Web3 Store

Web3 store is an alternative to a regular online store hosted by a centralized marketplace that allows simplified yet secure order processing with non-custodial smart contracts. Just like with any online store, web3 store owners (sellers) list and manage various items (digital products, services, NFT art, in-game assets, and collectibles) to complete client orders.

At the moment, Zenland is the first and only platform that hosts web3 stores where the items are sold and bought through escrow smart contracts. These contracts are managed directly by the two users exchanging the value without any third-party access.

Why use escrow smart contracts in web3 stores

  • It eliminates the middleman (no human factor, no fees);

  • It gives both buyers and sellers peace of mind (safe step-by-step process)

  • It allows transaction transparency (through blockchain explorers);

  • It helps sellers scale and grow profits (sales flow automation with pre-approved contracts);

  • It enables decentralization in P2P, B2C, and C2C transactions.

  • It enables fair user reviews on both sides (not only the seller's side)

Important! To create a web3 store on Zenland you will need:

a) An item you want to list, b) A web3 wallet (MetaMask only at the moment).

See how to create a MetaMask wallet here.

How to get started with Zenland Marketplace

Setting up your web3 shop and listing the products or services on Zenland do not require technical knowledge or time. It has 3 steps and takes around 5 minutes to set up.

Step 1. Login with MetaMask

Simply log into your MetaMask account and sign the message to connect to Zenland. Connection only records your wallet address as a unique ID and does not require any gas fees.

Step 2. Set store address and description

Once inside, click on the user icon in the top menu and select "Profile". Click the pencil icon at the top right to edit the "Settings". Set up a custom name for your store. For example "Zenlandapp" or "Zenlander.eth" Write your best store description (bio).

Feel free to use font generators or emojis. Copy the store address and open it incognito to see how it looks. Add a store logo and banner (optional).

Step 3. Add the items and launch a Web3 Store

From the left bar, click the "My Items" option to open the Items list.

All items you add to your web3 store will appear on this internal page. Added items are active by default but can be manually switched off. Switching off does not delete the item but hides it from the buyer's view. The ON/OFF option is there for inventory management to hide items out of stock.

It is especially useful when the store owner (a seller) is planning a vacation or is sick. Once the problem is solved, a click of the button restores the inventory, saving you time in adding the store items again.

Click "Add Item" button (in the top right corner) and describe what, when, and how you are selling in the simple form.

This form is a smart contract that saves the purchase terms for a particular item. It is viewed and approved by the buyer before placing the order and depositing payment. To avoid delivery disputes, make sure the item quality and specifications are clear and complete.

The Item form contains:

  • Item name, such as the name of NFT, DOTA2 skin, or freelance service. Optimal names contain search keywords and are under 40 characters long (max = 60 chars).

  • Item image in PNG, JPG, or JPEG formats. Adding an image is recommended yet optional.

  • Item description (its quality, size, age, and other important details describing the item)

  • Delivery time (turnaround time for 1 order completion) can be set both in hours and days.

  • Buyer protection time (inspection time) can be set in hours or days.

  • Item price (based on it, Zenland fee, a service fee paid by the seller, is calculated)

  • Accepted payment method (network). For buyers' convenience, sellers can list multiple networks.

  • Accepted currency (tokens). To prevent price volatility, payments are in stablecoins (USDT, USDC, BUSD, DAI).

  • Additional settings contain two checkboxes that modify the item display in-store and order approval process.

✓ "One Off Product" option allows you to sell a particular item once (for unique NFT, for example), or multiple times (for services, or multiple items in stock). If switched on, the item becomes hidden once someone places the order.

✓ "Pre-Approved Item" option lets the seller switch between manual and automatic approval for orders based on personal preferences or item availability. For example, the seller may leave it unchecked if he/she plans to limit the number of orders or wants to receive them from select clients with the best reviews.*

Once the item is added to the stock and the buyer clicks the "Buy" button and selects the payment method (network) and the currency (token), a smart contract for that item is generated. Clicking "Approve" a buyer accepts purchase conditions and confirms the intent to place an order.

Important! Checking the "Pre-approved Item" checkbox allows buyers to deploy the contract and deposit payment. It means that the seller can, and will, complete all incoming orders within the given delivery time.

For more information on how pre-approved contracts work visit Pre-approved contracts.

Editing items in store

If needed, the items can be edited by following a path:

My Items >> Double click on the Item >> Edit

Item editing can be done regardless of the state of escrow contracts that are already in progress (at any stage after contract approval). That said, changes added to the item terms (price, delivery time, description, etc.) will not apply to orders in progress. Thus, the seller will complete those orders as described in the contract approved at the time of purchase.

The final view of the web3 store should look like a typical online store with a number of items on display. Each item has a name, user ratings (if any), price, and payment methods (networks).

Right under the store name are the owner's wallet address and a direct URL link to the web3 store that can easily be copied to the clipboard.

Good to know

*Any user of the Zenland platform regardless of buying or selling activity will have reviews. With every contract completed, users are asked to rate and review each other.

This is done to help users make objective decisions if they want to have deals with each other. This is backed by the real case scenarios on centralized marketplaces where buyers may scam and blackmail sellers since only the seller gets rated.

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