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Businesses are shifting online in huge numbers, not because they want to mark their online business’s presence but because customers are preferring purchases through online channels to offline ones. According to a report, 2.64 billion people, a significant percentage of the global population, shopped online. 

A number of reasons are there that are influencing people to make online purchases. Cost-effectiveness, variety of choices, convenience, privacy, offers and discounts are the primary motivations of this online shift. Moreover, fast and doorstep delivery is one of the few reasons to attract customers to shop online.

Especially, if we talk about B2B buyers, they are finding online trade more convenient. According to Digital Commerce 360, 7 out of 10 B2B buyers prefer to make purchases online when ready to buy. Resulting, B2B marketplaces have shown 100 percent growth in online purchases over the years. 

If you are one of the entrepreneurs or business owners who want to build a B2B marketplace and want to know the development cost of building a B2B marketplace in 2025, this informative blog will guide you through all the necessary steps and information. Let’s read the entire blog carefully and make an informed decision: 

What are the Types of Online Marketplaces?

A marketplace works as an intermediary between buyers and sellers that connects them on an online platform in order to buy or sell products or services online.

However, there are different types of marketplaces and are categorized according to their business model, category, niche, participants and more. Let’s explore different types of marketing below: 

Types of Marketplaces According to their Business Model:

• Vertical Marketplace: A vertical marketplace focuses on a specific niche, industry, category or service. It targets customers with some specific requirements. In simple words, a vertical marketplace aims to be the master of its domain. 

Example: Etsy and Uber are well-known examples of vertical marketplaces that target specific niches and audiences. 

• Horizontal Marketplace: Unlike the vertical marketplace model, the horizontal marketplace caters to multiple industries or niches by offering a wide range of products or services on the platform. Its target audience is wide. In short, a horizontal marketplace is a one-stop destination for buyers that focuses on broader coverage to fulfill all the buyer’s requirements. 

Example: Amazon and Alibaba are popular examples of horizontal marketplaces where buyers can find anything they need. 

Types of Marketplaces According to their Target Audience:

• B2C (Business to Customer): B2C marketplaces allow sellers to sell their products to customers through the platform. They target individual customers with specific requirements.  

Examples: Amazon and Walmart

• B2B (Business to Business): In B2B marketplaces one business sells products to another business. This type of marketplace enables opportunities for businesses listed on the platform to trade with other businesses. 

Examples: Amazon Business and Alibaba 

• C2C (Customer to Customer): The C2C marketplace connects customers to other customers on the platform. In this type of marketplace, a customer can be a buyer or seller, and vice-versa. 

Examples: Etsy and Poshmark

• D2C (Direct to Customer): The D2C marketplace directly connects brands to customers. In this marketplace model, companies directly sell products to customers at lower prices and build a community by sustaining customer’s preferences. 

Examples: Nike and Casper 

Types of Marketplaces According to their Offerings:

• Service-based Marketplace: This type of marketplace provides professional services on the platforms.

Examples: Upwork and Fiverr

• Product-based Marketplace: The product-based marketplace offers physical or virtual products that can be ordered or downloaded. 

Examples: Etsy and eBay

What are the Key Features Required in a B2B Marketplace Website?

Online B2B marketplaces are gaining popularity these days. Especially, the way they are offering the ease of doing business online with the help of their B2B-specific features and functionalities. 

There are a number of marketplaces that are positioning themselves in the B2B industries. Amazon Business, Alibaba, AliExpress, eWorldTrade and eBay are the leaders in the B2B industry well-known for their amazing B2B-specific features and functionalities. 

Let’s explore the key features of B2B marketplaces that can help you lead the industry by delivering ease of B2B Trade.  

1. RFQ Module: 

Generally, B2B transactions are big compared to any other type of business transaction. Therefore, businesses need to negotiate in order to get the best possible pricing. 

However, price negotiation is an integral part of any business. Especially, in the B2B industry, it plays a significant role where a small amount can have a big impact. 

In B2B marketplaces, the RFQ (Request for Quote) module is the solution to the price negotiation. It helps both parties to negotiate on pricing. 

RFQ module allows buyers (Businesses who want to buy) on the platform to request a quote for products and for sellers (Businesses who want to sell), it gives an option to reply to the request. These requests can be set for a limited number of times or can continue till the buyer does not grab the best deal. 

2. Custom Invoicing: 

The B2B orders are complex in nature. Each transaction has its unique needs that require customization. It may involve flexible payments, tax management according to the specific product categories, order quantity and more. 

A customizable invoicing feature allows businesses to customize invoices tailored to their specific businesses and transactional needs. 

3. Hide Pricing: 

Hide pricing is another important feature for an online B2B Marketplace website. It allows the owner or administrator of a B2B marketplace to enable or disable the hide pricing feature. 

However, it is advisable to compare both options in order to choose the most suitable one that best suits your marketplace.  

Talking about the requirements of hide pricing in the B2B marketplace website, prices on the B2B platform may vary for the same product depending on quantity, quality and more. 

At the initial stage, these price differences may disappoint buyers on the platform. Therefore, hide pricing provides an option to hide prices on the platform. On the other hand, it also allows businesses to discuss pricing while considering all the factors that may cause price differences. 

4. Part Payment Option: 

B2B order values are often high in numbers and may take a longer duration to deliver the final consignment due to customs requirements, larger quantities and several other reasons. 

Meanwhile, initiating the final payment at the time of placing an order can disrupt the buyer’s business flow. On the other hand, processing orders without getting payment or payment after delivery may also cause inconvenience to the seller.

This is why, a part payment option is needed on the online B2B marketplaces. It provides an option to transfer a partial order amount decided mutually. Businesses can mutually discuss the repayment of the remaining amount in installments depending on order fulfillment.

This is how the part payment option lets businesses initiate payment in multiple phases as they often do in offline business deals without disrupting business flow.       

5. Minimum Order Quantity: 

Large volume orders are the core of B2B businesses. They also separate a B2B marketplace from a B2C marketplace. 

The minimum order quantity feature allows sellers to restrict buyers from placing orders less than the minimum order quantity set by them. This feature helps sellers achieve their business objectives. 

On B2B marketplaces, product pricing is decided considering various factors and business strategies such as order quantity and order value. Getting orders in less quantity may cause them loss to their business. 

Let’s make the concept of restricting order on minimum quantity more clear through an example: 

Suppose, you are a business that manufactures T-shirts and you have received a custom order for 20 T-shirts. Now you know that to fulfill this custom requirement, you need a lot of time, resources, materials, change in operations and many more such requirements which may lead to additional expenses higher than the order value. 

In this case, you will have to bear the loss because the order quantity is less. However, more such scenarios can be there that can explain the need for a minimum order quantity restriction feature in an online marketplace. 

6. Bulk Order Discounts:

Pricing transparency is always an important factor. At the same time, discounts, buying incentives and rewards are key considerations. These offerings attract buyers and encourage them to make purchases. 

Likely, bulk order discount is the core feature of an online marketplace. It helps sellers to attract and engage buyers on the platform. In addition, bulk order discounts also encourage buyers to make purchases in the maximum possible quantities.

It benefits all the parties involved, buyers, sellers and marketplace owners. Buyers get value-for-money products, sellers accumulate more sales, and a marketplace generates more revenue.   

What are the Advantages of Building an eCommerce Marketplace?

Undoubtedly, marketplaces are helping businesses generate more revenue by providing them the opportunity to reach a wider customer base to sell products online. 

Today, building an online marketplace is a strategy for businesses that can drive growth. These eCommerce marketplaces are not just helping businesses to sell their products online but are letting them expand their reach and so on. Below are a few key advantages of building an online marketplace. Let’s explore: 

Key Benefits of an Online Marketplace: 

• Access to Wider Audience: 

Broader audience reach is the biggest advantage of an eCommerce marketplace. It attracts millions of visitors regularly. Unlike an offline physical store, an online marketplace breaks all the geographical barriers allowing it to reach a wider audience. Visitors at physical stores are limited due to their area, but with an online marketplace, businesses can reach out to the global audience effortlessly. 

One can run ad campaigns and showcase your products worldwide in order to boost your sales. The online marketplace lets you sell products overseas. The opportunity to reach a wide audience not only lets you generate more revenue but also helps you earn a loyal customer base along with earning brand recognition. 

• More Revenue and Less Expenses: 

The eCommerce marketplace lets you generate more revenue than the brick-and-mortar store. On the other hand, it also helps you reduce your costs and increase profits. An online marketplace attracts visitors through multiple sources. Also, there is a wide variety of tools and resources that help a marketplace owner to get potential leads contributing to revenue generation. 

Building an online store is always more cost-saving than managing a physical store. It requires less investment compared to a physical store. 

Unlike a physical store, an online marketplace owner does not need to pay store rent.  Also, there is no need to pay for store design, maintenance, workforce, inventory stock and more. 

• Easy to Scale with Growing Business’s Needs: 

Scalability is another significant advantage of an online eCommerce marketplace. It allows you to expand your platform according to the business’s requirements. 

Unlike a traditional physical storefront, it does not require physical presence, construction and infrastructure, movement of inventory, managing staff, relocating your business from one location to another and much more. 

An online marketplace also saves time and effort when scaling your business. More importantly, an online marketplace has the ability to handle increased demand transactions on the platform without significant performance degradation.

You can simply scale your marketplace platform with the help of tech experts. In addition, compared to a physical storefront, scaling your marketplace platform is cost-saving and convenient. 

• Multiple Revenue Streams

Monetization is a crucial part of any business. An online eCommerce marketplace lets you generate revenue through multiple channels. A marketplace can charge listing fees for listing products on the platform. Others can charge a commission on each sale or can choose both revenue models.  

Accordingly, marketplace owners can generate revenue through commissions, subscriptions, value-added services, transaction fees, product listing fees, advertising and more.  

However, people often get confused between the business model and the revenue model. Let’s make it clear. 

A business model refers to products or services that serve customers. On the other hand, the revenue model is the way to generate revenue for the business. 

Undoubtedly, two companies may have similar business models, but the revenue model can differ depending on their preferences and business strategy. 

• Automation and Streamlined Operations

Automation and streamlined operations are the key advantages of building an online eCommerce marketplace. Online marketplaces offer various tools and resources that help in managing marketplace operations effortlessly. 

From automating order processing to initiating payments and managing inventory to completing final shipment. These marketplaces manage all the operations automatically. 

However, online eCommerce marketplaces also allow third-party app integration to automate and streamline marketplace operations. There are many such operations that can be otherwise impossible to manage manually if a marketplace has a good number of transactions. 

In addition, automation in the marketplace not only streamlines operations but also reduces the chances of errors and improves efficiency. 

• Brand’s Visibility and Trust:

Another major advantage of building an online eCommerce marketplace is that it increases trust, visibility and credibility. Buyers feel more comfortable and secure when making purchases on a trusted online marketplace. 

This sense of security and trust, on the other hand, helps a marketplace establish a loyal customer base contributing to repeat sales and referrals for the business. 

Let’s understand the enhanced visibility of an online marketplace through an example: 

Suppose you are running an offline store. 

What do you think about how many people can see your brand or to what max you can reach out? limited customer base, right? 

On the other hand, an online marketplace lets you target millions of customers worldwide contributing to enhanced visibility. 

Top 5 Factors to Determine the Development Cost of a B2B Marketplace Website

The cost of building a B2B marketplace website depends on various factors. Let’s explore the aspects that may influence the cost of developing a B2B marketplace.

1. Development Approach You Choose to Build a Marketplace: 

The selection of development approach highly influences the marketplace development cost. Primarily, there are two types of development approaches entrepreneurs often choose from. 

• Developing a Marketplace from the Scratch: It may cost from $50000 to $200000 or even more. However, there are three primary ways to employ developers on the job to develop a marketplace from scratch: 

• Hiring an in-house development team
• Hiring freelance developers
• Outsourcing development to an IT Company

• Readymade marketplace solution: The cost of launching a marketplace using a readymade solution varies depending on the solution you choose to launch your marketplace. However, readymade solutions are always more cost-effective than developing a marketplace from scratch. 

However, some choose SaaS-based marketplace solutions. These solutions are software-as-a-service that allows you to launch your platform and charge monthly or yearly recurring fees. Charges may vary depending on features and functionalities.  

2. Types of Marketplace that can be Launched:

Another consideration that may influence your marketplace development cost is the type of marketplace you need to develop. Below are the different types of marketplaces: 

Based on the Business Model: 

1. Horizontal Marketplace
2. Vertical Marketplace

Based on Participants/Target:

1. B2B Marketplace
2. B2C Marketplace 
3. C2C Marketplace
4. D2C Marketplace

Based on Offerings: 

1. Product-based Marketplace 
2. Services-based Marketplace

However, all the types of marketplaces are explained above in detail with their examples. 

3. UI/UX Design for an Enhanced User Experience: 

UX/UI design is another aspect of developing a marketplace that also affects the marketplace development cost. However, UX/UI design helps marketplace owners set their marketplace tone and influence the marketplace adoption rate. An easy and enhanced UX/UI engages visitors contributing to an increased conversion rate. 

Creating a UX/UI design that reflects your brand’s style and tone may cost up to $10000 and more.

4. Key Features and Functionalities Required in an Online Marketplace: 

Deciding on all the features and functionalities initially can be challenging. However, you can decide the costs of essential features and functionalities depending on your marketplace type. Typically, the average cost to develop essential marketplace features may cost $20000 to $50000 or even more depending on the complexity of your requirements. 

Essential Features Required for a Marketplace: 

• User Registration
• Search and Filter
• Listing Management
• User Management
• Shipping Option 
• Payment Processing 
• Order Management 
• Wish List 
• Add to Cart
• Notifications
• Reviews and Ratings
• Analytics and Reporting

5. Technology Stack to Develop an Online eCommerce Platform: 

The technology stack and marketing tools, you will be using while developing a B2B marketplace website can also greatly impact the development cost. These are the fundamentals of your marketplace, responsible for your overall marketplace performance, features, functionalities, scalability options and much more. Always choose technologies that are future-proof, reliable and trusted. Also, flexible and compatible with customization, scalability, integrations, etc. However, the cost may vary depending on your selection. 

Marketplace Development Requirements

• Frontend development 
• Backend development
• Databases
• Cloud solutions
• Mobile app development

Popular Tech Stack in the Industry: LAMP

LAMP is one of the popular and reliable technology stacks that is time-tested and easily accessible. Most importantly, most of the developers are likely to be familiar with this tech stack. 

LAMP Tech Stack Includes:

• Linux operating system
• Apache web server
• MySQL database
• PHP, Perl or Python scripting languages

Apart from the above cost factors, some other factors are also there that may cause additional expenses. They are legal and regulatory costs, licensing fees, hosting fees, charges for third-party tools integration and more. In addition, later you also need to spend money on scaling, data storage and backup, maintenance and support, etc.   

How Much Does it Cost to Build a B2B Marketplace?

The cost of building a B2B marketplace may depend upon the above-discussed top factors. It may also vary depending on your marketplace type, requirements, complexity, add-ons, third-party integrations and more. 

Regardless, the estimated cost of building a simple B2B multi-vendor marketplace can range anywhere between $30000 to $100000 and the required timeline is between 4 to 6 months. 

In addition, developing an advanced feature-rich B2B marketplace website can cost between $100000 to $200000 or even more. Also, the duration of building such a marketplace requires 6 to 12 months and a few more months. 

In case, you also want to develop your marketplace mobile app for Android and iOS, it will cost you extra up to $50000 exclusive other additional expenses on maintenance, updates and upgrades.  

Launch Your B2B Marketplace with Cost-effective Readymade Marketplace Software: Yo!Kart B2B

Yo!Kart B2B is readymade eCommerce software that allows you to launch your B2B marketplace starting at $1499. This marketplace software offers a lifetime license at a one-time payment. It doesn’t cost recurring or any additional charges.

Yo!Kart B2B also provides an opportunity to get the source code ownership that allows you to gain complete control over the software. It provides access to the source code and lets you add and modify features and functionalities through coding according to your marketplace requirements. 

By launching your B2B multi-vendor marketplace with Yo!Kart B2B, you get access to feature-rich eCommerce software that comes with all the essential B2B-specific features to tackle your diverse business needs. 

B2B features that you get with the Yo!kart B2B include an RFQ module, part payment option, hide pricing, custom invoicing, minimum order quantity, bulk order placement, bulk order discount, quick order process, direct buyer-seller communication and much more. 

Advantages of Choosing Yo!Kart as Your Marketplace Software

Apart from being a feature-rich readymade marketplace solution, Yo!Kart has a lot more that attracts entrepreneurs and business owners to build and launch their marketplace with it. Let’s explore a few advantages of choosing Yo!Kart as your marketplace software: 

• Self-Hosted: Yo!kart is a self-hosted software that provides the flexibility to launch your platform on your preferred server. 

• Fully Customizable: This marketplace solution is fully customizable which means you can easily align it with your brand’s tone and style for an enhanced user experience. 

• Scalable: Being a scalable marketplace software, Yo!Kart also lets you scale your platform with the growing business’s needs. 

• No Recurring Charges: Yo!Kart doesn’t have any subscription or recurring charges as it is available with a one-time payment. 

• White-label Software: Being a white-label software, Yo!Kart provides an option to launch and grow your marketplace under your brand.

• Source Code Ownership: Yo!Kart also provides source code ownership offering you complete control over your platform. 

• Buyer Mobile App: With Yo!Kart, you can also get an option to get ownership of the buyer mobile app for Android and iOS. 

• Multilingual and Multi-Currency Support: Yo!kart’s multilingual and multi-currency support allows you to reach businesses and customers across the globe by breaking all the barriers in order to grow your platform. 

• Free Technical Support: To provide you the ease when dealing with unexpected issues, Yo!Kart provides free technical support for 6 months to one year. 

• Dedicated Project Manager: To help you complete your setup and installation and guide you through all your queries related to software, you are assigned a dedicated project manager. 

Global B2B Marketplaces Launched by Yo!Kart 

• UNI Diamond – A popular B2B online marketplace for online diamond trade based in Israel.

• PipeHub – It is a USA-based B2B eCommerce marketplace that allows selling pipes in bulk.

• Green Sourcing Hub – A Japan-based B2B marketplace known for supplying eco-friendly materials, including limestone-based materials, recycled plastics and plant-derived materials.

• Rexporta – A Georgia-based B2B platform that operates from warehouses located in Georgia, China, and Turkey. It provides an opportunity for the business to trade in hardware parts for categories such as agriculture, homeware, tools, machinery and more. 

• Bozinga – A pan-American feature-rich B2B multi-vendor marketplace that allows B2B trade by connecting manufacturers, distributors, service providers and trading companies on an eCommerce platform.

Explore Yo!Kart’s Portfolio

Final Thought

Marketplace development is a challenging process that requires a number of resources and a handsome sum of money. The cost of developing a B2B marketplace is influenced by various factors. Yet, proper research and planning can help you get the right direction for building a B2B marketplace in a cost-effective manner.  

However, you can manage hidden costs and prevent overcosting by implementing cost-cutting measures. Otherwise, you can save costs by launching your marketplace with a readymade solution. 

Yo!kart B2B can be one of the best marketplace software that can help you launch your platform. This marketplace software has served several niches worldwide successfully. If you are an entrepreneur who wants to build and launch a marketplace without spending much money, Yo!Kart can be an ideal selection for you to get a kick-start. 

FAQs

Q 1. How much does it cost to build a B2B marketplace website?

Ans. Building a b2b marketplace from scratch can cost between $50000 to $200000 or even more depending on the marketplace requirements.

However with Yo!Kart, you can build and launch your B2B marketplace starting at $1499. 

Q 2. How much does it cost to develop a marketplace mobile app?

Ans. The cost of developing a marketplace mobile app can range anywhere from $20000 to $50000. It may also vary depending on the requirements. 

Q 3. What are the key factors to determine the costs of developing a marketplace? 

Ans. The cost of developing a marketplace depends on the following key factors: 

• Project Scope and complexity
• UX/UI Design
• Technology stack 
• Features and Functionalities
• Third-party Integrations
• Licensing, Legal and other associated costs
• Development team + others 

Connect with Yo!Kart team to know more about the cost of launching a B2B marketplace. Click Here 

Q 4. Does Yo!Kart provides an option to launch a global marketplace?

Ans. Yes, Yo!Kart has empowered 5K+ clients worldwide. You can also launch your global marketplace with Yo!Kart.

The post How Much Does it Cost to Build a B2B Marketplace Website? appeared first on FATbit Blog.

So whether you are struggling with inadequate legacy eCommerce systems, have come to terms with a marketplace platform solution not realistically suited as initially planned, or simply have outgrown your current systems, the need to look ahead and pivot might be the need of the hour. 

In this blog, get a walkthrough on switching your eCommerce marketplace platform why you need it, the steps to execute it, and how we can assist you in this endevor.   

What is eCommerce marketplace platform migration?

Fundamentally, eCommerce platform migration is simply the strategic process of switching your eCommerce marketplace from an existing platform to a new one. Technically, though, the process has a lot to it. It involves careful execution that ensures data integrity, transferring from the existing dataset to the new, streamlining file formats from source to destination, and synchronizing storage devices. Migrating an eCommerce platform is also referred to as platforming. 

How to judge the right time for eCommerce platform migration? 

The eCommerce marketplace platform is the fulcrum of your business. It can be a catalyst for market dominance but at the same time, an insufficient eCommerce platform can drag your business down with impediments. Before you realize it, you start losing ground to other competitors.  

That is when you turn to eCommerce migration. It does involve certain considerations. But if you follow the best practices, the eCommerce migration can be seamless. The best place to start is conducting a feasibility analysis of the requirements. Which indicators tell you it’s time to move on from the current eCommerce platform? Here are a few things you should consider. 

1. Outdated Tech Stack 

As the eCommerce ecosystem continues its accelerated advance, eCommerce platforms have been going through a metamorphosis to cater to an industry with growing needs. eCommerce businesses that rely on legacy eCommerce systems have been unable to adjust to the change. Modern eCommerce platforms are extensively capable and yet high-performing. To stay competitive, legacy systems can consider re-platforming to modern eCommerce solutions. 

2. Lack of Pivotal eCommerce Features

eCommerce features play a key role in the success of a marketplace business. In a time when online businesses scramble to get consumers’ attention, eCommerce platform capabilities foster positive consumer experiences. Moreover, they enhance the efficiency of managing the operations for sellers and the Admin. Hence, an eCommerce platform with rich features promises better consumer traction and operational efficiency. 

3. Higher Total Cost Of Ownership (TCO)

In a multi vendor eCommerce business, the overall value offered on the platform is a key motivator for online shoppers. Hence, online businesses are often stretching to get a price advantage. To achieve this, it is pivotal to optimize business overheads. That said managing overheads as such is difficult. 

Especially for the online businesses that had favored subscription-based SaaS eCommerce solutions to launch. At the time of launch, it may have seemed an easier way to start. However, later on, they realize the never-ending overhead that subscription costs add and that only increase as they scale. Hence, to stay competitive, migrating to one-time payment platforms starts gaining business providence. 

4. Customization requirements 

Business Agility is imperative to navigate a competitive environment. Hence customization needs are likely to come up throughout the lifecycle of an eCommerce marketplace business. Thus online businesses need a customizable platform and a team to handle the customization. If the current platform lacks customizability or the support of an expert team, it is prudent to migrate to a customizable solution with readily available reliable customization services.  

5. Low Integration Capabilities 

Just like customization, the integration capabilities of the eCommerce platform augment the possibilities for an eCommerce platform. Online businesses would want to rely on an eCommerce marketplace platform that is readily compatible with wide-ranging APIs. This compatibility enhances the ease to build connectors with their eCommerce ecosystem. 

6. Poor After-Sales Support Experience 

Online businesses are held up by poor after-sales support. First inadequacies in the eCommerce platform hold you from getting competitive in the market. If after that, the response from the support team is slow, it does not give you the appropriate solution, the support is very costly, or worse still the team simply lacks expertise, you have serious issues on your way to market success. To circumvent this, migrating to an eCommerce solution renowned for robust after-sales service mechanisms should be a priority. 

These were some key scenarios when you should be running a feasibility analysis of switching eCommerce marketplace platform for a more competitive future for your online business. 

Key Factors to Consider Before Switching eCommerce Platform 

Before migrating to another eCommerce platform, businesses need to evaluate several factors that will be key to the overall success of the migration process. These factors include: 

1. Total Budget for the eCommerce migration

First, factor in the total budget required for the migration process. The budget can include the cost of the process and the cost of the new platform solution. Based on this cost analysis, better decisions can be made and choosing the right solution to migrate can be better ascertained. 

2. Mitigating any impact on the business

Since eCommerce migration there might be some downtime, but since the eCommerce migration promises a much better ecosystem for your business, it is better to navigate this with proper preparation i.e. everything can be seamlessly managed with proper planning, following a methodical approach, and choosing the right eCommerce solution with quick implementation teams. Moreover, seamless migration services help in mitigating any impact to a minimum. 

3. Preserving SEO and Digital Identity  

Another important aspect is the current ranking of your eCommerce marketplace platform on the search engines. While migrating to a more capable eCommerce platform is key to the success of the business, retaining the digital identity of your online presence is equally important. For this purpose, you would want to retain the architecture of the site, page URLs, and the menu structure. Ensure that the setup of the new platform mimics your older asset. 

Step By Step guide for switching eCommerce platform 

The best way to approach a key activity is via following a methodical and measured approach. It is the same for migrating your eCommerce platform. Discussed below is a step by step process which can help you in migrating your eCommerce platform. 

Step 1: Prepare and Set Goals 

Based on your eCommerce strategy, you may need a list of functionalities and integrations in the eCommerce platform. Before initiating the migration process, make a list of all these functionality and integrations. Observe, which of these are covered out of the box by your chosen eCommerce solution. Those not covered will have to be customized into the eCommerce solution. 

Be specific about your goals. For instance, if you want a conversion-centric UI/UX. List this down. Consider both expected positive outcomes while being mindful of any potential negatives that can arise. Highly rated eCommerce marketplace solutions are built to offer exceptional outcomes. This brings us to the next step. 

Step 2: Research and select the eCommerce Solution 

After planning and setting goals, the next step is selecting the eCommerce solution that will power your new platform. Your decision to replatform is based on an inadequate current platform situation. Take note of all things that are impeding your progress. Based on this, select an eCommerce solution with the right mix of technology, features, flexibility, TCO, and support from a reliable team. 

There are many types of eCommerce solutions available. But for a successful eCommerce business, you can consider self-hosted for lower TCO. Furthermore, evaluate a rich feature set and integrated APIs. Additionally, after-sales support will be equally crucial. These are some of the leading eCommerce solutions: 

1. Yo!Kart: Self-hosted multi-vendor marketplace solution for online retail platforms 

2. Growcer: Self-hosted marketplace builder for hyperlocal platforms. 

3. Adobe Commerce: Open-Source eCommerce software 

4. BigCommerce: SaaS eCommerce solution 

5. Sharetribe: SaaS eCommerce marketplace software. 

Step 3: Creating Data Backup 

Your eCommerce platform data is precious. Before proceeding with the migration process, create a data backup. In this step, export all the data regarding products on sale, sellers, and buyers of the eCommerce marketplace platform. Next, include all the data related to the marketplace orders. 

Also, ensure you create a duplicate copy of the website’s content. This should include all the images and the website’s database. Lastly, secure any custom code or scripts.

Step 4: Migration 

The actual migration process will vary from one eCommerce solution to another. Before commencing, understand the process thoroughly and proceed. Alternatively, the very best eCommerce solutions are also available with migration services. You can outsource this crucial step to the migration team. 

As mentioned earlier, the data to select would be products, buyers’ and sellers’ data, orders, media files used by the CMS, any static pages, and marketing collaterals like a blog. Migration is an extensive method of mapping and then transferring data, functionalities, and integrations. To do that first the current system is analyzed, and then a migration plan is curated. Next, custom scripts are developed to execute the data transfer. 

Some methods of migration include: 

• Manual
• Migration Scripts
• Automated Tools 

Step 5: Testing 

After completing the migration, you need to test the new eCommerce platform. Log in under various user names on the eCommerce platform and test all the workflows. Import a small amount of data and evaluate whether it has been seamlessly transferred. To do that also check the accuracy and arrangement of the data. Lastly, ensure that the URLs, media files, and SEO data have also been accurately transferred. 

Step 6: Personalize the new eCommerce platform 

If your new eCommerce platform solution is a white label solution, the next step is to personalize it to align with your business needs. Upload your brand logo, and make other changes to tailor the solution as per the branding needs. Additionally, you need to activate the integrated APIs with keys provided in the documentation of the new platform solution. 

Step 7: Refine the UX on the new platform 

The user experience your eCommerce platform delivers is key to business success. Audit the website to check page loading times are efficient. Check out for all product listings added. Make sure you offer a frictionless browsing and seamless checkout processes. 

Step 8: Launch the new eCommerce platform 

Finally moving to getting the new eCommerce platform up and running in the market i.e. launching the eCommerce platform. The solution is deployed on the servers for on-premises or self-hosted eCommerce platforms. Before proceeding, test the eCommerce platform in the live environment to conduct a final round of tests. Once that is done, move on to the next step. 

Step 9: Notify all users and stakeholders 

After the eCommerce marketplace has been successfully replatformed, it is important to notify all the users and the stakeholders of the eCommerce business. Use multiple communication channels like emails, social media messages, and banners on the eCommerce platforms to communicate the status of the eCommerce platform. 

Including FAQ on the eCommerce website’s page is another way to help users effectively navigate the transition. Ensure that you include all platform participants in the messaging. This can include stakeholders, partners, sellers, suppliers, and customers. 

Step 10: Redefine Marketing 

Your decision to migrate to a new eCommerce platform is based on improving certain aspects of your online business. Whether it’s newer functionalities, better platform performance, or simply improving the cost-effectiveness of the products, the migration process would have brought in something better for the eCommerce business. 

Make sure that you take advantage of the improvement and market it to the target user base. For higher impact, consider giving out promotional discounts or rewards to encourage users to experience the new eCommerce platform. Additionally, marketing methods like email marketing to target inactive users can be implemented.  

Post eCommerce migration tips to consider

The eCommerce migration is an important endeavor in the lifecycle of your eCommerce business. Once you have accomplished this, there are a few things to consider. Discussed below are some things to consider after the replatforming: 

• Analyze the new platform. Monitor the performance of the website to track any possible issues. 
• Request your users to give feedback regarding their experience with the eCommerce platform. These insights help to understand the real-world performance of the eCommerce platform more effectively.  
• Implement any post-launch SEO changes if necessary. 
• Update the sitemap and submit it to search engines.
• Implement 301 redirects to avoid losing SEO rankings.

eCommerce Migration Challenges: Solutions and Best Practices 

eCommerce platform migration requires you to be careful about some aspects. There are certain challenges, but employing best practices for eCommerce migration can give you the solution to these challenges. Here preparation is the key. With a systematic approach, you will be able to navigate this process. 

Challenge: Data loss during migration 

Solution and best practices: Data loss is a common pain point of eCommerce migration. Since data is invaluable, ensure that backups are created with care. Double-check the backups to confirm their integrity. Additionally, accurate data mapping is essential; therefore, partner with an expert team to execute the migration process, particularly one that is well-acquainted with the new eCommerce solution.  

Challenge: Downtime during the Migration 

Solution and best practices: Due to the unavoidable downtime associated with eCommerce migration, the timing of the migration will need to be planned accordingly. Prioritise off-season times for this process. The time when the expected user traffic is at the lowest. Additionally, sending out notifications, and alerting your users in advance will also lead to an overall seamless transition. 

Challenge: Less knowledge of the new platform

Solution and best practices: The knowledge associated with a new eCommerce solution are maximized by detailed demos and elaborate documentation provided by the migration partner’s solution. An adept eCommerce migration team will also assist in ironing out any initial hiccups in your eCommerce journey. 

Challenge: SEO loss during transition 

Solution and best practices: The way to navigate this is to have a robust SEO strategy for eCommerce migration. For a start, try to keep the on-page changes to a minimum. You can use canonical URLs to direct the pages that have received the most updates. Additionally, avoid indexing if you have any dynamic pages. Resolving 404 issues with a custom brand 404 page helps. Lastly, keep performing link and backlink audits to identify any loose ends. But most importantly, choose an eCommerce platform solution that offers comprehensive SEO-ready features from the word go. 

How can FATbit Technologies help in eCommerce platform migration 

FATbit technologies is a leading eCommerce services and solutions provider since 2004. Having worked with Fortune 500 companies, SMBs, and small scale startups across the globe, FATbit has delivered for a diverse range of requirements and challenges. Among other eCommerce services, FATbit also offer eCommerce migrations. 

However, key to these services are FATbit’s turnkey solutions. The company has a range of ready to use versatile eCommerce solutions. These solutions cover a 360 degree of all industries. For the retail industry it has Yo!Kart. 

Yo!Kart: Multi Vendor Marketplace Platform Solution by FATbit

A leading turnkey marketplace software, Yo!Kart offers a holistic solution for online businesses of varying sizes. For this reason, Yo!Kart is an ideal solution for mid-cycle eCommerce businesses considering replatforming to more holistic and reliable eCommerce solutions. Some highlights of Yo!Kart are: 

• Self-hosted solution. It can be installed on-premises or a server of your choice. 
• One-time payment, no recurring overheads for the business to worry about. 
• Rich features are out of the box, so there is no need for unnecessary plugins or extensions. 
• Already pre-integrated with a range of business APIs and payment gateways. 
• Customizable and robust tech stack. 
• Tested to be scalable under load. 
• In-house customization and after-sales support from the FATbit team. 
• Rated highly by publications and software rating services like G2, Trustpilot, and Capterra. 

How FATbit successfully migrated projects to Yo!Kart

While starting, many eCommerce businesses are prone to not choosing the best-suited eCommerce platform solution. However, a bad start does not mean the end to means. Over the years FATbit has empowered such companies with seamless migration services and robust eCommerce solutions, that mitigates the challenges, and injects fresh competitive advantage for these businesses to lead the eCommerce market. 

For these reasons, FATbit has been highly rated for both its migration services and its rich-featured eCommerce solution, Yo!Kart. Find below some exemplary reviews by FATbit clients on the leading review platform, Capterra. 

Example: 1

Example: 2

Example: 3

Example: 4

Example: 5

Wrapping Up

eCommerce is a competitive space, where sustained dominance hinges a lot of consumer experiences, operational efficiency, and value that your eCommerce business offer. The eCommerce platform is the focal point between all this. If the platform impedes you moving forward, it may be the time your should consider pivoting. 

That said, eCommerce migration is a tedious process, that if not correctly followed, can have challenges. In this guide on how to switch your eCommerce platform, you have a roadmap to go about this process. That said, for a seamless transition, trust experts to help you sail through this. Moreover, rely on a mordern eCommerce solution that gives your business a competitive edge. 

FAQ: 

Q 1. What is eCommerce migration? 

Ans: The process when you switch from using one eCommerce platform to another. All data regarding products, orders, sellers, customers, and others is transferred from the older platform to the new one. 

Q 2. What are the key considerations when creating an eCommerce migration plan? 

Ans: The key considerations for eCommerce migration plan are as follows: 

• Clearly define the need and objectives for the eCommerce migration.
• List the functionalities, integrations, and other requirements form the new eCommerce solution. 
• Complete a full site audit to evaluate the site health and discern various parameters. 
• Create an estimated budget plan. 
• Decide an appropriate time that minimized business impact. 
• Create a backup of your existing data. 
• Choose the best suited eCommerce solution to launch your platform. 

Q 3. When do I plan eCommerce platform migration? 

Ans: The decision to switch eCommerce platform depends upon the answer to following questions: 

• Is your current/legacy eCommerce platform Tech Stack outdated? 
• Do you need additional customization or integrations from the eCommerce platform? 
• Is the cost of platform ownership undermining the competitive edge of your business? 
• Are you facing poor after sales services? 
• Do you finally want to upgrade from a rental SaaS (hosted) to an owned (self-hosted) eCommerce platform solution? 

Q 4. What are the solutions to challenges in eCommerce platform migration? 

Ans: The following eCommerce platform migration best practices help you in mitigating the risks

• Solution for data loss during migration:
  • Carefully create a data backup. 
  • Partner with eCommerce migration experts. 
• Solution for downtime during the Migration.
  • Plan the eCommerce platform migration during off-season of your business. 
  • Effectively communicate the migration downtime to all stakeholders and platform participants. 
• Solution for minimizing unknown variables while moving to a new platform.
  • Choose an eCommerce platform solution with transparent open demos, efficient after sales, and detailed product documentation and guides. 
  • Educate your team by conducting demos of the new eCommerce platform.  
• Solution for SEO loss during transition.
  • Minimize on-page changes. 
  • Avoid indexing dynamic pages. 
  • Implement 301 redirects to avoid losing SEO rankings.
  • Perform a comprehensive audit of all site links and backlinks. 

Q 5. What are the 10 steps of eCommerce platform migration? 

Ans: The 10 steps for eCommerce platform migration are as follows: 

• Step:1 Prepare and Set Goals for the eCommerce migration 
• Step:2 Research and select the eCommerce Solution best suited for the eCommerce migration. 
• Step:3 Carefully create a data backup of your current eCommerce platform. 
• Step 4: Executing the migration process by initiating the data transfer. 
• Step 5: Testing the new eCommerce platform. 
• Step 6: Personalize the new eCommerce platform
• Step 7: Refine the UX on the new platform
• Step 8: Launch the new eCommerce platform by deploying to the new servers. 
• Step 9: Notify all users and stakeholders. 
• Step 10: Redefine the marketing message to promote your new business capabilities.

The post How to Switch eCommerce Marketplace Platform: Complete Guide appeared first on FATbit Blog.

Sellers in the B2B domain are increasingly turning to B2B eCommerce platforms to conduct their business activities. According to research, the B2B eCommerce market in the US is expected to reach USD 8,573 billion by 2030, accounting for a CAGR of 21.6%.

Globally, B2B eCommerce is gaining steam and the significant driver of this growth is Amazon Business which is a B2B eCommerce marketplace platform by Amazon. Among all B2B platforms, it has maximum traction with small and medium enterprises. Moreover, according to Statista, its gross merchandise volume is projected to reach USD 83.1 billion by the year 2025.

According to Gartner, about 80% of B2B sales interactions will take place through B2B eCommerce marketplace platform channels by the year 2025. This figure has seen a huge jump from the year 2021. The key factor driving this upsurge is customer demand. Moreover, online sales now drive about a fifth of all revenue for an average B2B company. This figure equals in-person sales for these businesses and exceeds all other channels. As retail giants like Amazon business surge ahead, B2B sellers are realizing the importance of an online marketplace to keep up with the competitors.

While these numbers indicate a rising opportunity to start with your B2B eCommerce platform, you might be wondering what is the best way to do so. The answer is easier than you might be aware of. The industry has some very capable B2B eCommerce software available. In this blog, let’s discuss the most favored options amongst such software.

Table Of Contents:

• What is a B2B Multi-vendor eCommerce Marketplace?
• Essential Features of a B2B multivendor marketplace
• Top B2B eCommerce Software For Multi-Vendor Marketplaces
  – YoKart B2B
  – CS-Cart
  – BigCommerce Enterprise
  – Magento
  – Shopify Plus
  – Sharetribe
  – Salesforce B2B Commerce
  – PrestaShop
  – OroMarketplace
  – Mirakl
  – Intershop
  – NuORDER (By Lightspeed)
  – Peppari
  – Aleran
  – Retaxis
• Comparison Chart – Brief Analysis
• Frequently Asked Questions

What is a B2B Multi-vendor eCommerce Marketplace?

Like Amazon business, a B2B eCommerce marketplace platform typically has sellers (including brands, manufacturers, wholesalers, and suppliers) selling products in bulk to other businesses (buyers). B2B eCommerce marketplace platforms deal with orders in large volume and value compared to B2C eCommerce marketplace platforms. 

Both sellers and buyers in a B2B eCommerce marketplace platform are businesses where payments are usually carried out digitally. However, there is a high chance of initiating payments in installments because of the order value and the delivery timeline.

Essential Features of a B2B eCommerce marketplace platform

Features from an Admin Perspective

• Complete Admin Control
  Decisive Admin control on the B2B eCommerce marketplace platform will help in regulating operations on the platform, ensuring brand consistency. It helps the business to project coherence and predictability.
• Platform Product Management Features
  The capability to provide well-detailed product information allows the buyers to gauge the products in a digital environment. Furthermore, controlling variables related to product management like reviews, allows the admin to navigate nefarious activities and inconsistencies on the B2B eCommerce marketplace platform.
• Support for Multiple revenue streams
  A marketplace or a multi-sellers business opens up multiple avenues for revenue generation. Typically, the business can earn via charging commissions on sales taking place on the platform, levy subscription plans in lieu of better services, monetize website assets for sellers’ adverts, run PPC campaigns, and a lot more. The support for these revenue streams will open up multiple opportunities for the marketplace business and render flexibility.
• Multilingual & Multi-Currency
  Marketplaces, especially in the B2B domain tend to scale both voluminously and geographically. Adding Multilingual and Multicurrency capabilities on a B2B eCommerce marketplace platform allows online businesses to expand their reach and scope.
• Multiple Payment Methods and secure payment gateways
  Allow buyers to transact on the platform in their preferred payment modes and open up opportunities for higher conversions. Furthermore, including popular, fast-performing, and secure payment gateways ensure buyer confidence in the platform.
• Streamlined Shipping Management
  Better shipping and fulfillment features in a B2B eCommerce marketplace platform allow the admin to streamline the delivery process. Furthermore, with a streamlined process and availability of shipping options, sellers can ensure efficiency and evaluate the best-suited strategy by factoring in cost and logistic variables.
• Tax Management
  To navigate varying tax slabs, for instance varying tax laws in various states of the US, Tax management will be an essential B2B eCommerce platform’s feature. It allows the admin to automate levying taxes subject to varying specific state laws. This further reduces manual involvement, reduces errors, and automates a repetitive process.
• Inventory Management
  Sellers need to manage their sales stocks effectively. Inventory management streamlines stock-keeping with low stock alerts and other features. With this module, sellers can maintain optimum stock levels and avoid missed sales due to understocking or excess working capital investment due to overstocking.

Features from the Sellers’ Perspective

• Request For Quote Module
  An interaction in a b2b multi-vendor marketplace platform is different from the B2C multi-vendor eCommerce marketplace platform. Sellers have a multi-prong strategy toward their product prices. Typical considerations may include branding requirements, stock levels, market demand, order volume, buyer relations, and many others. Hence, RFQ gives sellers the necessary flexibility and allows them to stay open for negotiations.
• Minimum Order Quantity & Bulk Order Discounts
  B2B eCommerce marketplace platforms deal in bulk purchases. The capabilities to set minimum order quantity and offer bulk order discounts, restrict buyers to make purchases on minimum order quantities using the MOQ module and encourage them to more purchases to get more discounts by placing orders in bulk.  
• Part Payment Option for Buyers
  In B2B eCommerce marketplace platforms, transactions are high in volume and the order fulfillment may take a longer duration. However, transferring the entire amount in one go may disrupt the business’s flow. Therefore, the part payment option feature in B2B eCommerce platforms helps the buyer to initiate partial payment according to the order fulfillment. This feature helps businesses (sellers and buyers) on the finance with order fulfillment.
• Real-Time Inventory Updates
  The real-time inventory updates feature on the B2B eCommerce platform allows sellers to track the current stock level and list products accordingly, reducing instances of shortages or overstocking.
• Separate Vendor Store
  Separate storefront allows the vendor to set up a virtual storefront within the marketplace. This helps in their branding and allows buyers to find all products listed by sellers under a single point.

Top B2B Multi-Vendor Marketplaces Software

YoKart B2B

• Introduction – Yokart B2B is a self-hosted multi vendor B2B eCommerce marketplace platform solution that lets startups or existing businesses build a contemporary online marketplace. YoKart B2B is the B2B-specific software by the same team that has developed the leading B2C multivendor turnkey solution – YoKart. The turnkey solution is customizable and scalable, making it equally suitable for SMBs as well as large enterprises. YoKart B2B has been developed from the ground up, perfected, and backed by Agile teams for customizations and support. This has resulted in a secure, robust, and reliable solution. Team YoKart has taken the same trusted underpinnings used for a Fortune 500 brewing company, UNI Diamonds – Israel’s biggest B2B diamond distributor, and many other stellar B2B eCommerce platforms.
• Features – YoKart B2B eCommerce marketplace software has been purpose-built to offer domain-specific features and more. The following features, integral to B2B success – come out of the box in the turnkey solution:

1. YoKart B2B has an in-built RFQ module that is usually offered at an additional cost by other B2B solutions. It lets buyers place a quote for products listed on the website. The sellers can accept, reject, or present a counteroffer. The control for the RFQ module is with the sellers and the admin of the marketplace.
2. The multi vendor B2B eCommerce marketplace platform solution offers manufacturers, distributors, and other sellers intuitive B2B features. It has functionalities like personalized vendor storefronts, automated shipping management, offering part-payments, setting minimum order quantity for products on sale, bulk ordering with the option of adding bulk discounts, and more.
3. YoKart B2B also allows the sale of services with products, either bundled or exclusively. This further broadens the scope of the B2B eCommerce platforms.
4. The intuitive solution has been built to offer satisfying end-user experiences. The most notable features include multicart checkout, one-click re-order, multiple payment gateways pre-integrated, cart abandonment recovery solution, easy registration and social login, multilingual and multi-currency functionality, supplier search, the ability to add reviews, and much more.
5. The marketplace owners can run successful businesses underpinned by features like PWA compliance, ease of business operations with pre-integrated business APIs, the option to hide prices at admin and seller level, measuring business health with detailed reporting and analytics, multiple revenue streams including subscription fee, commission fee, PPC, and more.

• Pricing – The prices start from $1499. Customizations can be availed with the support of an Agile team. Charges for the customizations are over and above the package. With every YoKart B2B package, you receive lifetime ownership with free installation and no recurring fees.
• Software reviews and ratings – With no additional hidden costs such as on platforms like WordPress, Prestashop, WooCommerce, Joomla, and others, YoKart B2B offers Agile technical support, which is very important during the initial phase of business. But, given its comprehensive nature, first-time users’ only concern is that they need to invest time to learn the system.Yo!Kart has a rating of 4.7/5 on Capterra, and 4.7/5 on G2.

Similar B2B multi vendor marketplace solutions by FATbit Technologies:

Yo!Rent – B2B Rental eCommerce Platform

Yo!Rent is a rental eCommerce software that helps entrepreneurs to launch their B2B eCommerce marketplaces with rental functionalities. This online rental software is a fully customizable, white–label and self-hosted solution available at a one-time cost.

Features:

• In-built RFQ module for orders in high volume
• Bulk volume discount, depending on the order volume
• The software comes with features such as a late return module, rental security management, order cancellation, and various other features that make it an excellent B2B rental platform

Pricing – The pricing for Yo!Rent is available in tiered price packages. The price for these packages is available on the quote.

Software Reviews and Ratings – Yo!Rent is rated highly by its users, although a common concern is the availability of multiple features can mean a a longer learning curve. It is rated at 4.7/5 on G2.

Yo!Coach – Online Course Marketplace Software

Yo!Coach Plus is a bespoke online course marketplace software that is designed for entrepreneurs to launch their course-based platform with ease. It incorporates advanced features like progress tracking, dynamic search filters, resource management, automated refund and cancellation, and so on. Blended with user-centered technology, Yo!Coach Plus is ideal for tutors and subject experts to upload and sell (pre-recorded) course-based videos. In addition, tutors can also conduct one-to-one sessions and group sessions in real-time.

Features: 

• Facility to provide certificates to learners for their skill authentication
• Addition of pre-recorded course-based videos for selling
• Offers notes to keep condensed records for future revision
• User-friendly, offers multicurrency and multilingual support

Pricing – The pricing for Yo!Rent is available in tiered price packages. The price for these packages is available on the quote. 

Software Reviews and Ratings – Multiple online reviews suggest that Yo!Coach has been very well received by its clients.  However, some users faced difficulty in learning the system’s functionalities. It is rated at 4.8/5 on G2.

CS-Cart

• Introduction – Founded in 2005, CS-Cart is a multi-vendor software for marketplaces. It offers a customizable storefront, admin panel, and integrations with major shipping and payment services. While it is a B2C software out of the box, paid B2B features can be added to the solution.
• Features – The top features of CS-Cart include real-time shipping rate estimation, tax management, CRM, multi-store management, and more. With CS-Cart one has the ability to manage the newsletter and send mass notifications with ease.
• Pricing – While, the CS-Cart B2C package incurs recurring charges ranging from $1250 – $6950 per year, the B2B-specifc solution is Request For Quote. There’s 1 month of free technical support with B2B package.
• Software Reviews and Ratings – Hassle-free accounting and the ability to create your own promotions. But any tweaks done to the marketplace are lost during upgrades switching it to default. Also, users often complain about the failed update system, bad internal policies, and poor customer support (only available during GMT+4 business hours). CS-Cart has a rating of 4.7 on Capterra.

BigCommerce Enterprise

• Introduction – BigCommerce is a flexible, open Saas-based platform to launch your eCommerce business with ease. Founded in 2009, BigCommerce enables you to launch a B2B eCommerce store that is easy to customize. The modernized platform allows you to build sleek site designs with customers and price segmentation. Plus, you can easily integrate existing business tools with one-click integration.
• Features – BigCommerce has several key features for a successful eCommerce marketplace. Its most notable features include customizable design themes, abandoned cart savers, pre-integrated payment options, professional SEO tools, and more. It is a highly valuable platform for an online marketplace setup.
• Pricing – BigCommerce is a subscription-based platform with a starting price of $29.95/month. Its Plus plan costs $79.95/month and the Pro plan comes at $249.95/month. Also, it offers a free trial to users. For pricing information on its enterprise plan, contact the BigCommerce team.
• Software Reviews and Ratings – A useful platform to launch your eCommerce store. But, the most frequent complaint from users is that the support sometimes has no idea about the ongoing issue which is a bit frustrating. Also, the themes are pretty similar and there’s a limit on yearly sales forcing you to upgrade. BigCommerce has a rating of 4.3 on Capterra.

Magento

• Introduction – Open source multi-seller B2B eCommerce marketplace platform founded nearly 12 years ago in 2008, Magento is designed for both small-scale and large organizations in the retail industry. It allows you to edit, create, and manage eCommerce websites offering a personalized consumer experience. The platform is easy-to-customize and allows seamless third-party integrations.
• Features – Magento offers features like custom coupon creation, SEO management, product review promotion, multiple payments and shipping options, and more. The platform is PCI-DSS compliant.
• Pricing – While Magento’s open-source version is free-to-download, the starting price for Magento Commerce is $1988/month. There is a free demo available.
• Software Reviews and Ratings – Magento is among the most comprehensive products with several add-ons and options available. But there are several users who complained about how hard it is to use and customize. Also, there are continuous security issues that forced businesses to switch to another platform. Magento has a rating of 4.3 on Capterra.

Shopify Plus

• Introduction – Founded in 2006, Shopify today is among the popular marketplaces solution that helps businesses to create and manage their b2b eCommerce marketplace platforms. Shopify Plus lets businesses trade with other businesses through online stores. It allows businesses to customize and scale their b2b eCommerce marketplace platform as per their requirements. It also helps them automate their operations.
• Features – Shopify Plus is cloud-hosted software, which is hosted on an internal server. It’s not like self-hosted software, which gives freedom to host software on the preferred server. However, Shopify Plus is a complete eCommerce solution that allows businesses to manage their inventory, marketing, payments, shipping and more. 
• Pricing – Shopify operates on a monthly subscription-based model. Its plans may vary according to the different business sizes and needs. Businesses can choose a plan that best suits their business and fits their budget. Shopify also provides the opportunity to scale your business. 
• Software Reviews and Ratings – Talking about reviews, people often show dissatisfaction with the pricing model mentioning charges are not fixed, some say customization options are limited and the B2B functionalities are poor. However, the overall rating is 4.5 out of 5.

Sharetribe

• Introduction – Sharetribe is a B2B marketplace software that allows entrepreneurs and businesses to build and launch their B2B eCommerce marketplace platforms. It is a no-code marketplace builder that allows users to create an online marketplace without coding. However, Sharetribe is a customizable solution but allows limited customization and the charges may be high even for simple customization.
• Features – It comes with all the essential features and functionalities to tackle B2B marketplace needs. However, Sharetribe’s functionalities may not be suitable for large communities or seasonal businesses.
• Pricing – Sharetribe works on a subscription-based pricing model. 
• Software Reviews and Ratings – Sharetribe’s interface is intuitive, customer support is amazing, the no-code option seemed a bit limited but overall good. Overall its rating is 4.7 out of 5. 

Salesforce B2B Commerce

• Introduction – Salesforce B2B Commerce marketplace platform Cloud is a native solution that enables enterprises to create eCommerce storefronts to cater to other businesses in order to trade on a large scale. It helps them streamline their eCommerce operations and add value to their business. With Salesforce B2B Commerce businesses can build personalized storefronts and do the fast setup to have a seamless experience and gain profit
• Features – Salesforce B2B Commerce comes with features like Sales Cloud to manage leads and opportunities, B2B Cart Upload to upload multiple items to a cart in one go, Service Cloud for service delivery, Sales for CPQ a sales tool that helps companies generate accurate quotes and automate the sales process and more. 
• Pricing – Salesforce B2B Commerce has two pricing plans. One is the Starter Plan, which charges 1% of Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) for growing companies and Growth Plan is another pricing plan where it charges 2% which is for established businesses looking to scale, with features like multiple storefronts and unified customer views.
• Software Reviews and Ratings – According to the reviewers, Salesforce B2B is easy to use and navigate. However, it requires minimal expertise to operate. It is rated 4.4 out of 5 on G2.

PrestaShop

• Introduction – PrestaShop is a free, open-source, downloadable eCommerce software better equipped for mid to large-scale businesses. Founded in 2007, the software enables users to create fully functional B2B eCommerce marketplace platforms at the lowest possible cost. PrestaShop is highly customizable, supports numerous integrations, and has a strong user community.
• Features – While being a free eCommerce solution, PrestaShop offers several key features like inventory management, multi-channel marketing, loyalty programs, multilinguistic, multicurrency, and more. It even has advanced in-built SEO features for greater visibility.
• Pricing – PrestaShop is 100% free software with no hidden fee or commission on sales. But, it isn’t the easiest software to use. Modules and add-ons come at a steep price while integrating with the likes of Quickbooks or Amazon costs a pretty penny. Initially, it may be free, but you have to pay for web hosting or even hire a developer which might make it more expensive than even self-hosted options.
• Software Reviews and Ratings – PrestaShop engine has developed several useful extensions and the default theme is surprisingly useful. But users often complain about how difficult it is to customize the appearance. Also, the modules on which the platform relies are truly expensive. PrestaShop has a 4.2 rating on Capterra.

OroMarketplace

• Introduction – OroMarketplace is a B2B eCommerce software that has been built for B2B users. It has been built to provide enterprises key capabilities to navigate complexities that typically surround their eCommerce ambitions. It is flexible software offering multiple hosting options. 
• Features – OroMarketplace packs in efficient customer management functionalities with the inclusive CRM systems. It is built with a flexible architecture that support enterprise legacy system integrations. It can allow businesses to automate eCommerce activities such as seller onboarding, RFQ, and more.
• Pricing – Pricing for OroMarketplace is available via Request For Quote 
• Software Reviews and Ratings – OroMarketplace has been built for B2B eCommerce marketplace platforms and does offer some nifty features. That said, the B2B eCommerce software can get pricey. Moreover, there are complexities and a relative lack of control for the Admin that users find the most significant impediments. OroMarketplace is rated 4.3/5 on G2

Mirakl

• Introduction – Mirakl is a versatile SaaS eCommerce platform that can be used for eCommerce platforms supporting both B2B and B2C business  models. Developed by a France-based company, this B2B eCommerce platform is more tailored towards use by enterprises. 
• Features – Mirakl supports multiple monetization channels, that are key to efficient multi-tenant operations. It even has an advanced product recommendation engine. The system however lacks key capabilities to sell digital downloadable products. 
• Pricing – Pricing for Mirakl is available via Request For Quote
• Software Reviews and Ratings – Mirakl is a robust B2B eCommerce software used by some renowned names in the industry. That said, the costs for using this B2B eCommerce platform can be higher. Moreover, it is backend-only system and companies will need to build front-end for this solution. Mirakl is rated 4.5/5 on G2

Intershop 

• Introduction – Intershop is a SaaS B2B marketplace solution from Germany. It is a solution built for manufacturers and distributors. The company has offices worldwide, serving clientele from Deutsch, French, and English-speaking countries. 
• Features – Intershop offers a B2C-like intuitive shopping experience and a good range of features. These include a product catalog, price quote, and more. Then there is browsable order history, order templates, and subscription packages. Moreover, the workflows of the B2B marketplace platform add to efficiency. 
• Pricing – Pricing for Intershop is available via Request For Quote
• Software Reviews and Ratings – Intershop is a well-known B2B eCommerce software popular in Europe and other parts of the world. However, some users have reported slow performance and lack of integration support. Like all SaaS solutions, clients can’t opt for faster servers, so this can be consideration. Intershop is rated 4.4/5 on G2 and 4.0 on Gartner. 

NuORDER (By Lightspeed)

• Introduction – NuORDER is a SaaS product i.e. it is a cloud-based B2B eCommerce solution―primarily developed for B2B industries like fashion, health, food & beverage, and other consumer products. It streamlines the wholesale buying process by offering a B2B eCommerce solution for product catalog management, order entry, and inventory management. NuORDER serves businesses of all sizes.
• Features – Just like LightSpeed, NuORDER also has a good set of features aimed at enhancing the B2B buying experience. It offers Customizable Product Catalogs which allows the merchants to create tailored catalogs. The platform provides robust tools for tracking and managing orders, including real-time inventory updates and order templates. The B2B eCommerce solution can be integrated with ERP solutions. There are also marketing features for email marketing and personalized merchandising, helping businesses maintain strong relationships with their buyers.
• Pricing – NuORDER operates on a quotation-based pricing model. Businesses need to request the team to get a personalized quote for their project
• Software Reviews and Ratings – NuORDERS is a B2B eCommerce software based in the US. However, some users have reported a lack of back end integration capabilities, glitches such as inventory sync, and a higher learning curve. NuORDER is rated 4.2/5 on G2. 

Pepperi

• Introduction – Pepperi is a B2B commerce platform for brands, wholesalers, and distributors. It has a unified solution for sales order management and online B2B retail execution. Pepperi is well-suited for businesses in the consumer goods and FMCG industries.
• Features – Pepperi features digital catalog management and CRM capabilities. The leading B2B platform solution supports trade promotions, automated pricing features, and inventory management. It is mobile responsive making it ideally suited to sales teams who need real-time access to product and customer data.
• Pricing – Pepperi’s pricing is flexible, with packages that can be customized based on the number of users and the specific functionalities required. It has Pro ($500 onwards) Corporate ($1500/month onwards) and Ultimate (Custom pricing available on quote)
• Software Reviews and Ratings – Peppari is a B2B eCommerce software with good features for enterprises. However, clients have reported lack of robust customization and customer support. Moreover, modifications can be challenging and the learning curve is higher. Pepperi is rated 4.4/5 on G2 

Aleran

• Introduction –Aleran is a SaaS-based B2B eCommerce marketplace platform . It is a unified online platform for B2B manufacturers and distributors. The B2B solution has been built with the vision to streamline and accelerate sales processes. Aleran has a flexible back-end architecture making it compatible with existing business-critical systems, such as ERP, CRM, WMS, and PIM. The B2B eCommerce platform is designed  to facilitate multi-channel sales operations, offering a future-proof solution for modern manufacturers.
• Features – Aleran offers a good range of features that enhance customer experience and augment the operational efficiency of the online business. It offers multi-storefronts from a unified backend. The B2B solution has a centralized management of data such as products, prices, and more. Catalog-Embedded Buying: AI-driven transformation of traditional PDF catalogs into dynamic, digital eCommerce experiences. It also offers configure, price, and quote (CPQ) tools. This allows streamlined quote generation and order conversion for configurable products. There are also self-service capabilities for users that reduce operational costs and improve customer loyalty.
• Pricing – Pricing for Aleran’s B2B eCommerce marketplace platform software is available upon request, allowing entrepreneurs to receive personalized quotes that align with their business needs. 
• Software Reviews and Ratings – Aleran is a B2B platform software that has good reviews. It is appreciated for its ease of use, flexibility, and good customer support. However, some performance issues and glitches have been reported by some of the users. Also, the solution tends to be pricier than other alternatives. Aleran is rated 4.6/5 on G2

Retaxis

• Introduction –Retaxis is a popular B2B marketplace platform software from C S Tech Infosultions Pvt. Ltd in India. Retaxis is also a SaaS B2B platform. 
• Features – Retaxis offers a decent feature suite that includes seller and buyer onboarding, minimum order quantity for bulk selling, catalog approvals for streamlined operations, requests for quotes for negotiations, and credit allocation & tracking for high-value B2B transactions. 
• Pricing – Pricing for Retaxis is available via Request For Quote
• Software Reviews and Ratings – Retaxis is a multi vendor b2b marketplace with good features, however clients do feel the pricing is on the higher side. That said it has a rating of 4.5/5 on G2. 

Comparison Chart – Brief Analysis of Top 5 B2B eCommerce Platforms

Conclusion

Building a multi-vendor marketplace is not just an innovation; it’s a competitive necessity. The B2B eCommerce platforms that we’ve explored go far beyond standard eCommerce functionality—acting as launchpads for building ecosystems where businesses can collaborate, scale, and innovate. Whether you’re a distributor, wholesaler, or niche industry leader, choosing the right eCommerce platform will define how effectively you connect buyers and sellers, automate eCommerce operations, and future-proof your business. Therefore, choosing the right B2B eCommerce platform is essential to launch multi-vendor marketplaces, factoring each one of them based on your business requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

vQ1. What is a multi-vendor B2B marketplace?

Ans: A multi-vendor B2B marketplace has three participants – Owner/Admin, Sellers, and Buyers. The business is owned by an intermediary that typically sets up the eCommerce website infrastructure, manages it, and may offer backend operations such as shipping fulfillment to the sellers.

The business further invites multiple third-party B2B sellers to register and sell their products and services to potential B2B buyers on the platform.

Q2. What are the top 5 B2B eCommerce marketplace platform websites currently conducting operations?

Ans: Amazon Business, Alibaba, Rakuten, IndiaMart, and Global Sources are the top five B2B eCommerce marketplaces globally. While Alibaba dominates the market with a 30% share in China followed by Global Sources; Rakuten, IndiaMart, and Amazon are the largest B2B platforms in Japan, India, and USA respectively, according to a Statista study.

Q3.How to set up a multi vendor marketplace? 

Ans: There are 2 popular approaches to setting up a B2B multi vendor marketplace. 

The more traditional process is building the B2B eCommerce marketplace platform from scratch. This means the interested party connects with an eCommerce development company. They share their requirements with the company. The company then conceptualizes, designs, and tests the entire website. This process, however, is very resource intensive. It can take multiple hours, and the costs are on the higher side. 

The second approach is using readymade B2B eCommerce marketplace software. By using this type of software the interested party can bypass the process of developing from scratch. These B2B eCommerce marketplace platforms software are robust and come with all the essential features and functionalities. By adopting this development approach, investment capital can be saved and a much faster time to market can be achieved.

In addition, this marketplace software can be fully customizable and scalable allowing owners of the B2B eCommerce platforms to customize and scale their platforms.

Q4. What is B2B multi vendor marketplace software? 

Ans: A B2B marketaplce software is a turnkey product that allows an entrepreneur, SMBs, or enterprises to launch a B2B eCommerce website. In other words, these have a front-end pre-designed with back end as well. Moreover, these have pre-built functionalities to conduct B2B eCommerce operations. These can either be cloud hosted (SaaS) or self-hosted with the freedom to deploy at a server of any choice.

Q5. Why Request For Quote (RFQ) module required in B2B eCommerce Platforms?

Ans: B2B interactions between buyers and sellers differ from those in the B2C domain. Sellers have a multi-prong strategy toward their product prices. Typical considerations may include branding requirements, stock levels, market demand, order volume, buyer relations, and many others. This is the reason why a Request For Quote module is a quintessential requirement in a B2B eCommerce platform. It allows sellers to stay open for negotiations for the prices of their products. The RFQ module assists in a two-way negotiation interaction and allows sellers to close the deal by meeting their price criterion, and also stay competitive.

Q6. What is a B2B eCommerce? Who are the users in a B2B marketplace? 

Ans: A B2B eCommerce is the sale of goods/services between businesses digitally via an online portal. These are prominent types of sellers in B2B eCommerce:

Raw Material Suppliers: These are suppliers that provide semi-finished or raw materials to the manufacturers.

Manufacturers: Manufacturers procure raw material, process it, and further supply it downstream to distributors, wholesalers, or even other manufacturers.

Distributors: Brand distributors are the link between manufacturers and entities further downstream – wholesalers and/or retailers.

Wholesalers: Where businesses purchase goods in bulk and at a lower price from wholesalers.

Retailers: Retailers are the last point in the supply chain. These will sell the products to the end consumers.

Q7. What is the cost of a B2B eCommerce software? 

Ans: B2B eCommerce software comes in multiple types. They can be SaaS-based or self-hosted. Moreover, the features and inclusions vary vastly as well. Accordingly, the price of the software varies. 

SaaS-based like Shopify comes with recurring rental/subscription costs. 

Open source like Prestashop is free to download but the scope of customization is high. Accordingly, customization teams are needed and the total cost is as per the customization availed. 

Self-hosted B2B eCommerce marketplace platform like YoKart B2B, are license-based and comes with a one-time payment option. 

As mentioned in this blog, YoKart B2B prices currently start at US $1499. 

Q8. What is the Role of inventory management in B2B eCommerce marketplace platform? 

Ans: Inventory relates to the product stock that sellers have allocated to sell on the online marketplace platform. Inventory management features such as low stock alerts allow sellers to keep a tab on that stock. Thus with inventory management sellers can avoid both understocking and unnecessary overstocking – thus maintaining product stocks at optimum levels. 

Q9. How do I choose a B2B eCommerce marketplace software?

Ans: To find the ideal B2B eCommerce marketplace software for your business, look out for the following factors:

A Readymade solution with In-built features/integrations: A turnkey multi-vendor platform is one that delivers an online marketplace with all essential eCommerce features like bulk discounts, multiple payment methods, vendor subscription plans, and more shipped out of the box.

Competitive pricing: Pricing is an integral factor when choosing a B2B eCommerce platform. Solutions that pack all the essential features even in a base package offer full value for money to business owners.

Customization: A customizable platform that can be personalized to cater to your business requirements is a great asset. Since not every solution allows customization, choosing the right eCommerce platform is imperative.

Scalability: The ability to handle system processing demands either through modifications to an existing module or by integrating new modules is termed as scalability. A scalable solution is vital for business growth.

Built-in marketing tools: From email marketing, and real-time analytics to in-built SEO support, there are several marketing tools that are essential for businesses’ marketing strategies. These tools should come pre-integrated into your choice of eCommerce platform. 

Q10. Which is the best B2B eCommerce multi-vendor platform?

Ans: YoKart B2B is the best B2B eCommerce marketplace software with a comprehensive list of all essential eCommerce features, expert technical support (free for 1 year), the ability to customize, highly scalable, and more. The platform offers a complete package to kick-start your B2B marketplace and streamline eCommerce operations.

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