Vendor Settings

Configure how vendors join your marketplace and manage their service creation capabilities.

Accessing Vendor Settings

Navigate to WP Sell Services → Settings → Vendor in the WordPress admin panel.

Vendor Registration

Control who can become a vendor on your marketplace.

Registration Mode

Choose from three registration modes:

Mode	Description	Use Case
Open	Anyone can register as vendor	Growing marketplaces, open platforms
Requires Approval	Admin must approve applications	Curated marketplaces, quality control
Closed	Only admins create vendor accounts	Invite-only, exclusive platforms

Setting: vendor_registration (default: open)

Configuration:

1. Go to Settings → Vendor
2. Select Vendor Registration mode
3. Choose: Open, Requires Approval, or Closed
4. Save changes

Open Registration

Behavior:

• Users self-register via [wpssvendorregistration] or [wpssbecomevendor] shortcode
• Account activated immediately (if auto-approve enabled)
• Vendors can create services right away

Best For:

• Community marketplaces
• High-volume platforms
• Quick onboarding

Requires Approval

Behavior:

• Users submit registration form
• Account status: “Pending”
• Admin reviews and approves/rejects
• Email notification sent to applicant

Approval Process:

1. New vendor registers
2. Admin receives notification
3. Navigate to WP Sell Services → Vendors
4. Filter by Status: Pending
5. Review vendor profile
6. Click Approve or Reject

Best For:

• Quality-controlled marketplaces
• Curated vendor lists
• Professional services platforms

Closed Registration

Behavior:

• Registration page shows “Registration Closed” message
• Only admins can create vendor accounts manually
• No public registration form

Manual Vendor Creation:

1. Navigate to Users → Add New
2. Create WordPress user account
3. Assign wpss_vendor role
4. User gains vendor capabilities

Best For:

• Invite-only platforms
• Soft launch phase
• Exclusive marketplaces

Service Limits

Control what vendors can include in their service listings.

Max Services Per Vendor

Setting: maxservicesper_vendor (default: 20)

Limit the total number of active services each vendor can create.

Configuration:

1. Set Max Services Per Vendor value
2. Enter number (0 for unlimited)
3. Save changes

Example:

• Set to 10: Vendors can create maximum 10 services
• Set to 0: No limit (unlimited services)

Gallery Images

Limit: 4 images per service (Free version)

Setting Location: Not directly configurable in Vendor settings (handled by service creation logic)

Pro Version: Unlimited images

Image Requirements:

• Minimum: 800×600 pixels
• Formats: JPG, PNG, GIF
• Size limit: Set by server/WordPress config

Verification Requirements

Control vendor account verification.

Require Verification

Setting: require_verification (default: false)

When enabled, new vendors start with “Pending” status until identity verified.

Configuration:

1. Check Require Verification
2. Save changes

Effect:

• New vendors registered with status = 'pending'
• Vendors cannot create services until verified
• Admin manually verifies vendors

Verification Process:

1. Vendor registers
2. Admin reviews submitted information
3. Admin verifies identity (email, documents, etc.)
4. Admin updates status to “Active”
5. Vendor can now create services

Service Moderation

Control whether services need admin approval before publishing.

Require Service Moderation

Setting: requireservicemoderation (default: false)

When enabled, all new services require admin approval before going live.

Configuration:

1. Check Require Service Moderation
2. Save changes

Workflow:

1. Vendor creates service
2. Service saved as “Pending Review”
3. Admin reviews service
4. Admin approves/rejects
5. If approved, service goes live

Review Location: Navigate to WP Sell Services → Services and filter by status.

Database Options

These settings are stored in WordPress options table as wpss_vendor option group:

'wpss_vendor' => [
    'vendor_registration' => 'open', // or 'approval', 'closed'
    'max_services_per_vendor' => 20,
    'require_verification' => false,
    'require_service_moderation' => false
]

Shortcode Reference

Vendor Registration

Use these shortcodes on your “Become a Vendor” page:

• [wpssvendorregistration] – Registration form
• [wpssbecomevendor] – Alternative registration form

Both shortcodes provide the same functionality.

Example Page Setup:

1. Create new page: “Become a Vendor”
2. Add shortcode: [wpssvendorregistration]
3. Publish page
4. Update page slug in Settings → Pages → Become a Vendor

Vendor Role Capabilities

When a user becomes a vendor, they receive the wpss_vendor role with these capabilities:

• wpss_vendor – Vendor marker capability
• wpssmanageservices – Create and edit services
• wpssmanageorders – View and manage orders
• wpssviewanalytics – Access earnings dashboard
• wpssrespondto_requests – Respond to buyer requests
• read – Basic WordPress access
• upload_files – Upload attachments
• edit_posts – Create content

These capabilities are granted automatically via Activator::create_roles().

Registration Form Fields

The vendor registration form collects:

Field	Required	Notes
Display Name	Yes	Public vendor name
Tagline	Yes	Professional title
Bio	Yes	About you section
Skills	Yes	Comma-separated skills
Terms Agreement	Yes	Checkbox for T&C acceptance

Additional fields may be added by extensions.

Admin Vendor Management

Viewing Vendors

Navigate to WP Sell Services → Vendors to see:

• Total vendors count
• Active vendors
• Pending approvals
• Vendor list with statistics

Vendor Actions

For each vendor, admins can:

• View Profile: See complete vendor information
• Edit: Modify vendor settings
• Approve/Reject: Change account status
• Suspend: Temporarily disable vendor
• Delete: Remove vendor account

Custom Commission Rates

Admins can set per-vendor commission rates:

1. Navigate to vendor details
2. Set custom commission percentage
3. Overrides global commission rate
4. Calculated per order

Learn more: Commission System

Best Practices

For Open Registration

• Enable email verification
• Monitor new vendor registrations
• Set reasonable service limits
• Review vendors periodically

For Approval Mode

• Respond to applications within 24-48 hours
• Provide clear rejection reasons
• Document approval criteria
• Communicate with applicants

For Closed Registration

• Invite quality vendors personally
• Provide onboarding assistance
• Set higher service limits
• Build vendor relationships

Troubleshooting

Registration Form Not Showing

Check:

• Registration mode is “Open” or “Approval”
• Page contains correct shortcode
• Plugin is activated
• No JavaScript errors

Solution:

• Verify shortcode: [wpssvendorregistration]
• Clear cache
• Test in default WordPress theme

Vendors Can’t Create Services

Verify:

• Account status is “Active”
• Max services limit not reached
• Vendor role assigned correctly
• Service moderation settings

Solution:

• Check vendor status in admin
• Increase service limit if needed
• Verify wpss_vendor role exists

Service Moderation Not Working

Confirm:

• “Require Service Moderation” is checked
• Settings saved successfully
• Cache cleared
• WordPress permissions correct

Related Documentation

• Becoming a Vendor – Vendor registration guide
• Vendor Dashboard – Vendor interface
• Seller Levels – Vendor progression system
• Platform Settings – General configuration