Starting a Platform

[Aneesha]

When building a platform connecting two parties, who do you bring to the platform first? Classic chicken and egg problem!

 

[FunMoney]

If it's a buyer / seller marketplace I think you need to bring the sellers onboard first as they'll be more understanding (so long as you aren't charging a premium) then the buyers

 

[secretagentdad]

You start with what you got and make it work.

Personally I prefer to have inventory. (Cooperative vendors are a form of inventory)

When you have the goods or services in stock you can buy traffic from just about anywhere.
Customers and their attention are much harder to lock in. There are just to many highly effective ways to reach a target demographic these days.

 

[Philip J. Fry]

You start small and in a sub-niche of the main niche. For example, Facebook started with Harvard students, then university students, then the general public.

 

[mattmccoy]

As a marketplace founder, I'd love to get your advice on this business model. There has obviously been some very successful two-sided platform businesses, but I'm wondering what your thoughts are?

 

[secretagentdad]

Yes if you can retain users.
That’s easier said than done.
The hard part for me has been getting vendors.