%20(1).png)
What is card program management?
Ecommerce platforms and marketplaces are two primary online business models that come with unique advantages and disadvantages. However, the rise of hybrid models is blurring the lines between the two. The question remains: are you an ecommerce platform or marketplace?
This article will explain the key differences between the two models, including factors to consider when choosing between them. We’ll also highlight successful examples of both models, and the future of ecommerce, to help you make the best choice for your business.
The main distinction between ecommerce platforms and marketplaces is their approach to managing transactions between customers and vendors.
Marketplaces, also known as managed platforms, provide a comprehensive experience that includes managed payments and delivery services. Marketplaces focus on connecting buyers and vendors, allowing for greater flexibility and less control over the final purchase.
To elaborate, marketplaces typically maintain complete control over financial transactions, and offer end-to-end user experiences and business facilitation for both vendors and customers.
Think of a marketplaces like a department store where various suppliers showcase their products within a shared space, and are sold under shared rules at the department store’s checkout.
In contrast, ecommerce platforms are more similar to a thrift market where customers move from one vendor to the next and interact with each one individually. Although market administrators vet every seller, vendors operate independently in terms of their sales processes and other operations.
To determine whether your business operates as a marketplace or ecommerce platform, you need to examine how your business handles transactions between buyers and sellers, as well as the level of control your business has over these transactions.
If your business maintains control over the financial transactions, manages the delivery services, and provides a consistent end-to-end user experience, then it’s likely you’re operating as a marketplace (or managed platform).
On the other hand, if your business connects buyers and sellers and allows for greater flexibility and independence in the transaction process, then you’re likely an ecommerce platform.
To help you understand the key differences between marketplaces and ecommerce platforms, here are some examples of well-known online marketplaces:
There are many ecommerce platforms available for your businesses to use to set up your own online store, including:
Hybrid models combine features from both models and make the marketplace vs platform debate a little more muddled. Brands like Airbnb, Uber, and Lyft often refer to themselves as ‘sharing economy’ or ‘peer-to-peer (P2P) platforms’, as they facilitate transactions between individuals rather than traditional businesses.
In the case of Airbnb, the platform connects travelers with people who’ve a spare room or an entire home to rent out for short-term or long-term stays. Airbnb acts as an intermediary, handling payment processing and providing a platform for communication between hosts and guests.
At the same time, Airbnb also sets some rules and policies for both hosts and guests, including refund policies and quality standards, and takes a commission on each transaction.
Uber and Lyft connect riders with drivers who use their own vehicles to provide transportation services. The platforms handle payment processing, set pricing policies, and offer some level of quality control through driver ratings and background checks. However, the drivers aren’t employees of the company but rather independent contractors who use the platform to find customers.
These are the key factors to consider when choosing between a platform or a marketplace business model:
If you want to create a platform that connects buyers and sellers, allowing them to complete transactions on their own terms, then that would be an ecommerce platform.
Alternatively, if your primary goal is to aggregate a wide range of products or services and offer a streamlined user experience, you would choose the marketplace (or managed platform) model.
If your target customers want a broad range of products or services, a marketplace model may be a better fit, but if you’re targeting specific groups of buyers or sellers, then you could operate as an ecommerce platform instead.
The online marketplace model is more suitable if your business plans to offer a variety of products or services, like Amazon which sells everything from lightbulbs to langoustines. On the other hand, ecommerce platforms are ideal for selling a specific type of product or service.
This decision can have a big impact on how quickly your business grows. If you want to offer a more flexible buying and selling experience, allowing buyers and sellers to negotiate terms, then we recommend starting an ecommerce platform. However, if you want more control over the buying and selling process, including pricing, and shipping, you could become a marketplace.
The marketplace model typically generates revenue through commission fees on sales, while an ecommerce platform model may gain revenue through subscription fees or other sources.
In most cases, the marketplace model requires more complex technology and infrastructure to support the buying and selling process, while an ecommerce platform model may require more investment in user interface and user experience design. It all depends on your budget and technical prowess.
Ultimately, the best model for your specific business will depend on your goals, resources, and target audience.
Whether you run an ecommerce platform or online marketplace, Checkout.com can help you scale quickly, manage your ecommerce payments efficiently, and build a loyal community.
To learn more visit our integrated platforms page or contact our sales team for more information.