Softment

Solutions

Marketplace Platforms

Marketplace app development for UK teams: vendor onboarding, commissions, and trust features with scalable payments.

Timeline10-14 weeks
Starting at$2k

Who It's For

Perfect for

Platforms connecting multiple buyers and sellers

Businesses creating two-sided marketplaces

Companies needing commission-based revenue models

Platforms requiring escrow and payment protection

Marketplaces with rating and review systems

Use Cases

Built for these scenarios

E-commerce marketplaces (Amazon-style)
Service marketplaces (TaskRabbit, Upwork-style)
Real estate platforms connecting buyers and agents
Freelance and gig economy platforms
B2B marketplaces for wholesale and distribution
Art and collectibles marketplaces
Food delivery and restaurant platforms
Rental marketplaces (cars, equipment, spaces)
Educational course marketplaces
Healthcare provider marketplaces

Deliverables

Everything you receive

Buyer and seller registration and profiles
Product/service listing and management
Search and filtering with advanced options
Commission and fee calculation system
Escrow and payment protection
Rating and review system
Messaging and communication tools
Order management and tracking
Dispute resolution workflow
Admin dashboard for platform management
Analytics for marketplace health metrics
Mobile-responsive design

Timeline

Typical timeline

1
2-3 weeks

Discovery

Marketplace model design, payment flow, and trust mechanisms

2
3-4 weeks

Build

Platform development, payment integration, and escrow system

3
2-3 weeks

Launch & Stabilize

Payment processing activation, dispute system testing, and launch

Metrics

Success metrics

Transaction processing: Secure escrow system

Commission accuracy: Automated fee calculation

User trust: Rating and verification systems

Payment security: PCI-DSS compliant processing

Platform growth: Supports 1,000+ active listings

Considerations

Risks & assumptions

Payment processing complexity requires early Stripe setup

Dispute resolution logic can be complex

Regulatory compliance varies by industry

Network effects require critical mass of users

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

We implement escrow systems where buyer payments are held until service completion. Funds are released automatically or manually based on your workflow. We use Stripe Connect for marketplace payments.

Yes. We build flexible commission systems with different rates per category, seller tier, or transaction type. You can adjust rates through admin dashboard.

We implement identity verification, payment holds, rating systems, and dispute resolution workflows. We also integrate with fraud detection services when needed.

Yes. We integrate Stripe which supports credit cards, bank transfers, digital wallets, and local payment methods. We can add additional payment providers if needed.

Yes. We build seller profiles with customizable storefronts, product catalogs, and branding. Sellers can manage their listings, orders, and analytics.

Regional

Delivery considerations for your region

Compliance & Data (UK/EU)

For UK teams, we default to GDPR-first thinking: data minimisation, purpose-limited storage, and clear access boundaries.

We can work under a DPA (template available on request) and implement practical retention/deletion flows when needed.

  • GDPR-first patterns (minimise, restrict, document)
  • DPA template available on request
  • Retention/deletion and export flows where required
  • Least-privilege access and secure session handling
  • PII-safe logging + secure-by-default configuration
  • NDA available for early-stage discussions

Timezone & Collaboration (UK/EU)

We align to UK time and EU overlap (GMT/BST with CET-friendly windows) for fast feedback cycles.

We keep the process lightweight: async updates, clear priorities, and written decisions to avoid ambiguity.

  • UK/EU overlap with GMT/BST windows
  • Async-first delivery with documented scope
  • Weekly milestones and structured demos
  • Clear escalation path for blockers
  • Tight change control with clear sign-offs

Engagement & Procurement (UK)

We support typical UK procurement flows with clear scopes, change control, and invoice cadence.

If you prefer a discovery-first engagement, we can run a short paid discovery to lock requirements before build.

  • GBP-based engagements and invoicing options
  • Discovery-first option to reduce delivery risk
  • Milestone-based billing when appropriate
  • Transparent change control and sign-offs
  • Vendor onboarding pack on request

Security & Quality (UK/EU)

We build for reliability and maintainability: clean PRs, tight review loops, and test coverage that matches risk.

Performance budgets and release checklists keep launches predictable—especially when multiple stakeholders review changes.

  • CI-friendly testing: unit + integration + smoke tests
  • Performance budgets + bundle checks (Core Web Vitals-minded)
  • Structured release notes and rollback-safe deployments
  • Security checklist for auth, roles, and data flows
  • Observability hooks (logs + error tracking) ready for production
Ready to start?

Want to scope this properly?

Planning a marketplace build? We’ll scope the MVP, payments flow, and trust model with clear milestones. GBP-based engagements.

Reply within 2 hours. No-pressure consultation.