Setting Up Your Profile

Your Steader profile is your digital storefront — it's often the first impression buyers have of your homestead. A complete, engaging profile can significantly increase your sales and help you build lasting customer relationships.

Why Your Profile Matters

A well-crafted profile:

• Builds trust — Buyers want to know who they're supporting
• Increases sales — Complete profiles get more orders
• Tells your story — Connects customers to your mission
• Reduces questions — Clear information means fewer messages

Essential Profile Elements

1. Homestead Logo

Your visual brand identity that appears on all listings.

Best practices:

• Keep it simple and recognizable
• Use a square image
• Options that work well:
  • Your farm/homestead name
  • Your best product
  • A clean photo of your farm

2. Profile Photo

Show the face behind the farm! Profiles with photos of the farmer increase trust and get more engagement.

Photo tips:

• Smile — buyers want to connect with real people
• Natural lighting works best
• Action shots are great (holding produce, with animals)
• Show yourself in your element

3. Cover Images (Up to 10)

Showcase your farm's beauty and bounty.

What to include:

• Wide shots of your land or garden
• Close-ups of your best products
• Different seasons to show year-round activity
• Your animals, if applicable
• Behind-the-scenes farming shots

Pro tip: Golden hour (early morning or late afternoon) makes everything look amazing!

4. Write a Compelling Bio

Your bio should answer: "Why should buyers choose you?"

Essential elements to include:

• How long you've been farming/homesteading
• Your growing or raising practices
• What makes your products special
• Your why — what drives your passion
• A personal touch (family, values, mission)

Keep it concise: Aim for under 150 words — buyers skim on mobile!

5. Set Clear Pickup/Delivery Points

Make it easy for buyers to get their orders.

For pickup locations:

• Be specific: "End of driveway by red mailbox"
• Add landmarks: "Next to the white barn"
• Include hours: "Pickup 9am-6pm daily"
• Mention parking: "Pull into gravel area"

For delivery:

• Specify your delivery radius
• List delivery days/times
• Note any minimum order requirements

Quick Setup Checklist

✅ Upload a clear homestead logo

✅ Add a friendly profile photo

✅ Upload several cover images

✅ Write your bio (remember the 150-word target)

✅ Set up pickup/delivery locations with clear instructions

✅ Add your farm practices

✅ Include seasonal availability

Pro Tips for Success

🌟 Update seasonally — Keep your profile fresh with what's currently available

📸 Quality over quantity — Better to have 3 great photos than 10 mediocre ones

✍️ Be authentic — Let your personality shine through

🔄 Keep it current — Update pickup times, seasonal info, and availability regularly

📱 Check mobile view — Most buyers browse on phones

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using blurry or dark photos
• Writing a novel for your bio
• Forgetting to update seasonal information
• Being vague about pickup/delivery details
• Not including your growing/raising practices

Making Updates

You can edit your profile anytime:

1. Go to Account Settings
2. Click "Edit Store Profile"
3. Make your changes
4. Save and your updates go live immediately

Remember

Your profile is a living document — it should grow and evolve with your homestead. Start with the basics and add more over time. The most important thing is to begin!

Next steps:

• Create Your First Listing
• Connect Stripe for Payments

Need help? Contact us at hello@steader.com