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Creating a marketplace for event planning services is similar to opening an online meeting place where people can find all they require to make their events memorable. This marketplace can offer convenience, options and talent to any person having an event including; such as wedding planners, caterers, DJs or décor experts.
Marketplaces like WeddingWire, The Knot, and Eventective have shown the immense potential of this industry. Shipturtle powers some regional marketplaces like Merch Booth and The Manila Fling: Virtual Pop-Up. As demand grows for customized and hassle-free event planning solutions, there’s significant room for innovation and new players to address niche needs or regional markets.
The journey starts with understanding who might want to create such a platform and why:
So, what should you do to create a unique business in this area? Let’s walk through the essentials, and along the way, we’ll check out some real-world examples to inspire your approach.
Establishing a marketplace for event planners aids in making the clients’ planning process straightforward. It serves as a common place where several providers can offer various types of services and goods. As a result, this makes it possible for a person to coordinate several things within a short time hence reducing his time waste. Moreover, it provides guaranteed experts that make the clients trust in its quality.
Furthermore, marketplaces enable fair competition among professionals thereby helping to promote unique solutions at reasonable prices; which transforms event planning into an exciting and memorable experience.
According to a report by Statista, the global events industry is projected to experience substantial growth, with expectations to reach an impressive $2 trillion by 2028. This remarkable surge is anticipated to occur at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.1% till 2028. This growth is indicative of several underlying trends shaping the industry.
The event planning niche can support various types of marketplaces, each catering to different needs within the industry.
Here are some possible types:
Whether you are looking to integrate C2C, rental bookings or hyperlocal functionalities in your marketplace or focused on onboarding offline vendors to sell on your platform, Shipturtle can help!
This framework outlines the key elements needed to build a successful marketplace for event planning, connecting clients with vetted planners, vendors, and venues for seamless event execution.
i. Target audience
ii. Service offerings
iii. Revenue model
iv. Value proposition
v. Key features to include in event planning service marketplace
v. Key features to include in event planning service marketplace
v. Key features to include in event planning service marketplace
The event industry is evolving, with trends like hybrid events, virtual reality experiences, and sustainable planning gaining traction. For example, Hopin is an emerging platform that specializes in virtual events and has become particularly popular post-pandemic.
If you notice an increased demand for hybrid or virtual events, consider integrating features that support virtual event planning, like online RSVPs or live-streaming capabilities.
Creating a marketplace for event services involves a strategic approach to connect service providers with customers seeking various event solutions. By following a structured process that includes market research, platform development, and effective marketing, you can build a thriving online hub for event planning and execution.
The first step in creating a marketplace is zeroing in on your niche. You’ll want to answer questions like:
For instance, platforms like WeddingWire and The Knot have carved out specific niches in wedding planning. They understand the customer’s needs by offering everything from vendor directories to budget calculators, making it easy for couples to plan their special day all in one place.
Tip: Think about an underserved niche or a unique offering. If you focus on corporate events, for example, your marketplace could highlight vendors specializing in corporate culture, like team-building facilitators, keynote speakers, or even swag suppliers.
The kind of sellers that a particular market attracts all depend on the marketplace itself and hence it is necessary to attract those who sell high-quality goods. When customers come around, they need to see a reputable list of sellers who are well known for their good work as well as the wide range of activities they are involved in.
To start with, get in touch with those who sell. Explain some reasons why they should join your platform such as having more visibility as well as reaching more audience members. Furthermore, giving away free listings during the initial stages would enable you to grow your vendor base within no time.
A marketplace with too many bells and whistles can become overwhelming. Make sure your platform is simple and intuitive, helping users find what they need in a few clicks. Some must-have features include:
Peerspace exemplifies a streamlined user interface in the marketplace arena. Users searching for event spaces can easily filter their options by city, event type, and other criteria to discover the ideal venue.
A successful marketplace streamlines not just the browsing experience but the entire booking and payment process. Partnering with secure and widely trusted payment gateways, such as Stripe or PayPal, can help users feel safe making transactions on your platform. This convenience is especially appealing to customers who are planning large events and want a smooth booking experience without the hassle of individual contracts.
Consider offering your escrow service, where payment is only released to vendors once the service is completed. This adds a level of trust and accountability to the platform.
In the event planning world, reputation is everything. Potential customers often look at reviews before booking, so implementing a robust review system can add credibility to your marketplace.
Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews, and consider a verification system to ensure authenticity. Verified reviews carry more weight and can help differentiate high-quality vendors from others.
To make your marketplace more attractive to vendors, consider including tools that simplify their lives. Some ideas are:
Etsy offers vendors a Seller Dashboard that helps them track views, sales, and customer engagement, which could be an excellent model for your marketplace. Providing this level of insight will help vendors see the value of your platform.
Establishing a marketplace is one challenge; attracting visitors to it presents another.
Here are several strategies to help you get started:
To stand out in the crowded marketplace landscape, think about adding unique features that differentiate your platform. Here are some ideas:
Creating a marketplace for event planning services presents several challenges that entrepreneurs must navigate to establish a successful platform.
i. Designing apps like Adobe Suite or Figma
ii. Cross-platform app development frameworks like Flutter or React Native
iii. Backend development with Django, Ruby on Rails, or Node.js
iv. Database with MySQL or MongoDB
v. Cloud-based Platforms like AWS or Microsoft Azure
vi. Other utilities for payment, location-based services, and more.
i. Shopify store or any CMS platform
ii. Shipturtle app and its open APIs
That's how simple it is to create a multivendor marketplace or platform with Shipturtle!
Moreover, it is way more cost-effective with pre-built 400+ marketplace workflows and at the same time, flexible to customize based on your unique requirements!
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Go live on Shopify in less than 48 hours using our out-of-box multivendor functionalities. Our solution offers 400+ pre-built workflows, including vendor management, product listings, order processing, and payment management. The app is configurable, has no code & boasts 1000+ integrations!
To create a market for event planning services it requires that you blend creativity with practicality. One has to handpick vendors, maintain a smooth user interface and engage in promotional efforts that make sense so as much as possible among other things to develop a resource which many will prefer according to customers.
Shipturtle is dedicated to empowering brands to thrive in the interconnected world of e-commerce by offering an enterprise SaaS solution that is faster, more cost-effective, and superior to platforms like Amazon Seller Central.
Begin your journey with a 14-day free trial to explore our features, and once you’re satisfied, effortlessly launch your site and connect with thousands of sellers in no time.
Get advanced functionalities like C2C, reverse bidding, booking & scheduling options along with advanced shipping, configurable vendor management, payment features, and more. Install Shipturtle today from the Shopify App Store and enjoy a free trial to experience its benefits firsthand.
Want to learn more about how Shipturtle can benefit your business? Book a personalized demo with our sales team.
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Samiksha Kukreti is a content creator with a unique blend of scientific expertise and creative flair. Having earning a U.G. degree in Biotechnology, Samiksha is pursuing her creative and strategic interests in digital marketing and helping Shipturtle grow.
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