Your shop photo — what works and what doesn't
Your shop photo is the first thing neighbours see. Treat it like a shopfront.
What works: a clear photo of your storefront, your stall, your kitchen counter, or you holding what you sell. Bright, natural daylight. Square framing.
What doesn't: blurry photos, screenshots, logos pulled from Google, group photos, or anything dark. Skip stock images — people want to see the real you.
Writing a description that sells
Tell neighbours three things: what you sell, what makes it special, and how to order. Keep it short and warm — like you're chatting on WhatsApp.
Good: "Home-baked koeksisters every Friday and Saturday. Made with my gran's recipe. Order by Thursday, collect from Diepkloof Zone 3."
Avoid jargon, ALL CAPS, or long paragraphs. If a neighbour can read it in 10 seconds, you're winning.
Taking great product photos
Use daylight, not your kitchen bulb. Stand near a window in the morning or late afternoon.
Plain background — a wooden table, a clean cloth, a painted wall. No clutter.
Show the product close up and from one or two angles. For food, photograph it ready to eat. For services, show your work in progress or a finished result.
Wipe your phone lens before each shot. It makes a bigger difference than you think.
Pricing for your neighbourhood
Look at what nearby sellers charge for similar items — Omaki shows you who's around.
Don't undersell yourself, but remember your neighbours are your regulars. Fair prices bring repeat customers.
Include any costs in your price (packaging, ingredients, transport). Surprise fees at checkout lose orders.
How local discounts work on Omaki
You can offer a discount to neighbours within your area. It shows up as a green "local price" badge on your listing.
Set the percentage when you create or edit a listing. 5–15% is the sweet spot — enough to feel special, not enough to hurt your margin.
Local discounts build loyalty. Neighbours remember the shops that look out for them.