Service Requirements & FAQs

Requirements collect the information vendors need from buyers before starting work. FAQs answer common buyer questions right on the service page. Together, they smooth out the order process and reduce back-and-forth messages.

Requirements: Collecting Buyer Information

Why Requirements Matter

After a buyer places an order, the vendor needs specific information to get started. Requirements are custom questions the buyer answers before the vendor begins work. Good requirements mean fewer delays, fewer misunderstandings, and smoother orders.

How Requirements Work in the Order Flow

  1. Buyer purchases the service
  2. Order status becomes "Pending Requirements"
  3. Buyer sees a form with the vendor's questions and fills it out
  4. Once submitted, the order status moves to "In Progress"
  5. The vendor receives a notification and starts working

If the buyer does not submit requirements, the vendor cannot begin. This protects both parties by ensuring the vendor has what they need upfront.

Requirement Types

You can choose from four answer types for each question:

Type What Buyers See Best For
Short text A single-line text field Business name, website URL, email address
Long text A multi-line text area Project description, detailed preferences, content briefs
File upload A file upload button Logo files, brand guidelines, reference images, documents
Dropdown A list of predefined options Style preferences, industry type, color scheme

Setting Up Requirements

For each requirement, vendors provide:

  • The question -- Clear, specific questions get better answers. "What is your brand's primary color?" is better than "Tell me about your brand."
  • Answer type -- Choose from the four types above
  • Required or optional -- Mark truly essential information as required; keep nice-to-have questions optional
  • Dropdown options -- If using the dropdown type, provide comma-separated choices (e.g., "Modern, Classic, Minimalist, Vintage")

Limits

Free Pro
Requirements per service 5 Unlimited [PRO]

File Upload Details

When a requirement uses the file upload type, the accepted formats and size are set by the site owner, not fixed by the plugin.

  • Allowed types -- Settings > Advanced > Allowed File Types. Default: jpg, jpeg, png, gif, pdf, doc, docx.
  • Maximum size -- Settings > Advanced > Max File Size. Default: 10 MB.

Add the formats your vendors need before launch; a buyer cannot upload a ZIP or a PSD on the default list.

Uploaded files are stored outside the public web root and served through a permission-checked link, so only the buyer, the seller and an administrator can open one. Someone who is handed the link but is not on the order gets nothing.

Files uploaded before version 1.7.0 were stored in the media library instead. They are moved into the protected store the first time someone opens them, and the old public address stops working at that point.

Tips for Writing Good Requirements

  • Ask only what you need -- Too many questions reduce the chance buyers complete them
  • Be specific -- "What three colors represent your brand?" beats "Tell me about your style"
  • Give examples -- Add helpful context to your question text
  • Put the most important questions first -- If a buyer stops partway through, you still get the essentials
  • Keep optional questions at the end -- Required information first, nice-to-haves second

FAQs: Answering Common Questions

Why FAQs Matter

FAQs appear on the service page and help buyers make a decision without needing to message the vendor. They reduce the number of pre-purchase questions and increase buyer confidence.

Limits

Free Pro
FAQs per service 5 Unlimited [PRO]

What to Include in Your FAQs

Cover the questions buyers ask most often:

  • What do you need from me to start? -- Summarize your requirements
  • How many revisions are included? -- Explain per package
  • What if I need changes after delivery? -- Set expectations on post-delivery edits
  • Do you offer rush delivery? -- Point buyers to the add-on if available
  • What is your refund policy? -- Be upfront about when refunds are or are not available
  • How will we communicate? -- Explain the built-in messaging system

Tips for Great FAQs

  • Keep answers to 2-3 sentences -- Buyers scan, they do not read essays
  • Use plain language -- Write like you are talking to a friend
  • Update based on real questions -- When buyers keep asking the same thing, add it as a FAQ
  • Address objections -- If buyers hesitate for a specific reason, answer it proactively

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