Local marketplaces: the great opportunity beyond Amazon
At Proportione, we understand that the digital age has radically transformed the way your customers interact with physical stores. The creation of a platform created specifically to build customer loyalty and expand the reach of local products beyond traditional festivities represents an unprecedented opportunity. This is where local marketplaces emerge as the ideal solution, allowing a synergy between the digital and the physical that greatly benefits local commerce.
Our vision is focused on the potential of these spaces to project the unique value of local stores to the world. We strongly believe that local marketplaces not only offer a platform to showcase products, but also become a bridge that connects stores with a global audience. This connection not only boosts the local economy but also enriches the cultural offer available on the network, creating a vibrant ecosystem where all participants benefit.
The local marketplace: designing the neighbourhood market
We see the marketplace as a great opportunity to transform the way buyers and sellers interact. By projecting the traditional flea market into the digital realm, we not only expand the reach of physical stores but also offer a platform where they can offer their products without the constraints of space and time. A local marketplace acts as a digital showcase, allowing small businesses to project their essence and products to a much wider audience, while maintaining the closeness and direct contact that characterizes local commerce.
Marketplaces for all tastes
Classification:
Marketplaces can be classified according to the type of products they offer and their business model. From online stores that make it easy to shop online to platforms that specialize in specific products, marketplaces offer a variety of options for both sellers and buyers. In addition, their ability to position products in the top positions of search engines without the need for a large investment in advertising makes them an attractive option for businesses of all sizes.
Generalists vs. verticals
Generalist marketplaces, such as Amazon or AliExpress, offer a wide range of products without specializing in any specific category. Vertical marketplaces, on the other hand, focus on a particular industry, providing a more specialized and in-depth shopping experience. This distinction is key to understanding how the marketplace works and choosing the most appropriate platform according to the needs of the merchant or consumer.
On-demand, managed and community-driven models
Marketplaces can operate under different models: on demand, where products or services are offered according to demand; managed, which include more active management by the platform, ensuring quality and consistency; and community-driven, where the community plays a central role in the operation of the marketplace. Each of these models features unique features that can be better suited to different types of products and strategies Commercial.
Local marketplaces in Spain
In Spain, the marketplace is a great opportunity to connect local merchants with a wider audience. The growing preference for local products and the desire to support the community's economy have driven the development of these digital spaces. Their ability to offer unique and local products, in an increasingly globalised environment, makes them a valuable tool for the growth of local commerce.
Featured examples of local marketplaces in Portugal
Portugal has seen examples of local marketplaces flourish that focus on handmade products, handicrafts, and gourmet products, offering a business model that favors both local producers and consumers. These b2b and b2c marketplaces have become digital showcases for the country's rich cultural and productive diversity, demonstrating the potential of local marketplaces to boost specific economies.
Amazon, AliExpress, and other giants in the sector and their operating costs compared to local ones
Comparatively, operating on online marketplace giants like Amazon Marketplace in the U.S. can involve high operating costs, including commissions and competitive fees. However, local marketplaces offer a lower-cost alternative, allowing merchants to offer new and second-hand products with a lower initial investment. This cost difference is crucial for small merchants looking to maximize their profit margins without compromising visibility or market access.
Benefits of operating on a local marketplace
Operating on a local marketplace offers numerous benefits, both for sellers and the community. For merchants, it represents a unique opportunity to increase the visibility of their products and services, reaching their customers where they already are: online. The ability to register your business in these digital spaces not only expands the scope of the business but also provides a Direct channel to build customer loyalty and strengthen brand presence.
For the city and the community, local marketplaces act as catalysts for the local economy, promoting business growth and market diversification. By encouraging the purchase of local products, these spaces contribute to economic sustainability and promote job creation, generating a positive impact on regional development.
Benefits for local vendors and the city
The benefits of local marketplaces for sellers are clear: from increased visibility and access to a large audience to the ability to project local to a global audience. This platform not only allows local merchants to compete on equal terms with large chains, but also boosts the city's economy, strengthening the commercial fabric and boosting tourism through the offer of unique and local products.
Increasing visibility and access to a large audience: projecting the local
The ability to increase the visibility of your products and services on a local marketplace is invaluable. By projecting local into these digital spaces, not only does it improve the reach and perception of the brand, but it also provides the opportunity to access a wider and more diverse audience, interested in authentic and quality products. This strategy is essential for those looking to differentiate themselves in an increasingly saturated market.
International sales opportunities and SEO positioning
In addition, operating in a local marketplace opens doors to international sales opportunities, allowing local merchants to project their products and services beyond physical borders. The SEO positioning that these marketplaces can offer is crucial to reach the top positions in search engines, thus increasing visibility and boosting sales globally.
Reduced operating costs and logistical facilities by operating locally
Operating in a local marketplace also means a notable reduction in the profit margin required to compete, thanks to the decrease in operational and logistics costs. The physical proximity to the end customer allows the publication or delivery of the order to be optimised, reducing times and associated costs. Not only is this worthwhile from a profit margin perspective, but it also provides a significant competitive advantage against competitors operating in a more globalized environment.
Benefits for local and foreign buyers
Local marketplaces offer a unique opportunity for both local and foreign buyers, allowing them to discover and purchase unique products from their area, thus facilitating a more direct and personal connection with sellers. These platforms not only make it possible to start selling and reach a larger free market, but also offer buyers a wider variety of products, often at better prices due to the reduction of intermediaries.
Digital transformation of local commerce
The digital transformation of local commerce through marketplaces strengthens the relationship between your customers and your business. By integrating social media, you open up a direct channel of communication with potential buyers, which not only improves the customer experience but also increases your brand's visibility. This is crucial in an era where digital presence is just as important as physical presence.
In addition, this digitalization allows local businesses to compete on a level playing field with large companies, giving customers the possibility to support the local economy while enjoying the convenience of shopping online. It is a win-win strategy for everyone, which fosters a sustainable and close business ecosystem.
24/7 availability, in-store pickup and agile shipments
The continuous 24/7 operation of online stores in local marketplaces transforms the shopping experience, offering users the convenience of shopping anytime, anywhere. The in-store pickup option adds a level of flexibility and personalization to the shopping process, while the agility in shipping ensures almost immediate gratification for the buyer, significantly improving their shopping experience.
POS: payment terminals that unify offline and online
Shopify POS acts as an intermediary between the digital and physical worlds, allowing online shoppers to access all their shopping needs through a unified digital platform. Not only does this simplify the buying process for the customer, but it also helps sellers manage their inventories more efficiently, creating a cohesive buying experience that benefits both sellers and buyers.
Proportione's approach: technology strategy for people
Our vision at Proportione is focused on harnessing the vast reach of technology to enrich the human experience, especially at the local level. We strongly believe in the power of a marketplace that can offer a variety of options through a physical store, while maintaining a competitive advantage over your competitors. This approach puts the operation of the Marketplace at the service of people, creating an ecosystem where technology improves daily life.
Understand the local well before designing the strategy
For us, understanding the local context is essential before designing any digital strategy. This means analyzing and adapting to the peculiarities of each physical store, understanding the dynamics of digital marketing during key events such as Black Friday, and how these are integrated into the social and economic fabric of the community. This approach allows us to create solutions that genuinely resonate with local needs.
A local marketplace has two users: merchants and customers
At Proportione, we recognize that a successful local marketplace must create a great user experience for both merchants and customers. This involves designing intuitive and accessible interfaces that make it easy to navigate and shop, while ensuring that sellers can manage their products and services effectively.
Our goal is to foster an environment where technology is not an obstacle, but a bridge that connects the needs and desires of both groups, creating a vibrant community and thriving marketplace that benefits everyone involved.
Choosing the best possible technology without bias
In technology selection, our philosophy is to choose the best possible tool without bias. This means evaluating each option based on its ability to meet the specific needs of our customers and their market, beyond popular trends or brands. We believe that technology should be an enabler, not an end in itself, and our choice should always reflect this principle.
Thus, each technological solution we implement is carefully selected to improve the operation of the marketplace, ensuring that it is accessible to both sellers and buyers, and that it improves the overall experience without unnecessary complications.
Local SEO: Uniting Online and Offline
Local SEO acts as a vital intermediary between the online and offline worlds, allowing online shoppers to easily find what they are looking for in their immediate environment. By optimizing local marketplaces for local search, we not only increase the visibility of physical stores, but we also strengthen the connection between communities and their local businesses, fostering a more resilient and connected economy.
Importance of local feedback and ratings
Reviews and ratings play a crucial role in the success of local marketplaces, providing potential buyers with a reliable perspective on the quality and service of local businesses. This honest feedback helps build trust and credibility, essential elements for fostering an active and engaged community of buyers and sellers.
The union of the local marketplace with Google maps
Integrating our local marketplace with Google Maps offers a unique experience that greatly benefits both businesses and consumers. By allowing each physical store to be displayed on the map, we make it easier for customers to easily find what they are looking for in their vicinity, thus improving the visibility of local businesses and boosting the economy within the community.
Positioning the city on the internet
By positioning the city online through our local marketplaces, we not only increase the visibility of individual businesses, but also highlight the unique identity and values of the community. This strategy helps attract both local shoppers and visitors, fostering a sense of pride and belonging among citizens.
In addition, by promoting the city in the digital sphere, we open doors to tourism and trade opportunities that can benefit the entire region, contributing to local economic growth and development.
Tools and support offered to local sellers
We provide local sellers with a wide range of tools and support designed to maximize their success on the marketplace. From digital marketing solutions to inventory management consulting, our goal is to ensure that every seller has access to the resources needed to grow and thrive in a competitive online environment.
The future of local marketplaces
We anticipate a bright future for local marketplaces, where these platforms become the heart of the local digital economy, connecting millions of customers with a wide variety of products and services. As they evolve, we expect a reduction in outsourcing expenses and greater ease for multiple sellers to start and expand their operations with minimal upfront investment, thus creating a more inclusive and diverse commerce ecosystem.
Emerging trends and predictions
We are excited to observe the emerging trends that will continue to shape the future of local marketplaces, including the integration of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence to personalize the shopping experience and the use of blockchain to ensure secure and transparent transactions. Continuous adaptation to changing consumer needs and constant innovation will be key to the sustainable growth of these commercial spaces.
Impact of technology on marketplace development
Technology has revolutionized the concept of marketplace, transforming it into a comprehensive platform where different stores can sell their products to a wider audience, both national and international. This technological evolution has made it possible to overcome several of the disadvantages of selling on a traditional marketplace, such as long delivery times and complications in returns and refunds, offering more agile and efficient solutions. Now, a local marketplace not only functions as a digital shopping center, but becomes a powerful tool to attract new customers, increase the volume of visits to sellers' own online stores, and significantly improve customer service.
In addition, the integration of advanced technologies has allowed stores to highlight their products within a wide variety of categories, thus making it easier to differentiate yourself from the competition. The implementation of advanced management systems and personalized recommendation algorithms enriches the user experience, encouraging more frequent and higher-value business transactions. In short, technology has not only expanded business opportunities for local marketplaces, but has also redefined the way large enterprises and small merchants interact with their customers, powering e-commerce growth to unprecedented levels.