Member Marketplace Inc. provides innovative marketplace platforms for local and member-based communities.
Our goal is to help businesses grow and succeed by offering tools to and resources promote and sell their products, services, events and more while fostering meaningful connections within their communities.
We partner with cities, counties, statewide partners, chambers of commerce, SBDC's, and similar organizations to help their small businesses succeed online.
Solutions:
E-Commerce platforms designed for cities, counties, or states to help local businesses to sell together online through a shared platform and keep online commerce local.
An active platform where businesses share products, services, events, and promotions to drive growth through connections and community engagement.
We empower small businesses to thrive online with tailored support, expert webinars, a comprehensive knowledge base, powerful tools, and ready-to-use templates.
How it Works
Strategic Partnership
As your strategic partner, we work closely with you and your team to establish the goals and structure for how you want to launch your marketplace.
On-Boarding & Promotion
Once your marketplace is built, it's time to bring businesses on. We provide you with the resources and tools you need to help with awareness recruitment, as well as getting the word out to your community about the amazing new marketplace.
Maintenance and Support
Our team handles it all: site maintenance, direct support for businesses and customers, and ensuring smooth operations. We're an extension of your team to support the goals of your marketplace site.
Ready to propel your businesses in today's digital age?
Proven Success
Our digital marketplaces provide an equal footing for small businesses to showcase their products alongside other businesses to benefit from the network of visitors to help them get found online.
The accessibility of online marketplaces eliminates many of the traditional barriers to entry for small businesses, enabling them to establish an online presence without the need for significant upfront investments.
City of Santa Fe Tourism
City of Santa Fe Tourism has been able to help keep tourism dollars for their small businesses coming in from through its marketplace from tourists after they go home. Over 80% of the orders are from out of state customers.
Matching Program in Corning, NY Infuses $170,000 into Local Economy in Two Months
The Corning, New York marketplace went live with the Corning Area Chamber of Commerce and Corning’s Gaffer District in 2021. Through a local sponsor, a match program for each transaction up to $5,000 per business was put in place to help boost holiday local shopping and support small businesses.
A local gym in New York
sold $73,082 worth of gym memberships through their local marketplace without needing to set up their own e-commerce site.
An ice cream and candy shop in Iowa
set up an online gift card through the marketplace quickly, selling hundreds in less than a month that brought in over $10,000.
A restaurant in Ohio
set up a product on the marketplace to give their customers a way to buy their in-store gift cards online, bringing in $29,075 for the business.
An asian market
received a limited type of imported "Super Ramen" that was in demand across the country. Without an e-commerce site, they got set up on their community marketplace in a day and sold thousands worth of inventory.
A men's clothing store
joined their community marketplace and after discovering how easy it was to use, abandoned their current effort to build a full e-commerce site and uses the marketplace to sell their products instead.
An in-home bakery in Iowa
has received orders from across the State of Iowa after joining the Shop Iowa marketplace, previously only servicing local customers.
From the Blog
FAQs About Setting Up a Marketplace
Q: How do I determine which marketplace solution is right for our organization?
A: The best way to choose a marketplace solution is by starting with the specific needs of the businesses you serve. Here are a few key considerations:
- Assess Your Business Community’s Needs:
- Are the businesses in your community in need of e-commerce support, or are many already selling online? If they’re struggling to stay afloat or their customers are increasingly shopping online (due to convenience or external factors like construction impacting foot traffic), an e-commerce solution could be a game-changer.
- Do your customers want to support local businesses but prefer the ease of shopping online, or is there value in offering a unified platform where they can purchase from multiple local businesses in a single checkout?
- Understand the Role of E-commerce:
- If a large percentage of your businesses are product-based, an e-commerce marketplace allows them to sell online, providing broader exposure and convenience for customers.
- However, if most of your businesses are service-based (like restaurants, lawyers, stylists, or real estate agents), an e-commerce solution may not make sense, as consumers don’t need to buy services online in the same way.
- Consider the Value of a Member Connection Marketplace (MCM):
- If your community’s businesses are primarily service-oriented or resource-based, a Member Connection Marketplace may be the best fit. This solution allows businesses to showcase their offerings, help customers discover them, and easily communicate their services — without the need for an e-commerce function.
- An MCM allows you to congregate all local businesses into one platform where customers can explore their offerings, find contact information, and connect, making it a powerful tool for service-driven organizations.
Q: How does my budget or funding impact which marketplace we choose?
A: Your budget plays a significant role in determining the right marketplace solution for your organization.
- If you’re considering an e-commerce solution, the starting price typically begins at $10,000, with a recommended budget of $25,000 or more to include customizations, marketing support, and enhanced features.
- However, if your budget is limited or you serve fewer than 50 businesses, a more cost-effective option may be to start with a Member Connection Marketplace (MCM). An MCM platform can start at just $49/month and still provide excellent value by helping businesses showcase their services and connect with customers.
Ultimately, the decision depends on your budget, the number of businesses you’re supporting, and whether you need full e-commerce functionality or a simpler connection-focused platform.
Q: How long does it take to set up a marketplace?
A: The setup time depends on the type of marketplace you choose:
- Member Connection Marketplace (MCM): MCM solutions can be set up in less than one day, making it a quick and efficient option if you’re looking to launch fast. It’s a great fit for service-based or resource-driven businesses that don’t need the full range of e-commerce functionalities.
- E-commerce Marketplace: An e-commerce marketplace requires more time for development, customization, and compliance checks. The average setup time is approximately 4-6 weeks, depending on the complexity of your needs and the number of businesses involved.
Q: What are the steps to get started with a Member Connection Marketplace (MCM)?
A: Getting started with an MCM is simple and quick. Here are the steps:
- Sign Up: Begin by signing up for the MCM platform, which can often be set up in less than one day.
- Choose Add-Ons: Select any additional features you want to include, such as affiliation options, map integrations, or other custom features.
- Get Going: Once you’ve signed up and chosen your options, you’ll be ready to start adding businesses, sharing their offerings, and promoting your marketplace right away.
An MCM is an easy, low-maintenance solution for service-based businesses or those looking for a connection hub.
Q: What are the steps to get started with an E-commerce Marketplace?
A: Setting up an e-commerce marketplace is a more involved process, but we guide you through every step. Here’s how to begin:
- Initial Call: We’ll schedule a consultation to discuss your organization’s goals, the impact you hope to make, the type of marketplace site you need, and your budget. We’ll also review potential marketing add-ons, customizations, and other needs.
- Determine Timeline: Based on your needs, we’ll establish a project timeline, laying out the steps from design and development to testing and launch.
- Sign Contract: Once the details are finalized, and a timeline is agreed upon, you’ll sign the contract to officially begin the process.
- Resource Sharing and Setup: After the contract is signed, we’ll gather all necessary resources (logos, business information, etc.), begin the development process, and provide regular updates throughout the 4-6 week setup period.
- Onboard Businesses: Once the platform is ready, we’ll help onboard businesses to get their products and services online.
- Launch Announcement: After onboarding, we’ll work with you to create a coordinated launch announcement to promote the marketplace and drive traffic to the site.
This process ensures your e-commerce marketplace is fully customized and ready for a successful launch.
Try the Member Connection Marketplace!
No payment needed to see if it’s a fit for your organization