Sharetribe Review

ByObeydul Haque Reading Time: 8 minutes

Sharetribe is a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform designed to simplify the process of creating peer-to-peer marketplaces where users can buy, sell, or rent goods, services, or spaces. Founded in 2011 by Juho Makkonen and Antti Virolainen, two Finnish entrepreneurs, Sharetribe initially aimed to help university students trade textbooks and services. Over the years, it has evolved into a robust platform used by over 1,000 marketplace founders in more than 50 countries.

Sharetribe offers two primary products: the original Sharetribe Go, a no-code marketplace builder, and The New Sharetribe, which replaced Go in 2023 and combines no-code simplicity with the ability to extend functionality through custom code. The New Sharetribe is designed to be faster, more flexible, and scalable, addressing the limitations of its predecessor. This review focuses primarily on The New Sharetribe, as it is the current offering for new users.

Key Features of Sharetribe

Sharetribe’s feature set is tailored to make marketplace creation accessible to non-technical users while offering enough flexibility for developers to customize as needed. Below are the standout features:

1. No-Code Marketplace Builder

Sharetribe’s no-code platform allows users to set up a fully functional marketplace in as little as a day. The intuitive interface includes drag-and-drop tools, pre-configured settings, and customizable templates. Users can define listing types, transaction processes, and branding without writing a single line of code. This is particularly appealing for entrepreneurs who want to validate their marketplace idea quickly.

2. Flexible Transaction Processes

Sharetribe supports various marketplace models, including product sales, rentals, and service bookings. The platform offers built-in inventory management for single-item or user-defined stock and availability management for time-based bookings. Transactions are streamlined with automatic purchase acceptance and email verification post-purchase, ensuring a smooth user experience.

3. Integrated Payment Gateways

Sharetribe integrates with trusted payment processors like Stripe and PayPal, supporting multiple currencies and languages for international marketplaces. The platform handles commission administration, allowing marketplace operators to earn a percentage of each transaction. However, some users have reported high currency conversion fees for international transactions, which can reduce profits.

4. Reviews and Ratings

To build trust and transparency, Sharetribe incorporates a double-blind review system where reviews are published only after both parties submit or the review period expires. Reviews include 1-5 star ratings and text comments, with customers reviewing listings and providers reviewing customers directly. Operators can manage reviews via the Sharetribe Console.

5. Customization and Branding

Sharetribe allows users to customize their marketplace’s look and feel through the Design > Branding section. You can upload logos, change colors, and update background images to align with your brand. The platform also supports custom content pages, landing pages, and SEO optimization with meta tags and Google Search Console integration.

6. Integrations and Extensibility

The New Sharetribe offers no-code integrations with tools like Zapier, Google Analytics, Mapbox, and Plausible for analytics, automation, and map features. For advanced users, the platform’s developer platform allows custom integrations using the Sharetribe Integration API, Events, and Single Sign-On. This makes it possible to build complex workflows or even native mobile apps.

7. Admin Tools and Moderation

Sharetribe provides robust admin tools to monitor and moderate marketplace activity. Operators can control user access, ban malicious users, and assign admin or guest roles. The platform also supports invite-only signups and analytics to track user behavior and marketplace performance.

8. Mobile-Responsive Design

With mobile commerce on the rise, Sharetribe ensures that marketplaces are responsive across all devices. The platform’s templates are optimized for mobile users, providing a seamless experience for buyers and sellers on the go.

Benefits of Using Sharetribe

Sharetribe’s combination of ease of use, affordability, and scalability makes it a compelling choice for marketplace founders. Here are the key benefits:

1. Time and Cost Efficiency

Building a marketplace from scratch can take months and cost tens of thousands of dollars. Sharetribe eliminates this barrier by offering a ready-to-use platform that reduces development time to hours. Users have reported saving significant time and money compared to hiring developers.

2. Ease of Use for Non-Technical Users

Sharetribe’s no-code builder is designed for users with little to no technical expertise. The comprehensive help center, tutorials, and Sharetribe Academy provide ample resources to guide users through setup and growth.

3. Exceptional Customer Support

One of Sharetribe’s standout features is its customer support. Users consistently praise the responsive, knowledgeable, and friendly support team, which offers personalized assistance rather than automated responses. Support includes walkthroughs, connections to Sharetribe Experts for advanced needs, and proactive suggestions.

4. Scalability

Unlike Sharetribe Go, which had limitations when scaling, The New Sharetribe is designed to grow with your business. Its headless architecture and developer platform allow for infinite customization, ensuring that the platform can adapt to changing needs without requiring a complete overhaul.

5. Community Building

Sharetribe fosters community engagement through features like user profiles, reviews, and messaging. Users can follow each other, receive notifications, and build trust through transparent interactions, creating a sense of belonging within the marketplace.

Limitations of Sharetribe

While Sharetribe offers many advantages, it’s not without its drawbacks. Here are some limitations to consider:

1. Limited No-Code Customization

While the no-code builder is powerful, some users find it restrictive for advanced customizations. For example, adding custom JavaScript requires constant testing and updates to align with Sharetribe’s core code, which can be cumbersome for non-developers.

2. Currency Conversion Fees

For international marketplaces, transactions may incur multiple currency conversions, leading to significant fees. One user reported losing about 25% of each sale due to conversion costs, making Sharetribe less ideal for global operations without careful planning.

3. Learning Curve for Complex Features

Although Sharetribe is user-friendly, mastering its full feature set, especially for custom integrations or transaction processes, can take time. The comprehensive help center mitigates this, but users with basic needs may still find certain aspects overwhelming.

4. Lack of Built-In Inventory Management for Multi-Vendor Products

Sharetribe’s inventory management is robust for single-item or user-defined stock but lacks advanced product inventory solutions for multi-vendor marketplaces. This can be a challenge for complex marketplaces with diverse suppliers.

5. Pricing for Advanced Features

While Sharetribe offers a 30-day free trial and plans starting at $79/month, some features, like custom landing pages or advanced integrations, may require higher-tier plans or additional development costs, which could strain budgets for early-stage startups.

Pricing

Sharetribe offers four pricing packages, starting at $79 per month after a 30-day free trial. The exact pricing details for each tier are not publicly disclosed in the provided sources, but the plans are designed to cater to different stages of marketplace growth, from startups to established businesses. Advanced features, such as custom integrations or developer tools, may require higher-tier plans or hiring a Sharetribe Expert. For precise pricing, visit Sharetribe’s official website at https://www.sharetribe.com.

User Experiences and Reviews

Sharetribe has garnered a strong reputation, with a 4-star rating on Trustpilot based on 62 reviews and positive feedback across platforms like GetApp, Capterra, and Product Hunt. Here’s a summary of user sentiments:

Positive Feedback

  • Ease of Setup: Users appreciate the quick setup process, with many launching their marketplaces in under a day. The 30-day free trial and tutorials make it easy to test concepts without upfront costs.
  • Customer Support: The support team is frequently praised for being responsive, solution-focused, and genuinely invested in user success. Users highlight the human touch, with real people providing tailored advice.
  • Successful Case Studies: Examples like Studiotime, an Airbnb-like platform for music studios, and Wheel Price, a marketplace for automotive parts, demonstrate Sharetribe’s ability to support niche markets. Studiotime’s founder, Mike Williams, built and launched his MVP in one night, gaining 1,000 users within 24 hours.
  • Reliability: Long-term users, such as those running pet adoption platforms, report Sharetribe as a reliable and user-friendly solution that scales with their needs.

Negative Feedback

  • Customization Limits: Some users find the no-code option limiting, particularly for advanced features like custom landing pages or unique workflows, requiring developer intervention.
  • International Challenges: The currency conversion issue has been a pain point for international marketplaces, with fees eating into profits.
  • Outdated Design Perception: A 2022 Trustpilot review noted that Sharetribe Go’s design felt dated, though The New Sharetribe has addressed this with modern templates.

Sharetribe vs. Competitors

Sharetribe competes with platforms like WordPress, Shopify, and Mirakl. Here’s how it stacks up:

  • WordPress: Offers more design flexibility but requires plugins and technical expertise for marketplace functionality, making it less user-friendly for beginners.
  • Shopify: Ideal for e-commerce stores but less suited for peer-to-peer marketplaces, as it lacks built-in marketplace features like reviews and transaction processes.
  • Mirakl: A robust solution for large enterprises, Mirakl is more complex and expensive, making Sharetribe a better fit for startups and small businesses.

Sharetribe’s niche is its balance of no-code simplicity and developer-friendly extensibility, making it ideal for entrepreneurs who want to start quickly and scale later.

Who Should Use Sharetribe?

Sharetribe is best suited for:

  • Entrepreneurs and Startups: Those looking to validate a marketplace idea quickly without significant upfront investment.
  • Small Businesses: Companies aiming to create niche marketplaces for local communities or specific industries.
  • Non-Technical Users: Individuals who want a user-friendly platform with robust support and minimal coding requirements.
  • Developers: Teams needing a scalable backend that supports custom integrations and mobile app development.

It may be less suitable for:

  • Complex International Marketplaces: Due to currency conversion fees and limited multi-vendor inventory management.
  • Highly Customized Platforms: If extensive bespoke features are needed, the no-code limitations may require significant developer resources.

Conclusion

Sharetribe is a powerful and accessible platform for building online marketplaces, offering a rare blend of no-code simplicity and developer-friendly scalability. Its intuitive interface, robust feature set, and exceptional customer support make it an excellent choice for entrepreneurs and small businesses looking to launch a marketplace quickly and cost-effectively. The New Sharetribe addresses many of the limitations of Sharetribe Go, providing a modern, flexible solution that can grow with your business.

However, potential users should be aware of its limitations, particularly for international marketplaces and advanced customizations. The currency conversion fees and learning curve for complex features may pose challenges, but these are often outweighed by the platform’s benefits for niche and local markets. With a 30-day free trial and plans starting at $79/month, Sharetribe is worth exploring for anyone looking to tap into the growing marketplace economy.

If you’re considering Sharetribe, take advantage of the free trial to test its features and consult the comprehensive help center for guidance. For more information or to get started, visit https://www.sharetribe.com. Whether you’re launching a rental platform, a service marketplace, or a product-based community, Sharetribe provides the tools to turn your vision into reality—one transaction at a time

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