What’s the difference between an eCommerce marketplace and the app marketplace in an eCommerce SaaS Platform?
An eCommerce marketplace is a platform or website that allows multiple third-parties to list and sell their merchandise. From clothing to furniture to household appliances, eCommerce marketplaces have wide varieties of products on offer at any given time and at all price ranges.
In an eCommerce marketplace, operators are responsible for processing transactions and payments while sellers are tasked with fulfilling and delivering orders. However, to cut down on delivery times, most marketplace operators are now also taking charge of the last-mile delivery of goods. Leading eCommerce marketplaces include Amazon, Walmart, eBay, and Shopify.
An app marketplace, on the other hand, is a platform that facilitates the listing and sales of software applications.
Most people know app marketplaces because of the popularity of smart phones and smart phone apps. Popular app marketplaces include Google Play, the Apple App Store and Microsoft AppSource.
But there are other app marketplaces too. Many SaaS platforms have created marketplaces to showcase and promote complimentary services and apps. eCommerce platforms have created app marketplace to promote apps and software solutions to reduce friction in the purchase process, improve user experience or increase their reach.
Why do eCommerce platforms have app marketplaces?
The past several decades have seen tremendous advancements in mobile technology, and many app developers have emerged as a result of increased demand for mobile apps and app add-ons. But while the demand for apps and custom programs is growing, there’s also been a proliferation of digital platforms offering a wide range of software products, making it difficult for users to find the right software tools for their needs.
This is where app marketplaces come in. The primary function of an app marketplace is to make it easy for users to find a software solution that can be used individually or in combination with other solutions or add-ons to enhance efficiency. App marketplaces are organized in such a way that it’s effortless to find innovative products and solutions.
Connecting providers and end-users this way is what makes eCommerce app marketplaces ideal for organizations looking to distribute software products and consumers seeking to augment their existing solutions.
User our Marketplace Finder to see which SaaS marketplaces are a good fit for your business needs.
