Practice simulation by FreelanceSites: not the real Ricardo app, no account is created, nothing leaves your device.

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Practice simulation · Online shop seller

Ricardo, practice simulation

Open a shop, create your first listing, wait for an order, pack and ship it, then get paid. A coach explains every step and can do it for you.

Start practising 11 steps · ~8 min to play · 2 weeks to 3 months to a first payout in real life

Modelled on Ricardo's published rules, in FreelanceSites' own simplified design: not Ricardo's real app or screens.

Ricardo Practice
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The whole journey is written out step by step below, with the real-life time each part takes.

This practice run at a glance

11steps
~8 minto play
2 weeks to 3 monthsin real life to a first withdrawal

The real rules this practice run uses

From Ricardo's published pages, as recorded on its platform page. Check the platform itself before you join.

Fees
Free listing, success fee ~8-12% by category (min CHF 0.10, max CHF 290)
Payout methods
Bank transfer via Ricardo secure payment

The journey, step by step

What happens on a real online shop seller from sign-up to your first withdrawal, and how long each part takes. In total: 2 weeks to 3 months.

  1. Create your Ricardo account

    Every earning app starts with an account tied to your real name and email. Here you sign up as a demo person, so nothing about you is used.

    Typical estimate About 5 minutes

  2. Log in to Ricardo

    Real apps ask you to confirm your email and often turn on two-step login. Never reuse a password from another site, and only ever type it on the real site.

    Typical estimate A minute

  3. Complete your Ricardo profile

    Your profile is your shop window: photo, headline, skills and price. Buyers compare it with everyone else's before they pick you.

    Typical estimate 1 to 2 hours to set up a shop

  4. Verify your identity

    Most platforms check your ID before you can withdraw money. It stops fraud and is required by payment laws.

    Typical estimate ID checks often take minutes, sometimes a day or two

  5. Wait for Ricardo to approve you

    Platforms control who joins. Some let you in instantly, others review profiles, vet applications or keep a waitlist when they have enough people.

    Typical estimate Instant: you can start right away

  6. List an item and get an order on Ricardo

    A listing needs a clear title, photos and a price. Buyers find it through search, so the first order can take a while.

    Typical estimate A first sale can take weeks: listing, views, then an order

  7. Pack and ship the order

    Pack the item safely, buy a label and mark it shipped with tracking so the buyer and the platform can follow it.

    Typical estimate Pack and ship within 1 to 3 days

  8. Get approved and reviewed

    The buyer confirms the order is done and leaves a rating. Early reviews matter most: they decide who sees you next.

    Typical estimate Complete when delivered, often 3 to 10 days

  9. Ricardo takes its fee

    What the buyer pays is not what you keep. The platform fee comes off first, then your own costs.

    From Ricardo's published rules Instant

    Fees on Ricardo: Free listing, success fee ~8-12% by category (min CHF 0.10, max CHF 290)

  10. Wait for Ricardo to clear the money

    New earnings sit as "pending" for a while so refunds and disputes can be handled. You cannot withdraw them yet.

    Typical estimate Often a few days to a week

  11. Withdraw from Ricardo

    Pick a payout method and confirm. Bank transfers take a few days, wallets and instant cards can be faster but may charge a fee.

    From Ricardo's published rules Usually 1 to 5 days to arrive

    Payout methods on Ricardo: Bank transfer via Ricardo secure payment.

Where the money goes on one order

One sale: handmade ceramic mug$28.00
Platform fee (10%) Middle of Ricardo's published 8%–12% range−$2.80
What you keep$25.20

This is an educational practice run by FreelanceSites. It is not Ricardo's app and is not affiliated with Ricardo: only its published rules are used, in our own simplified design. Amounts marked illustrative are examples, and real times vary by country, demand and your own effort.