Basics Of Building A No-Code Marketplace

As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a software developer. While this sounds like the opening lines to a rejected Goodfellas script, the sentiment is still there!

But if you’re like me, even thinking about building an online marketplace seems impossible! Without relevant software experience, taking your first steps toward building a marketplace is absolutely terrifying.

Thankfully, no-code development has changed the playing field. And here at 100DaysOfNoCode, we strive to kickstart your no-code journey from start to finish, so you’ll be building online marketplaces in no time!

What is a no-code marketplace?

There’s no doubt about it. Online marketplaces are taking over. With 2.14 billion people worldwide estimated to have bought services or goods online in 2021, it’s showing no signs of slowing down.

But before no-code software, building a marketplace was incredibly stressful; the process required coders and designers to work 24/7. Luckily, it’s incredibly easy to build an online marketplace with no-code software.

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Why choose no-code for marketplace development?

Aside from requiring zero technical skills, the benefits of building a no-code marketplace can’t be understated. Let’s look at three exciting advantages of a no-code marketplace.

Quick way to test your business idea

No-code tools have marketplace website templates ready to go. Its drag-and-drop interface allows you to visibly build your marketplace and be ready for launch in just a few hours!

Updating is easy

As with any online application, changes are inevitable. To stay relevant, constant updates to your site are necessary. Thankfully, adding new features to your no-code marketplace takes minutes rather than weeks.

Cost-effective

Due to no-code marketplace accessibility, there’s no need for an engineering team to assist. All it takes is learning the basics from community-driven platforms like 100DaysOfNoCode and a monthly subscription to marketplace software, and you’re good to go!

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How to create a no-code marketplace

In the past, if you wanted to build an online marketplace, you only had two options available: either learn how to code or exchange some of your equity for a technical expert.

Thankfully, with the help of no-code software, it’s so much easier to build your ideal marketplace. Once you have all the particulars for your no-code site, you can get the ball rolling.

Step One: Know Different types of no-code marketplaces

First things first, before making a roadmap, you need to know where you’re going. There are three types of no-code marketplaces to choose from.

B2B Marketplace 

Business-to-business marketplaces focus on connecting businesses selling a product/service with other businesses looking to buy.

Some examples of B2B marketplaces include MentorCruise, Caterspot, and SwagUp.

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B2C Marketplace

Business-to-consumer marketplaces refer to businesses selling products/services directly to consumers. It typically deals with online retailers who sell to consumers over the internet. 

Some examples of B2C marketplaces include Booking.com, Teachable, and Fiverr.

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P2P Marketplace

If you’re familiar with eBay, you’re familiar with peer-to-peer marketplaces. P2P marketplaces connect individual buyers with individual sellers.

Some examples of P2P marketplaces include Airbnb, Etsy, and Uber.

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Step Two: Pick the perfect development tool

Now that you’ve chosen your no-code marketplace, you’ll need to pinpoint which tool will best serve your needs:

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Ready-made marketplace software

Marketplace software like Sharetribe and Yo!Kart lets you build your marketplace using their toolkit. From providing website templates to launching a fully functional marketplace in under 24 hours, they’re perfect for non-developers.

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Visual drag-and-drop tools

Visual tools like Webflow and Airtable let you build your entire marketplace. Its Webflow Designer tools turn HTML, CSS, and Javascript into no-code controls, meaning you can use all three with simple drag-and-drop actions.  

This allows much more control of your page layout, so everything from margins to fonts can be altered.

With Webflow’s Content Management System CMS, connecting your content is super easy. Webflow’s CMS database dynamically stores data for things like your profile pages and portfolio items. It then lets you internally map this info to pages inside of your website. 

Step Three: Build a no-code minimum variable platform (MVP)

Before launching your marketplace, you’ll want to find out the needs of your users. Developing a no-code minimum variable platform (MVP) will put your mind at rest. 

If you don’t know, an MVP is the basic version of your marketplace. It gives you an insight into your audience's reaction to your site; and whether you’re comfortable moving forward. 

No-code MVPs allow you to instantly act on the insight given. There’s no need to wait for coding experts to intervene, so there’s minimal delays leading up to your launch.

How much does it cost to run a no-code marketplace?

For a real world cost of running a no-code marketplace, Connor Finlayson, founder of Unicorn Factory, breaks down his monthly spending in his “How to build online marketplaces with Webflow, Airtable, & Zapier” YouTube video:

• Using only the essential tools - $80 per month 
• For all of Connor's no-code tools - $580 per month
• Connors biggest expense is paid advertising - $2-3K per month

All costs scale with usage and additional tools

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Wrapping up

No-code is changing the digital world as we know it. Today, you can skip learning to code, all the tools you need to build a no-code marketplace are at your fingertips. I want to say the digital world is your oyster, but I’m waiting for my no-code MVP to get the go-ahead…

Now that you’re ready to build your no-code marketplace, sign-up now to 100DaysOfNoCode. With structured, jargon free training, you’ll receive the tools you need to jumpstart your no-code journey. So, if you have your own website in mind, let’s get started.