Groupon multi-vendor marketplace case study and how to start your own

Groupon.com is an online marketplace offering short-term deals and discounts on all sorts of stuff, from dinners out to spa treatments. Vendo makes it really easy to start your own online marketplace with dozens of domestic brands. You can get things up and running and start selling stuff in just a few days. It also takes away the headache of dealing with stock and shipping stuff, making it simpler for you to jump into the marketplace game.

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Vendo is also a one-stop-shop for all your marketplace needs, providing you with a marketplace platform automating day-to-day operation, a catalog of brands to pick from or an ability to invite your own brands, merchandising and promotional tools, ability to sell through multiple channels (your existing website, emails & SMS, mobile app, social media), and ongoing daily support scaling your marketplace business.   

Groupon.com Marketplace and the Impact of its Affiliate Program: The Deal Revolution

1. The Deal That Started It All

Groupon.com burst onto the scene in 2008 with a simple but powerful idea: offer daily deals and massive discounts on local services and products. This idea caught on like wildfire. In just two years, by 2010, they had over 35 million registered users. That's a lot of people looking for deals!

2. Growth Explosion

Groupon didn’t just grow; it exploded onto the global market. They expanded their services to over 500 cities worldwide. From restaurants to spas, they were offering discounts on everything. This global reach wasn’t just impressive; it was changing the way people shopped locally.

3. Billions in Sales

The numbers were staggering. By 2011, Groupon had sold over 30 million Groupons and made billions in sales. They were not just a marketplace; they were a phenomenon, connecting millions of customers to local businesses.

4. Keeping It Fresh and Relevant

Groupon kept things interesting by constantly updating their deals and expanding into new categories like travel and product sales. This variety kept customers coming back for more, always curious about the next big deal.

5. Adapting to Change

As the market evolved, so did Groupon. They embraced mobile technology, which was a smart move since by 2014, over half of their transactions were happening on mobile devices. Adapting to how customers wanted to shop kept them in the game.

Groupon's Affiliate Program

Groupon’s affiliate program is a cool way for website owners and bloggers to earn some cash. You promote Groupon deals, and when someone buys a deal through your link, you get a piece of the action. It's a win-win: you make money, and Groupon gets more customers.

Mimicking Groupon's marketplace Success: A Simple Guide

1. Unique Value Proposition

Start with a unique idea like Groupon’s daily deals. What can you offer that no one else does?

2. Scale Quickly but Smartly

Groupon went big fast, but they did it smartly, focusing on cities where they knew they could succeed. Think about how you can expand quickly but wisely.

3. Diversify Your Offers

Keep your marketplace fresh with a variety of offers. Don’t just stick to one thing; explore different products or services.

4. Embrace Technology

Like Groupon’s move to mobile, always look for ways technology can enhance your marketplace. Stay up to date and adapt to new trends.

5. Stay Customer-Focused

Remember, it’s all about the customer experience. Make sure your deals or products are what your customers want and that your platform is easy to use.

In short, find a unique angle, grow smartly, keep things fresh, stay tech-savvy, and always focus on your customers. That's your roadmap to a success story like Groupon's!

Get started with a marketplace like Groupon on Vendo!

START YOUR OWN MULTI-BRAND MARKETPLACE ON VENDO

• Book a demo call: We’ll set up your demo marketplace and populate it with products
• Customize your Storefront: We’ll help you craft a storefront that aligns with your brand identity, ensuring a cohesive and on-brand shopping experience for your customers.
• Onboard Brands: Invite your favorite brands or choose brands from the Vendo brand catalog. We can also start reaching out to brands you’d like to sell on your behalf.
• Select Products: Curate product collections manually or automate the process to efficiently manage your catalog and meet customer demand.
• Embed products: Make your editorial content shoppable with products embedded right where your customers expect them to find. Simplify and streamline product discovery.
• Start Selling Programmatically: Push products through multiple touch points: on your website, share it on social media, and include products in your newsletters.
• Get Paid: Get paid as soon as products are shipped by the brands. No need to wait 30-60 days or worry about orders not attributable to your affiliate links.
• Get Repeat Sales: Since you’re not linking out, your customers will keep coming back. We’ll help them with abandoned cart emails and promotional email blasts.

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