Marketplace
Online market with many sellers
A marketplace is an online market where multiple independent sellers trade side by side under one brand and within a single shopping experience. The operator provides the platform, traffic, and often payments or delivery, while sellers supply the goods. Examples include Amazon, Allegro, and the Czech and Slovak Heureka and Mall.
How a marketplace works
A marketplace operator does not necessarily sell its own goods; it rents sellers space and an audience. The customer buys in one place and often does not even mind which seller the goods come from. In return the platform collects a commission on the sale, and sometimes a fee for listing or promoting the offer.
For the seller this means access to large, existing traffic without building a brand from scratch. In exchange they accept the platform’s rules, competition right on the product page, and price pressure, because customers easily compare identical goods from several sellers.
Marketplace versus your own store
A marketplace and your own store do not exclude each other; they complement each other. Each has its strengths.
- A marketplace brings fast reach and ready-made traffic, but takes a commission and keeps the customer relationship.
- Your own custom e-shop grows more slowly, but you fully control the brand, customer data, and margin.
- A common approach is to combine them: use the marketplace for reach and new customers, your own store to build loyalty.
- Entering a marketplace hinges on a quality product feed that reliably carries your offer onto the platform.
When joining one pays off
If you sell goods people actively search for and compare, a marketplace gets you in front of customers faster than building your own traffic. It suits expanding sales, testing demand, or entering a foreign market.
You do have to account for commission and strong price competition, though. That is why a marketplace works best as one of several sales channels, not the single pillar the whole business rests on.
Want to sell across multiple channels?
See our e-commerce buildsFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between a marketplace and my own store?
On a marketplace you sell in someone else’s environment with ready traffic, but you pay commission and the platform keeps the customer relationship. In your own store you fully control the brand, pricing, and customer data. A combination usually works best.
Do I need a product feed for a marketplace?
Yes. Most marketplaces ingest your offer through a product feed, a structured file with names, prices, availability, and attributes. A quality, up-to-date feed is the precondition for goods to display correctly and sell.
How much does a marketplace take from a sale?
Commission varies by platform and product category, so we avoid quoting specific figures. When you calculate profitability, always factor in commission, promotion fees, and any delivery costs handled through the platform.