How to Build an Online Marketplace from Scratch (with Bubble)

The rise of digital markets has created a booming opportunity for entrepreneurs to launch online marketplaces. Whether you're looking to connect service providers with customers, or build a product-based marketplace, platforms like Airbnb, Etsy, and Uber offer a sustainable model you can replicate. Traditionally, building such a marketplace required deep programming expertise and large budgets.
However, thanks to Bubble, building an online marketplace from scratch is now accessible to anyone—even if you're not a developer. In this guide, we'll walk you through a high-level overview of the essential steps you need to follow to successfully build a marketplace using Bubble.

Why Choose Bubble?

Bubble is a no-code platform that allows you to design, develop, and launch fully-functional web apps with minimal technical knowledge. It offers a visual interface that lets you drag-and-drop elements, create workflows, and integrate third-party services, eliminating the need to write complex code. Moreover, the platform handles much of the backend development, such as database structure and user authentication, greatly accelerating the build process without sacrificing customization.
With that said, let's get right into the steps for creating a marketplace web app!

Step 1: Define the Business Model and Core MVP Features

Before diving into Bubble, you have to clearly understand what your marketplace does and who it's for. Your marketplace's business model will primarily fall under one of these categories:

Commission-based: Charge fees for every transaction (e.g., Airbnb, Etsy).
Subscription-based: Charge users monthly or yearly fees (e.g., ClassPass).
Listing fees: Charge sellers to showcase products or services (e.g., Craigslist).
Leads fees: Charge for buyer contact details (e.g., Thumbtack).

Once you’ve identified your business model, you need a clear list of functionalities for your Minimum Viable Product (MVP). Most marketplaces share the following standard features:

User Profiles: Both buyers and sellers should have distinct accounts.
Listings Management: Sellers need to create product/service listings.
Search and Filters: Buyers require tools to browse and filter options.
Payment Integration: Facilitating digital transactions is key.
Reviews and Ratings: Customer feedback fosters trust within your marketplace.

Step 2: Set Up Your Bubble Project

Create a Bubble Account

Head over to Bubble.io and sign up for an account. Once you're in, create a new application and give your marketplace a name. You’ll end up in the app editor, which is where most of the magic happens.

Define Data Structure

The Data tab is a critical section of the Bubble editor. Think of it as your database where all relevant information is stored. For an online marketplace, you'll likely need data types such as:

User: Stores data tied to users (buyers and sellers).
Listings: Represents products or services being offered.
Transactions: Tracks purchase history, buyer/seller interactions, etc.
Messages: Enables communication between buyers and sellers.

Map out all your key data types before diving into the design. Bubble’s data fields can be easily customized, so each data type can have fields like text, numbers, images, and more.

Step 3: Design Your User Interface (UI)

The visual aspect of your marketplace is just as crucial as the backend. In the Design tab, you'll work on the aesthetics—your landing pages, profile pages, listing pages, etc. Bubble offers a slew of UI elements (buttons, inputs, forms, etc.), which you can drag-and-drop directly onto the screen.
Visualize your user journey:

How easy is it for a new user to register?
Can sellers quickly upload offerings and manage listings?
Is the buying process intuitive and seamless?

Make sure to maintain consistency in your design across screens, ensuring a smooth experience for both buyers and sellers.

Step 4: Build Workflows

In Bubble, Workflows are the backbone of all functionality. Workflows enable the app to respond to user actions, such as pressing a button or uploading a file. When a user clicks "Buy Now," a workflow ensures that the application redirects them to complete the purchase and saves the order in the database.
You'll typically create workflows for actions such as:

User Registration: How accounts are created for buyers and sellers.
Creating and Managing Listings: The seller can upload images, set prices, and update availability.
Purchasing: The buyer can add items to their cart and complete payments.
Messaging: A direct communication channel between buyers and sellers.
Reviews: Allowing buyers to leave reviews once a transaction is complete.

Step 5: Enable Payments

As any marketplace exists to facilitate transactions, integrating payment gateways is a must. Fortunately, Bubble makes it easy through plugins. The most commonly used payment options is Stripe.
Although Bubble offers a native plugin for Stripe, using Bubble's API Connector plugin yields the most flexibility for development and testing.

Step 6: Test Your Marketplace

Before you unveil your platform, thoroughly test each piece of functionality using Bubble's preview mode. Create test accounts, submit listings, perform searches, and go through the purchasing process. Verify that user data is correctly stored, messaging works smoothly, and payments are successfully processed.
Consider inviting beta testers at this stage. Their feedback can help you identify issues you might have missed and give you insights into improving the user experience.

Step 7: Launch and Iterate

Once everything is functioning as intended, go ahead and launch your marketplace! You can do this directly from Bubble by subscribing to one of their hosting plans. Keep in mind that launching an MVP doesn’t mean your app is "done"—successful online platforms constantly evolve. Gather feedback and implement improvements based on user behavior and market trends.

Start Building Your Marketplace Today with Bubble!

Building an online marketplace no longer demands months of coding and thousands of dollars in development fees. With Bubble, you can create a fully functional MVP in weeks without writing a single line of code. Bubble’s flexibility lets you tailor your platform specifically to your business needs while speeding up time-to-market.
Ready to turn your ideas into reality? Get in touch with us for a free discovery call to bring your online marketplace to life!