How Hoolam works, in pictures

Every picture Hoolam sends in WhatsApp, step by step. The buyer’s money waits safely with Hoolam until the item arrives, then the seller is paid.

Hoolam on WhatsApp: an order for 2 pairs of sneakers, the money held safely, the handover code, the buyer happy and the seller paid
The whole order, in one chatNo app to download. It all happens on WhatsApp.
Hoolam on WhatsApp, the buyer’s phone: the money is held safely until she’s happy
The buyer pays HoolamThe money is held safely, not sent to the seller.
Hoolam on WhatsApp, the vendor’s phone: paid to her bank once the buyer is happy
The vendor gets paidOnce the buyer is happy, straight to the bank.

An order, start to finish

What the buyer and the seller see in WhatsApp, from the first message to the seller getting paid.

Hoolam on WhatsApp: How Hoolam works. The buyer pays Hoolam, Hoolam holds the money, and the seller is paid when the buyer is happy.
How Hoolam worksThe buyer pays Hoolam, Hoolam holds the money, and the seller is paid when the buyer is happy.
Hoolam on WhatsApp: Step 1: the order is sent. The buyer or the seller starts the order on WhatsApp, and the other side gets it.
Step 1: the order is sentThe buyer or the seller starts the order on WhatsApp, and the other side gets it.
Hoolam on WhatsApp: A new order arrives. The item, the price, and how the money is kept safe, in one picture.
A new order arrivesThe item, the price, and how the money is kept safe, in one picture.
Hoolam on WhatsApp: Check the order. Both sides see the same details before anything is paid.
Check the orderBoth sides see the same details before anything is paid.
Hoolam on WhatsApp: The seller’s trust card. Before paying, the buyer sees the seller’s record: orders completed and happy buyers.
The seller’s trust cardBefore paying, the buyer sees the seller’s record: orders completed and happy buyers.
Hoolam on WhatsApp: Step 2: waiting for payment. The seller accepts, and the buyer is asked to pay Hoolam.
Step 2: waiting for paymentThe seller accepts, and the buyer is asked to pay Hoolam.
Hoolam on WhatsApp: How to pay. A one-time account just for this order. Pay by bank transfer from any bank.
How to payA one-time account just for this order. Pay by bank transfer from any bank.
Hoolam on WhatsApp: Step 3: the money is held. The money is with Hoolam, not the seller. Nobody can touch it.
Step 3: the money is heldThe money is with Hoolam, not the seller. Nobody can touch it.
Hoolam on WhatsApp: Money held safely. The buyer and the seller both see that the money is ready.
Money held safelyThe buyer and the seller both see that the money is ready.
Hoolam on WhatsApp: Step 4: on the way. The seller sends the item, knowing the money is waiting for them.
Step 4: on the wayThe seller sends the item, knowing the money is waiting for them.
Hoolam on WhatsApp: The handover code. The buyer gives this code only when the item is in their hand.
The handover codeThe buyer gives this code only when the item is in their hand.
Hoolam on WhatsApp: For the rider or driver. What the person delivering the item gets.
For the rider or driverWhat the person delivering the item gets.
Hoolam on WhatsApp: Step 5: check it. The buyer opens it, checks it well, then taps I’m happy or Problem.
Step 5: check itThe buyer opens it, checks it well, then taps I’m happy or Problem.
Hoolam on WhatsApp: Order complete. The buyer is happy, so the order is done.
Order completeThe buyer is happy, so the order is done.
Hoolam on WhatsApp: Step 6: paid out. The seller’s money goes straight to their bank account.
Step 6: paid outThe seller’s money goes straight to their bank account.
Hoolam on WhatsApp: The seller is paid. The seller sees exactly what was sent to their bank.
The seller is paidThe seller sees exactly what was sent to their bank.
Hoolam on WhatsApp: The fees. One small fee per order, shown before anyone pays.
The feesOne small fee per order, shown before anyone pays.

The order forms

Most orders are filled in a short WhatsApp form. These are its pictures.

Hoolam on WhatsApp: Hoolam holds your money. The first screen of the Buy and Sell forms.
Hoolam holds your moneyThe first screen of the Buy and Sell forms.
Hoolam on WhatsApp: Check your order. The last screen before Send, with the real total.
Check your orderThe last screen before Send, with the real total.
Hoolam on WhatsApp: Where the money is now. One order in My orders, with the real amount.
Where the money is nowOne order in My orders, with the real amount.

If something goes wrong

The money freezes while a Hoolam rep sorts it out. Wrong item? The buyer gets all their money back.

Hoolam on WhatsApp: The money is frozen. Tap Problem and nobody can touch the money while a rep sorts it out.
The money is frozenTap Problem and nobody can touch the money while a rep sorts it out.
Hoolam on WhatsApp: Refund sent. When the buyer is owed, all their money goes back to their bank.
Refund sentWhen the buyer is owed, all their money goes back to their bank.

Staying safe

How to know it’s really Hoolam, and why we check ID.

Hoolam on WhatsApp: Is it really Hoolam?. Hoolam only messages you from one number, and never asks for your PIN or OTP.
Is it really Hoolam?Hoolam only messages you from one number, and never asks for your PIN or OTP.
Hoolam on WhatsApp: Why we check ID. A quick BVN or NIN check keeps scammers out.
Why we check IDA quick BVN or NIN check keeps scammers out.
Hoolam on WhatsApp: The ID check form. The first screen of the ID check.
The ID check formThe first screen of the ID check.
Hoolam on WhatsApp: Where the order code is. Got an order code from a seller? This is where to find it.
Where the order code isGot an order code from a seller? This is where to find it.

For sellers

The trust card buyers see before they pay, and how to share it.

Hoolam on WhatsApp: A sample trust card. What buyers see about a seller before they pay.
A sample trust cardWhat buyers see about a seller before they pay.
Hoolam on WhatsApp: Share it on your status. The trust card, sized for a WhatsApp status.
Share it on your statusThe trust card, sized for a WhatsApp status.
Hoolam on WhatsApp: A good photo. A clear photo of your face helps buyers trust you.
A good photoA clear photo of your face helps buyers trust you.

The Hoolam market

Items from sellers near you, bought with the money held as usual.

Hoolam on WhatsApp: Near you first. The first time a buyer browses, they choose where to look.
Near you firstThe first time a buyer browses, they choose where to look.
Hoolam on WhatsApp: An item in the market. Swipe through items, see more, and buy with the money held.
An item in the marketSwipe through items, see more, and buy with the money held.
Hoolam on WhatsApp: Marketplace for sellers. A seller’s items: live, sold out and views this week.
Marketplace for sellersA seller’s items: live, sold out and views this week.

Seller levels and reports

Sellers move up as they complete orders, and get their month on one picture.

Hoolam on WhatsApp: Moving up a level. Sellers become Rising, Pro or Top sellers as they complete orders.
Moving up a levelSellers become Rising, Pro or Top sellers as they complete orders.
Hoolam on WhatsApp: All seller levels. Every level, and what it takes to reach it.
All seller levelsEvery level, and what it takes to reach it.
Hoolam on WhatsApp: The monthly seller report. A seller’s month on one picture: sales, orders and a tip.
The monthly seller reportA seller’s month on one picture: sales, orders and a tip.

Hoolam Riders

Send a package with a rider. The rider is paid only when the receiver gives their collection code.

Hoolam on WhatsApp: Send a package. What happens, in four steps.
Send a packageWhat happens, in four steps.
Hoolam on WhatsApp: The price. The route, the distance and what you pay, before you pay.
The priceThe route, the distance and what you pay, before you pay.
Hoolam on WhatsApp: Your rider. The rider’s photo, name and plate, with your code.
Your riderThe rider’s photo, name and plate, with your code.
Hoolam on WhatsApp: A job for riders. What riders see when a delivery comes in.
A job for ridersWhat riders see when a delivery comes in.
Hoolam on WhatsApp: Delivered. The receiver gave the code, so the rider is paid.
DeliveredThe receiver gave the code, so the rider is paid.
Hoolam on WhatsApp: A rider’s day. Jobs and earnings today and this week, and whether they’re available.
A rider’s dayJobs and earnings today and this week, and whether they’re available.
Hoolam on WhatsApp: Ride with Hoolam. Delivery jobs in the areas you choose.
Ride with HoolamDelivery jobs in the areas you choose.

Hoolam ambassadors

People who bring sellers and buyers to Hoolam, and earn from their completed orders.

Hoolam on WhatsApp: Become an ambassador. Earn from the orders of the sellers and buyers you bring.
Become an ambassadorEarn from the orders of the sellers and buyers you bring.
Hoolam on WhatsApp: Welcome, ambassador. An ambassador goes live with their own link.
Welcome, ambassadorAn ambassador goes live with their own link.
Hoolam on WhatsApp: An ambassador’s month. What they earned and who they brought.
An ambassador’s monthWhat they earned and who they brought.

On our website

The photos across hoolam.com.

The Hoolam logo icon
The Hoolam logo iconOn every page of hoolam.com, and as the icon in your browser tab.
Buyer (Hoolam)
BuyerOn the home page of hoolam.com.
Seller (Hoolam)
SellerOn the home page of hoolam.com.
Ivana waiting for a seller who blocked her (Hoolam)
Ivana waiting for a seller who blocked herOn the home page of hoolam.com.
A rider calling a buyer who won’t pick up (Hoolam)
A rider calling a buyer who won’t pick upOn the home page of hoolam.com.
Ivana starting an order in WhatsApp (Hoolam)
Ivana starting an order in WhatsAppOn the home page of hoolam.com.
Mama Bella packing the order at her stall (Hoolam)
Mama Bella packing the order at her stallOn the home page of hoolam.com.
Ivana receiving her package at the door (Hoolam)
Ivana receiving her package at the doorOn the home page of hoolam.com.
Mama Bella getting paid (Hoolam)
Mama Bella getting paidOn the home page of hoolam.com.
Mama Bella, a seller on Hoolam
Mama Bella, a seller on HoolamOn the home page of hoolam.com.

Stickers

The little stickers Hoolam sends at happy moments.

Hoolam on WhatsApp: Held. The money is held safely.
HeldThe money is held safely.
Hoolam on WhatsApp: Paid!. Money sent to the bank.
Paid!Money sent to the bank.
Hoolam on WhatsApp: Verified. Their ID is checked.
VerifiedTheir ID is checked.
Hoolam on WhatsApp: Thank you. After a buyer rates a seller.
Thank youAfter a buyer rates a seller.
Hoolam on WhatsApp: Well done. Someone joined with an ambassador’s link.
Well doneSomeone joined with an ambassador’s link.
Hoolam on WhatsApp: New on Hoolam. A seller who hasn’t reached a level yet.
New on HoolamA seller who hasn’t reached a level yet.
Hoolam on WhatsApp: Rising seller. The first seller level.
Rising sellerThe first seller level.
Hoolam on WhatsApp: Pro seller. The second seller level.
Pro sellerThe second seller level.
Hoolam on WhatsApp: Top seller. The highest seller level.
Top sellerThe highest seller level.

Your next order can be a safe one

Start on WhatsApp. It takes about a minute.