How suppliers can build a profile buyers understand

If you supply materials, tools or stock, your customers may range from homeowners buying once to tradespeople ordering repeatedly.

They don't all need the same thing, but they do need to understand what you sell and how buying from you works.

A useful profile can answer many of those first questions before someone gets in touch.

Start with what you actually supply

“Building supplier” can mean almost anything.

Be specific about your main product categories.

Depending on your business, these might include:

• bricks, blocks and cement;
• sand and stone;
• timber and board;
• roofing;
• hardware and fasteners;
• paint;
• plumbing materials;
• electrical materials;
• fencing;
• plants and nursery stock;
• soil, compost and garden supplies;
• tools;
• safety equipment;
• consumables; or
• specialist trade materials.

If you don't stock something, don't imply that you do.

Explain who you supply

Your customers might include:

• homeowners;
• DIY customers;
• builders;
• plumbers;
• electricians;
• landscapers;
• maintenance businesses;
• contractors; or
• other businesses.

If you only supply trade customers, say so.

If both retail and trade customers are welcome, make that clear too.

Give useful product information

Product names alone may not tell buyers enough.

Where relevant, include information such as:

• dimensions;
• grade;
• strength or rating;
• finish;
• treatment;
• pack size;
• brand;
• model;
• available variants; or
• other specifications buyers commonly need.

Don't claim a product is suitable for every application simply because you sell it.

Be careful with stock claims

Stock changes.

If your Know a Pro profile isn't connected to live inventory, don't present quantities as real-time stock unless you genuinely keep that information current.

It can be more useful to explain the ranges or product categories you normally carry and ask customers to confirm current availability before travelling or paying.

If products are usually ordered in rather than kept on hand, say so.

Explain trade and bulk pricing accurately

If you offer trade accounts, bulk pricing or quantity discounts, explain the basic structure without promising a discount to everyone.

Useful information might include:

• whether trade accounts are available;
• whether an application is required;
• whether minimum spend applies;
• whether bulk pricing starts at certain quantities;
• whether account terms are subject to approval; or
• who customers should contact for a quote.

Don't advertise “best prices” unless you can substantiate the claim.

Make pricing easier to understand

If you display prices, make it clear what the figure represents.

Depending on the product, that may mean:

• per item;
• per metre;
• per square metre;
• per bag;
• per pack;
• per pallet;
• per cubic metre; or
• another unit.

Make VAT treatment clear where applicable.

If delivery, cutting, handling or another service costs extra, don't make it look as though it is included.

Explain minimum orders

If certain products or delivery services have minimum quantities or minimum order values, say so.

This is especially useful for buyers comparing:

• bulk materials;
• special orders;
• trade quantities;
• deliveries; or
• products sold only in packs or pallets.

Clear minimums save both sides unnecessary back-and-forth.

Describe your delivery area

Don't simply write “delivery available.”

Tell buyers where you generally deliver.

This might be:

• selected suburbs;
• a town or municipality;
• a wider region;
• province-wide; or
• nationwide for suitable products.

If delivery depends on product type, quantity or vehicle requirements, explain that too.

Explain how delivery is charged

Buyers may need to know whether delivery is:

• included in certain orders;
• charged separately;
• based on distance;
• based on load;
• quoted individually; or
• subject to a minimum order.

Don't advertise “free delivery” unless the actual conditions are clear.

Mention access and offloading where it matters

Delivering bags of compost isn't the same as delivering pallets of bricks.

For heavy or bulky products, tell customers about relevant requirements such as:

• truck access;
• turning space;
• offloading;
• crane or mechanical unloading;
• kerbside delivery;
• site restrictions; or
• additional charges that may apply.

It is much easier to solve an access problem before the truck is at the gate.

Give realistic lead times

Avoid promising a delivery or collection time you can't reliably meet.

Lead times can depend on:

• stock availability;
• supplier deliveries;
• special orders;
• cutting or preparation;
• delivery schedules;
• quantity; or
• location.

If timing varies, explain that customers should confirm availability and estimated lead time for their particular order.

Explain special orders clearly

If you source products specifically for a customer, explain the process.

Before accepting payment, make important terms clear, including:

• specification;
• quantity;
• price;
• deposit;
• expected lead time;
• balance due;
• cancellation terms; and
• return limitations where applicable.

Keep important order details in writing.

Make your returns information clear

Return conditions can vary by product and circumstances.

Explain relevant policies for products such as:

• unopened standard stock;
• opened goods;
• cut-to-size materials;
• tinted paint;
• specially ordered items;
• plants;
• clearance products; or
• other customised/perishable goods.

Make sure your policies and practices comply with the requirements that apply to your business and transactions.

Don't make blanket claims that nothing can ever be returned simply because it was purchased from a supplier.

Show useful photos

Photographs can help buyers understand your business and product range.

Depending on the supplier, useful images might show:

• premises;
• product categories;
• timber or board ranges;
• plants;
• tools;
• materials;
• delivery vehicles; or
• examples of properly packaged orders.

Use photographs that accurately represent your business.

A photo isn't proof that a particular product is currently in stock.

If you supply technical materials, stay within your role

Electrical, plumbing and other technical products may need to meet particular specifications for a specific installation.

Don't tell a customer that a product is suitable for a regulated or technical installation unless you have a proper basis for doing so.

Where appropriate, the buyer should confirm the required specification with the relevant qualified or appropriately authorised person carrying out the work.

If you supply plants, give buyers practical information

Nursery and plant suppliers can make profiles more useful by including relevant information such as:

• plant names;
• typical sizes;
• pot/container sizes;
• sun requirements;
• watering;
• suitable growing conditions;
• approximate mature size; and
• collection or delivery arrangements.

Keep current availability separate from general information about what you usually stock.

Use reviews responsibly

Genuine reviews can describe customers' previous experiences.

They may mention:

• communication;
• ordering;
• product experience;
• delivery;
• stock information; or
• issue resolution.

Don't ask customers for a particular star rating or write reviews for them.

Don't claim that reviews prove your stock, pricing, reliability or delivery performance.

Previous reviews don't guarantee the outcome of the next order.

Understand what ID Verified means

South African Pros complete identity verification as part of the Know a Pro signup process before their profile can go live.

Once completed, their profile can display the ID Verified badge.

ID Verified relates to identity verification.

It does not prove:

• stock availability;
• product quality;
• pricing;
• reliability;
• delivery performance;
• financial standing;
• regulatory compliance; or
• that a transaction or deposit is risk-free.

Don't present ID Verified as a Know a Pro guarantee or endorsement of your supply business.

Keep important information current

Update your profile when material information changes.

That could include:

• product ranges;
• areas served;
• trade-account availability;
• ordering process;
• delivery options;
• contact information; or
• other important business details.

If prices or stock change frequently, don't publish information you can't reasonably keep current.

Share your Know a Pro profile

Your Know a Pro profile has its own shareable page link.

You can use the link through appropriate business channels such as:

• WhatsApp;
• your website;
• social media;
• email;
• quotes;
• invoices; or
• other business communications.

It gives buyers another place to view the information you've chosen to display.

What it costs to list

Know a Pro uses a monthly membership model.

Independent Pro — R300/month

Registered Business — R500/month

Know a Pro does not take a percentage of the jobs you receive through the platform. Your applicable monthly membership fee still applies.

Make your supply business easy to understand

Buyers shouldn't have to guess what you stock, whether you deliver or how to place an order.

A useful profile explains your range, ordering process, service area and practical terms clearly.

Keep it accurate. Keep it current. Give buyers enough information to decide whether it makes sense to contact you.

This article provides general business guidance and was reviewed in September 2026. Product, pricing, VAT, delivery, returns, consumer-protection and regulatory requirements vary according to the supplier, product and transaction. Confirm and comply with the requirements that apply to your business and products.

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