Building a multi-vendor marketplace platform is quite an easy one. But managing the same is a difficult process. We think of how to create a website like amazon but we fail to analyze the factors that influence the survival rate of the multi-vendor marketplace platform. There are many challenges that a multi-vendor marketplace platform faces in day-to-day operations. One needs to know how to overcome the challenges and make the multi-vendor marketplace platform to run uninterruptedly. First, let us identify the challenges and then understand what sort of solution will be helpful.
The real challenges faced by a multi-vendor marketplace platform
Handle multiple vendors
The key objective for any multi vendor marketplace software will be getting more vendors for its platform. For this, the admin of the platform will put more effort into promoting the multi-vendor marketplace platform and will find ways to attract more vendors. It also works and can get vendors for the platform. But the real challenge is retaining the vendors. Every single vendor has its expectation when in your platform. You as an admin need to monitor the performance of each vendor and should support them in promoting their product. Also do not burden them with a high commission rate. Allow them to do business first. Then gradually you can increase your commission slab. This is how you can retain your vendors in your multi-vendor marketplace platform.
Product quality
Another challenging factor of any multi-vendor marketplace platform is to check the product quality. Stocking the product and also shipping the product will be the vendor’s scope. But if the customer is not satisfied with the quality of the product then it will affect the reputation of your multi-vendor marketplace platform. So we cannot take the risk by just trusting the vendor to manufacture an only quality product. From our side, we need to check the quality and should reject the products that did not meet the standards. By doing so you are saving your multi-vendor marketplace platform.
Managing inventory
While maintaining your multi-vendor marketplace platform, you need to fill your store with enough stocks. You can get orders anytime since this is an online platform, people can place an order anywhere, anytime. While ordering the product, if they receive stock notification then they will get irritated and will never return to your multi-vendor marketplace platform. You may lose your customers easily. So always check whether your multi-vendor marketplace platform is filled with enough stock and you get a proper notification when you reach minimum stock in your inventory.
Managing orders
Your multi-vendor marketplace platform may get several orders at a time. you as an admin keep an eye on all open orders. Once the order is placed, make sure the respective vendor has received the notification regarding the order. Check the process of shipping. The admin needs to organize all the orders according to their status. Some customers might have asked for immediate delivery and they might have paid extra for that delivery. In this case, more priority should be given to that delivery. And should ensure that the customer receives his product on his expected time. try to have a hassle-free order management system in your multi-vendor marketplace platform. This will increase your reputation and customer satisfaction as well.
Shipping orders
The real process starts with the shipping process. This is where many mistakes occur. Although the vendor is responsible for shipping the ordered items to the customers, the admin of the multi-vendor marketplace platform should have a clear picture of how the shipping is going to take place. The logistics should deliver the product undamaged. There are several ways to ship the product. You can leave this to the vendors and they can select the one that is comfortable for them. You should be able to track the products and should allow the customers to track their orders. This will give your customers a unified shopping experience with your multi-vendor marketplace platform.
Paying vendors
Another important aspect of managing a multi-vendor marketplace platform is paying your vendors. The payment for every order will first reach the admin account and the admin should transfer the payment to the vendor after deducting his commission amount. Here, we need to transfer the amount to the vendors as early as possible. When we delay paying them they will lose interest in our multi-vendor marketplace platform and they try to join in some other platforms where they pay them on time. You need to follow a proper payment schedule that can remind you about the payment and will help you pay your vendors in your multi-vendor marketplace platform on time.
Analyze the performance of the multi-vendor marketplace platform
You need to periodically analyze the performance of your multi-vendor marketplace platform and make sure you are on the right track. You need to get support from the reporting and analytics feature of your multi-vendor marketplace platform. That will give you a clear picture of the sales and the returns gained. It will also help with the chart that shows the profit earned through your multi-vendor marketplace platform. You will know about your expenses and the returns you have gained because of the spending made. If something has gone wrong then you need to change your strategy.
Branding your multi-vendor marketplace platform
This is the most challenging part of managing the multi-vendor marketplace platform. Only when the viewers can recognize your brand then you can take it as your multi-vendor marketplace platform is branded well. For this, you need to have a perfect marketing strategy. Already your competitors are doing well in the market. You need to overtake their efforts with yours. Make use of social media platforms and reach as much as possible. Run effective campaigns by focusing on your target audience and get higher visibility. This will help you to increase the traffic for your multi-vendor marketplace platform and you can get genuine leads and can expect greater conversions.
Conclusion
Without understanding the challenges and getting to know about the solutions to face the challenges there is no point in building a multi vendor marketplace software. Focus more on managing your multi-vendor marketplace platform and survive well in the market.
