This isn’t just another video breakdown—it’s your blueprint for building a thriving online marketplace, all without coding! We’ll unpack the exact tools and strategies used to build Unicorn Factory, New Zealand’s largest freelance marketplace.
🧲 Stage 1: Building Your Magnet
📄 Craft a Killer One-Pager (Webflow)
Forget fancy features, start by showcasing your marketplace’s soul using Webflow! Build a sleek one-page website explaining:
- 💡 What problem you solve
- 💪 Your unique benefits
- ❓ How it works, FAQs, etc.
- 📧 A contact form to capture leads
Pro Tip: Use Relume’s Webflow component library to build stunning pages in a flash! (https://www.connorfinlayson.com/a/relume)
🗄️ Your Trusty Database (Airtable)
Organize your kingdom with Airtable, the visual and powerful database!
Create tables for:
- 🤝 Clients – store contact form submissions
- 🌟 Talent – list your marketplace superstars
Action Item: Connect your contact form to automatically send submissions to your Airtable client table.
🤖 Automate Like a Boss (Make.com)
Ditch manual tasks with Make.com, your automation wizard! Connect Webflow and Airtable to:
- ⚡️ Instantly send form submissions to your database
- 💌 Add new leads to your email marketing list (e.g., MailerLite)
Example: When someone fills out your contact form, their details magically appear in your Airtable database and your email list. Boom!
🚀 Stage 2: Building Your MVP
💰 Validating Your Idea
Can you attract buyers BEFORE your platform is fully built? If so, you’re onto something special! Focus on consistently getting those contact form submissions.
🎯 Niche Down with Laser Focus
Create targeted landing pages that speak directly to specific buyer needs. Instead of a generic “Hire Freelancers” page, create pages for:
- 🎨 Hire Top Designers
- ✍️ Find Expert Content Writers
- 💻 Get the Best Developers
Pro Tip: Use Webflow CMS to create hundreds of these pages automatically! Dynamic content = SEO gold!
🤝 Connecting Buyers and Sellers
Become a master connector! Facilitate introductions between clients and freelancers, either manually or through automated workflows.
🏗️ Stage 3: Scaling Up
✨ Empowering User Experiences (Glide)
Once you’re swamped with connections, it’s time to empower your users! Use Glide to create intuitive portals where clients and freelancers can:
- Manage their accounts
- Update profiles
- Apply for jobs
- Message each other
💰 Seamless Payments (Stripe)
Say goodbye to payment headaches with Stripe! This secure and versatile platform handles:
- One-time purchases
- Subscriptions
- Marketplace fees
- Usage-based billing
Remember: Choose the right Stripe features for your specific business model (e.g., Stripe Connect for marketplace fees).
🤖 Bonus Tools:
- Relume AI Site Builder: Get AI-powered wireframes for your website to fast-track your design process. (https://www.connorfinlayson.com/a/relume)
- Open AI: Use AI for generating high-quality content, automating tasks, and even creating AI-powered features within your marketplace.
🎉 You’ve got this!
Building a successful marketplace takes time and effort. But with the right tools and a focus on solving real problems, you’ll be well on your way to creating something truly impactful. Good luck!
