How to launch your own eBay, Aliexpress or Allegro in no time. Multi vendor marketplace is currently one of the most wanted business model in current times. Learn what’s multi vendor marketplace, how it works and how to create your own multi vendor ecommerce platforms in a minute.
What is multi vendor marketplace?
Multi vendor marketplace is a standalone application that allows you to create an online store for multiple sellers, usually called vendors. In multi vendor solution, independent vendors (sellers) sell their products on single public store managed by marketplace admin.
The idea of the multi vendor marketplace is shown on a map below. Each store brings together independent sellers.
This business model allows you to create online business without money spent on real stocks, warehouse rent. The only one thing that is for you is marketing and promotion.
How multi vendor marketplace works?
The idea behind the multi vendor marketplace is very simple. Store owner creates a marketplace, give possibility to register as a vendor (seller), vendors add their products to the store, customers make purchases and finally store owner earns commission from each purchase.
The journey begins in your mind, as a store owner, you’ve decided to open your own business. You’ve successfully create an online store, customize it a little, configure it. Then you’ve registered some sellers accounts and finally they’ve added products to your store.
Now the orchestra! Customer places first order! Bang! That’s all. Commission earned! Simple, isn’t it?
How to sell as a vendor?
Now let’s get into the vendor’s shoes. What steps should I do to become a vendor in any kind of marketplace?
Usually, you need to sent your application form. In GrandNode we called it Apply for a vendor account. It’s a simple form with customizable fields which is sent to store owner.
Then after some time store owner approves your account and you are able to add your products.
That’s all.
How to create multi vendor marketplace in 4 steps?
- Basic marketplace configuration
In the first step you should perform the basic configuration. Provide the store info, change the contact information.
2. Customize theme, prepare social channels
In this part of development, it’s time to install premium theme or create your own custom theme.
3. Customize vendor applications
It’s time to think about the vendor submittion process. Prepare a form, enable “Apply for a vendor account”. In Vendor settings configure the required fields.
4. Get commissions!
Start your journey!
Multi vendor features in GrandNode
- Easy registration for vendor accounts
Each customer is able to fill the “Apply for a vendor account” form and submit it. Marketplace owner has to activate the Vendor account and assign customer to Vendor group. That’s all.
2. Independent, separated admin panel for each vendor
Each vendor after account creation receive independent access to his separated admin panel.
3. Multiple independent shipping methods and rates
With Multi Vendor Shipping plugin you are able to give your sellers possibility to configure their own shipping methods, rates.
4. Products from different vendor’s in one cart
Since the newest version of GrandNode, customers are able to choose from which vendor purchase products in a shopping cart.
5. Vendor reviews
Your customers are able to easily leave review about products and about sellers. Sometimes products are perfect, but the services provided by seller was poor quality. It’s a perfect feature to collect feedback from your marketplace users.
6. Loyalty program with reward points
Run the loyalty program in your marketplace. Use reward points to honour your customers for purchases.
7. Separated vendor return requests
Divided return request management system. Each vendor is responsible for returns related with his products.
8. Add possibility to assign documents (files, external invoices, purchase orders) to vendors accounts
Add purchase orders, custom PDFs, custom invoices easily with simple form on each vendor. Remember about accounting features, each document has possibility to set the value of it (amount to pay by vendor).
9. Customizable vendor profiles on public store
Each vendor page can be customized. Use the core feature of Generic Attributes and define the breath taking vendor pages with banners, icons, colors!
10. Possibility to show other vendor products on product page
Advanced Multi Vendor plugin allows to show the “Vendor other products” on product page.
11. Cart divided into vendors
Shopping cart can be easily sorted by vendors. Each product has label from which vendor comes. It’s a piece of cake to highlight boxes with all products coming from single vendor.
12. Easy and automatic payouts
Stripe Connect integration allows to automatically payout collected commissions.
13. Global solution — 19 ready to use translations
GrandNode marketplace offers 19 ready to use translations for the whole application. Just download the XML file, import it to your marketplace and provide store with 19 language versions!
