4. Ecommerce

One of the key features of a multi-agency job board is the facility to "sell" access to the system. In particular, for users to pay for job postings. This allows the system to be monetized.

JobSouk comes with Stripe payment support built-in. The payment system architecture is designed in a way to enable similar integrations for other payment systems to be added, either to replace, or to run alongside the existing payment systems.

Furthermore, the PWA (progressive web application) option includes a mobile app which implements Google Play's billing API, and so can also monetize an alternative stream through subscriptions.

4.1. Setting up ecommerce

4.1.1. Config settings

If you wish to enable the ecommerce functionality, login to the admin area and go to the config settings.

Change general.ecommerce.enabled to "checked".

The jobboard.ecommerce.basecountry setting should be the two-letter ISO code of the country in which your job board is based. This is used to determine if tax should be applied to orders, based on the location of the user making the purchase.

jobboard.ecommerce.basecurrency should be set to the three-letter ISO currency code, for example USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, etc. This is used to ensure pricing is clear to users, and also passed through to the payment system so the correct amount is billed.

jobboard.ecommerce.credits.price is the price in currency units (of the above currency) for one credit, excluding tax.

jobboard.ecommerce.credits.taxrate is the prevailing sales tax or VAT rate applied to orders in the base country specified above. Typically this is only charged to orders from users in the same jurisdiction.

jobboard.ecommerce.vatnumber is the tax ID or VAT number of the company operating the job board. In the case of EU countries, ensure the correct two-letter prefix is present.

4.1.2. EU VAT handling

If your job board is based in a country within the EU (European Union), and you have entered a VAT number in jobboard.ecommerce.vatnumber, the system will automatically handle EU VAT behaviour.

The user must enter their billing address before the option to purchase credits is available. Once they do, the country is checked, and if it is in the EU, then a VAT number field is presented to them. This is an option field. If not filled, the order will be processed with VAT regardless.

If a VAT number is entered, it will be validated instantly using the EU's online service, and either a green tick or red cross shown next to it.

If the number is invalid, the order can still be completed, but the VAT handling will assume there is no valid EU VAT number.

4.2. Credits

The primary ecommerce functionality in JobSouk is built around the concept of credits. Credits can be purchased and then spent with each job posting. The system retains information on the number of credits purchased, versus the number spent on job postings, in order to keep track of the balance available.

This approach is more efficient than paying for individual job postings, as a single payment process can provide for multiple job postings, so a busy company can make one large credit purchase rather than dozens of small ones, significantly streamlining operations.

4.2.1. Purchasing credits

4.2.1.1. Fill out your company address

You must first fill in your company address. This ensures the system knows where your business is located.

If you entered a country in the EU, you will also be able to enter your EU VAT number. This is used to determine if tax will be charged to you or not. The value you enter will be validated, showing either a green tick or an "invalid" message. An invalid or missing EU VAT number will not prevent you being able to purchase credits, but the order will be processed as if you did not have a valid EU VAT number.

4.2.1.2. Setting up a company

Only company owners may purchase credits. Other user types will not see the credits option on their menu and would not be permitted by the system to view the credit page.

So the first step to purchasing credits, even if you're an individual and only intend posting jobs yourself, is to create a company record. Please see @3.2.1. Company‍ for more information.

4.2.1.3. Enter quantity

The "Purchase Credits" section shows the per credit price and a box to enter a quantity. Once you enter a value, the price calculation will show a total price including any tax due. If multiple payment systems are set up by the site owner, there will be a menu to let you choose which method to use.

The "Buy" button will take you to the payment system to complete the process. The credits should be available once you have completed the formalities.