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

RetailMeNot.com is a popular online marketplace where you can find awesome discounts and deals from loads of different stores. If you’re planning to start a similar business, Vendo makes it really easy and affordable to launch your own online marketplace with products from a dozen of domestic brands. You can get things rolling super fast, often in just a few days. It also takes care of the complicated stuff like keeping track of all the products and sorting out the shipping, making it much simpler for you to get your marketplace up and running.

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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.   

RetailMeNot.com Marketplace Success Story: The Discount Dynamo

1. The Birth of a Bargain Hunter's Paradise

RetailMeNot.com burst onto the scene in 2006, revolutionizing how people find deals online. It wasn't just another coupon site; it was a vast marketplace connecting shoppers with a wide array of retailers offering exclusive discounts. The concept was simple but powerful: help people save money effortlessly.

2. Rapid Expansion and User Growth

RetailMeNot grew quickly, thanks to its user-friendly design and the sheer volume of deals. By 2013, the site boasted over 500,000 coupons from 70,000 retailers. That’s a lot of savings! This variety and scale attracted millions of savvy shoppers, making RetailMeNot a go-to site for discounts.

3. Going Beyond Coupons

RetailMeNot expanded its offerings beyond just coupons. They started including cashback deals, discount gift cards, and even browser extensions to make finding deals easier. This expansion made them more than just a coupon site; they became a comprehensive savings hub.

4. A Mobile Move and Tech Innovation

Recognizing the shift to mobile shopping, RetailMeNot went big on their app. The app made deal-hunting on-the-go a breeze and even allowed users to get notifications for deals at nearby stores. This tech-savvy approach kept them at the forefront of digital couponing.

5. Maintaining Relevance in a Competitive Market

In a market crowded with discount sites, RetailMeNot stayed relevant by constantly updating deals, ensuring accuracy, and offering exclusive bargains. Their commitment to being up-to-date and reliable kept users coming back.

RetailMeNot's Affiliate Program

RetailMeNot runs an affiliate program that's all about sharing the savings. Bloggers, website owners, and influencers can promote deals, and when someone uses a deal or coupon from their link, they earn a commission. It's a win-win for both RetailMeNot and the affiliates who get to offer great deals to their followers.

Replicating RetailMeNot's marketplace Success: Your Guide

1. Start with a Strong Value Proposition

RetailMeNot succeeded by offering clear value: save money easily. Identify a strong, simple value proposition for your marketplace.

2. Scale Up Fast, But Stay User-Friendly

Grow your offerings rapidly, like RetailMeNot’s vast coupon collection, but keep the user experience smooth and easy.

3. Diversify Your Services

Don’t just stick to one thing. Like RetailMeNot expanded into cashback and gift cards, think about how you can broaden your marketplace's services.

4. Embrace Technology and Trends

Stay ahead of tech trends, especially in how your users prefer to shop or interact with your platform. An app or a browser extension can make a big difference.

5. Keep Your Platform Current and Reliable

In a competitive market, being up-to-date and trustworthy is key. Make sure your deals, products, or services are always current and reliable.

In short, offer clear value, grow and keep things easy, broaden your services, use tech smartly, and focus on reliability. That’s your roadmap to building a marketplace success story like RetailMeNot!

Get started with a marketplace like RetailMeNot 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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