What is a Digital Experience Platform (DXP)?

As the name suggests, DXPs primarily help businesses create, deliver, and manage digital experiences for their customers. They mostly rely on Web 3.0 technologies to offer more value to businesses and provide state-of-the-art solutions. When compared to traditional eCommerce software solutions, DXPs unlock significantly more value by letting businesses sell their products and services through multiple online channels. Be it creating an eCommerce website, business blogs, mobile apps, or managing social media sales, everything can be handled through a single platform. 

The Evolution of Digital Experience Platforms

The global eCommerce industry started gaining dominance in the early 2000s, especially when giants like Amazon and Alibaba gained prominence. Back in those days, it was difficult for SMBs to go digital, and developing powerful solutions required a costly custom development approach. The emergence of readymade software solutions, such as website builders, eCommerce software, and no-code and low-code development methods reduced the costs.

Several Content Management Systems (CMS) came into existence. These helped businesses build their eCommerce stores fast without requiring custom development. However, these systems mostly relied on a unichannel approach. The main job of such systems was streamlining content delivery to digital devices, such as desktops and smartphones. 

As consumer demands grew, CMS also evolved. Web 3.0 introduced AI capabilities in CMS. Unfortunately, they were still failing to meet the changing consumer demands. Consumers were aware that brands were collecting their personal data and wanted more personalized experiences across all online channels. That’s when DXPs first emerged. Utilizing the concepts of the digital revolution Web 3.0, DXPs provided omnichannel functionalities to businesses at a reduced cost and with easy implementation. It became much easier for businesses, especially enterprises, to reach out to a broad audience through multiple channels.

Digital Experience Platform (DXP) vs Content Management System (CMS)

Before the existence of DXPs, businesses relied on Content Management Systems to provide online experiences. From launching eCommerce stores, blog sites, and discussion forums to business websites, landing pages, and survey forums, everything was powered by CMS. However, as the world evolved, companies moved towards DXPs to fulfill their digital experience requirements. 

Check out the following table to understand the primary differences between DXP and CMS.

8 Benefits of Using a DXP for Your Business

Using a digital experience platform for conducting online business brings a myriad of benefits for startup founders and existing business owners.

1. Streamlined Customer Experience

Providing a digital experience through multiple channels is exhaustive and time-consuming for businesses. Digital Experience Platforms centralize the management of all your customer touchpoints and simplify providing a highly satisfactory online customer experience. Whether you are selling products on eCommerce websites, mobile apps, or social media marketplaces, DXPs allow you to manage all sales, customer queries, and marketing from a single platform. They are also the most versatile platforms for end-to-end enterprise digital transformation.

2. Enhanced Personalization

Leveraging Web 3.0 capabilities, personalization through DXP goes beyond any website builder or CMS that you have seen. To begin with, DXPs not only display smart product recommendations based on user behavior and purchasing patterns on eCommerce websites but also on all channels where you are interacting with clients. Additionally, they help you improve the voice search experience for every individual user. DXPs can create powerful AR/VR try-ons for your products and even send personalized notifications, pop-up messages, discount offers, and more.

3. Localized Content Production

Utilizing localized content moves your marketing approach up a notch. Consumers want native experiences that are hyper-localized for their regions. Instead of using a generalized approach for all your target audiences, DXPs allow you to localize content for different target audiences. This includes localized user notifications, messages, and product recommendations, and also helps you figure out the most profitable marketing campaigns for different regions.

4. Increased Lead Generation

Think of omnichannel ecosystems as an interconnected web, which makes it easier to track users and their customer journey throughout your marketing funnel and across all platforms. In brief, you get an opportunity to cater to every visitor’s requirements at scale. Additionally, DXPs introduce marketing automation, which helps you take care of routine tasks, such as email marketing for cart abandonment or retargeting campaigns. All these efforts help ensure a higher lead count. 

5. Revenue Boost

The omnichannel approach, with Point of Sale (PoS) systems on every channel, ensures a higher conversion rate and an increase in overall customer lifetime value. Consistent efforts on all touchpoints also fortify a company’s brand image and increase customer loyalty. Meaning, that not only does deploying a DXP ensure a short-term revenue boost but also provides sustainable results for the long term with reduced Customer Acquisition Costs (CAC). 

6. Reduced Operational Costs

Via the traditional route, businesses will have to spend a lot of money on tools to manage their social media handles, eCommerce stores, mobile apps, and email campaigns. DXP does not include any of these costs. Instead of paying recurring costs to multiple subscriptions, businesses only need to invest in a single DXP solution. Another way DXPs reduce operational costs is by bringing sales and marketing automation.

7. Advanced Analytics

DXPs provide you quick access to various reports and insights, including your top-performing products & categories,  most valuable customers, most popular payment methods, top sales channels, revenue generation, taxes, and even poor-performing items. Based on the available insights, you can make data-driven business decisions related to sales, marketing, inventory, management, and growth.

8. Safe and Secure Operations

Digital experience platforms are developed keeping in mind the highest security protocols and compliances. They are anti-SQL injection, follow GDPR and PCI-DSS compliance, and even have tokenization and Two-Factor authentication. Furthermore, by using AI models, they can conduct predictive analysis to find out any anomalies and fraudulent behavior. Thus, securing the platform for customers and preventing financial losses for the business.

Key Features and Components of a Digital Experience Platform

A full-fledged DXP should have a comprehensive set of features to help you manage product listings, inventory, eCommerce websites, and sales and quotation requests on multiple systems. However, the feature list can also vary depending on your industry and selected business model. 

Essential features required in a digital experience platform:

Apart from these features, you will need to add special features to accommodate different types of businesses. These include:

Ways to Build a Digital Experience Platform (DXP)

Each day offline is a sales missed. With this mentality, several businesses are making the digital transition. They have also found different ways to do so, but to cover all digital channels the fastest and most cost-effective way is to use a DXP. For large companies and enterprises, DXPs also remain the only feasible option considering the surge in online competition. For the development of DXPs, there are two possible approaches:

1. The Custom Development Approach

The traditional approach of hiring a team of developers and building everything from scratch is always feasible. It will provide you with the maximum flexibility and choice of tech stack. The custom development approach also works on the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) process, which includes proper planning, analysis, designing, development, testing, and maintenance. 

Depending on your project size, the custom development approach can be divided into two methods:

• Waterfall Development Method: Under this approach, a linear development method is followed where everything from design to features of your DXP will be finalized once and developed in one go. The waterfall method is highly useful for small-scale projects where all requirements are clearly defined from the beginning and market validation is not required. Once the development process starts, no new features can be introduced mid-process. To do that, your team will need to start the entire process again. 

• Agile Development Method: The agile development approach will break the entire DXP development project into multiple sprints or iterations, making it easier to add new features to the development plan and continue from where the first sprint left off. After every sprint, you can collect early adopter feedback and improve the software for real-time use cases. This development approach is highly recommended for big projects, as it allows you to go live quickly after the completion of the first sprint and use the software while it is still under development. 

Pros of the Custom Software Development Approach

• Provides the maximum flexibility over the project
• Gives the choice of tech stack
• You retain complete ownership of the product

Cons of the Custom Software Development Approach

• Finding the right talent for scratch development is difficult
• Too costly because of multiple sprints and hourly development costs
• Can be time-consuming, especially when you require a solution as soon as possible
• Not tried and tested, you will be doing the testing yourself
• Documentation is only prepared once. There are no improvements once the solution is deployed.

2. Customizing a Readymade Software

Digital Experience Platforms are comparatively a new platform for which not many readymade options are available that are a 100% match for your requirements. Thus, our second option remains opting for a fully customizable readymade software that matches 70% – 80% of your requirements. By working on an already existing software, you don’t need to start from scratch and can immensely reduce the development time frame. 

Many fully customizable CMS and eCommerce solutions come with an extensive set of features to help you streamline daily business use cases. By leveraging them, you can prepare a comprehensive DXP to control your online operations over diverse channels.  These features include inventory management, catalog management, order management, shipping, returns, social media sharing, and more. Thus, having these features readily available in the solution simplifies the entire DXP development process. Furthermore, based on your preference, you can use agile and waterfall methodologies to customize an existing solution as well. 

How Much Does Developing a DXP Cost?

Many factors contribute to the cost of developing a digital experience platform. These include your development approach, country of development, additional services, customization, and tech support. While it may not be possible to provide a generalized estimation for the DXP requirements of every business, we can try to get a basic idea. 

1. Development Costs with Custom Development

Depending on your requirements, including the features required and the number of landing pages, your overall solution can cost anywhere between $100,000 – $500,000. This estimation is based on the hourly costs of wireframing, designing and overall development and includes 20-40 backend pages, 20-40 front-end pages & screens and 5-10 vendor pages on multi-vendor platforms. 

2. Development Costs with a Readymade Software

If you are customizing a readymade solution, then you are not required to start from scratch and will only need limited customization. To get a cost estimation via this approach, add the cost of the solution with additional customization. These can mean that the overall cost can range anywhere between $30,000 – $150,000. This estimation includes $2,500 – $10,000 for the software and the remaining for customization work. 

3. Additional API Costs

Apart from these costs, API integrations of popular tools, such as MailChimp, QuickBooks, etc., can cost you anywhere between $500-$2000, depending on the complexity of the integration.

How Can FATbit Technologies Help?

FATbit Technologies has been empowering online businesses for the past two decades. We have worked on small to large projects in numerous industries and have gained immense expertise in development and deployment to help you with your digital experience platform requirements. We can help you develop your DXP in the following ways:

• Ensure faster time-to-market by customizing our in-house eCommerce solutions
• Provide you with a fully custom-developed DXP 

1. Ensure Faster Time-to-Market by Customizing Our In-house eCommerce Solutions

Over the years, we have carefully listened and catered to the requirements of various entrepreneurs serving eCommerce, retail, manufacturing & logistics, education, healthcare, finance, construction, food & beverage, and other industries. Based on their key requirements and thousands of hours in R&D, we have developed our in-house range of turnkey solutions.

Our solutions can help entrepreneurs and existing businesses launch robust websites, marketplaces, and mobile apps for various business models, including B2C, B2B & P2P eCommerce, quick commerce (hyperlocal delivery), cab booking, online tutoring, eLearning, rental, classifieds, and for selling digital products. 

By using these solutions as a base for your DXP, we can not only reduce the overall development time but also ensure you get the maximum value for your investment. As our solutions are fully customizable, in terms of both features and design, you get everything that the custom development approach can provide. 

2. Provide You with a Fully Custom DXP

In case you require a DXP solution that is 100% developed from scratch just for your requirements, we also provide custom development services that follow the agile development approach with a milestone payment option. Under this option, we will provide you with free access to our in-house project management software from where you can track the progress of the entire development process and pay for the accomplishments of different milestones. 

Apart from the milestones option, we also have multiple engagement models to choose from for custom development:

• Dedicated Team Model: Get a dedicated team, inclusive of web and mobile developers, UI/UX designers, business analysts and project managers working on your project on an agile development basis. In this model, you also get flexible team composition and can add any number of developers and designers to your project.

• Fixed Price Model: Instead of the hourly payment model, pay a fixed price for the entire DXP development project with all features and requirements clearly defined with our business analyst at once.

• Hourly Development: Get design, development, or QA resources on a need basis at hourly development rates. This model also adds maximum transparency to your project as everything can be monitored and tracked.

Conclusion

Digital transformation is at the forefront of growth and global reach today. While you may think only medium to large-sized companies can benefit from digital operations, these are equally important for startups and SMBs as well. With dedicated online channels, any business can scale easily by getting higher reach and introducing innovative and helpful products in the market. Early adoption of digital also brings added benefits of brand building and gaining customer loyalty. However, if you want to start small, then opting for a content management system or eCommerce software is okay, but if you are a mid to large-sized company wanting to scale quickly and compete with enterprises, then building your DXP is a very solid option.

FAQs

Q 1. How does DXP work?

Ans. DXP refers to the Digital Experience Platform, which helps you manage online operations on multiple channels. Along with this, DXP uses Web 3.0 technologies to provide smart product recommendations and give a hyper-personalized experience to all users. In simpler terms, think of DXP like a centralized dashboard that is connected to your eCommerce store, mobile apps, social media channels, kiosks, and all other places where sales are enabled. You can simply manage all these channels with a single dashboard and don’t have to switch between different software.

Q 2. What is the difference between a DXP, CMS and eCommerce Software?

Ans. While a DXP offers a more comprehensive solution to manage sales & marketing across different online channels, an eCommerce software is mostly limited to web apps and mobile apps. On the other hand, CMS refers to Content Management System, which may or may not have a POS or cart checkout functionality. It is mostly used to manage online content, such as blogs and landing pages. Additionally, both DXP and eCommerce software solutions already include a CMS, so you don’t need to invest in one separately.

Q 3. Is WordPress a DXP?

Ans. No, WordPress is not a DXP. It is a CMS that helps you manage your website, including its landing pages and blogs. With some plugins, you can add a sales functionality on WordPress, but it would still be incomplete to be called a DXP or a proper eCommerce solution.

Q 4. Do I need a DXP for my startup?

Ans. Whether you need a DXP or not depends on your business goals. If you want to start small and only sell through your eCommerce store, opting for an eCommerce solution is a better option. You can view our range of readymade eCommerce solutions to launch a B2C, B2B, and P2P store along with implementing the food delivery, cab booking, online tutoring, and rental business model. 

However, if you are an already existing business that has reached a growth plateau, using a DXP to offer an omnichannel online experience can help. You can transform your entire business into an online brand and start competing with other online brands quickly.

Q 5. How can I reduce DXP development cost?

Ans. There are two ways to reduce your DXP development costs:

1. Customize an already existing eCommerce solution. With this approach, you don’t have to start the entire development process from scratch. You basically get 70%-80% of all required features right out of the box and only have to pay to develop the remaining 20%-30% of your DXP.

2. Opt for custom software development teams in countries like India, Philippines, Vietnam, Mexico, Spain, Brazil and Poland. These countries offer high-quality software development at highly competitive rates. 

Q 6. What is omnichannel marketing?

Ans. Omni-channel marketing refers to utilizing multiple channels to grow your business. For example, earlier businesses used to think that having a business website for digital marketing is enough. But now, digital marketing has expanded to other platforms as well, which include social media platforms, search engine ads, mobile apps and even offline kiosks, YouTube videos and WhatsApp chatbots. For omnichannel marketing, DXPs remain a very practical option. Not only do they streamline omnichannel management, but also help you track and understand the customer journey better.

The post What is a Digital Experience Platform (DXP) & How to Build One? appeared first on FATbit Blog.

Today, building an online eCommerce store is an excellent approach to reach out to a broad audience and achieve business goals. It helps you become more visible to your potential customers. In addition, unlike physical stores, it doesn’t limit your business presence but gives you access to limitless opportunities by allowing you to expand your reach to the maximum. The consequence is that the more you reach customers, the more you will get visitors, the more people will browse the products or services you offer, and the more you will get the opportunity to generate revenue and grow your business.

A glimpse of eCommerce growth and online shopping:

• Global eCommerce sales amounted to over $7 trillion and are expected to surpass $10.4 trillion by 2028
• As of 2025, there are 2.77 billion online shoppers, which means 33% of the global population is shopping online.
• There are 28 million eCommerce sites worldwide, and the number is increasing constantly.
• 44% of shoppers begin their shopping journey on the search engine.
• 83% of people research online before they visit physical stores.
• 34% of online buyers make purchases at least once a week.

All of the above statistics uncover the potential of eCommerce and opportunities for entrepreneurs and business owners with an online presence. Now, let’s focus on the blog on how to build an online store:

What is an Online Store or eCommerce Store?

An online or eCommerce store is a website, app or platform where the seller sells or serves their products or services online to its customers digitally. These platforms are easily accessible to customers. They provide online shopping options to buyers who browse products or services to make purchases using the internet through their preferred devices. While making online purchases, buyers can initiate payment either online or COD at their convenience.

In addition to the convenience of shopping, the range of products or services online stores offer is wide. Buyers get access to a wide range of products or services at competitive prices. Also these online stores ensure delivery at the customer’s doorsteps, one of the significant advantages of online shopping. Unlike brick-and-mortar stores, they don’t limit offerings to a limited area but can reach out to the global audience available on the internet.

What is a Self-Hosted eCommerce Platform?

A self-hosted eCommerce platform is also known as on-premises software. It allows entrepreneurs or business to launch their eCommerce platforms on their preferred server. A self-hosted software offers complete control over the platform’s infrastructure, data, security and updates than a hosted or SaaS-based solution. In addition, it offers more flexibility, control and additional advantages than hosted software. However. what additional you need to manage is hosting, where you host your eCommerce platform.

Benefits of a Self-Hosted eCommerce Platform

A self-hosted eCommerce platform comes with several benefits, including platform ownership, control, security, updates, flexibility with customization and scalability. Let’s break down these benefits below:

Offers Complete Control Over Your Online Store

The access to your online platform is not just limited to having login access, it’s something like gaining complete authority over your platform. Unlike hosted eCommerce platforms where your access is limited or unavailable, self-hosted platform offers complete control.

Provides Flexibility with Customization

A self-hosted platform provides access to the source code that permits you to customize your platform from the back end. From design to functionality and customizable features to third-party app integrations, it gives you the flexibility to craft your platform according to your preferences.

Easily Scalable with Your Growing Business’s Needs

Whenever it comes to building an online eCommerce store, scalability is always the first and foremost consideration. That’s exactly what you get with self-hosted eCommerce software. It gives you the opportunity to grow your online store with your growing business needs. One can easily manage server load, performance, storage and many more elements with a self-hosted eCommerce solution.

Cost-Saving in the Long Run

Cost-effectiveness is one of the significant advantages of a self-hosted platform in the long run, especially for businesses with large-volume transactions. It helps you avoid recurring subscription or maintenance fees and commissions on transactions.

Offer Enhanced Security Options

A self-hosted eCommerce software gives you the flexibility to host a platform on your preferred server that allows you to control the security parameters. You can implement robust security measures and give an additional layer of protection to your platform.

Gives You the Ability to Optimize Performance

A self-hosted eCommerce store software gives the opportunity to host your platform on a dedicated server. In addition, it gives access to the hardware, control over configuration and more contributing to faster processing speed and platform performance.

How to Start an Online Store Using a Self-Hosted eCommerce Platform?

Building an online store using self-hosted platform software is truly straightforward. You can simply launch your website in just three steps: deciding the domain name, selecting a platform and in the third step, your website will go live. However, launching your online store properly requires market research, analysis, planning and several more steps to follow. So, let’s break down these steps to help you build a perfect online eCommerce store.

Step 1: Find an Idea for Your Online Store

Finding an idea is the first step to start your online store. It requires in-depth market research and competitive analysis to find the gaps and pain points of the customers that others are missing. This will help you select the products that you are going to sell your customers. Of course, you can’t sell anything, you need to know what customers are looking for. This is how you can find an idea and product.

Step 2: Identify Your Target Audience

Once you are done with the idea and product selection, the next essential step is to identify your target audience to whom you will be selling your products. In this way, you can understand customer’s behavior and tailor your platform according to their preferences to attract them. In addition, you can also define your marketing channels according to age, gender, group, location and interests.

Step 3: Decide A Domain Name

A domain name is basically text that represents your online store on a search engine like Amazon.com. However, deciding a a domain name is a smart play. It should be short, easy to remember, and straightforward to pronounce. It helps generate recall value among people and find your online store easily.

Step 4: Select an eCommerce Software

eCommerce software is the solution that helps you launch your online store. A fully functional eCommerce platform supports all the features and functionalities in order to ensure a smooth and hassle-free shopping experience.

Primarily you can launch your online store using three eCommerce platforms including open source, SaaS, or self-hosted. However, a self-hosted solution can be the most reliable option for launching your online store. It offers more flexibility and control than any other eCommerce platform.

Step 5: Customize Your Online Store

Once you finalized your eCommerce software, now you can customize your online store according to your brand guidelines and identity by changing color, theme, navigation and more. In addition, the target audience and their preferences should be the top priority while customizing your eCommerce store. Therefore, align the platform according to your customer.

Again when it comes to flexibility in customization, a self-hosted platform is always the first choice.

Step 6: List Products on Your Online Store

Product listing is the most important step before you go live with your online store. Always be careful when adding products to your website because this is what you are going to offer on your platform. Make your listing as user-friendly as possible by adding short and informative descriptions, high-quality images, videos and more so that your customer can relate them to their requirements. In addition to all the above, don’t forget to ensure that buyers can easily search and navigate products on your platform.

Step 7: Go Live and Start Selling Online

In the final step, you can go live by launching your online store. Also, run marketing campaigns to target your potential customers in order to drive more sales and success. However, innovation and time-to-time updates are always crucial to keep your online store thriving. Therefore, always keep working on innovative ideas and valuable feedback, optimize your platform from time to time and keep growing.

Tribe: A Self-Hosted Software to Launch Your Online Store

Tribe is a self-hosted online store builder developed by Yo!Kart Team. This turnkey solution empowers aspiring entrepreneurs and offline stores or businesses to launch their own single-vendor eCommerce store. Tribe is highly suitable for businesses of all sizes, including small, medium and enterprise levels. It supports all essential features, functionalities and tools to launch, operate and grow your online stores effortlessly. In addition, Tribe also allows easy integrations with several third-party applications in order to extend its features and offerings.

Reasons to Choose Tribe to Build Your Online Store

• Self-hosted Software: Tribe is a self-hosted platform that allows you to launch your online store on your preferred server.

• Flexible with Customizations: You can easily customize your online store with Tribe.

• Fully Scalable: Tribe is build on scalable technology that allows you to grow your platform with your business needs.

• Drag-and-Drop CMS: A non-technical individual with no coding expertise can also customize the platform using a drag-and-drop CMS editor.

• Source Code Access: With Tribe, you also get access to the source code that gives you complete control over your eCommerce platform.

• Multilingual Support: It detects and facilitates real-time translation, supporting 70+ different languages.

• Migrations Assistance: Tribe also provides migrations assistance in case you are migrating from your existing platform to get more advanced features with Tribe.

• Installation and Tech Support: To give you a kickstart, our technical team assists you with installation and further support with unexpected bugs and eros for a limited period.

• Supports Unlimited Products: There is no limitation on the number of products to be listed on the platform. You can list and sell unlimited products.

• Robust Admin Dashboard: In order to provide complete operational control, it comes with a robust admin dashboard that allows the admin to manage and grow the online store.

• Readymade Mobile App: One of the significant advantages of choosing Tribe is you can also introduce a mobile app for your online store to offer a convenient shopping experience to your customers. Mobile Apps are available for Android and iOS both.

Final Thought

Today, a large number of the worldwide population is using the internet and most of them are shopping online. It shows that one can easily grow with the growing eCommerce landscape. However, you have also explored a few statistics in the same blog indicating the opportunities to take your businesses online. You can easily reap the benefits of this growing eCommerce world by launching your own eCommerce platform. However, if you are an entrepreneur or business owner who is looking for a solution to launch your online store, choosing a self-hosted eCommerce platform can be more advantageous.

In the same blog, you have also explored the advantages of choosing self-hosted software over any other platform type. At the same time, you have also explored how Tribe, a self-hosted eCommerce software can be your partner in introducing a feature-rich online eCommerce store.

The post How to Build an Online Store Using A Self-Hosted eCommerce Platform? appeared first on FATbit Blog.

Let’s not stick to the highlights and potential only.

Considering opportunities, building a multi-vendor marketplace can serve the purpose of entrepreneurs looking for growth in this evolving industry. However, building a marketplace from scratch is a time-consuming and expensive process that requires coding expertise, resources and much more. One of the few reasons why most entrepreneurs drop their ideas of launching an online marketplace.

But you say thanks to no-code eCommerce marketplace software that can help you transform your marketplace idea into a thriving online platform without the need to develop a marketplace from scratch. Today, a large number of entrepreneurs and business owners are launching their online marketplaces using code software. If you are also one of them, this blog will help you. Here you will learn about the best no-code marketplace builders including the best option to launch your platform.

What is an Online Multi-Vendor Marketplace?

An online multi-vendor marketplace is a platform that brings buyers and sellers together to make online transactions. It acts as a virtual shopping mall where multiple sellers list their products or services in order to serve a large number of customers. On the other hand, customers also access a wide range of products on a single platform. One of the significant advantages of building an online multi-vendor marketplace is it doesn’t limit its offering to a restricted area, unlike a physical marketplace. It connects buyers and sellers worldwide and allows them to trade online using platforms. For marketplace owners, it offers better control and options to scale and grow the platform. With a multi-vendor marketplace, the owner can generate revenue from multiple revenue streams.

What is a No-code Marketplace Builder?

No-code marketplace builder or software is a solution that helps entrepreneurs and businesses launch their fully operational eCommerce platforms faster without the need of building a marketplace from scratch. It comes with all the essential features and functionalities and requires no coding expertise to build, operate and grow your platform. The best no-code marketplace builder also provides flexibility to customize your platform using the drag-and-drop feature in order to offer a unique user experience to its users. One can easily align the marketplace fit to their brand tone and requirements. 

The no-code eCommerce software supports pre-built templates and comes with pre-integrated plugins and APIs that help in enhancing the look and feel, making payments, delivering parcels and managing accounts with different roles and responsibilities. In addition, a few no-code marketplace builders also provide access to their source code allowing owners to make changes in the source code if needed with minimum effort.

Advantages of Launching a Marketplace Using No-Code Software

There are several advantages of launching a marketplace using no-code software. These advantages include a quick-to-launch platform, reduced expenses, easily customizable and scalable, no coding knowledge required and many more. Let’s get more clarity on the advantages of no-code multi-vendor marketplace software:

• Faster Time-to-Market: The best no-code marketplace builder allows you to launch your platform quickly, maybe in a few weeks or even in days. It does not take months or years to build a marketplace unlike developing one from scratch. 

• Cost Saving Approach: Budget allocation is a significant consideration for any business. Launching a marketplace using no-code marketplace software is a great way to save your money without compromising the quality. No-code software doesn’t require spending on hiring experts or bringing resources. 

• User-friendly: An intuitive and user-friendly UX/UI makes it easier for its user. No code platforms eliminate the need for technical expertise to operate the marketplace. In addition, one can easily make changes according to the user’s feedback and improve their experience on the platform. 

• Easy to Scale: Most of the no-code marketplaces are built to meet the growing demand of businesses. They are easily scalable and can accommodate your growing user base and online transactions. However, it’s quite tricky when it comes to the selection of scalable no-code marketplaces. 

• Customization Flexibility: No-code marketplace software is often highly customizable, and one of its advantages is that it helps businesses eliminate the need to build a platform from scratch. One can easily customize and align the platform with their specific business needs without accessing source code. 

• Accessible to Non-Technical Person: Launching a multi-vendor marketplace using no-code software does not require technical expertise or coding knowledge. A person with no coding background can launch, operate and grow the marketplace. 

Key Considerations Before You Choose a No-Code Marketplace Software

Several no-code eCommerce software are available in the market that doesn’t mean each one of them is right for your business. Therefore, the selection of the no-code marketplace builder requires several considerations. Otherwise, it can lead to challenges in the future in case of not choosing the right platform. Let’s explore key factors when choosing a no-code software:

• Is software built using reliable technologies?

Reliable technology evidences the use and adoption of technology. It should be scalable and capable enough to handle high traffic and data. For example, PHP is one of the most versatile tech stacks that is widely used for a variety of web tasks including a simple website to complex applications.

• Is the marketplace solution fully operational?

Always confirm whether the platform is fully operational or needs some additional customization in code before you launch your marketplace. It will help you get a clear understanding of the features and functionality of the marketplace including whether technical expertise is required or not.

• What is the pricing model of the no-code software?

There are several no-code marketplace builders available in the market with different pricing models. Ask about pricing in detail and decide which pricing model is cost-saving and best suits your business.

Popular Pricing Models

• One-time pricing: In this pricing model the marketplace owner pays one-time for the software and gets lifetime access.  
• Recurring pricing: Choosing this pricing model charges monthly or yearly recurring fees that the owner pays to access the platform.  

The selection of pricing models depends on your preferences. However, the one-time pricing model is more feasible and cost-saving in the long run. It offers complete product ownership and helps you overcome the annoyance of continuous recurring charges.

• Is this no-code software user-friendly?

A user-friendly marketplace works as a success driver for your idea. It enhances user experience, engagement rate, conversion rate and retention rate and creates better brand perception. Therefore, don’t forget to evaluate whether the platform is intuitive for all user types or not.

• Can I customize no-code software using the drag-and-drop feature?

Drag-and-drop is an essential feature for no-code eCommerce software. It allows users to customize and align the platform according to their preferences without implementing changes in the back-end.

• Does the software align with my niche?

Different business models or niches require different features and functionality. Therefore, before you select no-code marketplace software, always ask the software provider for marketplace references launched for the niche you are targeting. In case the software provider has not worked for that particular niche. You get a demo of how it will work to serve your users.

• Is it a scalable platform?

Scalability is the initial requirement for any business. A scalable marketplace software helps you grow your platform with your growing business’s needs. In case you are not choosing a scalable platform, it will become tough to grow your business.

• Can a non-technical individual operate it?

A few no-code software are quite complex. Also, they required technical expertise to be operational. However, the significant advantage of launching a marketplace using no code is that a non-technical individual with no coding background can also operate. Therefore, always confirm whether a non-technical individual can operate the marketplace before you launch your platform using no-code software.

• How many payment gateways are there in the software?

Multiple payment gateways and multiple payment options are again an important consideration while launching a multi-vendor marketplace. They offer flexibility to customers while making payments, help businesses target a broader audience by allowing customers to initiate transactions using their preferred payment method, help build trust among users

• Does the software support custom integrations?

Custom integrations are required to meet changing marketplace needs. It helps to streamline operations, enhance customer experience, and gain a competitive edge by connecting the marketplace with specific tools or applications in order to meet unique business needs.

• Can I generate revenue from multiple Revenue Streams?

Revenue generation is the end goal of any business. No matter whether you operate an online or offline business. Launching a multi-vendor marketplace gives you the opportunity to generate revenue through multiple revenue channels and streams. Therefore, it is crucial to confirm before you launch your marketplace using no-code software if it supports multiple revenue streams. 

• Is technical support available with the solution?

Technical support is paramount when it comes to launch or operate online marketplaces. It helps deal with unexpected bugs and eros that might cause trouble in case no technical support is available. Therefore, asking for the level of support you get with the no-code software will help you further deal with surprising issues. 

Top No-code Marketplace Software in 2025

No-code eCommerce software is one of the best approaches to launch your multi-vendor marketplace quickly and efficiently. It offers freedom for entrepreneurs and businesses to launch and operate their online platforms without the need for coding knowledge. Here are the top no-code eCommerce software for your multi-vendor marketplace idea:

1. Yo!Kart
2. Arcadier
3. Mirakl
4. BigCommerce
5. CS-Cart
6. Sharetribe
7. Softr
8. Bubble
9. Webflow
10. Shopify

1. Yo!Kart

Yo!Kart is a leading no-code multi-vendor marketplace software. Introduced in 2015, this platform has established prominence in over 70+ countries. This readymade eCommerce solution has powered thousands of entrepreneurs and businesses to launch their online platforms in diverse niches. Especially, Yo!Kart’s out-of-box features and functionalities make it a dedicated solution for multi-vendor marketplaces. It’s also a fully customizable solution that allows an individual to readily tailor the platform to their unique brand identity and business requirements. 

In addition, Yo!Kart’s intuitive, improved and responsive UX/UI on different devices ensures easy navigation by making the experience flawless. Likewise, separate dashboards for all its users including Admins, Sellers, Buyers, Affiliates and Advertisers provide ease of operations and control. The platform offers robust tools to easily manage users, listings, orders, shipments, and more. 

Alongside, Yo!Kart’s buyer’s mobile apps for Android and iOS also help the marketplace increase conversion rate by offering the convenience of shopping from their mobile devices. Therefore, if you are one of the entrepreneurs looking to launch your multi-vendor online marketplace with end-to-end platform support then Yo!Kart can be one of the best available no-code options. 

Key Features:

• Yo!Kart comes with an advanced search module making it easy for users to find desired search results.
• Supports multiple languages and currencies to cater to a global audience. 
• Yo!Kart has pre-integrated 20+ payment gateways that provide flexibility to its customers while making payments. 
• Allows users to log in using their social media accounts. 
• Provides advanced SEO and other marketing tools allowing the marketplace to increase online visibility.  
• Easy to customize platform that allows you to change page layouts, themes, colors, and more. 
• Comes with advanced analytics and reporting tools to track marketplace performance and identify areas for improvement.

Additional Advantages of Choosing Yo!Kart 

• Yo!Kart is designed specifically for multi-vendor marketplaces.
• Available at one-time payment with lifetime product ownership. 
• Self-hosted marketplace software that offers complete control over your platform. 
• Scalable multi-vendor marketplace solution. You can scale your platform with your growing business.   
• Provides source code ownership that gives you access to the source code. 
• White-label marketplace software that allows you to launch your marketplace under your brand. 
• Assign a dedicated project manager and provide one-year free technical support. 
• Offers a buyer mobile app for Android and iOS. 

Pricing 

One-time Pricing Model (Starting at $499)

G2 Rating 

4.6 out of 5

2. Arcadier

Arcadier is a SaaS-based multi-vendor marketplace software. It comes with a wide range of pre-integrated templates allowing businesses to set up and launch their marketplace effortlessly. Arcadier allows you to launch and manage your marketplace in different industries and types including product, service, and rental marketplaces making it a flexible no-code solution. However, being a fully hosted platform, it doesn’t provide freedom with technical aspects such as hosting, data storage, security and updates as it belongs to the platform.

Key Features

• Simplifies the marketplace building process with a no-code option.
• Provides a wide range of pre-integrated templates. 
• Flexible with the customization that allows you to align the platform with your specific needs. 
• Comes with a user-friendly admin panel and robust analytics tools allowing marketplace owners to manage the platform easily. 
• Allows third-party integrations that help streamline operations and functioning.
• Multi-merchant, multi-item checkout option is available for buyers with a single cart.  

Pricing 

Recurring Pricing Model  (Starting at $1500/month)

G2 Rating 

4.3 out of 5

3. Mirakl

Mirakl is a cloud-based eCommerce marketplace solution that allows businesses to launch their multiple-vendor marketplace quickly. Being a SaaS-based solution, the platform itself is responsible for hosting, server, updates and maintenance. However, on the other side, the platform limits its flexibility with customization. One can not customize the marketplace fully to align with their unique brand’s tone.

Key Features

• Provide drag-and-drop catalog mapping and automate seller approval to accelerate onboarding. 
• Provide options for dynamic pricing.
• Comes with advanced vendor management and analytics capabilities.
• Comes with tools to automate product catalog integration to reduce manual effort.
• Supports multi-channel marketing to expand reach by connecting with customers on various platforms.  

Pricing

Custom Pricing model, based on value transacted on the marketplace. 

G2 Rating 

4.2 out of 5

4. BigCommerce

BigCommerce is a comprehensive eCommerce platform that allows businesses to launch and manage their marketplace. However, fundamentally it is not a multi-vendor marketplace solution but it can be an online store into a multi-vendor marketplace using the BigCommerce MultiVendor Marketplace app. In addition, you can easily operate, manage and grow your marketplace with the basic features of BigCommerce. On the other hand, if you are looking for an extensive feature and functionalities may require coding knowledge.

Key Features

• Comes with an intuitive and user-friendly interface.
• Offers powerful SEO tools and integrated marketing features.
• The platform is easily scalable with your growing businesses.
• Allows one-click integration with existing important business tools. 
• Provides robust reporting and analytics tools to track marketplace performance
• Supports multiple currencies and languages allowing businesses to target the international market. 

Pricing 

Recurring pricing model (Starting at $39/month)

G2 Rating  

4.2 out of 5

5. CS-Cart

CS-cart is another popular online multi-vendor marketplace software that allows you to launch a platform without coding expertise. It offers a number of unique features for buyers and sellers on the platform improving overall marketplace experience. These essential features include product listing, inventory management, multiple payment options, catalog management and more.  

Key Features

• Advanced search option to find products easily. 
• Responsive Designs to make the marketplace convenient for different devices. 
• Multilingual and multi-currency support. 
• Easy-to-use CMS to create a unique user experience. 
• Provides tools to manage products, inventory and more.

Pricing 

Recurring and one-time pricing model (Starting at $3299 with Plus)

G2 Rating  

4.8 out of 5

6. Sharetribe

Sharetribe is a SaaS software solution that allows you to build your online marketplace. With Sharetribe’s no-code marketplace builder, you can create your online platform without coding knowledge. It can perfectly align with small-scale businesses. However, in case you want to customize your marketplace with some unique features and functionalities, you need to choose Sharetribe’s developer platform. 

Sharetribe’s Key Features

• Allows you to launch a platform with no coding knowledge. However, extensive customization required coding. 
• Comes with advanced tools to monitor and manage activity on your marketplace.
• Tools for managing fees, commissions, and other revenue streams.
• A comprehensive admin panel to manage marketplace data, users and listings.
• Comes with SEO and other marketing tools to help you optimize your marketplace for better visibility. 

Pricing 

Recurring pricing Model (Starting at $39/month)

G2 Rating 

4.7 out of 5

7. Softr 

Softr is a no-code app builder that allows users to create online marketplaces without coding. However, it is not a dedicated marketplace builder but offers features that enable you to create multi-vendor marketplaces. It helps you build a user-friendly online platform where multiple buyers and sellers can connect and make online transactions. The platform is not suitable for the complex marketplace requirements. In addition, Softr doesn’t have a built-in payment processing feature and it requires integration of other third-party tools.

Key Features

• Offers a wide range of customizable templates for marketplaces.
• Enable secure payment by integrating natively with Stripe. 
• Allows integrations with various third-party tools to extend your marketplace capabilities with features.
• Allows you to implement custom search and sorting for efficient product browsing. 
• Softr is designed for users who don’t have coding experience.

Pricing 

The recurring pricing model (starts at $59/month with Basic)

G2 Rating 

4.7 out of 5

8. Bubble

Bubble is also a no-code web app builder that can help you build a multi-vendor online marketplace. It allows the creation of a fully functional and customizable platform without writing any code. You easily manage user profiles, product listings, inventory, and connect popular payment gateways like PayPal and Stripe with Bubble to make the marketplace operational. To enable advanced features and functionalities, it also allows integration with APIs. In short, Bubble can help you launch your full-fledged multi-vendor marketplace app.

Key Features

• Bubble has a user-friendly interface and drag-and-drop capabilities making it an easily accessible platform. 
• It comes with a collection of pre-integrated templates that help you accelerate marketplace development. 
• Offers flexible customization options allowing you to tailor the platform according to your preferences. 
• Building dynamic and responsive user interfaces that fit any browser or device
• Allows integration with APIs and other external tools to provide enhanced features and functionality.

Pricing 

Recurring Pricing Model (Starts at $32/month with an MVP)

G2 Rating  

4.4 out of 5

9. Webflow

Webflow is a popular no-code marketplace platform that allows users to create visually appealing and functional marketplaces without coding expertise. The solution is popularly known for its flexible content management system and the drag-and-drop feature. However, building a full-fledged multi-vendor marketplace platform requires third-party integrations as Webflow is not natively designed for it.

Key Features

• Webflow provides extensive customization options.
• Comes with built-in SEO tools to drive traffic and attract potential buyers and sellers. 
• Offers a variety of templates to make a visually appealing platform. 
• It integrates with Stripe and PayPal to make secure transactions.

Pricing 

Recurring pricing model (Starts at $29/month)

G2 Rating  

4.4 out of 5

10. Shopify

Shopify is another well-known eCommerce marketplace platform that can help you launch your multi-vendor marketplace using the Shopify multi-vendor marketplace app. No coding skills are required to launch and operate your marketplace. As Shopify is a cloud-hosted platform, you can simply start using the platform with an internet connection. It also allows you to customize your platform and change the look and feel to fit your brand and customer’s preferences. 

Key Features

• Allows you to upload bulk inventory via CSV files.
• Intuitive dashboards for admin and vendors.
• Offers a customizable seller dashboard navigation.
• Allows you to customize your platform tailored to your brand’s identity. 
• Provide secure and diverse payment options like PayPal and Stripe.

Pricing 

Recurring subscription-based pricing model (Starts at $39/month for online stores)

G2 Rating 

4.4 out of 5

Yo!Kart: The Best Marketplace Builder to Launch Your eCommerce Platform

Yo!Kart is a no-code multi-vendor marketplace builder that can help you launch your full-fledged eCommerce platform. It allows you to build, launch, operate and grow your platform without writing a single code. With Yo!Kart, you also get complete flexibility to customize your multi-vendor marketplace platform. Let’s launch your platform with Yo!Kart in just four easy steps: 

Step 1: Get Your License

Choose your package according to your multi-vendor marketplace requirements and get a license for a lifetime at a one-time payment starting at $499. 

Step 2: Set-up & Installation

Once you are done with the licensing process, to accomplish the next step you will be assigned a dedicated project manager who will guide you through installation and setup. In addition, our dedicated professionals will also help with technical support after installation for one year. 

Step 3: Add Listings 

After installation and setup, now you can onboard sellers on the platform allowing them to add listings. 

Step 4: Marketplace Launch

Now, you can launch your multi-vendor marketplace and start generating revenue through multiple revenue streams. 

Final Thought

No code or low code marketplace software is on the rise. Businesses are launching their online marketplaces using these readymade solutions in large numbers. No code marketplace software provides opportunities to create an online platform with little or no coding skills. In addition, they offer several features and functionalities including drag-and-drop features and readymade templates that allow a non-technical person to build unique and brand-centric multi-vendor marketplaces effortlessly.

For entrepreneurs or businesses looking for a no-code multi-vendor marketplace solution, Yo!Kart can be one of the best options. It Allows you to launch, operate and grow your multi-vendor marketplace effortlessly without having coding knowledge. 

FAQs

Q 1. How can I build a marketplace without coding knowledge?

Ans. You can build a marketplace without writing a single code with the help of no-code marketplace software. No-code software is a readymade solution that comes with pre-integrated features and functionalities that allow businesses to launch their fully functional marketplaces. In addition, you can also use pre-built templates and drag-and-drop features to create a unique platform without coding knowledge. 

Q 2. How long does it take to launch a marketplace using no-code software?

Ans. That’s the right question, launching a marketplace using no-code software is very easy. You can launch your marketplace within a few days or weeks. However, to make the marketplace operational requires several more than just launching such as sellers and buyers. Therefore, onboarding and sellers and attracting buyers may take time. Although, it all depends on your marketing strategies and planning. 

Q 3. Which pricing model is best to launch a marketplace, recurring or one-time?

Ans. The pricing model and its importance lie in various factors. However, before we proceed further, let’s understand them first. 

The recurring or subscription-based pricing model means you have to pay monthly or yearly fees. On the other hand, in a one-time pricing model, you only pay once in a lifetime. 

A recurring or subscription-based pricing model is good if you are launching your platform for a few months or years. However, if you have planned it for a long time, that is very obvious, then the one-time pricing model is cost-saving. Again, in the subscription-based pricing model, you are often challenged with limitations but on the other side, you get complete product ownership with no limitations in a one-time pricing model. There are several more considerations that can give an explanation as to why the one-time pricing model is more advantageous in the long run.

The post Best No-Code Marketplace Builder to Launch a Multi-Vendor Marketplace appeared first on FATbit Blog.

In 2025, understanding which eCommerce marketplaces dominate the industry is crucial for businesses looking to scale, enter new markets, or refine their digital commerce strategies. Whether you’re an ambitious entrepreneur or a seasoned business exploring new opportunities, knowing the key players and their competitive advantages provides a strategic edge.

This blog explores the most influential 20 eCommerce marketplaces in the world in 2025, their unique value propositions, and what makes them leaders in the industry.

What is an eCommerce Marketplace?

An eCommerce marketplace is a digital platform where sellers list and sell their products or services to a global audience. These marketplaces host multiple sellers on a single platform and facilitate transactions between buyers and sellers, acting as an intermediary between them. These platforms provide the infrastructure, payment processing, and customer service while allowing businesses to focus on sales and inventory management.

An eCommerce marketplace varies based on the target audience and business model. The most common types include:

• Business-to-Business (B2B) Marketplace: B2B marketplaces facilitate transactions between businesses, helping companies source raw materials, bulk inventory, or specialized services. Leading B2B marketplaces include Alibaba, Global Sources, and IndiaMART.

• Business-to-Consumer (B2C) Marketplace: These platforms connect businesses with individual consumers. Examples include Amazon, Walmart, and AliExpress.

• Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Marketplace: P2P marketplaces focus on sharing economy models, allowing individuals to rent or exchange goods and services. Airbnb and Turo are the perfect examples.

• Vertical Marketplace: These platforms specialize in specific industries or product categories—offering products of a similar category. Examples include Etsy, StockX, and Reverb.

• Horizontal Marketplace: Horizontal marketplaces are multi-channel platforms that offer a wide range of products or services across multiple categories. For instance, Amazon, eBay, and more.

• Products-based Marketplace: In a products-based marketplace, the primary focus is on the sale and purchase of physical goods. Some well-known examples include Amazon, Etsy, and more.

• Services-based Marketplace: A services-based marketplace focuses on connecting individuals or businesses offering services to people in need. Fiverr and Preply are the most common examples.

• Hybrid Marketplace: Some marketplaces combine elements of B2B, B2C, and C2C to serve multiple customer bases. Amazon, for instance, operates both as a retailer and a marketplace for third-party sellers.

Whether serving businesses, individual consumers, or specialized industries, eCommerce marketplaces now play a crucial role in shaping the future of digital trade.

Top 20 eCommerce Marketplaces in 2025

The eCommerce industry is dominated by several key marketplaces that have established themselves as leaders in the industry. Below is an overview of the top 20 eCommerce marketplaces in the world in 2025, highlighting their unique strengths and market positions:

1. Amazon

Amazon remains the undisputed leader in the global eCommerce space, leveraging its expansive logistics network, cutting-edge AI-driven personalization, and an extensive product catalog.

With a presence in over 20 countries and a dominant share in the U.S., Europe, and emerging markets, Amazon continues to set industry standards for innovation and operational efficiency. Its customer-centric approach and innovative services like Amazon Prime have solidified its position as the go-to platform for online shopping. Amazon’s marketplace model also provides businesses with opportunities to reach a vast audience, leveraging its robust infrastructure and global reach.

• Founded In: 1994
• Country of Origin: Washington, United States
• Business Model: Multi-vendor eCommerce Marketplace (B2B, B2C & D2C)
• Annual Revenue: $637.96 billion

2. Walmart

Walmart has emerged as a formidable challenger to Amazon—leveraging its fast physical retail presence as well as growing online marketplace. By integrating omnichannel strategies, Walmart has successfully bridged the gap between in-store and digital commerce, positioning itself as a leader in both B2C and B2B segments. It offers a wide range of products, from groceries to electronics, and provides third-party sellers access to its vast customer base.

Moreover, offering a direct alternative to Amazon FBA, Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS) provides fast shipping, warehousing, and end-to-end logistics solutions for third-party sellers. Additionally, collaborations with Shopify, Adobe, and TikTok have strengthened Walmart’s digital footprint, enabling small and mid-sized businesses (MSBs) to reach a broader audience.

• Founded In: 1962
• Country of Origin: Arkansas, United States
• Business Model: Omnichannel Retail
• Annual Revenue: $648.13 billion

3. JD.com

JD.com is China’s one of the largest and most technologically advanced eCommerce platforms that specializes in direct-to-consumer retail and third-party marketplace services. Unlike many competitors, JD.com owns and operates its own logistics infrastructure—ensuring seamless supply chain management and rapid deliveries. Moreover, it offers a robust wholesale platform for B2B enterprises, providing international brands and manufacturers access to China’s massive consumer base. With a focus on product authenticity, high-quality customer service, AI-powered inventory management, drone delivery, and autonomous logistics hubs, JD.com has built strong trust in China.

• Founded In: 1998
• Country of Origin: Beijing, China
• Business Model: B2C Retail
• Annual Revenue: $156.4 billion

4. Alibaba

Alibaba is the largest B2B eCommerce marketplace in the world. It serves as a premier global trade hub, allowing manufacturers, wholesalers, and exporters to connect with international buyers. Moreover, it operates across multiple platforms, including Alibaba (B2B), Tmall (B2C), and Taobao (C2C), enabling businesses to scale efficiently. Alibaba provides solutions that encompass eCommerce, logistics, cloud computing, and financial services through this extensive digital ecosystem.

Alibaba’s competitive advantage is its data-driven approach, leveraging AI and big data to optimize business operations. Its logistics network, Cainiao Smart Logistics Network, ensures efficient global shipping, reducing fulfillment times for international businesses.

• Founded In: 1999
• Country of Origin: Hangzhou, China
• Business Model: B2B, B2C, and C2C Retail
• Annual Revenue: $134.78 billion

5. Target

Target Corporation is a leading U.S. retailer with a strong eCommerce presence, operating through Target.com and its Target Plus third-party marketplace. While primarily a B2C retailer, Target is expanding its B2B capabilities by offering curated marketplace opportunities, bulk purchasing, and supplier partnerships. Through Target Plus, selected third-party sellers can reach Target’s vast customer base while benefiting from the retailer’s reputation for quality and customer service. Unlike open marketplaces, Target Plus is invite-only, ensuring a controlled and high-quality shopping experience. Target’s competitive advantage lies in its omnichannel retail strategy, seamlessly integrating online, in-store, and same-day delivery services. In addition, the company focuses on curated product selection rather than mass-market listings, ensuring better visibility for premium brands.

• Founded In: 1902
• Country of Origin: Minnesota, United States
• Business Model: Omnichannel Retail
• Annual Revenue: $107.41 billion

6. Enterprise Rent-A-Car

Enterprise Rent-A-Car is a globally recognized vehicle rental marketplace that offers a wide selection of cars, trucks, and vans for personal and business use. With a strong presence in North America, Europe, and beyond, Enterprise provides flexible car rental solutions, including long-term leasing and car-sharing programs. The company operates a robust online marketplace that allows users to seamlessly reserve vehicles and manage rental agreements. Enterprise’s competitive advantage lies in its extensive network of locations, with thousands of branches worldwide, including airports and urban centers. The brand is known for its superior customer service, flexible rental plans, and corporate solutions tailored to business travelers and fleet management needs.

• Founded In: 1957
• Country of Origin: Missouri, United States
• Business Model: Vehicle Rental Marketplace
• Annual Revenue: $38 billion

7. Coles

Coles, one of Australia’s largest supermarket chains, is rapidly growing its eCommerce presence, focusing on grocery delivery, digital convenience, and B2B wholesale distribution.

Coles operates a significant eCommerce platform that caters to both B2C and B2B customers. The company has expanded its digital presence through Coles Online, providing grocery delivery, business procurement services, and wholesale distribution options. Through Coles Liquor and Coles Express, businesses in the hospitality sector can also source beverages, snacks, and essential supplies at competitive prices. The company has also invested in sustainability initiatives, offering eco-friendly packaging and responsible sourcing solutions. Therefore, it provides a strategic and reliable retail partnership for businesses looking to expand in Australia, offering strong brand visibility, efficient supply chain support, and access to a loyal consumer base.

• Founded In: 1914
• Country of Origin: Collingwood, Australia
• Business Model: Grocery Delivery Platform
• Annual Revenue: $27.27 billion

8. MercadoLibre

MercadoLibre is the largest online marketplace in Latin America, facilitating eCommerce and online auctions across multiple categories—be it electronics, automotive, fashion, or consumer goods. With a user-friendly interface and a vast network of sellers, MercadoLibre connects millions of buyers and businesses, driving economic growth in emerging markets.

The platform offers robust tools for merchants, including logistics support through Mercado Envíos, an integrated payments system (Mercado Pago), and advertising solutions (Mercado Ads) that enhance product visibility. With strong regional dominance, MercadoLibre is an essential eCommerce marketplace for businesses looking to expand in Latin America. The marketplace leverages AI-driven insights, personalized recommendations, and secure payment processing to enhance the shopping experience. Apart from this, MercadoLibre also offers enterprise-level solutions, wholesale purchasing options, and analytics-driven marketing strategies that optimize conversions for its B2B clients.

• Founded In: 1999
• Country of Origin: Buenos Aires, Argentina
• Business Model: eCommerce Retail and Auction Platform
• Annual Revenue: $18.22 billion

9. United Rentals

United Rentals is the world’s largest heavy equipment rental marketplace, offering equipment rental solutions for industries such as construction, manufacturing, and infrastructure. With over 1,300 locations across North America and an extensive inventory, United Rentals serves businesses of all sizes, offering cost-effective solutions for temporary and long-term equipment rentals. United Rentals simplifies the equipment procurement process through its advanced eCommerce platform, allowing businesses to browse, compare, and reserve machinery online. Additionally, the company offers training programs and digital safety resources, ensuring that customers operate machinery efficiently and within regulatory standards. By leveraging technology and customer-centric services, it remains a key player in the industrial rental sector.

• Founded In: 1997
• Country of Origin: Connecticut, United States
• Business Model: Heavy Equipment Rental Marketplace
• Annual Revenue: $15.35 billion

10. Wayfair

Wayfair is a leading online retailer specializing in furniture, home decor, and household essentials. With a vast selection of products, Wayfair connects customers with manufacturers and suppliers, offering an expansive range of styles and categories with varied price points. Wayfair’s proprietary technology enhances the shopping experience with features like 3D visualization, augmented reality, and AI-driven recommendations. Plus, its B2B division, Wayfair Professional, provides tailored solutions for businesses in hospitality, real estate, and office furnishing. Companies benefit from bulk purchase discounts, personalized procurement assistance, and access to exclusive trade products.

Wayfair continuously optimizes its supply chain operations with a data-centric business model, ensuring fast delivery and inventory efficiency. This is how Wayfair offers a one-stop solution for businesses looking to furnish offices, rental properties, or commercial spaces with industry-specific insights and procurement support.

• Founded In: 2002
• Country of Origin: Massachusetts, United States
• Business Model: Furniture and Home Goods eCommerce Marketplace
• Annual Revenue: $11.84 billion

11. Zalando

Zalando is a German online retailer specializing in fashion, shoes, and beauty products. Operating across multiple European countries, Zalando offers a curated shopping experience that blends high-street fashion with emerging designer brands. The platform provides a seamless omnichannel experience, allowing customers to shop online via its website, mobile apps, or partner stores. For brands and retailers, Zalando provides a high-visibility marketplace, allowing them to connect with millions of fashion-conscious consumers. The platform supports direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales, as well as third-party vendor integration, making it a flexible e-commerce solution for global brands. A standout feature is its sustainability initiatives, actively promoting eco-friendly fashion, sustainable materials, and circular economy practices.

• Founded In: 2008
• Country of Origin: Berlin, Germany
• Business Model: German Online Retailer
• Annual Revenue: $11.84 billion

12. eBay

eBay is a globally recognized online marketplace, facilitating consumer-to-consumer (C2C) and business-to-consumer (B2C) sales. The platform offers an extensive range of products across various categories, including electronics, fashion, and collectibles. Operating in over 190 markets, eBay provides businesses with a scalable platform to reach international customers. Unlike traditional eCommerce retailers, eBay offers both fixed-price listings and auction-style sales, making it a unique platform for dynamic pricing strategies. The marketplace supports individual entrepreneurs, SMBs, and enterprise sellers, with robust tools for inventory management, fulfillment, and cross-border trade. Security and trust are central to eBay’s marketplace, with policies that ensure buyer protection, dispute resolution, and seller credibility.

• Founded In: 1995
• Country of Origin: California, United States
• Business Model: Online Auction Marketplace
• Annual Revenue: $10.26 billion

13. Shopee

Shopee is a leading eCommerce platform in Southeast Asia. It serves millions of buyers and sellers across various product categories, including electronics, beauty, fashion, and household essentials. Operating in several countries, including Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines, Shopee has rapidly expanded its presence, leveraging its mobile-first approach tailored to the region’s digital economy. For sellers, Shopee offers robust seller support, including integrated logistics, digital payment solutions (ShopeePay), and marketing tools to enhance visibility. The platform’s interactive features, such as Shopee Live and gamified shopping experiences, drive high user engagement, making it an attractive sales channel for brands and retailers.

• Founded In: 2015
• Country of Origin: Singapore
• Business Model: eCommerce Retail
• Annual Revenue: $8.2 billion

14. ASOS

ASOS is a curated fashion marketplace that connects independent designers, brands, vintage boutiques, and fashion-forward sellers with a global audience. Unlike conventional eCommerce marketplaces, ASOS specializes in unique, trend-driven, and sustainable fashion, catering to style-conscious consumers. It offers a high-visibility platform with built-in brand credibility for independent businesses. Sellers benefit from ASOS’s reputation and marketing reach while maintaining brand independence. The platform fosters a community-driven shopping experience, with fashion-conscious consumers browsing collections that align with their style preferences. Its seamless interface and global shipping support make it an attractive choice for niche fashion brands looking to expand internationally.

• Founded In: 2000
• Country of Origin: London, United Kingdom
• Business Model: Fast-fashion and Cosmetic Retailer
• Annual Revenue: $4.51 billion

15. Instacart

Instacart is a leading North American grocery delivery service that partners with local supermarkets, big-box retailers, and specialty stores to provide convenient online shopping. Operating across the U.S. and Canada, it enables users to shop for groceries or household essentials online and have them delivered to their doorstep in as little as an hour.

For retailers, Instacart provides a powerful e-commerce solution, allowing brick-and-mortar grocery stores to offer delivery services without building their own logistics network. Businesses benefit from Instacart’s extensive distribution network, digital advertising opportunities, and access to consumer shopping behavior insights. The platform’s AI-powered product recommendations, targeted promotions, and customer insights help retailers enhance sales and optimize inventory. Its partnerships with major retailers, including Costco, Walmart, and Kroger, make it a key player in the evolving grocery e-commerce space.

• Founded In: 2012
• Country of Origin: United States
• Business Model: On-demand Grocery Delivery Platform
• Annual Revenue: $3.30 billion

16. Etsy

Etsy is a global eCommerce marketplace catering to artisans, independent creators, and small businesses that specialize in handmade, vintage, and one-of-a-kind goods. It differentiates itself by fostering a niche community-driven shopping experience, emphasizing unique and personalized items. The marketplace emphasizes creative entrepreneurship, enabling small businesses to differentiate themselves through craftsmanship and personalization. The company has expanded its services to include production partners, advertising solutions, and fulfillment support. Thus, making it easiest for sellers to manage operations while focusing on creativity and innovation. With millions of active buyers, Etsy is a prime marketplace for creative entrepreneurs seeking to reach a dedicated audience that values craftsmanship.

This is why Etsy remains a key marketplace for businesses that thrive on uniqueness and personalization with the growing consumer interest in artisanal and customized products.

• Founded In: 2005
• Country of Origin: New York, United States
• Business Model: Handmade and Unique Goods Marketplace
• Annual Revenue: $2.80 billion

17. Newegg

With a strong reputation among tech enthusiasts and professionals, Newegg is a notable online retailer specializing in electronics, computer hardware, and gaming accessories. Catering to both B2B and B2C markets, Newegg offers a wide range of products, from laptops and PC components to home automation devices and networking equipment. The platform’s B2B division offers enterprise-level solutions, allowing companies to purchase IT equipment in bulk and access specialized technical support. Moreover, the platform is known for its exclusive deals, tech community engagement, and loyalty programs such as Newegg Shuffle and Newegg Business.

• Founded In: 2001
• Country of Origin: United States
• Business Model: Computer Hardware & Consumer Electronics Platform
• Annual Revenue: $1.6 billion

18. Udemy

Udemy is a premier online learning platform that connects instructors with students seeking skill development in diverse fields such as business, technology, design, and personal growth.

Unlike traditional education models, Udemy provides on-demand courses created by industry professionals, enabling learners to progress at their own pace. It also provides Udemy Business which offers enterprise-level training solutions to help companies upskill their employees through curated learning paths. Organizations can create custom learning paths, track employee progress, and access a vast library of professional development courses.

Udemy’s marketplace also enables subject matter experts and educators to monetize their knowledge by creating and selling courses. The platform offers tools for content creation, course marketing, and student engagement, allowing instructors to build a sustainable online teaching business.

• Founded In: 2010
• Country of Origin: California, United States
• Business Model: Online Learning & Teaching Platform
• Annual Revenue: $786.57 million

19. Upwork

Upwork is one of the largest and most reputable online freelancing platforms, connecting businesses with skilled professionals across a wide range of industries. Over the years, Upwork has grown into a global marketplace with millions of freelancers offering services in IT, design, writing, marketing, customer support, and more.

The platform works on a bidding system where freelancers submit proposals for projects posted by clients. Upwrok’s algorithm helps match talent based on skills, experience, and ratings, streamlining the hiring process. Its robust infrastructure includes time-tracking tools, secure payment processing, and milestone-based contracts, ensuring transparency and reliability for both parties. The platform also provides Upwork Enterprise, a specialized service for large companies seeking to integrate freelance talent into their workforce strategy.

• Founded In: 2013
• Country of Origin: California, United States
• Business Model: Freelancing Platform
• Annual Revenue: $761.80 million

20. Envato

Envato is a globally recognized marketplace offering high-quality digital assets, catering primarily to creative professionals, businesses, and agencies. It has evolved into a one-stop destination for designers, marketers, developers, and content creators over the years seeking premium graphics, templates, music, video, and more.

Envato operates through multiple platforms, with Envato Elements offering a subscription-based model that provides unlimited downloads of creative assets. ThemeForest, a division of Envato, specializes in website templates and themes, while AudioJungle focuses on royalty-free music. The platform also hosts Envato Studio, where users can hire freelancers for custom creative projects.

Envato supports a thriving community of independent creators by providing them with a platform to sell their work globally. With a competitive commission structure and exposure to a vast audience, it is an attractive marketplace for digital asset creators.

• Founded In: 2006
• Country of Origin: Australia
• Business Model: Digital Asset Marketplace
• Annual Revenue: $458.8 million

These major eCommerce marketplaces, ranging from online retail and rentals to freelancing and digital learning platforms, highlight the vast opportunities for launching and growing an eCommerce marketplace. However, creating such a platform demands strategic planning and a skilled development partner.

FATbit Technologies: Your Technology Partner to Bring Your Unique Business Vision to Life

With nearly two decades of experience in the industry, FATbit Technologies delivers cutting-edge digital eCommerce marketplace solutions tailored to support even the most intricate business models. It empowers enterprises with scalable, robust, and innovative technology designed to drive growth and efficiency.

Specializing in bespoke eCommerce platforms, FATbit caters to both B2B and B2C businesses, providing end-to-end solutions aligned with strategic objectives. Whether you’re launching a niche marketplace or scaling an enterprise-level eCommerce operation, FATbit’s feature-rich, customizable software ensures rapid deployment, seamless scalability, and operational flexibility, including:

• Yo!Kart: An avant-garde eCommerce multivendor marketplace software that allows you to launch your own eCommerce platforms like Amazon, Etsy, Alibaba, or Walmart, whether B2B or B2C. It serves multiple industries, such as fashion, furniture, healthcare, electronics, sports, digital products, or others.

• Yo!Rent: An innovative rental marketplace software designed to help entrepreneurs or businesses launch their own rental marketplaces across diverse niches, including equipment, vehicles, fashion, furniture, or more.

• Yo!Coach: Yo!Coach is a ready-made elearning software to create online tutoring and consultation platforms like Udemy or Preply.

• VivoCabs: It is a white-label ride-hailing software that allows businesses to build their own ride-hailing apps like Uber, Lyft, or Bolt quickly and cost-effectively.

• Yo!Gigs: Yo!Gigs is the only software solution for the handyman and freelance industry for launching your own high-performing service marketplaces like Fiverr, TaskRabbit, and Upwork.

• Growcer: Growcer is a cutting-edge online grocery software to launch online grocery delivery platforms like Instacart, Amazon Fresh, or Walmart. 

• Yo!Yumm: Yo!Yumm is a market-ready online food ordering and delivery software solution, feature-packed with state-of-the-art functionalities to launch platforms like Uber Eats, Grubhub, and Deliveroo.

Here’s why you should choose FATbit Technologies:

• 20+ years of experience in the industry—supporting unique business models.
• Robust client portfolio, with platforms like UNI Diamonds, Procurenet, Stagewing, WTutors, etc built by FATbit.
• Dedicated development team with strong expertise in software development.
• Service transparency with no hidden clauses.
• Positive client reviews and testimonials all over the place.
• Comprehensive technical support via multiple channels.

Hence, partner with FATbit Technologies to transform your business vision into a powerful digital reality.

Conclusion

With several eCommerce platforms competing for market dominance, the global eCommerce industry is witnessing exponential growth. From industry giants like Amazon, Alibaba, and eBay to emerging niche marketplaces, selecting the right platform for your unique business idea plays a defining role in its success.

But, a powerful platform alone is not enough. The realization of your eCommerce business vision demands a robust technology partner capable of transforming innovative concepts into high-performing digital platforms. This is where FATbit Technologies excels—offering innovative, scalable eCommerce solutions meticulously designed to drive long-term success. Thus, choose wisely, innovate boldly, and establish a dominant presence in the ever-expanding global eCommerce landscape.

FAQs

Q 1. How do I build an eCommerce marketplace quickly and cost-effectively?

Ans. Building an eCommerce marketplace efficiently requires a strategic approach that balances speed, cost, and functionality. The most effective way to achieve this is by leveraging a readymade, customizable marketplace solution.

FATbit Technologies includes diverse readymade software solutions, such as Yo!Kart, YoRent, Yo!Coach, VivoCabs, Growcer, and Yo!Yumm, that allows businesses to build their own eCommerce marketplace across diverse industries.

Q 2. What are the revenue strategies of an eCommerce marketplace?

Ans. An eCommerce marketplace generates revenue through multiple revenue streams, depending on its business model and market positioning. Common revenue strategies include:

• Commissions: Charging sellers a percentage of each transaction.
• Subscription Plans: Offering tiered membership plans for sellers offering exclusive benefits.
• Listing Fees: Charging vendors to list their products.
• Third-party Advertising: Generating additional income through in-app ad placements.
• Sponsored listings: Providing vendors with paid visibility options to promote their products.
• Partnerships: Partnering with local businesses for added visibility and mutual benefits.

Q 3. Does FATbit support startups looking to enter the eCommerce industry?

Ans. Yes, products offered by FATbit Technologies support businesses of all sizes, whether small, medium, or large enterprises, aiming to establish a strong presence in the eCommerce industry. The company offers end-to-end solutions designed to help businesses launch, scale, and sustain a competitive edge in the marketplace. Whether you’re a new entrepreneur or a growing startup, FATbit’s expertise can help you navigate the complexities of launching and managing a successful eCommerce marketplace.

Q 4. Are the marketplaces built by FATbit Technologies scalable to support long-term business growth?

Ans. Absolutely. Products offered by FATbit Technologies design marketplaces with scalability as a core principle, ensuring that businesses can seamlessly expand their operations as they grow. The marketplaces built by FATbit support multiple currencies, languages, and localization features for global expansion. Additionally, FATbit’s solutions empower businesses to start small, scale efficiently, and adapt to evolving market trends, ensuring long-term sustainability and success in the competitive eCommerce landscape.

The post Top 20 eCommerce Marketplaces in the World in 2025 appeared first on FATbit Blog.

What was that Eureka moment that led to the creation of DotDune?

Initially, when planning a project in Namibia, it has to be noted that Namibia is a developing country with a small population of approximately 2.5 million people.

Little interest existed from international online retailers to unlock the Namibian online shopping opportunity. As a result, we embarked on the journey to develop an in-house eCommerce multi-vendor business based on a white-label solution.

After extensive research, Yo!Kart was found to offer the most suitable solution.

Can you share a little further about this – What was your vision behind this and how you got about achieving it?

eCommerce was deemed to be a visionary fit, as a result, DotDune wanted to implement a solution providing Namibian buyers, sellers, and vendors with an opportunity (Internally or Externally) to conduct business online with the vision of becoming Namibia’s leading eCommerce platform.

Can you share the experience of witnessing the first transaction?

The first sale was a small item but witnessing the sale register and the same getting displayed on the Yo!Kart Admin dashboard was a moment that we cherished and celebrated as a team.

It was a moment that culminated and fructified our months of conceptualizing, planning, implementing, and testing. Furthermore, upon engagement, the customers responded with positive feedback ― assuring us of a bright future.

Can you share any targets that DotDune has set for itself?

We crafted a 5-year strategy aspiring to become Namibia’s leading eCommerce marketplace by 2025. The strategy is summarized in our internal game plan consisting of milestones and overall deliverables to be achieved by 2025.

Can you share some of the challenges that you faced initially?

Namibia is a large geographical country with a small population of 2.5 million people (2020). As a result of the low population density, cost-effective parcel delivery remains the greatest opportunity.

To grow the business and to achieve our overall objectives and key deliverables, certain tools are required – I am very happy to say that this is why I appreciate working with you guys so much that even though we have all these challenges, the response is never like no it cannot be done the response is always ok how can we do this how can we fix this how can we make this work.

Your advice to other businesses that are facing the same challenges as you did

Speak to FATbit, they’ll help you

There are many large businesses in Namibia however there is a major lack when it comes to technological transformation. Embracing technological change remains the largest opportunity amongst larger organizations in Namibia. Among larger businesses. My advice to other businesses would be to look into being open-minded towards technological change and embracing technology change to a new extent, be it eCommerce or online marketing, you need to embrace the latest technology or else your business will eventually fail.

Your future plans apart from the targets?

I think for DotDune, apart from the targets, the biggest plan is to customize and scale the platform and bring it to a world-class standard like Amazon(worldwide) or Takealot in South Africa.

Next is – improving the logistics like completing deliveries with electric vehicles. Additionally, we are looking at warehousing and want to adapt our system to stock and inventory management and also offer warehousing services to our vendors.

In essence, the future plans for DotDune will be focusing on customizing the platform, streamlining deliveries, and adding a warehouse

Anything you would like to share, regarding your experience with the software and FATbit?

Namibia is unique compared to the rest of the world, hence, platforms require substantial customization, and no solutions offer a plug-and-play solution. Regardless of the request, FATbit has always been very helpful and accommodating with responses such as “Let’s figure it out” or “We’ll make it work”. The DotDune team appreciates all efforts thus far.

Any suggested improvements regarding the product, and the FATbit team?

Suggestions – From an improvement basis, I would suggest when you offer a Whitelabel solution, do not offer the same product to everyone at the same price, rather offer a basic solution, a mid-range solution, and a fully customizable solution. That is something that I would prefer. Also, invite your clients to come to visit your offices.

The post DotDune – Namibia’s Leading Ecommerce Brand appeared first on FATbit Blog.

How did your quest toward becoming a founder in this particular domain happen?

We started this company in the beginning of March 2020. The initial plan was to create a brand of supplements with CBD(own product) in it. Financial reasons were the reason for starting with this business model 一  a multi-vendor platform with our product in it and other vendors with CBD to sell on the platform.

It is the best decision we have made so far and especially choosing Yo!Kart was a very good decision.

Identifying the industry demands, how have you been able to achieve the vision you set forth as you forayed ahead in this journey?

Initially, when I was researching about a multi-vendor platform, it felt intimidating to me with the options available, choosing the right one for my business idea, and the varying opinions and suggestions about the same.

I chose Yo!Kart because of the platform itself and decided to try it out. I have no regrets. Everything has panned out perfectly.

Where do you see yourself with this venture in the post-pandemic times – say 2 – 5 years down the line? 

2-4 years down the line I hope the website (suggestion alternate:business) is running smoothly. I hope we have a very good customer base. We are able to meet consumers’ demands and meet vendors’ demands. I have created a platform wherein everyone can buy CBD, grow the industry.

How far do you wish to sell these products – all over US, or any particular state?

In the US, the varying legislation behind selling in various states can be very difficult to navigate. We do, however, plan on selling in the entire United States as long as local and federal regulations apply.

Selling outside of the United States is something we will have to look into more. However, I do wish to sell outside of the US in the future as well.

Your advice to other businesses facing the same challenges as you did?

Yes, I would advise businesses to make sure you read all the legislation very carefully, prior to starting it.

Before all this when it was just an idea, it all seemed very easy, I started to look into particular things (specificities) of this industry. In this industry there is one thing you can do and three things you can’t, So I would just advise doing as much research as you can, trying to make the best decisions possible, and being ready for bumps in the road.

You must have looked into other service providers as well, What made you choose FATbit over the others that you considered? What differentiates it from its peers?

I would say the biggest difference was the way I was treated as a possible user of the Yo!Kart platform.

As soon as I was in contact with Abhishek (FATbit team), the experience was more than just getting a platform and I need people to do it, Rather its become more of a friendship because Abhishek and I go back and forth a lot, we talk a lot, happy new year, merry Christmas, and things like that.

The personal experience (with the software) is  I would say ease of access, the admin panel is very efficient.

Are you a seller (on the platform) yourself?

On our platform, at the moment we just have one product, the main goal is to attract as many vendors as possible within the CBD industry

I have a statement from my business partner “Your team has been a major part in helping us achieve our goal, and through their determination and hard work, we are close to finishing our website. I have only received respect and care through/from your team and they have helped us learn and better our company”

The post BuyCBDSupps – Inspiring Journey of a US CBD eCommerce Startup appeared first on FATbit Blog.

What was the inspiration behind choosing an e-commerce business? How did you come up with this idea?

The founders of Anyflexo OÜ have been in the flexo printing business for a couple of decades now. Over a period of time, they realized that the industry is very traditional and digitalization is slow – that’s how they came up with an idea of an e-marketplace for the industry. This would help in increasing transparency, smoother exchange of information and faster growth in business for small and medium-sized players in the industry.

How did you identify your target market?

The Founders of the marketplace have decades of experience and expertise of the industry. They have in-depth knowledge of the target market.

How did you finalize on the ideal eCommerce solution? Did you require any additional integrations or customisations?

We had two/three main criteria to fulfil before making a decision. That’s how we selected Yo!Kart ― It checked most of the important boxes on our checklist. It pretty much had the standard features a marketplace should have, however, some customisation was needed to match our industry and organisational requirements. For instance, the platform was customized to change the font, aligning it to our branding requirements. 

How did you define your Unique Selling Proposition for the users, to set yourself apart from established platforms in your niche?

Our platform is the first of its kind in the industry, and this first-mover advantage is its most significant USP.

What hurdles did you face initially? Can you share how did you overcome these hurdles?

Solving the chicken and egg dilemma in the marketplace was our major challenge. This means balancing the seller-to-customer ratio, and whom to approach first at the start. To solve this we started approaching both together but quickly realised it is fairly easy to convince the seller as sales via the e-marketplace added an extra sales channel to their business. Another reason to prioritize sellers was that they are the main source of our earnings, so that is why we first focused a little bit more on sellers than buyers. Once we had a specific number of sellers we then focused heavily on sales to customers, thus solving the chicken and egg dilemma.

Can you share the experience of witnessing the first sale on the platform?

Yes. It was very satisfying! – After the sale was completed we requested feedback on the customer experience and it was very positive. 

What is your vision for the business going forward – let’s say 5 years down the line?

To be able to operate and serve customers on a global level. 

What advice would you give to aspiring eCommerce entrepreneurs like yourself? Any tips/success mantra that you would like to share?

At the start be open to pivoting on your predetermined business strategies, as this might open unseen target markets and opportunities.

The post AnyFlexo – Leveraging eCommerce to Reshape B2B Industry Niche in Europe appeared first on FATbit Blog.

What Startups death trends show?

• 55% startups who have failed made $1M or less and 70% companies could not raise above $5M in total. It is surprising but not very tough to believe, as the companies run through the toughest stage initially and things like limited funds or general uncertainty make it more critical.
• Another fact revealed about the death of startups states that after 2010, every year 70% of the failed companies belong to internet sector. The industry that trails behind it is of mobiles.

1. Wesabe

Wesabe was a personal finance management website made for offering guidance on saving money. It had a very short life span i.e. less than 5 years and shut down even after an announcement was made that the company has secured US$4 million investment by 2007 to fund the site.

Founders: Jason Knight & Marc Hedlund

Funding: US$4 million

Active Dates: December 2005 – July 2010

Reasons for failure:

• Among many speculations why Wesabe failed, the most dominating reason seems to be the choice of not working with Yodlee. It’s a firm that offers automatic financial data and associated with nearly 700 leading financial institutions and more than 50 million consumers. Instead of working with Yodlee, Wesabe chose to build its own tool, which took quite a time and affected its launch. The data acquisition system was much alike Yodlee’s web interface, which didn’t work either.
• Unlike Wesabe, Mint relied on Yodlee to get user data, which enabled the latter to offer better user experience. Marc Hedlund himself quoted out in one of his interviews, “Changing people’s behavior is really hard”. So, instead of offering it their way, they should have focused on user interests.

 2. Nupedia

Nupedia was an English language Web-based encyclopedia giving expert information in the form of articles. The content was written by proficient authors and it was licensed as free. Nupedia was characterized by a strict review process to ensure the quality of articles been published match that of professional encyclopedias. And due to this strict screening process it could only produce 25 articles in all during its total lifetime of 3 years.

Founders: Jimmy Wales, Larry Sanger, underwritten by Bomis
Active Dates:  March 2000 – September 2003 (Succeeded by Wikipedia)

Reasons for failure:

• The question, “why did Nupedia fail” has just one simple and straight answer i.e. due to its seven step article approval process. One had to apply before getting to write an article for it and send relevant credentials like a degree or certificate to prove his legitimate identity. All this made the content processing complex and led to Nupedia’s shut down within 3 years.

3. Color- A photo sharing app

Color was a social application for photos (for iPhone & Android). It was in fact known as ‘color for Facebook’ and allowed people clicking pictures and watching others’ clicked photographs too. It would group photos of friends and show relevant ones to the users. It was re-launched with video sharing feature because favorable response could not be gathered initially.

Founders: Peter Pham & Nguyen

Funding: $41 million

Active Dates: 2010 – 2012

Reasons for failure:

• The reason of shutdown is traced back to its bad user experience as people found the app confusing & difficult to use. Its user interface was found confusing and things did not change even after a re-launching effort.
• Also, the photos that one shared were open for public and not limited till friends only. People in your proximity could see each photo and video you post, whether you were friends with each other or not. This gave a good enough reason to Facebook users to stay away from color app.

The company is still working but the app got shut down right after a year of its re-launch. Pham and Nguyen confessed in an interview, “We threw out a network you don’t know how to get good at…We threw a mountain at people.”

 4. Pay by touch

Pay by touch was a San Francisco based company that allowed people to pay with a swipe. You could do so with biometric sensor and pay for products/services easily. Checking information related to credit card, healthcare and personal details was also possible through biometric features thus creating an extremely safe anti-identity theft platform.

Funding: $340 million

Founder: John P Rogers

Active Dates: 2002 – May 2008

Reason for failure:

• Several things are labeled as the crucial reasons of Pay by touch disastrous shutdown. Few hold John P. Rogers’ reckless attitude responsible for it as he wasted lot of company’s money. It is said that by May 2007, the company was not even able to pay its employees.
• Business experts say that the biggest reason why Pay by touch failed was its weak business model.  Merchants and consumers were not convinced enough to use it on the grounds of security concerns & tiresome payment.
• The company started buying other rims like Green Stamps, which added to its indecisive journey as it had nothing to do with Pay by touch functioning.

5. Search Me

Search me, as the name suggests was a search engine that gave results as snapshots. It had similar interface as that of Apple’s iTunes album browser and was recognized as a visual search engine. One could share the results on Facebook and Twitter as it also gave links for both.

Founders: Randy Adams and John Holland

Funding: $43.6 million

Active Dates: March 2005 – July 2009

Reasons for failure:

• Basic design problems became the foremost reason of Search me failure. For instance, users were not able to see one tile at once and other preview tiles queued up behind. It cancelled out the supposed benefits of visual search.
• It did not provide the count of search results, which did not allow users to know whether they were going through 10, 100 or 1000 results.
• Also the users faced difficulty while judging the relevance of website, since the screenshots were found unreadable by them.
• Undue use of flash made the search engine slow & therefore company failed to secure funding for sustenance.

 6. Cuil

Cuil was another search engine formed by two Googlers & one IBMite. It gave results in content form only but showed longer items with thumbnails. It claimed to have a bigger index with 120 billion web pages, which is apparently more than that of Google at that time.

Active Dates: July 2008 to September 2010

Founders: Anna Patterson, Tom Costello, Russell Power

Funding: $33 million

Reasons for failure:

• Sources tell that Cuil crashed on the very first day of its launch due to overloaded server. So, the story of demise began right from its start.
• The product that was launched as Google competitor is said to have had faltering launch. It was much hyped initially but irrelevant results burst all hopes eventually.
• According to users, the pictures that appeared on Cuil search results used to be unrelated many a times and sites that appeared next to those pictures had no connection with them.
• Such technical disparities led to disappointment in users and paved way for its demise. Cuil was crashed when it was thought to be at final stage of acquirement. Google bought 7 of its patent and Anna Patterson got back to Google once again.

7. Brica Box

Brica Box was a service that brought social networking and content creation together, which was commonly known as social content platform. With its help, you could create your own social content site. Just as wordpress is for blog-creators, Brica box became a medium for creating sites based on social content like flickr & youtube.

Funding: None

Active Dates: September 2006 – June 2008

Founders: Nate Westheimer ,http://vimeo.com/1149384

Reasons for failure:

• Brica Box probably didn’t complete the much needed homework that any startup requires usually. They ended up having all the issues related to finance, traction & vision.
• Various blogs are packed with views that Nate did not focus on deciding the industry he entered and problem that Brica was to solve.
• Another reason is framed as the technical limitations that failed Brica Box.

 8. Webvan

Webvan was a company from Foster city, California that is still recalled among the first few companies, which entered online grocery business. It was entitled to deliver things within 30 minutes. Although bankruptcy hit it badly, yet Amazon revived it in 2009.

Funding: $800 Million through private investors and public IPO

Founders: Louis Borders

Active Dates: 1999 to 2001

Reasons for failure:

• The company had various flaws like wrong customer segmentation & inappropriate pricing.
• Its complex infrastructure added to list of troubles and brought Webvan on the brink of end.
• This startup walked expansion ladder quite soon, without increasing its capacity to function. It spent excessive money without focusing on demand and soon ran out of cash.

 9. Joost

Joost was an on line TV service based in P2PTV technology. Joost was created by the co-founders of Skype. It was an on-demand platform that offered peer to peer service that Viacom and CBS supported. Joost became a part of content provider agreement with Viacom in 2007 and secured content deals with CNN, the NHL, Sony, CBS, and Viacom.

Funding: $45 million

Active Dates: 2006 – 2009

Founders: Janus Friis, Niklas Zennström

Reasons for failure

• The fundamental reason was that the service was not browser based and required to be downloaded, which somehow affected its popularity and acceptance.
• Another important fact leading to Joost’s decline was that it failed to offer engaging content.
• Tech experts also suggest that it used old solution to solve current issues, which could not lure users.
•  Its P2P network showed signs of technical errors and made the users disinterested. The company did not work enough to fix those problems and the problems persisted even after it turned to be browser based.
• Like many failed startups, it too tried expanding quite fast without focusing on market trends.

10. Friendster

Friendster was a social networking site, which rose to fame as a social gaming platform after redesign. It was particularly credited for beginning social networking boom. In the initial months only, it was subscribed by three million users.

Founders: Jonathan Abrams

Funding: $48.5 million

Active Dates: 2002 – 2011

Reasons for failure:

• A series of crash in Users led to final acquisition of company.
• It is considered that rejecting Google’s proposal in 2003 was a big blunder as it could fetch them $30 billion.
• Tech experts also suggest that Facebook fame affected Friendster’s rise to great extent.

Conclusion:

Going through all the stories of startup failures, we found out few common reasons of why startups fail. The topmost factor that can lead to a startup death is lack of idea scalability. It happens when you move on without doing enough research before building up your business idea. Next slip-up that failed startups have committed is the lack of focus.  This is the common mistake made by all the growing websites that shut down sooner or later.

Other few important factors are lack of flexibility and absence of farsightedness. Instead of sticking to rigid concepts, one should be flexible enough to adapt with changing atmosphere. Acting right from the point where things start going wrong is the right way to handle but you need to keep flexible approach for accomplishing that.

Those who fail in making a startup successful are also seen to be failing in getting their marketing act together. To reach out the target users, you have to draw together appropriate and all possible ways of marketing.

Last and not the least is a dependable team that is free of internal clashes and have great leadership. Ventures that fail usually have a chaotic team management that derails in tough times.

If you are one of the future startups who want to ensure business success, then Consult FATbit for solutions from Web marketing Experts. We help online businesses to grow to their maximum potential by helping them get launched in a right way.

Every failure teaches us something; what are your biggest learnings so far?

The post Biggest Online Startup Failures – Read to Learn What NOT to Do appeared first on FATbit Blog.