No matter the marketplace type, the goal is to create a platform that brings together buyers and sellers on the Internet. In exchange, the marketplace get a commission on the sales they have made. Several types of marketplaces exist, the most widespread are those of products like Vinted. Other forms, a bit hybrid, like Amazon, sell their products and make their platform available to other sellers. Finally, service marketplaces are also in vogue like Uber which offers a transportation service.
The different types of Marketplace
The marketplace type can be applied to B2C, B2B and C2C markets.
If you want to create an online marketplace, you have to know that B2C platforms are the most present on the e-commerce market. They are platforms designed for transactions between professional sellers and private buyers. There are two distinct functions in B2C marketplaces, they can be vertical or horizontal.
The vertical B2C marketplace is characterized by what it offers, which is a single product or service. For example Helpling is a vertical B2B marketplace specialized in finding a cleaner online. On the contrary, a horizontal B2C marketplace offers several products or services, like Amazon or Alibaba.
B2B (business to business) marketplaces model are a booming market! Over the last 5 years, B2B purchases made online have grown by 94% (Xerfi study). This trend is expected to grow even more: Gartner Predicts estimates that 75% of purchases will be made through a marketplace in 2022. Alibaba.com and Amazon Business are the world leaders in business-to-business e-commerce. Other smaller marketplaces, such as Upwork – connecting companies and technical freelancers – or Procsea – selling seafood to restaurants, wholesalers and supermarkets – present interesting and more specialized models. The success of these marketplaces reflects an evolution in the behavior of professional buyers. They are modelling their personal experience on their professional practices by adding the specific requirements of B2B.
C2C (Consumer to Consumer) marketplace type is a solution where individual sellers are allowed to sell or rent their products to end customers. It is therefore only about transactions between private individuals. One of the best known C2C marketplaces is Airbnb and Amazon, but we can also mention Bedycasa, Vinted which connects individuals who want to sell their second-hand clothes.
Specialize or remain a generalist?
General marketplaces, often referred to as “everything stores,” resemble bustling online malls. They offer a vast array of products and services across numerous categories, appealing to a broad audience with diverse needs. Think of giants like Amazon or eBay. The sheer volume of products attracts a large customer base, providing sellers with access to a wider market. However, competition within general marketplaces can be fierce, requiring sellers to stand out with competitive pricing, effective marketing strategies, and high-quality product offerings.
Specialized marketplaces, on the other hand, cater to a specific niche or audience. These platforms focus on a particular category of products, services, or even hobbies. For example, a marketplace dedicated solely to handmade crafts or vintage clothing targets passionate collectors and enthusiasts. The focused nature of specialized marketplaces fosters a strong sense of community among users who share a common interest. Sellers benefit from a more targeted audience with a higher likelihood of conversion, and buyers enjoy a curated selection of products tailored to their specific needs. However, specialized marketplaces may have a smaller user base compared to their general counterparts, potentially limiting seller reach.
Specialize or remain a generalist? It is very important to answer this question. This will allow you to set up the right strategy and positioning for your marketplace. Today, there are many generalist marketplaces on the market, so specializing your business is more interesting. Choosing this axis will allow you to reach a niche market which is more and more promising in the marketplaces sector. Of course, it is possible to reach a niche market by opening a generalist marketplace. For example, by launching a generalist marketplace type, specialized in organic and eco-responsible products.
Choose your marketplace business model
Choosing the right business model is a matter of a precise market study. In fact, there are several economic models, the main ones being :
- The commission, the most widespread model. It consists in taking a percentage of the sale, either from the seller or from the buyer.
- Subscription, this model can be found on music streaming platforms such as Deezer or Spotify that connect artists and content consumers. This business model is applicable to both buyers and sellers.
- The free trial allows to offer a time-limited access to the marketplace’s features. This model is specific to SAAS type platforms.
- Freemium, as its name suggests, allows you to offer buyers or sellers access to the marketplace but on a limited basis. It allows to attract the prospect, with the goal of purchasing. This model is obviously compatible with other business models such as advertising.
Here are some key considerations to guide you for choosing the best business model for your online marketplace:
1. Value Proposition and Target Audience: Align your business model with the unique value proposition your marketplace offers and the characteristics of your target audience. For instance, if your marketplace connects freelance professionals with clients, a commission-based model where you earn a percentage of each completed project might be ideal. However, if your platform focuses on digital downloads like ebooks or music, a subscription model offering users access to a vast library for a recurring fee could be more suitable.
2. Transaction Volume and Frequency: Consider the anticipated volume and frequency of transactions on your marketplace. If you expect a high volume of low-value transactions, like a platform for used clothing sales, a transaction fee model where you charge a small fee per sale might be appropriate. On the other hand, if your marketplace facilitates less frequent but high-value transactions, like luxury goods sales, a listing fee model where sellers pay a fixed fee to list their items could be more lucrative.
3. Growth Strategy and Long-Term Vision: Factor in your long-term vision and growth strategy when choosing a business model. Subscription models can create a predictable revenue stream and foster user loyalty, but they might require a critical mass of users to be sustainable. Freemium models, where basic features are free with premium features requiring a fee, can attract a larger user base initially, but require careful planning to convert free users to paying customers.
By carefully evaluating these factors and considering the specific needs of your marketplace, you’ll be well-equipped to select a business model that fosters sustainable growth and aligns with your overall vision for success.
Technical and legal aspects
Technical aspects
The functionalities that your marketplace offers must meet the needs of its users. First the sellers, then the buyers. You need to take a pen and paper and list all the features and technologies that will be useful to your users (sellers and buyers).
For example, here is a list of features if you want to launch a C2C marketplace:
- a multi-offer catalog
- multi-currency
- a “two side” market and responsive interface
- billing, after-sales service and returns management
- data security
The point you should not neglect is the type of delivery you will set up. Do you impose yourself or do you leave the choice to the sellers? Do you want to homogenize the transport offer or not? Point relay, home delivery, click & collect? So many points that will have to be taken into account for the construction of your marketplace.
The legal aspects
You also have to pay attention to the legal aspects of your marketplace type. Indeed, marketplaces must respect a complex legal framework. Whether it is about the legal framework of the relationship between sellers and buyers, legal notices, GTCs and T&Cs, RGPD and data protection, payment regulations on marketplaces or even contracts with service providers, such as delivery services and their conditions in case of loss or damage to the goods. You should also not neglect the part of disputes, whether they are between the marketplace and the seller, the marketplace and the buyer or the buyer and the seller.
Set up a communication strategy
For a marketplace, it is essential to attract sellers first. As you can imagine, if there is no product on your marketplace, there will be no buyers. You can read more about this in our article: Marketplaces creation, who attract first ?
The second most important point is to communicate about the sellers by giving them visibility. If they have visibility your marketplace will have visibility. This will also send a positive message. For sellers who want to sell on your platform, it will help show the quality of the marketplace’s services. For the sellers already present, it will reinforce the trust they have in your platform and therefore increase the chances that they will stay longer on the platform.
As you have seen, there are several parameters to take into account in order to choose the right marketplace type and build your project. You may be in a panic about this but this list will help you build your project. If you are not an expert in the field, don’t panic, Medialem also offers support to properly launch your marketplace.
