Approved Seller Onboarding

Welcome to The Maker Porch. This page is for makers who have been approved to sell on our marketplace.

1. Activate Your Seller Account

Use the seller login or activation link provided in your approval email to access your seller dashboard. Your seller dashboard is powered by our marketplace platform and is where you will manage your profile, products, orders, and payment details.

Do not email bank account numbers, Social Security numbers, EIN documentation, passwords, or other sensitive financial information to The Maker Porch. Enter payout information only through the secure seller dashboard or another secure method specifically provided by The Maker Porch.

2. Complete Your Seller Profile

Before submitting products, complete your seller profile with accurate business information.

• Business or shop name
• Seller display name
• Short maker/business bio
• Logo or profile image
• Website and social media links, if applicable
• Customer-service contact information
• Typical processing time
• Shipping and return information required by the seller dashboard

3. Fees and Secure Payment Setup

Founding Seller Program: Sellers approved on or before December 31, 2026 pay an 8% marketplace commission on product sales, with no listing fee and no recurring monthly seller fee through December 31, 2026. Founding Sellers are also eligible for featured homepage placement as part of the launch program.

The standard commission for sellers outside the Founding Seller Program is 12% unless a different written seller-specific rate applies. The Maker Porch absorbs standard marketplace payment-processing costs at launch rather than charging them as a separate seller fee.

Add the payment information requested in your secure seller dashboard so seller earnings can be tracked and paid. Do not send sensitive banking or tax credentials through ordinary email.

4. Submit Products for Approval

Approved sellers may add products from their seller dashboard. Products are reviewed before they become available for sale.

Every product submission should include:

• A clear, specific product title
• An accurate description
• Price
• Available inventory or made-to-order availability
• Processing time
• Product category
• At least one clear product photo
• Options or variants such as size, color, scent, or style
• Personalization instructions, when applicable
• Accurate shipping information

Product photos should show the actual item whenever possible. Listings may be returned for revision if the description, photos, pricing, inventory, or product information is incomplete or misleading.

5. Product & Intellectual Property Rules

All products must comply with The Maker Porch Seller Agreement and Prohibited Items Policy.

You must own or have permission to use the designs, photographs, artwork, logos, trademarks, and other intellectual property used in your products and listings. Counterfeit or unauthorized branded merchandise is not permitted.

6. Orders and Fulfillment

When you receive an order:

• Prepare the product within the processing time stated in your listing.
• Package it securely.
• Provide tracking when available.
• Keep order status current in your seller dashboard.
• Respond promptly if The Maker Porch or the customer contacts you about the order.

7. Returns and Customer Service

Sellers must follow The Maker Porch Returns & Refunds Policy. Sellers are expected to respond to return or customer-service issues promptly and work in good faith to resolve problems.

Personalized and made-to-order items may have different return eligibility, but damaged, defective, incorrect, or materially misrepresented products still require resolution.

8. Earnings and Payouts

Your seller dashboard tracks sales, the applicable marketplace commission, and seller earnings. Founding Sellers approved on or before December 31, 2026 are set at 8% while enrolled in the Founding Seller Program.

Seller earnings become eligible for payout after the applicable 14-day return period has completed. Eligible balances are scheduled for payout weekly on Fridays. Payment-provider and banking processing times may add additional time after a payout is initiated.

The Maker Porch may hold or adjust earnings when necessary for refunds, returns, chargebacks, suspected fraud, or order disputes. Keep your payment details current in the secure seller dashboard.

9. Before Your Shop Goes Live

We will review your seller profile and initial product submissions. Once approved, your products may be published to the marketplace and your maker shop can be added to our Meet the Makers directory.

Seller Launch Checklist

• Seller account activated
• Seller profile completed
• Payment method/details completed securely
• Seller Agreement and marketplace policies reviewed
• Initial products submitted
• Product photos uploaded
• Inventory and processing times confirmed
• Shipping information confirmed
• Products approved by The Maker Porch
• Maker shop ready for launch

If you need help during setup, contact The Maker Porch through our Contact page.