You've set up your profile. Now what? Knowing how customers actually search for and evaluate vendors helps you focus on the things that matter instead of spending time on things that don't.
How Customers Search
Most customers start on the search page or the homepage. They either type what they're looking for ("Nigerian caterer in Atlanta"), browse by culture or category page, or use the search filters.
When a customer searches by location, results show vendors within a radius of that area, sorted by proximity. If there aren't enough local results, the search expands automatically to show vendors nationwide.
Three things determine whether you show up in a customer's search:
Your categories and cultures. These are the primary filters. If a customer filters for "Catering & Food" vendors in the "Nigerian" culture, you only appear if both tags are on your profile. Double-check that your settings match what you actually offer.
Your location and service radius. Customers searching by city see vendors whose business address is nearby. A wider service radius means you appear in more searches, but only set it to areas you can realistically serve.
Your subscription tier. Professional vendors get a search ranking boost. Premium vendors get priority placement at the top. Basic vendors appear in standard order. If you're getting low visibility on Basic, an upgrade can make a tangible difference.
What Customers See Before They Click
In search results, customers see your vendor card. It shows your cover photo, business name, primary culture badge, category, city and state, starting price, and rating.
That's it. That's the entire decision point for whether they click or keep scrolling.
Your cover photo is doing most of the heavy lifting. It needs to be high quality, well-lit, and immediately communicate the type of work you do. A blurry shot from a dimly lit venue will lose to a clean, professional image every time.
Your starting price is also visible. Customers filter by budget mentally before they click. If your starting price is high, make sure your portfolio justifies it. If you offer a range, set your starting price to the lower end and let your packages show the full picture.
What Customers Look at on Your Profile
Once someone clicks through, they typically look at things in this order:
Portfolio photos. Always first. Customers scroll through your gallery before reading a word. They're looking for work that matches what they want: the right style, the right scale, the right cultural context. A decorator's portfolio should show full room setups, not just close-ups of flowers. A caterer's should show food presentation at actual events, not stock photos.
Your description. This is where they decide if you understand their specific needs. A Nigerian bride planning a traditional wedding won't inquiry a vendor whose description just says "ethnic cuisine." Be specific about which traditions, events, and cultures you serve.
Packages. Customers want to understand what they're getting and what it costs. Clear packages with specific inclusions make the decision easy. Vague packages that say "contact for pricing" on everything create friction and may cause customers to move on to a vendor who is upfront about costs.
Reviews. Even 2 or 3 reviews with specific feedback about real events can be the difference between a customer thinking "maybe" and "I'll reach out." This is why requesting reviews from booked clients matters.
FAQs. Good FAQs reduce barriers. "Do you travel outside the metro area?" "How far in advance do I need to book?" "Can you accommodate dietary restrictions?" Every answered question is one less reason to hesitate.
What Makes Customers Actually Send an Inquiry
After looking at a lot of vendor profiles, here's what consistently separates vendors who get inquiries from those who don't:
Specific, cultural photos. Not generic event photos. Work that clearly matches the tradition the customer is planning. A photo of a beautifully set Nigerian wedding buffet does more than ten photos of generic plated dinners.
A description that speaks to their cultural context. Mentioning specific dishes, garments, customs, or ceremonies tells the customer you've done this before and you know what you're doing.
At least one package with a price. Customers want to know they're in the right ballpark before investing time in writing an inquiry. A starting price or package price removes that uncertainty.
Social proof. Reviews, a full portfolio, business credentials (registered, insured), and active social media links all signal that you're real, established, and trustworthy.
Fast response when they do reach out. This happens after the profile, but it determines whether you get booked. Customers who send inquiries to 3 vendors will almost always go with the one who responds first with a thoughtful, specific answer. Check your Leads page daily and aim for under 24 hours.
What Hurts Your Chances
A half-finished profile. Thin description, 2 blurry photos, no packages, no FAQs. It doesn't matter how talented you are if your profile doesn't show it.
Mismatched tags. If you're tagged as "Indian" but your portfolio is full of Mexican quinceañeras, customers will be confused and move on.
No social proof at all. Zero reviews, no social links, no credentials. Customers have no way to verify you're legitimate. If you're new to EventAtlas, at minimum link your Instagram so customers can see your broader body of work.
A stale profile. If your portfolio hasn't been updated in a year and your FAQs reference outdated policies, it looks like you've abandoned the profile. After every event, add new photos. Keep your information current. Active profiles perform better.
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