Build DIY And Home Improvement Marketplace: All About Multivendor Management

If you're an entrepreneur aiming to create a vibrant home improvement marketplace or a retailer seeking to digitize your inventory and attract DIY enthusiasts, this guide is tailored to help you build a multivendor marketplace cost-effectively.

We'll cover:

• The types of marketplaces suitable for DIY and home improvement.
• Explain what features are essential for a home improvement and DIY marketplace.
• Discuss a step-by-step approach to launch a successful multivendor online store.

But before that, here are a few successful online multivendor stores in the home improvement and DIY supplies niche that may inspire you.

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1. Established home improvement stores 

The global market for the Do-it-Yourself (DIY) home improvement industry is projected to reach US$959.1 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 2.8% from 2023 to 2030. This growth is due to the increasing interest of consumers in DIY projects and home renewals, coupled with a shift toward online shopping. 

Here are a few established home improvement stores:

‍ManoMano is a successful online DIY market:

• With over 3 million DIY products available, it caters to a wide variety of project needs, from basic repairs to complex restorations.
• Hosts an active community of DIY enthusiasts who seek inspiration and share tips, tutorials, and project ideas, fostering an interactive environment.
• Offers a range of delivery options, including express and scheduled delivery for heavy or bulky items.
• Customer-friendly return and exchange policies make it easier for customers to manage large purchases in the do-it-yourself market and get what they need.

HomeBase is another popular e-commerce store in this space:

• It offers an extensive range of home remodeling products, including tools, garden equipment, paint, flooring, storage solutions, furniture, and decor.
• Provides comprehensive DIY guides, project ideas, product choices, and instructional videos to help customers confidently tackle home restoration tasks.
• Customers can browse and order products online, and the platform provides options for in-store pickup and home delivery.
• Provides seasonal promotions and discounts on various products to make purchases more straightforward and more cost-effective.

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Shipturtle has played a significant role in building scalable multivendor marketplaces in the Home improvement and DIY supplies industry. Some notable examples are Wooden Twist and Alguraib Furniture. 

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‍Wooden Twist: For handcrafted wooden furniture and home decor items

‍An India-based online store that offers unique, handcrafted wooden furniture and decor pieces with customization options to fit personal preferences and styles. The products are made from sustainable wood and environmentally friendly materials, appealing to eco-conscious consumers.

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Alrugaib Furniture: Known for home decor items with superior craftsmanship

‍Saudi Arabia-based online store with an extensive collection of renowned global brands, providing customers with diverse styles and designs to suit various tastes. Offers personalized interior design services, helping customers create tailored spaces that reflect their unique preferences and lifestyles.

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Shipturtle has 400+ workflows for any marketplace type, benefitting them with: 

• Seamlessly onboarding multiple vendors from any cart platform or offline.
• Bulk product listing tools for high-volume inventory.
• Streamlined order processing and fulfillment with 200+ carrier integrations.

2. Recommended marketplace types for home decor supplies

Though there are several types of multivendor e-commerce stores, choosing the right one for DIY and home improvement products depends on your audience and business goals. Each has its unique features and trends.

I. Product-based marketplace

Product-based focuses on selling physical goods, such as tools, materials, and decorative items. Vendors list their products and manage their inventory while the platform helps them list products, make transactions, and ship orders.

Example: Amazon Home Improvement products

II. Service-based marketplace

Connect consumers with service providers, such as carpenters, electricians, or interior designers. Users can browse, book, and review service providers, making it easy to find reliable professionals. 

Example: Handy helps consumers find and hire professionals for various projects in the home improvement sector.

III. C2C (Consumer to Consumer) marketplace

Buyers and sellers can directly contact each other. Products sold in this store include a range of DIY materials and second-hand tools. 

Example: Facebook Marketplace allows people to list, buy and sell home improvement items.

3. Key features in a home improvement marketplace

You must consider building your Home improvement and DIY marketplace with the following features.

i. Comprehensive product and service listings

• A wide range of categories cover tools, eco-friendly materials, fixtures, and DIY kits.
• Service listings for installation, repairs, and consultations.
• Detailed product descriptions with usage guides and specifications.

ii. Vendor and consumer support features

• Easy vendor onboarding with support for inventory management.
• Live chat and customer service for consumer inquiries.
• Transparent return and refund policies to build trust.

iii. Shipping and delivery options

• Integration with local suppliers for faster delivery and cost-effectiveness.
• Real-time tracking for shipped items.
• Flexible delivery schedules and options for in-store pickup.

iv.Customization and personalization features

• Suggestions based on browsing and purchase history.
• Tools to help consumers visualize designs (e.g., room planners or AR features).
• Ability to request custom orders or service bundles.

v. Subscription options 

• Convenient recurring delivery of essential supplies like paint or hardware.
• Exclusive discounts for subscription members.
• Priority shipping to ensure timely delivery of materials.

vi. Real-time stock updates

• Live inventory tracking for accurate product availability.
• Instant notifications when out-of-stock items are replenished.
• Updates on limited-time or fast-moving items.

vii. Augmented reality (AR) visualization

• Tools to preview furniture or decor in a user’s home using AR.
• Interactive design options for planning layouts and color schemes.
• Customizable views to test different styles before purchasing.

viii. Product Comparison 

• Side-by-side comparison of tools, materials, and prices.
• Detailed insights into product features and customer reviews.
• Simplified decision-making with clear product advantages.

4. Steps to start a home improvement and DIY marketplace using Shipturtle

Building a feature-rich multi-vendor store for home improvement and DIY materials can be straightforward with the right approach. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

• Step 1: Set up your cart platform
• Step 2: Choose a multi-vendor plugin for your e-commerce store
• Step 3: Connect multiple vendor stores
• Step 4: Leverage powerful workflows & integrations
• Step 5: Customize with Open APIs
• Step 6: Marketing strategies to attract and retain customers

Note: Before starting, secure a unique domain name and a reliable hosting plan. A well-chosen domain reinforces your brand identity, while robust hosting ensures smooth marketplace performance.

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Step 1: Set up your cart platform

Analyze your needs and choose an ecommerce cart platform such as Shopify, WooCommerce, or Magento. Create an account and choose a website theme that aligns with your marketplace.  Set up the core structure, including product listings, checkout process, and user registration.

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Step 2: Choose a multi-vendor plugin for your e-commerce store

A cart platform enables the building of a multi-vendor digital shop using plugins like Shipturtle to enable vendor management. It supports vendor-specific dashboards, commission settings, and analytics and is compatible with your cart platform for seamless integration.

If you still have any confusion go through the App Overview video tutorial.

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Step 3: Connect multiple vendor stores

Invite local and global vendors to join your online store by offering attractive onboarding incentives. Shipturtle connects stores across Shopify, Woocommerce, Squarespace, Wix and also physical stores. Vendor Sync feature works via Webhooks and not APIs. This eliminates overselling and underselling completely, promising nearly 10% boost in revenue. It has a centralized system for managing inventory and shipping options. 

If you still have any confusion go through the Vendor Module video tutorial.

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Step 4: Leverage powerful workflows & integrations

Shipturtle simplifies operations with its 400+ workflows and 5000+ integrations. The various modules involved in these operations are

I. Product listing module

Enables vendors to manage their own product catalogs effortlessly. Vendors can:

• Add, edit, or delete products directly from their dashboard.
  
• Upload bulk products and save time for large inventories.
  
• Organize products into categories with custom tags for better discoverability.
  

The admin has the ultimate control, with the ability to approve or reject listings, ensuring quality and consistency across the marketplace.

If you still have any confusion go through the Products & Listings Module video tutorial.

II. Orders module

Shipturtle’s automated order management system helps to:

• Automatically split orders among vendors based on products purchased.
  
• Send notifications to vendors regarding the order and allow them manage fulfillment directly from their dashboards.
  
• Track orders end-to-end, providing real-time updates to customers and vendors.
  

This ensures accurate order handling, prevents delays, and maintains a smooth buyer experience.

If you still have any confusion go through the Orders Module video tutorial.

III. Payouts module

Shipturtle simplifies payouts to vendors with flexible options like:

• Set commission rates on five levels for each vendor, whether it’s a flat fee, percentage, or a mix.
  
• Automate payouts using out-of-box Stripe, PayPal, or Razorpay integrations.
  
• Generate detailed reports to ensure every vendor receives accurate earnings on time.
  

This helps to build trust among vendors and streamline financial processes.

If you still have any confusion go through the Payouts Module video tutorial.

IV. Shipping module

Shipturtle makes logistics easy with the following advanced shipping features:

• Set up global shipping rules or customize rates for each vendor based on location or product type.
  
• Offer customers multiple shipping options, from standard to expedited delivery.
  
• Integrate with 200+ third-party logistics providers like FedEx, UPS, or local courier services and covers label generation, pickups, tracking and cancellation.
  

This module ensures vendors can efficiently handle shipping while the store owners retain control over customer experience.

If you still have any confusion go through the Shipping Module video tutorial.

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Step 5: Customize with Open APIs

Use open API support to tailor the features to meet your unique business needs. Shipturtle's customizable API infrastructure helps to build tailored solutions like unique workflows, advanced analytics, or specialized payment gateways. This ensures your marketplace evolves with your business needs and customer expectations.

5. Build a marketplace like ManoMano with Shipturtle

The home improvement and DIY products market is expanding and gaining popularity. Emerging trends like AI-driven personalization, AR for product visualization, and advanced analytics are revolutionizing the industry, enhancing customer experiences and boosting conversion rates.

If you're looking for inspiration to build your own multivendor marketplace and replicate the success of ManoMano in this niche, contact Shipturtle for a free consultation. Shipturtle specializes in building scalable multivendor marketplace solutions tailored for the home improvement and DIY supplies niche. Here's how it can help:

• Customizable Platforms: Tailor features like inventory management or tool rental services to meet the specific needs of your marketplace.
• Effortless Vendor Onboarding: Simplify the integration of diverse suppliers, contractors, and DIY product vendors, ensuring a seamless experience for sellers.
• Scalable Infrastructure: Designed to grow with your business, supporting both B2B operations with bulk supply orders and B2C sales for individual DIY enthusiasts.

Our experts can help you to build a multi-vendor marketplace in the shortest time and help you make your dreams come true.