Frequently Asked Questions

How do I install Staff Hub?

There are two ways to get started with Staff Hub:

• Shopify: Visit the Shopify App Store and click "Add app" on the Staff Hub listing. Follow the prompts to authorize the app for your store.
• Web: Sign up at app.staffhubapp.com — no Shopify store required. Create your organization and start with a 14-day full-access trial. The free plan (up to 5 staff) remains available if you do not upgrade.

Either way, installation takes less than a minute, and a guided tour walks you through everything.

Is there a free trial?

Yes. Paid plans include a 14-day free trial with full access to all 28+ features. After the trial, choose from Basic ($12.99/mo), Pro ($24.99/mo), or Enterprise ($49.99/mo), or use the free plan (up to 5 staff) for announcements with read receipts and training.

How do my staff members access the platform?

Staff members access the dedicated staff portal via a direct link you share with them. They log in with their email and password. The staff portal includes their own dashboard, training, messaging, schedule, and more.

Is there onboarding help?

Staff Hub includes built-in interactive guided tours for both admin and staff portals. A friendly assistant walks new users through every feature step by step. Tours are available in English and can be replayed anytime.

Can I use Staff Hub without Shopify?

Yes. Staff Hub is available as a standalone web application. Sign up at app.staffhubapp.com to create your organization and start a 14-day full-access trial. The free plan (up to 5 staff) remains available if you do not upgrade. No Shopify store required.

What types of training content can I create?

You can create training modules with multiple lessons, including rich text, images, videos (via embedded links), and quizzes. Organize modules into learning paths for structured onboarding or skill development programs.

What are learning paths?

Learning paths let you chain multiple training modules into a guided sequence. Perfect for onboarding programs, role-specific training, or progressive skill development. Staff complete modules in order and see their overall progress. Available on Pro and Enterprise plans.

How does the quiz builder work?

The quiz builder lets you create assessments with multiple-choice, true/false, and open-ended questions. Quizzes can be attached to training modules or used standalone. Scores are tracked automatically and visible in analytics.

Can I share documents with my team?

Yes! The document library provides a centralized repository for SOPs, handbooks, guides, and reference materials. Organize documents by category and keep everything your team needs in one place.

How does team messaging work?

Staff Hub includes real-time messaging with direct messages and group chats. Team members can share files, coordinate tasks, and communicate without leaving the platform. Channels provide topic-based discussion spaces.

Can staff members share knowledge with each other?

The Tips feature allows staff to share best practices, product knowledge, and helpful hints with the team. Admins can review and approve tips before they're published to ensure quality.

Can I run polls and surveys?

Yes! Create quick polls and surveys to gather team feedback. View real-time results and analytics. Great for team decision-making, pulse checks, and gathering input on new initiatives.

Is there an email digest feature?

Staff can opt into customizable email digests that summarize announcements, training assignments, and team updates. This keeps everyone informed even when they're not actively logged in.

Can I manage team schedules?

Yes! Staff Hub includes a scheduling system where you can create and manage shifts, view team availability, and share schedules. Staff can view their upcoming shifts and request changes.

How does time off management work?

Staff can submit time off requests directly through the platform. Admins review and approve/deny requests with an approval workflow. Balance tracking and calendar integration keep everything organized.

What about onboarding new hires?

The onboarding feature provides structured checklists with task assignments and due dates. Track new hire progress through their onboarding journey and ensure nothing gets missed. Available on Pro and Enterprise plans.

Can managers add progress notes?

Managers can keep progress notes and goals close to onboarding, training, and staff profiles. Use Staff Hub for operational context and coaching notes, not as a statutory HR record system. Available on Pro and Enterprise plans.

What is the skills matrix?

The skills matrix maps team competencies across roles and departments. Identify skill gaps, plan targeted training, and track how your team's capabilities grow over time. Available on Pro and Enterprise plans.

Is Staff Hub live on the Shopify App Store?

Yes. Staff Hub is approved and live on the Shopify App Store. Shopify merchants can install it from the listing, and non-Shopify teams can use the standalone web platform.

Does Staff Hub work with Shopify POS?

Staff Hub is designed for Shopify retail teams and can support POS-adjacent staff workflows such as staff setup, checklists, training, manager notes, and operating updates. If your main need is legal time-clock or payroll compliance, use a dedicated time-clock or payroll product alongside Staff Hub.

Can staff clock in and out?

Staff Hub can support lightweight staff admin workflows where configured, but it is not positioned as a dedicated payroll or statutory time-clock system. Use a specialist time-clock or payroll product for legal time tracking requirements.

Does Staff Hub replace payroll reports?

Staff Hub can help keep store operations, training, and manager notes organised. It does not replace your payroll provider, your payroll process, or payroll legal advice.

Can Staff Hub track commissions and sales goals?

Staff Hub's strongest current workflow is training, announcements, onboarding, checklists, and shop-floor operating knowledge. Keep formal commission and payroll decisions in your finance or payroll workflow unless JMS has explicitly verified the setup for your store.

Does Staff Hub access Shopify customer data?

Staff Hub uses store, product, location, and billing data needed to run the service. Order and refund webhook ingestion is conditional on Shopify protected customer data approval and is used only for merchant-enabled sales attribution, commission, or sales-goal workflows once approved and deployed. Staff Hub does not request Level 2 protected customer fields and does not store customer contact details.

Can staff use Staff Hub on mobile?

Yes. Staff can use the mobile staff web app/PWA for supported training, announcements, onboarding, and operating-knowledge workflows. Supported devices can install the staff experience to the home screen.

How do badges and recognition work?

Badges are digital achievements awarded to staff for completing training, sharing tips, or reaching milestones. They appear on profiles and help motivate engagement. Admins can create custom badges with unique designs and criteria.

Is there a leaderboard?

Yes! The gamified leaderboard tracks points, streaks, and achievements. It motivates friendly competition and helps recognize top performers. Staff can see their ranking and work toward climbing the board.

Can staff set personal goals?

Staff can set development goals, track progress with updates, and receive manager feedback. Use these as operating and coaching notes, not as statutory HR records.

How does billing work?

Billing depends on how you use Staff Hub:

• Shopify users: Billing is handled through Shopify's secure billing system. Charges appear on your regular Shopify invoice.
• Web users: Billing is handled through Stripe with secure credit card payments.

Either way, you can upgrade, downgrade, or cancel at any time.

What are the staff limits for each plan?

The free plan supports up to 5 staff with 250MB storage. Basic ($12.99/mo) supports up to 15 staff with 1GB storage. Pro ($24.99/mo) supports up to 50 staff across multiple locations with 5GB storage and adds learning paths, manager notes, and skills matrix. Enterprise ($49.99/mo) offers unlimited staff, 20GB storage, scoped API & webhooks, and priority support.

Can I change plans at any time?

Yes! You can upgrade or downgrade your plan at any time. Changes take effect immediately, and billing is prorated accordingly through Shopify.

Is my data secure?

Yes. We use TLS/SSL encryption for all data in transit, encrypt sensitive data at rest, and follow security best practices. Enterprise plans include complete audit logging for compliance monitoring.

Are you GDPR compliant?

Yes. We fully comply with GDPR and support all required data subject rights including access, correction, and deletion requests. See our Privacy Policy for details.

What happens to my data if I uninstall?

When you uninstall Staff Hub, your data is retained for 30 days in case you change your mind. After that, it's permanently deleted per GDPR requirements. You can request immediate deletion by contacting support.

Is Staff Hub embedded in Shopify?

Yes. For Shopify users, Staff Hub runs directly inside your Shopify admin as an embedded app. No separate admin login or external tools are required. The admin portal is accessible from your Shopify dashboard, while staff use their dedicated staff portal. Staff Hub is also available as a standalone web application at app.staffhubapp.com for businesses that don't use Shopify.

What languages are supported?

Staff Hub is English-first at launch, with regional English formatting available. Spanish, French, German, and Portuguese translation catalogs are draft-only and are not exposed in the live interface until coverage is complete.

Can I customize the branding?

Yes! Add your company logo, choose theme colors, and personalize the staff portal to match your brand identity. Branding customization is available on Pro and Enterprise plans.

Will Staff Hub slow down my store?

No. Staff Hub operates independently from your customer-facing storefront. It runs inside the Shopify admin and on a separate staff portal, so there's zero impact on your store performance.