Ever dreamed of creating your online marketplace?
It can feel overwhelming, right?
Building one from scratch is complex and expensive.
But what if there was an easier way?
In this Sharetribe review, we’ll explore if it simplifies marketplace creation.
We’ll cover its features, pricing, and if it’s the right fit for your big idea. Let’s dive in!
Ready to launch your marketplace? Sharetribe powers over 1,000 successful marketplaces worldwide. Start your free trial today and see how easy it is to bring your vision to life!
What is Sharetribe?
Sharetribe is marketplace software.
It’s a way to build your own online marketplace platform without coding.
Think of it as a marketplace builder that lets you launch a marketplace quickly and easily.
Sharetribe offers different versions. Sharetribe Go is their SaaS (Software as a Service) option, a no-code marketplace template you can customize.
If you’re an expert developer, you can use Sharetribe’s API and GitHub access to build something more unique.
Whether you want a simple listing site or a complex platform that can scale to any size, Sharetribe has options.
They offer built-in features like Stripe integration for payments & analytics and an easy-to-use to manage your workflow.
It simplifies the process so you can focused on growing your marketplace.
Who Created Sharetribe?
Sharetribe was founded in Finland in 2011 by Juho Länsilehto.
The company’s vision was to make creating online marketplaces accessible to everyone, not just developers.
They wanted to empower entrepreneurs and businesses to build and grow their platforms, connecting buyers and sellers uniquely.
Sharetribe aimed to simplify marketplace development’s technical complexities.
Offering no-code solutions and developer tools to achieve this goal.
Top Benefits of Sharetribe
- Sharetribe’s no-code: Sharetribe Go makes building and launching a marketplace easy without coding. This saves time and cost compared to building from scratch or requiring custom development. It’s sharetribe, which is the easiest way to create a marketplace.
- Complete marketplace engine: Sharetribe has a powerful backend, admin tools, and everything you need to run your platform, including Stripe and PayPal payment integration.
- Customizable data schema: Tailor your marketplace to match your unique needs. This flexibility lets you sell anything from pre-owned items to services online.
- Sharetribe’s flexible transaction engine allows you to set up your monetization strategy. You can charge commissions and subscriptions or use other revenue-generating models.
- Extend your marketplace: As your business grows, add custom features and integrations. Using the API, you can build a native mobile app or create a headless marketplace solution.
- Open-source marketplace template: For developers, Sharetribe offers an open-source marketplace template and API access to your marketplace using custom code.
- Scalability: Sharetribe is designed to scale to any size, from small communities to the next Airbnb or unicorn.
- Security: Sharetribe handles the infra and protects your platform from threats like DDOS attacks.
Best Features of Sharetribe
Sharetribe isn’t just another marketplace builder; it’s a comprehensive platform designed to empower entrepreneurs.
Let’s explore some of the standout features that make it a compelling choice for building your online marketplace.
1. Layout & Branding
Your marketplace needs to reflect your unique brand.
Sharetribe lets you change your design easily.
You can customize the look and feel to create a professional and engaging user experience.
This is crucial for attracting & retaining customers.
2. Content SEO
Getting found online is essential.
Sharetribe helps with content SEO by allowing you to optimize your listing pages and other content.
This makes it easier for potential customers to discover your marketplace through search engines.
3. Customizable Data Schema
Not all marketplaces are created equal.
Sharetribe’s customizable data schema allows you to tailor your platform to the specific types of goods or services you offer.
You can structure your data to match whether it’s second-hand clothing, handcrafted goods, or professional services online.
4. Marketplace Management Tools
Running a marketplace involves a lot of moving parts.
Sharetribe provides robust admin tools to manage everything efficiently.
You’ll have control over your platform’s operations, from user management and transaction tracking to analytics and reporting.
The admin panel makes it easy to oversee your marketplace.
5. Custom Script
For those who need more flexibility, Sharetribe allows you to add custom features using custom code.
This is especially helpful for sharetribe expert developers.
This means you can extend your marketplace beyond the standard features and create a truly unique platform.
This requires custom development but provides almost limitless potential.
Pricing
Sharetribe offers different pricing plans to suit various needs and budgets.
It’s always best to check their official website for the most up-to-date information, as pricing can change.
However, here’s a general overview of what you might expect:
| Plan Name | Price (per month) | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Build | $39/mo | No-code marketplace builder, basic features, hosted SaaS |
| Lite | $99/mo | API access, custom code, headless marketplace solution |
| Pro | $199/mo | Dedicated support, advanced features, custom integrations |
| Extend | $299/mo | Customizable live marketplace code, API access to live marketplace. |
Pros and Cons
Choosing the right marketplace platform is crucial.
Let’s weigh the advantages and disadvantages of Sharetribe to help you make an informed decision.
Pros
Cons
Alternatives of Sharetribe
While Sharetribe is a popular choice, other marketplace platforms better fit your specific needs.
Here are a few alternatives:
- CS-Cart Multi-Vendor: A robust platform for building complex marketplaces with advanced features. It’s a good option if you need extensive customization and control.
- Yo! Kart: Another customizable multi-vendor platform known for its user-friendly interface & a wide range of built-in features.
- Marketplacer: A more enterprise-focused solution, offering advanced features and scalability for significant marketplaces.
- Webflow: While not specifically a marketplace platform, Webflow’s powerful website builder can be adapted for simpler marketplace setups, especially if design and visual customization are priorities.
- Build your own: You can always build your marketplace from scratch for maximum control and customization. This requires custom development and significant time and cost.
Personal Experience with Sharetribe
Our team recently used Sharetribe to launch a marketplace to connect local artists with buyers.
We were impressed by how quickly we could get started, thanks to Sharetribe Go.
The no-code builder was a lifesaver, as none of us are developers.
We especially appreciated these features and benefits:
- Ease of Use: The admin panel was intuitive, making it simple to manage listings, users, and transactions.
- Customization: We were able to change our design to reflect our brand and create a polished user experience perfectly.
- Built-in Payments: Integrating Stripe for payments was seamless, allowing us to process transactions securely.
- Scalability: While we started small, knowing that Sharetribe can scale to any size gave us confidence for future growth.
- Support: When we had questions, the community forum and [email protected] support were invaluable.
We could launch our marketplace in just a few weeks, which would have been impossible if we had tried to build it from scratch.
Sharetribe allowed us to focus on our core business—connecting artists and buyers—rather than getting bogged down in technical details.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Sharetribe cost?
Sharetribe offers different pricing plans, including Sharetribe Go for no-code marketplaces and Sharetribe Flex for custom development. Pricing varies depending on features, usage, and support levels. Visit their website for the update pricing details and consider the cost to build a marketplace with each option.
Can I build a mobile app with the Sharetribe?
You can build a native mobile app using Sharetribe’s API and developer tools. This requires custom development, but it allows you to offer a mobile-first experience to your users.
Do I need coding skills to use Sharetribe?
No, Sharetribe Go is a no-code marketplace builder. You can build & launch a marketplace without any programming knowledge. However, custom code may be needed for advanced features.
What payment gateways does Sharetribe support?
Sharetribe integrates with popular payment gateways like Stripe and PayPal payments. This makes it easy to process transactions securely and efficiently within your marketplace.
How scalable is Sharetribe?
Sharetribe is designed for scalability. Whether you’re starting small or aiming to build the next unicorn, Sharetribe’s infrastructure can handle growth. They handle the infra so you can focus on your business.
