Build a Marketplace App

Marketplace Fundamentals

A marketplace connects two groups:

• Supply side: Sellers, service providers, hosts
• Demand side: Buyers, customers, guests

Your job is to make both sides happy.

The Chicken-and-Egg Problem

Buyers want selection. Sellers want buyers. Neither comes without the other.

Solutions:

• Start with one side (usually supply)
• Provide value to one side even without the other
• Constrain to small geographic or niche market

Core Features

For sellers:

• Create listings (product/service)
• Set prices
• Manage orders
• Get paid

For buyers:

• Browse and search
• Filter and compare
• Purchase/book
• Leave reviews

For you:

• Take a cut (typically 5-20%)
• Handle disputes
• Maintain quality

Building with Spawned

Prompt for basic marketplace:

"Build a marketplace where sellers can list services with title, description, photos, and hourly rate. Buyers can search by category, view listings, and book appointments. Include user profiles, messaging between buyer and seller, and reviews."

Payment Flow

Typical marketplace payment:

1. Buyer pays
2. Money held in escrow
3. Service delivered
4. Funds released to seller (minus your fee)

Use Stripe Connect for this.

Trust and Safety

Verification: Confirm seller identity/qualifications Reviews: Both directions (seller reviews buyer too) Guarantees: Money-back if service not delivered Support: Easy way to report problems

Scaling Considerations

Start with manual processes:

• Approve listings yourself
• Handle disputes personally
• Onboard sellers one-by-one

Automate only when volume demands it.

Success Metrics

• GMV (gross merchandise volume)
• Take rate
• Liquidity (% of listings that sell)
• Repeat usage
• NPS for both sides