1. General Questions

Q1: What is Material Souq?
Material Souq is a B2B inquiry-based marketplace specifically designed for the building materials and chemicals sectors in the GCC. Our platform connects buyers and suppliers through lead generation, enabling direct communication for business needs without handling transactions or logistics.

Q2: How does an inquiry-based marketplace work?
In an inquiry-based marketplace like Material Souq, buyers submit detailed inquiries about the materials or services they need. These inquiries are matched with relevant suppliers, who respond directly with quotes or additional information, allowing buyers to make informed purchasing decisions.

Q3: Who can use Material Souq?
Material Souq is open to businesses in the building materials and chemicals industries. Buyers include contractors, procurement managers, and project managers, while suppliers are manufacturers and distributors in the GCC and beyond.

2. For Buyers

Q1: How do I submit an inquiry?
To submit an inquiry, first register and create a buyer account. Once logged in, browse the product categories, select your desired item or service, and click on Submit Inquiry. Fill in the necessary details like quantity, specifications, and budget, and submit.

Q2: How will I receive responses to my inquiry?
Once you submit an inquiry, it will be matched with relevant suppliers who will respond directly through the platform. You’ll receive notifications as responses arrive and can view all responses in your Inbox.

Q3: Can I communicate with suppliers directly?
Yes, Material Souq provides an in-platform messaging feature for direct communication. You can discuss terms, ask for additional product details, or negotiate pricing directly with suppliers.

Q4: Are there any costs for buyers?
No, buyers can register and use Material Souq to submit inquiries and connect with suppliers at no cost.

Q5: How does Material Souq ensure the quality of suppliers?
All suppliers on Material Souq are vetted to ensure they meet industry standards. Additionally, user feedback, ratings, and engagement metrics help maintain a high-quality supplier pool.

3. For Suppliers

Q1: How can I join Material Souq as a supplier?
To join as a supplier, register and select a subscription plan that suits your business needs (Basic, Standard, or Premium). Complete your profile with detailed product listings, including descriptions, specifications, and certifications.

Q2: How does lead generation work for suppliers?
Material Souq connects you with buyers who submit inquiries relevant to your products. Based on your profile and subscription level, you’ll receive inquiries in your Leads section. You can respond to these leads directly, providing quotes and additional information.

Q3: What subscription options are available?
We offer three subscription plans:

• Basic Plan: Standard visibility and access to a limited number of leads.
• Standard Plan: Enhanced visibility with priority access to more inquiries.
• Premium Plan: Maximum visibility, priority listing, and exclusive access to high-value inquiries.

Q4: Can I purchase additional leads?
Yes, in addition to your subscription plan, Material Souq offers a pay-per-lead option. This allows you to purchase individual leads on demand, based on your business needs.

Q5: How do I optimize my profile to attract more leads?
Our AI-powered profile optimization tool provides suggestions to enhance your profile and product listings. Use it to improve descriptions, highlight certifications, and make your listings more attractive to buyers.

4. Subscription and Payment

Q1: What’s included in each subscription plan?
Each plan includes different levels of visibility and lead access:

• Basic: Standard profile visibility and access to a select number of leads.
• Standard: Priority listing and more lead opportunities.
• Premium: Maximum exposure, exclusive leads, and a top position in search results.

Q2: How do I pay for my subscription?
Subscription payments are made online through our secure payment processor. You can choose monthly or annual billing based on your business needs.

Q3: Are payments refundable?
Payments for subscriptions and individual leads are non-refundable, except in cases of error by Material Souq.

Q4: How does the pay-per-lead option work?
Suppliers can purchase additional leads on an as-needed basis. The cost per lead will be displayed before purchase, and each lead can be purchased directly from the Leads section in your dashboard.

5. Security and Data Privacy

Q1: How does Material Souq protect my data?
Material Souq uses SSL encryption for secure data transmission and stores your information on secure servers. We also implement role-based access controls and conduct regular security audits to ensure your data is safe.

Q2: Does Material Souq share my information with third parties?
No, Material Souq does not sell or share your personal information with third parties for marketing purposes. We may share data with third-party service providers only when necessary to operate the platform (e.g., payment processors) and always under strict confidentiality agreements.

Q3: How do you use AI on the platform?
Material Souq leverages AI to improve lead targeting, optimize profiles, and personalize recommendations. These AI-driven tools help enhance the user experience but are used only to support platform functionality. Our AI tools do not make final decisions on user interactions.

Q4: Is my payment information secure?
Yes, all payments are processed through PCI-compliant third-party processors. Material Souq does not store your payment information directly.

6. AI and Lead Generation

Q1: How does AI improve lead generation?
Material Souq’s AI-driven algorithms match buyer inquiries with the most relevant suppliers based on their profiles, engagement history, and product categories. This helps ensure buyers receive accurate responses and suppliers are connected with high-quality leads.

Q2: Can AI personalize my search results?
Yes, Material Souq’s AI-powered recommendation engine personalizes your search results based on past inquiries, profile details, and interactions, making it easier for you to find relevant products or suppliers.

Q3: How does AI optimize my profile?
AI provides content suggestions to improve your profile’s visibility and relevance. This includes keyword recommendations, description enhancements, and content alignment with high-demand product categories.

7. Using the Platform

Q1: How do I navigate the dashboard?
The dashboard is your control center. Here, you can view inquiries, manage leads, check analytics, and communicate with other users. Suppliers will also find profile optimization tools and lead tracking metrics here.

Q2: What if I encounter issues on the platform?
Our support team is available to assist you. Use the in-platform chatbot, email, or live chat to reach our support team for any questions or technical issues.

Q3: Can I view my platform activity and analytics?
Yes, Material Souq provides activity insights and analytics to help you monitor engagement, track leads, and optimize your performance.

Q4: How do I update my account details?
To update your account or profile information, navigate to Account Settings in the dashboard. Here you can change your contact information, update your profile, or modify your subscription plan.

If you have any other questions or need assistance, please feel free to contact us at support@materialsouq.com. Our team is here to help make your experience on Material Souq productive, secure, and efficient.