Understand how marketplaces work in 5 minutes flat
In France, many marketplaces are highly influential and visible on the web. Some of the biggest are Amazon, Ebay, Cdiscount, Fnac and Priceminister. Read all our advice on marketplaces.
How do marketplaces work?
A marketplace is a relational site that brings buyers and sellers together to do business. In other words, buyers and sellers are brought together in a technical and commercial environment known as the marketplace. The transaction takes place on the e-commerce platform, which ensures that it runs smoothly. This is known as a trusted third party.
What is sold on marketplaces?
A wide range of products can be sold on marketplaces: both physical products and dematerialised products (e-books, etc.). Anyone can sell on marketplaces, as long as their field of activity matches that of the e-commerce platform. Obviously, you won't be accepted on the Nature et Découverte marketplace if you sell specialist DIY products. What's more, you won't be able to reach a qualified and interested audience.
How much does it cost to launch a marketplace?
Before launching on a marketplace, there are a number of costs to consider. Most of the time, you will have to pay commission on sales (5 to 20% excluding tax of the selling price of the item). Sometimes you will also have to pay a fee when you open an account, but in this case you will be warned in advance. How does a marketplace work? You only pay if you sell!
How can I optimise my presence on marketplaces?
To be successful on marketplaces, it is important to have a product flow that is adapted and optimised for the different media. Each marketplace has its own flow requirements. So you need to configure yours to meet their expectations. This is a technically complex and time-consuming activity, as soon as you have a number of products in different sizes and colours. A flow management tool like Iziflux enables you to obtain perfectly constructed flows that are adapted to the constraints of the distribution media: a precious time-saver for your business.
Conclusion
The 5 minutes are up. Do you now have a better understanding of how marketplaces work? They really are a trendy medium in 2015. Many e-commerce sites are choosing to transform themselves into marketplaces in order to expand their range and potentially reach a wider target of consumers. Take advantage of the large audience of these online sales platforms and turn them into a new distribution channel for your products!
Read articles by the same author:
- Marketplaces: undeniable advantages for developing your business
- Save time and money on marketplaces with Iziflux!
- 4 best practices for improving performance on marketplaces
Article translated from French