FAQ – Added Essentials LLC

Answers That Build Confidence

Everything you need to know about onboarding, integrations, SLAs, data protection, and multi-platform operations. Clear, direct answers from a team that builds ecommerce infrastructure for scale.

21
Days Avg. Go-Live
99.95%
Platform Sync Uptime
2 hrs
First Response SLA

Onboarding & Daily Operations

Predictable implementation, transparent workflows, and operational rigor from day one.

How does onboarding work and how long does it take?

On average, onboarding takes 2–3 weeks across three phases:

  1. Discovery & Access Provisioning: Stakeholder kickoff, access audit, and platform scoping.
  2. Catalog & Workflow Configuration: Product taxonomy setup, feed rules, inventory sync, and order routing logic.
  3. Pilot Orders & QA: Test orders across channels, validation of tracking, returns, and reporting.

We provide a dated project checklist with owners, milestones, and dependencies. Bi-weekly calls continue until go-live, and we remain on standby for 30 days post-launch.

What access do you need to get started?

We request least-privilege, revocable access via collaborator or user roles:

  • Shopify collaborator account (no ownership transfer)
  • Amazon Seller Central secondary user with catalog, orders, and advertising permissions
  • Marketplace API credentials (Walmart, eBay, Etsy) or partner-level integration
  • Helpdesk (Gorgias, Zendesk) agent access for support ticket management
  • Analytics platforms (Google Analytics, Looker) for reporting and attribution

We do not store payment credentials. All systems are protected with enforced two-factor authentication where supported.

Can you migrate my existing store and listings?

Yes. We handle full-scope migrations including product data, images, metafields, SEO metadata, URL structures, and historical order records (where supported).

For Shopify, we implement 301 redirects to preserve search rankings. For marketplaces, we map existing identifiers (UPC, EAN, ASIN) to avoid duplicate listings and retain review equity. Post-migration QA includes link validation, variant integrity, and inventory reconciliation.

How do you structure product listings?

We standardize taxonomy, attributes, bullets, and media to each platform's requirements. Variants are configured as parent-child groups (size, color, material). We validate GTINs, optimize titles for search intent and character limits, and enrich content with A+ (Amazon) or metafields (Shopify) for conversion lift.

All listings undergo a pre-publish review for policy compliance, keyword density, and brand voice alignment.

Who handles customer support?

We can fully manage Tier 1/2 support in your helpdesk or collaborate with your internal team. We align on tone, macros, refund thresholds, and escalation paths during onboarding. Escalations route to your designated stakeholders via Slack or email.

Weekend and holiday coverage is available by plan tier. Support includes order inquiries, returns, shipping delays, and product questions.

How is inventory synced across channels?

Inventory updates post in near real-time from your ERP/WMS or our managed stock ledger. Oversell protection includes buffer thresholds and marketplace-specific backorder rules.

Multi-warehouse logic honors priority and ship-from proximity. We support allocation by channel (e.g., reserve 20% for Amazon FBA) and safety stock alerts.

What are your operational SLAs?

Core SLAs include:

  • Order ingestion: Under 5 minutes from platform webhook
  • Tracking upload: Within 2 hours of carrier scan
  • Same-day fulfillment: Orders placed before your cutoff ship same day
  • Support response: 2-hour first response during business hours; 24/7 paging for critical incidents

Credits apply if we miss contractual targets on eligible plans. SLA addenda available for peak seasons and flash sales.

What reporting will I receive?

You'll receive:

  • Weekly operations digest: Order volume, fill rate, ODR (Amazon), top SKUs, returns rate, and exception flags
  • Monthly executive report: AOV, CVR, ROAS (if advertising managed), Buy Box %, inventory turns, and forecasted stockouts

All exports are available as CSV. A live dashboard with role-based access can be enabled on request. Custom KPI frameworks align to your revenue, margin, and operational targets.

How do you manage ASINs and brand content on Amazon?

We first match to existing ASINs to retain ranking and reviews. For new products, we create detail pages via Brand Registry, file A+ content modules, and map variation families (parent-child).

We monitor listing suppressions, policy flags, and Buy Box eligibility daily. If Amazon suppresses a listing, we diagnose (image compliance, restricted claims, etc.) and remediate within 24 hours.

How is pricing and MAP enforced?

We implement channel-specific price rules, detect MAP violations, and coordinate authorized seller lists. For violations, we suppress promotions, adjust repricing windows, and provide documented outreach templates for partner compliance.

Dynamic pricing rules can be configured for competitive positioning, margin floors, and velocity targets.

Integrations, SLAs & Security Highlights

What we connect, how we guarantee service quality, and how your data stays protected.

Platforms

Native support for Shopify, Amazon Seller & Vendor Central, Walmart Marketplace, eBay, Etsy, Google Shopping, Facebook Shops, and TikTok Shop. Plug-and-play with major ERPs, WMS, and shipping suites through vetted connectors.

SLA Framework

Contracted targets for order ingestion, shipment updates, support response times, platform uptime, and data recovery windows. SLA addenda available for peak seasons and promotional events.

Reporting & BI

Role-based dashboards, scheduled CSV exports, and ad-hoc deep dives. KPI frameworks align to revenue, margin, inventory turns, and customer LTV—not just vanity metrics.

Security Posture

SSO where supported, enforced 2FA, audit logs, and quarterly access reviews. Data is encrypted in transit (TLS 1.2+) and at rest (AES-256) within SOC-aligned infrastructure.

Data Privacy & Security

Your trust is essential. These answers explain how we protect customer information and ensure compliance.

How do you protect customer PII and payment data?

We process only the data needed to operate your store. Payment details remain with your gateway (e.g., Shopify Payments, Stripe, PayPal) and are never stored by Added Essentials LLC.

All PII is restricted by role, masked in logs, redacted in exports, and deleted per your retention policy. Access is audited quarterly and limited to personnel with operational necessity.

Do you sign DPAs and BAAs?

Yes. We provide a standard Data Processing Addendum (DPA) compliant with GDPR and CCPA frameworks. We can review your template and negotiate terms as needed.

For health-adjacent categories requiring a Business Associate Agreement (BAA), we assess system scope to confirm HIPAA eligibility prior to signature.

Where is data hosted and how is it encrypted?

Data is hosted in US-based data centers with geographic redundancy (primary and failover). All traffic uses TLS 1.2+ encryption, and data at rest leverages industry-standard AES-256 encryption.

Backups are encrypted, versioned, and retained on a rolling 30-day schedule with point-in-time recovery capability.

What is your incident response process?

We maintain a 24/7 on-call rotation for critical incidents. Triage begins within 60 minutes of detection. Stakeholders receive real-time updates via your preferred channel (Slack, email, SMS) until resolution.

Post-incident, we deliver a root-cause analysis report with corrective actions, timelines, and preventive measures. SLA credits apply where contractually defined.

Can we limit data sharing with third parties?

Absolutely. We document all sub-processors (shipping carriers, analytics platforms, payment processors), obtain your approval for additions, and support data-minimization modes when optional integrations are not essential to your workflow.

You can request a current sub-processor list and audit logs at any time.

What compliance certifications do you hold?

Our infrastructure partners maintain SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001, and PCI DSS Level 1 certifications. We undergo annual third-party security audits and maintain cyber liability insurance.

For clients in regulated industries, we provide compliance documentation packages on request.

How do you handle data retention and deletion requests?

We honor your retention policies and support GDPR/CCPA deletion requests. Customer PII is purged within 30 days of contract termination unless you require extended archival for accounting or legal purposes.

End-of-service data exports are provided in CSV or JSON format.

Pricing, Contracts & Terms

Transparent commercial terms, flexible engagement models, and what happens when you need to scale or pause.

How is pricing structured?

Pricing is based on monthly order volume, number of active SKUs, and platform count. We offer three tiers:

  • Core: Up to 1,000 orders/month, 2 platforms
  • Growth: Up to 5,000 orders/month, 4 platforms, weekend support
  • Enterprise: Unlimited orders, unlimited platforms, dedicated account manager, SLA credits

Custom pricing available for high-volume brands (10k+ orders/month) and private-label sellers.

Are there setup fees or long-term contracts?

A one-time setup fee covers onboarding, migration, and integration configuration. Ongoing service is month-to-month after an initial 90-day commitment period to ensure proper launch and stabilization.

Annual contracts receive a 15% discount and priority support queue access.

What's included vs. what costs extra?

All plans include order management, inventory sync, basic reporting, and business-hours support. Additional services billed separately:

  • Amazon PPC and advertising management (% of ad spend)
  • Custom integrations or API development (project-based)
  • 24/7 support and weekend coverage (Growth tier and above)
  • A+ content creation, photography, and creative services
Can we pause or scale down service?

Yes. You can scale down to a lower tier with 30 days' notice. Seasonal pauses (e.g., off-season for certain categories) can be negotiated with a reduced retainer to maintain platform access and reporting continuity.

What happens if we outgrow a tier mid-month?

If you exceed your plan's order or SKU limit, we bill the overage at a prorated rate. We'll proactively recommend a tier upgrade to optimize cost efficiency. No service interruption occurs during tier transitions.

How does offboarding work?

We require 30 days' notice for contract termination. During offboarding, we provide:

  • Full data export (orders, inventory, customer records, reports)
  • Documentation of active workflows, integrations, and credentials
  • Transition support to your internal team or new vendor

All access is revoked within 7 days of termination, and data is purged per your retention policy.

Technical & Platform Details

Deep dive into platform capabilities, API integrations, and technical requirements.

Which ERPs and WMS systems do you integrate with?

We have pre-built connectors for NetSuite, Cin7, Brightpearl, ShipStation, ShipBob, and 3PL Central. For custom ERPs, we support CSV/FTP feeds, REST APIs, and EDI 850/856 document exchange.

Integration timelines vary: vetted connectors go live in 3–5 days; custom API integrations typically require 2–3 weeks for development and QA.

Do you support international selling (cross-border)?

Yes. We manage multi-currency pricing, localized content, and compliance for VAT, GST, and customs documentation. We support Amazon's Pan-European FBA, Shopify Markets, and eBay Global Shipping Program.

Landed cost calculation, HS code management, and restricted goods screening are included in Growth and Enterprise plans.

Can you handle subscription and recurring orders?

Yes. We integrate with Recharge, Bold Subscriptions, and native Shopify subscriptions. We manage recurring order generation, billing retries, churn notifications, and customer portal configuration.

What happens during platform outages (e.g., Shopify downtime)?

We monitor platform status pages and webhook delivery rates in real time. During outages, we queue orders and sync once connectivity is restored. Critical alerts are escalated immediately, and we coordinate with platform support on your behalf.

Do you support headless commerce or custom storefronts?

Yes. We integrate via Shopify Storefront API, Commercetools, BigCommerce for WordPress, and custom React/Next.js storefronts. We configure product feeds, cart APIs, and checkout webhooks to maintain operational continuity.

Can you manage multi-brand or white-label operations?

Absolutely. We support multi-tenant environments with isolated inventories, brand-specific workflows, and consolidated reporting. Each brand can have dedicated catalogs, pricing strategies, and customer support personas.

Still Have Questions?

Our operations team is ready to discuss your specific setup, integrations, and compliance requirements. Schedule a technical deep-dive or send us your questions directly.