* Topics * [Guide](/academy/guide/) * [Video course](/academy/marketplace-video-course/) * [The podcast](/academy/marketplace-academy-podcast/) [Subscribe](#subscribe-academy) # Master the marketplace business model Building a marketplace means offering a service to two distinct user groups: the supply and the demand. These articles help you solve the challenges and unlock the opportunities of the marketplace business model. ![Multiple yellow trophies in even rows on a turquoise background](https://images.prismic.io/sharetribe/9178e007-39d4-441b-99d0-0f4e6edcb659_100-marketplaces.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&rect=0%2C-457%2C2925%2C1200&w=3840&fit=max) Business model [The best marketplaces run on commission](/academy/how-top-100-marketplaces-monetize/) Sharetribe studied how the top 100 marketplaces of 2021 make money. Our findings can help entrepreneurs determine the best strategies to monetize their platform. by Sjoerd Handgraaf & Katri Antikainen --- ### Making money as a marketplace entrepreneur One of the most common reasons why startups fail is that they choose a business model that doesn’t scale. So think carefully about how you’ll monetize your marketplace. These articles help you find a revenue model and a pricing level that supports your growth and keeps users on your platform. ![Marketplace Pricing - how to set the marketplace commission and transaction fee](https://images.prismic.io/sharetribe/1e4db4ff-71f7-4c1d-85b0-08c534f06c63_How-to-set-pricing-in-your-marketplace.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&w=3840) Business model [Marketplace pricing: How to set the right take rate](/academy/how-to-set-pricing-in-your-marketplace/) The right marketplace pricing level depends on many different factors internal or external to your marketplace. Here's what you should consider to find the optimal pricing level for your marketplace. by Juho Makkonen ![How to discourage people from going around your payment system](https://images.prismic.io/sharetribe/8be48e3b-7866-4205-9f60-3ff6748e98a3_How-to-discourage-people-from-going-around-your-payment-system.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&rect=0%2C336%2C2663%2C1110&w=3840&fit=max) Business model [How to prevent marketplace leakage (and keep payments on your platform)](/academy/how-to-discourage-people-from-going-around-your-payment-system/) How to solve the most daunting challenge of the marketplace business model: platform leakage. by Juho Makkonen ![Bright green origami cacti on a light green surface.](https://images.prismic.io/sharetribe/dde3de66-8cd7-4ef2-8193-ac4ddc343729_finding-right-business-model.jpeg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max&w=3840) Starting a marketplaceBusiness model [The marketplace business model guide](/academy/how-to-choose-the-right-business-model-for-your-marketplace/) Learn how the marketplace model works and brings benefits to all parties involved: the sellers, the buyers, and the marketplace owner. by Juho Makkonen --- ### Build supply, generate demand, and solve the chicken-or-egg problem Building a marketplace presents you with a chicken-or-egg problem. You need high-quality supply to drive demand. To get high-quality supply, you need demand. These articles suggest strategies to help you balance your marketplace audience and grow a loyal user base. ![Start your marketplace in one city and focus on one vertical](https://images.prismic.io/sharetribe/a1269082-1974-4094-bbcb-01619508e41c_Start-your-marketplace-in-one-city-and-focus-on-one-vertical.jpeg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max&w=3840) Business model [Focus your marketplace on one city and one vertical](/academy/focus-marketplace-one-city-one-vertical/) Tackle the chicken-or-egg problem with an extreme focus. by Juho Makkonen ![How to launch your marketplace](https://images.prismic.io/sharetribe/9039627b-ff26-4426-8f79-0a9c0a236a3e_How-to-launch-your-marketplace-2016.jpeg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max&w=3840) Marketing & growthBusiness model [How to launch your marketplace](/academy/how-to-launch-your-marketplace/) Strategies that bring demand to your freshly opened marketplace platform. by Cristóbal Gracia ![How to build supply for your marketplace](https://images.prismic.io/sharetribe/52fc7139-4e78-4eb9-ad62-ab4a508d86bf_How-to-build-supply-for-your-marketplace.jpeg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max&w=3840) Business model [How to build your marketplace supply](/academy/how-to-build-supply-marketplace/) How to bring in the first, quality providers before your platform has any customers. by Juho Makkonen --- ### Build and maintain your marketplace community The most successful marketplaces are more than businesses. They’re an active community where users can meet, interact, and transact. Investing in community-building can pay off tremendously and boost your growth and defensibility against competitors. Here’s everything you need to know about building a marketplace community. ![Marketplace community-building playbook – Julia Wadehn, COO of PaulCamper](https://images.prismic.io/sharetribe/757429c2-aa1e-447d-a14c-b5df55ba3ed9_JuliaWadehn_marketplace-community-building.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&w=3840) Business model [PaulCamper’s community-building playbook for marketplaces](/academy/marketplace-community-building-playbook/) PaulCamper's COO Julia Wadehn shares her best marketplace community-building strategies and explains how they have helped boost PaulCamper's growth. by Mira Muurinen ![How to turn your marketplace into a community](https://images.prismic.io/sharetribe/0ff24ea2-5b5c-46f7-9dfc-de1c31e2a44d_How-to-turn-your-marketplace-into-a-community-2.jpeg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max&w=3840) Business model [How to turn your marketplace into a community](/academy/turn-marketplace-community/) Engage your best providers by turning them from users into community members. by Cristóbal Gracia ![How to build trust in your marketplace](https://images.prismic.io/sharetribe/a6f32400-8a24-4e39-807d-c645a01c57f2_How-to-build-trust-in-your-marketplace.jpeg?auto=format%2Ccompress&rect=0%2C0%2C5910%2C2955&w=3840&fit=max) Business model [How to build trust in your marketplace](/academy/build-trust-marketplace/) Tactics to increase trust between your providers and customers – and to boost transactions. by Cristóbal Gracia --- ### More on the marketplace model More expert insights on the opportunities, challenges, and strategies around the marketplace model. ![Colorful office supplies, some of which are made of paper. There is a row with two heart-shaped post-it notes, multiple yellow paper clips and thumbtacks, a yellow stapler on its side, three capped markers, and a calculator made out of paper. Below these, there is a computer keyboard, also made out of paper.](https://images.prismic.io/sharetribe/7b3c55d3-4b2f-4a9a-84d7-35399d309f84_DAC7+hero.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&rect=0%2C-484%2C1200%2C870&w=3840&fit=max) Business model [DAC7: What the new EU tax directive means for online marketplaces](/academy/what-is-dac7/) The tax directive DAC7 extends EU tax transparency rules to online marketplaces and requires reporting seller data to tax authorities. In this article, we share what DAC7 is about and how it affects online marketplaces. by Katri Antikainen ![Multiple yellow trophies in even rows on a turquoise background](https://images.prismic.io/sharetribe/9178e007-39d4-441b-99d0-0f4e6edcb659_100-marketplaces.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&rect=0%2C-457%2C2925%2C1200&w=3840&fit=max) Business model [The best marketplaces run on commission](/academy/how-top-100-marketplaces-monetize/) Sharetribe studied how the top 100 marketplaces of 2021 make money. Our findings can help entrepreneurs determine the best strategies to monetize their platform. by Sjoerd Handgraaf & Katri Antikainen ![How marketplaces can switch to remote services](https://images.prismic.io/sharetribe/d091a412-ac09-45e7-bd81-d3234f823754_Freelensia-marketpalce-remote-services_1200.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&w=3840) Business model [How to introduce remote services to your marketplace](/academy/marketplace-remote-services/) Freelensia co-founder shares the practical steps the marketplace took to move from on-site interpretation to remote services. by Peter Nguyen ![The hands of the woman hold a half of a ripe avocado and an avocado pit made with paper.](https://images.prismic.io/sharetribe/888e4bfa-5d88-4015-a9d1-a8a0a6ba143d_Match-marketplace-supply-demand.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&w=3840) Business model [The concierge marketplace model: how to match supply & demand](/academy/match-marketplace-supply-and-demand/) Boost your growth by manually matching your marketplace supply and demand. Mike Williams discusses the benefits of the concierge marketplace model. by Mike Williams ![Ladders in a wall representing marketplace supply growth. Made with paper.](https://images.prismic.io/sharetribe/b7c33147-aa40-4050-8645-e449f329e93e_Onboard-grow-marketplace-supply.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&w=3840) Business model [How to onboard & grow your initial marketplace supply](/academy/onboard-initial-marketplace-supply/) Mike Williams shares five tactical tips for growing and onboarding marketplace supply. All battle-tested with his global music studios marketplace Studiotime. by Mike Williams ![Marketplaces and word-of-mouth marketing](https://images.prismic.io/sharetribe/127d3ff9-f699-4e29-bf15-a4874ca29203_Marketplaces-word-of-mouth.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&w=3840) Business model [How to leverage word-of-mouth to start and grow your marketplace business](/academy/marketplace-word-of-mouth/) Word-of-mouth creates lasting customer relationships. This guest article offers effective strategies to help optimize your marketplace for positive WOM. by Pulkit Bhardwaj ![Marketplace conference, chicken or egg problem](https://images.prismic.io/sharetribe/ee23bcc0-a084-40f5-8d74-782ab8bf46ad_MC-article-3-Currier_1200.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&w=3840) Business model [James Currier at the Marketplace Conference: 19 tactics to solve the chicken-or-egg problem](/academy/marketplace-conference-4-2/) This article discusses James Currier's 19 actionable tactics to solve the chicken-and-egg problem for marketplaces. This is the fourth article in a series covering our favorite talks from the first Marketplace Conference in San Francisco. by Mira Muurinen ![Marketplace Conference, liquidity](https://images.prismic.io/sharetribe/2ec7acfc-4985-49a7-a2c4-6f5695542fc3_MC-article-3-Breinlinger-1200.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&w=3840) Business model [Josh Breinlinger at the Marketplace Conference: How to maximize liquidity and transaction quality](/academy/marketplace-conference-3/) A long list of actionable tips for marketplace entrepreneurs, courtesy of Josh Breinlinger, Managing Director at Jackson Square Ventures. This is the third article in a series covering our favourite talks from the first Marketplace Conference in San Francisco. by Mira Muurinen ![Marketplace Conference, trust on two-sided marketplaces](https://images.prismic.io/sharetribe/6ef002ad-5e62-4842-9e11-2eb239fe9411_MC-article-1-Upwork-1200.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&w=3840) Business model [Jessica Tiwari at the Marketplace Conference: Building trust in two-sided marketplaces](/academy/marketplace-conference-1/) This article series brings you some marketplace wisdom and inspiration from the first Marketplace Conference in San Francisco. In this article, we discuss a talk about building trust by Upwork’s VP of Product Management, Jessica Tiwari. by Mira Muurinen ![Using content moderation as a trust facilitator](https://images.prismic.io/sharetribe/a3bc8d8c-72f1-402a-900d-e6f46704d2ee_Using-content-moderation-as-a-trust-facilitator.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&w=3840) Business model [Using content moderation as a trust facilitator](/academy/content-moderation-trust/) Trust is a key component of a successful marketplace. This guest post by Sigrid Zeuthen teaches you how to use content moderation to build trust in your marketplace. by Sigrid Zeuthen ![Marketplace trust is key in facilitating transactions – An interview with Vincent Rosso](https://images.prismic.io/sharetribe/40af1172-b69f-4f59-aea4-51d820c559b8_Trust-is-key-in-facilitating-transactions%E2%80%93An-interview-with-Vincent-Rosso.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&w=3840) Business model [Why trust is key for BlaBlaCar – An interview with Vincent Rosso](/academy/marketplace-trust-key-transactions/) The co-founder of Blablacar discusses what B2B marketplaces can learn from P2P marketplaces, and specifically, marketplace trust as a facilitator for transactions. by Juho Makkonen ![Productivity for marketplaces - The North Star](https://images.prismic.io/sharetribe/0389bcd7-43ce-405f-a120-98b24ff5e721_The-north-star-for-marketplaces.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&w=3840) Business model [Productivity – The North Star for Marketplaces](/academy/productivity-marketplaces/) Josh Breinlinger, VC at Jackson Square Ventures, shares his advice on what marketplaces should strive for. by Josh Breinlinger ![Saturation of Nodes as a Strategy for Marketplaces](https://images.prismic.io/sharetribe/0d9752b7-ebe7-4d61-be70-8141748575e2_Saturation-of-Nodes-as-a-Strategy-for-Marketplaces.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&w=3840) Business model [Node saturation as a strategy for marketplaces](/academy/saturation-nodes-strategy-marketplaces/) A guest post by José del Barrio from Samaipata Ventures on why saturating nodes is a good strategy for marketplaces. by José del Barrio ![How to design your marketplace idea](https://images.prismic.io/sharetribe/c2a96342-7efc-4a5e-bd54-06c7005e0cf0_How-to-design-your-marketplace-idea.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&w=3840) Business model [How to design your marketplace idea](/academy/design-marketplace-idea/) A guest post by Simone Cicero, creator of the Platform Design Toolkit, a methodology and set of practical tools that help platform businesses create value. by Simone Cicero ![Create commons – An interview with Michel Bauwens](https://images.prismic.io/sharetribe/e55e4695-16c6-4782-97e3-1af3652db788_Create-commons-%E2%80%93-An-interview-with-Michel-Bauwens.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&w=3840) Business model [Create commons – An interview with Michel Bauwens](/academy/create-commons-an-interview-with-michel-bauwens/) Peer-to-peer sharing platforms should give more power to their community. by Thea Sørvig Østbye ![Understand your community – An interview with Jennifer Billock](https://images.prismic.io/sharetribe/e96bd323-4572-4617-82c7-b296ec42ddc7_Understand-your-community-%E2%80%93-An-interview-with-Jennifer-Billock.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&w=3840) Business model [Understand your community – An interview with Jennifer Billock](/academy/understand-your-community-an-interview-with-jennifer-billock/) Your marketplace needs to be tended like a garden. by Thea Sørvig Østbye ![Antonin Léonard](https://images.prismic.io/sharetribe/c0435568-2e9f-4b84-bc77-0fa92743be4b_Evolve-with-the-community-%E2%80%93-An-interview-with-Antonin-Leonard.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&w=3840) Business model [Evolve with the community – An interview with Antonin Léonard](/academy/evolve-with-the-community-an-interview-with-antonin-leonard/) A community is built through offline interaction and online experience. by Thea Sørvig Østbye ![Daan Weddepohl](https://images.prismic.io/sharetribe/37447d81-cfe8-4454-bf88-956b5fd2a73c_Daan.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&w=3840) Business model [Rinse and repeat – An interview with Daan Weddepohl](/academy/rinse-and-repeat-an-interview-with-daan-weddepohl/) Apply the lean startup methodology, iteratively creating your marketplace. by Thea Sørvig Østbye ![Arun Sundararajan interview](https://images.prismic.io/sharetribe/a32f6422-6c3d-4f8b-8dda-52ee32f55506_Arun-Sundararajan.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&w=3840) Business model [Make the right trade-offs for your marketplace](/academy/make-the-right-trade-offs-for-your-marketplace-arun-sundararajan/) It is better to grow slow in order to preserve the unique aspects of your marketplace. by Thea Sørvig Østbye ![Solve the supply – An interview with Alex Stephany](https://images.prismic.io/sharetribe/bb283de5-7d19-49a7-8e1a-bb0f7ded2ed0_Solve-the-supply-%E2%80%93-An-interview-with-Alex-Stephany-1.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&w=3840) Business model [Solve the supply – An interview with Alex Stephany](/academy/solve-the-supply-an-interview-with-alex-stephany/) A clear and compelling value proposition is the simplest way of acquiring supply. by Thea Sørvig Østbye [All articles](/academy/articles/) Start your 14-day free trial ## Create a marketplace today! 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