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Getting started

Everything you need to create your account, confirm your email, and get to your dashboard - whether you are a small business or a buyer.

1. Create your account

From the MatchMarket home page, choose the option that fits you:

1
Choose "I'm a small business" if you sell goods or services
This creates a vendor account - your business will appear in the directory and be matched to buyer opportunities.
2
Choose "I'm a buyer" if you purchase on behalf of an institution
This creates a buyer account - for hospitals, school boards, parish governments, ports, casinos, and similar organizations.
3
Enter your name, email, and a password
Use an email you check regularly - it is how buyers and MatchMarket reach you about activity on your account.

Pick the right account type

Your account type shapes your whole experience. If you are not sure, most local businesses that want to win work should sign up as a small business (vendor).

2. Confirm your email

Right after you sign up, we send a confirmation email. Open it and click the link to verify your address. This keeps accounts secure and makes sure notifications reach you.

Don't see the email?

Check your spam or junk folder, and give it a few minutes. The message comes from MatchMarket - add us to your contacts so future notifications land in your inbox. If it still hasn't arrived, you can request a new confirmation from the sign-in screen.

3. Complete the short setup

The first time you sign in, we walk you through a brief setup so the platform works well for you from day one.

If you are a small business, you will:

1
Tell us about your business
Name, location (parish), and what you do.
2
Pick your industry categories
These are NAICS codes - you can choose more than one if you work across categories.
3
Answer a few readiness questions
This helps us point you to the right next steps and resources.

If you are a buyer, you will:

1
Tell us about your institution
Your organization name and type.
2
Land on your dashboard
From there you can post your first opportunity or search the vendor directory right away.

4. Find your way around

Once you are in, the menu on the left is your main navigation. A few things to know:

1
Your dashboard is home base
It summarizes recent activity and points you to what needs attention.
2
The bell icon shows notifications
New matches, connection requests, messages, and updates appear there - the badge tells you how many are unread.
3
Connections is your requests inbox
One place for the requests you send and the interest others send you, with Incoming and Outgoing tabs.
4
Messages holds your conversations
Once you connect with someone, you can message them inside MatchMarket, and every conversation stays here.
5
The Help link is always in the menu
It brings you right back to this Help Center.
6
The Resources page lists free local support
Partner organizations like SUSLA and chambers of commerce that can help you in person.

Managing your account

You can change your email address and password at any time from your profile or settings page while signed in. You can also upload a business logo and keep your contact details and preferences up to date.

The same place holds your Who can message me control, which decides who can start an in-app conversation with you - anyone, only your connections, or no one.

For small businessesThe complete vendor guide For buyersThe complete buyer guide The tier systemWhat the tiers mean and how to grow FAQQuick answers to common questions