> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://support.storefront.co.za/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://support.storefront.co.za/features/customers/consumers.md).

# Consumers

Consumers are individual customers who have an account on your store. Registering gives them access to features such as order history, custom price lists and content reserved for account holders.

Customers can register themselves on your storefront, and you can also add them from the back office. Which route suits you depends on your sign-up settings.

### Adding a Consumer in the Back Office

1. Click on Customers > Consumers
2. Click on the Create icon
3. Click on Personal Details at the top of the page
4. Change the title if needed, and add the first and last names
5. Click on Contact Details at the top of the page
6. Enter the consumer's email address
7. Choose a role under Account Role if you want something other than the store default
8. Click Save Changes

{% hint style="warning" %}
An account created this way has no password. The customer must use the forgot password link on your storefront to set one before they can sign in. It is worth telling them to expect that.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}
Adding customers from the back office is most useful when migrating an existing customer base, or when taking an order for someone who has not registered yet. You need a customer record before you can attach them to an order.
{% endhint %}

What a consumer is asked for when registering themselves is set under Store Settings > Customer Accounts & Sign-Up > Individual form fields.

### The Consumer's Role

Every consumer can be given a role, which is what decides the prices they see and the features they may use on your storefront. Roles themselves are set up per store under [Frontend User Roles](/features/stores/frontend-user-roles.md), and the store's default role is applied automatically when someone registers.

To change the role on an existing consumer:

1. Click on Customers > Consumers
2. Click on the consumer you want to change
3. Find the Role panel and click Edit
4. Choose a role from the dropdown, or choose No Role
5. Save your changes

Only active roles appear in the list, and a consumer with none assigned shows as **No role active**. If a role is made inactive later, the customers in it will no longer be able to sign in.

{% hint style="info" %}
Changing someone's role changes what they are charged and what they can do on the storefront straight away, so it is worth checking the role's price list and features first.
{% endhint %}