Sharetribe

What is Sharetribe

Sharetribe is a software platform that allows entrepreneurs and businesses to create their own online marketplace websites. The core purpose of the tool is to provide a complete solution for building platforms where users can sell or rent products, services, or spaces, similar to sites like Airbnb, Etsy, or Upwork. It offers a no-code builder for quick launching and a developer platform for extensive customization. The company was founded in 2011 and operates from Finland and California. Sharetribe is notable for being funded by its customers and owned by its team members, with a mission to make marketplace technology accessible to everyone.

Sharetribe Features

Sharetribe provides a comprehensive set of features divided into three main areas:

• No-Code Marketplace Builder: This tool lets you launch a marketplace quickly without writing any code. It includes all essential features from the start.

  • Pre-built Marketplace Engine: Comes with user profiles, listings, booking and payment systems, reviews, and admin management tools.
  • Customization Options: You can adjust the marketplace's order flow, layout, colors, and branding to match your concept.
  • Content Management: Control all text and content on your site to fit your brand's voice and language.
  • Third-Party Integrations: Connect to hundreds of external services through tools like Zapier to add more functionality.

• Developer Platform: For businesses that need unique features or a custom design, this platform offers deep customization capabilities.

  • Full UI/UX Control: Developers can use the API to build a completely custom user interface and experience for web or mobile apps.
  • Extendable Template: You can modify the default template with custom code (HTML, CSS, Javascript) to add new features while still using Sharetribe's backend.
  • Flexible Data Schema: Customize how data is stored and searched to create unique discovery and matching experiences for your users.
  • Custom Transaction Flows: Design complex transaction processes that fit your specific business logic.

• Hosted Cloud Infrastructure: Sharetribe manages the technical backend, ensuring your platform is secure and can handle growth.

  • Scalability: The infrastructure is built to support marketplaces of any size, from a few users to millions, without performance issues.
  • Managed Hosting: Sharetribe handles server maintenance, security, traffic spikes, and data compliance, so you can focus on your business.
  • Admin Tools: Monitor platform activity, manage users and listings, and use data to make informed decisions.

Sharetribe Pricing Plans

Sharetribe offers a tiered pricing structure designed to grow with your business. The plans are based on the level of customization and the number of users.

• Build Plan: An entry-level plan for building and testing your marketplace concept. It includes all the no-code builder features in a test environment.
• Live Plans (Lite, Pro): These plans are for marketplaces that are ready to go live and accept real users and transactions. They differ based on the number of users they support and the features included. The Pro plan typically offers more capacity and advanced tools.
• Extend Plan: This is the most advanced plan, designed for businesses that need to use the developer platform for deep customization and custom features. It provides full API access.

Sharetribe Free Plan

Sharetribe does not have a permanent free plan. However, it offers a 14-day free trial of its Build plan. During the trial, you get access to all the no-code building tools to create and configure your marketplace in a test environment. You can customize settings, test functionality, and prepare for launch. A credit card is not required to start the trial. To go live and invite actual users, you must subscribe to one of the paid plans.

How to use Sharetribe

Getting started with Sharetribe is a straightforward process, especially with the no-code builder.

1. Sign Up for a Trial: Start by creating an account for the 14-day free trial.
2. Initial Setup: Answer a few questions about your marketplace idea (e.g., rentals, services, products). Sharetribe will then generate a test marketplace for you.
3. Customize Your Marketplace: Use the no-code builder to configure your platform. You can change the layout, add your logo and brand colors, set up your transaction process (e.g., fixed price, negotiation), and define listing fields.
4. Add Content: Create your homepage, about page, and other informational content. Define the language and tone of your platform.
5. Test Everything: Use the test environment to create sample listings, go through the booking or purchasing process, and see how it works from both a user and provider perspective.
6. Go Live: Once you are satisfied, choose a paid plan, connect your custom domain, and launch your marketplace to the public.
7. (Optional) Extend with Code: If you need custom features, subscribe to the Extend plan and use the developer platform to build them on top of your existing site.

Pros and Cons of Sharetribe

Pros

• Fast to Launch: The no-code builder allows you to launch a fully functional marketplace in as little as one day.
• Highly Customizable: The developer platform provides the flexibility to add any custom feature or design you need.
• Scalable Infrastructure: You do not have to worry about hosting, security, or performance as your user base grows.
• Supports All Marketplace Types: It can be used for rentals, services, products, B2B, and other unique models.
• Strong Support and Resources: Offers helpful customer support and an extensive library of guides in the Marketplace Academy.

Cons

• Requires Developer Skills for Customization: Creating unique features requires knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, which may mean hiring a developer.
• Monthly Subscription Cost: The platform operates on a SaaS model, which involves a recurring monthly fee that increases with higher tiers.
• No Permanent Free Plan: You cannot run a live marketplace for free; you must be on a paid plan after the trial period.

Sharetribe integrations

Sharetribe is designed for connectivity. It allows integrations with other applications through several methods.

• Zapier Integration: Sharetribe connects with Zapier, which acts as a bridge to hundreds of other web applications. This allows you to automate workflows between your marketplace and other tools you use, such as Mailchimp for email marketing, Google Sheets for data tracking, or Slack for notifications.
• Custom Integrations via API: The developer platform and its API allow for direct, custom integrations with any third-party service. This is useful for connecting specialized payment gateways, shipping providers, identity verification services, or your own custom backend systems.

Sharetribe Alternatives

1. Arcadier: A direct competitor that also offers a no-code marketplace builder. Arcadier is known for its ease of use and quick setup, but Sharetribe offers deeper customization capabilities through its developer platform.
2. Kreezalid: Another no-code marketplace solution. Kreezalid provides a good range of built-in features and themes. It is a strong choice for standard marketplaces, while Sharetribe is more flexible for highly unique or complex concepts.
3. WordPress with Marketplace Plugins (like Dokan or WC Vendors): For those comfortable with the WordPress ecosystem, using a plugin can be a powerful and cost-effective alternative. This approach gives you full control over hosting and code but requires more technical management and piecing together different plugins compared to Sharetribe's all-in-one solution.

Sharetribe API

Yes, Sharetribe provides a powerful, API-first developer platform. The API is the foundation for all customization, allowing developers to build unique features, workflows, and user interfaces.

To access and use the API, you need to be subscribed to a plan that includes developer tools, such as the Extend plan. Once subscribed, you can generate API keys from your marketplace's admin console.

The API allows you to build a custom frontend (website or mobile app) that communicates with the Sharetribe backend, which handles all the core marketplace logic like user management, transactions, and data storage.

Here is a conceptual example of using the JavaScript SDK to fetch listings:

// Import the Sharetribe SDK
const sharetribeSdk = require('sharetribe-flex-sdk');

// Create an instance of the SDK
const sdk = sharetribeSdk.createInstance({
  clientId: 'YOUR_CLIENT_ID_HERE'
});

// Query for the 10 most recent listings
sdk.listings.query({ per_page: 10 })
  .then(res => {
    // res.data contains the listings
    console.log('Fetched listings:', res.data.data);
  })
  .catch(err => {
    console.error('Error fetching listings:', err);
  });

For full details, developers should consult the official Sharetribe developer documentation.

Sharetribe Affiliate program

Sharetribe does not have a traditional, public-facing affiliate program where anyone can sign up for a referral link. Instead, they have a Sharetribe Expert Partner Program. This program is designed for freelancers, agencies, and consultants who specialize in building or marketing online marketplaces.

Partners in this program can get benefits like client referrals, co-marketing opportunities, and dedicated support. To join, you typically need to apply and demonstrate your expertise in the marketplace field. If you are interested in becoming a partner, you should visit the 'Developers' or 'Experts' section on their website or contact their support team to inquire about the partnership opportunities available.