Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) has been set up under the guidance of the Ministry of Commerce, to democratise the ecommerce sector in India and make it more inclusive and accessible to consumers. The idea of Open Network goes beyond the current platform-centric digital commerce model where the buyer and seller must use the same platform/ application to do a business transaction. Instead, in ONDC’s network-centric model, so long as platforms/applications are connected to the open network, buyers and sellers can transact no matter what platform/application they use to be digitally visible.

The goal of ONDC is to enable a level playing field for all participants in the digital commerce space, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), by providing open access to various digital commerce infrastructure components. This initiative seeks to promote fair competition, innovation, and consumer protection in the digital commerce sector in India.

By joining the ONDC network as a seller, you gain exposure for your products across the ONDC network, potentially attracting orders from customers through various buyer applications.

To register as a seller on the ONDC network, the primary prerequisite is an online store featuring product listings compliant with ONDC mandatory requirements. Once the online store setup is finalised, proceed by following the step-by-step instructions outlined in the tutorial video to complete your registration process on the ONDC Network.

It typically takes about 48 hours for products to start appearing on the ONDC network. However the approval process for listing on the ONDC network is totally automated, therefore it is crucial that you ensure compliance with all the ONDC mandatory requirements.

You should review your online store and ensure compliance with all the ONDC mandatory requirements, you can refer to the tutorial video to better understand the ONDC mandatory requirements and how to comply with them. Additionally, if you are facing difficulty in complying with any of the ONDC mandatory requirements then you can also reach out to our helpdesk at info@linker.store

After registration, you have the flexibility to update or change any information as needed. It's particularly crucial to ensure accurate updates for Bank Account details, else it may pose an issue with payment disbursal.

It is a two step process, in the first step you map your products with the ONDC category and in the subsequent step you have to add the ONDC mandatory information. Please refer to the tutorial video to better understand both the steps.

An order received through ONDC can be easily identified.

Firstly, the order series is different; orders received on your online store will have order numbers starting from LS, whereas an ONDC order will have an order number without LS.

Secondly, "ONDC" will be written just below the order date and time.

Thirdly, the BAP ID, which is the name of the buyer application from which the order is received, will be displayed below the payment status.

Lastly, the Transaction No and ONDC Order ID will also be mentioned.

Additionally, in the order management section, we have provided a filter for ONDC Orders. You can use the same to filter out the ONDC Orders.

GlobalLinker runs on a highly secured environment. In addition, our Payment Gateway partner, ICICI/IMS adhere to very strict security standards and comply with PCI requirements.

Hence, payment transactions made on GlobalLinker are very secure.

Indian Business Portal (IBP) is a B2B digital marketplace that has been designed and developed by the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) to empower you, an SME exporter, to identify new markets for your products and grow your sales with new buyers. It is a free platform that allows you to create an online profile, upload product catalogues, and connect with potential buyers from around the world.

Among others, IBP offers three significant features to help you export your products:

Online marketplace: IBP provides a platform for you to connect with potential buyers from around the world. Buyers can search for products by name, supplier name, or HSN codes.

Product catalogues: You can upload your online product catalogues to IBP, which can be viewed by potential buyers and they can generate inquiries.

Matchmaking services: IBP offers matchmaking services to help you connect with potential buyers who are interested in your products.

Also, buyers are regularly posting RFQs on IBP. You can access these to review demand for your products.

Among others, IBP offers three significant features to help you export your products:

Online marketplace: IBP provides a platform for you to connect with potential buyers from around the world. Buyers can search for products by name, supplier name, or HSN codes.

Product catalogues: You can upload your online product catalogues to IBP, which can be viewed by potential buyers and they can generate inquiries.

Matchmaking services: IBP offers matchmaking services to help you connect with potential buyers who are interested in your products.

Also, buyers are regularly posting RFQs on IBP. You can access these to review demand for your products.

No, you don't have to pay any fees for getting your online store listed on Indian Business Portal

You can get listed on the Indian Business Portal if you are either a manufacturer or a trader. In order to get listed, you need to sign up on FIEO GlobalLinker and create your online store with us which is completely free. Click here to sign up.

Once you have signed up and created your online store, then our internal team reviews it and adds it to the Indian Business Portal within 2 working days if the store meets the review criteria.

We verify the status of your IEC as listed on the DGFT website. If you encounter any challenges in verifying your IEC, please follow these steps:

• Confirm the status of your IEC by visiting https://www.dgft.gov.in/CP/?opt=view-any-iec.
• If the IEC status displays as anything other than active (such as cancelled, expired, or suspended), kindly reach out to the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) to address the verification issue.
• Once DGFT resolves the IEC concern, proceed to add/update your IEC in your online store's seller panel by navigating to Store Settings >> Store Details >> About Your Export.

In the meantime, we recommend selecting the "Do not have IEC" option in the ‘About your exports’ form during the online store setup and continue with your store setup.

If the status is active on DGFT and you are still unable to proceed, please don't hesitate to contact our Helpdesk with screenshots of the pages on the seller panel and the DGFT website for us to quickly resolve the issue.

Supplier Spotlight gives small businesses great visibility within the GlobalLinker network. When you are in the spotlight, it stands out on the timeline, boosting your visibility, and attracting more profile, connections, inquiries, and orders. To know how to click here to view the criteria to get featured.

To grab the spotlight, make sure your profile:
1. Is more than 85% complete
2. Is successfully verified (Note: If verification is applicable to your country, then this check will be there. To know if you need to verify your profile, visit your profile to see if you see a tick or a prompt to 'Verify your Company')
3. Has the Profile picture of the Company Admin
4. Has the Company Logo
5. Has the Company Banner
6. Has the Company Description
7. Has at least 3 products published and your store is also published, incase you have a store. 

You can update these right from your profile. Just keep an eye on your profile meter to reach the 85% completion rate. Visit your profile by clicking here.

Note: Catalogues are always published and displayed on the company profile. Stores will have their own unique web urls and require to be published to meet criteria #7.

The Supplier Spotlight feature rotates, giving different SMEs a chance to shine. If you were featured before and aren't now, don't worry. It's just the spotlight moving around to showcase various businesses within the GlobalLinker network.
It may also be that the criteria required to be in the spotlight may not have been met. Refer to this list to know the criteria.
Keep your profile updated, and you might find yourself in the spotlight again soon!

Offers is a collection of products and services relevant to Small Businesses and offered by reputed organizations. These services are selected by GlobalLinker, to help you save precious time, effort and money! Business Services on GlobalLinker come on specially negotiated terms, are often specially packaged for you and your Company and come with simplified forms, prefilled with information, where available and relevant. In addition, as an SME too can list their services via Member Offers.

You may access products or services by either of these ways:

• Select ‘Offers’ from the menu and click on ‘Interested’ under My Offers
• Under 'View All' option within Offers (when the section is open).

You can invite your colleagues/employees by performing the following:

• Post signing in, select your logo/picture or initials on the top right and click on ‘My Connections’
  
• Select 'Invite to GlobalLinker' from the right, enter details of your colleagues/employees you may want to invite to GlobalLinker and click on 'INVITE'
• Your invitation to connect with you on GlobalLinker will be sent via email

Note: The Company Admin can also set up an auto-accept for all company members with email IDs ending with your company domain via Company Settings by clicking here.

GlobalLinker is a unique business networking solution built for Small and Medium Enterprises to help better manage & grow their business. Using your GlobalLinker account you can:

1. Invite your Business Contacts: GlobalLinker is committed to make business networking simpler and convenient for small businesses. The first step to building your network on GlobalLinker is to invite all your contacts (colleagues, suppliers, clients and peers) to sign up on GlobalLinker.

• Post signing in, select your logo/picture or initials on the top right and click on ‘My Connections’. Under 'Invite to GlobalLinker' from the right, select ‘Invite other businesses’, enter details of the contacts you may want to invite to GlobalLinker
• Additionally, invited contacts will have to sign up on GlobalLinker and create their individual accounts.

        2. Connect with like-minded SMEs: GlobalLinker offers a unique feature of searching for links using the location or industry filter. This helps you establish connections with potential clients, suppliers and customers in your industry. Follow below simple steps to link with new Members and grow your GlobalLinker network:

• Post signing in, select the ‘Connections’ icon (next to ‘Home’ icon) from the Menu. Select 'Add Connections' from the right. You may want to search for:
  • A Member in a specific location:  Select the location by entering the desired city from ‘Advanced Search Filters’. By default, your city is already selected.
  • Industry specific Members: Please choose your selections from 'Advance Search Filters' and click on 'SEARCH'

You will get a list of eBiz Cards as your search result. Click on individual 'CONNECT' buttons to send your connection request to the desired contact(s).

Searching for new business links on GlobalLinker is very easy. Follow the below simple steps:

• Post signing in, select the ‘Connections’ icon (next to ‘Home’ icon) from the Menu.
• Select 'Add Connections' from the right and enter the products and services you are looking for. eBiz Cards of those who match your requirement will show up dynamically, and you may review their profiles and invite them to connect with you
• Additionally, you may narrow the selection by selecting location, industry etc. If you are looking for someone specific, you may enter the details in the ‘Add Connections’ search bar

Note: You may use the 'Recommended' section at the bottom of the 'Search Connections' page to view our suggestions based on your industry and products and services you offer and seek

Searching for new business connections on GlobalLinker is very easy. Follow the below simple steps:

• Post signing in, select the ‘Connections’ icon (next to ‘Home’ icon) from the Menu
• Select 'Add Connections' from the right and enter the products and services you are looking for. eBiz Cards of those who match your requirement will show up dynamically, and you may review their profiles and invite them to connect with you.
• Additionally, you may narrow the selection by selecting location, industry etc. If you are looking for someone specific, you may enter the details in the ‘Add Connections’ search bar

Note: You may use the 'Recommended' section at the bottom of the 'Search Connections' page to view our suggestions based on your industry and products and services you offer and seek.

To remove a connection from your network, follow these simple steps:

• Post signing in, select your logo/picture or initials on the top right and click on ‘My Connections’
• Under 'My Connections' section, look for the desired eBiz Card and click on 'x' on the eBiz Card
• Confirm to remove the connection from your network

Note: Since your Company connections are a part of your Company Network, company connections cannot be removed from your Network.

Introductions allow Members to link with other Members via a common Link. You may request for an introduction to a Member 2* (degrees) away from you. When you click on ‘Invite’ option for such a Member, you will see an option of 'Getting introduced by a common link'. You may click on this link, and seek an introduction.

You can invite your contacts by performing the following:

Post signing in, select your logo/picture or initials on the top right and click on My Connections from the Menu. You may choose options under 'Invite to GlobalLinker' from the right panel:

• To invite your colleagues: Under ‘Invite to GlobalLinker' on the right select ‘Invite Colleagues’ and enter details of the contacts you may want to invite and click on 'CONNECT'. Alternatively, you may scroll down to send a group invitation request to all your colleagues, by scrolling down to the 'Import Contact file' section.

Buyers visiting GlobalLinker Marketplace, raise their requirements by using a 'Request for a Quotation' or making their inquiries public. You may follow these simple steps to respond to a buyer lead:

1. Click to to view the full details of the lead; also titled as 'Request for Quotations'.
2. Scroll to the bottom of the lead page and click on ‘Reply’.
3. Link your product, update the price, quantity, and terms, and upload any relevant images.
4. Click ‘Submit’ to send your response to the buyer.

You will view them at these following places:

• On your home page as you sign in

• RFQ Page dedicated for all RFQs

Articles or Discussions selected as interested are added in the 'Interested' folder for easy access. You may access these by either of these ways:

• Select ‘Knowledge’ from the menu and click on ‘Interested’ under Articles or Discussions
• Select 'Interested' under ‘View All' option on the top right within Articles or Discussions (when the respective section is open).

The Knowledge forum helps your businesses and employees stay updated with information relevant to your industry. It does this by presenting news from a range of trusted sources, articles/features and discussions on a range of topics. You may ask a question, respond to questions or comments and share articles and discussions with others.

Articles published on GlobalLinker are classified into 'Topics' which may be of your interest. The 'Topic' of an article is mentioned under the article title. To view all articles under a Topic, you may:

• Click on a topic under 'Popular Topics' on the Articles home page

                  or

• Select View All topics and choose a topic from the list of Topics displayed.

Posting comments is a simple way to express your opinions and views; and share insights with other Members on an article or a discussion on Biz Forum. Look for the 'Comment' button at the bottom of an article, under a discussion and add your comment.

Do note, your business profile needs to be verified for you to post on GlobalLinker. Click here to know more about verification.

We at GlobalLinker, firmly believe, that our Members have great insights, tips and opinions which will be of high relevance to their peers and SMEs. Thus we invite you to contribute articles to our informative & popular 'Articles' section.

Visit our 'Write an Article' page by clicking on the 'WRITE AN ARTICLE' button on the Articles home page and follow the steps mentioned there.

Look for the 'Report Abuse' link under a Comment or an article posted; select your reason for reporting this comment.

You may share articles with a colleague/friend not registered on GlobalLinker using these options:

• Share articles via Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter
• Copy the unique article link to share via email or message via the ‘link’ icon

 Discussions can only be shared with your connections in your Network. You may also invite your colleagues/ friends to Sign up for GlobalLinker to read our articles and discussions

The Knowledge forum helps your business and employees stay updated with information relevant to your industry. It does this by presenting news from a range of trusted sources, articles/features and discussions on a range of topics. You may also connect with other businesses by asking questions, responding to questions or comments and by sharing articles and discussions with others.

Please follow the below steps:

• Sign In to GlobalLinker
• To the right of the 'Search' and 'Notification', click on the ‘Biz Cart’ button
• You will see a list of all your pending orders

Offers is a collection of products and services relevant to Small Businesses and offered by reputed organisations. You can find the product of your choice by performing the following steps:

• Post signing in, select Biz Offers from the Menu
• Select ‘Popular Offers’, ‘Partners’ to view offers in your desired category
• Choose from a wide range of products and services offered by our Affiliate Partners

You may also view ‘Member Offers’ to view offers by members to you on various business services

If you are not satisfied with your purchase, please contact us using the Contact Us option.