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Dec 28, 2023

Notion shopping mobile app case study

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Introducing in-app shopping and rewards can transform your app into a shopping destination offering a diverse array of products and services from multiple sellers.The Notion case study demonstrates how a leading productivity and organization app successfully integrated a multi-vendor marketplace for productivity tools, office supplies, and professional development resources.

Vendo's robust eCommerce platform empowers you to seamlessly incorporate this multi-vendor marketplace strategy, enabling you to curate a wide selection of relevant products, manage multiple sellers as well as your own products, and create a personalized shopping experience.

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Let's explore how Vendo can help you leverage the power of multi-vendor in-app shopping to dramatically enhance your app's value proposition and significantly boost your bottom line, as exemplified by Notion's efficient implementation.

Notion brief history

Notion was founded in 2016 by Ivan Zhao, Simon Last, and others, with the vision of creating an all-in-one workspace for notes, tasks, wikis, and databases. The app quickly gained popularity among individuals and teams for its flexibility, customizability, and ability to replace multiple productivity tools. Notion's unique approach to information organization and collaboration has made it a favorite among startups, creatives, and productivity enthusiasts.

How Notion added a multi-vendor shopping feature

Recognizing the opportunity to enhance the productivity experience for users, Notion integrated a multi-vendor marketplace for productivity tools, office supplies, and professional development resources. This feature was carefully designed to complement the app's primary functions of note-taking, project management, and personal organization.

While maintaining its core offering of customizable workspaces, Notion now suggests products like ergonomic office equipment, productivity-focused books, and digital tools based on users' workspace setups and usage patterns. For example, a user who frequently uses Notion for project management might see recommendations for project management books or time-tracking software.

To ensure quality and relevance, Notion partnered with reputable office supply manufacturers, productivity tool developers, and professional development resource providers. The app's developers created an algorithm that analyzes users' workspace structures, frequently used features, and productivity goals to provide personalized product recommendations, making the shopping experience feel tailored to each user's organizational needs.

How Notion benefited from introducing shopping

The introduction of the multi-vendor marketplace brought several advantages to Notion:

1. New Revenue Stream: Notion now earns commissions on sales made through its platform, creating an additional source of income beyond subscriptions.

2. Enhanced User Experience: By offering relevant productivity tools and resources, the app provides a more comprehensive solution for users seeking to optimize their work and personal lives.

3. Increased User Engagement: The shopping feature gives users another reason to interact with the app, potentially increasing overall usage and retention rates.

4. Ecosystem Expansion: The marketplace allows Notion to create a broader productivity ecosystem, positioning itself as a one-stop-shop for organizational needs.

5. Competitive Edge: The combination of flexible workspaces, collaboration features, and curated shopping options sets Notion apart in the productivity app market.

Example products sold by Notion

Notion's multi-vendor marketplace offers a wide range of products related to productivity, organization, and professional development. Some examples include:

1. Ergonomic Office Equipment: Standing desks, ergonomic chairs, and monitor arms for comfortable workspaces.

2. Digital Productivity Tools: Time-tracking software, focus apps, and digital planners that integrate with Notion.

3. Office Supplies: Notebooks, pens, and organizational tools that complement digital note-taking.

4. Productivity Books: Literature on time management, personal development, and organizational strategies.

5. Tech Accessories: Laptop stands, cable organizers, and wireless chargers for an optimized workspace.

6. Online Courses: Professional development courses on topics like project management and personal productivity.

7. Notion-compatible Hardware: Tablets and e-ink devices optimized for use with Notion.

8. Notion-branded Merchandise: Apparel and accessories featuring Notion's logo and productivity-themed designs.

9. Smart Home Devices: Voice assistants and smart lighting systems for productivity-enhancing home offices.

10. Subscription Services: Curated productivity subscription boxes with office supplies and wellness items.

These product offerings are carefully curated to align with Notion's mission of enhancing personal and professional organization, providing relevant tools and resources to support users' productivity journeys.

Takeaways

Introducing in-app shopping was a game-changer for Notion and it could be for your mobile app as well. By offering a curated and multi-vendor shopping experience, implementing a rewarding points system, and providing diverse product offerings, you can create a more engaging, valuable, and profitable app. This strategy not only opens up new revenue streams but also enhances user experience and loyalty, setting your app apart in a crowded marketplace.

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The success of Notion's multi-vendor marketplace demonstrates the potential of thoughtfully integrated e-commerce in niche apps. By aligning shopping options with user interests and app functionality, developers can create additional value for users while also generating new revenue. As you consider implementing a similar strategy in your app, remember to focus on relevance, user experience, and seamless integration to maximize the benefits of in-app shopping, while always prioritizing the core functionality that attracted users to your app in the first place.

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