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4
Open Integrations in your store
In a new tab, go to Settings → Integrations, find the Paymob card under "Payment Gateways", click "Connect".
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Paste the four keys
Each field is labelled (API Key, Secret Key, Public Key, HMAC Secret). Watch out for whitespace before/after when pasting — that's the #1 cause of "invalid credentials" errors.
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Test the connection before saving
Click "Test Connection". A green check means credentials are valid. Red? Re-copy the keys from Paymob — usually HMAC or Secret got copied incorrectly.
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Wire up the webhook
After saving, a "Webhook URL" appears on the Paymob card. Copy it, go back to Paymob dashboard → Developers → Webhooks, paste it under "Transaction Processed Callback URL". This is how payment confirmations reach your store automatically.
Tips & common issues
- If payments succeed in Paymob but don't appear in your store, verify the Webhook URL is set on Paymob's side AND that the HMAC Secret in your store matches the one in Paymob.
- Paymob has a Test Mode with separate keys. Use it first, run a test payment, then switch to live keys.
- If your account is active but card payments are rejected, check your Settings → Payment Methods has "Bank card" enabled for the products you're testing.
Kashier is a modern Egyptian payment gateway — simpler setup than Paymob with fewer credentials. Accepts Visa, Mastercard, Meeza, and digital wallets. Setup takes about 5 minutes.
Before you start
- An active Kashier merchant account — sign up at kashier.io.
- Commercial registration and tax card (uploaded during signup).
- KYC approval from Kashier (1–5 business days).
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1
Sign in to Kashier
Open dashboard.kashier.io and log in.
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2
Open API Credentials
Side menu → Settings → API Credentials. You'll see a "Production Keys" section.
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Copy both keys
API Key and HMAC Secret. Don't use Test Keys — Production Keys are required for stores serving real customers.
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4
Open Integrations in your store
Settings → Integrations, click "Connect" on the Kashier card.
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5
Paste both keys
API Key and HMAC Secret. Watch for trailing whitespace. The HMAC is long — verify the entire string was copied.
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6
Test the connection
Click "Test Connection". You should see a green check. If it fails, the HMAC is usually copied incomplete.
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Save and wire the webhook
After saving, copy the Webhook URL from the Kashier card in your store, then paste it in Kashier Dashboard under Webhooks → Payment Notification URL. This ensures payment confirmations reach your store instantly.
Tips & common issues
- Kashier requires HTTPS webhooks only — your store-eg.com store is HTTPS by default, so you're covered.
- If you see "Invalid HMAC" errors after connecting, verify the HMAC Secret in your store is the new Production one, not an old test value.
- Kashier supports ValU/Sympl installments. If your contract includes them, they activate automatically.
Fawry is Egypt's largest cash payment network — over 225,000 outlets in every governorate. Very useful for customers in rural and Upper Egypt who don't use cards. Setup is different from card gateways because it goes through Fawry's account team.
Before you start
- An active commercial registration (sole proprietorship without registration won't qualify).
- A commercial bank account to receive transfers.
- Higher commission tolerance — Fawry takes 3–5% vs 2–2.5% for card gateways.
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1
Contact the Fawry team
Go to fawry.com and submit the "Become a Merchant" form, or email merchant@fawry.com explaining you're an online store wanting to integrate Fawry Pay.
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2
Wait for approval
7–14 business days. Fawry reviews your registration and bank details. They may request a meeting.
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3
Receive your credentials by email
Once approved, Fawry emails: Merchant Code and Security Key. The email is sent only once — save it.
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4
Open Integrations in your store
Settings → Integrations → "Connect" on the Fawry card.
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5
Paste the credentials
Merchant Code (number) and Security Key (long string). Copy directly from the email.
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6
Test and save
Click "Test Connection". If it succeeds, click Save.
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Send the webhook URL to Fawry
Different from Paymob and Kashier — Fawry adds the webhook URL on their side. Copy the URL from your store and email it to your Fawry account manager. They activate it within a day.
Tips & common issues
- Fawry has higher commission than card gateways but reaches customers who don't shop online.
- When a customer pays at a Fawry outlet, the payment confirms in your store within minutes (not instant like cards).
- If a payment cleared at Fawry but isn't showing in your store, verify the webhook is activated on Fawry's side.
Bosta is an Egyptian shipping company covering every governorate. Connecting it makes every new online order automatically create a Bosta shipment instead of you entering them manually. Setup takes 5 minutes.
Before you start
- An active Bosta merchant account (free signup at app.bosta.co).
- Location and details verified by the Bosta team.
- Shipping rates configured in your store (Settings → Shipping Rates) — Bosta takes a commission, but you set the customer-facing rate.
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1
Sign in to Bosta
Open app.bosta.co and log in.
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2
Open Business Settings
Side menu → Business → API Keys.
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3
Create a new API Key
Click "Create API Key", give it a name like "store-eg integration", save. The key shows only once — copy it immediately to a safe place.
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4
Copy your Business ID
Business → Business Info → copy "Business ID" (number).
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5
Open Integrations in your store
Settings → Integrations → "Connect" on the Bosta card.
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6
Paste the credentials
API Key (long string) and Business ID (number). Watch for whitespace.
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7
Test the connection
Click "Test Connection". Green = good, save it.
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8
Verify your governorates
After connecting, go to Settings → Shipping Rates and confirm every governorate you ship to has a rate. Bosta covers all of them but you set the price.
Tips & common issues
- The Bosta API Key shows only once at creation. If lost, generate a new one in Bosta and update it in your store.
- The tracking number appears automatically to the customer on the order tracking page once Bosta picks up the shipment.
- If Bosta rejects a shipment, the reason appears in the order details page in your store. Usually missing address or wrong phone.
- You can use Bosta for COD (Cash on Delivery) — customer pays Bosta, Bosta transfers to your bank weekly.
WhatsApp Business API from Meta sends automated messages to customers at every order stage: confirmation, shipping, delivery, abandoned cart reminders. Setup is longer because Meta must approve every message template before it can send. (With the same Meta account you can also enable Facebook & Instagram catalog sync for ads.)
Before you start
- An active Meta Business account (business.facebook.com).
- A phone number not used on regular WhatsApp (if you use it on your phone, remove it or verify a different number).
- Commercial registration and tax card (Meta requires them in verification).
- Patience — Meta takes 24–48 hours to approve each new message template.
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1
Open Meta Business Suite
Go to business.facebook.com and sign in. If you don't have a Business account yet, create one now.
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2
Create a WhatsApp Business App
In Meta for Developers (developers.facebook.com): Create App → Business → name it after your store. Add WhatsApp Business as a Product.
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3
Enable WhatsApp Business API
In the App Dashboard: WhatsApp → API Setup. Connect the App to a WhatsApp Business Account.
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Verify your phone number
Enter the store's phone number. Meta sends a verification code by SMS or call. The number must NOT have a regular WhatsApp account active on it.
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Copy Phone Number ID and Business Account ID
From the same API Setup page, both IDs are visible. Save them somewhere safe.
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Create a Permanent Access Token
The default token expires in 24 hours. Go to Business Settings → System Users → Add System User, grant it access to the App, then Generate Token with whatsapp_business_messaging and whatsapp_business_management permissions. Set Expiration to "Never".
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Open Integrations in your store
Settings → Integrations → "Connect" on the WhatsApp Business card.
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Paste the three credentials
API Token (the Permanent one you just created), Phone Number ID, and Business Account ID. Test connection, then save.
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Configure message templates
After saving, go to Settings → WhatsApp → Message Templates. You'll find ready templates (order confirmation, shipping, delivery). Meta must approve each template before first use.
Tips & common issues
- The Permanent Token is critical — using a temporary token means notifications stop after 24 hours.
- Meta rejects templates with overly promotional language. Keep templates informational (order confirmation, tracking number, etc) for faster approval.
- If notifications aren't arriving, check: (1) customer phone in international format (2010xxx), (2) the template is approved by Meta.
- Meta charges a small fee per message (~EGP 1.5–2). Billed monthly, not per message.
Facebook Catalog makes your products appear in Facebook/Instagram ads, Marketplace, and Shops. Greatly simplifies running targeted Dynamic Ads and accepts orders from Instagram directly. Two ways to connect: the one-click **Connect with Facebook** button (recommended) or manual credentials entry. Setup takes about 10–20 minutes. (To send WhatsApp notifications to customers too, see WhatsApp Business.)
Before you start
- A Meta Business Suite account (business.facebook.com).
- A Facebook page for your store linked to Business Manager.
- An Instagram Business account linked to your Facebook page (for Instagram Shopping).
- Products with good images, prices, and descriptions in your store — Meta rejects incomplete products.
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Method 1: One-click Connect (Recommended)
Go to Settings → Meta Catalog Sync. Click **Connect with Facebook**. A Facebook popup asks you to authorize. The system automatically finds your business, picks or creates a catalog, and starts syncing — all in one click.
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Method 2: Data Feed URL
Go to Commerce Manager → Data Sources → Data File → Scheduled Feed. Paste your store's feed URL: `https://YOUR-STORE.store-eg.com/feed/meta-catalog.csv` (or `.xml` or `.json`). Set schedule to Daily. Facebook pulls your products automatically.
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Method 3: Manual credentials
For advanced users: create a Meta Developer App with catalog_management permission, generate a permanent System User token, then paste Access Token, Business ID, and Catalog ID in the manual entry form under the "Connect with Facebook" button.
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After connecting — first sync
After connecting via any method, click "Sync Now". The first sync takes 5–30 minutes depending on product count. Track progress on the same page. After that, products sync automatically on every edit.
Tips & common issues
- If a product is rejected from the catalog, Meta tells you why. Most common: image not 500×500 minimum, or description too short.
- The catalog auto-syncs every time you edit a product — no manual sync needed.
- For Instagram Shopping: after the catalog is approved, go to Instagram Settings → Catalog and link it. Meta reviews in 2–3 days.
- Dynamic Ads (which retarget customers who viewed but didn't buy) need a Meta Pixel installed on your storefront — install it from Online Store → Analytics.
- Feed URLs: your store's product data is available in 3 formats — `.json` (for API), `.csv` (for Excel/Commerce Manager), and `.xml` (for RSS tools). Example: `https://YOUR-STORE.store-eg.com/feed/meta-catalog.csv`.
After syncing your catalog, the highest-ROI use in Egypt is to run Catalog Ads (ads that retarget customers who saw a product but did not buy, or show products related to their interests). These ads are auto-generated from the catalog — no need to design each ad manually. One-time setup, runs for all products.
Before you start
- Catalog synced with products (already done if you connected from the platform).
- Ads Manager account (business.facebook.com/adsmanager).
- Meta Pixel installed on your store (for retargeting). Install from Settings → Marketing Pixels.
- Ad budget (starts at $5/day in Egypt).
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Open Ads Manager
Go to business.facebook.com/adsmanager → click **+ Create**.
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Pick Sales objective
Meta offers several objectives. Pick **Sales** to enable Dynamic Ads. (If unsure, Sales is the right choice for most product stores.)
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Enable Catalog
In settings, toggle **Use a catalog** and pick the catalog we connected for you. Meta pulls products in automatically.
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Choose audience
If you have not run campaigns before, use **Advantage+ Audience** — Meta picks the audience based on Facebook + Instagram activity. If you have enough Pixel data, use Retargeting (people who visited your store).
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Set location and budget
Pick "Egypt" as the location. Set a daily budget (recommend: start at $5-10/day). Choose Auto Placements so Meta picks the best surfaces (Feed, Reels, Stories).
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Review and launch
Review the preview. Click **Publish**. Ads start showing to the audience within an hour.
Tips & common issues
- You don't make an ad per product. Meta picks from the catalog automatically based on each viewer's interests.
- After the first week, check **Reports** in Ads Manager. If ROAS (return on ad spend) is below 2, adjust the Audience or Creative.
- Catalog Ads are much cheaper than manual ads because Meta already has your images, prices, and descriptions from the catalog.
- For setup help, request a free Meta Business Pros session (free for new advertisers) at Meta Business Help.
Instagram Shopping lets you tag products in posts, Reels, and Stories so followers can tap and buy directly. This is separate from "Instagram Shop" itself. One-time setup, but Meta reviews your account in 2-7 days.
Before you start
- Catalog connected (from catalog sync).
- An Instagram Business or Creator account linked to your Facebook Page.
- Your store sells physical products (not services) and is in a Meta-supported country (Egypt is supported).
- Your store content complies with Meta's Commerce Policies.
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Switch your IG account to Business
Open Instagram → Settings → Account → Switch to Professional Account → choose Business. One-time only.
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Link it to your Facebook Page
In Instagram's Business Settings, link your Instagram Business account to your store's Facebook Page. This link is required for Instagram to see the catalog.
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Enable Shopping in Settings
On Instagram: Settings → Business → Shopping → pick the catalog we created for you → Submit for Review.
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Wait for the review
Meta reviews accounts in 2-7 business days. You will get a notification in Instagram. Once approved, you will see "Tag Products" when posting.
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Tag products
In any new post or Reel, tap Tag Products → search for the product name → tap to tag. When a follower taps the tag, they see the price and a link to buy on your store.
Tips & common issues
- If rejected, the most common reason: Business account not linked to a Facebook Page properly, or content violates Meta policies. Fix everything before resubmitting (you have to wait 7 days between attempts).
- Stories support product tags too — use Sticker → Product when posting a Story.
**First, identify which WhatsApp Business product you have** — there are TWO products with similar names but different setups. Confirm the type before continuing.
Before you start
- **Product 1 — WhatsApp Business app** (Android/iPhone): the free app you download from the app store. UI looks almost identical to regular WhatsApp. If this is yours, follow **Method A** below.
- **Product 2 — WhatsApp Business API (Cloud API)**: the advanced version, managed at business.facebook.com/latest/whatsapp_manager. Web UI (not mobile) with Phone Numbers, Templates, and Activity log sections. If this is yours, follow **Method B** below.
- Not sure which one you have? Open business.facebook.com/latest/whatsapp_manager. If the page loads with a registered phone number, you have the API. If not, you only have the mobile app.
- Catalog connected and synced (from catalog sync).
- WhatsApp Business number linked to the same Business Manager that owns the catalog.
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Method A — WhatsApp Business mobile app (simplest)
If you have the mobile app: open **WhatsApp Business → Settings → Business Tools → Catalog**. The app will offer to import products from the Facebook Catalog automatically (if the number is linked to the same Business Manager). Tap Import. All products appear in the WhatsApp catalog.
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Method A — Use the catalog in chat (mobile app)
In any conversation: tap Attach (📎) → Catalog → pick a specific product or "Send full catalog". The customer sees the product with image, price, and buy link.
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Method B — API: Link the catalog from Commerce Manager
If you have WhatsApp Business API (visible in WhatsApp Manager): go to Commerce Manager → pick your catalog (e.g. "Roshdy — Product Catalog") → Settings (in the side menu) → Channels → Add Channel → select **WhatsApp** → pick your WhatsApp Business number. Linking takes 10-15 minutes.
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Method B — Sending products in chat (API)
WhatsApp Manager has **no** "Send catalog message" button — the API works via code. To send a product card to a customer, you need: (1) a CRM/marketing tool that supports the API like Twilio or Zoko, or (2) us to add a "Send product" feature on the customers page (in our roadmap). For now, you can send a regular **product link** message from the platform instead of the interactive card.
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Practical alternative for both types: use a wa.me link
Simplest option without API or separate app: every product page on your store has a "Buy via WhatsApp" button that opens a pre-filled chat with the product image, price, and link. Works with any plain WhatsApp number — even without a catalog.
Tips & common issues
- **Why do all products show "In review" with a clock icon after import?** Every new WhatsApp catalog product enters **Meta's Commerce Policy review**: they verify the image is 500×500+ and clear, the description matches the product, no stolen IP/branding, and the price is realistic. **Typical timeline in Egypt**: 24-48 hours, sometimes faster, occasionally up to 7 days during peak seasons. During review: you can see the products but customers cannot when you try to share them. Once approved, the clock disappears. If a product is rejected, tap it in WhatsApp to see Meta's reason.
- **How long do dashboard updates take to show?** Price/stock: ~5-10 min to Facebook Catalog + 10-15 min to WhatsApp (total ~20 min). Description/title: same timing but Meta may re-review. Image swap or new product: 5-10 min to Facebook, but the item re-enters the full 24-48h review. Deletion: ~15 min and the product disappears.
- WhatsApp Business mobile app catalog is limited to 500 products. If you have more, or want more automation, use the API.
- In the mobile app, set up a Quick Reply with text "Browse our products here" + your store link. Customers can browse without leaving the chat.
- On API, if you can't find your phone number, go to **Settings → Accounts → WhatsApp accounts** in business.facebook.com to see all registered numbers.
- **Tip to speed up review**: make sure every product has a hi-res image (500×500+, no watermark), Arabic + English description, and correct price. Incomplete products take longer to review and are often rejected.
**Bottom line (important):** In Egypt, the storefront icon above WhatsApp chats **does NOT display grouped Collections** — Meta paused Commerce Accounts in Egypt (same root cause as Facebook Shops). The working production answer we ship: when a customer sends ANY message to your WhatsApp Business number, our bot automatically replies with **an Interactive List menu + a Product Carousel + a sectioned Multi-Product Message**. This experience works 100% in Egypt with zero Commerce Manager setup, and is actually a stronger CTA than Collections because each product carries an "Add to cart" button directly in the chat.
Before you start
- **Facebook Catalog connected and synced** via the platform (from catalog sync). Products must be properly categorized.
- **WhatsApp Cloud API connected** in our WhatsApp settings (Phone Number ID + WABA ID + Access Token + App Secret). See WhatsApp Business.
- **Permanent Access Token (System User Token)** — NOT the 24h temporary one. Steps in the Tips section below.
- **Catalog linked to WABA** — one-click from the Meta Catalog Sync page ("Link catalog to WhatsApp Business" button).
- **Auto-reply (chatbot) toggle ON** in WhatsApp settings — otherwise the bot ignores inbound messages.
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1. Connect WhatsApp Cloud API to your store
Go to Meta Developer → App → Use cases → "Connect with customers through WhatsApp" → API Setup. If you're still testing, use Meta's test number +1 555 176 3119 and register your personal number in the "To" list. Copy Phone Number ID, WABA ID, and **Access Token** (permanent — see step 2). Open App Settings → Basic → App Secret → Show and copy that. Enter all four in our WhatsApp settings and Save.
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2. Generate a permanent System User Token (critical)
The default token from API Setup is temporary — it expires after 24 hours and your bot dies daily. Create a **System User** instead: Meta Business Settings → System Users → Add → name "WhatsApp Bot" → Admin role. Then Add Assets → assign your App + Catalog + WABA all with "Full control". Click Generate Token → select your App → expiration **Never** → tick scopes `whatsapp_business_messaging` + `whatsapp_business_management` + `catalog_management` → Generate. Paste the token into the "Update access token only" field in our WhatsApp settings.
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3. Configure the webhook
In Meta Developer → Connect on WhatsApp → Configuration → enter Callback URL: `https://store-eg.com/api/whatsapp/webhook` and the Verify Token from our env. Click Verify and save. After verification, in the Webhook fields table find **`messages`** and click Subscribe — this is what routes inbound customer messages to us.
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4. Link the catalog to the WABA (one click)
When you open Meta Catalog settings, look for the yellow callout with the **"Link catalog to WhatsApp Business"** button. One click triggers a Graph API call that binds your product catalog to your WhatsApp Business Account — no Commerce Manager navigation needed. If you see "Manage catalogue permission required", go back to step 2 and confirm the System User has Full control on the catalog asset.
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5. Turn on the auto-reply toggle
In WhatsApp settings → "Auto-reply (chatbot)" → flip the switch ON. The list of keywords the bot recognizes is shown beneath the toggle.
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6. Test — send any message from another number
From any WhatsApp number that isn't your store's, send **any message** (you don't have to type "catalog") to your store's number. Within seconds you'll get: (1) An **Interactive List Message** with 5 options: Catalog, Hours, Location, Talk to a human, All commands. (2) If you tap "Catalog" or type "catalog" directly: a **Product Carousel** showing top products inline + a **Multi-Product Message** with the full grouped catalog behind a "View items" button.
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7. (Egypt only — unavailable) Collections in Commerce Manager
If you read tutorials online about creating Collections in Commerce Manager, **that path is not available in Egypt**. The tab itself doesn't appear in the sidebar (you only see Products / Sets / Data sources / Events). We also tested the Graph API endpoint directly (`POST /catalog/collections`) — it returns `subcode 33: does not support this operation` even with a System User Token holding `commerce_management`. Meta has region-gated the feature. Our solution (List Message + Carousel + MPM) is stronger in practice.
Tips & common issues
- **Human handoff feature** — when a customer picks "Talk to a human" from the menu (or types "human" / "agent" / "موظف"): the bot replies "your message is forwarded to the store, they'll reply soon" and pauses auto-reply for that specific customer for 24 hours. Meanwhile we send you an in-app notification + (if WhatsApp Cloud API is working) a WhatsApp message to your personal number telling you who's waiting. You reply directly from your mobile WhatsApp app. When the customer sends "catalog" again, the bot resumes.
- **Long-lived conversations need a permanent token**. The 24h default token from Meta = dead bot every day. After you create a System User Token (step 2), expiration = Never. Customers never face a broken bot.
- **Difference between MPM and Product Carousel — we send both**:\n• MPM (Multi-Product Message) = products grouped into Sections (Phones, Laptops, Accessories) behind a "View items" button. Best for full browse.\n• Product Carousel = up to 10 product cards visible inline in the chat (no tap needed). Best for visual impact.\nEvery "catalog" message gets both, sent in two back-to-back messages.
- **The bot reply is actually stronger than Collections** for 3 reasons: (1) each product comes with an "Add to cart" button directly in the chat — Collections has no CTA. (2) The customer doesn't need to leave the conversation. (3) Products arrive as a message in the same chat they're typing in, not a separate icon above.
- **If "Link catalog to WhatsApp Business" returns "already linked"** — the catalog is still bound to another WhatsApp account (usually the WhatsApp Business mobile app = SMB type). Open the mobile app → Settings → Business tools → Catalog → Disconnect from Facebook. Then come back to our platform and click the button again.
- **Share a wa.me link in your ads**: use `https://wa.me/<your-number-digits-only>?text=catalog`. When a customer taps it from a Facebook/Instagram/TikTok ad, WhatsApp opens with "catalog" pre-filled — they just hit Send → they receive the full grouped catalog.
- **Status check**: on the Meta Catalog Sync page you'll see a state-aware callout: amber/red = a step is missing, emerald = everything is working (active state). The callout tells you exactly what's missing (WhatsApp not connected, auto-reply off, etc).
**Important for Egypt-based merchants**: Meta has discontinued Facebook Shops in Egypt (and many other countries). If you open Commerce Manager and try to create a Shop, Meta tells you: *"Shops isn't available in your country"* and the "Shop" tab will not appear on your Facebook Page. This is a Meta-side restriction we have no control over. The fix: use the alternatives that DO work in Egypt — listed below.
Before you start
- Catalog connected (from catalog sync).
- Business Manager account (business.facebook.com).
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Your catalog still works — and is still useful
If you saw "Shops isn't available in your country", that does NOT mean syncing stopped. Your catalog is still active and uploaded to Meta. You can use it in **3 ways that ARE available in Egypt** instead of the FB Page Shop tab.
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Alternative 1: Catalog Ads (best use)
The single highest-ROI use of the catalog in Egypt. Dynamic Ads automatically show your products to people who showed interest in similar items. Go to Ads Manager → Create Ad → Sales → Catalog Ad → pick your catalog. See the Catalog Ads guide.
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Alternative 2: Instagram Shopping
Instagram supports product tagging in posts, Reels, and Stories in Egypt. See the Instagram Shopping guide.
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Alternative 3: WhatsApp Business Catalog
Customers messaging you on WhatsApp can browse products inside the chat. See the WhatsApp Catalog guide.
Tips & common issues
- If Meta brings Shops back to Egypt later, the setup will use the same Commerce Manager. When you see "Add Shop" instead of "Shops isn't available", let us know so we can update this guide.
- The catalog alone delivers most of the value in Egypt — through ads. Many Egyptian merchants get great revenue from Catalog Ads without ever having a Page Shop.
Google Merchant Center lets you show products with images and prices in Google search results — for free (Organic Shopping) or paid (Shopping Ads). The platform automatically generates an XML feed with all your active products.
Before you start
- A regular Google account (Gmail).
- A store with products that have images (Google rejects products without an image).
- "Google Shopping" option enabled from your Online Store settings.
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Enable the Google Shopping Feed
From your store dashboard: Online Store → Settings → enable "Google Shopping". The platform generates an XML file automatically at: yourstore/feed/google-shopping.xml
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Create a Google Merchant Center account
Go to merchants.google.com and get started. Choose "Sell online only". In "Business information" enter your store name and select "Egypt" as country. In "Checkout" select "On my website" (not Google-hosted).
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Verify site ownership
In "Business" → "Website" → enter your store URL. Google will ask you to verify ownership. Easiest method: HTML tag — copy the tag shown and paste it into "Marketing" → "SEO" → "Custom meta tags" in your store dashboard. Then click Verify in Google Merchant.
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Add the feed
In Merchant Center: "Products" → "Feeds" → click (+). Name: anything you like. Country: Egypt. Language: Arabic or English. Feed method: "Scheduled Fetch". Feed URL: paste the XML URL (yourstore/feed/google-shopping.xml). Frequency: Daily. Click Continue.
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Wait for review
Google will fetch the feed within an hour. Then each product enters review (typically 3-5 days for the first batch). "Approved" products start appearing in Shopping. "Disapproved" products show a reason under Products → Diagnostics.
Tips & common issues
- High-quality square images (at least 800×800, white background) increase approval rates and click-through.
- If your products have a SKU, the feed sends it automatically — Google favours MPN/SKU data.
- Products with variants (sizes or colours) appear as an "item group" in Merchant Center — the platform handles this correctly automatically.
- Shopping Ads (paid listings) require linking Merchant Center to Google Ads — that's a separate step once the feed is working.
- For StorefrontOnly stores, stock is read from your Online Store warehouse — make sure products have correct quantities.
TikTok Shop is one of Egypt's fastest-growing channels for fashion, accessories, and beauty. Our integration is the simplest path: TikTok Seller Center accepts the same Google Shopping XML format, so we expose a ready-to-paste feed URL on your settings page.
Before you start
- An active TikTok Seller Center account (sign up at seller-eg.tiktok.com).
- TikTok approval of your store (1-3 business days).
- Products with quality images (500×500 or larger) and complete Arabic + English descriptions.
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Open Seller Center
Go to seller-eg.tiktok.com → sign in with your TikTok account → complete store info (commercial registration, ID, product page).
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Open Product Manager
In the side menu: **Products** → **All Products** → top right has **Add Product** or **Bulk Upload**. Choose Bulk Upload to use the feed.
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Paste the TikTok feed URL
Select **Upload via Feed URL** (not CSV file). Paste your store's feed URL:
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Wait for review
TikTok reviews products in 24-48 hours. If a product is rejected, Seller Center tells you why (usually: missing image, short description, unsupported category).
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Enable ads
Once products are approved, go to TikTok Ads Manager → Create Campaign → choose **Catalog Sales** as the objective. Your catalog appears automatically.
Tips & common issues
- TikTok supports Fashion + Beauty + Home + Electronics in Egypt. Some categories (medicines, heavy goods, services) are banned.
- TikTok Live Shopping is the secret weapon — try live-streaming your products twice a week. Egyptian merchants report 30-50% of revenue from Live.
- Vertical (portrait) videos 7-15 seconds long get the best CTR in catalog ads.
- For StorefrontOnly stores, checkout happens on your store (not TikTok). FullService stores can choose either.